Stone Mothers
8.5
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The gripping new psychological suspense novel from the bestselling author of breakout hit HE...
David McK (3816 KP) rated Sharpe's Tiger (Sharpe, #1) in Books
Aug 27, 2021
As such, this is actually set prior to the Napoleonic Wars, with Sharpe - as the novel starts - a young private in the regiments of Arthur Wellesley's battalion of the 33rd regiment of foot, who are on campaign in India against the Tippoo Sultan of Mysore.
For plot reasons, Sharpe - in the company of William Lawford (who was a character mentioned in the 'original series' as having taught Sharpe how to read, thus making the jump to Sergeant easier) - have to go undercover in Seringapatam, just as that city is about to be besieged by the Allied forces.
It helps that, by doing so - or so Sharpe thinks - he'll be able to escape from the tyrannical Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill: one of those creations that you just love to hate!
A Plague Among Us (Mimi Goldman Chautauqua Mysteries #8)
8.0
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When Al Martin, the editor of a satiric newspaper in Chautauqua, N.Y., reportedly dies of COVID-19,...
Mystery
Anne Boleyn: A Kings Obsession (Six Tudor Queens #2)
8.0
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Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession by bestselling historian Alison Weir, author of Katherine of Aragon:...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated A Killing Way in Books
May 8, 2025 (Updated May 8, 2025)
Since I live in the town that William S. Hart called home, I got a kick out of seeing a couple places I know well show in this historical mystery. The plot and pacing were great, and I had a hard time putting down this PI novel. Speaking of being a PI novel, there is a little more content than I might normally read, but it was a small amount. The characters are good overall. A few could be stronger, but fans will be happy to spend more time with everyone. If you haven’t started this fun series yet, fix that today.
David McK (3816 KP) rated The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in Books
May 18, 2025
I watched the movie of this one first, before reading the book.
And, I have to say, that a prequel for President Snow - as portrayed by Donald Sutherland in the movies - was not my first thought on how Suzanne Collins could expand her world.
But that's pretty much who this centres on, with one whole section of the 3-part novel also set during the 10th annual Hunger Games which, here, are still relatively new and with large parts of the novel concerning how said Games could be made more 'entertaining' for the viewers in the Capitol.
Note I said 'for viewers in the Capitol', as their children are never selected in The Reaping to take place in said Games ...
Personally, I found Cornelius Snow (and Lucy Gray Baird, who he is chosen to mentor) to not be as strong or engaging a protagonist as Katniss Everdeen was. YMMV, of course.
I love the way in this is written - it's lyrical with a nod to the style of Shakespeare, Nydia Hetherington gives a reason for Sycorax's differences: her physical difference is due to illness and injury, her witch qualities are due to the fact that she simply knows too much for a woman in a time where women shouldn't have known anything beyond childbirth, motherhood and housework.
And then there's the element of magic that runs throughout the novel - which is always a winner as far as I'm concerned. A really enjoyable novel.
ClareR (6250 KP) rated Days of Light in Books
Nov 23, 2025
After the initial chapter where Ivy’s brother dies and she decides to marry a much older friend of the family, time jumps forward in decades to begin with, and longer periods of time nearer the end. Ivy joins a religious order as a nun, but I think this is largely because of the unresolved feelings she has for her friend, Frances.
There is a very spiritual feel to this novel: from the first chapter and the light that Ivy sees that distracts her from her brother drowning, her religious awakening, and the light she sees at the end of her life.
This was a lovely, gentle and thoughtful novel. It was an absolute pleasure to read.
Torn (Reflections, #2)
8.0
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Shape shifter Alec Graves has spent nearly a decade trying to keep his family from being drawn into...
Young Adult Paranormal Romance