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Reviews by Mal

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Black River: A Novel
by S.M. Hulse

Black River (1/17/2016)

Outstanding debut from Hulse, hard to believe this is her first effort, impressive.

Hulse manages to capture the emotional depths of her protagonists. Their three dimensionality, their individual voices and backstory’s all well crafted. I felt she delved into the masculinity …more

The Return of the Witch
by Paula Brackston

The Return of the Witch (1/11/2016)

Brackston's spellbinding language is the driving force along with endearing characters and a well balanced narrative with the perfect amounts of witchcraft, mystery, suspense and thrills, even a little romance appears. Her characters are strong, intelligent and sensible. …more

Hunters in the Dark
by Lawrence Osborne

Subtle, quiet plot proves potent (11/15/2015)

"Karma swirled around all things, lending them destinies over which mere desire had no control. It made one's little calculations irrelevant."

Osborne's simplistic yet stunning prose slowly guides the peruser through an intricate narrative. Richly atmospheric, the humidity, …more

Natchez Burning: A Penn Cage Novel, Natchez Burning Trilogy #1
by Greg Iles

Incredidble (10/9/2015)

Iles creates an amazing mystery with loads of historical references, the setting pulls you into the south and its environs and culture. You will not be bored, rather you will find yourself enthralled with the characters and all that's unearthed. The ending is perfect, you' …more

The War Reporter
by Martin Fletcher

The War Reporter (8/15/2015)

After closing the book I kept thinking of all the war correspondents - the ravages they witness, bloodshed embedded in their memory, terrifying nightmares, for some like Tom they experience hardcore trauma first hand. Whatever the circumstances it left me contemplating how …more

For Today I Am a Boy
by Kim Fu

Painful tinged with hope (6/15/2015)

The story gives hope but it really highlights the pain and isolation of living a life as a lie. How you have to hide your authentic self due to parental disapproval along with societal scorn. Fitting into an unfamiliar an awkward skin feeling as if you're an unwelcome …more

Sisters of Heart and Snow
by Margaret Dilloway

As predictable and formulaic contemporary fiction can be (4/21/2015)

Predictable. Awkward. Strained.

I was crushed reading this book, I was anticipating a captivating read and was beyond disgruntled.

I felt as if I was reading two very differing books with a blurred line connecting the two separate stories forcing a linkage. I enjoyed Tomoe' …more

The Bookseller
by Cynthia Swanson

Boring (4/7/2015)

Not really sure what to make of this book. It left me scratching my head and digging for answers as to what I read.

I'm confident I understand the direction Swanson was going, for me, it failed in execution. Needless to say my reading journey was severely stunted.

Swanson …more

Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion
by Jan Moran

Predictable (4/2/2015)

I was excited to read this book, however, my excitement diminished fairly quickly.

I enjoyed reading of Danielle's perfume lineage, her exceptional olfactory gift, her amazing intuition. I was taken with Sofia, her strength, her courage. Her presence was short lived but …more

He Wanted the Moon: The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird, and His Daughter's Quest to Know Him
by Mimi Baird with Eve Claxton

Touching story (2/27/2015)

Baird's impeccable journal account of his descent into the depths along with his institutional stays are well detailed. His brilliant mind citing the cruel mistreatment by staff, barbaric treatments administered. His feelings of loneliness and isolation heartbreaking. As …more

Night in Shanghai: A Novel
by Nicole Mones

Night in Shanghai (1/18/2015)

The backdrop is affecting, riddled with tension as the future of China hangs in the balance as well as its people. A dual love story taking place in Shanghai 1936 during the Japanese invasion. Mones crafts a riveting story of forbidden love filled with passion, agony, …more

A Kim Jong-Il Production: The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power
by Paul Fischer

Impeccably researched (12/30/2014)

By sharing the couple's story, Fischer allows entrance into inner North Korea. Through the abduction of Shin Sang-0k and Choi Eun-Hee we realize how intricate and nefarious North Korea operated under the dictatorship of Kim Jong-Il. Prison conditions beyond harsh, the …more

Brutal Youth
by Anthony Breznican

Brutal Youth (7/12/2014)

Reading Brutal Youth is powerful. This troubling, affecting story will leave you lost in thought long after you have finished reading. My heart was heavy for the cast and all they suffered and endured.

Breznican provides an eclectic array of endearing characters, all …more

The Fortune Hunter
by Daisy Goodwin

The Fortune Hunter (7/4/2014)

Goodwin crafts a well written historical fiction love triangle with intriguing characters. The diversity of the characters gives this love triangle a certain amount of added punch.

I found myself playing armchair psychologist to the characters simply because Goodwin …more

A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family Story
by Qais Akbar Omar

A Fort of Nine Towers (6/23/2014)

“I have long carried this load of griefs in the cage of my heart. Now I have given them to you. I hope you are strong enough to hold them.” Qais Akbar Omar

Qasis shares his unforgettable story of a simple loving family and a country in endless turmoil and conflict. His …more

The Son
by Jo Nesbo

The Son (6/22/2014)

Jo Nesbo creates a riveting story of crime and corruption within the Oslo police department. No Harry Hole in The Son, fear not, the suspense, thrills and action are present and accounted for. A great standalone Nesbo fans will enjoy. Crime fiction at its best from the …more

My Life in Middlemarch
by Rebecca Mead

My Life in Middlemarch (6/22/2014)

I have always had an affinity towards British Victorian literature, without saying Middlemarch and Eliot are among my favorites. I was thrilled when I learned someone wrote a book regarding their intimate events reading Middlemarch. Mead provides the reader with such detail …more

The City
by Dean Koontz

The City (6/19/2014)

Jonas Kirk shares his history. A musical prodigy, Jonas finds music comforting, his personal saving grace. Jonas tells his life story to his long time friend Malcolm explaining events and people aiding and abetting his metamorphose into a 'whole' man, as opposed to 'half' a …more

How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky
by Lydia Netzer

My Thoughts (6/17/2014)

Netzer's style is out of the box for me. Her version of 'magical realism' merging with eccentricity isn't quite to my tastes or standard. However, her premise is unique and her narratives always reach a level of normalcy towards the end which I find somewhat redeeming. …more

The Cairo Affair
by Olen Steinhauer

Every bit a thriller (3/20/2014)

This book had my full attention from the beginning and it kept increasing. From the turn of the first page until the turn of the last page I was completely and totally immersed. Steinhauer designed a climax worth noticing and since this novel is similar to a maze he …more

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The Jackal's Mistress
by Chris Bohjalian

From the New York Times bestselling author of Hour of the Witch, a Civil War love story of a Confederate wife and a wounded Yankee.

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Dream Count
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

A searing new novel from the bestselling author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists, exploring four women's desires.

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