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Celia Davies spends her days helping the women of 1867 San Francisco via her free medical clinic. One of her patients, a former Chinese prostitute is found murdered, and Celia must know what happened to her. Meanwhile, Nicholas Greaves is the police officer assigned to the case, and he is determined to get justice for the young woman. But where will the investigation lead?
This is a good debut that will please any fan of historical mysteries. The characters are intriguing, and their history makes them seem even more real. The plot did bog down a few times, but never for very long, and we reach a logical conclusion before the end. The world of 1867 is brought to wonderful life as well, and it’s easy to get lost in another time.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-no-comfort-for-lost-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a good debut that will please any fan of historical mysteries. The characters are intriguing, and their history makes them seem even more real. The plot did bog down a few times, but never for very long, and we reach a logical conclusion before the end. The world of 1867 is brought to wonderful life as well, and it’s easy to get lost in another time.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-no-comfort-for-lost-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Marrow of Tradition in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This book was an interesting read and another book I had to read for one of my classes. It was full of historical events that were easily pointed out. The Plessy versus Ferguson case, the Wilmington Massacre, and the obvious ties to the racial tensions in the newspapers of the South at the time. It was interesting to get the viewpoints of so many different characters in this novel. It gave a lot of insight into the minds of the people at the time this was written and throughout the period after the Civil War. There are a few points that are slow, but that is to be expected of any book published so long ago. There are some heavy dialect aspects to the book that, at first, can be more difficult to read, but as you go along, you get used to it and it will go by much faster. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about what went on around the late 1800s and early 1900s in the South.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Witches: Salem, 1692 in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Okay, so I am not usually one to read non-fiction books for fun. Honestly, I think this may be one of the first in a long time. But this one was really interesting.
If you know me, you will know I love history of witches. I just find it heartbreaking and interesting and I want to know all I can about it. This book is right up my alley. It explores not only the Salem witch trials of 1692, but also what led to those false accusations. It was fascinating.
I loved getting an in depth historical look at the New England coast and their various trials, not just in Salem. I would consider myself a fan of the witch trials. This book, I believe, is pushing me on the road to becoming a scholar. I want to find more and more about them. (Possibly even putting together my own research? Who knows.)
If you want a very well written and accessible history of the Salem Witch Trials, look no further than Stacy Schiff's book. Honestly, take a look.
If you know me, you will know I love history of witches. I just find it heartbreaking and interesting and I want to know all I can about it. This book is right up my alley. It explores not only the Salem witch trials of 1692, but also what led to those false accusations. It was fascinating.
I loved getting an in depth historical look at the New England coast and their various trials, not just in Salem. I would consider myself a fan of the witch trials. This book, I believe, is pushing me on the road to becoming a scholar. I want to find more and more about them. (Possibly even putting together my own research? Who knows.)
If you want a very well written and accessible history of the Salem Witch Trials, look no further than Stacy Schiff's book. Honestly, take a look.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Where Trust Lies (Return to the Canadian West, #2) in Books
Jun 18, 2018
I received this book from the publishing company through Goodreads for free in return for an honest review.
As a person who loves historical fiction I was excited to et my hand on a new book that was within a genre I enjoy.I have read previous books that Janette Oke wrote which I enjoyed immensely. At the core, Where Trust Lies, is about relationships. Relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters.
In general the character, Elizabeth, was boring but she made up for it with her kind and loving heart. I like seeing the relationships between the different characters and how their choices effected their life. At the end of the story the plot changed and not for the good but even still the family held on their strong faith in God.
One of my biggest frustrations in a book is when it is predictable. When a book is predictable I am easily distractible and do not want to finish the book. Oke did a great job of ending the book, especially is a nice romantic way.
As a person who loves historical fiction I was excited to et my hand on a new book that was within a genre I enjoy.I have read previous books that Janette Oke wrote which I enjoyed immensely. At the core, Where Trust Lies, is about relationships. Relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters.
In general the character, Elizabeth, was boring but she made up for it with her kind and loving heart. I like seeing the relationships between the different characters and how their choices effected their life. At the end of the story the plot changed and not for the good but even still the family held on their strong faith in God.
One of my biggest frustrations in a book is when it is predictable. When a book is predictable I am easily distractible and do not want to finish the book. Oke did a great job of ending the book, especially is a nice romantic way.
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated The Signature of All Things in Books
May 29, 2018
First of all.. this book is loooooooooonnnnng. I feel like I may have read 3 books in 1 binding.
I expected it to be similar to Eat, Pray, Love in style, but boy was I incorrect! Don't get me wrong, the writing is beautiful, the characters are extremely interesting and I loved the first half ... I couldn't get enough of this riveting story, rich historical references and so much beauty in the descriptions of nature and plants and their surroundings. I felt like I was learning so much, as well as being treated to a beautiful story. I was hooked in, and fast....
But then.... I got stuck. Like REALLY stuck. I felt like it just turned into a different writer all together? I couldn't focus, the tone changed, the story faltered as quickly as the characters lives did. It was hard for me to finish this one. I loved the first half of the book. I wish she had stopped it there ... it just went on too long, and I was so sad that it did.
I expected it to be similar to Eat, Pray, Love in style, but boy was I incorrect! Don't get me wrong, the writing is beautiful, the characters are extremely interesting and I loved the first half ... I couldn't get enough of this riveting story, rich historical references and so much beauty in the descriptions of nature and plants and their surroundings. I felt like I was learning so much, as well as being treated to a beautiful story. I was hooked in, and fast....
But then.... I got stuck. Like REALLY stuck. I felt like it just turned into a different writer all together? I couldn't focus, the tone changed, the story faltered as quickly as the characters lives did. It was hard for me to finish this one. I loved the first half of the book. I wish she had stopped it there ... it just went on too long, and I was so sad that it did.
Cody Cook (8 KP) rated The Everlasting Man in Books
Jun 29, 2018
Part I is significantly better than part II, particularly because Chesterton is at his strongest when arguing for larger truths than when arguing for specific ones. He is quite convincing in arguing for the influence of God in pagan societies, but less convincing when arguing that God manifested Himself in Jesus of Nazareth (a belief which I do in fact hold) and even less persuasive when arguing that Jesus works exclusively through that peculiar organization known as the Roman Catholic Church. It is not all apparent to me whether Chesterton feels more comraderie with polytheists or Protestants, as his tone seems much harsher when bringing up the latter. Although this is a popular level theology book and Chesterton seems at times to be more concerned with giving a presuppositional framework than stating historical facts, I think it could have benefited from more citations to help demonstrate his points, some of which are so large as to require significant support. If the book only had consisted of the first part, I would probably have given it four stars, with the same concern about citations.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2196 KP) rated What Child is This in Books
Jan 1, 2019
Simple, Heart Warming Short Story
The story opens on Christmas Eve in London in 1940. It's the middle of the blitz, and rationing is in full effect, so it is looking like a very dismal Christmas for Maggie and Jack Harris. But then what little they do have is taken from them suddenly, and they find themselves on the streets. Jack goes looking for shelter and finds what looks like an abandoned house. Is it abandoned? What will Christmas day bring?
While I rarely read short stories, I had to grab this story from Rhys Bowen. Best known for her historical mysteries, this is more of a glimpse at tragedy and triumph during 24 hours. As such, it doesn't have the twists or shocks you might expect, but it is a very heartwarming tale. Jack and Maggie really shine, although I did find Maggie annoying at times. Believable, but annoying. A quick read (I read it in about an hour), this is a good way to hold on to the Christmas spirit just a little bit longer.
While I rarely read short stories, I had to grab this story from Rhys Bowen. Best known for her historical mysteries, this is more of a glimpse at tragedy and triumph during 24 hours. As such, it doesn't have the twists or shocks you might expect, but it is a very heartwarming tale. Jack and Maggie really shine, although I did find Maggie annoying at times. Believable, but annoying. A quick read (I read it in about an hour), this is a good way to hold on to the Christmas spirit just a little bit longer.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Behemoth (Leviathan, #2) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
As the world plunges into The Great War, the Leviathan travels to the Ottoman Empire in hopes of keeping the peace with the Emperor. Follow Deryn and Alek as they travel around the world. These books abound with secret missions, new beasts and machines, hidden lies and truths that are (FINALLY) revealed and many historical figures encountered. As you may have guessed, I have a problem with binge reading. When I find a series that I am IN LOVE with, I won't stop until I am finished! However, most of the time I need to wait six months to a year before the next installment. Thankfully that was not the case with Mr. Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan Trilogy. My favorite beastie by far is the perspicacious loris. I want one!!! It was so much fun reading this alternate history of WWI. Learning a few interesting details about the war that did in fact happen along the way. Although Mr. Westerfeld has made some definite changes to history in this book, it was very entertaining and engrossing. I love the whole idea behind this series.
David McK (3414 KP) rated Marston Moor (Civil War Chronicles, #6) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Regarded as the turning point of the English Civil War, the battle of Marston Moor was the largest of the Civil War and saw a combined force of English Parliamentarians and Scottish Covenanters defeat the Royalist force under Prince Rupert of the Rhine.
As befitting any historical soldier protagonist of the ECW, it's also one in which (now) Major Stryker gets caught up (fighting for the Royalists). As the author states in the author's note at the end of the story, he'd originally intended to write the story just around the battle itself; however found the story needed the campaign to give it context. To my eyes, that was a good call - starting with the sack of Bolton and leading through the siege of York to Rupert's lightning march to relieve the same, this all leads into the reason for the battle (which itself takes up, say, roughly the last third of the story), providing more flavour and understanding to the reader of what is occurring than just diving headlong into said battle.
As befitting any historical soldier protagonist of the ECW, it's also one in which (now) Major Stryker gets caught up (fighting for the Royalists). As the author states in the author's note at the end of the story, he'd originally intended to write the story just around the battle itself; however found the story needed the campaign to give it context. To my eyes, that was a good call - starting with the sack of Bolton and leading through the siege of York to Rupert's lightning march to relieve the same, this all leads into the reason for the battle (which itself takes up, say, roughly the last third of the story), providing more flavour and understanding to the reader of what is occurring than just diving headlong into said battle.
David McK (3414 KP) rated The Book of Ultimate Truths in Books
Jan 30, 2019
When reading books, I go through phases of genres, where I might read 3 or 4 of one type before switching to another. Recently, I'd been reading a lot of historical fiction and felt it was time to switch it up, moving on to comedy instead, hoping this would prove to be a hit.
Unfortunately, it wasn't. :(
Perhaps I should have known: I had read some Robert Rankin before and had found him (generally) to be more miss than hit, with this novel only serving to reinforce that opinion. IMO, I found this rather surreal and just not that funny with it rarely raising a smile, never mind a laugh! Indeed, what humour there is I found to be rather childish, almost infantile. Doubt I'll be looking for any more in this series: the only reasons this doesn't get 1 star is because A) a book has to be really, REALLY bad for me to give it that and B) because it was free (but now I know why!) from Amazon.
Unfortunately, it wasn't. :(
Perhaps I should have known: I had read some Robert Rankin before and had found him (generally) to be more miss than hit, with this novel only serving to reinforce that opinion. IMO, I found this rather surreal and just not that funny with it rarely raising a smile, never mind a laugh! Indeed, what humour there is I found to be rather childish, almost infantile. Doubt I'll be looking for any more in this series: the only reasons this doesn't get 1 star is because A) a book has to be really, REALLY bad for me to give it that and B) because it was free (but now I know why!) from Amazon.