I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Wendy Walker is an excellent writer and the story was a thriller. I was engaged early and read with enthusiasm to the end. The device of the psychiatrist as the narrator is a good one, with the good and evil described in great detail. I highly recommend All is not Forgotten.

Mr. Cleave has implemented a clever plot idea and executed it well. He's an excellent writer and I enjoyed the gallows humor throughout.

I don't easily give 5 star ratings to books, but Jamie Brickhouse has earned one with this book. He can really write, and he has an epic story to tell of his path to hedonism-laced alcoholism and his winding road to redemption. I'm glad he made it back and realized his abilities as a writer. He shows a great deal of insight into the reasons for his life choices, and he vividly brings to life those who impacted him, including the bigger than life Mama Jean. I appreciate his forthrightness and vulnerability and am grateful he has shared his powerful story. Bravo!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The translation is excellent, the story is compelling, and the depiction of Paul gradually emerging from his grief to live and love again is well-done. The descriptions of life in Hong Kong paint a vivid portrait and the plot line throws a light on the interrelation of the police and the political system, where, as is universal, money and power typically control events and people. Sendker has written an evocative, suspenseful and thoughtful book with characters the reader comes to care about.

The premise of the book is a good one, mirroring an actual situation where a Paris apartment had been sealed up for many years with valuable treasures inside, is a good one. This was an enjoyable read, although at times the writing seemed a bit amateurish, and I certainly enjoyed the latter part of the book more than the first part. The author does a good job with the journal entries in transporting the reader to another time period.

Steinhauer sets a fast-paced tone, develops his interesting and, at times, sympathetic characters, and shows the world of espionage and its political ramifications from multiple points of view. Set against the backdrop of current events in the Middle East, the novel is relevant and instructive as well as exciting.

An eerie, haunting story told in dark detail. We are inside the mind of Marta, witnessing all her thoughts. Are we seeing a descent into madness or something else? Either way, it is so precisely and graphically written that it was painful to read at times - but compelling.

Helen Bryan takes on an ambitious project in weaving a 16th century story over two continents and bringing it to have relevance in the present day. For the most part, she succeeds. I especially enjoyed the portion of the book that dealt primarily with the women of the convents in Spain and America in the 1500's, and I think the writing was more skillful there. I did get engrossed in the book, but it seemed to end very abruptly and just a little on the side of trite.

Abigail Tarttelin has written a thought provoking, in your face novel about a boy born "different" and how he and those close to him navigate in a world that probably won't understand. The characters are well-developed and sympathetic, moral and ethical issues are presented and debated, and we come away informed about the interest condition. Tarttelin is a good, bold writer, frank yet compassionate. I wasn't sure at first if I'd get into the novel with the story told segment by segment by each main character. It didn't take me long to get hooked, however, and this book was definitely worth the read. The ending may not satisfy everyone, but as I thought about it a bit after finishing the book, it was the best decision for Max at his current age and circumstances.

Without a doubt, Domenica Ruta can write. She's a wordsmith with a compelling story to tell. In a poignant, horrifying, and sometimes humorous memoir we get a glimpse of her chaotic, confusing and depressing life with a very mentally ill mother. Domenica's obviously strong inner resources prevail as she pulls herself out of that world of drugs and craziness. I found myself cheering her on and thinking that I'll be sure to read the next book she writes. She's that good.

Mr. Fitzpatrick sure can write, and he has quite a poignant, compelling story to tell. The book is a tough read at times, but I'm glad I went on his journey. The man has been to hell and back with his intelligence, humor and insight intact. I don't know how he survived his mental illness, but if anything, this is a story of an individual's resilience and the people in his life who provide lifelines along the way. This book, with graphic descriptions of the author's self-abuse, will not appeal to all readers, but to me it was worth it to try to understand his motivations and to "listen in" on the therapy sessions between him and his most important psychiatrist. Mr. Fitzpatrick's return from madness is reminiscent of the brilliant mathematician of A Brilliant Mind fame battling schizophrenia.

A well-done story about the contrast of the somewhat banal everyday, secure, familiar and predictable life with the exotic and unfamiliar that can create an almost irresistible draw. I thought this book a slow read at first, but I think that is what the author intended to exemplify the everyday life of Adam and the Jewish community in London. The pace picked up with the introduction of the forbidden cousin and Adam's strong attraction to her. The characters are well-developed and likable, and this reader could feel empathy for all of them. I could sense the almost claustrophobic atmosphere of the tight-knit community, but also appreciate its warmth, generosity and support. It's understandable that Adam would be drawn to an "outsider" so different from what he has known and it's interesting to read what choices he and those he is closest to make in a crisis. All in all, a satisfying book.

A well-written book about a difficult topic, human sex trafficking. The characters are developed and sympathetic. The reader follows them from the highly controlled, paternalistic country of North Korea to the tightly run, male-run international brothels. It's a compelling story, though the ending seemed a bit abrupt and could have used some further explanation. It does celebrate the strength of the human spirit even in what appear to be hopeless situations.