Reviews by Sue P. (Albuquerque, NM)

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Smothermoss
Smothermoss
by Alisa Alering
Smothermoss (6/4/2024)
I made three attempts to read this book, finally succeeding on my 3rd try. It seemed to have so much promise and potential but fell short of what I was expecting. I love books that have a touch of magic and evil and redemption, but this book just didn't deliver. It wasn't a …more
The Mystery Writer
The Mystery Writer: A Novel
by Sulari Gentill
The Mystery Writee (1/14/2024)
I went back and forth between a 3 or a 4-star review and in the end, decided on 4 stars. The reason? I LOVE the relationship between the brother and sister - Gus and Theo. It just made me happy. The mystery (mysteries) was good, and there was no gratuitous gore. I'm sort of …more
Wild and Distant Seas
Wild and Distant Seas: A Novel
by Tara Karr Roberts
Wild and Distant Seas (11/7/2023)
What a concept! Take a literary classic, add some incredible women, and then, as a final flourish, stir in a dollop of magic. This book may very well become a classic in its own right. I could never plow through MOBY DICK, but I just may give it another go after this read.
…more
Delicate Condition
Delicate Condition
by Danielle Valentine
Delicate Condition (8/1/2023)
A slow starter, but definitely worth sticking with it. A very evocative book - suddenly, I was 21 years old again, losing my first baby to a miscarriage. The grief and mental anguish were spot on. I was a big fan of "Rosemary's Baby," so when I saw this book being compared …more
The Lost English Girl
The Lost English Girl
by Julia Kelly
The Lost English Girl (2/16/2023)
I have read many books in the past few years about WWII, especially the women who were so instrumental in the war effort. This heroine, Viv, was not a spy or a Bletchley Park worker, but rather a young, confused mother who dearly loved her daughter and wanted to keep her …more
The God of Endings
The God of Endings: A Novel
by Jacqueline Holland
The God of Endings (10/23/2022)
I am trying to find a good synonym for the word "lush", because that word seems overused, but actually that is the best word I can find to describe the writing in this book. A vampire story, but terribly human as well, in that the author touches so deeply on the pain and …more
Widowland
Widowland: Widowland #1
by C. J. Carey
Widowland (5/12/2022)
I was more than disappointed in this book. I found it boring, banal and repetitive. The attempts at describing the dystopian culture in which England found itself after surrendering to Germany dragged on and on and I didn't learn much about what the author was trying to say. …more
Dirt Creek
Dirt Creek: A Novel
by Hayley Scrivenor
Dirt Creek (3/21/2022)
I hesitated to request this book because I am such a fan of Jane Harper and her Australian novels, and I didn't want to be disappointed. I needn't have worried, because while each author does a painstaking job of depicting the heat and dust and misery of part of Australia, …more
The Fields
The Fields: A Novel
by Erin Young
The Fields (11/6/2021)
Just mention corn and I immediately know something bad is coming. (Thank you, Stephen King.)
The young protagonist, Sergeant Riley Fisher, is a likeable woman with a lot of baggage. When promoted to Head of Investigations, her first case is a murder of a childhood friend.
The …more
Never Saw Me Coming
Never Saw Me Coming: A Novel
by Vera Kurian
Never Saw Me Coming (6/6/2021)
I was really excited to read this book. The storyline, a group of students who also happen to be psychopaths, being given a free ride at a prestigious university in order to undergo a character study, was very intriguing.
Unfortunately, it never got off the ground for me. …more
Mrs. March
Mrs. March: A Novel
by Virginia Feito
Mrs. March (5/12/2021)
A slow descent into madness is presented in the form of an entitled, privileged woman. This book is suspenseful, dark and unsettling. It is extremely well written. However, as much as I love this genre, I could never connect with the character or bring myself to care very …more
The Fortunate Ones
The Fortunate Ones
by Ed Tarkington
The Fortunate Ones (11/20/2020)
Lots to think about here - class distinction, different perspectives of friendship, casual racism.

When Charlie Boykin, a young, content-with-what-he-has, boy is introduced to a new, privileged world through acceptance to an elite private school, he begins to dwell in a …more
He Started It
He Started It
by Samantha Downing
He Started It (3/11/2020)
If you are planning a family road trip anytime soon you may wish to reconsider...

This all-over-the-map, insane, scary, funny story of a family fulfilling their Grandfather's wish to recreate a long-ago road trip in order to claim their inheritance will turn you upside down.

…more
Ellie and the Harpmaker
Ellie and the Harpmaker
by Hazel Prior
Ellie and the Harpmaker (5/24/2019)
Hazel Prior has knocked it out of the park with her debut novel. Perhaps the title should be: Ellie and the HEARTmaker.

It is a story told with such love, empathy and compassion that still manages to make the characters completely authentic. I felt my own heart swell during …more
The Lost Man
The Lost Man
by Jane Harper
The Lost Man (12/2/2018)
When I saw Jane Harper's third novel as a "First Impressions" choice, I was thrilled. Having just finished her 1st and 2nd novels, I knew I was in for a treat.
Ms. Harper has a talent for describing people and locations in such a way that one gets inside the heads of her …more
Our House
Our House
by Louise Candlish
Outstanding, Gripping Ending! (7/6/2018)
I haven't been this knocked out by an ending since Sharon Bolton's "LITTLE BLACK LIES". (I'm still not over that one,)

This book explores normal, trivial domestic life. But, is any of domestic life what it seems? Jump into this book if you aren't afraid of exploring our seemingly normal lives.
The Days When Birds Come Back
The Days When Birds Come Back
by Deborah Reed
The Days When Birds Come Back (12/10/2017)
A lovely, emotional book by he author of THINGS WE SET ON FIRE. Deborah Reed writes beautifully, taking one into the characters' lives, minds and more importantly, their hearts. June is dealing with many life crises and struggling with each when she returns to her childhood …more
The French Girl
The French Girl
by Lexie Elliott
The French Girl (9/27/2017)
Wow! What a debut! I've been in the process of moving to NM from Texas, so I didn't get to this as quickly as I wanted to. But when I did start reading, I finished it in one sitting. It is well crafted and the characters are definitely 3-dimensional. The suspense and the …more
The Essex Serpent
The Essex Serpent
by Sarah Perry
The Essex Serpent (3/5/2017)
Extraordinary writing, fascinating characters, a sense of other-worldliness throughout. If Charles Dickens was still alive, he would give this book a big "Thumbs-Up". I did get bogged down and confused a couple of times, but on the whole, it was great.
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