BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Descent
by Tim Johnston

Decent's Author Is On The Ascent (11/10/2014)

I found "Descent" to be a very enjoyable read. The author is a master of prose and is able to paint a picture and to make you feel that you are actually a part of the action. He moves you back and forth between the present and the past as if you are looking into a mirror.

This book is not for the faint hearted. Parts of the story are gut wrenching and others are beautiful presentations of warmth and heroics. I look forward to reading other novels by Tim Johnston.

Jacob's Oath
by Martin Fletcher

The Holocaust and its Aftermath (9/6/2013)

This is a novel about one of the most horrific periods in our history; the holocaust and its aftermath. Author Martin Fletcher does a masterful job of capturing the essence of the heart rendering atrocities committed, and the despair created in the death camps. Jacob was interred in a concentration camp and was subjected to the cruelty and inhumane treatment of the Jews but was able to survive. His brother was less fortunate, dying in Jacob's arms.

The major portion of the novel deals with the time after the end of the war. Jacob meets Sarah, a survivor who was able to hide out and escape capture. She is also a victim, but at the hands of the liberators. Jacob is obsessed with fulfilling a promise made to his brother that he would avenge his death. This obsession threatens their relationship and their future.

Author Fletcher has created a story that held my interest throughout. It is a love story that has all the suspense, anxiety and pity that ones emotions can endure.

Lookaway, Lookaway
by Wilton Barnhardt

A Tedious Tale of a Dysfunctional Family (6/14/2013)

The author takes a dysfunctional family and uses them to portray the society they live in as being without social value. This has to be the most depressing novel I have ever read. Sometimes author Barnhardt is apparently writing with tongue in cheek but the overall plot is so dark that I could find no humor in his portrayal. Several times I asked myself why I was torturing myself by reading this long, boring charade and the only explanation I can offer is that I felt obligated to complete it so I could write this review. I'm sure the author really does not appreciate my persistence but maybe my fellow BookBrowse members will

Flat Water Tuesday
by Ron Irwin

Flat Water Tuesday produces a storm surge of excitement. (5/8/2013)

I really enjoyed this book. I was skeptical before starting my read since I know very little about crew and I was wondering how the subject could be exciting or produce an interesting novel. Boy, was my skepticism ill placed. I credit the author for creating a story that is interesting, exciting, suspenseful and most of all, entertaining. The characters are diverse but each has their good and bad qualities revealed to us and I was able to identify with them. The three main characters (Rob, Ruth Anderson and Connor) interact in ways that produce a story worth telling and certainly worth reading. Thanks Ron Irwin for authoring a great debut novel. I will anxiously await your next book.

Crime of Privilege
by Walter Walker

Cover up of a Crime by the Privileged. (4/8/2013)

This is a gripping mystery of crimes perhaps committed by a family of wealth and privilege. A young assistant prosecutor, who witnessed one of the crimes when he was a college student, is the one trying to pursue justice. His path is encumbered at every step by those beholden to the powerful Cape Cod dynasty. He is relentless in his pursuit and appears to have solved the murder mystery but is thwarted in his attempt to bring the perpetrator to justice. Even though the victim of the murder is the daughter of another rich and powerful man, the prosecutor is made aware that the justice system is not always blind when political influence is involved.

The Good House
by Ann Leary

Hildy In Denial (11/29/2012)

Hildy Good is an alcoholic in denial. She has undergone one bout with rehab and although it was successful in curbing her drinking in the short term, she has reverted to drinking in "moderation". Her downward spiral with this affliction reaches the point where her addiction is the controlling influence on her entire existence and on the lives of everyone with whom she comes in contact.
All through the story, I was rooting for her to crush this demonic affliction and return to her productive, loving and rewarding life.
After sometimes comic and oftentimes tragic interactions with her friends, lover and neighbors, Hildy does face her demons and makes another try to eradicate them. We are left to wonder about the outcome.

Live by Night
by Dennis Lehane

Compelling Prohibition Era Drama (8/1/2012)

Dennis Lehane has written a fantastic, gripping, keep you on the edge of your seat novel. There are no good guys or good gals in this story; some are just “less bad” than others. The main character, Joe Coughlin, has many appealing characteristics but he is also a ruthless, cold hearted outlaw and admitted gangster. His escapades lead to chilling, exciting drama. I got intensely involved in this book and hated to see it end. This was the first time I have read anything by Dennis Lehane but I definitely plan to read more.

Niceville: A Novel
by Carsten Stroud

Niceville Is Not A Nice Place (5/28/2012)

Niceville is a novel that has many characters, plots and subplots. It deals with the real world and the shadow world. There are a lot of unsavory characters and a few likeable characters. All of this adds up to a novel that has something for everyone but not a whole lot for me. There are so many characters that I had a hard time following them.

The story is sometimes gripping and suspenseful but there were times when I was on the verge of giving up on the task of finishing it.

A Land More Kind Than Home: A Novel
by Wiley Cash

Writing At Its Best – Religion At Its Worst (3/20/2012)

This first novel by Wiley Cash is exceptional. The story is set in the mountains of North Carolina and explores the lives of mountain folks both isolated by geography and drawn together by a church led by a pastor who deals in snake handling and adultery with his parishioners. The effect of this charlatan on the lives of his parishioners, their families and on the community is devastating and finally tragic.

I was captivated by the characters’ varied circumstances and personalities. Those that appear good have evil undersides and the grandfather that has led a rather despicable life is called upon to be the sole support for the innocent young victim when he is left with no one else. The author’s portrayal is so compelling that I can’t help but think about the surviving characters and wondering what the future held for them. Perhaps we will find out in subsequent works by this fine author.

A Good American: A Novel
by Alex George

A Tale of American Immigrants & Their Descendants (12/26/2011)

One of the best generational stories I have ever read. The author, Alex George, is himself an immigrant and he obviously has fallen in love with America. His understanding of the challenges and opportunities experienced by our ancestors upon entry into the United States is evident.
This novel presents the reader with a wide range of emotional highs and lows, joys and tragedies, and examples of good behavior and dastardly acts. It also illustrates how those who work hard are rewarded but also, in the concluding pages; a surprise is revealed about how one character has used crime, deceit and abandonment to create his fortune.
In the Author’s Note, Mr. George tells us why he likes America and in turn caused me to reflect on what I have often taken for granted about how lucky we are that our ancestors chose to be Americans.

Tides of War: A Novel
by Stella Tillyard

Historical Novel (11/25/2011)

This historical novel, framed in the time period of the Peninsular War (1812 - 1815), deals with the military action in Spain and the civilians left behind in England. There is more attention paid to the romance and dalliances of those left behind than to the military action. I would have preferred more history and less romance.

The Orphan Master's Son: A Novel
by Adam Johnson

Somber Tale of a Vile Country (10/25/2011)

Before reading this novel, I knew North Korea was a country with a demonic leader. What I learned was that the citizens deserve our sympathy. Every vile aspect of life in the former Soviet Union of which I have heard, has apparently been replicated and enhanced in North Korea.
This is a very informative and well written story. The only reason that I did not give it 5 stars is because the message is so sad and depressing. The image of the plight of the people will stay with me for a long time.

Low Town: A Novel
by Daniel Polansky

Low Rating for Low Town (6/10/2011)

I am definitely not an expert capable of evaluating literature of this genre. I am able to decide that this novel does not appeal to me. I had a hard time following the story line, probably a result of my lack of enthusiasm for a story that has a drug dealer as its hero and is set in a time and place with which I cannot relate.

I know this is David Polansky’s first novel and I wish I could enthusiastically praise his effort but I cannot.

Outlander
by Diana Gabaldon

Captivating Chronicle (3/22/2011)

When I saw that Outlander consisted of 850 pages of small type, I doubted that the author could hold my interest for such an extended period. Boy, was I wrong. The pace was brisk and the content was absorbing. I hated to put it down.

The plot presents a number of moral and ethical dilemmas for the hero and especially the heroine. She manages to justify her actions and gains support from friends and clergy. To sum up the moral of this story I would say... Love (or Lust?) conquers all!

Jamrach's Menagerie: A Novel
by Carol Birch

Thrills & Suspense on Every Page (2/3/2011)

This book has adventure, excitement, tension and terror on virtually every page. Jamrach's Menagerie is definitely not for the faint of heart. It is extremely well written. I felt like this had the read of an autobiography. The author is that convincing in her portrayal of Jaff's odyssey. I will definitely be watching for other books by Ms. Birch.
I think this book would lead to very interesting book club discussions but I would be careful in recommending it to juveniles.

Three Seconds
by Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom

Three Seconds by Roslund & Hellstrom (12/22/2010)

I had somewhat of a problem keeping up with the cast of characters. This was probably due to my lack of familiarity with Swedish names.

The book got off to a rather slow start, but once I got into it, it was very gripping.
The story has so many plot twists and intricacies that I think it would be even more interesting if I were to read it again. I think I may just do that.

Gone Tomorrow: A Jack Reacher Novel #13
by Lee Child

Action Packed Adventure (10/6/2010)

This is an absorbing adventure that made me anxious to read the next chapter. Even though the actions of the villains are horrific, they are believable. This is the first book I have read by the author but I will read more of his work now that I have been introduced to "Reacher".

I would warn the queasy and faint of heart to avoid reading this novel. The torture scenes are extremely graphic.

Reviews by Steve B. (Spring, TX)

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