Having not read any of Rose's books before, I didn't know what to expect. What I got was a book rich in the history of 20th century Russia before 1950 with touches of mystery, art history, and romance. Although to me many times using different narrators in different time periods seems contrived, in this book it works beautifully. Sit back, relax, and be transported into other eras as you read this book.

Although this book is not an action packed book, it held my attention from the beginning. I appreciated that the characters were drawn in a very realistic manner. No one was completely admirable, but no one was completely despicable; they were human. The issues facing the main characters, while colored by the war, are also 21st century family issues. The book also did a fine job of showing how far reaching the consequences of war are for our servicemen and their families.

This was the first book by Kristen Hannah that I have read and now I want to go back and read her earlier books. The plot was engaging and the twists were good and yet believable.The characters were well drawn and engaging. I enthusiastically recommend this book

Once again Parris delights with her character Bruno.The book is a historical whodunit filled with details and well drawn characters. I felt transported back to the era of Elizabeth I.

I enjoyed this book, especially the premise of Tess's confinement. Although the book was short, really a novella, the story kept my interest and was well executed. I have read books by Laura Lippman before but this was my first Tess Monaghan. It will not be my last.

Take a cup of tea or a glass of wine, settle into your favorite chair, and be prepared to lose yourself in a wonderful little book. This book will make you want to skip your commitments so you can read another chapter, and then you will want to visit the Tower to soak up the atmosphere.

This book kept my interest from beginning to end. Although it is set in New England like the "Lace Reader," to me it has a very different feel. The characters are well drawn and believable. The plot has several different side twists; however, they are tied together at the end in an appropriate manner.