Reviews by Karen B. (Pittsburgh, PA)

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Circling the Sun
Circling the Sun: A Novel
by Paula McLain
Beryl Markham, Deserving Subject of McClain's Latest Novel (5/4/2015)
Readers unfamiliar with Beryl Markham and her excellent autobiography, "West With the Night", will be fascinated by McClain's novel focusing on this accomplished and determined woman living in early 20th century Africa. Markham was a trailblazer and, having read Markham's …more
The Last Enchantments
The Last Enchantments
by Charles Finch
Collegiate Coming-of-Age Disappoints (12/4/2013)
The setting of Oxford outshines both the characters and plot of this novel. Liked Finch's writing style and may be interested in picking up his next effort. But, must say that this fell short of both my expectations and those books currently in my "To-Be-Read" pile.
A Dual Inheritance
A Dual Inheritance
by Joanna Hershon
A Good First Impression (3/21/2013)
First impressions are important: A few chapters in to "A Dual Inheritance", and mine was "Ooh, this is good!" Definitely agree that fans of "Rules of Civility" and "The Marriage Plot" will enjoy this novel as well. A plot device that reconnects the main characters seems …more
Beneath the Shadows
Beneath the Shadows
by Sara Foster
Yorkshire Mystery Extremely Satisfying Read (6/2/2012)
Felt that the opening chapter of Sara Foster's debut mystery could have been much more successful in drawing the reader into the story of the disappearance of Grace's husband. Felt she could've done so if she had included some scenes of them together before jumping 1 year …more
Before the Poison
Before the Poison
by Peter Robinson
Yorkshire mystery involving 50 year old murder trial a real page-turner (12/29/2011)
After a somewhat slow beginning, the reader is drawn into the main character's obsession/investigation of a possible miscarriage of justice resulting in the hanging of a woman in 1953 Yorkshire. Robinson's use of trial reports and journal entries effectively transport the …more
The Leftovers
The Leftovers: A Novel
by Tom Perrotta
There's more missing than those who vanished during the "Sudden Departure" (7/15/2011)
Perrotta's novel is an entertaining exercise of how people cope after being left behind after millions of people vanish during a "Rapture-like" phenomenon. Perrotta successfully captures how society feels compelled to try to make sense of senseless acts of terror/tragedy by …more
My Jane Austen Summer
My Jane Austen Summer: A Season in Mansfield Park
by Cindy Jones
Falls Short (2/10/2011)
Have enjoyed much of the Austen fan fiction published over the last decade but could not find much to recommend "My Jane Austen Summer." The plot twist at the end was interesting and unexpected. Maybe the book will improve greatly during the editing process. It would need …more
The Girl in the Green Raincoat
The Girl in the Green Raincoat: A Novel
by Laura Lippman
Charm City Mystery Keeps You Guessing (10/26/2010)
Found Laura Lippman's latest mystery engrossing and finished it in one rainy fall afternoon! Ms. Lippman succeeds in her approach to provide a modern twist on "Rear Window" placing Tess Monaghan, private investigator, in the Jimmy Stewart role; obsessed with solving a " …more
The Nobodies Album
The Nobodies Album
by Carolyn Parkhurst
Outstanding Literary Mystery (6/17/2010)
Carolyn Parkhurst has once again succeeded in surprising her readers. In the "Nobodies Album", Octavia Frost, an enigmatic author whose latest work focuses on rewriting the endings of her previous novels, manages to rewrite her relationship with her estranged son while …more
The Scent of Rain and Lightning
The Scent of Rain and Lightning: A Novel
by Nancy Pickard
Tragedy Revisits Powerful Family in Rural Kansas (1/27/2010)
When a killer is released from prison and granted a re-trial, Jody Linder is forced to reexamine the murder of her parents over twenty years ago. The characters who inhabit Rose, Kansas ring true; especially those most affected by the murder (the Linders and Crosbys). The …more
State by State
State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America
by Sean Wilsey, Matt Weiland
50 Ways to Leave Your State of Boredom (11/4/2009)
Interesting, informative and entertaining essays which showcase the diversity and uniqueness of America. There is humor (Illinois), beauty (Hawaii), revelation (Kentucky), the paranormal (Louisiana), seediness (Florida), poverty (Arizona), connection (Alaska), dampness ( …more
The Air Between Us
The Air Between Us
by Deborah Johnson
Vivid portrayal of a small Mississippi town's struggle with integration. (2/19/2009)
Deborah Johnson's book, "The Air Between Us", set several decades after "To Kill a Mockingbird", offers up some of the same compelling themes found in Harper Lee's classic; justice, conscience, racism and moral leadership. Dr. Reese Jackson, a hero to the entire black …more
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson
Lisbeth Salander & Kathy Mallory: Separated at Birth? (9/27/2008)
In "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", Stieg Larsson has written a blockbuster read with, after a slow start, breathtaking plot development and several of the oddest, most intriguing and likable characters in crime fiction. As a fan of the mystery genre, I couldn't help but …more
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
Maisie Dobbs meets 84 Charing Cross Road (7/27/2008)
What a delightful read! I received the ARC this afternoon via UPS and could not put it down! The novel, set in London just after the end of WWII, centers around the islanders of Guernsey and relays their experiences during Nazi occupation, The novel unfolds solely through …more
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