BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

I See You
by Clare Mackintosh

I SEE YOU (12/7/2016)

Intriguing title for a most intriguing psychological thriller. Great characters, riveting suspense. I was completely hooked and I must confess that I went waaaay over my bedtime to finish it. I didn't get to start the book for a while after receiving it, but when I did, I made up for lost time. I love it when a book captures me this way. It's like being starving and coming across a sumptuous spread. Clare MackIntosh is a very important author and I can't wait for her next book!

Far From True: A Promise Falls Novel
by Linwood Barclay

And Now????? (1/13/2016)

When I requested this book, I decided to go back and read the first of the trilogy "Broken Promises" before I read "Far From True". Glad I did, although both novels end without total resolution.
Lots of suspense and the characters were interesting, quirky and believable.
I am looking forward to the 3rd and final book.
Barclay definitely knows how to set a hook. Now, I'm ready to be reeled in.

All Is Not Forgotten
by Wendy Walker

All Is Not Forgotten (10/25/2015)

Wendy Walker has broken new ground in this psychological thriller. A young girl is raped and then given a controversial new drug to erase or at least minimize the memory of the horrific event.
The fall-out from the incident and its aftermath affects not only her family, but the community in which she lives.
This book kept me off balance the entire time I was reading it - I couldn't get a handle on what was happening or what might happen. Extremely well-written and suspenseful. I liked it very much.

The Shore: A Novel
by Sara Taylor

A Gritty, Plaintive New Voice in Fiction (5/30/2015)

Sara Taylor has captured the essence - the soul - of this area of the Chesapeake Bay. She explores and exposes the dark world of a community that is impoverished - where the cycles of abuse and despair repeat, but still have a thread of light and hope running throughout. This is not an easy book to read, but well worth it.

Trust No One: A Thriller
by Paul Cleave

Trust No One (5/30/2015)

Jerry Grey, under the pseudonym Henry Cutter, has written very successful thrillers for years. Now with the diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's, the line between reality and fiction is blurring and becoming horrific - he believes he has actually committed the crimes of which he writes. His family and friends insist he is delusional, but what is the truth? If you do not like dark, disturbing books, this is not for you. But this book is well worth reading - well written and brilliantly plotted.

Between the Tides
by Susannah Marren

Between the Tides (4/15/2015)

I enjoy well-written books about the relationships between women; however, it helps if the women characterized have a sympathetic persona. I didn't care for either of the two main characters; they were vain and self-serving. The book was well written, and the story interesting, even if the ending was a bit ...false and reaching.

The Silver Witch
by Paula Brackston

The Silver Witch (2/22/2015)

I love fantasy, supernatural, magic and anything Celtic, so I dove into this novel with high expectations . The premise of two people connecting over the centuries was intriguing I and thought Tilda and Seren were both well characterized. As Tilda's powers grow and the story unfolds, I found myself very engrossed. The ending seemed a bit rushed, but overall, this was a good, solid, fun read.

The Life I Left Behind
by Colette McBeth

Knockout Debut! (11/21/2014)

If this is a sample of what is in store for readers, I can't wait for more books by Colette McBeth. I was engaged from the first page and as the suspense and drama continued to build, I found myself dying to look ahead. The atmosphere and characterizations in this novel are outstanding and for any Mystery/Thriller Lover, do yourself a favor and purchase this as soon as it is released.

The Paris Winter
by Imogen Robertson

The Paris Winter - Simply Outstanding (7/16/2014)

It took me a few days to start reading this book because I had another one I had to finish and review. But when I did, I absolutely devoured it. This book has everything. It is one of the best Historical Fiction books I have ever read. At first, the pace is gentle and soothing, almost like watching a peaceful river glide by, and then before you know it, you are thrown into the rapids and swimming for your life. It is dark and dangerous; mysterious and full of knowledge; and the ART - oh, the Art and Artists depicted! The emotions and characters embodied in this novel make it unique in the genre. I urge people to mark the publication date -- November 14, 2014 -- on their calendar and then make arrangements to do nothing else until you finish reading it. I did not want this book to end.

The Quick
by Lauren Owen

The (not so) Quick (4/15/2014)

This is a long book. It's also a very good book; however, it risks being bogged down by its sheer volume of people, places and situations. I've not read a better description of London at the turn of the century - the atmosphere is brilliant, and it is populated by fascinating (and wonderfully weird) people. Gothic in the extreme, and ultimately, very satisfying.

Mimi Malloy, At Last!
by Julia MacDonnell

Mimi Malloy - At Last! (2/12/2014)

As a 'senior' myself, I found this book engaging, enjoyable and wise. By turns amusing and tragic, I could fully appreciate Mimi and her world - and her perception of her world. I applaud her grit and tenderness and refusal to be manipulated. Thank you, Mimi!

Through the Evil Days: A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery
by Julia Spencer-Fleming

Through The Evil Days (9/25/2013)

I am an avid fan of Julia Spencer-Fleming's books and was so excited to be picked to review the ARC. While the book is good, I felt it was a bit draggy in places and that the relationship between Claire and Russ seemed somewhat forced at times.The writing is literary quality, as always, but it just wasn't as riveting as her other books.

Her Last Breath: A Kate Burkholder Novel
by Linda Castillo

New Linda Castillo Book - Stunning! (6/5/2013)

If I could give this book 6 stars, I would. The Kate Burkholder series is absolutely excellent, but Linda Castillo has taken her newest entry, "Her Last Breath" to new heights.

Kate is the Police Chief of a small, predominantly Amish town. As a former member of the Amish religion, but having left the fold, she understands and loves the people, but for the most part, they are suspicious of her.

A family is killed when a speeding car hits their buggy, and when Kate investigates, she find that not only is she looking for the killer, but struggling with the prejudices of the Amish society, as well as having to face her own dark past.

I can't recommend this book too highly.

The Jericho Deception
by Jeffrey Small

The Jericho Deception (3/19/2013)

A well-written novel with a unique voice. While the narrative was engaging, it was still a bit wordy and the whole concept was difficult to follow. That being said – I enjoyed the novel and thought the premise fascinating.

Rage Against the Dying
by Becky Masterman

Rage Against the Dying (1/29/2013)

This book got lost in the mail so it took a while to receive it, but oh, it was well worth the wait!
I have seldom seen such engaging writing from a debut author! Brigid, the 59-year old protagonist of the book is very well drawn - as are her other characters. This book is suspenseful, riveting in places, and has such an ORIGINAL voice. I do hope this turns into a series.

The Edge of the Earth
by Christina Schwarz

The Edge of the Earth (11/4/2012)

This is an excellent novel that slowly brings us into the turn-of-the-century world of the west coast and almost unexplored territory. The suspense that builds as Trudy and Oskar settle into their lighthouse home and get to know the very formidable inhabitants of the area is steady and haunting. This book has magical overtones.

The Light Between Oceans: A Novel
by Margot L. Stedman

The Light Between Oceans (7/15/2012)

The choices we make not only shape us, they affect those whose life we touch. This is a novel about choices and how there really can be times when wrong is right and right is wrong. The author's telling of this tale made it so that I could empathize with all of the three principal characters, thus giving me choices to make, also. This is a very good book.

The First Warm Evening of the Year: A Novel
by Jamie M. Saul

The First Warm Evening of the Year (4/16/2012)

This book is definitely character-driven, and I truly liked the protagonists. Some may find it a bit slow; however, there is a great deal of depth here. A gentle romance, but a powerful one.

The Red Book: A Novel
by Deborah Copaken Kogan

Liked It; Not Sure If I Did (2/12/2012)

I read every word of this in just a few days and while I thought it had some really terrific substance, I also wasn't very engaged by most of the protagonists. Maybe TMI - hard to keep up with. Maybe it's hard for most readers to relate to Harvard Grads. I did like the book and would recommend it.

Before the Poison
by Peter Robinson

Before The Poison (12/1/2011)

This is a departure from the Inspector Banks series and not nearly as gritty and intense. A touch of the supernatural and a somewhat gentle, drifty approach makes this an unusual book, especially with a male narrator who seems to be obsessed with the quest to find the truth about a woman who was hanged for the murder of her husband 60 years before. Good story; well-written - the descriptions of the various locales, particularly the house in Yorkshire, are wonderful.

Reviews by Sue P. (Richardson, TX)

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