Excellent Sequel to the Crown in Crisis

 

In 1937 the Duke of Windsor was married to his great love, Wallis Simpson, and his brother, Bertie, was George VI. Bertie was shy and unlike his brother, Edward VIII, had not been trained to be king. However, the war was on and wanting to do his duty, he stepped up to rally the English people, and he and Queen Elizabeth became an example for his subjects.

This book is a sequel to “The Crown in Crisis.” It continues the story of the friction between the brothers. The Duke of Windsor remained self-centered wanting privileges, but not interested in performing the arduous duties required of a king at war. He went so far as to makes friends with Hitler. The book looks how far he went in possibly betraying his country.

This is a well researched book that has the pace of good fiction. It is occasionally heavy on facts, but facts are necessary to understand the world situation at the time. The book is history, but we also get a good look at the people who made the history. In addition to the Windsors, Winston Churchill played a major role in helping Bertie steer the country. There are many other players who had no major role, but the description of their activities helps flesh out the picture of the war years in England.

I highly recommend this book is you’re interested in the history of WWII, particularly the part played the Windsor brothers.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

A Great Beach Read

 

It’s the Fourth of July weekend in Kismet, Fire Island and a big time for Amy and her twin sister, Jo. Jo is getting married after a whirlwind romance, but it’s also the twin’s thirtieth birthday. It should be a special time.

But there are shadows in Amy’s life. She and Ben, her childhood sweetheart and now husband, have been arguing. It just doesn’t feel quite the same anymore. Then, too, Jo’s marriage means that Amy will no longer be her protector and confident, a role Amy isn’t sure she wants to change. Top this off with family dramas and the best man, who is someone from Amy’s past and you’re set for a week that may hold surprises.

I loved the setting on Fire Island. It seems like the perfect place to spend the Fourth of July. The story moves quickly between old problems and new. You can’t help wondering whether the wedding will actually take place.

The book has it all for a terrific beach read: romance, sisters’ dynamics, and family secrets. My only reservation was that I couldn’t like Amy very much. She seemed so self-centered not realizing that problems can be caused by things completely outside her. However, I did enjoy the book and recommend it for reading this summer, particularly at the beach.

I received this book from Penguin Random House for this review.

The Story of Two Women in the French Resistance and Afterward

 

During WWII Josie Andersen and Arlette LaRue worked for the Resistance in Paris. They were so successful stealing secrets that they were known as the Golden Doves. Their notoriety made them targets of the Gestapo. They were hunted down and imprisoned in Ravensbrook where terrible medical experiments were performed on the prisoners. Arlette’s son Willie was also taken prisoner, but he disappeared. At the end of the war, they were released from Ravensbrook, but Willie was missing.

In the 1950’s, the two women come together again. Josie is working for the US government in Operation Paperclip keeping track of scientists brought to the US to keep them from Russian Intelligence. She is tasked by the government to find the doctor who performed the infamous experiments at Ravensbrook. Arlette has been given information on where Willie might be. This quest takes them from Europe to French Guiana.

This is an extremely well written and researched novel. This is the third novel by Kelly I’ve read. I think in some ways it’s the best. It reintroduces some of the characters from the Lilac Girls, another novel set partially in Ravensbrook.

The characters of Josie and Arlette are very convincing. They were both brave women who cared about their loved ones and wanted he help women injured during the war. The book is long, but the author keeps you reading with cliffhangers at the end of some chapters.

The afterward is worth reading. It details how the book was conceived and relates where it is based on fact. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy excellent historical novels.

I received this book from Penguin Random House for this review.

A Healing Friendship

 

Harley is at the end of his rope. He dropped out of college, is estranged from his father, and is working a lower-level job in a movie theater. He suffers from anxiety and depression and is at the point of taking his own life when he’s rescued by Muddy. The boys live in the same rental house and Muddy takes Harley under his wing teaching him to enjoy things in life like bird-watching.

The boys, although quite different, form a strong bond. With the other young people living in the house they form a type of family to support each other. Harley continues to suffer from his mental health problems, but now there is growth and healing. Muddy is particularly sensitive as he is dealing with his grandfather’s dementia. It is a beautiful story of friendship and support.

I enjoyed both main characters. However, Muddy was particularly effective, dealing with his own problems and finding the compassion to befriend someone in need and help them to heal. The book is a character based novel with little action. However, the dialogue and the sensitive topics covered move the book along well.

This is a coming of age story. It is very satisfying to see the two young men helping each other in a difficult world. This is a book that can bring you joy as you read it.

I received this book from Random House for this review.

The 1984 IRA Plot to Kill Margaret Thatcher

 

On the last day of the Conservative Party Convention in Brighton, the IRA planted a bomb in the hotel. The explosion destroyed rooms, and killed and injured many people. Margaret Thatcher was one of the lucky ones. In her room, working on her keynote address, she escaped injury. This book tells the story of that incident bringing the characters on both side to life.

In the early chapters we meet the participants. The author also relates the history of the conflict. I thought he did an excellent job making the reasons for the conflict clear without taking either side. I learned a lot.

The second part of the book goes into the incident and the follow-up hunt for the perpetrators. This part of the book reads like a police procedural as the police search for and arrest the bomber. To me it was astonishing that the author could elucidate the history of the conflict in a readable way and then pull the reader into a chase that reads almost like fiction.

This is one of the best and most unbiased descriptions of The Troubles I have read. It is also easy to read and moves at a good pace. If you are interested in the history of this conflict, I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from Putnam Books for this review.

A Sinister side to the Beauty Culture

 

A family tragedy forces a talented young pianist to leave the music world. The serious injuries suffered by her parents mean she needs money for treatment. Holistik, a high-end beauty company, offers not only the chance to make a lot of money, but also a chance to belong and find out who she is.

At first all goes well. Helen, the niece of the owner, becomes close to her. As the friendship deepens, she is drawn further into the world of products to shape your body and increase your attractiveness. At first all seems well, she is experiencing belonging and thinks she is beginning to know who she is. However, the atmosphere darkens.

The novel is compelling starting as the story of a young girl finding herself and gradually veering into another dimension. I thought the author treated the underlying cultural ideas well. The book looks at race, body shaming, and the dictatorial nature of beauty standards. However, I found the transition to the sinister underpinnings of Holistik more frightening that I was prepared for.

I received this book from Dutton for this review.