Maisie Dobbs is the first book in Jacqueline Winspear’s successful Maisie Dobbs mystery series. The series, which recently added book number 15, features a British female sleuth who solves mysteries in the 1920s/1930s. Although this first book had a few rough spots, it was interesting enough to make me want to read the next book in the series to see how things progress. Continue reading
Category Archives: Fiction
Book Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The Silent Patient, currently flying high on the bestseller lists, is a psychological thriller that lives up to its hype. A clever, twisty plot and creepy psych ward atmosphere will certainly appeal to fans of this genre. Continue reading
Book Review: The Martian by Andy Weir
The Martian is a hugely entertaining novel about an astronaut who is stranded on Mars and has to rely mostly on his own ingenuity to survive and eventually get rescued. It’s funny and hopeful and packed with technical whiz bangery that would put MacGyver to shame. Continue reading
Book Review: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
The book in the title is a centuries old Jewish prayer book that has survived the Inquisition, Nazi occupation and a ton of conflict in between. Now it’s threatened again. Smart and creative, People of the Book is a very satisfying read. Continue reading
Book Review: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Pachinko follows four generations of a Korean family as they fight poverty and prejudice in Japan. Although there were some good qualities, this National Book Award finalist just didn’t work for me. Continue reading
Book Review: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
At a very simplistic level, Lonesome Dove is the story of four former, ageing Texas Rangers who undergo a cattle drive from southern Texas to unsettled Montana in the latter half of the 1800s.
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Book Review: Faithful Place by Tana French
Faithful Place is the third installment in Tana French’s highly popular Dublin Murder Squad series. Rich atmosphere, complex characters, and great writing make this a very satisfying mystery. I read it is part of the 12 Months of Reading Goodness challenge. (March’s challenge was to read a book by an Irish author.) Continue reading
Book Review: Bring Me Back by B. A. Paris
Bring Me Back is a suspense novel that just doesn’t quite work. Despite some moments of decent suspense, the ending reveals a premise that makes little sense. I just couldn’t buy what the author is selling with this one. Continue reading
Book Review: The Demon Crown by James Rollins
The Demon Crown is the 13th book in James Rollins’ Sigma Force Series. It has all the elements I look for in a James Rollins novel – nonstop action, science-based threats, characters who are both smart and badass and who always save the world from a horrible fate, great locations, and a dash of romance and the supernatural. All of these qualities hit my sweet spot when I’m in the mood for an action thriller and make for an enjoyable read. Continue reading
Book Review: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
This charming little book (more of a novella, really) was published in 2006 and caught my eye because the writer recently wrote a sequel. The Five People You Meet in Heaven tells the story of Eddie, an 83-year-old amusement park worker, and his experience in heaven after he is killed in a freak accident. Continue reading
Book Thoughts from Bed 