If you were expecting a true crime story you will be disappointed and instead a bit humbled by the many years of service this couple have provided to the upper U.S. and Canada. Gene and Sandy Ralston have developed very precise sonar methods that help find missing bodies in large or unstable bodies of water. Where divers have given up and families still wait for closure this couple, asking only for gas money, will come in and spend hours locating missing people. Thanks to their big hearts more than 130 people have been located and laid to rest. The author also explores water related facts, myths and history of water deaths. 3 1/2 stars
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The continuing story that began with THE SEARCHER of the retired American cop who moves to a small village in Ireland. Instead of peace and quiet minding his garden and his business as well as honing his woodworking he gets pulled into the under the radar criminal activity of the locals. All Cal wants to do, along with his girlfriend Lena, is to mentor Trey a troubled teen who has a good heart but needs life to be a bit easier for her. When Trey's no good dad comes home with a scheme to make money off a wealthy Englishman and involves Trey Cal knows he is walking into a minefield and with calm persistence he protects Trey from her dad and herself. This is the perfect Irish slow burn. These are characters who have seen a hard life and will protect their own above all else. Cal is all heart and the witty Irish banter is priceless even when delivered at knifepoint. You can read this book as a standalone but it is so much more enjoyable when read after reading THE SEARCHER. For fans of her other books as well as S.A. Cosby's stories of the American south. 5 stars
A fun Regency era romp featuring a young woman trying to help her ill sister by replacing her as a governess to two young ladies. It should be easy but Emily isn't fond of children and these are too old for a governess anyway. The youngest is good hearted but frail while the oldest is rebellious and not in need of a governess. Emily has another side line that could prove to be just the ticket to get her out of the manor home and back to help pay the medical bills for her sister but she will need to not care. Witty and full of real world situations instead of fluff and tea parties this will appeal to many historical romance reader or not and the author takes a broad approach to sexuality and identity which is marvelous. The audiobook was wonderful. 4 stars The most unlikely of friendships began as a job offer of singing coach and blossomed because of two major similarities - fame and being underestimated by the men in their lives. Both exuded talent yet were very insecure and had bad luck with love. Ella Fitzgerald was the undisputed jazz queen and Marilyn Monroe was everyone's idea of a sex symbol yet both of these ladies wanted much more. The story switches back and forth between the two women following their career and encounters highlighting the highs and especially in Marilyn's case, the lows. They had a longstanding friendship that few people knew about and even fewer understood. This is another fine example of behind the scenes in the entertainment industry where the incredibly talented women had to fight for every scrap and the toll that fame took on both their lives. Fans of old Hollywood stories such as THE BRIGHTEST STAR, FINDING DOROTHY, THE GIRL IN WHITE GLOVES and THE QUEEN OF SUGAR HILL will find much to love here. 4 stars
Nina and Simon are still together even though they are attending different schools. On a trip to Simon's family cabin to go climbing the worst happens. Simon comes back home alone. Both families circle the wagons and prepare for what comes next. Simon's family knows he could not hurt Nina just as Nina's family is sure she would never just disappear and not tell them where she is going. A police investigation, social media justice and emotional nightmare for both families leaves them all raw. How far would you go to protect your child? This story is well balanced between both families so the reader understands that there is no winner. A family drama for fans of DEFENDING JACOB and true crime cases. 3 1/2 stars Cory is floating at 18. Working at a summer camp with no plans after she is recruited by a wealthy single dad to become the kids nanny. A signed NDA and cut off from all communication with her single mom, Cory is swept away to a remote island. She is unsettled trying to figure out her new boss and unsure of her growing attraction to him. Meanwhile her mom, Emer is frantic trying to find her daughter especially after no communication and she sets out to bring her home. This is a retelling of a Greek myth with classic coming-of-age and control issues. The choppy language and pace underscores how anxious everyone is. 3 1/2 stars
Mary Queen of Scotland has been imprisoned with two of her ladies in waiting in the inhospitable Lochleven castle. Her host family barely take care of her even though she is still a queen and pregnant. Forced to abdicate, suffering from miscarriage and dismal living conditions she is still hopeful that she will regain the crown or escape. Living in the same horrible conditions and worried for their queen Jane, Cuckoo and Lady Seton do whatever they can to help her at great risk to themselves. Even at a time that a very powerful queen sat on the British throne Mary was considered disposable like many women, unless needed to produce an heir. This is a look at not only a slice of Mary Queen of Scotland's life but also one of female friendship, love and loyalty. Fans of Allison Weir and Margaret George will find this debut rewarding. 4 stars
Lucy left her small Texas town after her best friend was murdered leaving Lucy is as the prime and only suspect. It didn't matter that she suffered a traumatic brain injury or that she can't remember anything from that night. For five years Lucy has been in L.A. believing that she must have committed a murder along with everyone else until the day when her beloved grandmother commands her home. She is the only one who has Lucy's back but returning to the town that hates you with the voice of your murdered friend in your head and that you are the subject of a national true crime podcast reporting from that same town is a big ask. Taking a very serious crime with all the pain and loss associated with it and treating it with humor (from Lucy's self deprecating jokes to the very funny look at small Texas towns) is a huge risk and the author handles it beautifully. A murder is not the only secret this town is hiding and it will push buttons covering the very real issues of domestic abuse. The audio bounces happily from belly laugh Texas humor (love Grandma) to devastating uncertainty about what happened with expert pacing. Readers of true crime, small town drama, podcast addicts and pure thriller escapism will devour this. 4 stars
1907 Panama saw promise of a brighter future. The United States was attempting to slice through Panama to join the two mighty oceans allowing ships to remove considerable miles to get their freight to destinations faster. They promised prosperity to those working the project and hire people from Europe, the U.S., the islands and Latin America. Everyone is excited except for the Panamanians who feel like the U.S. is just another country taking control of their country. We see life from a wide variety of viewpoints - the doctor who is eager to cure Malaria, the woman who becomes a spokesperson for her town that will be displaced, the young girl who leaves her island home to find work in Panama to pay for her sister's surgery, and the young Panamanian who doesn't want to become a fisherman. The result is riveting historical fiction that is more than the story of building the mighty canal and instead goes deep into the people and customs of Panama. I listened to the audio which amplified my enjoyment by hearing the myriad of dialects and variety of all the characters. 4 stars
This is not your typical American crime/drama and comparing it would be a big disservice. Just after WWI is over Samson and his father must deal with a new headache - the Red Army. They murder his father and saw off Samson's ear leaving him to bleed in the street. The next thing he knows his house is requisitioned and he takes a job as a policeman because of his good penmanship. Samson takes all of this in stride using all his charm to woe the beautiful Nadezhda and work his first murder case. He does have one thing in his favor. His cut off ear still sends him sounds from the desk drawer allowing him to eavesdrop on the soldiers in his house. Samson is a delight even though this is a gritty crime novel of a violent time in Ukrainian history. Andrey Kurkov interjects bits of humor about how life goes on and the absurdity of life. This debut is the start of a series from a big name in Ukraine. 4 stars
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