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Lindsay (1760 KP) rated One Boy's War in Books
Aug 24, 2020
One Boy's War is a bit of a continuation of Boy from Berlin. It is all based on a ship and in London, England during 1940 in the summer. It tells the tale of a boy named Kafer who is on a ship to Canada. He ends up returning to London, England.
Kafer and his mother and sibling are on the ship to Cannada. Something happens to make them return to London. There is an adventure for Kafer on the return. The adventures are enjoyable to read. There seems to be a mystery man that Kafer spots at the hotel while he and his family are waiting in Scotland.
There seems to be an adventure that Kafer and friend named Freddy that get Kafer into so trouble. Though I do not want to spoil that goes. This book is a good read. Children will enjoy it. If you want to find out if Kafer and his family make it safe and sound to Canada or not. I would suggest picking this book up.
In London, there are more adventures that Kafer goes on and he brings his brother along for one of them. Will they escape the Nazi's ore will they not. Will Kafer save his family or will he be stopped. The twist and turns of this book make you want to read to find out.
I was turning the pages of this book. I could not put it down. This book is mostly fiction with historical events that take place and with a real family. Any historical fiction fan from middle grade and up will enjoy this. I also enjoy the fact that this book and Boy from Berlin are pretty clean in language. I did not find one bad word in either book.
Kafer and his mother and sibling are on the ship to Cannada. Something happens to make them return to London. There is an adventure for Kafer on the return. The adventures are enjoyable to read. There seems to be a mystery man that Kafer spots at the hotel while he and his family are waiting in Scotland.
There seems to be an adventure that Kafer and friend named Freddy that get Kafer into so trouble. Though I do not want to spoil that goes. This book is a good read. Children will enjoy it. If you want to find out if Kafer and his family make it safe and sound to Canada or not. I would suggest picking this book up.
In London, there are more adventures that Kafer goes on and he brings his brother along for one of them. Will they escape the Nazi's ore will they not. Will Kafer save his family or will he be stopped. The twist and turns of this book make you want to read to find out.
I was turning the pages of this book. I could not put it down. This book is mostly fiction with historical events that take place and with a real family. Any historical fiction fan from middle grade and up will enjoy this. I also enjoy the fact that this book and Boy from Berlin are pretty clean in language. I did not find one bad word in either book.
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated The Yellow Lantern in Books
Nov 4, 2019
osephine Is Forced to Spy for Grave Robbers
Step into True Colorsa new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
In Massachusetts in 1824, Josephine Clayton awakes on the table of the doctor shes assisted all these months. She was presumed dead by all and has become the doctors next corpse for his medical research. Frightened, the doctor tries to kill her, but Josephine begs to be spared. A deal is struckJosie will leave her village and work at a distant cotton mill. All the while, shell await her true missionposing as a mourner to help his body snatcher procure her replacement. At the mill though, Josie is praised for her medical remedies among the mill girls, gaining attention from the handsome factory manager Braham Taylor. Yet, when Brahams own loved one becomes the prey for the next grave robbing, Josie must make a choice that could put her dark past behind her or steal away the promise of any future at all. What price will Josie pay for love when her secrets begin to unravel
My Thoughts: This is a very unique mystery that will captivate readers from the beginning. A fictional novel based on true facts, this story gives the reader an insight to the horrific things that happened at the turn of the century.
This story will certainly keep the readers' attention. The author has created very believable characters. The readers will either like them or hate them.
This is a wonderful story for those who like a good mystery. This one has many twists in the plot to keep the readers on their toes.
Step into True Colorsa new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
In Massachusetts in 1824, Josephine Clayton awakes on the table of the doctor shes assisted all these months. She was presumed dead by all and has become the doctors next corpse for his medical research. Frightened, the doctor tries to kill her, but Josephine begs to be spared. A deal is struckJosie will leave her village and work at a distant cotton mill. All the while, shell await her true missionposing as a mourner to help his body snatcher procure her replacement. At the mill though, Josie is praised for her medical remedies among the mill girls, gaining attention from the handsome factory manager Braham Taylor. Yet, when Brahams own loved one becomes the prey for the next grave robbing, Josie must make a choice that could put her dark past behind her or steal away the promise of any future at all. What price will Josie pay for love when her secrets begin to unravel
My Thoughts: This is a very unique mystery that will captivate readers from the beginning. A fictional novel based on true facts, this story gives the reader an insight to the horrific things that happened at the turn of the century.
This story will certainly keep the readers' attention. The author has created very believable characters. The readers will either like them or hate them.
This is a wonderful story for those who like a good mystery. This one has many twists in the plot to keep the readers on their toes.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Burial Rites in Books
Nov 5, 2017
Remarkable re-telling of an Icelandic murder case
Hannah Kent's detailed historical true crime story is fascinating, as she fills in the gaps about Iceland's last known case to end with the death penalty of a woman.
It isn't a murder mystery, more a fictional portrayal of Agnes Magnusdottir, who was condemned to death after the murder of two men, one of whom was her employer. It surrounds her last months kept in the home of a lawman and his family, as they grew closer to her and as she revealed more about the case to them. She confides in a young assistant priest, Toti, appointed as her spiritual guardian.
Here we find a rather ambiguous story about her so-called heroic employer, who seems to be more callous than what most thought about him. It is moving to read about the intense poverty she faced, and the loveless life she led, forcing people to behave in many different ways. There is a recurrent theme of jealousy throughout the book which shows what people are truly capable of. It is a battle for survival in a harsh, wintry landscape.
It isn't a murder mystery, more a fictional portrayal of Agnes Magnusdottir, who was condemned to death after the murder of two men, one of whom was her employer. It surrounds her last months kept in the home of a lawman and his family, as they grew closer to her and as she revealed more about the case to them. She confides in a young assistant priest, Toti, appointed as her spiritual guardian.
Here we find a rather ambiguous story about her so-called heroic employer, who seems to be more callous than what most thought about him. It is moving to read about the intense poverty she faced, and the loveless life she led, forcing people to behave in many different ways. There is a recurrent theme of jealousy throughout the book which shows what people are truly capable of. It is a battle for survival in a harsh, wintry landscape.
Aurora (9 KP) rated The Witchfinder's Sister in Books
Nov 7, 2018 (Updated Nov 7, 2018)
Historically-accurate setting (4 more)
Gripping
Emotional
Dramatic
Well-written characters
Emotional and Dramatic Historical Fiction
This book had me hooked from the start. I adore the amount of research done by Underdown to create the world of Alice Hopkins so artfully and accurately. Not only does the author capture the turbulence of the English civil war and the complex social systems of the time, but she also brings the reader into that world through the intensely relatable emotions felt by Alice throughout the story. Underwood expertly develops the personalities and flaws of each character in really believable ways, creating the complex relationships that we often see in real life. The story is also often pushed forward by gossip and secrets which the reader must choose whether or not to believe, adding an extra element of mystery to an already thrilling read.
After visiting many of the towns mentioned in the book (Manningtree, Mistley Wells, Colchester, Ipswich), I am in awe of the detail that Underdown used to bring these places to life. While some artistic license was taken (and described in the Author's Note), this book remains a beautiful and chilling glimpse into England's dark past.
After visiting many of the towns mentioned in the book (Manningtree, Mistley Wells, Colchester, Ipswich), I am in awe of the detail that Underdown used to bring these places to life. While some artistic license was taken (and described in the Author's Note), this book remains a beautiful and chilling glimpse into England's dark past.
Deborah (162 KP) rated The River of No Return in Books
Dec 21, 2018
At nearly 600 pages, this isn't a short read (although the font is quite large.....) and although, after a slowish start, I did really get into the book, the ending left me feeling disappointed - not enough to give 4 starts this time. The right ingredients are all there, it's just that this is a pretty long book and at the end of it we got very little explanation or resolution of story threads. It was more like Part One of a larger novel than book one of a series because so little is resolved at the end of this, so it doesn't really work as a standalone novel.
My more usual reading matter tends towards historical fiction/mystery/romance, do maybe this was why I was happier once we were back in the Georgian period than in the modern, or maybe it just took a while to get going. We are nearly a third into the book before the big jump back in time takes place, so maybe it wasn't just a feeling. A lot of the stuff beforehand is trying to explain and set up the plot rather than just let it happen.
My more usual reading matter tends towards historical fiction/mystery/romance, do maybe this was why I was happier once we were back in the Georgian period than in the modern, or maybe it just took a while to get going. We are nearly a third into the book before the big jump back in time takes place, so maybe it wasn't just a feeling. A lot of the stuff beforehand is trying to explain and set up the plot rather than just let it happen.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated The Sharpest Needle in Books
Feb 3, 2021
Blackmailing a Star
It’s August 1939, and silent film actress Marion Davies has been receiving poison pen letters from someone calling himself Argus. The letters threaten to reveal something from Marion’s past, something that could ruin her current relationship with William Randolph Hurst. When she turns to Lillian Frost and Edith Head for help, Edith can’t help but think there is more to the situation than there first appears to be. Then a dead body turns up. Can Lillian and Edith figure out what is going on?
There is so much to praise in this book. The plot is strong and always keeps us engaged. It does get a little convoluted as we reach the climax, but as long as you pay attention, you’ll follow what is happening. Real people and fictional characters rub elbows seamlessly, and they all appear fully formed to us. I love watching for cameos. The news of the day impacts the character, and therefore us. Yet we also have talk about the films coming out during that time, which I enjoyed. This is more than a Hollywood mystery. If you enjoy historical mysteries, you need to read these books today.
There is so much to praise in this book. The plot is strong and always keeps us engaged. It does get a little convoluted as we reach the climax, but as long as you pay attention, you’ll follow what is happening. Real people and fictional characters rub elbows seamlessly, and they all appear fully formed to us. I love watching for cameos. The news of the day impacts the character, and therefore us. Yet we also have talk about the films coming out during that time, which I enjoyed. This is more than a Hollywood mystery. If you enjoy historical mysteries, you need to read these books today.
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Set the Stars Alight in Books
Feb 23, 2021
https://travelingwife4life.wordpress.com/2020/08/10/set-the-stars-alight-book-spotlight-review/
This is my first book by Amanda Dykes and just wow... It has taken me a few days to really process this book and get my thoughts together on it.
I honestly have no idea where to start with this review. I have never read a book quite like this one. It is full of lyrical words and phrases that set your mind alight with thoughts and pondering's about the deeper thoughts of the world. Then interwoven are two stories about finding the way home from out of the dark. It does not read like your typical dual timeline story. It is two stories so deeply and flawlessly put together that it almost seems like a story inside of a story, rather than two separate stories intermingling. I loved the mystery of it, fitting clues together in my mind and thinking about the meaning behind the words the characters were saying. I really enjoyed this thought-provoking story.
“Nothing is impossible. Just think. Pay attention. Stretch forward. When things seem dark, Lucy, that is when you fight for the light. I think it is the duty to keep the stories, to pass them on. It is our duty- and our honor. In a world as dark as ours, people forget how to see the light. So we remind them by telling the truth, fighting the dark, paying attention...setting the stars alight.”
The characters showed almost a banked set of emotions, letting you see little bits of themselves over time as you got to know them better. I loved their selfless actions, their growth, and their deep pondering's that led to an undercurrent of deeper meaning throughout the whole story.
Truly a very well-done book of characters with lots of layers, emotions, and mystery. I give it 5 out of 5 stars for the amazingly well-done dual timeline, the historical facts, and mystery, and for making me think deeply about what was happening inside these pages.
*I volunteered to read this story in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
This is my first book by Amanda Dykes and just wow... It has taken me a few days to really process this book and get my thoughts together on it.
I honestly have no idea where to start with this review. I have never read a book quite like this one. It is full of lyrical words and phrases that set your mind alight with thoughts and pondering's about the deeper thoughts of the world. Then interwoven are two stories about finding the way home from out of the dark. It does not read like your typical dual timeline story. It is two stories so deeply and flawlessly put together that it almost seems like a story inside of a story, rather than two separate stories intermingling. I loved the mystery of it, fitting clues together in my mind and thinking about the meaning behind the words the characters were saying. I really enjoyed this thought-provoking story.
“Nothing is impossible. Just think. Pay attention. Stretch forward. When things seem dark, Lucy, that is when you fight for the light. I think it is the duty to keep the stories, to pass them on. It is our duty- and our honor. In a world as dark as ours, people forget how to see the light. So we remind them by telling the truth, fighting the dark, paying attention...setting the stars alight.”
The characters showed almost a banked set of emotions, letting you see little bits of themselves over time as you got to know them better. I loved their selfless actions, their growth, and their deep pondering's that led to an undercurrent of deeper meaning throughout the whole story.
Truly a very well-done book of characters with lots of layers, emotions, and mystery. I give it 5 out of 5 stars for the amazingly well-done dual timeline, the historical facts, and mystery, and for making me think deeply about what was happening inside these pages.
*I volunteered to read this story in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated The Season in Books
Feb 11, 2019
Most of the main characters had traits that separated their personality from one another, but I had trouble distinguishing between Alex's three brothers, as they all seemed to behave alike. The plot seemed to falter everytime there was a journal entry by the antagonist, especially since what would happen in the plot following them didn't usually match up with what was in the journal entry. All of the loose threads were accounted for in the end, though. The book came to me classified as a mystery, but I found that aspect of the text to be lacking most of the time, especially when focusing on the romance part of the text. I'm not usually a fan of mysteries, but the mystery of Gavin's father's death really seems to take a backseat to the budding romance between Gavin and Alex. The text claimed to fall in the year 1815, and there were lots of little details that made the text seem authentic, such as the three young women discussing the works of Jane Austen while identifying her as an anonymous author, the proper clothing attire for both men and women, and the proper decorum of both as well. Alex did seem to break with decorum a questionable number of times, but I'll attribute that to her personality and not a fault in background. While it's not likely I would have picked this particular book off the shelf if it were not for a recommendation, I have read similar works in the genre of historical romance for adults, and I have plans to read more of this genre in the future. I did enjoy this book and I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Vanished: True Tales of Mysterious Disappearances in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
Vanished: True Tales of Mysterious Disappearances by Elizabeth MacLeod is a non-fiction book for middle grade readers. The book discusses six stories about mysterious disappearances in chronological order. It starts with the 17th-century in North Carolina with the settlement of Roanoke Island, and ends with a 1990 art heist from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Art Museum.
The author could have taken on a negative tone with the subject but instead MacLeod is enthusiastic. The upbeat tone draws the reader into each mystery. Each story is filled with interesting facts and information.With each story there are pictures within the design.
The design of the book is uncluttered, featuring sidebars and appropriate images. The design also includes historical photographs, maps, and posters. These visuals add to the overall effectiveness of the book.
Each story begins with a factionalize vignette, which provides some background information about the disappearance. The ending of each section could have ended with a more smooth conclusion instead of abruptly. The combination of MacLeod’s storytelling and the resources included at the back of the book are sure to engage.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Vanished: True Tales of Mysterious Disappearances by Elizabeth MacLeod is a non-fiction book for middle grade readers. The book discusses six stories about mysterious disappearances in chronological order. It starts with the 17th-century in North Carolina with the settlement of Roanoke Island, and ends with a 1990 art heist from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Art Museum.
The author could have taken on a negative tone with the subject but instead MacLeod is enthusiastic. The upbeat tone draws the reader into each mystery. Each story is filled with interesting facts and information.With each story there are pictures within the design.
The design of the book is uncluttered, featuring sidebars and appropriate images. The design also includes historical photographs, maps, and posters. These visuals add to the overall effectiveness of the book.
Each story begins with a factionalize vignette, which provides some background information about the disappearance. The ending of each section could have ended with a more smooth conclusion instead of abruptly. The combination of MacLeod’s storytelling and the resources included at the back of the book are sure to engage.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated When I Meet You (Tree Of Life #3) in Books
May 9, 2020
When I Meet You is well done. It another story about genealogy. We are brought in with Jillian being with her dad on a trip to Denver. She does not know why. But her reaction to the steamer trunk brings us to the start of Jillian's journey in finding out who the owner is.
I enjoy the way, the author brings the past to life and the future together. Though she does it with clues given to her. We will not be able to solve the mystery until the end. Jillian also is pulled to look at her family history or at least into the steamer trunk that she was given by her mother.
The timelines go back and forth between the 1909 storyline and the present-day timeline. Could have Jillian found someone special. Norlan seems to be more occupied to feed two hundred people. Will he be able to create a menu for that many people. Will get the help he needs as well.
There are historical events. The story is mostly on the train from Ohio to Denver. Pinkerton seems to be the one mostly corresponding that is sent to a woman that is the owner of a trunk that was abandon at Denver's Union Station. Whatever happened to the owner?
I enjoy the way, the author brings the past to life and the future together. Though she does it with clues given to her. We will not be able to solve the mystery until the end. Jillian also is pulled to look at her family history or at least into the steamer trunk that she was given by her mother.
The timelines go back and forth between the 1909 storyline and the present-day timeline. Could have Jillian found someone special. Norlan seems to be more occupied to feed two hundred people. Will he be able to create a menu for that many people. Will get the help he needs as well.
There are historical events. The story is mostly on the train from Ohio to Denver. Pinkerton seems to be the one mostly corresponding that is sent to a woman that is the owner of a trunk that was abandon at Denver's Union Station. Whatever happened to the owner?