Patch and Saint met as kids both outsiders toughened by a lack of understanding. When Patch goes missing after saving another girl from being taken Saint goes crazy trying to find him. There is evil out there and Saint won't rest until Patch is back with or without the Sheriff's help. The shell of the boy comes back haunted by a ghost girl leaving Saint haunted by the memory of the boy she loves. This is an intense story about true evil, longing , broken hearts and the crushing belief that you can fix people by vanquishing the monster. The language is precise, no emotion spared and no loose thread left undone. It is best read in short spurts so that you remember to slow your heart rate and breathe. Chris Whitaker gives us characters who wreak us emotionally but also prove that there is balance in the world. For every monster there is an unsung hero. Fans of tragic hero stories like Don Quixote, David and Goliath or WE BEGIN AT THE END will fall hard for this book. One of the best I have read this year. 5 stars
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Two timelines and a mystery solved both because of a mother's fierce love. Mallory has raised her son singlehandedly but must reach out and find relatives to donate a kidney and save her son's life.
This means reaching out to the young love of her life - the man who doesn't know of Sam's existence. While looking for other matches Mallory and her sister stumble on the mystery of their mom's adoption in Ireland. These dual timelines go back and follow the path that changed everything for two young mothers. A rich historical novel blended with romance involving fierce women, tough choices and undying love in true Beatriz Williams style. 4 stars A twisty gothic mystery set among the wealth, power and shady doings of early 1900's New York. Millie is a recently married heiress and eager to show off their new home but the ill fated dinner party turns into a nightmare. When she wakes she has lost all her friends, family and has been cast under suspicion for a murder of a guest at their party and is now being held under lock and key unsure of her own mind. As the fog begins to clear secrets begin to surface but she finds she has no rights concerning her wealth and her future. Unable to divorce her husband and regain control she must outplay, outwit and forge a new path to freedom. This is a classic story of an independent woman who must fight for every right that is given without question to a man even if she has her own means. Another twisty gothic tale from Kelsey James who is very good at seemingly femme fatale characters who turn tough to survive. For readers of ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD and THE WOMAN THEY COULD NOT SILENCE. 4 stars We all have an image of a big city criminal in the 20's and 30's - a rough, streetwise man driving a getaway car shooting widely. So this version of a gentleman jewel thief named Arthur Barry, who was more Cary Grant than Al Capone, intrigued me. The author pulls you in from the first page as we begin to understand how this handsome and charming man wove his way into the parties and homes of the New York elite only to come back and relieve them of their prized jewels. Daring home break ins with no hint of violence was his stock and trade. Even after being caught and imprisoned Barry was a model prisoner. The ladies loved him, the men admired his style, the newspapers wrote about him all of which made the law want him that much more. Excellent and vivid storytelling that works for fiction and non-fiction readers alike especially fans of Erik Larson. This would make for a great car trip listen. 4 1/2 stars Josh Malerman has once again scared us silly with every parent's greatest nightmare - their child under attack of possession. Bela is a quiet eight year old and while talking to "Other Mommy" at night helped (especially when her parents were fighting) the tables have turned. "Other Mommy" is now popping up during the day everywhere asking Bela to let her into her heart. Her parents are unaware until strange incidents begin happening around the house. While friends and neighbors watch the family fall apart under the strain, Bela's parents and grandmother take steps to get rid of "Other Mommy" for good. A true horror story and reminder that kids are super sponges and take note of everything around them including stressful marriages, eccentric parental behavior and uncertainty. Narrated by Bela this one keeps you guessing till the end. Fans of Malerman's other books, Christopher Golden and THE EXORCIST will get happy shivers. 4 stars
Happy book birthday to JACKIE by Dawn Tripp
There will never be another couple like John F. and Jackie Kennedy. There will never be another time that was called Camelot and Jackie beloved like royalty. Full of grace, kindness and beauty she was also tough as nails putting aside Jack's infidelities and personal grief to take on the massive pressure dumped on her by the job and the Kennedy clan. Through Dawn Tripp's emotional writing we see through Jackie's eyes to understand how she saw herself and through Jack's eyes to see how others saw her. Even though I knew how the events would unfold I was intrigued by this behind the scenes story told in three parts that didn't tell us what happened but instead made us feel like we were there. I grew up idolizing the public view of the Kennedys and am now in awe and respect the very private side of this remarkable woman. Readers of Clint Hill's memoir ( their security detail), JACQUELINE IN PARIS for the early years and AND THEY CALLED IT CAMELOT will appreciate this new look. I can't stop staring at the perfect cover photo. 4 stars This is the story of Julia who feels unfulfilled- she has a lovely husband and two grown children but is constantly wondering where her life would have taken her and her past history. When she sees a woman who befriended her when she was a struggling young mom before dropping her, the discontent begins all over again. The first half of this book I just wanted to slap Julia and tell her to get her act together or get some help. The other characters were not much better. I really didn't like how mean her youngest was to her, how her oldest tried to shield her and how horrible her mom was to her as well as her lack of connection. Only her overly patient husband gave me a glimmer of hope. The second half of the book turned the corner as we see Julia try to navigate rough waters of her life and dog paddle to the other shore. It is deeply character driven and a look at how we cope with our own frailty and midlife disappointments or mask it in regret. I didn't feel like it was a glass half full kind of family but there was a glimmer of hope that it could become one. 3 1/2 stars
A small southern town gets an important wake up call when uber conservatives clash with liberals over book banning, tearing down a statue and the mayor's race. Lula Dean has named herself the savior of Troy Georgia by installing a little free library stocked with what she considers "clean" books for the community. When a book jacket switch is made and the town starts reading and learning all the things Lula has worked so hard to ban - chaos and awakening occur. Sadly, it gets ugly as the truth of the past is exposed and people get hurt in the process. The author takes serious issues and adds much comic relief making this book both lighthearted and meaningful. In this age of idiotic culture wars maybe we should make this book required reading. The bottom line is that awareness, compassion and understanding go a long way. 4 stars Rocky and family are headed back to the cape for their annual summer vacation. A week of sun, fun, all the clams you can eat and reminiscing about their past beach time sounds perfect except Rocky is going through "the change" and their family is going through some changes as well. This slim novel is a beautiful mix of Ann Patchett soul searching mixed with Helen Ellis saucy humor regarding women and the world. Rocky is a hot mess and we love her anyway and her life is not that bad as her incredibly patient husband and kids would say. I really enjoyed the spot on witty banter between family members. A one sitting wonder of belly laughs, cleansing cries and tender family times that will have you digging out old photo albums. One of the best this year and I would listen to the audiobook (adult language and all) happily. 5 stars Nicola Yoon's adult debut is a horrific and clever mix of THE STEPFORD WIVES, ROSEMARY'S BABY and GET OUT. The Williams family moved to the gated all Black neighborhood of Liberty where Jasmyn feels like they will meet people who are just like them in a safe environment for their son and unborn baby. Her husband mentors troubled youth and Jasmyn is always ready to take up the cause for social justice but what she finds instead in Liberty are pampered couples who spend more time at cocktail parties and spa treatments than at protests. Soon she begins to see weird changes in the people around her even her husband and when she digs deeper the real horror begins. The end of the book flew by and there is a wild twist that was a bit unnerving.
4 stars |
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