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Reviews by Bev C. (Latrobe, PA)

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Strong Passions: A Scandalous Divorce in Old New York
by Barbara Weisberg

Strong Passions (1/19/2024)

Strong Passions: A Scandalous Divorce in Old New York recounts the tumultuous marriage of Peter and Mary Strong and the legal and personal aspects of pursuing divorce in upper crust New York, 1862.

If you check the acknowledgments, notes and bibliography, you will realize it is far more than a cursory biographical sketch of divorce in "old New York".

It is quite intense reading and would definitely appeal to those interested in New York history.

"Weisberg uses a scandalous divorce to illuminate tensions surrounding marriage, gender, and sexuality in Edith Wharton's upper-class New York City." (Clifton Hood)

I would not suggest this biography to those looking for a light read. It can definitely be appreciated by someone looking for in-depth period material.

The Witches at the End of the World
by Chelsea Iversen

The Witches At The End Of The World (8/22/2023)

Minna age 19 and Kaija 23 live in the Birchwoods of Norway. The young witches live, until her death, under the protective care of grandmother Mormor. They are then no longer bound by their magic.

Minna is fixed in vengeful anger because of the burning death of their mother. Kajia seeks the community of the village and her magic is of a tender variety.

I would call this book historical fantasy and say the strength, especially of the the revengeful spirit of Minna make it emotion driven rather than plot driven.

I also need to admit that although it may have elements of appeal to many readers, it wasn't a win for me. As usual, I encourage others to give the read a chance and record their own personal experience.
Thank you to Source books for a copy (ARC) and request for an honest review.

The Long Ago: A Novel
by Michael McGarrity

The Long Ago (3/13/2023)

"The Long Ago: a distant place where happiness and tranquility reign." is a mainstay and mental retreat for the Landsdale children.

I chose this book because the time frame resonates with me and the places interest me.
Although I am unfamiliar with the childhood traumas that formed the characters of Ray and Barbara Lansdale, I do understand the impact the war registered on our material and spiritual lives.

For fear of disclosing elements of the plot, I will simply say I appreciated traveling beside Ray, even to the jungles of Southeast Asia. It's been some time since I was immersed in a bittersweet family saga. Although this could not be my primary type of read, it does definitely have a place in my reading roster.

Thank you to W.W.Norton and Company for my advanced readers copy.

Homestead: A Novel
by Melinda Moustakis

Homestead (1/14/2023)

Alaska became the 49th U.S. state on January 3, 1959.

Our story begins in June 1956 as Lawrence Beringer, 27 of Blackduck Minnesota, in the Bureau of Land Management, chooses lot 041180 in Point MacKenzie, in the territory of Alaska.
"...his land, his homestead...Where he will cut timber and till the ground and build a cabin of his own measure. He will claim what he is owed, And by the work of his hands this will all be his." (150 acres)

In July 1956, Marie 18yrs old from Conroe Texas visits sister Shelia in Anchorage, Alaska with the firm intent to never return home.

This debut explores beautifully the complexities of Lawrence and Marie as individuals and as a married couple and takes us on a heartrending journey as they work this land in an attempt to secure a deed. The wilderness is both breathtaking and terrifying. I highly recommend you take the time for this adventure.

Thank you to Flatiron Books for an advanced readers copy.

The God of Endings: A Novel
by Jacqueline Holland

The God of Endings (11/3/2022)

I'm not an expert on the vampire as a literary character or devotee of the "immortal narrator", but Collette LaSange is unique. In the 1980's she coordinates a fine arts pre-school in upstate New York.
She is tender, supportive and encouraging to all the young participants and especially aware of a gifted child (Leo) with a turbulent home life.

There are lighthearted moments as she navigates the children exploring their gifts, but her hunger is deepening. There are also dark atmospheric times as we are introduced to her past as Anya (Anna).
Her characters easily become etched in your mind. They are vivid and finely detailed.

The God of Endings is not a beach read! It is an intense fictional debut and I think it deserves a slow deliberate read. I'll be interested watching Jacqueline Holland's literary pathway.

The Lies I Tell: A Novel
by Julie Clark

The Lies I Tell (3/27/2022)

Meg Williams, grifter, living by the girl code. ("We have to look out for each other because no one else will.")

Kat Roberts, journalist, obsessed with exposing her.

Lies pepper the lives of these two complicated women who forge a bond, despite painful pasts and desires that draw a fine line between justice and revenge.

This is an interesting exploration of their psyches and the forces that molded them.

Two Storm Wood: A Novel
by Philip Gray

Two Storm Wood (1/6/2022)

This book with topic, time frame and genre seemed like a good fit for me.
But truthfully I stalled in the first portion of the book.
I am so glad I continued!
As the story evolved on the battle fields of northern France, it became evident that the plot was much deeper than I originally suspected.
Well researched, thought provoking and surprising, I thought characters were well portrayed and situations resolved for the reader.
I do recommend this read.

Thanks to W.W.Norton & Company and BookBrowse for an ARC.

The Fields: A Novel
by Erin Young

The Fields (10/15/2021)

The Field is a police procedural introducing us to Sergeant Riley Fisher, a newly promoted head of investigation for the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office.
The corn fields of Iowa are a new backdrop in my mystery reads.

Our author lives and writes in Brighton, England and really does a commendable job of portrayal set in the heart of America's corn-belt.
The characters are for the most part intense, fractured people with life stories that are thoughtfully and thoroughly presented.
The plot streams in many directions but all interfaces nicely.
The fabric of this small Midwest town was woven so well in the plot that I will be interested to see where this debut heads for the next installment.
I enjoyed the read.
Give it a try.

Lady Sunshine
by Amy Mason Doan

Lady Sunshine (5/29/2021)

In 1979, an angry 17 year old arrives in rugged Humboldt County, hours north of San Francisco at 4 Sea Cliff.

Her father and new bride are spending the summer in Europe and Jackie Pierce has chosen to stay at a place where she knew no one with relatives she has never met.
Her Uncle Graham is an aging folk singer, the "king" of Sandcastle, a bohemian gathering spot for artistic inspiration.

We read a releasing of spirit and a coming of age tale as Jackie sets proprieties aside and with cousin Willa, she blends into their ethereal world as Lady Sunshine.
The summer ends abruptly (tragically) and 20 years later she finds herself inheriting the estate and returning to survey and prepare the property for sale.
I suggest this read for the mosaic these characters create, particularly in the earlier timeline.

It was an intriguing read with a nostalgic and haunting tone.

Palace of the Drowned
by Christine Mangan

Palace of the Drowned (3/8/2021)

On November 4, 1966, an abnormal occurrence of high tides, rain-swollen rivers and winds caused the historic Venice flood of 1966.

Frankie Croy has been attempting to reconcile fan and editor demands after a very successful first novel, years ago.

There is a public breakdown following a bitterly severe review of her recent work.
Her retreat is a friend's vacant palazzo in Venice.

"The name of the palazzo seems to portend something dark and ominous ... Palazzo d'Affagata (Palace of the Drowned)." (Christine Mangan, author).

An intrusive but somehow captivating young admirer (Gilly) insinuates herself into Frankie's daily life.

Their tale is a dark, haunting chronicle of lies, revelations and questions.
The backdrop of this monumental event increased the intensity of this read.
The book is not for everyone but certainly should have a definite following.

Black Widows: A Novel
by Cate Quinn

black widows (1/3/2021)

Rachel, Emily and Tina all bear the title of Sister-Wife. They are all distinctly different personalities with only one thing in common ("husband", Blake Nelson).

The story begins with Blake found dead in the desert.

The story weaves through scenarios with all 3 being accused of a vicious crime.

Each alternating chapter, named for a given wife, slowly reveals the traits of each wife and the parameters of her relationship with Blake and the other two wives.
The characters are carefully drawn in fine detail, some of which I didn't feel was necessary but apparently the author did.

I requested this title and felt I had to complete the book and share my thoughts but the book was not for me.

But, I will quote from a conversation with the author and you of course can be your own judge. "For all its darkness, Black Widows ends on a hopeful note. Do you believe in happy endings in real life?"

Author response - "I absolutely do, I think do your best, treat people well, and though the path may be winding and unpredictable, good things will come."

The Lost Apothecary: A Novel
by Sarah Penner

The Lost Apothecary (9/12/2020)

I was drawn to this book by what promised to be a unique read.

I did find dark, creative fiction that gave me a historical perspective of the time before poison could be detected at autopsy.

The dual timeline (1791 and present day London) wove the story of a secret apothecary that dispensed poison to women to liberate them from men who exploited them and a present day young woman seeking to understand a jumble of feelings stifling her life.

Betrayal is a backdrop and the plot is cleverly woven to yield surprises.
A small jar recovered while mudlarking in the Thames leads to slowly revealing an underground web of revenge over two centuries ago.

Provocative characters make this an interesting read.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel
by Kim Michele Richardson

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek (3/2/2020)

This is an incredibly touching story of 19 year old blue skinned Cussy Mary Carter.
The year is 1936 and she is a rider for the Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky.
I see her as a shining light of hope and literacy in treacherous Appalachian mountains.

With beautiful simplicity, she touches the lives of anyone she encounters.
This is a personal 2019 favorite.

A special thanks to Catherine for sharing with me her enthusiasm for this novel.

The Paris Hours: A Novel
by Alex George

The Paris Hours (2/18/2020)

The narratives within depict one day in Paris in the summer of 1927 and the penetrating experiences of 4 individuals, each "searching for something they've lost."

Secrets and stories, too painful to be told outright, delicately unfold. The novel is beautifully written. Each character is a compelling figure and I found myself quietly rereading passages to experience their meaning to a greater extent.

"When the quartet's paths finally cross in an unforgettable climax,
each discovers if they will find what they are looking for."
(Publisher's Note)

4.5 and highly recommended

Catherine House: A Novel
by Elisabeth Thomas

Catherine House (1/31/2020)

Where to begin?

dark...gothic...suspense fiction
I will preface by saying: PTB (pulled the bookmark) at about 50.
Age may be a factor, but I couldn't identify or sympathize with characters or plot.

I would definitely say you either love this story or put it aside easily.
The blunt edge of characters, activities and the house itself left me wondering what I was missing.
Apparently I was missing the point of it all.

In fairness, I would say there is an audience that will embrace and understand the reason for the story and would question my lack of comprehension.

Enjoy.....I'm moving on.

The Sun Down Motel
by Simone St. James

The Sun Down Motel (11/6/2019)

Simone St James had me once again on the edge of my chair
with the chilling panorama of events associated with the macabre Sun Down Motel.
2 time lines seamlessly interweave.
Upstate New York, 1982: temporary night clerk Vivian Delaney is saving to journey to New York City.
Upstate New York 2017: Carly Kirk arrives at the Sun Down Motel to investigate her Aunt Vivian's mysterious disappearance from the Sun Down before Carly was born.

Creepy, haunting and chilling, Simone St James does a convincing portrayal of paranormal phenomenon lingering within the location and the walls of this eerie dwelling.

Perfect for the author's longstanding fan base as well as someone interested in a foray into her unique interpretation of ghostly suspense and thriller.

The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt: A Novel
by Andrea Bobotis

The Last List Of Miss Judith Kratt (7/9/2019)

May 1989: Miss Judith Kratt of Bound, South Carolina, begins an inventory of possessions on the old Kratt estate. At 75 years, it is time for Judith to review, reassess and reassign. And, we are privileged to overhear memories.

The prelude to the story (alternating in 1929 and 1989 timelines) is "Murder Stuns Distinguished Family" and it details the death of 14 year old Quincy Kratt in 1929.
The political, social and economic landscape is detailed in this Southern historical fiction, and a multilayered family structure emerges.

The characters are sharp and portrayal of the times is vivid. The inventory list grows and unfolds into the Kratt family saga. Although I anticipated a few things, there was much more that was intriguing. I think many readers would find this tale worth the pursuit.

D-Day Girls: The Spies Who Armed the Resistance, Sabotaged the Nazis, and Helped Win World War II
by Sarah Rose

D-Day Girls (4/3/2019)

D-Day Girls is not a quick, easy read. It's not meant to be.

I found these heroines daring and courageous and was pleased that their classified exploits were available to share.

I have seen questions concerning the accuracy of some elements
of this exposition but I will quickly add that there are 88 pages of notes and bibliography. I'm not a WWII scholar, those calls are for someone else.
I found the read intriguing and informative but did experience a little delay in adjusting to the flow from chapter to chapter.

The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel
by Jeanne Mackin

The Last Collection (3/13/2019)

"They danced together, two women no longer young but still needing admiration, two business women locked in fierce competition, two women who couldn't be more different in their aesthetics, their way of being in the world." (p 113 of The Last Collection)

This is a thoughtfully crafted look at 2 influential fashion icons, Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaprelli and their intense competition in the world of design.
American teacher, Lily Sutter, recently widowed visits Paris in 1938 and becomes entangled, almost enchained in their rivalry.

The backdrop timeline is historically sizzling. The tale concludes as Lily revisits Paris in 1954.

"The message was brief.
Come to Paris. Need to see you.
Signed Schiap."

This was an engaging story that gave a solid depiction of the designing prowess and controversial rivalry of Coco and Elsa.

My Lovely Wife
by Samantha Downing

My Lovely Wife (9/28/2018)

MY LOVELY WIFE

"Our love story is simple...
We look like a normal couple...
We all have our secrets to keep a marriage alive...
Ours just happens to be getting away with murder" (book jacket)

This stand alone thriller is a debut novel. One moment is total family normalcy and the next is borderline bizarre. Aberrations intensify and becomes the prominent thread. If you carefully observe Millicent and her husband and their behaviors, you'll probably reach conclusions earlier than I did.

It is intense and convoluted and although I have seen this type of ending before, it suited the story well.

Reviews by Bev C. (Latrobe, PA)

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