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Reviews by Katherine S. (Seaford, VA)

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The Last Train to Key West
by Chanel Cleeton

A Rolling Adventure (3/3/2020)

This story handles three separate storylines very well... all with the backdrop of a huge hurricane bearing down on the Keys. It has more romance than I expected, but I think it would satisfy most readers. One learns about the different demographics of the Keys in 1935: NYC …more

Everybody Rise
by Stephanie Clifford

Ladies Who Lunch... (3/2/2015)

"Everybody Rise" is compulsively readable, though the main character is unlikable. Evelyn is her parents' daughter and yet she criticizes them for their social climbing and crass (criminal) ways. Clifford's writing is sharp and quick paced and she captures NYC 2006 well, …more

Palisades Park
by Alan Brennert

A Roller Coaster Story (4/15/2013)

This book follows historical events through the eyes of a family of Palisades Amusement Park workers from 1922, through the Depression and WWII, up to 1974. They are likable dreamers who struggle with everyday lives. Many of the sights & sounds will be wonderfully …more

A Thousand Pardons
by Jonathan Dee

The Gift of Forgiveness (12/2/2012)

This is a believable, tightly written book about painful mistakes made by likeable characters. Ben & Helen's marriage and life dissolves in slow motion after a death spiral by Ben. Their teen daughter is collateral damage, but somehow there is hope through forgiveness. …more

The Mark Inside: A Perfect Swindle, a Cunning Revenge, and a Small History of the Big Con
by Amy Reading

A Depressing Con (6/20/2012)

Maybe it was the nature of "The Con", but this book was depressing to read. The details were excellent and showed great research. I wanted to enjoy it and learn something, but I simply felt bad for Norfleet as "the Con" unfolded, occasionally confused by the amount of …more

Folly Beach: A Lowcountry Tale
by Dorothea Benton Frank

Folly Beach Revival (6/7/2011)

A light romance, featuring Cate, a widow returning from New Jersey to her Low Country roots hoping to start her life over. Enjoyed the setting, atmospheric specifics, and the Porgy & Bess story, but was frustrated by the fairy tale ending. Found her initial set of dire …more

Prophecy: An Historical Thriller
by S.J. Parris

Elizabethan Enigma (3/31/2011)

Prophecy is OK, not great. Many interesting details about Elizabeth I's reign in 1583 London; it's a fairly true to life story. It felt like it wanted to be a page-turner, but got bogged down with its' own history. Described as an Historical Thriller, but it is less than thrilling.

The Devotion of Suspect X
by Keigo Higashino

What we do for love (12/30/2010)

Like a math problem itself, two geniuses are pitted against each other as one tries to hide a murder, while the other tries to solve it. Starting somewhat slowly, I quickly found myself jumping ahead worrying how the characters would end up. It resolves only at the very end.

Bury Your Dead: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, #6
by Louise Penny

Nesting Dolls (9/22/2010)

Quite good and as involved as Nesting Dolls...3 mysteries within a mystery, just like walled Quebec City itself...as is mentioned in the book. Good pacing & character development and very atmospheric. Recommend this to all readers...mystery lovers, travelers, and …more

The Language of Secrets
by Dianne Dixon

The Language of Loss (2/6/2010)

If you want a well written, depressing story, jump in. There is no hero, no redemption...only mistakes, loss and damage. The ending is supposed to offer hope, but after a life of abandonment (for Justin), smothering (for Amy), sadness & anger for Justin's family...there …more

Water, Stone, Heart: A Novel
by Will North

A true story woven with guilty pleasures (5/2/2009)

Loved the beautiful Cornwall settings, the building of stone "hedges" and especially appreciated that this was a true flood. Climax builds with "The Perfect Storm" like weather reports. Quirky, warm villagers, a Real Witch Museum and the back stories of the two main …more

Murder in Mykonos
by Jeffrey Siger

Summertime Slaying (11/3/2008)

Mykonos Island is a Grecian gem, so when a body is discovered all the politicians want to keep it quiet. A sharp, handsome Athenian detective, "banished" to sleepy Mykonos, is teamed up with an old homicide chief to solve the murder...but bodies keep popping up. With time …more

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Book Jacket — Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus

Praised by *Parade* and *The New York Times Book Review*, this debut features a 1960s scientist turned TV cooking star.

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