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Christine A. (965 KP) rated What Rose Forgot in Books

Feb 10, 2020

What Rose Forgot

Nevada Barr | 2019 | Mystery, Thriller

6.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

When I selected Nevada Barr's latest, What Rose Forgot, I did not realize how difficult it would be for me to read it. My mother-in-law, Rose, had memory issues and forgot...well, almost everyone. The premise of the story is Rose, a 60ish-year-old grandmother wakes from a mental fog to discover she was placed in a memory care unit of a nursing home. No one believes Rose so, with the help of her sister, granddaughter and her granddaughter's friend, so struggles to figure out who is responsible.

Having experienced what my Rose struggled through I understand why no one believed Rose. Many of the ways the group works to prove Rose is sane requires a suspension of disbelief. After escaping the nursing home, she sneaks back in to have her "not a hacker" sister hack into the computer files. She takes time to meditate while people are trying to kill her. Lastly, after all of the physical activities she is forced to do, she is able to continue doing more of them without too much pain.

Still, the story was enjoyable. I have added several of Nevada Barr's books, especially her Anna Pigeon mystery series, to my "want to read" list.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 2/9/20.

Kudos

ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Memory Wood in Books

Feb 27, 2020 (Updated Feb 29, 2020)

The Memory Wood

Sam Lloyd | 2020 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller

10.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

The Memory Wood is a phenomenal book. I was on tenterhooks from the first chapter - mainly because I didn't really know what to expect. I usually avoid stories where child abductions are involved for reasons obvious to me (I know people who enjoy these themes, and are better able to detach fact from fiction than me!), but as The Pigeonhole chose it, I thought I'd give it a go - and I'm glad I did.

Elissa is abducted from outside the chess tournament that she's playing at, and wakes up manacled to the floor by a chain. Her only contact with another person is Elijah, a 12 year old boy who lives in the Memory Wood. He calls her Gretel, she calls him Hansel, and the house above the cellar she is imprisoned in is referred to as the Gingerbread House.

Meanwhile, the police have started the investigation, and are trying to locate Elissa. Detective Superintendent Mairead MacCullagh is in charge, and to be honest, Elissa couldn't have a more committed person to lead the hunt. Despite very upsetting personal circumstances, Mairead works hard and persistently to try and find Elissa.

I loved this book - it was non-stop action and so tense! I'm so glad I gave it a chance, because I'm sure it will be one of may favourite books of 2020!

Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and to Sam Lloyd for reading along with us.