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The Abstinence Teacher
8.0
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Stonewood Heights is the perfect place to raise kids. It's got the proverbial good schools, solid...
ClareR (5879 KP) rated The Sin Eater in Books
Oct 5, 2021
The Sin Eater is set in an alternative Elizabethan England, with so much attention to detail that it could be true! I mean, there WERE Sin Eaters, but in reality I don’t think their diets were as varied and rich-sounding. I had a google, and it seems as though some bread was left on a coffin for a Sin Eater to eat. Until, that is, the Church got involved. Sin Eating had to many Pagan connotations.
Each sin in this book has a different food, which is how 14yr old May Owens learns that something sinister is going on in the Queen’s court.
May can’t tell anyone what she knows. It’s a terrible punishment for a young girl: sentenced to a life of silence and ostracised by everyone - all because she stole bread to eat. Ok, she’ll never go hungry, but some of the combinations are pretty grim!
I really enjoyed reading about the travelling entertainers, and the homeless people who decide that living with a walking, breathing curse (May) is worth the risk when it’s cold outside.
This is a really atmospheric book, steeped in the sights, sounds and smells of a 16th Century England-type-place, and it ticked a lot of boxes for me as a historical fiction, occasional fantasy fan (amongst the other types of fiction!!)
Each sin in this book has a different food, which is how 14yr old May Owens learns that something sinister is going on in the Queen’s court.
May can’t tell anyone what she knows. It’s a terrible punishment for a young girl: sentenced to a life of silence and ostracised by everyone - all because she stole bread to eat. Ok, she’ll never go hungry, but some of the combinations are pretty grim!
I really enjoyed reading about the travelling entertainers, and the homeless people who decide that living with a walking, breathing curse (May) is worth the risk when it’s cold outside.
This is a really atmospheric book, steeped in the sights, sounds and smells of a 16th Century England-type-place, and it ticked a lot of boxes for me as a historical fiction, occasional fantasy fan (amongst the other types of fiction!!)
The Spires
7.0
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A troubled woman becomes consumed by a past she’s desperate to forget in this unsettling...
ClareR (5879 KP) rated Henry VIII: The Heart and the Crown in Books
Jun 6, 2023
I really enjoy Alison Weir’s storytelling. I always know that I’m going to get a book that I can really sink my teeth into. I’m a big big book fan, through and through - how on earth can you write a short book about a monarch like Henry VIII?! Six wives, heads being chopped off, wars, reconciliations, breaking from the Catholic Church, hunting, sporting and womanising! I’m sure there’s more - and it’s all in the book!
It’s interesting to hear the story of his life from his own (fictionalised) point of view. We’ve seen what his wives think of him, and here we get to read what he thinks of himself. It’s a lot, by the way.
For the fact collectors (🙋🏼♀️) this is a real treat, and Weir has really done her research. There’s plenty of (Henry’s version of) romance - most chivalrous!
This kept me turning the pages throughout. I will admit, I listened to this at the same time on a NetGalley audiobook that came through as I started reading on The Pigeonhole. And it really added to the experience. The narrator, Elliot Fitzpatrick, was perfect. He brought Henry to life again, as well as the other characters. He was really “listenable” to (is that even a word?).
So, thanks to The Pigeonhole and Headline both - it was a really enjoyable experience!
It’s interesting to hear the story of his life from his own (fictionalised) point of view. We’ve seen what his wives think of him, and here we get to read what he thinks of himself. It’s a lot, by the way.
For the fact collectors (🙋🏼♀️) this is a real treat, and Weir has really done her research. There’s plenty of (Henry’s version of) romance - most chivalrous!
This kept me turning the pages throughout. I will admit, I listened to this at the same time on a NetGalley audiobook that came through as I started reading on The Pigeonhole. And it really added to the experience. The narrator, Elliot Fitzpatrick, was perfect. He brought Henry to life again, as well as the other characters. He was really “listenable” to (is that even a word?).
So, thanks to The Pigeonhole and Headline both - it was a really enjoyable experience!
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Once You Go This Far in Books
Jul 9, 2020
Probably my favorite book in the series and that's saying *a lot.*
Private investigator Roxane Weary is out for a stroll when another hiker, Rebecca Newsome, falls to her death on a nearby trail. Her daughter, Maggie, doesn't think it was an accident, and she hires Roxane to look into the the incident, believing strongly that Rebecca's ex-husband, Keir, a former cop, was responsible. Roxane learns quickly that Keir is a bit of a jerk, but did he kill his ex? Roxane soon finds herself driving between Detroit and Canada, following the path of Rebecca's last days. Soon she's embroiled in the Fellowship, a mega-church founded by Joel Creedle and talking to Constance Archer, a wealthy businesswoman who is now running for office. Roxane's running herself so ragged she can barely make time for herself, let alone Tom, her sometimes romantic interest. Not to mention, things are heating up in her case, and she may find herself in danger, yet again.
"Only bad things happened when it was cold out, as it was becoming now."
This is one of the best detective serious out there, hands down, and I wish that Kristen Lepionka and Roxane Weary were household names. I adore these books and this one may be my favorite yet, which is high praise, as I've loved every book since the first.
"That was the thing about mysteries--no one ever deviated from the routine until the moment they did."
Roxane is her own person--a witty, intelligent private investigator who, oh yeah, just happens to be bisexual (and not a side character or the villain of our tale). Book four finds her working on a perplexing case, but also dealing with some personal growth: having to confront emotions and relationships, dreaded words in Roxane's world. I loved the balance of the mystery and Roxane's personal life in this one.
"Not knowing was hard for me. It always was."
Reading these books is like falling back with familiar friends--Lepionka captures Roxane and her crew perfectly: her brothers and mom; her on again/off again boyfriend Tom and ex-girlfriend, Catherine; her work partners; and more. She expertly portrays Roxane's wonderful sarcasm and her inability to commit. Here, we see Roxane dealing with a bombshell about her father's past--poor Roxane: she can never quite escape the shadow of her father, a former cop.
But, of course, we also read for the mystery, and this is a great one--Lepionka takes us in the world of an Evangelical church while delving into Rebecca Newsome's past, her relationship with her daughter, Maggie, and the many secrets Roxane uncovers. She also throws in Rebecca's wonderful spunky elderly neighbor who keeps things lively. This was an excellent mystery that kept me guessing (and worrying for Roxane's safety)--it's timely, interesting, and suspenseful.
Highly recommend this book and the entire Roxane Weary series. 4.5 stars.
Private investigator Roxane Weary is out for a stroll when another hiker, Rebecca Newsome, falls to her death on a nearby trail. Her daughter, Maggie, doesn't think it was an accident, and she hires Roxane to look into the the incident, believing strongly that Rebecca's ex-husband, Keir, a former cop, was responsible. Roxane learns quickly that Keir is a bit of a jerk, but did he kill his ex? Roxane soon finds herself driving between Detroit and Canada, following the path of Rebecca's last days. Soon she's embroiled in the Fellowship, a mega-church founded by Joel Creedle and talking to Constance Archer, a wealthy businesswoman who is now running for office. Roxane's running herself so ragged she can barely make time for herself, let alone Tom, her sometimes romantic interest. Not to mention, things are heating up in her case, and she may find herself in danger, yet again.
"Only bad things happened when it was cold out, as it was becoming now."
This is one of the best detective serious out there, hands down, and I wish that Kristen Lepionka and Roxane Weary were household names. I adore these books and this one may be my favorite yet, which is high praise, as I've loved every book since the first.
"That was the thing about mysteries--no one ever deviated from the routine until the moment they did."
Roxane is her own person--a witty, intelligent private investigator who, oh yeah, just happens to be bisexual (and not a side character or the villain of our tale). Book four finds her working on a perplexing case, but also dealing with some personal growth: having to confront emotions and relationships, dreaded words in Roxane's world. I loved the balance of the mystery and Roxane's personal life in this one.
"Not knowing was hard for me. It always was."
Reading these books is like falling back with familiar friends--Lepionka captures Roxane and her crew perfectly: her brothers and mom; her on again/off again boyfriend Tom and ex-girlfriend, Catherine; her work partners; and more. She expertly portrays Roxane's wonderful sarcasm and her inability to commit. Here, we see Roxane dealing with a bombshell about her father's past--poor Roxane: she can never quite escape the shadow of her father, a former cop.
But, of course, we also read for the mystery, and this is a great one--Lepionka takes us in the world of an Evangelical church while delving into Rebecca Newsome's past, her relationship with her daughter, Maggie, and the many secrets Roxane uncovers. She also throws in Rebecca's wonderful spunky elderly neighbor who keeps things lively. This was an excellent mystery that kept me guessing (and worrying for Roxane's safety)--it's timely, interesting, and suspenseful.
Highly recommend this book and the entire Roxane Weary series. 4.5 stars.
Hymnal Methodist
Music and Reference
1.0
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App
Highlights: • Complete full music scores and lyrics for all of the hymns in the UM hymnal •...
ClareR (5879 KP) rated Nothing to Hide (DC Constance Fairchild #2) in Books
Jul 27, 2019
Nothing to Hide is the second book in a series about DC Constance (Con) Fairchild. I haven’t read the first book - but I will be reading it. Not having read the first book didn’t cause me any problems with understanding and enjoying this one.
It’s a police procedural of sorts: Con is suspended because of something that happened in the previous book, and trouble seems to follow her. First the tabloids won’t leave her alone and are camped outside her flat, and then she finds the barely alive body of a young black man in her bins. He has had his tongue and testicles removed.
Even though she is suspended, Con finds herself involved in the investigation of this case. She travels up to Edinburgh where the boys mother lives, via a visit to her estranged mother. There she meets the enigmatic Reverend Dr Edward Masters, the leader of the Church of the Coming Light.
I couldn’t (or didn’t want to) stop reading this - it was fast paced, exciting and completely engrossing. The supporting characters were great to read too (a bit of other-worldly guidance from two very well written characters).
I can’t wait for the next in the series, and I shall be definitely looking for a copy of the first book!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for another excellent read, and to the author, James Oswald, for reading along with us!
It’s a police procedural of sorts: Con is suspended because of something that happened in the previous book, and trouble seems to follow her. First the tabloids won’t leave her alone and are camped outside her flat, and then she finds the barely alive body of a young black man in her bins. He has had his tongue and testicles removed.
Even though she is suspended, Con finds herself involved in the investigation of this case. She travels up to Edinburgh where the boys mother lives, via a visit to her estranged mother. There she meets the enigmatic Reverend Dr Edward Masters, the leader of the Church of the Coming Light.
I couldn’t (or didn’t want to) stop reading this - it was fast paced, exciting and completely engrossing. The supporting characters were great to read too (a bit of other-worldly guidance from two very well written characters).
I can’t wait for the next in the series, and I shall be definitely looking for a copy of the first book!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for another excellent read, and to the author, James Oswald, for reading along with us!
Some Fantastic Place: My Life with Squeeze and Beyond
Book
'King George Street in Charlton, South London, was my first home. Six prefabs, three pubs, a school,...