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A Cold Legacy (The Madman's Daughter, #3)
A Cold Legacy (The Madman's Daughter, #3)
Megan Shepherd | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was a pretty good ending to the series. Though I liked the other two novels better, this one still held its own. With heavy ties to Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, this novel took on even darker and more serious elements to the series. Frankly, I didn't know that would have been possible. The characters went on developing and there were quite a few twists that I didn't see coming. After one point toward that later half of the book, however, I found myself not wanting to pay as much attention. I felt like it had already been through all of the stuff it was going through and got a bit repetitive. I liked the book, overall, though and would highly recommend this series to anyone who likes a good horror novel!
  
A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows
George R.R. Martin | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.2 (51 Ratings)
Book Rating
Some people claim that this is the weakest entry in the series so far, but I would have to disagree. It may be lacking in the shocking and epic events that had characterized the previous novels, but the character development and world building is excellent and keep me engaged throughout. Yes, many of the characters that had become the most popular either play minimal roles in this book, or are absent altogether, but they will all feature heavily in the next one, which is essentially to be thought of as part 2 of this one. It can all be a bit overwhelming in scope, but that is part of what makes it so special. If you're not into fantasy, reading these books will change your mind on the genre.
  
This is another one that I probably wouldn't have ever read if it hasn't been free, followed by an occasion some time later when it seemed the most interesting-sounding thing hanging around on the Kindle when I happened to be bored. The plot reminds me if Dan Brown to some extent, although I know he certainly wasn't the first to write novels along such lines. Religious secrets, conspiracies, secret societies, competing spies, and a great deal of violence are all tossed together. I wanted the answer to a couple of questions just barely enough to keep reading, but I figured out all the big mysteries long before the last chapter. I think the book would have been much better if it had been edited down to be much shorter.
  
TD
Thai Die (A Needlecraft Mystery, #12)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I started reading this series years ago, because of "meeting" Ms. Ferris via <a href="nntp://rec.crafts.textiles.needlework">rec.crafts.textiles.needlework </a>. It's odd to think of how much has changed since then&mdash;I don't even have a dedicated usenet client installed any more! Still, I still stitch, and I still enjoy the little handwork bits throughout Ferris' novels.

Unfortunately, the digressions into minutia on other topics (do I care where Goddy picked up an expression? Honestly, no) gets annoying. If there had been one more sentence about Lars' Stanley Steamer, I might have thrown the book across the room.

Still, these books are much brighter in tone than so much of what I read that they make a nice break here and there. The free patterns at the back of each book certainly don't hurt, either.
  
Love You More (Tessa Leoni, #1; Detective D.D. Warren, #5)
Love You More (Tessa Leoni, #1; Detective D.D. Warren, #5)
Lisa Gardner | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.7 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
I haven't read many detective books as their usually not my type of book. However, having read the summary of this book, I thought I'd give it a go.

I'm so glad I read it. It is amazing!! Definitely my favourite detective book. There are plenty of twists and turns in this book right up until the very end, literally!! I kept thinking I had figured out the plot, then something else would happen to totally throw me off.

I never would've predicted the ending which says a lot as I'm usually able to figure out the plot at least by the middle of the book.

Definitely give this book a read even if it isn't your usual genre. This book has made me want to read more detective novels!
  
I am a fan of cozy mysteries and when the opportunity to read this book fell into my lap I, of course, jumped at the chance.

The main character is Pippa and she runs Moorehaven, which is a quirky bed-and-breakfast that had been the home of a world-famous mystery writer. The B&B attracts writers who want to find their own fame of writing crime novels.

The book was filled with some mystery, a little suspense, a possibility of a love connection, funny situations, and of course a murder to solve. This was a fun new mystery and I feel other readers like myself will be jumping at the chance to read more in the series.

I volunteered to review an ARC of this book.
  
The Tin Roof Blowdown
The Tin Roof Blowdown
James Lee Burke | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The sheer scale of the work (0 more)
A novel one lives rather than reads
Each of the fifteen Dave Robicheaux novels which preceded this one are masterpieces and this is the Grand Finale. The plot and characters move within the devasted landscape of New Orleans following the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina. The scenes of environmental destruction are described with heartbreakingly beautiful poetic prose which serves as a counterpoint to a seering indictment of the socio-economic political landscape of the time. The extreme conditions under which the plot develops drive the characters to their limits of good and evil. The plot is as relentless as the driving force of the hurricane. Often difficult to read due to the sheer emotional weight of the work but too compelling to put down.
  
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Milleen (47 KP) rated The Girl Before in Books

Nov 14, 2018  
The Girl Before
The Girl Before
J.P. Delaney | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.7 (25 Ratings)
Book Rating
A twist on the popular domestic noir novels that have dominated the bestseller list. This psychological thriller revolves around Jane, recovering after a traumatic loss, she moves into an architectural showhome, an austere house with strict rules. One Folgate Street is a formidable fortress of technology that promotes, sleek, sterile, minimalist living but it hides a murky past. Jane is not the first resident to enjoy the stark lifestyle and her interest is piqued when a stranger leaves flowers at the door. Who was the girl before and will the same fate befall Jane?
This narrative uses the two women’s perspectives to draw you into the plot. The film is being directed by Ron Howard so there’s time to read the book before you see the movie. One for your travels.
  
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Milleen (47 KP) rated The Empress Of Ice Cream in Books

Nov 14, 2018 (Updated Nov 14, 2018)  
TE
The Empress Of Ice Cream
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was published back in 2010 but I recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical novels or gourmet food. This is a gastronomic romp through history. Based on the real-life of Louise De Karouelle, who went from Louis XIV French court at Versailles to 'keep company' with the British King, Charles II. An Italian chef, Carlo Dimirco, is sent to tempt the Royal British taste-buds with ices, sorbets, cordials and ice creams. His observations about the royal household, experiments in the ice house and the addition of extracts from 'The Book of Ices' balance Louise's view of her life. You'll come away with a dozen summer recipes and a good knowledge of a woman who is distantly related to both Princess Diana and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall.
  
Beau, Lee, The Bomb, &amp; Me
Beau, Lee, The Bomb, & Me
Mary Mckinley | 2014 | Young Adult (YA)
3
3.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not Okay
I'm normally a fan of road trip novels, and the crazy adventures they feature. I picked up this book expected to really enjoy a cynical take on life as a teenager. Instead this book pissed me off. I would never ever want any teenager who suffers from depression or bullying to read this book. The attitude in this book is that bullying happens, and no one cares so don't bother asking for help. By the end of the book the attitude is a little better, but never enough to make up for the awful things that adults allow to happen in the beginning. I will say there was a few shining moments mostly involving a dog, but even that only pulls my overall rating to a 3.