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
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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 There is much going on in this historical mystery involving British royalty and well off members of society in a tale based in truth of murder, madness and court politics. Members of society are invited to a viewed dissection (it was a thing back in 1681) but instead of a suicide victim the cadaver turns out to be a member of society. Because the newly rich Harry Hunt stops the procedure and claims it is his neighbor he is pinned for her demise. He escapes to find the real killer and clear his name which eventually leads him to Bedlam hospital and another missing woman. He has also been charged by the King to locate a black box that may contain very damaging information to the crown. The storyline is dark and mysterious and the author does a thorough job of setting the stage of 17th century London through colorful imagery and authentic language. I just wished there was a bit less of Harry's misadventures and more of Bedlam and the women's plight. 3 1/2 stars
Another fascinating historical tale of tough women in an age of women not having much of a role outside of the home. One is a Coast Guard codebreaker determined to stop illegal rum runners in southern Florida the other is queen of the rum runners herself. One has a supportive husband while the other has been let down by the two husbands she has had but still becomes the mastermind of eliminating the competition while protecting her own. These two brilliant women both inspire awe and shock as they dangerously teeter between the law and opportunity. Fans of Beatrix Williams and Jeannette Walls will love this story. 4 stars
Happy book birthday to THE COAST ROAD by Alan Murrin
What a glorious and heartbreaking story of troubled marriages in 1990's Ireland. The women of Ardglas are good at taking it, tamping down life's disappointments, little cruelties and dismissal from the men in their lives. They live in a world where divorce is not an option - it is illegal in the eyes of the law as well as the Catholic church. The only choice they have is to live apart. The little town is shaken to the core at the arrival of a "separated" woman who moves into a cottage. Colette befriends some but is also a thorn to others and all of their lives will be altered by her. Poetic language by a male author who really understands Irish women as well as injustice in any form. For readers of Elizabeth Stout, Ann Patchett and Maeve Binchy 4 1/2 stoic stars A story written as if it is a historical gothic novel not one that takes place in 1990's - early 2000's Essex. A devout and quiet man, Thomas is a columnist for the Essex paper and dabbles in astronomy. He ends up befriending and acting as a foster father to a young girl named Grace. They are perfect together becoming good friends despite the years between them and their personalties and teasing banter work off each other beautifully. A mystery of a ruined building, ghost sightings and a missing astronomer peak the interest of not only Thomas and Grace but James Bower after the missing woman's journal is found. Thomas secretly pines for James but keeps his love a secret. Astronomy, religion, friendship and love are all strong themes. It is a quiet little story that winds like a lazy river told in beautiful prose but without any clear path.
3 1/2 stars Happy book birthday to SHELTERWOOD by Lisa Wingate
A dual timeline from the Winding Stair Mountains of Oklahoma. 1909 a group of homeless children roam the hills and small towns staying one step away from placement in group homes or forced labor. They depend on the kindness of strangers, bits of food from railroad men and what they can forage or fish for in the woods. Ollie runs from a bad situation at home along with a Choctaw girl that her father took in. Ollie tries to care for her and the other children they meet at a camp in the woods. The more recent story is about a female park ranger in 1990. She is on the scene at a cave where human remains are found. Her digging around to find out who the bones belong to as well as her help ing a young orphan find her missing brother puts her and her young son in danger. It is a story we know all too well - of cruelty to indigenous children, stolen land and people without a voice getting taken advantage of. Lisa Wingate writes stories of children who are brave and wise beyond their years in emotional storytelling that cracks the hardest of hearts. 4 stars Life has and always will be hard for an unwed mother. Due to a debilitating incident in medical school Tucia is not a practicing doctor and destitute after losing her job at the factory. She has little choice but to accept the job offered by a medicine show hustler until she can pay her debt and find something better for herself and her special needs son. When they join the others in this traveling show Tucia realizes that she is only there for show and not to practice medicine. Feeling like a fraud Huey forces her to act in a sideshow and suggests worse. They arrive in Galveston ahead of a horrific hurricane where her skills are needed. Yet another example of how brave women found themselves trapped in bad situations powerless under the control of bad men. Fans of historical fiction with strong women as the protagonist will enjoy this unusual story that touches on special needs people, prejudice against side show performers and mental health issues. 3 1/2 stars 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 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
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