A House Divided by Sulari Gentill

I really wanted to like this book and the main character. A House Divided by Sulari Gentill caught my eye for the local and timeline. It is set around the same time as Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher books, which I enjoyed, especially after being introduced to Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries TV series.

And actually, there were lots of things I DID like. However, there are times when you read a book and the message in the book feels like the author has inserted her (modern) political sensibilities into a historical era. That threw me out of the story more than once.


There was also a section where we jumped perspectives and it didn’t fit at all.

Here’s the back of the book blurb:

Aristocrat Rowland Sinclair doesn’t fit in with his family. His conservative older brother, Wilfred, thinks he’s reckless, a black sheep; his aging mother thinks he’s her son who was killed in the war. Only his namesake Uncle Rowly, a kindred spirit, understands him-and now he’s been brutally murdered in his own home.
The police are literally clueless, and so Rowly takes it upon himse to investigate the crime. In order to root out the guilty party, he use his wealth and family influence to infiltrate the upper echelons both the old and the new guard, playing both against the middle in a desperate and risky attempt to find justice for his uncle. With his bohemian housemates-a poet, a painter, and a free-spirited sculptress–watching his back, Rowly unwittingly exposes a conspiracy that just might be his undoing.


Some scenes towards the end were well done, even gripping. And I did like that the main character finally seemed to be stepping up, albeit rather dramatically. Sinclair never really gave the impression that he would suddenly become heroic or even decisive.

Because I don’t really care about the main character’s “crush” on another character, I’m actually likely not to read the next book in the series. This book recovered itself well, but I did read at least 4 or 5 books before I finished this one. I decided to finish it because it is due back at the library. The last 30-40 pages gave the book an extra star.

It took me almost two months to read the book. This is a murder mystery. I typically read mysteries in a few days, sometimes in one sitting.

I gave it two out of five stars on Goodreads. It was OK. If you read it, I hope you enjoy it more than I did. Please feel free to tell me this in the comments, if you are so inclined!

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Ideas from James Clear

“Repetition unlocks value.

The value of your first workout increases the more you exercise.

The value of your first article increases the more you write.

The value of your first conversation increases the longer you stay in the relationship.

Day One continues to compound.”

James Clear

from his weekly newsletter 3-2-1 Thursday

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Al Capone Does My Shirts – Book Review

This book, at one point, Al Capone Does My Shirts, made me angry. I love the premise of following a 12-year-old boy, Moose, as he and his family move into staff housing on Alcatraz. The set up is interesting, and the scenes with the warden and other details were also good.

What bugged me most was the kid’s mother. And the “love interest” (I assume she’ll become a love interest). Mainly because both were infuriating. Perhaps this is a sign of a good book? When you care for the main character enough to dislike those people who are mistreating him, I suppose you could make an argument that the author has succeeded in her mission.

Eventually the tension resolved and I was able to finish the book. But for awhile there, I absolutely hated some of the things I was reading.

Book cover
The back cover of Al Capone Does My Shirts

This is book one of a series. It ends on an interesting note. Looks like there will be more shenanigans on Alcatraz and in the City. I’m not sure I liked the book enough to pick up book number two. Although I do like stories that have Alcatraz in them.

The book is by Gennifer Choldenko and you can view a Kindle preview on Amazon by clicking here. Book One in the Tales from Alcatraz series. For young people and young at heart people.

I gave the book three stars. I liked it (by the end), but I wasn’t thrilled or inspired by it.

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Truth, Lies, and Second Dates

Something about this book caught my eye. Then the story was outrageous enough to catch my interest and get me reading. Truth, Lies, and Second Dates by MaryJanice Davidson was actually a fun read.

It is the third book in a series, but you do not have to have read the series to appreciate this book. There are some references to characters who may exist in other books, but nothing so distracting as to take away from the story here.

Lots of twists and unexpected quirkiness in this book. The MC is witty and amusing, but also admirable. Her love interest is unusual and improbable, but I enjoyed the interaction all the same.

The Book Blurb

Captain Ava Capp has been flying from her past for a decade. She’d much rather leave it, and her home state, behind forever. But when she finds herself back in Minnesota, against her better judgment, everything goes sideways in a way she never expected it to.

I suppose I would give the book a 4.5 stars if pressed–mainly because I am still puzzled at how young the primary characters are in the book. I am still processing how both could be the ages mentioned and have the careers they do.

This was a book I read in one long sitting, which is always a good sign. Enjoyable.

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