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The Lantern Men
The Lantern Men
Elly Griffiths | 2020 | History & Politics, Mystery, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I adore all Ruth Galloway books, and I'm so glad the series continues. I was surprised to find the book opening with Ruth away from her beloved Norfolk and its marshes--and giving more permanence to her relationship with Frank. The move only complicates Ruth's own relationship with Nelson, and their chemistry crackles as always. I love how familiar the characters feel--Ruth, Nelson, and young Kate. Ruth's friends, to include Cathbad, the eclectic druid, and his family. Nelson's co-workers. Ruth's co-workers. Each of these books feels like coming home and Griffiths captures each of their individual voices so perfectly. I love Nelson's sarcasm and Ruth's intelligence and desire for solitude--they are all so wonderful.

The case in this book is excellent; Griffiths is an expert at tying together murders in the past with those in the present, and that happens here. It kept me guessing, and it's great that's it's so often Ruth's intelligence--not just Nelson's brawn--that helps resolve things. There are some strong twists that keep things moving as well.

This book will stand-alone, though I always recommend the whole series, because Ruth and Nelson's relationship and character development alone is worth it. 4 stars for this installment, and I'll look forward to #13!
  
A Ship of the Line
A Ship of the Line
C.S. Forester | 1938 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
2nd published but chronologically number 7 in CS Foresters Hornblower series, that sees Horatio Hornblower in command of his first ship-of-the-line, the 74 gun HMS Sutherland.

A ship-of-the-line, by the way, is simply that: a naval ship of 2+ decks of guns that was designed to stand in the line of battle back in the days when they largely sailed astern of each other, and when the battles devolved into firing broadsides at each other.

Under the command of Admiral Leighton, who has married Hornblower's extramarital flame from the previous novel (Lady Barbara Wellesley), Hornblower finds himself sailing the coast of Catalonia (Spain) and getting - as per usual - involved in all sorts of missions both on and off land, ending with a cliff-hanger ending when he and his ship fights alone against 4 enemy vessels.
  
Valerie's Verdict (Dixon Brothers #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WOW. This book... I loved Hallee Bridgemans approach to the topics she presented in this book! Not many people are have the gift of writing realistically about domestic abuse and racial tensions in one book. Hallee Bridgeman did a great job without being real political about it. She told it like it is.
 The characters drew me in instantly with the descriptions she gave of the Dixion brothers and Valerie herself. This is the second book in the Dixion Brothers series, but it can be read as a stand alone. You wont feel lost if you haven't read the first book in the series yet.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for the great story plot, amazing character build, and for leaving me in anticipation of what will come next for the Dixion Brothers.