House of Rougeaux
7.0
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(via Goodreads) For Abeje and her brother Adunbi, home is the slave quarters of a Caribbean sugar...
Swear on This Life
10.0
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From USA TODAY bestselling author Renée Carlino (Before We Were Strangers), a warm and witty novel...
Here and Now and Then
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To save his daughter, he’ll go anywhere—and any-when… Kin Stewart is an everyday family...
Doggerland
8.0
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Doggerland is a superbly gripping debut novel about loneliness and hope, nature and survival – set...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2400 KP) rated Death of a Red-Hot Rancher in Books
Sep 15, 2021
There are plenty of book themed cozies, but this is the first one I’m aware of to feature romance novels as the specific bookish hook. I’m not a fan of the genre, but that didn’t hamper my enjoyment of this book. Lizzie is a great main character, and she is surrounded by charming family and friends I hope will be regulars. Part of the plot was driven by misunderstandings, which drove me crazy, but on the whole the plot was good with plenty of secrets to be uncovered before we reached the logical climax. I had lots of fun along the way and even laughed a few times. If you are looking for a lighter mystery, this is a debut to pick up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2400 KP) rated Death in a Blackout in Books
Apr 7, 2022
This series debut is much like a TV show’s pilot. We get a lot of set up near the beginning. It helps us get to know Billie better, but it does mean it’s a while before the mystery truly gets going. Although we do get some threads of the mystery thanks to Peter Upton, the other third person view point character. Both of these leads are strong, and I enjoyed getting to know them. Once the mystery gets going, it is great with plenty of twists and an ending that caught me off guard. Those familiar with Jessica Ellicott’s other series will note the more serious tone, which is appropriate given the time and place this one is set. I loved how the story brought the history of the era to live; the plot wouldn’t have worked in any other time. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what danger Billie uncovers next.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2400 KP) rated The Navigator’s Daughter in Books
Jun 13, 2022
This book takes place in 1996 and the setting just after Russia had left Hungary makes for an entertaining read. It allows us to get caught up in not only what happened to these characters during World War II, but also in the decades since. Honestly, if the book had stayed focused on that, I would have been completely satisfied with it. There is a crime fiction element, but it came across more as a sub-plot, and I felt it was a little forced into the book. However, it appears to be setting up future books in the series, and I will definitely be back for them. I enjoyed getting to know Kat and watching her grow as the book progressed. The other characters helped pull me into the story. This is a promising debut that I enjoyed.
We Deserve Monuments
10.0
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Family secrets, a swoon-worthy romance, and a slow-burn mystery collide in We Deserve Monuments, a...
Mrs March
10.0
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Shirley Jackson meets Ottessa Moshfegh meets My Sister the Serial Killer in a brilliantly unsettling...
1950’s USA Historical fiction suspense
Merissa (13197 KP) rated Beautiful Facade in Books
Feb 2, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)
This was a thoroughly enjoyable novel, told from the first perspective of the main female character. It was pretty clear from the start that Winter wouldn't end up with Liam, and their picture-perfect life wasn't as good as she imagined. I did enjoy the question mark over who was with him and was glad I was wrong. I won't say more as I don't want to ruin it!
The scene-setting was very well done, with a bunch of flawed characters as the supporting cast. If I had to say anything negative about this book, it would be the copious amount of alcohol that was drunk for the majority of the story, plus the number of texts and missed calls Winter had. If I had that many from one person in that amount of time, I'd be worried about their mental health!
On the whole, this was a great, smoothly-paced story that held my attention from beginning to end, that I have no hesitation in recommending.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 2, 2021