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Robert Fry
Jane Neal, Anthony Fry, Alfred Kornfeld and Anne Langmann
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The paintings and etchings of Robert Fry (b. 1980, London) confront viewers with an engaging...
The Shelbourne Ultimatum
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After his brush with death Ross O'Carroll-Kelly - schools rugby legend, award-winning author and...
Whole (Breaking Free #5)
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Two broken hearts…one perfect fit. Alpha Morris Danvers likes his quiet life as a paralegal...
M_M Mpreg Omegaverse Romance Dark
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated And I Darken (The Conqueror's Saga #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Vlad the Impaler is a fascinating figure. Known as a villain to most of the world, he has also been considered a hero to myriad citizens in Romania and Bulgaria. He had a rocky life and was used as a bargaining chip as a child, along with his younger brother, Radu the Handsome. I once watched a very interesting documentary on him that was even-handed and it left a lasting impression. I felt sorry for what he went through as a child and how it shaped him into cruel measures. <b>And I Darken</b> poses an interesting question: what if Vlad Tepes was born a girl? This first in the series explores the first eighteen or so years of his, now her, life.
Admittedly, while I was intrigued at the subject, the beginning of this book was a slog to get through. I wasn't especially fond of the simpering Radu early on, since he was ridiculously sensitive and close to caricature. He features just as much, and perhaps more, than his sister, Lada (the feminine of Vlad). I thought Lada was a well-drawn character and I could totally see Vlad in her. As they age, Radu improves and is the heart of the book. This follows history as well as can be with the major change, so the story continues their progress to being hostages, as it were, to the Ottoman Empire.
The majority of the book takes place with Lada and Radu out of their homeland and as prisoner, befriending the Sultan's son, Mehmet, who eventually succeeds his father. So begins Radu's maturation and overwhelming love for Mehmet, which then turns into a love triangle with Lada. This could have been a total disaster and while it mucks up the history I know, it was done as well as can be. I appreciated how Radu's loyalty and convictions were handled in context with the times and circumstances. While I would have liked a more well-rounded Lada, I am hopeful that the next book will go into more depth. It's not a perfect book, Lada comes up with some big solutions to (mostly) actual events at a young age, which felt too convenient, but I still enjoyed the overall result.
Admittedly, while I was intrigued at the subject, the beginning of this book was a slog to get through. I wasn't especially fond of the simpering Radu early on, since he was ridiculously sensitive and close to caricature. He features just as much, and perhaps more, than his sister, Lada (the feminine of Vlad). I thought Lada was a well-drawn character and I could totally see Vlad in her. As they age, Radu improves and is the heart of the book. This follows history as well as can be with the major change, so the story continues their progress to being hostages, as it were, to the Ottoman Empire.
The majority of the book takes place with Lada and Radu out of their homeland and as prisoner, befriending the Sultan's son, Mehmet, who eventually succeeds his father. So begins Radu's maturation and overwhelming love for Mehmet, which then turns into a love triangle with Lada. This could have been a total disaster and while it mucks up the history I know, it was done as well as can be. I appreciated how Radu's loyalty and convictions were handled in context with the times and circumstances. While I would have liked a more well-rounded Lada, I am hopeful that the next book will go into more depth. It's not a perfect book, Lada comes up with some big solutions to (mostly) actual events at a young age, which felt too convenient, but I still enjoyed the overall result.
FilmIntuition (33 KP) rated All We Ever Wanted in Books
Jul 6, 2018
Timely & Compelling
Determined to get to the second book in the series that everyone I knew had assured me was "the best," over the years, I must've picked up and earnestly started my paperback copy of Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed dozens of times but just couldn't relate to the characters.
And while I feared the same would be true for Giffin's latest novel All We Ever Wanted, especially considering that the first chapter of the book – which divides the storyline into three alternating first person points-of-view – began from the perspective of the wealthy one percenter wife from Nashville's elite, Giffin quickly replaces first world problems with real world problems.
Shocked to her core upon discovering appalling decision made by her Princeton bound son, in trying to get to the bottom of what exactly happened and what on Earth he was thinking, Nina Browning is forced to take a good hard look at her life and marriage as well as her past when she found herself at the other end of a similar horrific situation.
Continuing the action from the perspective of the two main other parties involved including her son's younger classmate, Lyla and Lyla's protective single father Tom, Giffin deftly balances her richly compelling drama with timely issues of economic inequality, racism, and sexual harassment in the digital age.
Surprising her readers with a few well-earned twists, while despite the narrative roller-coaster, we're pretty sure we know precisely who's to blame, ultimately it's in Lyla and Nina's journey toward accepting and understanding the truth that made the book increasingly hard to stop reading, particularly in its second half.
An ideal property for HBO to look into adapting as part of its annual miniseries exploration of twenty-first century women in literature, All We Ever Wanted might have been my first Emily Giffin work but it's just the right one to make me want to pick up Something Borrowed again for good.
Note: I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this title from Bookish First in exchange for an honest opinion.
And while I feared the same would be true for Giffin's latest novel All We Ever Wanted, especially considering that the first chapter of the book – which divides the storyline into three alternating first person points-of-view – began from the perspective of the wealthy one percenter wife from Nashville's elite, Giffin quickly replaces first world problems with real world problems.
Shocked to her core upon discovering appalling decision made by her Princeton bound son, in trying to get to the bottom of what exactly happened and what on Earth he was thinking, Nina Browning is forced to take a good hard look at her life and marriage as well as her past when she found herself at the other end of a similar horrific situation.
Continuing the action from the perspective of the two main other parties involved including her son's younger classmate, Lyla and Lyla's protective single father Tom, Giffin deftly balances her richly compelling drama with timely issues of economic inequality, racism, and sexual harassment in the digital age.
Surprising her readers with a few well-earned twists, while despite the narrative roller-coaster, we're pretty sure we know precisely who's to blame, ultimately it's in Lyla and Nina's journey toward accepting and understanding the truth that made the book increasingly hard to stop reading, particularly in its second half.
An ideal property for HBO to look into adapting as part of its annual miniseries exploration of twenty-first century women in literature, All We Ever Wanted might have been my first Emily Giffin work but it's just the right one to make me want to pick up Something Borrowed again for good.
Note: I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this title from Bookish First in exchange for an honest opinion.
Debbiereadsbook (1327 KP) rated Daddy's Girl in Books
Jan 29, 2021
Gotta Love Total Surprises!
I love it when a book surprises me and I've only my self to blame! And the clue to what surprises me, is in the title, and that's all I'll say about that!
Kyron needs an omega to get him pregnant, ASAP. Tolly needs money ti keep a roof over his and his fathers heads. Perfect solution? Kyron pays Tolly to give him a son, so he can inherit the vineyard as is written in the will, and then part ways. But the longer they spent together, the more they think that neither will be able to walk away.
Kyron had a bad experience with an omega, and he doesn't WANT one, but he NEEDS one, else he will lose everything. Tolly has also had a negative experience with alphas. The animosity between them is so heavy in the beginning, you can almost taste it. But that melts as time goes on and it was so wonderful watching the ice thaw around both their hearts.
I LOVED not being able to put all the clues together as to the who was wrecking everything for Kyron. LOVED that. Got it totally wrong so well played there, Ms Sue! The WHY as well threw me!
The clues are there, people, they really are, as to what might happen and I was not putting them together fast enough, nor correctly. I loved the references to the history of this world, and the people in it, and what happened before. I loved that for some random reason Tolly is the way forward for these people. I am curious as to whether this will be a series, and I might have missed that announcement, somehow, but I feel there is more to come from this world and the people in it.
I didn't find it overly explicit, but I liked that it wasn't. It's more about the falling for each other, what happens to the vineyard, and the missing pieces of their history that matter here.
And then that surprise! *Enough said!*
5 full and shiny stars, here's hoping for more!
**same worded review will appear elsehwere*
Kyron needs an omega to get him pregnant, ASAP. Tolly needs money ti keep a roof over his and his fathers heads. Perfect solution? Kyron pays Tolly to give him a son, so he can inherit the vineyard as is written in the will, and then part ways. But the longer they spent together, the more they think that neither will be able to walk away.
Kyron had a bad experience with an omega, and he doesn't WANT one, but he NEEDS one, else he will lose everything. Tolly has also had a negative experience with alphas. The animosity between them is so heavy in the beginning, you can almost taste it. But that melts as time goes on and it was so wonderful watching the ice thaw around both their hearts.
I LOVED not being able to put all the clues together as to the who was wrecking everything for Kyron. LOVED that. Got it totally wrong so well played there, Ms Sue! The WHY as well threw me!
The clues are there, people, they really are, as to what might happen and I was not putting them together fast enough, nor correctly. I loved the references to the history of this world, and the people in it, and what happened before. I loved that for some random reason Tolly is the way forward for these people. I am curious as to whether this will be a series, and I might have missed that announcement, somehow, but I feel there is more to come from this world and the people in it.
I didn't find it overly explicit, but I liked that it wasn't. It's more about the falling for each other, what happens to the vineyard, and the missing pieces of their history that matter here.
And then that surprise! *Enough said!*
5 full and shiny stars, here's hoping for more!
**same worded review will appear elsehwere*
Debbiereadsbook (1327 KP) rated Retribution (The Protectors #3) in Books
Apr 15, 2019
My fav of the three so far!
*verified Audible purchase June 2017*
This is book three in the Protectors series. You don’t NEED to have read/listened to books one and two, but I think you SHOULD. It will give you a better picture of this group of people and what they do, and how Hawke came to at the head. And you know, FIVE star listens, people!
For ten years, Hawke has been searching for the men who killed his wife and unborn son. Meeting Tate makes him feel again, something he didn’t think was possible. He certainly never thought it possible he would feel for a MAN.
I loved books one and two, and I loved this one too! I again cannot split the narration from the story, so not even gonna try. So I apologise if this review jumps around a bit!
Hawke loved his wife, bone deep, and when she was murdered, it broke. He’s spent the last ten years as head of an organisation that delivers justice to those let down by the law. The revenge for his wife’s death is a long time coming but he’s getting close and Tate is his link. His reaction to Tate is . . . unexpected. And when Hawke realises why Tate is running, his protectiveness goes into overdrive.
It’s no secret I’m not a fan of READING first person books, particularly if they are multi person but I find I’m really enjoying LISTENING to first person books, ESPECIALLY if they are multi point of view! Joel Leslie is a MASTER at his craft, at narrating multi point of view, in the first person! I simply CANNOT fault the narration. The way Leslie gets every single heart wrenching thought that Hawke has: thinking about his wife, ad what his growing feelings for Tate mean. Every fear that Tate has: that his father will find him, that Hawke might hurt him, that he might lose his little boy. This is not a short listen, over 8 hours and I listened to it in one single siting. I tried to stop, I really did but I needed to know what would happen, how this would play out. It takes a single question from Ronan (Salvation, book 2) to break Hawke. The same question broke me too! And I sobbed at that point, great heart wrenching sobs at the emotion that Leslie pours out of Hawke.
Of course, Leslie can only narrate the words given him, but Kennedy is fast becoming a favourite of mine. The way she intertwines multi level stories, from book to book, is amazing. Sometimes, series lose their . . .what’s the word . . .ethos, as it moves along but not so here. They hold true to their meaning, and I cannot wait to see where this series goes.
I LOVE that I have 9 more books to get through BUT I’ve discovered that Michael Pauley narrates book 4, Forsaken, and I’m not sure how I feel about that! I’ll buy it, without a doubt, but it will be interesting to see how Pauley portrays the voices that Leslie has done up to now.
So, because I can’t split the narration, because I listened in one day, and just bloody I can . . .
5 stars for the book
5 stars for the narration
5 stars overall
This is book three in the Protectors series. You don’t NEED to have read/listened to books one and two, but I think you SHOULD. It will give you a better picture of this group of people and what they do, and how Hawke came to at the head. And you know, FIVE star listens, people!
For ten years, Hawke has been searching for the men who killed his wife and unborn son. Meeting Tate makes him feel again, something he didn’t think was possible. He certainly never thought it possible he would feel for a MAN.
I loved books one and two, and I loved this one too! I again cannot split the narration from the story, so not even gonna try. So I apologise if this review jumps around a bit!
Hawke loved his wife, bone deep, and when she was murdered, it broke. He’s spent the last ten years as head of an organisation that delivers justice to those let down by the law. The revenge for his wife’s death is a long time coming but he’s getting close and Tate is his link. His reaction to Tate is . . . unexpected. And when Hawke realises why Tate is running, his protectiveness goes into overdrive.
It’s no secret I’m not a fan of READING first person books, particularly if they are multi person but I find I’m really enjoying LISTENING to first person books, ESPECIALLY if they are multi point of view! Joel Leslie is a MASTER at his craft, at narrating multi point of view, in the first person! I simply CANNOT fault the narration. The way Leslie gets every single heart wrenching thought that Hawke has: thinking about his wife, ad what his growing feelings for Tate mean. Every fear that Tate has: that his father will find him, that Hawke might hurt him, that he might lose his little boy. This is not a short listen, over 8 hours and I listened to it in one single siting. I tried to stop, I really did but I needed to know what would happen, how this would play out. It takes a single question from Ronan (Salvation, book 2) to break Hawke. The same question broke me too! And I sobbed at that point, great heart wrenching sobs at the emotion that Leslie pours out of Hawke.
Of course, Leslie can only narrate the words given him, but Kennedy is fast becoming a favourite of mine. The way she intertwines multi level stories, from book to book, is amazing. Sometimes, series lose their . . .what’s the word . . .ethos, as it moves along but not so here. They hold true to their meaning, and I cannot wait to see where this series goes.
I LOVE that I have 9 more books to get through BUT I’ve discovered that Michael Pauley narrates book 4, Forsaken, and I’m not sure how I feel about that! I’ll buy it, without a doubt, but it will be interesting to see how Pauley portrays the voices that Leslie has done up to now.
So, because I can’t split the narration, because I listened in one day, and just bloody I can . . .
5 stars for the book
5 stars for the narration
5 stars overall
Debbiereadsbook (1327 KP) rated Claimed (Breaking Free #7) in Books
Mar 19, 2019
5 star series!!
**verified purchase Jan 2019**
This is book 7 in the Breaking Free series, although there are 8 books, with a short that spans across 3 and 4. I would STRONGLY, HIGHLY, ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY recommend that you read the other books before this one. BUT while I do say that, this one is far more a stand alone than the others. Things are recapped and caught up, but it takes a different path, as well as winding with the on-going story arc that continues through the other books.
We met Brandt, an Alpha, along the way: he is boos to the other police officers in the series, boos to ALL of them. He lost his pregnant mate, Ollie, ten years ago without a trace and has finally decided he should (mostly) move on. Going to an anonymous sex party seems the best way to get some sexual relief, without the commitment he cannot make. Meeting Little Blue, however, makes him change his mind. We met Demir, a beta, in book four, Found. He is Isa Higgs youngest son and was 15 at the time. Now an adult and betrayed by the person he thought he loved, Demir also attends said party. Big Red is just the person who pushes all of Demir's buttons and then some. There is a true connection between these two, but when they discover who Brandt is to Demir's father, they keep their relationship a secret, for now. Oliver is in the province to speak at a conference about omega trafficking. He cannot remember a time before ten years ago, when he was found in a van wreck. Meeting Brandt makes him feel . . . .something . . . .he's not sure what though. when Brandt explains who he is to Oliver, things begin to drop into place. But when Brandt tells Oliver about Demir, and that he simply cannot choose, Oliver presents a solution that will at least give them all a chance. Can they make it work?
This one, I found, was like a watching a train wreck coming at ya,it really was. You KNOW there is going to be fall out when Demir and Brandt find out who they are to each other. You KNOW there is going to be a big ole mess when Brandt and Ollie come face to face again. You KNOW that Ollie is going to fight this with every fibre of his being. You bloody well KNOW the Oliver's brother in law is not as . .pure . . in his intentions to Oliver after the death of his husband. An you KNOW, that when Isa finds out about the three of them, he is gonna go nuts. And there ain't a damn thing you can do to stop it! You just watch, and read, and wait and see how it all turns out! Amazing reading, I have to say.
I loved that it was OLLIE who came up with the solution to their predicament. That HE suggested they at least try to be a poly-family, since in his home of the last ten years it really is quite common. Loved that Ollie took Demir into his heart very quickly, the younger man making him feel as safe as Brandt did.
But Isa?? I wanted to punch Isa bloody Higgs so bad! After everything he has told his sons about being betas, that they can do anything, be anything they want to, as much as the alphas can, and he goes and says THAT to Demir! Not saying what, but if you've read these books, you can probably guess. He does redeem himself, but still, a punch was heading his way!
All the other guys pop up in this books, at some point or other, and it's great watching the babies grow up together. Seeing them already forming bonds: alpha, beta and omega all together is great. It would be amazing to catch up with these babies, as they grow and have babies of their own!
So, now, I'm sad! I only started this series because books one and two were shared with me, and I needed something to clear my head after a particularly heavy book. I thought this might be a good hangover cure! And BOY was I wrong, in the best way! Not a hangover cure, not in the least, but another deep dark book that pulled my into an eight book series, that did NOT let me go!
Thank you, Ms Arthur, for pulling into your worlds. I have some other books to read next!
5 amazing, but sad to see it end, stars
**same worded review ill appear elsewhere**
This is book 7 in the Breaking Free series, although there are 8 books, with a short that spans across 3 and 4. I would STRONGLY, HIGHLY, ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY recommend that you read the other books before this one. BUT while I do say that, this one is far more a stand alone than the others. Things are recapped and caught up, but it takes a different path, as well as winding with the on-going story arc that continues through the other books.
We met Brandt, an Alpha, along the way: he is boos to the other police officers in the series, boos to ALL of them. He lost his pregnant mate, Ollie, ten years ago without a trace and has finally decided he should (mostly) move on. Going to an anonymous sex party seems the best way to get some sexual relief, without the commitment he cannot make. Meeting Little Blue, however, makes him change his mind. We met Demir, a beta, in book four, Found. He is Isa Higgs youngest son and was 15 at the time. Now an adult and betrayed by the person he thought he loved, Demir also attends said party. Big Red is just the person who pushes all of Demir's buttons and then some. There is a true connection between these two, but when they discover who Brandt is to Demir's father, they keep their relationship a secret, for now. Oliver is in the province to speak at a conference about omega trafficking. He cannot remember a time before ten years ago, when he was found in a van wreck. Meeting Brandt makes him feel . . . .something . . . .he's not sure what though. when Brandt explains who he is to Oliver, things begin to drop into place. But when Brandt tells Oliver about Demir, and that he simply cannot choose, Oliver presents a solution that will at least give them all a chance. Can they make it work?
This one, I found, was like a watching a train wreck coming at ya,it really was. You KNOW there is going to be fall out when Demir and Brandt find out who they are to each other. You KNOW there is going to be a big ole mess when Brandt and Ollie come face to face again. You KNOW that Ollie is going to fight this with every fibre of his being. You bloody well KNOW the Oliver's brother in law is not as . .pure . . in his intentions to Oliver after the death of his husband. An you KNOW, that when Isa finds out about the three of them, he is gonna go nuts. And there ain't a damn thing you can do to stop it! You just watch, and read, and wait and see how it all turns out! Amazing reading, I have to say.
I loved that it was OLLIE who came up with the solution to their predicament. That HE suggested they at least try to be a poly-family, since in his home of the last ten years it really is quite common. Loved that Ollie took Demir into his heart very quickly, the younger man making him feel as safe as Brandt did.
But Isa?? I wanted to punch Isa bloody Higgs so bad! After everything he has told his sons about being betas, that they can do anything, be anything they want to, as much as the alphas can, and he goes and says THAT to Demir! Not saying what, but if you've read these books, you can probably guess. He does redeem himself, but still, a punch was heading his way!
All the other guys pop up in this books, at some point or other, and it's great watching the babies grow up together. Seeing them already forming bonds: alpha, beta and omega all together is great. It would be amazing to catch up with these babies, as they grow and have babies of their own!
So, now, I'm sad! I only started this series because books one and two were shared with me, and I needed something to clear my head after a particularly heavy book. I thought this might be a good hangover cure! And BOY was I wrong, in the best way! Not a hangover cure, not in the least, but another deep dark book that pulled my into an eight book series, that did NOT let me go!
Thank you, Ms Arthur, for pulling into your worlds. I have some other books to read next!
5 amazing, but sad to see it end, stars
**same worded review ill appear elsewhere**
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated In Good Company (A Class of Their Own, #2) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
In Good Company is a witty romance filled with people that are sure to capture your heart. Embark on this journey and find yourself immersed into the society of Newport, Rhode Island.
The summer season of 1882 is about to begin and Everett Mulberry has found himself without a nanny for his wards, again. Millie Longfellow has once again been dismissed from her position as a nanny. Neither Everett or Millie are thrilled when the employment agency places Millie in Everett's services. But this is the last hope for both of them. Millie's unique behavior as a nanny is frowned upon by many, however her unorthodox ways might be just what these children need. Everett's goal of holding a powerful position among the upper class of society appears to be within reach. But as events begin to unfold regarding the untimely death of the children's parents, he is severely tested. Will he hold on to his position and snobbery? Or will he let the children, and Millie, soften his heart?
"I don't think reading is a pleasure I'll ever be able to abandon." - Millie Longfellow
Jen Turano is one of the most brilliant authors that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I had to spend this last week in the hospital with my son, and I am so very thankful that I chose to read this book while I was there (He is doing better and we are home now). I laughed out loud so many times. Millie and Everett's story was good for my spirit and my sanity. In Good Company is a beautiful combination of The Sound of Music and Pride and Prejudice, two of my favorite stories. Jen does a wonderful job of depicting the prejudice between the social classes of the time. The prejudice and the snobbery is heartbreaking. But, the story breaks all of those barriers and it is thrilling to witness. Get ready for a grand adventure full of mischief, romance and a few peacocks!
Although this book can stand alone, I highly recommend reading After a Fashion, the first book in the series.
I received a free copy of In Good Company from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
The summer season of 1882 is about to begin and Everett Mulberry has found himself without a nanny for his wards, again. Millie Longfellow has once again been dismissed from her position as a nanny. Neither Everett or Millie are thrilled when the employment agency places Millie in Everett's services. But this is the last hope for both of them. Millie's unique behavior as a nanny is frowned upon by many, however her unorthodox ways might be just what these children need. Everett's goal of holding a powerful position among the upper class of society appears to be within reach. But as events begin to unfold regarding the untimely death of the children's parents, he is severely tested. Will he hold on to his position and snobbery? Or will he let the children, and Millie, soften his heart?
"I don't think reading is a pleasure I'll ever be able to abandon." - Millie Longfellow
Jen Turano is one of the most brilliant authors that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I had to spend this last week in the hospital with my son, and I am so very thankful that I chose to read this book while I was there (He is doing better and we are home now). I laughed out loud so many times. Millie and Everett's story was good for my spirit and my sanity. In Good Company is a beautiful combination of The Sound of Music and Pride and Prejudice, two of my favorite stories. Jen does a wonderful job of depicting the prejudice between the social classes of the time. The prejudice and the snobbery is heartbreaking. But, the story breaks all of those barriers and it is thrilling to witness. Get ready for a grand adventure full of mischief, romance and a few peacocks!
Although this book can stand alone, I highly recommend reading After a Fashion, the first book in the series.
I received a free copy of In Good Company from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Remain Silent in Books
Jun 11, 2020
In the third book in Steiner's Manon Bradshaw series, we find Manon at work part-time in cold cases, leaving her "time" to raise her toddler, Teddy, and teenage son, Fly. She's adjusting to domestic living with Mark and all the bliss that comes with it: who will take out the garbage, pick up the kids, cook dinner, and more. Then Teddy and Manon take a walk to the park and discover a body: a Lithuanian immigrant named Lukas hanging from a tree, a note attached to his body. Manon's annoying and perhaps clueless boss assigns her to lead the case--with her faithful partner Davy Walker--and Manon is back, attempting to juggle work, motherhood, and what could be a very dangerous murder case.
I love Manon and this was yet another well-written mystery from Steiner. The introduction to this book features one of the most amazing, realistic, and yes, depressing, ruminations on marriage, life, and death that I may have ever read. In fact, Steiner so perfectly captures real life, especially juggling being a working mom. I love that she doesn't shy away from how hard Manon finds parenting, or gloss over the difficulties of marriage. Once or twice I might have found these tirades a bit tiresome (back to the case, I say!), but overall, it's refreshing to find a book that tells it like it is.
Speaking of, this is such a timely read, focusing on immigration, racism, and the overall hatred of "otherness" that seems to permeate the world right now. The central plot focuses on the infusion of immigrants, particularly Eastern Europeans, into England. The story told is a heartbreaking one of anger and loss. Steiner deftly weaves a tale from multiple points of view and time periods--we hear not only from Manon and Davy, but Lukas' friend Matis, who spearheads the pair's immigration from Lithuania, only for them to find themselves basically prisoners. They are indebted to the man who brought them over, trapped in a smelly workhouse, and forced to do menial labor to pay off their "debt." With Lukas dead, the story leading up to his death unfolds, and it's absolutely riveting and heartbreaking. Steiner handles the sensitive issues surrounding immigration and racism wonderfully, crafting a well-done mystery that still gives this topic its due.
"'Why do they hate us so much?'"
Overall, I cannot recommend this book (4.5 stars) or this series enough. I have followed Steiner on social media for years and was devastated to learn she was diagnosed with a brain tumor after submitting this book. My heart goes out to her and her recovery.
I love Manon and this was yet another well-written mystery from Steiner. The introduction to this book features one of the most amazing, realistic, and yes, depressing, ruminations on marriage, life, and death that I may have ever read. In fact, Steiner so perfectly captures real life, especially juggling being a working mom. I love that she doesn't shy away from how hard Manon finds parenting, or gloss over the difficulties of marriage. Once or twice I might have found these tirades a bit tiresome (back to the case, I say!), but overall, it's refreshing to find a book that tells it like it is.
Speaking of, this is such a timely read, focusing on immigration, racism, and the overall hatred of "otherness" that seems to permeate the world right now. The central plot focuses on the infusion of immigrants, particularly Eastern Europeans, into England. The story told is a heartbreaking one of anger and loss. Steiner deftly weaves a tale from multiple points of view and time periods--we hear not only from Manon and Davy, but Lukas' friend Matis, who spearheads the pair's immigration from Lithuania, only for them to find themselves basically prisoners. They are indebted to the man who brought them over, trapped in a smelly workhouse, and forced to do menial labor to pay off their "debt." With Lukas dead, the story leading up to his death unfolds, and it's absolutely riveting and heartbreaking. Steiner handles the sensitive issues surrounding immigration and racism wonderfully, crafting a well-done mystery that still gives this topic its due.
"'Why do they hate us so much?'"
Overall, I cannot recommend this book (4.5 stars) or this series enough. I have followed Steiner on social media for years and was devastated to learn she was diagnosed with a brain tumor after submitting this book. My heart goes out to her and her recovery.