Reviews by Mary S. (Hilton Head Island, SC)

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Between the Tides
Between the Tides
by Susannah Marren
Mystery in Disguise (3/30/2015)
When I first started to read this book I thought it was going to be a "quasi" romantic novel. However, I was surprised it turned out to be an unsolved mystery. What happened so long ago? Who was the good guy? Who was the bad? What really happened at the end and why?
Although …more
The Well
The Well
by Catherine Chanter
Dangers of Self-Importance (2/28/2015)
he Well is thought provoking and keeps one guessing even though after reading the first fifty pages, one can guess at the probable ending. What is less apparent is what, I feel, is the author's real intent-- the message of the dangers of believing that we are more important …more
Whispering Shadows
Whispering Shadows
by Jan-Philipp Sendker
Misses The Mark (12/23/2014)
I really wanted to give this book a 5 star review-- the descriptions of Hong Kong and environs, the history of contemporary China showed an in depth knowledge of the story's setting. However, the story itself fell apart half way through the book. It was as if the author …more
First Frost
First Frost
by Sarah Addison Allen
Good, But Not Great (11/22/2014)
This was the first book I read by this author and while I enjoyed it, I found myself thinking that the book had more potential to be really great. Too many storylines muddied what would have been a good read about two sisters and the different paths their lives folowed. …more
Last Train to Istanbul
Last Train to Istanbul
by Ayse Kulin
Lost In Translation (9/27/2013)
The author may be one of the leading writers in Turkey, however this book leaves much to be desired in writing style and storyline. The characters were hard to follow as to the importance to the main theme and the narrative was simplistic and choppy. The saving grace of …more
Lookaway, Lookaway
Lookaway, Lookaway
by Wilton Barnhardt
Contemporary History (6/28/2013)
I have lived in the Carolinas for nine years and the author of "Lookaway, Lookaway" has captured contemporary history of the Carolinas perfectly. The importance of family history, "the old boy network" and the transition of Charlotte from large city to medium metropolis are …more
The Sisterhood
The Sisterhood
by Helen Bryan
Too Much, Too Little (4/30/2013)
As I read this book, I found myself wondering why so many present day authors feel that they have to cover a multitude of "issues" to tell an otherwise good story. In "The Sisterhood" by Helen Bryan, feminism, theology, politics, mythology and numerous other topics are …more
Close My Eyes
Close My Eyes
by Sophie McKenzie
Best In A Long Time! (4/9/2013)
Just when I thought I was never going to find another novel that I thoroughly enjoyed, along came "Close My Eyes". I read this book in one sitting, captivated by the story line and characters. In the tradition of Ruth Rendell, the were twists and turns right to the last …more
A Dual Inheritance
A Dual Inheritance
by Joanna Hershon
Could Have Been Better (3/25/2013)
Once again, the author wrote what was a potentially good story and spread it out over 400 pages rather than 300. The character development was poor, especially for the secondary storyline. I found myself wanting to know more about some characters and a lot less about the …more
Ghostman
Ghostman
by Roger Hobbs
Just Okay (2/13/2013)
Fairly well written, but too much detail and a fairly predictable ending.
A Thousand Pardons
A Thousand Pardons
by Jonathan Dee
Big Disappointment (10/31/2012)
I really wanted to like this book, however, even though it was barely 200 pages long, I plodded through it. The storyline was rambling and disjointed, the characters unbelievable, and the ending unsatisfying. It is hard to understand how the author could have been a …more
The Woman at the Light
The Woman at the Light: A Novel
by Joanna Brady
Good, but disappointing (7/17/2012)
I loved the history and the story for the first 3/4 of the book. The writing was exceptional and descriptive. The history of the expansion of Key West was something that grabbed my attention. However, when the story turned to Emily's "rags to riches" narrative, the plot …more
The First Warm Evening of the Year
The First Warm Evening of the Year: A Novel
by Jamie M. Saul
Not Worth The Time (5/1/2012)
I wanted to like this book, unfortunately the author never caught my attention or interest. The novel seemed to be more of a memoir by the author who was working out his own psychological hangups and issues. The writing was clumsy and pedantic. Reminded me more of a low …more
A Good American
A Good American: A Novel
by Alex George
Entertaining History (12/20/2011)
Never has American History been presented in such a thoroughly enjoyable, believable and entertaining way. Although fiction, A Good American guides the reader through the years from the mass immigration to America of the early 1900s to the present day by way of a …more
The Art of Saying Goodbye
The Art of Saying Goodbye: A Novel
by Ellyn Bache
Just Okay (4/18/2011)
I really wanted to like this book and stuck with it to the very end, but unfortunately, I knew how it was going to end after reading chapter one. The writing was simplistic and pedantic. The story line was not original. I felt as if the author wanted to tie up loose ends …more
The Paris Wife
The Paris Wife: A Novel
by Paula McLain
Compelling and Engrossing (12/6/2010)
The author has managed to portray the tortured and complex life of the young Hemingway in a very believable way, Hadley Richardson comes to life as a woman who struggles in an era where the role of women is changing and uncertain. Perhaps the author's greatest strength is …more
The Nobodies Album
The Nobodies Album
by Carolyn Parkhurst
Compelling Read (6/12/2010)
Carolyn Parkhurst tries to do what the main character in this novel tries to do -- introduce a new way of composing literature to the world. While at times she succeeds, most of the time her "new endings" interrupt what is a very good story. I found myself wanting to learn …more
The Swimming Pool
The Swimming Pool
by Holly LeCraw
Unanswered Questions (2/22/2010)
Wow! I found the first 50 or so pages of the book somewhat disorganized -- needs more editing as to voice, character,etc. However, about halfway through the book, I couldn't put it down. Even after finishing the book, I still have questions about who did the dastardly deed. …more
The Book of Illumination
The Book of Illumination: A Novel from the Ghost Files
by Mary Ann Winkowski
Good, But Flawed (10/5/2009)
I really wanted to like this book-- the story line of ghosts and lost manuscripts was compelling, however, the story was interrupted far too often with the narrator's details of everyday life. The authors could have integrated the two stories much better. I felt like I was …more
Some of the Dead Are Still Breathing
Some of the Dead Are Still Breathing: Living in the Future
by Charles Bowden
Some of The Dead Are Still Breathing (2/4/2009)
The back cover of this work says that it is a "seminal book". The word pictures were beautiful and the author had a talent for writing. What he could not do is help the reader to understand what he was writing about! At first, I thought it was apocalyptic, then random …more
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