Reviews by Joyce W. (Rochester, MN)

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Lady Cop Makes Trouble
Lady Cop Makes Trouble: Girl Waits with Gun #2
by Amy Stewart
The Kopp sisters (5/11/2016)
The Kopp Sisters' lives are a fun, light read. Amy Stewart has a good sense of humor, and she does a great job on dialogue. The historical setting is interesting; first woman cop in Paterson, NJ, women cannot vote yet. The fact that these sisters did exist is very appealing. …more
The Language of Secrets
The Language of Secrets
by Ausma Zehanat Khan
Suspenceful and educational (11/5/2015)
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed, and the explanations of the Muslim culture were very informative. I learned about their interpretation of the moon, their poetry, and their study groups. I have read a number of books about terrorist cells, but …more
Girl Waits with Gun
Girl Waits with Gun
by Amy Stewart
A delightful read! (7/9/2015)
Amy blends humor with the time period in a wonderful way. Ladies were ladies, but they could also be independent and feisty. Her characters are well drawn and she creates suspense since you don't know what is going to happen next. I will recommend this book and plan to …more
Fear of Dying
Fear of Dying
by Erica Jong
Fear of Dying (5/2/2015)
This book should be titled fear of aging and loss of sex. It should be marketed to Jewish mothers as a beach read and comedy. I give it 2 stars. Erica Jong gives women a bad name, wallowing in self pity and martyrdom. As her father and mother are dying, her husband is …more
Shocking Paris
Shocking Paris: Soutine, Chagall and the Outsiders of Montparnasse
by Stanley Meisler
Engaging as well as educational (12/30/2014)
This is a very enjoyable and informative read. It combines the history of the period and the personal lives of the artists. A lot has been written about 1918 to 1945, but each group of people has their own perspective of how they were affected by the events in history. This …more
Bellman & Black
Bellman & Black
by Diane Setterfield
A Ghost story (8/30/2013)
Diane is a beautiful writer. Her books are mesmerizing, her words flow. There is so much to think about when you finish her books. I wish she would write more and faster. As you read, it is fascinating to watch everything unfold. Bellman and Black would make a very good …more
The Caretaker
The Caretaker
by A .X. Ahmad
Author has potential. (4/10/2013)
I enjoyed this book, but it could have been better. The author has a lot of potential but tried to do too much in one book.
The cultural and financial differences of the characters were well laid out. The selling of government secrets would make a book by itself, thus it …more
The Aviator's Wife
The Aviator's Wife
by Melanie Benjamin
The Aviator's Wife (12/6/2012)
Wonderful book! One of the best books I have read. I can't say enough about the author's writing. She is amazing; I plan to read her other books now. Everyone knows the basic story of Charles and Anne, but this gives the details and the emotional life they lived. The book …more
The White Forest
The White Forest: A Novel
by Adam McOmber
Potential never realized (8/10/2012)
This writer has a lot of potential. The White Forest is very readable; the setting is great. I could tell it wasn't my style of book but wanted to give it a chance. The ending was really disappointing. Nothing was really explained, and you really didn't know what happened …more
An Unmarked Grave
An Unmarked Grave: A Bess Crawford Mystery
by Charles Todd
An enjoyable period mystery (4/14/2012)
The author vividly describes the battlefront aid stations in France during WW I. While nursing soldiers, Bess tries to find a killer, without turning into one of his victims. Bess is a gutsy, moral,caring heroine. Interesting characters fill this book, and will create a …more
A Partial History of Lost Causes
A Partial History of Lost Causes: A Novel
by Jennifer duBois
Fabulous writer needs better story line (12/17/2011)
I wanted to rate this on two levels; her writing is a 5 but the story is a 3. I enjoyed her writing immensely and will look for a future book. It was a little too slow and philosophical for me and the characters were not compelling. The scenes of Russia were as I pictured …more
The Tender Mercy of Roses
The Tender Mercy of Roses: A Novel
by Anna Michaels
Unbelievable mix of styles (4/5/2011)
I think the author needs to find her own style. This book seems like it came from six different authors; we have the drunken detective with haunting memories, the Lovely Bones premise, the cowgirls with rodeos, the southern lifestyle and language, and the mystical animal …more
Three Seconds
Three Seconds
by Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom
A Good Thriller (12/8/2010)
You need to stick with this one and you will be rewarded. I almost stopped reading when Piet entered prison expecting gratuitous violence; but then the action began. Good tension is created as flawed and realistic characters expose corruption and seek to find answers. A satisfying ending.
Bury Your Dead
Bury Your Dead: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, #6
by Louise Penny
Bury Your Dead (9/4/2010)
A wonderful literary read--the mysteries were well paced and solved. I pictured myself walking the streets of Old Quebec. Really enjoyed learning about the Francophones versus the Anglos and Champlain's story. Wonderful characters with flaws, guilt and regret like every human.
The Confessions of Catherine de Medici
The Confessions of Catherine de Medici: A Novel
by C.W. Gortner
Intrigue and Politics in the 16th Century (4/30/2010)
C. W. Gortner crafted a believable historical novel of Catherine De Medici's life. He takes the reader behind the castle walls and weaves a web of jealousy and manipulation. It is a fascinating portrayal of marriage between royal families to create alliances between …more
Heresy
Heresy
by S.J. Parris
An Intelligent Mystery (12/6/2009)
What a novel setting for a murder mystery; Oxford, England, in the 1500's. This is a fun read. Heresy is well written in modern day English (not Old World English). There is love, danger, politics, religion, and interesting characters of all ages.

Even though the setting is …more
Cleopatra's Daughter
Cleopatra's Daughter
by Michelle Moran
A Good Love Story (10/1/2009)
Michelle Moran tells a good story even though it slowed down for awhile. I was going to give it a 3 star, but the last 50 pages kept your interest. The historical research was done well but it definitely fits into the "entertainment" category. It is not Book Club material. Joyce
The Last Secret
The Last Secret: A Novel
by Mary McGarry Morris
Hang on for a Wild Ride! (4/20/2009)
When Nora discovers her husband is having an affair, her emotions begin a roller coaster ride. Mary McGarry Morris' descriptions of the stages one goes through are unbelievably accurate. What starts as a story of a family's pain, anger and betrayal quickly turns into a page …more
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (9/27/2008)
I love a literary mystery, and this one delivers. The reader must be patient at the beginning. The Swedish simplicity of lifestyle and sexual freedom are a little disconcerting, but minor to the mystery. A touch of James Patterson's criminal depravity, but overall a well …more
Heavenly Pleasures
Heavenly Pleasures: A Corinna Chapman Mystery
by Kerry Greenwood
Heavenly Pleasures (4/17/2008)
Heavenly Pleasures is a good summer read. It is one of a series, "A Corinna Chapman Mystery" written by Kerry Greenwood. Corinna runs a bakery called Earthly Delights on the corner of Flinders Lane and Calico Alley in the city of Melbourne. She lives above the bakery in a …more
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