BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Mary O. (Boston, MA)

Power Reviewer

Bright and Tender Dark
by Joanna Pearson

Twists and turns (4/4/2024)

This is a good mystery that bounces back and forth from time of murder to twenty years later when still unsolved. The murder continues to haunt those who knew the victim. It is very engaging and hard to put down. If you love mysteries definitely a good read!

The Little Italian Hotel: A Novel
by Phaedra Patrick

Great summer read (5/8/2023)

An easy to read, entertaining, charming novel about love and friendship set in the backdrop of beautiful Italy (a favorite spot of mine).

Last House Before the Mountain
by Monika Helfer

Engaging (3/8/2023)

As a lover of World War II fiction and family sagas, this was a book for me! It was engrossing and quick paced and its short volume made it a joy to read. Definitely a book I would recommend

Wade in the Water: A Novel
by Nyani Nkrumah

Stunning (12/6/2022)

Rarely do you pick up a book that haunts you long past the last page. My favorite books are always debut novels and this is oneof the best. It confronts race, boundaries and relationships in a page turner. A must read for all!

Peach Blossom Spring: A Novel
by Melissa Fu

A Chinese Chronicle (3/21/2022)

An outstanding historical debut spanning three generations in modern China. At times heartbreaking, at times uplifting. You are confronted with war, misfortune and issues of immigration. We are always a product of our history and the choices we make. A MUST READ!

Housebreaking
by Colleen Hubbard

Debut (11/10/2021)

A great debut novel! First books are always my favorite. Excellent storyline and interesting characters. I highly recommend it!

Of Women and Salt
by Gabriela Garcia

Excellent debut novel (2/10/2021)

A fascinating story of mother/daughter relationships amidst the backdrop of Cuba and Florida. So engrossing and hard to put down!

The Thirty Names of Night
by Zeyn Joukhadar

Memorable (10/14/2020)

This is a beautifully written haunting story of love, loss and family. Rarely do you read a book that continues to evoke such strong emotions long after you finish it and put it down. A book well worth reading!

Migrations: A Novel
by Charlotte McConaghy

Birder (4/21/2020)

This book captured me! So refreshing in a time of fear and uncertainty. The heroine is passionate about life and especially birds. As a birder, I shared her wonder and curiosity. It is a true joy to read! READ THIS BOOK!!! You will be so glad you did!

Catherine House: A Novel
by Elisabeth Thomas

Unsettling page turner! (4/2/2020)

I love debut novels and this was mesmerizing. It held my attention from the first page! The backdrop of Catherine House is haunting and disturbing and you feel like you are an actor in it yourself. If you like disturbing gothic mysteries, this book is for you!

Small Days and Nights: A Novel
by Tishani Doshi

Multi cultural nuances (11/6/2019)

Set in modern India, an interesting story of different cultures, family challenges and life decisions we make. Definitely grasps you and plops you down in a foreign culture with its mores and nuances. A good read!

Remembrance
by Rita Woods

Special (11/6/2019)

I LOVED this book! This book is a study of superb character development and the interconnections between three special women. As you turn the pages, you become even more a participant in their lives and the characters continue to haunt you after the book is long done. A book everyone should read - a TOTAL JOY!!

Never Have I Ever
by Joshilyn Jackson

Thriller (6/10/2019)

A book very difficult to put down! I love psychological suspense thrillers and this one does not let you down. A great summer beach read!!!

The Lost Man
by Jane Harper

Engrossing (11/28/2018)

I loved this mystery as it embodies intense, powerful suspense set against the backdrop of remote Western Australia. It delves into how our childhoods define our family lives in the present. A page turner that you do not want to put down!!

Our House
by Louise Candlish

Twisted (7/11/2018)

A book full of twists and turns and unexpected events. It is difficult to put down and a great summmer read! I highly recommend it!

Love and Other Consolation Prizes: A Novel
by Jamie Ford

A Delight! (8/9/2017)

Based on a true story, this book's background is the Seattle 1909 World's Fair and an orphan boy who is raffled off as the prize. The tale has moments of celebration, heartbreak, grief and friendship where you truly see that everything in life has a price. I loved Hotel on Corner of Bitter and Sweet and this is NO disappointment! Enjoy!

Edgar and Lucy
by Victor Lodato

Gripping (1/11/2017)

I loved this book that captures childhood and parenthood. It is beautifully written, engrossing and difficult to put down. It evokes a range of emotions and shows creativity at its best. Definitely a great read!

The Tea Planter's Wife
by Dinah Jefferies

A Ceylon Experience (8/3/2016)

As usual I find myself in love with an unforgettable debut novel! The Tea Planter's Wife is a riveting, mesmerizing story of the intricacies of colonialism and how race can haunt it. Numerous secrets cloud the past and present. This is a beautifully written page turner and joy to read. I hated it to end!

The Secret Language of Stones: A Daughters of La Lune Novel
by M. J. Rose

A great read (4/21/2016)

I love to be transported to far away lands especially Romantic Paris at the turn of the century. This book is a historical romance, a mystery and great character development of a strong minded woman. Thoroughly enjoyable and a page turner. I highly recommend it!

Every Anxious Wave
by Mo Daviau

Not my kind of book! (12/3/2015)

I chose to read Every Anxious Wave because it looked original, creative and different from what I typically read. For someone into rock bands, it is entertaining. I found myself having a hard time keeping focused and getting through the book. it was just not for me!!!

Top Picks

Prophet Song
by Paul Lynch

Paul Lynch's 2023 Booker Prize–winning Prophet Song is a speedboat of a novel that hurtles...
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Lynda Cohen Loigman's delightful novel The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern opens in 1987. The titular ...
Small Rain
by Garth Greenwell

At the beginning of Garth Greenwell's novel Small Rain, the protagonist, an unnamed poet in his ...
Daughters of Shandong
by Eve J. Chung

Daughters of Shandong is the debut novel of Eve J. Chung, a human rights lawyer living in New York. ...