The author spent a lot of energy developing the characters and describing the world which they inhabited. By the end of the book you really cared abouThe author spent a lot of energy developing the characters and describing the world which they inhabited. By the end of the book you really cared about these fully threshed out 3 dimensional people. Unfortunately that would have been fine in a massive multi-book epic saga, but in a relatively short 300 page book it came with a cost, and that was action. It took quite a while to even figure out what was going on, let alone to get into the story. We start with a group of travelers just going down a road in winter, meeting other travelers. That is it for the longest time.
Finally when the action does arrive it is very good, and when I figured out what exactly what was going on (as the synopsis states – they are being stalked by something terrible) I was fully into it. The writer is obviously very talented, but he created the the Lord of the Rings with the page count of the Hobbit. This book could have been cut down tremendously, or (and my vote) it should have been a 3 book, 1000 page tome to be enjoyed over time.
In the end this was a nice story, but I was disappointed at such phenomenal character development to be over so abruptly, especially after we got to see them do so little. I look forward to future efforts by this author to see if he strikes a better balance....more
When I started this book I was sure that I knew who the title was about, but as I read I realized that I was wrong. The beginning made me think that When I started this book I was sure that I knew who the title was about, but as I read I realized that I was wrong. The beginning made me think that I wasn't sure this was my kind of book, but as I read I feel in love. I loved this book, I discovered what happened as the book unfolded. The characters, their lives, their losses and their triumphs are all contained in this story.
I loved this book and yet I am having a difficult time telling you why. The characters were real, their struggles were real and yet it was also beautiful. I had several guesses about what was happening and who everyone involved was, and I was correct, but it did not take away from the book when the secrets were revealed.
Einstein said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” This is a story of a women who was forced to live for others to avoid the life she had been given. She discovered love for others in service and a love to last the ages. Also the narrator is a woman who had devoted her life to the stage forgoing a family and love….the reason? I think you will figure that out.
The whole book is wonderful, the ending wrapped up the story, but not too neatly to ruin the realism. This book goes between the past and now, WWII, 1959, 1961 and 2011. It is a good size book, but well worth the read. If you enjoy historical/modern tales of love, loss and life, you will enjoy this book. Excellent writing with great flow, I will now have to read the rest of this authors back-list.
This is a book that will haunt you and you will think about it long after you turn the last page....more
I love regency romance and this is another winner from this author. This is a long book, but I enjoyed the twists and turns of the romance in this booI love regency romance and this is another winner from this author. This is a long book, but I enjoyed the twists and turns of the romance in this book. Finding out someone is not the someone you thought they were is always interesting and fun. Especially when you add to it a yummy single wealthy man who wants to do the right thing…every time, everywhere, then you have a mixture worth reading about and romance that is off the charts.
This is a book worthy of this author and the way she weaves a great tale of romance. I enjoy this author, but you have to be sure of what you have read and what you haven’t. She reprints many of her older books from time to time. I have started reading several books over again by accident.
If you enjoy romance and especially regency romance you will love this book. Also this one is about a strong independent women, even with all the rules to keep her a lady. I love that she took the reins for her own life. I found it worth my time and yes there is sex so if that is not your thing then don’t pick up this book. ...more
This is a fast, quick, little book to read. I found it funny and quirky. Many of the things it said made me think about the times I have had to manageThis is a fast, quick, little book to read. I found it funny and quirky. Many of the things it said made me think about the times I have had to manage people and how much I hated it. I found managing others to be uncomfortable and stressful. This book cleared a few things up and let me know that the kind of management I was doing was not really working for me or for those I managed.
If you are managing others or will be in the future, this is a great book to get your hands on and read. You will find out what kind of manager you are and how to best make the best manager out of who you are deep down inside....more
Well first off this is a funny book told by many people. I loved the story of SPAM, we live in SPAM Town and that one had me laughing out loud. If youWell first off this is a funny book told by many people. I loved the story of SPAM, we live in SPAM Town and that one had me laughing out loud. If you think being a women is difficult then read this book and find out how others are handling it. Most of them are handling it with humor. I think Shakespeare said something about time turning tragedy into comedy. It may seem awful at the time, but years later those awful times can make us laugh loud just from the memory.
I think if you like short stories you will enjoy this book. Now here is a story of my own. My son was about 3 and he decided to stick a toy in the furnace pipe(exhausted I think) outside near the backdoor. Well the toy fell in so he got the hose to see if he could flush it out……yes this is the tragedy portion. He ruined our furnace and we needed to get a new one before winter (not a lot of money in those days and the furnace had just had a 300 dollar repair done before the last winter.) It was costly, but now it just makes me laugh. Smart 3 year old thinking he could flush out the toy.
That story was not really about women, but it makes me laugh now and believe me at the time I wanted to scream. This book will make you laugh and maybe you could submit your own funny stories and get published....more
This is a sweet little picture book about a Christmas Tree. He grows up on a Christmas Tree farm and dreams of being taken home to make a family happyThis is a sweet little picture book about a Christmas Tree. He grows up on a Christmas Tree farm and dreams of being taken home to make a family happy over the holiday season. At 24 pages it is a quick read to your children and the large colorful illustrations will keep them glued to the story.
I enjoyed the story and so did my kids. I think the message of making others happy is a wonderful one that all of us can learn to do. Giving really is better than receiving.
My only problem with the story was that when we go to a Christmas Tree farm, the trees are cut down not put into pots. I think that idea is fabulous, but the tree would have to be a much smaller version then the ones in this book. Planting the tree after Christmas would work in many parts of the world, but not here in the frosty north. The tree wouldn’t make it all those months in a small pot in the house until the thaw....more
Novice crafters will get an insider’s look into how to market and sell their product. When trying to sell a handmade craft a buyer’s perception is eveNovice crafters will get an insider’s look into how to market and sell their product. When trying to sell a handmade craft a buyer’s perception is everything. James Dillehay gives details on how to improve a buyer’s perception of you, your product, and storefront or booth. A local economy and demographics can also influence your success. So, one has to make a choice when and where to sell crafts.
Bringing attention to detail and materials is important when pricing a craft one is selling retail or wholesale. He gives suggestions as to where to sell online, what to look for in your area, and travel. Tax and bookkeeping are kept to a minimum. This is an area of interest that I wish was covered in more detail. Most people do not know how to keep proper records for taxes and it would have been a great help for any novice crafter just starting a business. However, tax advantages are covered.
Dillehay also provides valuable pricing formulas based on material cost price per unit, shipping, and hourly wage you pay yourself for a crafters profit after the sale. He also goes into overpricing and how to remedy the situation. One of a kind art pieces, as in sculptures and paintings, are also considered in this book and their markup should be taken into account.
I am an official Amish Romance fan. I wanted to read this book, the second in the series, to see if my favorite characters from the last book got togeI am an official Amish Romance fan. I wanted to read this book, the second in the series, to see if my favorite characters from the last book got together or not….well this book has a bit about those two, but it focuses on a completely new character. Rosemary.
Rosemary is a young widow who comes to Cedar Creek for a wedding. She meets Matt and he falls for her the moment he sees her. She takes a bit more convincing, well quite a bit at that. She is head strong and yet follows her views as an Amish woman. She has a young daughter and wishes the best of her and she cares for her husband’s family now that he is gone. So she feels she had plenty on her plate without the added romance Matt is proposing.
I look forward to the next book to find out what happens, you get a pretty good idea, but I like a bit more concreteness sometimes. I also want to know what happens to Abby. Will she find happiness in a relationship or will she stay single? Either way I think Abby will find the happiness she seeks, but having a family of her own would be something she would love.
The author does a fantastic job of letting the reader into the world of the Amish and I feel that I would love to be friends with many of her characters in Cedar Creek. ...more
I often pick up a Christopher Moore book because I am looking to laugh, but that (for the most part) was not the case with Sacré Bleu. It had its momeI often pick up a Christopher Moore book because I am looking to laugh, but that (for the most part) was not the case with Sacré Bleu. It had its moments but the shining star of this story was the history. That is to say, I really enjoyed the historical context of the plot, a lot more than I would have thought.
The hero of our story is the young baker Lessard who desires to be a painter as did his father before him. He does the best he can while sharing studio space with the great but diminutive Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. Then one day his muse walks back into his life, the unnaturally attractive Juilette. He becomes a man possessed, ignoring the bakery, his family and friends, and even his own sustenance. On the verge of death his friends intervene and the truth of his muse comes to light.
All of this centers on the color blue and the Colorman who has supplied it to painters throughout time. All is not as it seems, especially with the amount of talented painters gathered in France at this time. And that was the most fascinating aspect of the whole novel, just how many artists were gathered together in one place. From Renoir, Monet, Manet, Gauguin, and Seurat to the recently deceased Van Gogh; Paris was packed with artistic greatness. I found myself visiting Wikipedia just to see how all these guys interacting with each other.
It was amazing to think how they lived hand to mouth with their art, hoping to sell a painting so they could afford paint and maybe something to drink too. Sacré Bleu is a funny book which also manages to be an engrossing alternate history on the lives of the great Masters. An art book to delight even the non-artist. ...more
Even for John Sandford and the entire Prey series, this book was violent. People are killed in long torturous ways, and by people I mean families. TheEven for John Sandford and the entire Prey series, this book was violent. People are killed in long torturous ways, and by people I mean families. The saddest part of the whole horrendous crime is it is based in reality. The author did not exaggerate.
The story opens up with the violent murder of a well to do family by a Mexican drug gang. Given the viciousness of the crime Lucas and his cohorts are immediately brought in to solve this case before any more victims can pile up. The most important message of this book is not to get involved in gangs, and especially do not try to cross them. These guys are not playing around when it comes to their business. They have escalated the level of violence so high in Mexico now there isn’t a soft option when it comes to a response.
In classic police procedural fashion Davenport and crew slowly begin to uncover the facts of the case and through realistic action they slowly plod there way through the clues. It is in these small steps that Sandford is a master of the genre; never taking giant leaps of logic to advance the plot. The real genius of the series is how he managed to make such a hard guy like Lucas be so likable at the same time.
The only downside is the side plot involving Virgil Flowers, one of the detectives working for Davenport (and the star of his own book series too). Davenport managed to get mugged at the ATM and he puts the f@#$ing Flowers on the case. There is always an element of gallows humor in the books and usually it’s interwoven into the main story a little better. With the graphically violent nature of the main story this plot was just too jarring and out of place. I can appreciate what the author was going for but it wasn’t working for me.
Stolen Prey was a good book, and it is a fantastic series. You can start anywhere, but if you are like me you will soon find yourself wanting to catch up with all 22 books. It is American police procedural at its best. ...more
To start I want everyone to know that I don’t have many good things to say about this book…so if you like this author or this book then quit reading nTo start I want everyone to know that I don’t have many good things to say about this book…so if you like this author or this book then quit reading now. Also I may give away something’s, I will try not to.
This book read like a novelization of a B-movie. Little lead in to who the characters were or what they were doing in the book. Lots of sudden realizations and action, that seemed so out of place when combined with the inner dialogue the characters are musing most of the time. A movie yes, the pace is fast and moves from one scene to the next rapidly, but a book is a bit slower and more interesting with greater character development and story line. This book was fast paced, yet confusing with how fast it moved from one thing to the next. The transitions were unclear and I had to stop and go back several times to see what I had missed…most of the time nothing.
I’ve read paranormal teen romance and enjoyed it…several books for that matter…but this book was bad. Bad writing, bad transition, bad story line, bad….just about everything, one good thing was getting to the end. The ending was so abrupt that with all the build up to the really bad guys and boom…..BOOM it was over and so fast that I was lost and reread that section to be sure I really understood what had just happened. I think the author took too little time on this book and that doesn’t bode well for the rest of the series, in my opinion that is.
If you like paranormal teen romances then try Amanda Hocking, Victoria Roth or Cassandra Clare. This series needs work and hope the editor does a better job of keeping the pace even and level in the next book. ...more
I love Regency Romance. The idea of so many rules and regulations governing one’s life is fascinating and I of course think that living then would ha I love Regency Romance. The idea of so many rules and regulations governing one’s life is fascinating and I of course think that living then would have been interesting. I love Jane Austen and have read every one of her books at least a few times if not more. This genre appeals to me in many ways. Who wouldn’t want to come from Royalty, or Nobility, or Gentry class? I know that if I lived back then I would most likely have been a servant, but think of the gossip I would have heard in the hallways and kitchen. Being nobility would have its perks and of course its downturns as well…..I love to think about living back then.
OK on to this book. The first few pages grabbed me right off. A Lord who tries to kill the children of his brother(after of course he kills his brother) to take over the title? Exciting stuff….also all of the men in this book are good looking and HOT HOT HOT!!!! Or at least they are in my head. Why would I think otherwise?
Captain Jack is no exception to my hot rule, he is possessive and ruthless, yet he holds himself to a higher standard than others do. He has a heart even if he rarely displays it to others. Lady Anne is the prim and a proper woman of the day….she is good all the time and never strays from her chosen path. Well almost anyway. I loved the way the characters interacted and responded to each other. Especially after the storm….well you have to read the book to know what happens there.
This is a romance and an adventure. There is sex, so if you don’t want to read it don’t read this book. But it you enjoy Regency Romance you will enjoy this book….Yummy Tristan and Rafe….I want to read what happens to him now. Good stuff and a great way to spend a quiet evening alone in the cooler weather. ...more
As a non-Catholic I came to this book with no knowledge of Pope John XXIII or the tenets of the faith, but I enjoy stories of great people and how th As a non-Catholic I came to this book with no knowledge of Pope John XXIII or the tenets of the faith, but I enjoy stories of great people and how they got that way. Tobin’s biography did not disappoint as he took us through the life of Pope John; from his peasant childhood in the Italian mountains to the beginnings of his greatest achievement, Vatican II.
From the very beginning his parents were committed to the faith as they waited all day at the church for the priest to return so Angelo (Pope John) could be baptized. “There was no question of returning later” as hard life in the country had taught them tomorrow may never come, at least for some. It is a great message for all those who procrastinate the truly important, like living a more righteous life.
The general theme of the man (and the book) was one of ecumenicism, that respect for others and worrying about the weightier matters in life would do more to further the work of God, or at a minimum, peace in this world. Too often in life, especially in politics, religion, sports, etc., people become severely partisan. So much so their entire focus becomes how the other side is wrong. They sacrifice understanding why they believe what they do in order to understand all the ways others are not right. They build walls to separate themselves from others and eventually lose the ability to work with those different from themselves.
While stationed in Turkey Atatürk banned all religious displays including clothing. Angelo Roncalli said “What does it matter whether we wear the soutane or trousers as long as we proclaim the word of God.” It demonstrates how people get fixated on some outward appearance rather than what is on the inside. Several parables come to mind that teach this same principle, from the mote in the eye to the Good Samaritan. Roncalli was a man who believed the bible when it said we were to love all men.
He also demonstrated good humor about his situation from describing his father, “There are three ways of ruining oneself – women, gambling, and farming. My father chose the most boring.” His description of his circumstances to a friend “Without having taken a vow of poverty I am practicing it.” When asked about how many people worked in the Vatican “About half of them.” It all goes to show a man who did not take himself too seriously while at the same time holding the office which he held with the greatest respect. This ability to get down literally in the trenches (served as a priest in WWI) with those he was called to minister served him well as his responsibilities increased.
The message of the bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is love for all men, respect of others and their sincere desires to be good people. Through the daily actions of his life he tried to live this principle to its fullest, and worked to change those who would co-opt the scriptures to abuse their fellow men. When criticized for working with the Russians to secure the release of a imprisoned Bishop, or even the peaceful end of the Cuban Missile Crisis, he said “We must not condemn them (Russians) because we don’t like their political system.” It is a sad world when a lot of us condemn others for much less.
A Side Note: I do find it interesting how the JFK church/state separation is much touted as a criticism of Mitt Romney and his Mormonism, but JFK, the Russians, and Pope John XXIII were very involved together to end the Cuban Missile Crisis. The aforementioned “complete” separation obviously had some cracks no one seems to interested in discussing nowadays. Plus, don’t get me wrong, I am not criticizing the involvement at all, I just find it fascinating.
I found almost the entire book delightful and full of interesting quotes and stories that served to uplift my own worldview. All of us could be a little nicer in life and while I am sure Pope John XXIII would be the first to agree he was far from perfect, at times in his life he did a pretty good job of doing his best.
Unfortunately I did find one section of the book that was out of tune with the rest, that was like hitting a jarring speed bump on the highway when all else had been fine. At one point the author’s own biases bled through and took me out of the narrative completely. I won’t get into the several issues the author brought up because at the end of the day they are things of personal opinion and have nothing to do with Pope John XXIII. But when you are purporting to write a biography and you begin a sentence with “It might be mere semantics and revisionism to ask how John himself might comment on the contemporary issue of …” and then go ahead and spout your personal opinions and state that the Pope would have clearly agreed with me – you have gone wrong.
This process of co-opting the Pope to make divisive statements of contemporary issues was just plain disgraceful. It ruined the flow of the book and it honestly took at least fifty more pages to get back into the life story again. Furthermore it made me suspicious of the rest of the text that the author might be forcing his opinion in and I just wasn’t noticing. At the end those ten or so pages really brought down an otherwise excellent life story of a great man who, as it seemed to me, deserved better....more
Imagine you were just beginning a game of Clue and I said to you “Hey, it was either Mr. Green with Revolver in the Library, or Miss Scarlett with th Imagine you were just beginning a game of Clue and I said to you “Hey, it was either Mr. Green with Revolver in the Library, or Miss Scarlett with the Lead Pipe in the Kitchen, or Colonel Mustard with the Rope in the Ballroom.” Then I let you wander around aimlessly the whole game before apropos of nothing I said it was the last choice. Now let’s finish the game. That is the frustration I felt with this book.
It seems the author wanted to write a great novel of modern race relations but felt compelled to force it into a mystery format, thus missing on both fronts. The unfortunate problem is Ms. Locke is a very talented writer, the setting of her book was beautiful, her characters had definite possibilities, and the crime itself was intriguing. She had all the pieces for a great novel but failed to put the puzzle together.
I think the plot derailed with the choice of main character, Caren, the caretaker of the living history museum Belle Vie Plantation. While an interesting person in her own right she never really investigated anything, nor as an ordinary citizen did she have an avenue to. Rather like my initial analogy, she was just a person to whom full solutions could be presented to over the course of the book. Typically a solid mystery would have a character dig into the threads of a solution and as the story progresses slowly find the truth. The side character of the investigative reporter would have had the means to pull that off much better.
Then when we are given the big climax wherein all is explained and it really comes as a complete package instead of a rewarding journey. There was so much to be explored and discussed between the two family histories, both Caren’s and the villain’s, and the two crimes, both ancient and modern.
In the end there were the seeds of a great novel contained in The Cutting Season that I would have loved to have read, and Attica Locke is more than capable of writing it. This novel was okay and worth the read, but I am anxiously awaiting her next effort with high hopes she hits the homerun I feel is coming. ...more
Over the top, or OTT as we said back in the 80’s. I would like to think if you name your lead character/shady individual Johnny Outlaw you were going Over the top, or OTT as we said back in the 80’s. I would like to think if you name your lead character/shady individual Johnny Outlaw you were going for ironic humor. If the author was going for irony then he was much too subtle for me to pick up on it.
Basically you have a master sociopath with unlimited funds who decides to befriend a neighbor – let’s just forget the fact sociopaths do not befriend anyone. That aside he takes several steps to isolate his target and bring him onto his team, including removing individuals who would derail that goal; like the targets wife. He seems to kill and without consequence (but to be fair you probably kill a random punk in the back city streets of New Jersey and get away with it). No one is immune to the charms or influence of Johnny Outlaw, no one.
From strippers, neighbors, cops, and federal agents; Johnny Outlaw just moves through life doing whatever he pleases. It is just that easy when you put your mind to it. It seems like the goal was to get the gritty realism of The Dark Knight (well, real when compared to) and yet we end up with the cartoonishness of Adam West with all the vibrant colors.
I guess I just wasn’t sure for what the author was going for. Maybe he achieved exactly what he was looking for, but it wasn’t made clear for the reader to know it. That said it was a fun read and the writing style was solid. This was an easy book to get through, but forgettable in a Holy Sitcom sort of way....more
When I finished this book I really wanted to learn to draw. I realize that wasn’t the author’s original intention when she wrote the novel, but it is When I finished this book I really wanted to learn to draw. I realize that wasn’t the author’s original intention when she wrote the novel, but it is an interesting result all the same. She presented a fun book of adults coming together over an activity that I felt a longing for the activity itself. That is pretty powerful stuff.
Ms. Meany brings together a large cast of diverse strangers in an almost farcical way over the course of several weeks to give us touching stories of love, confidence, heartbreak, redemption, and all the other emotions you can think of. It demonstrates the possibilities of growth if we just allow ourselves to open up to the human experience. For the characters in this novel that avenue is life drawing; the drawing of the human form.
It shows the power of art when we brought into our lives by someone who really cares, who is enthusiastic in spite of the set backs life can offer. It speaks to all of us of the need to find our creative outlet as a means of dealing with our stress. For some that may mean a life drawing class, or pottery, or cooking, or in this case, good literature. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book for inspiration and who knows where it will take you.
A delightful book and a quick read. Me? I was inspired to buy sketching pencils and start watching instructional videos on YouTube after reading. ...more
I picked this book up to give it a look and got absorbed in the story. I loved the characters and with the opening line you can’t helped but wonder whI picked this book up to give it a look and got absorbed in the story. I loved the characters and with the opening line you can’t helped but wonder what went wrong. The main character Silas needs to get away from home and find himself. He travels down the river meeting new and interesting characters along the way that shape him as a man. The people he meets leave a deep impression on him and how he sees the world in general. The ending brought a few tears to my eyes and I’m pleased with the ending. Read the book and you will understand that statement better.
I enjoyed this book, but felt that the part on the boat with the gamblers went on a bit long for my taste. I think a few sections could have been shorter and yet the reader would still have understood what was happening and why. I did enjoy the part where we got to meet all the people he met along the way and I wouldn’t leave any of them out…I would just shorten a few parts to make the book tighter.
This is a great story of redemption and growing up. Silas grew-up with his many adventures along the river and he met who he was supposed to meet. I liked that the characters all added something to the story and carried the main plot forward for the reader. If you enjoy historical books, coming of age, and adventure you will enjoy this book. The author did a great job with the writing and the story telling. This is a story worth reading and thinking about. Check it out….you won’t be disappointed. ...more
There is a fine line between actively pursuing the woman of your dreams and being a stalker. Danny Wallace digs into this subject with the humorous taThere is a fine line between actively pursuing the woman of your dreams and being a stalker. Danny Wallace digs into this subject with the humorous tale of Jason, the emotionally lost journalist who with a little help from his friends manages to find his way to happiness. While his professional prospects are down and his ex girlfriend is announcing her engagement, poor Jason is eating a terrible breakfast at a local café when he sees her. A beautiful girl struggling with her packages as she tries to get into a taxi. Jumping to his feet he helps her on her way, only to find he has her disposable camera.
Thus begins Jason’s journey to find this girl, initially just to return her camera, but then for a longing he can’t quite understand himself. What I like best was the police procedural aspect of the plot. The first step in finding the girl is to develop the pictures on the camera, twelve quick snapshots into someone’s life as the only clues in finding them. Like any good police detective, Jason with the help of his friends, both old and new, begins to paint a picture of his perfect woman through the photos, visiting the scene of the crimes. Ultimately he is able to put it all together to solve the mystery, to reunite with the object of his affection.
With a large dose of dry British humor, a lovable cast of characters, and a sense of sincere earnestness, Danny Wallace delivers the beautiful side of stalking. The book does read like a premade romcom script, but if you love that genre of movie as much as me, it is just the icing on the cake (you can spend time imagining the cast). You won’t regret visiting Charlotte Street. ...more
I often hear interviews with writers bemoaning the fact that their baby was absolutely gutted and destroyed by the powers to be in Hollywood, but hav I often hear interviews with writers bemoaning the fact that their baby was absolutely gutted and destroyed by the powers to be in Hollywood, but have not truly understood it. The Next best Thing documents the entire process from the point of view of one young writer who has created a touching sitcom about a young girl and her grandmother moving to the big city. Given that Jennifer Weiner herself has recently creating a sitcom for network TV I am willing to believe there is a lot of truth to be found within its pages. (She developed State of Georgia.)
This book is a fascinating inside look at the television production process and just how too many cooks do indeed spoil the broth. As a writer you would think you would know best how to tell a story, especially since you have thousands of books sold to prove it. Or as a comedian you get direct audience feedback on whether you are funny or not would know best on what funny is. Well welcome to Hollywood where nameless suits sit behind desks and pick apart everything you believe in. Instead of giving in to the true creative progress they try to force everything into a mold of previous successes and then wonder why audiences get bored and feel they have seen it all before. It would be like telling an author like the great Jennifer Weiner on her next book, “Could you add some teenage magicians who have to fight each other to death” because that is what people are going for these days.
The set upon writer is the naïve Ruth, mistaken both professionally and personally, she is never quite sure of herself when navigating this superficial and dangerous world. Life should be great when she sells her show but she is forced one small bite at a time to swallow her dignity as she tries to get her show made. Like most bad things in our lives, we don’t get there all at once but rather we make small seemingly insignificant compromises one after another. On a lesser person it would break their spirit, but our heroine Ruth decides enough is enough and fights back to reclaim her pride.
Now this is still Hollywood so a happy ending is definitely possible, but even so it stands a message to all of us. Stand up for what you believe in, it is the only chance you have at happiness....more
If you love police procedurals get on this series right now! The author is only three books in and they are absolutely fantastic.
I love a great myst If you love police procedurals get on this series right now! The author is only three books in and they are absolutely fantastic.
I love a great mystery, especially one that can educate me on a part of history I know nothing about beyond the basics. The hero of the books is English police detective Emmanuel Cooper, trying to balance the tensions of learning the truth to solve the case, and the racial policies of 1950’s apartheid South Africa. The white police captain has been found murdered in the small border town of Jacob’s Rest. Was it the black population, or smuggler’s from Mozambique, or the usual suspects of most crimes, greed and lust? In a community where power is king and racial tensions high, can Cooper navigate the all the factions and manage to stay afloat.
Nunn opens a world of restrictive laws and racist mindsets and presents a multi-layered crime equal to any in the genre. The atmosphere is almost the Wild West as he tries to get the truth while not risking upsetting the apple cart too much, because it would mean his death. And with each step closer to the truth what is revealed others would wish to remain hidden. They would pin it on some random undesirable than the perceived ugliness of what really happened be known; if only to protect the deceased and their own reputations.
An absorbing mystery from a tremendous series that anyone interested in the genre should not missed. And if you are looking for a great first step into the procedural novel I couldn’t recommend this series enough. As for me, this book also fulfills my three main goals when it comes to expanding my horizons (I analyzed my reading patterns a few years ago and found I read mainly American White Male authors). Malla Nunn and Emmanuel Cooper conquer all three of those problems while being fabulous too. A must read. ...more
Book Him Danno
>
Books:
2012
(177)
Loading...
