Reviews by Elly M. (Roswell, NM)

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Fallen Land
Fallen Land
by Taylor Brown
Sad Slice of History (11/23/2015)
Taylor Brown has a winner in this debut novel. He presents a story of two young people in search of a new life in the final years of the Civil War and the unimaginable hardships faced. The character development was very strong, leaving no question as to the "good, bad or …more
The War Reporter
The War Reporter
by Martin Fletcher
The War Reporter (8/15/2015)
Mr. Fletcher has penned a fast paced historical novel with the subject matter covering something of interest for everyone; that is...a war, along with a love story.

The story centers on the conflict in the Serbia and Bosnia region, giving insight with regard to not only the …more
Fishbowl
Fishbowl: A Novel
by Bradley Somer
Voyeurism at its Very Best (5/23/2015)
Bradley Somer's style in presenting the occupants of the Roxy Street apartment building, prior to and during Ian's airborne descent, was unique, giving birth to myriad stories of life. Feeling somewhat like a voyeur, one can't help but be caught up in it all, moving from …more
Little Black Lies
Little Black Lies
by Sharon Bolton
Bound to Be a Best Seller (4/15/2015)
Brimming over with suspense, "Little Black Lies" is a fast paced novel of friendship, infidelity, love, loss, resilience and tragedy: a story of missing children. Bolton has devised a plot designed to sustain the reader's rapt attention to the last page and her character …more
Descent
Descent
by Tim Johnston
Absolutely Captivating Novel (10/30/2014)
Mr. Johnston certainly wastes no time engaging one's rapt attention. Normally, I have little patience for so much descriptive writing, but this was executed so well that I found myself drawn into the moods of the characters and their surroundings (I could even smell the …more
Doing Harm
Doing Harm
by Kelly Parsons
Compelling Debut Novel (11/22/2013)
While unexpected life events prevented my delving into this page-turning work, once started, it was impossible to set aside. "Doing Harm" does not release its hold on your attention until the last word, with unexpected twists popping up at each frantic turn of the page. It …more
The Woman at the Light
The Woman at the Light: A Novel
by Joanna Brady
If I Could Give It A Ten, I Would! (7/18/2012)
Simply stated, this is a fascinating and captivating historical novel. At its heart is a strong, determined young woman, the likes of whom would be difficult to encounter today. This protagonist was supported with many richly described characters and the history of the Key …more
Afterwards
Afterwards: A Novel
by Rosamund Lupton
Afterward (5/7/2012)
This is a compelling novel that captures interest at the prologue's first line and never lets go. The use of a first person "semi-spirit" voice from our protagonist personalized all of the novel's "residents", pulling the reader well into their world.
"Afterwards" is an …more
The Good Father
The Good Father: A Novel
by Noah Hawley
The Good Father (12/30/2011)
This is definitely a novel that captures your interest from the start. Hawley exhibits a remarkable style of writing that places the reader clearly in the mind of both father and son. One can feel the tug of guilt in the father as his relentless attempts to help his son …more
Defending Jacob
Defending Jacob: A Novel
by William Landay
Defending Jacob (10/11/2011)
William Landay's "Defending Jacob" is a fast-paced, compelling novel of suspense and familial dynamics centered on an almost impossible situation to imagine. All characters were so well developed that they appeared in my mind's eye without effort. I had no trouble feeling …more
Before Ever After
Before Ever After: A Novel
by Samantha Sotto
Definite Thumbs Up! (6/20/2011)
On several occasions, I have found debut novels to be great reads and certainly "Before Ever After" is no exception. Well, except, perhaps, it goes beyond simply being a "great read".

I was immediately drawn into the story by Sotto's excellent writing skills, finding myself …more
A Lesson in Secrets
A Lesson in Secrets: A Maisie Dobbs Novel
by Jacqueline Winspear
A Lesson in Secrets (3/25/2011)
Maisie Dobbs is a treat - an endearing protagonist - and her adventures in "Secrets" were ambitious and fun to read.

Having read only the first in the series prior to this most recent, I was afraid "Secrets" might not stand alone. Unfounded fear, for it does indeed. It is a …more
The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai
The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai: A Novel
by Ruiyan Xu
Lost on the Seas of Metaphors & Similes (10/13/2010)
While the idea behind this novel is interesting, I found its presentation difficult to read.

The overabundant use of metaphors and similes interfered with, rather than enhanced, the flow of the story. It was also distracting, leaving the reader to wonder which was the more …more
The Bricklayer
The Bricklayer: A Novel
by Noah Boyd
Whew! What a Trip! (12/10/2009)
Noah Boyd spins a good tale. Through his protagonist, Steve Vail, he takes the reader on one fantastic roller coaster ride with more ups and downs and surprising turns than I've experienced in a long while. Vail bears a strong resemblance to several Nelson DeMille heroes, …more
Await Your Reply
Await Your Reply
by Dan Chaon
A Man In Search for? (7/25/2009)
This is the first work of Chaon's I've read and as I sit with the last page now turned, I am stunned. It is interesting how his introduction of the characters, each with their own circumstance in life, was accomplished - in short provocative "pull-you-in" chapters. On the …more
Eve
Eve: A Novel of the First Woman
by Elissa Elliott
Captivating! (1/2/2009)
This tale of Adam, Eve and their family drew me in immediately, perhaps because it tells the "rest of the story" - that which does not appear in Genesis. And, because it is related with such conviction, I found it necessary to stop on occasion, reminding myself that this is …more
Can't Remember What I Forgot
Can't Remember What I Forgot: The Good News from the Front Lines of Memory Research
by Sue Halpern
Not for the general reader (5/8/2008)
Anyone who has had a loved one touched by severe memory loss, or is in fear of it for themselves, is invited to open this book by way of an intriguing title. They will be disappointed. The author's reports of today's research were overwhelming at times; however, she does …more
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