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Reviews by Mary Ellen L. (Canfield, OH)

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All the Old Knives
All the Old Knives
by Olen Steinhauer
All the Old Knives (12/10/2014)
Although a long time fan of mystery thrillers, this was my first read by Olen Steinhauer. I started the first few chapters, then put it aside until I had more time. I soon discovered, however, that although this is not a lengthy novel, it is best read in one or two sittings, …more
Under the Wide and Starry Sky
Under the Wide and Starry Sky
by Nancy Horan
Under the Wide and Starry Sky (10/31/2013)
Fans of Nancy Horan's "Loving Frank" will not be disappointed with her second novel. She manages to bring to life the equally fascinating characters of Louis and Fanny and their loving, but turbulent, relationship as they travel the world. Historical facts are expanded upon, …more
How the Light Gets In
How the Light Gets In: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, #9
by Louise Penny
How the Light Gets In (7/7/2013)
I recently read the first book in Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series and just finished this ninth. This book is a most impressive mystery. The characters are well-developed and memorable, the plot subtle and ingenious, and the mystery complex. A definite five-star …more
A Nearly Perfect Copy
A Nearly Perfect Copy
by Allison Amend
A Nearly Perfect Copy (3/11/2013)
The title of this book is significant as it relates to forgery in the art world and the subject of cloning. It was, however, misclassified as a mystery. It is rather an in-depth character study of its two main characters with an insight into the art world. The characters …more
The Roots of the Olive Tree
The Roots of the Olive Tree: A Novel
by Courtney Miller Santo
Roots of the Olive Tree (7/8/2012)
This is an engaging novel of five generations of women, each with amazing longevity, hidden strength and an intriguing story. Their many secrets unfold, although somewhat slowly, throughout the novel as the women question revealing them. The novel's setting on an olive tree …more
Cloudland
Cloudland: A Crime Novel
by Joseph Olshan
Cloudland (3/2/2012)
The discovery of a body by a former investigative reporter in rural Vermont begins a crime novel with unexpected connections and psychological twists and turns. The reader is led in many directions along with the reporter as she tries to solve both the serial murders and …more
A Partial History of Lost Causes
A Partial History of Lost Causes: A Novel
by Jennifer duBois
Not a lost cause (12/8/2011)
For a first novel from a young author, this is an amazing book. It is skillfully written in a clever style, interweaving the lives of its central characters looking for answers to life's difficult question.

The characters are more interesting than appealing. The story line …more
The Most Dangerous Thing
The Most Dangerous Thing
by Laura Lippman
A most interesting read (8/6/2011)
This was an intriguing book, starting which the quote from my favorite Whittier poem. I anticipated a plot following the poem's story line, which I did not find. What developed was a skillfully written and absorbing story with its mystery aspect subordinated to the …more
Sister
Sister: A Novel
by Rosamund Lupton
Sister (5/15/2011)
Sister is an intriguing mystery which combines an unusual writing approach, a well-planned plot, and absorbing insights into family relationships and grief. It is a well-written, stylish novel with enough twists and clues presented in shifts of time and details to keep the …more
The Philosophical Breakfast Club
The Philosophical Breakfast Club: Four Remarkable Friends Who Transformed Science and Changed the World
by Laura J. Snyder
The Philosophical Breakfast Club (1/1/2011)
The Philosophical Breakfast Club fulfills its promotional materials as a vivid portrait of four extraordinary men of 19th century science. The author has done extensive research into the details of their personal lives and scientific contributions, however occasionally …more
The Nobodies Album
The Nobodies Album
by Carolyn Parkhurst
Memorable (6/3/2010)
This is an engrossing novel which this reader couldn't wait to finish and was distraught when she did. It combines a mystery with a family drama, skillfully presented by an inventive author. The murder mystery aspect is secondary to the exploration of family relationships …more
Heresy
Heresy
by S.J. Parris
Heresy (11/30/2009)
Heresy is billed as a historical thriller and lives up to its promotional materials. The novel contains vivid descriptions of the turbulent 16th century as seen through the eyes of a renegade Italian monk visiting Oxford University. A mystery evolves which is solved by the …more
Await Your Reply
Await Your Reply
by Dan Chaon
Await Your Reply (7/12/2009)
The author's prominence as a short-story writer is demonstrated by this latest publication, which incorporates three separate stories into a thrilling and surprising novel. The chapters rotate among the characters, leaving the reader to question the possible connection. If …more
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    The River Knows Your Name
    by Kelly Mustian
    A haunting Southern novel about memory and love, from the author of The Girls in the Stilt House.
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    One Death at a Time
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    The Seven O'Clock Club
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    Four strangers join an experimental treatment to heal broken hearts in Amelia Ireland's heartfelt debut novel.

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    Happy Land
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    From the New York Times bestselling author, a novel about a family's secret ties to a vanished American Kingdom.

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    The Fairbanks Four
    by Brian Patrick O’Donoghue

    One murder, four guilty convictions, and a community determined to find justice.

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