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Reviews by Leslie D. (Le Roy, NY)

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The Essex Serpent
The Essex Serpent
by Sarah Perry
Not what I expected (3/20/2017)
The premise of faith (characterized by Anglican vicar Will Ransome) versus reason (naturalist Cora Seaborne) to explore the unexplained sea monster on the coast of England in late Victorian times is an appealing storyline, and there were many interesting conversations, …more
The Book That Matters Most
The Book That Matters Most: A Novel
by Ann Hood
Entertaining but not thoroughly baked (6/6/2016)
You CAN go home again in Hood's forthcoming book, even if home looks slightly different. Ava's participation in a local, invitation-only book group opens her eyes to literary works and to her own life...and the refreshments are delicious and boozy! Although this could have …more
A Certain Age
A Certain Age: A Novel
by Beatriz Williams
Witty look at the 1920s New York Upper Crust (3/29/2016)
The title refers both to setting as well as to character in this entertaining historical novel. Set in 1920s New York City and Connecticut, the story shows off the huge cultural shifts happening after the war but also follows the romantic triangle of the comic opera it's …more
The Swans of Fifth Avenue
The Swans of Fifth Avenue
by Melanie Benjamin
Duckling and swan (10/28/2015)
The novel was interesting in that it simultaneously fascinated and repelled me—the 1950s upscale social scene was so false and hurtful to those involved in it, while the personalities of Babe Paley and Truman Capote and their deep need for a true friendship was developed …more
That Summer
That Summer
by Lauren Willig
Solid historical from outstanding author (5/6/2014)
Lauren Willig has a talent for combining a contemporary story with a mystery from the past, and like her Pink Carnation series, this is no exception. Moving from the Napoleonic-era of those, this one is about the Raphaelite painters of the mid-19th century. I found the …more
Longbourn
Longbourn
by Jo Baker
Truly original Austen take (9/27/2013)
The list of homages and continuations of Austen novels seems endless, but Baker's new novel centered around the servants of the Bennet household (Pride & Prejudice) is truly new and original. Even more, it's audacious in its interpretation of a couple of the main …more
Songs of Willow Frost
Songs of Willow Frost
by Jamie Ford
Unusual historical setting (9/27/2013)
Jamie Ford fans will relish his new book, which contains many of the same themes as Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, but which is very different in time period, characters and plot. Once again, it revolves around the Asian community on the West Coast and the …more
Through the Evil Days
Through the Evil Days: A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery
by Julia Spencer-Fleming
"Evil Days" provides good reading days (9/2/2013)
One of the strengths of Julia Spencer-Fleming's series is that she never writes the same book twice. That also means that some of the enjoyable scenes of previous books, like the banter with Harlene in the police department and with Clare and her church secretary are …more
Letters from Skye
Letters from Skye
by Jessica Brockmole
Exquisite writing in engrossing story (6/9/2013)
While there will be many comparisons to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, this debut novel stands on its own merit and tells quite a different story. In the letters of a mother and a daughter to their significant others, we see wartime Britain, both for …more
A Murder at Rosamund's Gate
A Murder at Rosamund's Gate: A Lucy Campion Mystery
by Susanna Calkins
A letdown (3/22/2013)
As the leader of a discussion group that enjoys historical mysteries, I had high hopes for this new author. An interesting premise and lots of historical details, though, were marred by uneven writing. The flow of the story was slowed by an overabundance of parenthetical …more
A Hundred Flowers
A Hundred Flowers: A Novel
by Gail Tsukiyama
A Hundred Flowers (7/27/2012)
This character-driven story is perfect for book groups and will appeal to readers of historical fiction. Told from multiple points of view, it concentrates on one Chinese family during Mao's Hundred Flowers campaign in 1957. Life changes for all the people in the book, and …more
A Simple Murder
A Simple Murder
by Eleanor Kuhns
Simple language needed (4/17/2012)
An interesting premise and unusual setting are marred by cliched language and repetitive phrasing. Better editing could have made this a stronger entry in new mysteries, especially considering that the subject--the simple Shaker life--would work much better with …more
No Mark Upon Her
No Mark Upon Her: A Novel
by Deborah Crombie
A great mystery--if I may put my "oar" in (1/5/2012)
Author Deborah Crombie has the ability to choose a quintessentially English theme--the prestigious sport of rowing in this case--and then develop a complex mystery around it. The book is suspenseful, although the story takes time to develop the characters, to explore the …more
Tides of War
Tides of War: A Novel
by Stella Tillyard
"Tides of War" reveals true heroes--and imposters (11/23/2011)
Although slow starting, this superb historical piece depicts the Peninsular War in rare depth. From the home front to the battlefield, it’s an honest, raw view of war and its effects, where intensely sad scenes are countered by little rays of hope.
The portrayal of real …more
The Things We Cherished
The Things We Cherished: A Novel
by Pam Jenoff
The Things We Cherished (5/26/2011)
Perhaps expectation set my standards too high, as I've been wanting to read Jenoff's books for ages. I found this book to be ok for a quick summer read. The plot was interesting, but the characters were kind of flat, and I wanted to be "convinced" more of their feelings …more
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