I have mixed feelings about this book. The character development was excellent. The struggles of the Kusek family in adjusting to the prairie and cattle-ranching was well-defined. The threat of McCarthyism was palpable.
However, I found the wording excessive and unnecessary causing me to lose interest. The ending seemed rushed and abrupt.

If you like historical fiction, this is a book to consider reading. I couldn't put the book down once I started it. It is spell-binding!
Ronald Balson wrote about a difficult topic---the Holocaust---and made it very real through Lena's voice.
I am going to the library to check out more of this author's books. Well done!

I found this book a delightful read. Being transported back to pre-woman's lib time added to the flavor of the story. Constance Kopp was certainly "ahead of her time" aspiring to work in a man's world of the early 1900's.

The characters are well-developed and the core of the story is based on actual events. Constance shows dedication to the job, ambition and independence. She exudes confidence but knows when to seek the advice of those wiser than she.

I am inspired to read Amy Stewart's first book in this series, Girl Wants Gun.

Between the Tides is a well-developed story of a woman, Lainie, whose life exists between a series of ebb tides and rip tides.
As the story begins,Lainie, a mother of four, is a happy, balanced person living in New York City. Her life and decisions revolve around water...the Hudson River, Cape May, Long Island Sound, etc. This all changes when her husband transfers to a new job in interior New Jersey.
Her new home is set in a Stepford-like scenario including a reunion with an old classmate, Jess. Jess, the "prima donna" of town directs and incorporates Lainie and her children into the neighborhood. It soon becomes obvious that Jess has ulterior motives.
The twists and turns of the plot are neatly divided into dialog sections: Lainie and Jess. The story evolves into a worthy page-turning experience.

Whispering Shadows by Jan-Philipp Sendker is a mystery intertwined with romance. The setting is Hong Kong and China and so vividly described that the reader is easily transported to the area. The characters are strong, complex and beautifully developed.
Paul, a recluse, gets involved in solving the murder of an American businessman. The man's mother asks Paul for help and Paul struggles with the loss of his own son which has left him leading a hermit's life.
This well developed story tells in depth the history, culture and geography of China and how such has shaped the individuals in the story.
While a mystery is solved, the real story is how Paul overcame his grief and learned how to let love and trust in a friend transform his life.
I look forward to reading more of Sendeker's books.