Roos has been used to fund her mother's spiritualist business from a young age thanks to her possession of a spirit named Ruth. Ruth takes control but is often times more of a comfort than anyone else. She escapes her mother's control when and goes to live with a young widow who has a spirit guide of her own. Roos and Agnes become intimate and it looks like Agnes will replace Ruth in Roos' heart as danger lurks and problems rise up from the dead. The body count increases leaving Roos the main suspect. This dark story has all the classic elements of a good gothic ghost story - ghosts, a manor home complete with a bog, a secret love and someone meets a tragic end. It is also right on target with common themes of a time of abused women taking matters into their own hands and those same women being deemed hysterical and locked away while the families swept bad behavior by men under the rug. Readers of classic gothic tales as well as stories of the Victorian obsession with death and spiritualism will find much to love. 4 stars
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A multigenerational saga centered around one family and their vacation home in the Vermont woods.
It begins in the 1950's where the country is feeling hopeful of new beginnings and progress. Nick is busy brokering oil deals with the Shah of Iran when he and his wife Bet build a home, along with other oil families, to escape the city. The next generation sees a more challenging world where racial tension, feminism and protests over privilege and the Vietnam War take center stage. The last generation brings us back to the beginning with the end of "The Age of Oil" and all that that will bring. Quiet in its approach in highlighting a variety of issues, including prejudice and climate change but determined to call them out as a warning. An interesting and largely overlooked period and a deeply felt family story that will appeal to fans of ON GOLDEN POND, books by Fiona Davis and WE ARE THE BRENNANS. 4 stars A deep dive into our lost connection to wildness. Famed wildlife and natural history documentary filmmaker Craig Foster shares his wild upbringing in the southernmost part of South Africa shore and life after as a filmmaker. Growing up braving cold Atlantic seas and countless dangerous opportunities where the wild could have killed him just made him appreciate the encounters that much more. He has followed and filmed giant crocodiles into their dens, swam beside sharks and pushed his senses and body to extremes. In doing so he has found wonder and peace that he feels is missing from most of our lives. Part memoir part natural history tale, it is a lesson in being still, observant and appreciative of what is left of the truly wild world. This would be the perfect read for dedicated National Geographic or Animal Planet viewers as well as those of us who fell in love with octopus thanks to MY OCTOPUS TEACHER. 3 1/2 stars
The king is dead and the four Solomon siblings can't even grieve before a greater problem arises. It seems that the long standing tradition dating back to Jim Crow days how property is passed to the surviving heirs is being challenged and the Solomons are losing The Kingdom, their ancestral home to a developer. Each of the Solomons have a great need for the money that selling out would bring but they haven't shared that with each other. Like many Southern families theirs is a complicated history spent in the same community and even if they leave it will always be their ancestral home. Chapters switch between the siblings so we get a full view of their situation and temperament and the emotional toll their father's passing is taking. An emotional portrait of a complex family in danger of shattering. 4 stars
A young woman in a dead end government job gets an unusual career boost when she agrees to become a "bridge". Her new role has her assisting Commander Graham Gore who died in 1847 as part of the doomed Franklin Arctic Expedition. He has been brought forward in time and the bridge must help him acclimate to present day England. They live together, eat together and go to pubs with the others 24/7 Their relationship, along with the others in the program is remarkable, funny and not without its challenges - one of which is not falling in love. A very original debut complete with witty dialogue, great characters and ponders some weighty issues like a less than honest government and all that space-time continuum stuff. Fans of Matt Haig, Diana Gabaldon, Connie Willis and Kelley Armstrong's A RIP THRUGH TIME will zip through this book and demand more. 4 1/2 stars
A young woman follows her dream by working for her favorite author at a writing retreat in Guatemala. When Jules is reported missing and presumed drowned her disbelieving mother heads to the retreat under a false name to investigate on her own. Everything is not as it should be and the more she digs the more sinister things become. In alternating chapters we follow the path that both daughter and then mother follow as they edge ever closer to the deep waters of the lake that holds many secrets. Tense storytelling that made me wonder what kind of writing retreats the author has attended! There are many good mother/daughter vibes to offset the violence and danger. 3 1/2 stars
The Great War is over and the brave men are coming home which presents a bit of a pickle for the women of England. During the war women did their share working at factories, driving trucks or ambulances and other male jobs only to have the men return and those jobs given back to them. Worse than that is the attitude that now the dainty ladies can go back to where they belong at home or in the society pages. Constance is working for an older family friend convalescing by the sea when she meets an unusual group of young women ready to defy the constraints that society puts on them. Poppy is leading the charge wanting to start a ladies motorcycle and flying club that includes a delivery service, competing in races and a flight school with a fixed up airplane left from the war. Poppy and her friends help Constance take risks and gain confidence by helping get the fledgling business off the ground. It doesn't hurt that she is attracted to Poppy's older brother who was injured in the war. This is the book for everyone missing DOWNTON ABBEY. Full of playful humor, a bit of romance and a look at Brits on the cusp of modern thinking but still struggling to keep up with tradition and society rules. A historical delight for a wide range of readers. 4 stars
The first book in a new series that focuses on powerful women of mixed cultures. Yaferi is stolen from Africa and sold to Vikings as an attendant to Princess Freydis. Freydis treats Yaferi with respect and friendship after an incident binds them together. Freydis teaches her customs, language and what she needs to know to stay alive and in return Yaferi teaches Freydis how to fight. They will need all this knowledge in order to defeat the diabolical men in charge. Yaferi longs to become a shield maiden and fight in battle alongside Freydis's warrior aunt. There is a mix of shared mythologies as well as the usual violence and political backstabbing which makes this an intriguing addition to the genre. Again we see strong women who are willing to risk everything to take back control of their lives instead of leaving their fate in the hands of self-serving men. This will appeal to fans of Vikings, A FATE INKED IN BLOOD, CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE and books by Nnedi Okorafor. 4 stars
A young woman makes a mistake that takes the life of someone's wife and mother and she goes to prison. Violet is fresh out and is looking for work and a fresh start. A chance meeting with her beloved leader of the prison book club helps land her a job she is well suited for. She also accidentally comes face to face with the man most affected by her past. Violet must accept that she has paid her dues and can start over but still feels that she will forever try to atone for that one night. This is a deep soulful story of second chances, forgiveness and family where you least expect to find it. As a bonus you learn so much about the intelligence and personality of parrots. Fans of THE READING LIST will enjoy this. 4 1/2 stars
Ella Fitzgerald is a well known name beloved for her talent but this is the little known story of what led up to that incredible career. Her mother died when she was a young leaving her to care for her little sister and under the roof of her abusive stepfather. Ella was set on becoming a dancer and worked hard to get noticed in Harlem but dancing didn't make enough so she began working for the mob as a numbers runner. When she was sent to a horrific reform school it looked like she would never get the chance to show the world what she was capable of. What some would call a lucky break was just another example of how quick thinking and hard working she was.
Just like that the dancer became the singer and the rest was history. An incredible and emotional portrait of discrimination, abuse, hard work and a young girl who was determined to make it big. This story would be perfect in tandem with CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS by Eliza Knight which showcases the friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe. 4 stars |
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