John Glatt is one of my favorite authors in my guilty secret genre of true crime. His book The Perfect Father (the horrifying story of Chris Watts, who murdered his wife and two little girls), published in 2020, got five stars from me and Golden Boy (the story of member of the Manhattan elite Tommy …
Harlan Coben’s book The Boy From the Woods introduced readers to Wilde, who was basically a feral child living on his own in the woods when he was “found” as a young child. Other characters included Hester Crimstein, her daughter-in-law Laila (Wilde’s on-and-off lover) and Laila’s son Matthew, whose father David was Wilde’s best friend …
Austin Rogers, a former contestant on Jeopardy, has compiled a ginormous mass of facts, organized them into themed rounds, sorted by difficulty. The focus is on pop culture and history from the 1980s to the present. Also included are geography, sports, music, flags – something for almost everyone! Great choice for trivia buffs or anyone …
Megan Rapinoe became REALLY famous as a soccer player. She then found herself the focus of tons of opinions, pro and con, when she stood up for Colin Kaepernick. They have a lot in common, being true social justice warriors. In One Life, Megan tells her story from childhood to the present day. There is …
Good Rich People by Eliza Jane Brazier is a highly anticipated book, and it sounded like it was just my type of thing: a woman in danger, in a psychological thriller, the kind of book that you just CANNOT. PUT. DOWN. You know, pandemic escapism at its best. The story revolves around a couple, Lyla …
Noah Hawley’s book Before The Fall was a favorite of mine back in 2016, so I was pleased to receive a copy of his new book, Anthem, from Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. And wow, lots of hype around this one: “The first big novel of 2022” and an …
Lee Cole is an author who was born and grew up in rural Kentucky, and his novel Groundskeeping features an aspiring author named Owen Callahan who was born and grew up in Kentucky…hmm. I would not be surprised to learn that a boatload of the thoughts and feelings in the novel are drawn directly from …
If you enjoy stories with unreliable narrators, possibly unstable women, annoying characters in general, and a nice dose of gaslighting, here’s a book for you! Or possibly you just want something twisty and turny to get your mind off the death of democracy and a worldwide pandemic for a day or two, well, buckle up! …
In 1993, I read a book by Philip Margolin, recommended by my sister, and since then have enjoyed nearly all of his 20+ books. Legal thrillers are among my favorite genres, and he is often referred to as “the master of the courtroom thriller,” so I was pleased to receive a copy of The Darkest …
I’m a podcast fan…also a big fan of Keith Morrison. So I listened to the podcast a couple of years ago, and then read it was being made into a movie (starring Renee Zellwegger). And THEN I got a copy of the book Bone Deep (thanks to Kensington Books Citadel / NetGalley) in exchange for …
Publication Date March 3, 2022 I’m married to a voracious reader…when I used to lose him in the multi-story used bookstore in our town, I could always find him in either military history or historical fiction. He reads EVERYTHING he can find about medieval history, both fiction and non. And I have TRIED to appreciate …
First off, let’s get clear on one thing: I feel like I need a shower, or something, after reading Ken Auletta’s book about Harvey Weinstein. Interestingly titled Hollywood Ending, I received a copy of it from Penguin Group/Penguin Press and NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. Mr. Auletta wrote an article for New Yorker …
Author Karen Cleveland has a solid background for writing thrillers that revolve around intelligence agencies and personnel: she was a Fulbright Scholar, earned a master’s degree from Trinity College in Dublin and Harvard, and was a CIA analyst for eight years, focused on counterterrorism – and she also worked with the FBI. So, bottom line: …
Publication Date November, 2021 Karen McManus has exceptional talent when it comes to writing books about high school students and their various escapades, as shown in her previous books including One Of Us Is Lying, One Of Us Is Next, and Two Can Keep A Secret. Yes, these are probably marketed as YA books, but …
Author Karen Winn has a doctoral degree in nursing and an MFA from Fairleigh Dickinson, and she can definitely WRITE. Her first book (hard to believe) is Our Little World, and it grabs the reader instantly and is memorable on so many different levels. Set in 1985, it follows the lives of Bee (full name …
I have loved Chris Pavone ever since I read The Expats, and was beyond happy to receive a copy of his latest, Two Nights in Lisbon, from FS&G and NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. And I cannot WAIT for this one to be published so I talk to someone about it and can …
Sharpe’s Assassin is the twenty-first historical novel in the Richard Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell prisoner ll. It is set in June 1815, immediately after the Battle of Waterloo, and during the occupation of Paris. Now a Lieutenant Colonel, Sharpe needs to free an English spy being held prisoner, then get him to Paris. The …
David Baldacci’s series featuring FBI agent Atlee Pine began in 2018, with Long Road to Mercy. Subsequent titles included A Minute to Midnight and Daylight, continuing the story of Atlee’s search for her twin sister Mercy. I was pleased to receive a copy of Mercy, #4 in the series, from Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley …
Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste is an important book, popular among book clubs (HOORAY!) and this guide will definitely enhance any discussions of this timely subject. I appreciate having the opportunity to receive this prior to my. February Book Club meeting!
John Feinstein has been a sportswriter for many years–long enough to know both the players and the coaches and the owners. Plus, he is a true sports fan and doesn’t seem to be a lunatic like many with strong opinions about sports. And I am old enough to remember the iconic raised fist salute at …