Reviews by Henry W. (Lake Barrington, IL)

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Bright and Tender Dark
Bright and Tender Dark
by Joanna Pearson
Is it a mystery? (3/30/2024)
If you are looking for the classical who dun it, this is not the book for you . If you are interested in learning about the people in anyway touched by the death of a peer over two decades this is your book. As you become familiar with the various players you are entrapped …more
The Montevideo Brief
The Montevideo Brief: A Thomas Grey Novel
by J. H. Gelernter
Superman? (4/13/2023)
An interesting story about clandestine mission on behalf of the English government. The mission is believable as is the context in which it takes place. The activities of the protagonist are a real assault on credibility. The actions are beyond belief but make the first …more
The Nazi Conspiracy
The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill
by Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch
False Title (12/22/2022)
The title of the book "The Nazi Conspiracy, the Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill " sells the book short. It is about the confluence of events that made it possible for the plot to exist. It is a well documented tale of the events and strategy which led up …more
Metropolis
Metropolis: A Novel
by B. A. Shapiro
What is next? (3/29/2022)
This is a very engaging story which becomes a mystery at the end. In the front half of the book you follow a variety of characters and wonder how will there paths intersect. Of course they do in unexpected ways. At the intersection of the paths of the characters are unique …more
The Fields
The Fields: A Novel
by Erin Young
Surprise (10/28/2021)
I could not put it down. What better endorsement can one give a mystery. The tale is filled with unresolved twists and turns. Most of the twists are logically resolved but in some cases the resolution is so unexpected as to be pure coincidence. Of course the book does …more
The Temple House Vanishing
The Temple House Vanishing
by Rachel Donohue
Slow March (4/27/2021)
The story is about the reconstruction of events that took place 25 years in the past. A tenacious reporter seeks to find out what happened to two people who disappeared 25 years ago. Much of the story takes place in a private school. It is a story about class, connection, …more
The Fortunate Ones
The Fortunate Ones
by Ed Tarkington
Under the rocks (10/18/2020)
An interesting read. What is it like to be "adopted" by a family of significantly greater resources. What is it like to be on the fringes of your new societal circle. How many of us have tried to fill in gaps in our personal histories. I believe we all have shared journeys …more
The Voyage of the Morning Light
The Voyage of the Morning Light: A Novel
by Marina Endicott
The journey to and fro (6/22/2020)
The Voyage of the Morning Light is first and foremost a story filled with little stories. In the course of the book the author expresses her views on many subjects beginning with evil of Indian schools of the late 19th century. There is a lack of substantive discussion of …more
The Prisoner's Wife
The Prisoner's Wife
by Maggie Brookes
Too much filler (2/28/2020)
Can you imagine the events described in this book occurring to the two main characters? Probably not. The story is built on a story passed on by an elderly POW camp survivor. Due to the lack of historical documentation much of the story is a product of the authors …more
The Big Finish
The Big Finish
by Brooke Fossey
Mayhem in the Institution (10/28/2019)
The Big Finish is a story about a week in the lives of inhabitants of an assisted facility. In the beginning you quickly become attached to the characters. Beneath their surface persona are deeply hidden feelings which become apparent as the story unfolds. An unimaginable …more
Courting Mr. Lincoln
Courting Mr. Lincoln
by Louis Bayard
The Humanization of Mary and Abraham Lincoln (2/17/2019)
Over the years I have been presented with very heroic images of Abe and troubling images of Mary Todd. The author goes beyond these images to speculate how the courtship of the Lincoln's might have occurred. More to the point it was really the courtship of Abe by Mary. The …more
The Last Year of the War
The Last Year of the War
by Susan Meissner
Unbelievable ending (11/19/2018)
Two thirds, a really good read. The contrast between the two main characters was well done. The role that previous life experiences had in their development was evident. Their experience in the internment camp was different as a result. The contrast between naïveté and …more
Sold on a Monday
Sold on a Monday
by Kristina McMorris
Twist and Turns (8/10/2018)
We who grew up after the Great Depression have no understanding of how the lives of average citizens were affected. This book will give some insight mingled with a plot that constantly surprises you. To some extent the plot diminishes the poignancy of the plythe of the …more
The Devoted
The Devoted
by Blair Hurley
Journey to freedom from? (5/23/2018)
The author has the reader follow Nicole on three journeys. The first from an intensely Christian family to Buddhism against the backdrop of the Boston church scandal. Secondly a journey through Buddhism to self realization. And finally a escape from sexual domination. Each …more
Our Lady of the Prairie
Our Lady of the Prairie
by Thisbe Nissen
Reacting (11/27/2017)
An interesting read about life on the margins of segments of society including the agrarian, educational and Amish. Most of the characters react to situations rather than take charge, the result, weak character development. In the end,I was driven to want to know what …more
Mercies in Disguise
Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them
by Gina Kolata
Journeys:Mystery and Science (11/16/2016)
A very interesting and readable book.The author takes the reader on two journeys. One following the identification of a previously unknown disease and the research to understand the causes and begin to identify possible solutions. This journey begins on a remote island in …more
Karolina's Twins
Karolina's Twins
by Ronald H. Balson
A Fascinating journey (7/4/2016)
i am constantly amazed by the stories of Holocaust survivors. While this is a book of fiction it is a based on the real life experiences of incredibly brave women.At times you need to suspend belief but you know that these incredible people did many incredible acts. i could …more
The Life of the World to Come
The Life of the World to Come
by Dan Cluchey
A quirky read (4/19/2016)
A combination love story, mystery, philosophy and fantasy story. An interesting though at times confusing journey of a young man's transition from youthful fantasy life to the reality of adulthood. Along the way the the characters discuss afterlife from a philosophical …more
Shelter
Shelter
by Jung Yun
Semiautobiographical (12/10/2015)
Do you ever wonder what events shaped you and to what extent? The behavior of all the characters has been heavily influenced by events that occurred earlier in their lives. In some cases the events and result are obvious, low self esteem, resentment, and isolation. in other …more
The War Reporter
The War Reporter
by Martin Fletcher
From Memoir to Conspiracy (8/3/2015)
The story begins as an autobiography covering a period in the war correspondent’s life. The reporter and his associates are attacked. The reporter suffers PTSD. Fifteen years later he returns to the scene joins up with a woman who was also a victim in the last encounter. …more
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