Category: Books

New Series Book 1 – Death in Focus

I don’t usually finish a novel in the middle of the work week unless it’s a good read. Yesterday I picked up Anne Perry’s Death in Focus (Elena Standish #1) with the intent of finishing, although the book had been languishing on my library books bookshelf for about two months. I had been experiencing some difficulty in getting excited about this book. Flash forward a day, and I’m giving this book high ratings. I’m now preparing to get the next one in the series as soon as I can.

Here’s a quote from the book that I found particularly poignant:

“You do not need to believe evil, only to use its methods. You will get accustomed to them, until eventually they are not your last choice, but your first. For awhile, you can justify it to yourself, and then eventually you will not bother. You have forgotten what you are fighting for; now winning is the only objective! And the more you win, the more you justify it, until the whole idea of right and wrong disappears and only winning matters.”

– Death in Focus, by Anne Perry

Here’s my Goodreads review:

This was a sleeper hit. It started out slow for me, and I had other books I was reading that took precedence. I put it aside a few times. Once I paid attention, by the middle to end, I was fully engaged. I wanted to see how it would end. Great development of character. Also of interest was Berlin before WWII, in the 1930s. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and discovering more about Elena Standish and her family.

I gave the book a 5 star review. Mainly because it got really really good, the last quarter of the book. A recommended read.

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Poisoned – Book Review

I finished a book this weekend that doesn’t fit my usual menu of mysteries. The book was Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly.

I got a copy from my library and they have put it in the “Teen Fiction” section. I probably wouldn’t have noticed it, except for it showing up on the new books scroll online.

Poisoned is a retelling of Snow White, with a few interesting twists. Some are calling it a feminist retelling, but I actually don’t see it as feminist, unless one calls anything with a female in it feminist. The main character does show some strength later in the book, and maybe that’s where the idea comes floating in. It does have some Grimm’s flavor to it, with some dark imagery. I’d recommend it if you ever loved a good, slightly creepy fairy tale.

Here’s my Goodreads review:

Once I got past some of the odd structural setups of this novel (perspective switches without much notice), I began to enjoy it. A whimsical take on an old fairytale. I liked the main character’s development, although I was frustrated at how dim she was at the beginning of the tale. She did definitely “grow up” in this book, which was satisfying to read. 

I gave it four stars, as it definitely became engrossing after the first few chapters.

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Her Last Breath – Book Review

This week, I finished another installment in author Linda Castillo’s gripping Amish murder mystery series starring Kate Burkholder. Her Last Breath is book #5 in the series.

I enjoyed it thoroughly. Here’s my Goodreads review:

Another gripping installment in a compelling series. I don’t know how she does it, but the author was able to make me cry at the beginning of the book. Some scenes toward the end were slightly improbable, but I was effortlessly carried along by the force of the main character’s response to a deadly situation. This was hands down one of the better books I have read in the last several years. Of course, I can say that about the entire series. Masterful. 

There are lots of interesting bits in the books. Book #5 discusses some of the genetic challenges the Amish experience. I know a bit about the culture, but I didn’t know the extent of the genetic issues. It was another interesting factor that added layers to the story.

I’m already looking for a copy of The Dead Will Tell, which is book #6. Looking forward to what happens next with Chief Burkholder.

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All Animals Are Equal

“Have you ever read Animal Farm?” I asked the former Soviet, now an American, who was sitting in my living room.

“I don’t need to read it.” I looked up at him, raising an eyebrow.

“I lived it,” he said, and turned his chair away from me, inhaling deeply on an e-cigarette.

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Recent Mysteries – Roundup

I’ve consumed a few mysteries this week and thought I’d share my thoughts on the stories.

Here’s what I just finished this week, with my associated star rating and review just below:

The Falcon Always Wings Twice

by Donna Andrews

Rating: 3 out of 5.

The Falcon Always Wings Twice is book #27 in the Meg Langslow series that Donna Andrews started long ago. I’ve read many if not most of the earlier books. This installment comes after I (evidently) missed a few! The book was entertaining, as all of them are, but a little slow in pacing, hence the 3-stars. I found I didn’t run to get back to it. Rather, I took my time reading it, especially when some of the explanations were a little long-winded. It was good that I was already fond of some of the characters who appeared briefly in this book.

Of note: Meg’s grandfather in the book was “old” in book one. Her sons are now teenagers (and they weren’t born yet in book one) so you know the aging of certain characters doesn’t necessarily keep up in the series. No matter, this IS fiction, after all. People are immortal in fiction. It did make me pause a bit, though, realizing that Grandfather had been around for ages and ages.

Three stars.

Deathtrap

by Ira Levin

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Deathtrap: A Thriller in Two Acts is a book that was recommended in Eight Perfect Murders as one of the murders the protagonist read and used in the commission of his crimes. I had to request it from the library, as it is an older play. Once I got into this play, I found that some of the twists were intriguing! It is definitely worth a read–for anyone who likes a good mystery/thriller. Short, but entertaining! You’ll see why it left an impression, if you have the chance to read it.

Four stars.

A Willing Murder

by Jude Deveraux

Rating: 5 out of 5.

A long time ago I read a great romance by the prolific author, Jude Deveraux. I haven’t read much of her since, but I saw this book in my local bookstore, and it called out to be read. It is book #1 in the Medlar Mystery series. I wasn’t disappointed. I read a lot of mysteries, and this was an interesting blend of mystery series with a twist of some of the traditional elements of romance. The result was a fresh new series, which I will continue reading.

Here’s my review on Goodreads:

  • While the mystery itself wasn’t the most suspenseful or surprising, the characters were interesting. This book was an easy read, with lots of entertaining details. Of course, some characters were a little improbable, but I’m looking forward to how the series progresses. Definitely a fresh series.

Of note: some reviewers in Goodreads found the discussion of food choices throughout the book a little tedious. I found it amusing. I keep waiting for the red-headed green-eyed (very typical heroine for a romance) main character wise up to the keto choices her friends are making. Have some bacon-wrapped cheese! Your body will thank you later.

I read this over the course of a day. Generally, when I read straight through like that, it’s a sign the book was engaging enough to keep my interest. This one was.

Five stars.

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I’m not sure about this book.

I found this book the other day on the shelves of the local bookstore. I’m not too sure about the book’s author and where the book originated — was I in the humor section? It almost seemed like satire. Definitely ironic. But it was in the Health and Wellness section of the bookstore.

After I recovered from reading the title and the author of the book, I photographed it. I have no idea if the contents are worth reading or not. I didn’t touch or open the book. After all, I wasn’t wearing gloves. Just a mandated, cloth mask. And there were no other humans nearby.

I wonder about this book. Why it was written. Why it was translated for us. Why it is prominently on display in a bookstore that is open while churches, libraries, and other places are closed.

On some level, it almost seems insulting.

I don’t usually complain about books. If I don’t want to read it, I won’t. And I won’t spend too much time thinking about a book I don’t want to read.

This one is a different story. (On so many levels.)

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