BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

The Girl Before
by JP Delaney

The Girl Before (12/15/2016)

The premise of this book is a bit creepy. Two woman, two different times. Connected by a mysterious building and their desires to create new lives for themselves. When applying for an unusual apartment they are asked to do one thing. " Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life." Because if you are the lucky applicant that is all you may bring with you. You have a list of many things you may not do. If you don't agree, you don't get the apartment.
This premise sounded unusual and a bit creepy. It is , but not in the way I imagined. The writing is good, the two women interesting. However, the real story was really not about the living space. It is about the women. It is a very unusual book and I do recommend it. Not so much a thriller or mystery, but very suspenseful.

The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko
by Scott Stambach

The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko (7/26/2016)

How to describe this book? Amazing! Breathtaking! Inspiring ! Heartbreaking!. Seventeen year old Ivan lives in the Mazyr Hospital for Gravely Ill Children in Belarus. He has lived there his entire life. Ivan and all the children who live there were born with severe birth defects. This is what is heartbreaking. It was painful to read about these children and their horrific birth defects. Heartbreaking to realize that out advancements caused them.
It was inspiring to follow Ivan's story. His is the voice of this book. Highly intelligent, he strives to make more of his life beyond the limitations of the hospital and his own body. So it is a story of survival, but also a story of compassion, cruelty and finally, love. The entire book is breathtaking. For it's story, characters and writing. The writing is amazing. As difficult a read as this was, I could not stop reading. The writing and thus the story flowed. This is an exceptional book and all I can say is READ IT.
I know I gave the briefest synopsis, but really just read the book. True rating: exceptional.

Security
by Gina Wohlsdorf

Security (3/29/2016)

I have tried to find something to like about this book. The best I can say is that there were very short periods where I did get into the writing. Alas, the story and format got in the way. I did finish the book. I had to reread the ending three times to understand who the narrator was. At least who I think it was. I do not like actually panning a book, but see no alternative. I would not give this book to anyone and would not read it again, even if it was the only book available. Sort of like drinking something that looked good, but was in fact sour.

The Midnight Watch: A Novel of the Titanic and the Californian
by David Dyer

The Midnight Watch (2/5/2016)

The Midnight Watch tells the story of the SS Californian, the ship that watched the Titanic sinking and did nothing. A fictional retelling. That is important to remember. It is author David Dyer's interpretation of those events. His research and background add some substance to his work. Still it is fiction. Which was good, because by the end of the book I wanted to track down and punish the crew and officers of the Californian. I was upset reading it, could not stop thinking about it and had to force myself to finish it. Not because it was a bad novel but because Dyer made it so real. We all know the tragedy of the Titanic. To think that help was so near, but never came due to a lack of concern, curiosity or responsibility.

This is not a complex read. It is not filled with details or fleshed out characters. However, it is a compelling read. I am happy to have received a copy from Bookbrowse.

All Is Not Forgotten
by Wendy Walker

All Is Not Forgotten (10/6/2015)

All Is Not Forgotten is a disturbing book. Very well written, with an unusual story line. It begins with the rape of a young woman. No spoiler, this is right in the beginning. The basis of the story is who raped her? However, the book is so much more. How the family and friends handle the crime. What is the best thing for the victim. What can the the professional's do and of course, who is the rapist and will he be caught. There are so many layers, but it all flows into a riveting story. When you think you know what direction it is going in, it veers off into another. I cannot think of how to explain this book without giving too much away. So I will not try. I will say this is one of the best books I have read in too long a time. I read it almost nonstop and now that I am done, I keep thinking about it. Yes, I will read it again.

Trust No One: A Thriller
by Paul Cleave

Trust No One (6/14/2015)

I cannot say I liked this book, but I could not put it down. It is one of the most intense and unsettling books that I have read in a long time. Jerry Grey is a successful mystery writer. Sadly he has developed Alzheimer's. When his dementia begins to take over his life, everything falls apart. He has written twelve books about twelve violent murderers. Now he confesses that each murder was real and that he is the killer. What really is true? Is he a killer who can no longer hide the truth? Is the confession really caused by his confusion brought on by the Alzheimer's?

Paul Cleave is a gifted writer. He draws you into his story , even if you don't want to go there. Did this book bother me? Yes! Would I recommend it? Absolutely!

What Doesn't Kill Her: A Reeve LeClaire Series Novel
by Carla Norton

What Doesn't Kill Her (5/6/2015)

What Doesn't Kill Her is a sequel to The Edge Of Normal. Both books are about Reeve LeClaire , who was kidnapped and kept prisoner by a sadistic psychotic man. Both books are suspenseful, intense, dark stories of a young woman's attempt to survive. She is now trying to create a new "normal" life. Then the unthinkable happens.

While her first book was excellent, this one is better. It is more complex and chilling. Which says a lot because her first book was terrifying. If you are looking for a read that will keep you up at night, read What Doesn't kill Her. Actually, read both!

The Witch of Painted Sorrows: A Daughters of La Lune Novel
by M. J. Rose

The Witch of Painted Sorrows (3/13/2015)

This started out promising. Sandrine Salome is fleeing a bad marriage. She returns to her Grandmother's home in Paris, but nothing is as she expected. It is set in the art world of 1894 Paris. There is a mysterious mansion, her secretive grandmother, her abusive husband, a new romantic interest and a possible touch of the paranormal. However, I forgot that M.J. Rose has a lot of graphic sex in her books. If you enjoy that, you will probably like this book. I found it unnecessary and that it detracts from the story. I liked many elements in this book, but midway through I lost interest. Perhaps it is that her writing does not maintain the intensity that this story needed. I would find it hard to recommend this to anyone, except for a light junk read.

House of Echoes: A Novel
by Brendan Duffy

House of Echoes (2/12/2015)

House of Echoes sounded like an interesting mystery. However, I would not put in that genre. In fact it is hard to say what genre it should be in. It is an intense family saga that deals with old problems and new beginnings. There is mystery in it, with a touch of horror. Once I began reading it, it owned me. The Tierneys are hoping to keep their life together with a drastic move. What they find is an eerie town that may be a threat to them and their 8 year old son. The book goes in very unexpected directions and is impossible to put down. What a fabulous first novel. It really is rare for me to find a book that draws me in as much as this one did. Do yourself a favor and read it.

The Life I Left Behind
by Colette McBeth

The Life I Left Behind (11/25/2014)

Having read this author before, I was expecting an intense read. I was not disappointed. Written in alternating voices, it was a little confusing initially. However, once you got into the story and knew your characters, the book flowed.

Melody Pieterson survived a vicious attack by her close friend, David. After the attack, she lived a secluded life, isolated from others. Six years later, he has been released from prison. Then, another young woman is attacked in the same manner. However, Eve Elliot does not survive.

Melody finds herself thrust back into the real world . She must overcome her fears and look again at her attack and Eve's. Are they really connected? Is David responsible fpr both attacks or is someone else the real threat.

The book alternates between Melody and Eve, each telling their story.

Having read both Colette McBeth's books, I am feeling a bit wary of old friends. If you want some great suspense and a little creepiness read this author. Her two books are not connected. It doesn't matter which you read first.

The Life I Left Behind. Precious Thing.

The Paris Winter
by Imogen Robertson

Paris Winter (7/22/2014)

Paris Winter focuses on a group of women artists in 1909 Paris. It was a very difficult life chosen by women driven by their passion for art. Although several artists and models make up this tale, the heroine is Maud. A young , well-bred English girl who only wants to live in the world of art. The story begins telling us her journey into this life. However, what makes this book so good, is where she goes and what happens after she is studying in Paris. I do not do spoilers. Let's just say that she is involved in intrigue and terror before she realizes what is happening. Although the art is a main part of the tale, it is the mysterious goings-on that make this a suspenseful read. Before I knew it, I couldn't put this down. Nor did I want to.
This would be a great book group read.

That Summer
by Lauren Willig

That Summer (4/20/2014)

I have read Lauren Willig many times and always enjoyed her books. When I was finished with this one, I thought about giving it a 4. Then I realized that I could not stop thinking about it. In fact, I became so vested in Imogen that it felt like I knew her. While I liked all of the book, it was the historical story that was the best. I do not want to give the story away. Let me just say that when Imogen and Julia tell their own story, I wanted to comfort them. I felt their pain .Even now , even knowing this is fiction, I want to help these women. This is by far, my favorite of Willig's books. It is a lovely, heartbreaking tale . This will be a great summer read and book group book.

The Jericho Deception
by Jeffrey Small

Jericho Deception (3/24/2013)

It took awhile to get into this book. Each chapter was a different locale, different characters. Once I got them straight , the book was easier to follow. I do feel this was too long. However, I did want to finish it because I really liked the main characters. The story line was intriguing too. Although I am not always interested in religious based fiction, this managed to catch and hold my attention. Without giving anything away, I will say that this premise was both awesome and terrifying. I gave it a 3, but really it is a 3.75.

Bone River
by Megan Chance

Bone River (12/4/2012)

Leoine Russell was raised in the Pacific Northwest during the mid-nineteenth century. Her father had devoted his life to studying the native culture in that area. She grew up surrounded by artifacts, burial grounds and ancient myths. She accepted her life as first her father, then her husband dictated. Then she found the mummy. Everything she knew changed. Why is she so drawn to the mummy? How is it connected to her? She now begins to question all of her life. Who was her father? What kind of man is her husband?

Bone River has something for everyone who likes a great read. History, love and betrayal, mysticism and mystery. Beautifully written with an intricate plot, I cannot recommend it enough. I gave it a five, but really I want to give it a 6.

And When She Was Good: A Novel
by Laura Lippman

And When She Was Good (7/28/2012)

I have read many Laura Lippman books and always enjoy them. She is an easy read, with usually an intense fast moving plot. This story line was intriguing. A woman is found dead. She was a madam with a "black book. Was she murdered or did she take her own life. The voice of the book is another woman, who is also a madam. We go back and forth in time, coming to understand how her life took this direction. Do we view her as a victim, pushed into her life by things she had no control over? Should we see her as a moral person or a player? Is she somehow connected to the dead woman? All of this in interesting. However, it took too long to tell this story. It was not up to the caliber of her previous books.

Beneath the Shadows
by Sara Foster

Beneath The Shadows (5/29/2012)

As a lover of gothics, I was a bit sceptical when I started this book. Having grown up with REBECCA, I knew what a true gothic was. Happily this lived up to my expectations. It was indeed suspensful and haunting. Sara Foster gives you everything. Two brooding men, a heroine you care about and a tragic mystery. The setting in the North Yorkshire moors was just an extra bonus.

Before the Poison
by Peter Robinson

Before the Poison (12/3/2011)

This stand alone has all the usual trademarks of Peter Robinson 's books. Beautifully crafted, the suspense builds slowly. What has drawn widower Chris Lownds back to the U.K.. After years in Hollywood , he decides to return and buys an old mansion in Yorkshire. He finds that it was the scene of an infamous murder some fifty years ago. A beautiful woman kills her husband and hangs for the crime. As Chris delves into the case he begins to question her guilt. What really did happen at Kilnsgate house and is he bringing past danger into the present?
As always Peter Robinson delivers an outstanding mystery.

A Bitter Truth: A Bess Crawford Mystery
by Charles Todd

A Bitter Truth (8/21/2011)

I have read several of Todd's books and always enjoy his writing. He draws his readers into the WWI time period from the first page. Nurse Bess Crawford is warm, realistic and engaging. The sections set in the war zones are chilling. All of this is what I like about his books.
However,there is a critical part of the plot that was unbelievable to me. This is why I could not give it a " good". Still, his writing, characters and setting make for a fun read.

The Tender Mercy of Roses: A Novel
by Anna Michaels

The Tender Mercy of Roses (4/13/2011)

This spellbinding book has it all. Mystery, mysticism, family secrets, and above all else love. Beautifully written, it draws you in from the start.

Although totally different from these two books, it reminded me of how I felt reading "The Help" and "Room". A chill up my back, the need to keep reading and sadness when the book ended.

Reviews by Carole P. (Framingham, MA)

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Reviews by Carole P. (Framingham, MA)

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