Benedict Arnold: A Complex Man

 Benedict Arnold’s name is synonymous with traitor. That’s sometimes the only thing we remember about him. However, he was much more. He was brave to the point of recklessness, a brilliant strategist and a charismatic leader. His capture of Fort Ticonderoga was instrumental in helping to end the war. His attack on Quebec illustrates his ability to inspire men to follow him. Arnold was also thin-skinned feeling he didn’t get the recognition he deserved. His feelings of betrayal were not completely unjustified. The congress overlooked him several times for promotion raising men in lesser positions to higher rank.

When Arnold suffered a severe injury, he had time to brood on his injustices. This is apparently what led him to accept the British offer and start passing them military intelligence. While it’s easy to speculate that money was the lure that drove Arnold to treason, he was a sensitive individual who felt he had many grievances. This may have played a part in his decision.

This is a well researched biography. I particularly liked the quotations from period sources. I think this is a great addition to the history of the Revolutionary War period. The book was easy to follow. I felt I learned a great deal.

Thanks to the published and Net Galley for this review copy.

 

An Epic Adventure that Changed History

 

In the nineteenth century, relations between Russia and the US were good. In the 1860’s, George Keenan, a young telegraph operator was part of an expedition to Siberia by the Russian-American Telegraph Expedition, a project to build a connection between the Americas and Europe. The project never happened, but George Keenan began a life long love affair with Siberia.

At that time many people believed the Siberian exile system was superior to the American prison system. In 1885 Keenan returned to Siberia with the intention of documenting the system. He started believing that the Russian system was preferable because prisoners were able to take their wives and children. The reality was sickening. The women worked themselves to death, froze, and many of the children didn’t survive.

When Keenan returned from his trip, he made it his mission to expose the system. His descriptions of the hardships endured by the prisoners opened people’s eyes to the abuses and led to deteriorating relations with Russia that last to this day.

This is an excellent book part biography of Keenan, part Victorian travel story, and part a discussion of the abuses to the exile system. The book is well documented. Most of the book is easy to read and the travel descriptions are enthralling. Occasionally, the pace slows, but the content is so interesting, I didn’t mind the slow places. I highly recommend this book for an early look at Russian American relations.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A 1700s Midwife and a Murder

Martha Ballard, a midwife in Hallowell, Maine in the 1700s was a mainstay of her community. In a time when many women couldn’t read or write, she kept a diary recording births, deaths and other happenings in her family and the community.

When the Kennebec River froze in 1789, the body of a man was trapped in the ice. Martha was called on to examine the body and determine the cause of death. She believes the man was murdered. However, not everyone, particularly the local Harvard trained doctor agrees. The man is one of the men accused of rape four months before. Because of the doctor’s disagreement, Martha is forced to investigate. In pursuit of the truth, she uncovers things that implicate those she loves and force her to decide where her loyalties lie.

Martha is a historical personage and the story is based on the diaries she kept. While the mystery is a major focus of the book. The novel also highlights how women were treated in the 1700s. I thought the author did an excellent job bringing the time to life. Martha is a marvelous character. You can’t help rooting for her. The descriptions are also truly excellent they vividly depict life in a small community in the dead of winter.

I loved this book and can highly recommend it.

Thanks for Net Galley and the publisher for this review copy.

A Teen Searches for Her Father

 

Growing up in Paris with an alcoholic mother, Delphine, was always told her father was Earnest Hemingway. When her mother dies, she goes to the US and stays with her mother’s friends in Harlem. She desperately wants to meet her father. Being an aspiring writer herself, she wants to write something that will impress him, so she works on her novel.

Eventually she leaves Harlem in search of Hemingway. She travels to Havana, Cuba where she meets Hemingway, but fails to take advantage of the encounter to explore their relationship. Leaving Havana abruptly, Delphine returns to Paris.

This is a coming of age story focusing on Delphine. The interaction with Hemingway is unsatisfactory. There is some historical background, but the story is all about Delphine. I thought she was a sympathetic character. I liked her determination. The author did a good job with the descriptions of the various places Delphine visits, they are evocative and made me feel as if I were there.

If you enjoy character driven fiction, I can recommend it.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Dark Fantasy Based on the Nutcracker

 

Twins, Clara and Natasha, are born on Christmas Day. Droselmeyer, a magician, appoints himself their godfather. He declares that Clara is light, and Natasha is dark. In spit of Droselmeyer’s ploys to turn the girls against each other, they grow up close. Things come to a head on their seventeenth birthday. Natasha has had a passion of Conrad for years, but on this birthday it is announced that Clara will marry him.

One of Droselman’s gifts is a nutcracker that he gives to Clara which will allow her to enter the magical kingdom of sweets. Furious, Natasha follows her sister into the kingdom and meets the Sugar Plum fairy who is also full of secrets.

This is a dark retelling of the Nutcracker fantasy. The story is filled with greed and selfishness. I can’t say that I liked any of the characters. I felt sorry for Natasha always living in Clara’s shadow, but she didn’t rise to the height of a sympathetic character.

The plot is somewhat slowed by the author’s repetition of the girls’ background. For me it detracted from the story. The setting in the Kingdom of Sweets was marvelous. I thought the descriptions of the delights were the best part of the book.

Thanks for the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Murder Among British Socialites

 

On his morning run in Hampstead Heath, Detective Caius Beauchamp finds the body of a young woman clad in a party dress. She is Clemmie, a social influences and long time girlfriend of Rupert, a wealthy young man. He celebratied his 30^th birthday the night before Clemmis’s body is found at McDonalds with his cronies. There’s plenty of champagne, cocaine and other drugs of choice.

Detective Beauchamp with with his fellow officers, DS Matty Cheung, and DC Amy Noakes, are given the case. To solve the case they are forced into the world of the incredibly wealthy and well connected where Rupert and friends don’t think the rules apply to them.

The case itself is an interesting police procedural. I like Detective Beauchamp and is crew. They work hard under difficult circumstances. If this novel is prelude to another book featuring these characters, I would like to read it.

The socialites making up Rupert’s circle are another matter. I found them all quite unpleasant. They don’t seem overly bothered by the murder of one of their circle. The author sharpens her satirical pen on these characters to good effect.

The early chapters of the book are slow due to meeting so many characters. Once the police begin to investigate the pace picks up. One of my criticisms is the ending. The plot has several loose ends. This may be the prelude to another novel, but, for me, it was an unsettling way to end.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Headstrong Regency Heroine

 

In 1815, titled ladies were supposed to be decorate adjuncts to the men in their lives. When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé dies before the wedding, she announces that she will remain unmarried. Although her father supports her decision, her uncle and other members of the ton are aghast. Whatever others think, Lady Petra remains true to her decision.

When she learns her friend Gwen has died of melancholia, Petra decides to investigate. She learns that Gwen’s physician was questionable. She also learns of a private asylum where wives and daughters who displeased their husbands and fathers were locked away. Undeterred, Lady Petra investigates and finds evidence of murder and danger to herself.

Lady Petra is a strong character. I liked her and thought she had made a good decision to live her life as she saw fit in spite of the rules of society. I believe this book is the start of a new series. Lady Petra will make a fine central character.

The description of the Regency Period was detailed and historically accurate. My only complaint is the setting of the scene slowed the beginning to the book. If you love historical romance, this should not be a deterrent. However, it you’re looking for the mystery, it may be a bit too slow.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A WWII Love Story

 

In 1929 Bettina, an artist, and Max, and architect, meet and fall in love. Although Bettina is German, and Max, Jewish, they plan to spend their lives together. It is not to be. With the advent of the Nazis, Max is sent to a concentration camp. He is a skilled artist and ends up at the porcelain factory at Dachau, a special project of Himmler.

In 1993, Clara Vogel is looking for the father she never. With her mother’s death, she feels its time to find out about her family. Buying some porcelain pieces at an auction, she traces their origin back to the porcelain factory at Dachau. Following the history of the figurines Clara begins to unravel her parent’s tragic story.

This is a beautifully written, if tragic story. Max and Bettina are wonderful characters. You can’t help admiring their courage under terrible circumstances. Clara is also likable for the dogged ways she pursues her quest to learn about the father she never knew.

One of the most interesting parts of the book was learning about the porcelain factory at Dachau. I knew nothing about the factory before reading the book. The author did an outstanding job of making it come to life in vivid detail. This is a sad story, but so beautifully told, I couldn’t put it down.

I received this review copy from Net Galley and the publisher.

Fox hunting, Mysterious Stamps, and Murder

 

It’s fall and the Jefferson County hunt is eager for the first fox hunt. Unfortunately, the fog is so thick they have to turn back after the first run. Two of the members think they saw a face in the fog, but decide it must have been an illusion. The next day, the illusion becomes a reality when the face turns out to be a murdered man tied to a chair just where the hunt would have found him on a good day. Then the stamp collection of one of the members is stolen. The collection is returned, but one stamp is found on the door of the hunt treasurer before he is attacked.

These incidents are the basis of the mystery, but since no one in the Jefferson Hunt is seriously pursuing clues the incidents fall flat. The main characters, Sister, Betty, Gray, Jane’s husband, and the others discuss the murder and the stamps, but it seems incidental to their talk of the upcoming hunts.

As usual, I enjoyed the animal characters: horses, foxes and dogs. Their lively banter is fun to read. The human characters are well drawn. I always enjoy their conversations about hunting as well as current events. The Virginia country side is beautifully described, and the fox hunts are exciting. However, the mystery seems a bit lacking. I kept waiting for characters to pursue clues instead of having incidents dropped in their laps. I recommend this book as a fun read, particularly if you like animals, but for me it lacked a focus on the mystery.

Thanks to the Random House Group and Net Galley for this review copy.

A 1930’s Glasgow Police Procedural

 

The depression in the 1930s hit Glasgow hard. The city was a morass of corrupt officials, rival fighting gangs, police unable to control crime, and terrible poverty. Into this mix, Percy Joseph Stilltoe is appointed Chief Constable. He selects teams to fight facets of this corruption. DI Jimmy Dreghorn and his partner, DS Archie McDaud are part of this select band.

When the body of Charles Geddes is found in the River Clyde, Dreghorn and McDaid are given the assignment of finding the killer. Geddes is the son-in-law of Sir Iain Lockhart, one of Glasgow’s wealthiest men, and Dreghorn has ties to the family, particularly Isla, the daughter of the family.

Pursuing the case Dreghorn and McDaid, move from the high society of the Lockhart’s to the dregs of the most poverty stricken and crime ridden areas of the city. The author does an excellent job of bringing both scenes to life. He doesn’t shy from the brutality which makes the book very dark in some sections. However, the author also shows the picturesque side of Glasgow giving the reader a taste of both sides of the city. He was able to make the background so real, I felt as if I were there.

The book is not fast paced, but moves at a tempo that keeps you reading. I also found the scenes of Dreghorn’s early life illuminating. It’s a good start if this is the first book in a new series.

I received this review copy from Net Galley and Random House.

Survival and Sisterhood in a WWII Japanese Prisoner of War Camp

 

As the Japanese closed in on Singapore, families had to make hard decisions. John and Nora Chambers sent their eight-year-old daughter, Sally, away with Norah’s older sisters and cousins. Norah and John stayed behind. John was ill with Typhus and Norah wanted to care for her aging parents. Soon conditions became more dangerous and John and Norah were also forced to evacuate. They were on the SS Vyner Brooke, one of the last vessels to leave Singapore.

Also on the SS Vyner Brooke were a group of Australian nurses returning home. Before they can reach safety, the ship is hit by the Japanese and sinks. The survivors get to Banks Island were they are captured by the Japanese and sent to POW camps. This is the story of the courage it took to survive.

In the camps, the men and women were separated. Norah and her sister Ena meet Nesta James, a tiny, courageous nurse who has taken over as leader of the nurses after Matron was killed. Together the sisters and Nesta form a strong bond. The women try to keep each other cheerful with music and an attempt to have a camp newsletter. Although conditions were very primitive with little food and water, the women were determined to survive.

The book is beautifully written. The description of conditions in the camps contrasted at times with the beauty of the tropical surroundings was very moving. The research is exceptional. There are so many stories. It was a bit hard at remember the roles of so many characters. However, it was worth the effort. I was very pleased that the author included notes at the end to tell the fate of each woman. I can highly recommend this book.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley for this review copy.

How Cats Communicate with Us and Each Other

 Dr. Sarah Brown is a respected scientist who has studied the behavior of cats for thirty years. In this book she condenses her research for the general public, particularly cat lovers. She discusses the history of cats from their background as wild cats in North Africa to today’s feral cats and those lucky domestic cats living in loving homes.

I was fascinated about how cats use their tails to communicate. Dr. Brown also goes into other forms of communication such as their vocalizations and ear movements. The fact that cats use their meow which mimics the cry of a baby to communicate with humans was fascinating.

In addition to her scientific research, Brown has amusing anecdotes about her cats and those she’s studied. This book can be very helpful in understanding cat behavior. The science is understandable and the antics of her cats are fun to read about.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

 

An Australian Murder Trial

 

Robert Farquharson was returning with his three sons from a Father’s Day outing. He and his wife were separated, but he had the three boys on authorized visits. This visit ended in tragedy. Robert’s car swerved of the road ran through a chain link fence, across a field and crashed into a dam. As the car filled with water, Robert was able to escape. He swam to safety, but the three boys perished. Robert was arrested for murder.

This is the story of the two trials that decided Robert’s fate. Helen Garner attended both trials. She an excellent listener. She reported the attorney’s examination of witnesses and even was able to learn what happened in sidebars between the judge and the attorneys. It’s an excellent job of reporting.

The story itself is gut wrenching. It’s hard to believe that a father who loved his children was able to kill them. The trial explored several theories of his state of mind. Was he incapacitated when the car swerved? Was it a planned murder-suicide? Was it a revenge killing aimed at his wife? All these ideas are explored during the trial.

I found the book emotionally very hard to read. It is well written. The style is more literary than I am used to in true-crime stories which makes the pace a little slower. It is worth reading for the look at the Australian criminal justice system. The trials resolved the issue from the state of the Australian justice system, but reading the book you have to decide for yourself what to believe.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Surgeon’s Thoughts During the Covid Epidemic

 Doctor Smith, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, had a busy life leaving early every morning to go to the hospital where he performed heart surgery. His life seemed much the same. Then came the Covid epidemic and surgery was stopped cold. He was relegated to his office. This is when he started to write.

The book discusses the early life experiences that pushed him in the direction of medicine, and gives a glimpse of some exciting surgeries like the quadruple bypass performed on Ex President Bill Clinton. I found both of these threads interesting, but perhaps his most intense thoughts came when he talked about how the pandemic affected the hospital and it’s employees. Some of it was very difficult such as the suicides of two doctors at the hospital.

I found the book interesting. It’s not a cohesive account of the life of a busy surgeon. It wanders a bit and contains philosophical musings that are more or less interesting depending on your perspective. If you enjoy learning more about how a surgeon approaches his experience, this book may be perfect for you. However, it is a bit fragmented covering diverse topics.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

 

Civility: A Cohesive Factor in Society

 

This book takes a comprehensive look at civility from ancient to modern times and discusses how it affects society. The author draws a comparison between civility and politeness. If I thought about it, I would have said the two words were basically synonymous. However, the author points out the distinction, and it’s important.

Politeness is external. It is a show of good manners. Politeness allows a person to appear tolerant even though politeness can be used to distance oneself from the issue, to be manipulative, and to be condescending. Civility is internal. Civility is a desire to understand another person’s viewpoint, to interact with the person in a way that allows both people to express themselves without vitriol. It is being open to understanding other perspectives.

The author did an excellent job explaining civility from it’s roots in ancient philosophers such as Epictetus to modern thinkers like Martin Luther King whose writings showed the author that there is a moral foundation for civility. However, these were not the only thinkers discussed in the book. One of the things I liked best was the way the author sprinkled quotes from important thinkers throughout the text.

I found this book very helpful in understanding what is wrong and right with interactions between people today. I highly recommend it.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

The Erratic Genius Behind the Development of Dada Fusion

 

Hank Asher, a man you probably never heard of, was a pioneer in the development of data fusion technology. This technology is ever present in our lives from targeted marketing ads to data collected by our health care providers, the IRS, and law enforcement.

Asher’s career spanned a stint as a pilot running drugs in the Bahamas, founder of a house painting company, and finally a computer genius who developed data fusion technology. His story is fascinating. Funk’s presentation is like reading a thriller, but it’s a true story.

Data fusion relies on the ability to see patterns within and across data sets. Asher was a master of this and it was this ability that led him to develop the computer applications to use this technique on a commercial scale.

I was very impressed with Funks’ presentation. He’s able to give the general reader enough understanding of computer technology to make what Asher did understandable. He also presents the uses of this technology today and the privacy concerns it raises. Although Funk is a critic of the uses this technology has been put to, he acknowledges that it has helpful as as well as harmful applications. One of the helpful applications is finding groups exploiting children through child pornography.

I enjoyed the book. If you’re interested in privacy issues it’s a good source of information as well as being an entertaining read.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

WWII Cozy Mystery

 

It’s 1940, Evelyn Redfern, known and the Parisian Orphan, is doing her part for the war effort working in a munitions plant. The work is boring, so when Mr. Fletcher, one of her father’s friends, recruits her to work in Winston Churchill’s war rooms she jumps at the chance. Fletcher coaches her to look for a suspected leak, but when one of the other secretaries is found dead she transfers her attention to solving the mystery.

In her investigation she’s helped by a reluctant colleague, David Poole. At first he seems determined to keep her from investigating, but when she discovers that he is also looking for the suspected leak, they team up.

Since this is the first book in a new mystery series, it’s reasonable that the first quarter of the book gives Evelyn’s background. In the next section of the book, the mystery heats up and we’re introduced to the myriad characters working in the tunnels of the war room. At this point, I found the number of characters a bit overwhelming. However, as the story progresses the characters fit into place and it’s easy to figure our what’s happening. I was pleasantly surprised by the twist at the end.

I loved Evelyn’s character. She determined and spunky, but with a clever mind and quick repartee. The amusing dialogue kept the story moving. David is a good foil for Evelyn. At first, he’s very standoffish and tells people she’s just taking notes for him, as their relationship develops he becomes more accepting of her help.

This is a great cozy mystery with well researched background on the Churchill war rooms. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks to the published and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Fast Paced Legal Thriller

Madison Rivera, a top Harvard law student, is thrilled to be offered an internship by Federal Judge Kathryn Convoy. Convoy has been an inspiration to Madison and is one of the reasons she chose law.

There is a problem, however, Madison’s younger brother, Danny has been arrested on a federal drug charge and Convoy is the judge. Unwilling to give up the intern position, Madison hides the fact from the judge.

Madison’s position is complicated by the fact that her mother is pressuring her to help Danny. Then Danny disappears after being forced to plead guilty and accuses the judge of corruption. Madison is now faced with a dilemma. Is Judge Convoy corrupt? What is at the bottom of Danny’s case?

This legal thriller is fast paced and filled with tension and suspense. It’s hard to put down. The story is told from two points of view: Madison and Convoy. I liked having both women tell their own stories. You can see how Madison and particularly Convoy grow during the novel. My only criticism is the number of characters. Reading fast, I sometimes found it hard to remember how all the characters fit into the story. However, the book was a great read.

Thank to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

Attractive Coloring Book

 

Easy to color pictures of Trixie and Katya if you feeling like expressing your artistic bent with a bit of coloring. The drawings are well done. The paper is thick enough to keep all but the wettest colors from seeping through. In addition the drawings are on only one side of the page to assure any seepage will not ruin the book.

Thanks to the publisher for this review copy.

A Kingdom of Exotic Creatures

 Wondrous Creatures by Kirby Rosanes

Intricate drawings of fantastic animals to color makes this a special coloring book. Although some of the pictures have been published before, it’s fun to try different colors on the pictures. The intricacy of the drawings calls for care in applying the colors. Although it can look daunting to fill the tiny spaces, you can make larger swaths of color. The pictures come out beautifully either way.

I love Kirby Rosanes coloring books. You can lose yourself for hours applying colors. The pages are heavy paper so unless your colors are very wet, you don’t have to worry about them soaking through. I particularly love the ocelot and the beaver with the bug on his head.

Thanks to the publisher for this review copy.

Madness and Motherhood

 

Alice, a young Mohawk woman, seems to have everything she ever wanted. She has moved from the reservation to a posh neighborhood in Toronto with the anthropologist husband, Steve, who studies the Mohawk culture. She has a new daughter, Dawn. However, things are not perfect. She struggles to connect with Dawn. Partly this may be do to the guilt she feels toward her own recently deceased mother. The neighbors are not openly friendly, in fact some are racist. She is also experiencing disorienting situations. She’s hearing voices and connecting with Pocahontas, who started coming to her as a teenager.

As Alice descends into madness, she holds to her desire to write the creation myth of Sky Woman as told to her as a child. As her madness deepens she believes she has found a portal to another time and world. In this world, she talks to her granddaughter.

I found the first half of the book very interesting and somewhat horrifying as Alice descends into madness. It was well written. I couldn’t help rooting for Alice as she faced passive aggressive behavior from racist neighbors. However, the last portion of the book was a jolt. The scifi section where she talks to her granddaughter didn’t work for me. It seemed too abrupt a change. However, I enjoyed the book. It gave an interesting glimpse of the Mohawk culture and an indigenous woman trying to integrate into a different world.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

Women Helping Other Women

 

In Chicago in the 1970s prior to Roe vs Wade, the availability of women’s health care, particularly abortions was severely limited and in respect to abortion, illegal. This is a fictional account of the Jane Network. It was established to help women offering reproductive counseling and illegal abortions.

The story centers around three women, Jane, the founder of the network, who when not Jane is Veronica, a wife and mother; Patty, one of Veronica’s friends, who has a traditional life style; and Margaret, a college professor, who volunteers in the network. These three women illustrate the options women chose during that period.

The book is timely since Roe vs Wade was recently overturned by the Supreme Court. It is very well researched. For those of us who lived through that period, it is a reminder. For younger women, it shows some of the problems their older sisters coped with.

The book is very informative and presents a good picture of life during the 70s. My only reservation is that to me the characters seemed more designed to illustrate the points being made by the author than more complex and realistic people. However, the story moves well. It’s beautifully written and easy to read.

I received this book from the Publisher and Net Galley for this review.

A Crime Set in 1944 California

 

A prominent politician with many enemies is murdered in the prestigious Clarement Hotel in Berkeley California. Homicide Dective Al Sulivan was having a drink at the hotel at the time and is one of the first police on the scene.The Clarement was the scene of another death ten years earlier that may be connected to the present tragedy. Iris Stafford, a ten-year-old girl a member of the wealthy Bainbridge family, was found dead having fallen down the laundry chute while playing hide and seek with her sister Isabella.

The investigation focuses on the remaining three Bainbridge heiresses, Isabella and her cousins Cassie and Nicole. Their formidable grandmother, Genevieve Bainbridge is also a part of the investigation. Her deposition is presented in segments throughout the novel. There is an aura of power and sex throughout the book. It was a time of economic disparity, racial tension, and the Chineese connection of Madame Chaing Cai-Shek.

This is a well crafted mystery novel set in an interesting and turbulent period of California history. The author does a good job of weaving the history, economic, and political issues throughout the story. My only reservation is that for some readers the historical sections may bog down the mystery. There is also the element of a ghost story which, although related to the plot, may be distracting.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

British Spy Thriller

 

Emma Glass works for a top secret agency in MI6. When on of their analysts is found murdered and locked in a suitcase in his apartment, Emma is assigned to go undercover to discover the identity of the killer and untangle the plot he was working on. The plot involved Russian oligarchs who were known to be involved in criminal activities, specifically dealing in chemical weapons sales to anti-Western groups. Emma goes underground on the super yacht of one of the oligarchs. This is an incredibly dangerous assignment, particularly when it appears that there is a mole in MI6 giving information to the Russians.

In this exciting spy novel, Emma faces danger at every turn. Any slip will end her in the same position as the murdered analyst. I enjoyed Emma’s character. She’s smart, gutsy, and fearless. She does make mistakes, but through the book, you can see her growing as an agent.

The background is delightful. The super yacht is cruising the waters of the Mediterranean. The author does an excellent job of bringing not only the gorgeous scenery to life, but also the interior of the yacht. The pace is fast with no dearth of exciting escapes. If you enjoy spy thrillers, this is one not to miss. It is also the second book in the series, but the author seamlessly weaves the history into the current book.

I received this book from the publisher and Net Galley.

The Horrors of World War II are Still With Us

 Milia Gottestein-Lasker is head of the Survivor’s Campaign, an organization founded by her family to bring Nazi war criminals to justice. She is trying to pass on the responsibility for running the organization, but when she is invited to be the keynote speaker at a Holocaust conference in Lithuania, she accepts. She is not eager to visit Lithuania and unsure of Dr. Darius Vidas, who invited her, but the invitation meshes with her personal agenda.

This is historical fiction based on a true story. It was well written, but I found it a hard book to read. I wasn’t familiar with the genocide perpetrated on the Lithuanian Jews. It was eye opening. The story as historical fiction highlights some of the personal tragedy that is obscured by an historical treatment. I thought it an excellent job.

The background was well described. I also found the information about the country interesting. I was less enthusiastic about the character of Milia. She opens the book angry and continues in that vein. It is understandable, but difficult to relate to. If you are interested in WWII and the scars that are still visible today, I recommend this book.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

 

A Seriously Creepy House

 

Sarah Slade, therapist, blogger, and influencer, purchased a Murder House. Because of the murders 40 years ago, the house has set empty and is quite deteriorated, but Sarah has plans. She’ll renovate the house; it will sell for a good profit, and she and Joe, her husband, will be rich. There are other potential rewards. While she’s renovating the house, she’ll be able to use the experience on her blog. She also envisions the renovated house acting a catalyst to heal her troubled marriage.

The house, however, seems to have different ideas. Things get done, but then something else goes wrong. There are footsteps in the attic. Joe is still sleeping on the couch, and the neighbors hate them. With her dreams evaporting, Sarah, herself, begins to feel crazy. Maybe the Murder House was for sale at a good price, but is it really worth all this anguish.

This is definitely a dark, twisty tale. I loved all the secrets about the house. The descriptions were good and I felt like I was there. I wasn’t as interested in the characters. Sarah seemed too driven. Joe was too meek. The plot pushed them along, but they never did become more likable. The ending was good. It wasn’t expected so that was a positive. If you like creepy old houses with secrets, you’ll enjoy the Murder House.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Multi-generational Approach to Life and Work

 

Life expectancy has increased substantially as has technology since the 1900’s. The combination of these trends has led to increased opportunity as well as friction between generations. The author points out that the lock step progression through life from school to retirement is no longer satisfactory when people are living long and in many instances healthier lives.

The longer lifespan leads to people wanting education at more than one stage of their lives and not wanting to leave the workforce as quickly as they did in past generations. In the workplace, the author points out how successfully BMW has implemented a multi-generational workplace. It’s also true that with improved communication and access to the internet, people can take advantage of increased educational opportunities even if they are unable to attend the bricks and mortar university or college.

I found this book a timely and exciting read. The changing dynamics of population and aging are obvious all around us. The author has done substantial research to brings some order to what we see happening. I found it quite challenging to think about. My only reservation is that the book is heavy on academic presentation. This will not be a problem for many people, but for the casual reader it may be hard to get into the argument.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Magical Family, an Enchanting Town

 

Ella Dove, a middle child, has always felt out of place in her family of seven sisters. After her father’s death, with whom she was very close, she started running away and years later she hasn’t stopped, but now a disturbing dream has her returning to her home town of Dove Pond.

Ella is an internationally known baker with a large internet following. However, she has been having a disturbing dream and feels that she must return to Dove Pond to put things right. She is concerned about a rift between herself and her mentor Angela Stewart Harrington. Ella was accused of stealing a valuable cookbook from Angela. She knows she’s innocent, and she’d like to heal the breach. There’s also the problem of Angela’s grandson, Gray, her first love and heartbreak.

Angela has her own family problems. She wants to connect with her daughter Jules, who has never forgiven her for divorcing her father. The relationships are complex with plenty of meddling and secrets.

This was my first visit to Dove Pond, although this is book three in the series. The book is a little slow, but I enjoyed the pace and the visit to the enchanting area of Dove Pond. This was a story of homecoming and mending relationships. It was heartwarming and satisfying. I’ll be making more trips to this town and magical family.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

Mother, Sisters, and Surfing

 

In the 1960’s the Southern California surfing scene was the place to be. Carol Donnelly has no desire for the expected traditional role of wife and mother. She wants to be a professional surfer, and she’s good. The ones who suffer for their mother’s ambition are her daughters, Mindy and Ginger. Wanting to be with their mother, they start spending time in the water. Mindy is a natural surfer, but Ginger is uncomfortable.

The sisters grow up making different choices some good, some destructive. Mindy follows in her mother’s footsteps in professional surfing, and she’s a star. Ginger looking for her own place moves into drugs and men who take advantage of her. Through it all, the sisters maintain their strong bond from the childhood they shared.

The Southern California described in this book is magical from the beaches, bathing suits and surf to the exciting nights at clubs and beach-side parties. Having lived in Southern California I love revisiting it. The story itself is very emotional. The dysfunctional family and the heartache it causes is made very real. I thought the author did a good job with the characterization. That said, I really didn’t like the characters, but considering their emotional problems, I think that was realistic. If you want a great trip to the beach, I think you’ll like this book.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

The Evolution of a Friendship

 Four friends, Dev, Nate, Rachael, and Clarissa, are on the eve of college graduation when the novel opens. The world is unfolding before them. It’s exciting and a little frightening. One of the questions is whether they will remain friends. As the years pass, the story of each character is told from his or her viewpoint. From 2010 through 2018 we have a view of each character's life with successes and failures and interactions with old friends. They grow apart, but in the end tragedy brings them back together.

I thought the author did a good job of making each character distinct. They come to life through the successes, failures, happiness, and disappointment that are part of every life. I particularly liked that we had male as well as female characters. Too many books I’ve read about friendship concentrate on female characters. I kept reading because I wanted to know more about these people

The story takes place between New York and Chicago. However, I think readers from other parts of the country can relate to the characters. If you enjoy character based novels, this is a good one.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

 

The Serial Killer and the Social Media Influencer

 The FBI has a suspected serial killer in prison, but they can’t continue to hold him because they only have evidence of him breaking and entering. They contact Rachael Krall because she was mentioned by both the suspect and social media influencer, Maddison Logan, who has subsequently disappeared. They’re hoping Rachael can help them get information from the suspect, Terence Bailey, that will help them find Maddison before it’s too late, and get some item that will help them keep Terence behind bars.

Rachael doesn’t know either Terence of Maddison, but when the FBI calls, she flies to northern Florida to assist in the investigation. At the end of the interview with Terence, he warns her that killers are often hide behind a normal facade. She doesn’t understand the connection to Maddison until she opens a voice message and finds that Maddison contacted her to see if she could help find her friend. With the veiled threat from Terence, the FBI wants her to fly home where she’ll be safe, but now she’s interested in the case and decides to stay and investigate.

This is the second Rachael Krall mystery, and she is even more determined than in the Night Swim, the first book. This book is rather different from the previous book. The book is told from Rachael’s point of view, but she’s not writing podcasts. She’s investigating. I liked seeing her in action and interacting with the FBI agent, Joe Martinez. Sparks fly, but there is also a deep attraction. If you enjoyed Night Swim, this is a good addition to the series.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

 

An Atmospheric Thriller

 

Megan was killed ten years ago. Her boyfriend Cal was convicted of manslaughter and has just been released from prison. Now her family have all received invitations to come to a lovely rental home on the Oregon coast to learn what really happened that night. They don’t want to come, but the invitations draws them together. Will Cal tell what he knows? Did he commit the murder, or was it someone else?

This is a very atmospheric thriller. The setting is a summer house perched high on a cliff. A storm is brewing and the house has been set up with reminders of Megan. The family waits tensely for Cal, but he has suffered an accident when his car hit a tree. He’s unconscious. No one will know what happened. Should they help him? It would be easy or let him die? But if he dies they may never know the truth.

The story is filled with twists and lots of emotion. I didn’t particularly like the characters. Megan’s mother Maureen, now divorced from the girls’ father, seems particularly upset and vicious toward her husband’s new wife. The story is told from multiple points of view. This is a good device. It lets us get to know all the characters and is particularly effective at the end.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

The Adventurous Life of a Socialite Spy

 In the Gilded Age society was more structured than it is today. Young ladies in upper-class families were expected to marry well, have children, and pursue social obligations. Marguerite Harrison was not interested in conforming. She rejected the suitor her mother had chosen and married a man she loved. When he died, she was left with large debts and a young child. The solution was to go to work.

She started as a society reporter, but craving more action she applied to Military Intelligence to go to Europe as a spy. Her social skills and background opened doors to people in high places and her perceptive reports were very valuable. Eventually, her work as a spy took her Russia, a stint in prison, and travels to the Mideast and beyond.

I found her story fascinating. She didn’t conform to the strictures places on women between the two world wars and had adventures and escapes that would have daunted many men. The book is well researched, but it reads like an action adventure. Because it’s non-fiction we don’t get into her head trying to understand motivation, but the story is riveting none the less. It’s interesting to see how she was able to use the skills learned in an upper-class family to become successful as a secret agent.

Thanks to the published and Net Galley for this review copy.

 

A Time Loop Romance

 

Gemma runs into Jack, literally. She’s been off romance, but Jack attracts her looking deep into her eyes. The next day is a day Gemma and Jack have experienced many times before. Jack is caught in a time loop. The way he can break out of it is to get Gemme to fall in love with him. This is not as easy as it seems because while he remembers her, she doesn’t remember him.

This is a cute romance. Gemma and Jack are likable characters. You can’t help rooting for them to get together. The writing is good. It pulls you into the story and makes you keep reading. A few times, I thought the author was over-explaining, but it didn’t detract too much from the action.

The setting was perfect for the story. The characters were great, including Lila, Gemma’s best friend. If you enjoy romance with a different background, I think you’ll like this book. I did.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Mother’s Secrets

 

Ruth, a single mother, and her daughter Catherine have always been close. Now Catherine has graduated from nursing school and plans to take a prestigious job at Johns Hopkins necessitating a move away from her mother. Ruth will do anything to stop her. As Ruth tries to bind her daughter closer to her, Catherine wants to know why and begins to search for secrets in her mother’s past.

The author uses an effective technique to let us follow both Ruth’s and Catherine’s thoughts. The chapters are told first from one point of view then the other. I found this a very good way to bring out both women’s secrets without having to strain the progress of the plot.

The plot moves rather slowly as Catherine works to unravel her mother’s secrets. However, the continuing revelations keep the story moving. I wondered how the author would handle the ending. There didn’t seem to be much left, but the ending pulled the story together and explained each woman’s behavior.

The book is not an action packed thriller. It is more of a psychological drama. However, the twists in the plot keep you reading and the ending makes sense of the story. I thought it was well done.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Gallery for this review copy.

A Copycat Murder, or Not?

 

After twelve years, Greer Dunning is back in Ludlow, Kansas. Fourteen years ago, her older sister, Eliza and her boyfriend were murdered. Greer and her parents were overwhelmed by grief. Even though the killer was caught and has been executed, Greer is unable to accept that the killer didn’t have an accomplice. Now there has been a second murder. Two teens have been murdered in similar circumstances.

Greer has come back determined to find out whether the questions and concerns she had about her sister’s murder can help to solve the latest crime. Once home, she teams up with an unlikely ally and together they set out to discover the truth even if it puts them in danger.

This is primarily a character driven mystery. Greer is still tormented by things she thinks she knows about her sister’s murder. and she is determined to find the truth. In addition to her determination, Greer is still grieving. It keeps her apart from even her parents who are also stricken by the crime. I thought the author did a good job exploring how grief affects families, not only of the victim, but of the killer as well.

The background of the small town of Ludlow is perfect for the story. It’s a close knit community where everyone knows their neighbors. It’s also a town where there are secrets. The plot is good and there are plenty of twists. The ending was not a surprise for me. There are plenty of clues along the way. However, the character development adds a dimension to the novel that keeps you reading. If you enjoy character driven mysteries, you’ll like this one.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Retelling of the Trojan Was Starring the Women

 

The Bronze Age, from what we know of Homer’s Iliad, was a male dominated society. The women were mere shadows. This book changes that perspective. The focus is on the women: Andromache, Rhea, and Helen. Andromache, Hector’s wife comes to the fore as a leader during the siege. Rhea is a war refuge who finds her place working with the horses. Helen, who’s capture started the war, is portrayed as a captive, and Cassandra, the prophetess, who has the last word.

The novel while remaining basically true to the original story, gives the women a chance to show how their actions affected the course of the conflict. I thought the author did an excellent job giving each woman a distinct character, revealing her emotions and thoughts, and getting to see the other characters through the eyes of these women.

The background of the Bronze Age society was well researched and gave an immediacy to the story. The descriptions drew you into a different time and made the story more realistic. Generally, I don’t like retelling myths with a new focus primarily on the women. I feel it gives a false picture of the age. However, this book was very well done. The characterizations were realistic giving each woman a distinct voice. I recommend this book as an alternative way to view the Trojan War.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Genetic Test for Male Aggressive Behavior

 After scientists discovered that in a prison population most of the males had the M+ gene, they decided that the boys with that gene will be trouble makers. Boys with M- gene will not have this characteristic. After they develop a test for the gene, the next step is to test all boy babies to determine which type of the M gene they possess. This leads to differences in treatment for they boys depending on which variant they have. The M- boys receive all the perks including getting into good schools. The M+ boys are giving menial jobs and treated as outcasts. In this two tier society, parents want to assure that their sons are M-.

Two sisters, Antonia and Bea, have sons born at about the same time. Antonia is married to a wealthy doctor; Bea is an unwed mother who lives with her partner. Antonia has her son tested and exalts in his M- status. Bea refuses to test her son not wanting his life to be determined by a single test. The boys are treated differently. Antonia is a protective mother. Bea wants her son to face the trials of life. As the boys grow up their paths diverge in a way that brings heartache to both families.

This story has a shocking premise: a world where genetics is destiny. By separating boys into good and bad groups at a very early age they are almost begging for bad things to happen. The tension in the book is very strong. It pulls you into this world. The conclusion is hard to see coming and for me reinforced all the bad things about treating children this way.

I received this review copy from Net Galley and the publisher.