Hotel magnate Liam Noone is found dead at the bottom of a cliff on his California property. Liam’s son Sam reaches out to his estranged half-sister NoHotel magnate Liam Noone is found dead at the bottom of a cliff on his California property. Liam’s son Sam reaches out to his estranged half-sister Nora about his suspicions about their father’s death. Investigators deemed it an accident, but Sam is sure there was something more sinister at play. The more he and Nora involve themselves in their own investigation, the more they are convinced Liam was pushed.
With three failed marriages in his past, 3 adult children grieving him, and a resort empire bequeathed to his heirs, Liam was an enigma to those who should have known him best. He compartmentalized so many aspects of this life and as much as he loved his family and his business, he also kept the most important aspect of his life separate from everyone. I enjoyed the backstory of Liam’s “secret.” I did not particularly like how Nora’s story was told. Her narrative felt disjointed and I didn’t really feel a connection with her. In the end, it was less of a mystery and more of a family drama that played out without much cohesion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via a Goodreads giveaway. ...more
This is one of the plot twistiest books I have ever read and I devoured a majority of it in one sitting. A teenage girl is abducted in Kansas. A PhilaThis is one of the plot twistiest books I have ever read and I devoured a majority of it in one sitting. A teenage girl is abducted in Kansas. A Philadelphia mafia boss is having issues with his troubled son. What do those seemingly unrelated plots have in common? The way Finlay ties together the different narrative threads is expertly done.
The only witness to Ali’s abduction was her boyfriend Ryan, and it has haunted him for the past 5 years, so much so that he had to change his name to escape notoriety. When Ali’s car is discovered with two dead men inside, he has to confront the possibility that she might still be alive. I don’t want to give too much away because the second half of the book delivers shocks and surprises, one after another, and it was ever so fun. How it shifts from Kansas to Philadelphia, to Italy, England and France was clever, and overall it was an exciting thriller.
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Lia and her grandmother Minnie both find themselves living in Lia’s parents’ (Minnie’s son’s) house due to misfortune. Lia left her job abruptly and mLia and her grandmother Minnie both find themselves living in Lia’s parents’ (Minnie’s son’s) house due to misfortune. Lia left her job abruptly and may have derailed her career as an architect, while Minnie accidentally burned her house down. Thus, the two women are sharing a bedroom and they develop a bond when Minnie decides to dictate her life story to her granddaughter.
As a precocious youngster in Japan, Minnie defied conventions of femininity much to her mother’s chagrin. Left to her own devices, she discovered an abandoned manor where she could swim with the turtles and frolic without criticism. Minnie was a teenager when war broke out and in the midst in love. As her story progresses and Japan is defeated, we learn how Minnie ended up in Texas a decade later.
The book alternates between Lia’s first person narrative in 1999 and Minnie’s third person history. I loved Minnie’s gumption and straightforwardness. I could sympathize with Lia’s vulnerability. And I appreciated how the two women supported each other considering the hardships they endured. The historical aspects of Minnie’s life ultimately determined the family dynamic and therefore shaped who Lia would become. The way their stories came together was well done. ...more
The titular town is home to a quaint Maine community, part of which is the Granite Harbor Living History Settlement. The Settlement replicates and reeThe titular town is home to a quaint Maine community, part of which is the Granite Harbor Living History Settlement. The Settlement replicates and reenacts how 16th century settlers would have lived and worked based on an archeological site there. When a teenage boy’s body is discovered at The Settlement, brutally mutilated, it’s Detective Alex Brangwen’s job to find the killer.
The victim’s best friend also happens to be the son, Isabel, of one of the settlement actresses, and Alex and Isabel used to date. It’s difficult to avoid the myriad connections made in a small town. I really enjoyed how Nichols introduces us to various characters of Granite Harbor, teasing out how they may be culpable. Hallucinogenics, trippy toads, and even some telepathy aid Alex in his investigation. I especially liked his backstory: how a moderately successful British novelist ended up as a New England detective. His ex-wife was as unstable as you would have expected someone named Morgana to be. Overall, the character development was great, the mystery was dark and disturbing, and we got a fascinating glimpse of how a serial killer is made.
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This book is the biography of 5 iconic New York City buildings that were recently constructed, as well as the developers behind them. The buildings arThis book is the biography of 5 iconic New York City buildings that were recently constructed, as well as the developers behind them. The buildings are the pinnacle of ostentation, and their egos are almost as big as their builders. These super-tall luxury condo buildings would break records in the real estate market but would also be the source of many headaches. We learn about the men who develop the concepts, the design and construction process, sales and marketing, and the who’s who of real estate market. The financing aspects of the real estate deals were a bit beyond me, and I lost interest when petty squabbling during the economic downturn became a major part of the narrative. But the glimpses of ultra luxury were decadent and I feel like I learned some interesting things about New York City itself.
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Kelly has had a falling out with her fiancé during the pandemic, and they decide they need some time apart from one another. Luckily, Kelly recently rKelly has had a falling out with her fiancé during the pandemic, and they decide they need some time apart from one another. Luckily, Kelly recently reconnected with an old high school classmate online and Sabrina invites Kelly to crash in their spare room for as long as she needs. Sabrina is a steamy romance novelist and her husband Nathan has a mysterious Department of Defense job. Tucked away in their mansion in a gated community, Kelly immediately settles in to this idyllic lifestyle. But Sabrina and Nathan aren’t being completely honest with Kelly. As she starts falling for both of her hosts, Kelly realizes she was not the first woman they’ve seduced.
There were so many glaringly shady things about the whole situation and too many “WTF Kelly” bad decisions that I found her behavior somewhat frustrating. There were other oddities too, like she mentions her parents, but doesn’t have any communication with them. When she leaves Mike, she doesn’t bother divvying up their belongings, she just leaves everything behind without a second thought. Considering how much of her life was vested in her relationship with him, I would think there would be more complexities in their split. Yes, Kelly is flawed; her insecurities kept her in a long term relationship despite not being entirely happy. This lack of confidence also allows her to deny any suspicions she has about Sabrina and Nathan.
The plot twist at the end was decent, but I was not satisfied with how Kelly handled the dramatic revelation. Overall, the premise was intriguing, the love triangle was sufficiently steamy without being too graphic, and the resolution was dramatic.
I won a complimentary copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway....more
Truman Capote was a larger-than-life character, and he used his charm and talent to worm his way into the highest echelons of society. Having befriendTruman Capote was a larger-than-life character, and he used his charm and talent to worm his way into the highest echelons of society. Having befriended some of the wealthiest and most stylish women in the world, he was a willing beneficiary of their largesse and generosity. I was already familiar with the scenario from Melanie Benjamin’s fictionalized account, The Swans of Fifth Avenue, but this book was juicy for its factualness. It offered mini biographies of all of Capote’s swans and their husbands, including Babe Paley and Jackie O’s sister Lee Radziwill. The wealth of these people was staggering and Capote accompanied them on lavish vacations, dined at their sumptuously appointed tables, and visited them at their colossal estates.
But astutely observant Capote was hoarding away these experiences and the secrets of these women for what he deemed would be his literary magnum opus. Though he never did publish the book in full, a large excerpt of it appeared in Esquire in 1975. His thinly veiled characters were easily identified. The women he portrayed were some of his closest friends, and the way he insulted them was beyond embarrassing. “…he had abused their friendship and betrayed them in a display of appallingly bad manner.” Thus, Capote effectively ostracized himself from the world that had coddled him. It was a deliciously opulent book that was gossipy without being blatant and I very much enjoyed the peek into societies highest tiers.
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At the dawn of the Renaissance, there were an unprecedented number of women occupying the thrones of Europe. This book specifically looks at the two TAt the dawn of the Renaissance, there were an unprecedented number of women occupying the thrones of Europe. This book specifically looks at the two Tudor queens, their Stuart cousin, Catherine de Medici, and how the Hapsburgs fit into the mix. We see how, “…a quartet of Renaissance queens whose crowded lives were intertwined by complex blood and marriage ties, by changing allegiances and the fractures of religion, by their premier places in the world of a few dozen European monarchs, and by the great worlds that those neighboring monarchs ruled…”
It is how these women engaged with one another that is the central theme here, especially in the context of gifts they bequeathed. “The reciprocity of [gift] exchanges is fundamental to most social connections and so gift-giving is a signal ritual in demonstrating… loyalty.” By examining the underlying meaning of these gifts, we can see where their affections lie. Historically, rivalry often trumps support and cooperation, but regardless of how the history books portray these sovereigns’ attitudes towards one another, they still demonstrated thoughtful generosity. I was especially intrigued by the significance of tapestries as inalienable possessions.
There were some redundancies in the narrative, and I thought perhaps that Catherine de Medici’s section should have been presented first. It started with Mary Tudor, then Elizabeth I, followed by Mary of Scots, and then her former mother-in-law, Catherine. Despite that, I got a good sense of how each sovereign ruled, what her priorities were, and how she felt about her sister queens.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the GoodReads First Reads program. ...more
I was very much interested in the story of this tragedy and how a ship with modern radar and technology could have been the victim of a collision. It I was very much interested in the story of this tragedy and how a ship with modern radar and technology could have been the victim of a collision. It was an good portrayal of the hows and whys, but my problem was the whos. We are introduced to individuals on the beginning of the journey, but there were too many narratives to really keep straight, let alone have sympathy for. By the time of the crash and the aftermath, I found it hard to recall the background of a particular person or family, though there were a few that stood out, especially among those who didn’t survive.
Yes, the accident was preventable (looking at you, ramming ship Stockholm) and the circumstances tragic, but the overall the story didn’t captivate me as much as I’d hoped. There were a few interesting anecdotes and details that were intriguing, but overall, the fate of the Andrea Doria and her passengers could have been written in a more exciting, compelling way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via a GoodReads Giveaway....more
The moon landing occurred a decade before I was born, so I appreciated learning all the details of the mission and everything involving the American sThe moon landing occurred a decade before I was born, so I appreciated learning all the details of the mission and everything involving the American space program that preceded it in this comprehensive book. From the beginning of the Space Race, the ultimate objective was to beat the Russians in space “firsts.” Initially, the Russians dominated, and they were quick to flaunt their successes, but would keep their failures secret from the world for years. The determination and ingenuity of NASA and the brilliant minds involved allowed the USA to surpass its Cold War adversary.
The Mercury and Gemini programs were stepping stones for Apollo, and they were significant in their own ways. I had to share one of the funniest anecdotes from one Gemini mission in particular: “Gemini 7 dropped into the Pacific… its two occupants weary, sore, and extremely fragrant – but healthy. Two of the three frogmen who attached the floatation collar to the command module after splashdown vomited when the hatch opened and they got a direct blast of fourteen-day-old air and the men who had lived in it.”
I was constantly jotting down fascinating tidbits. I didn’t know Gemini was named after the constellation and the two stars comprising it (Castor and Pollux) because it would have a two-man crew. Mission control shifts were designated a color by its flight director (Gene Kranz as white) and that color would be retired when that flight director left. The “complexity” regarding “orbital mechanics and rendezvous maneuvers” was mind boggling. And I think I have a retro-crush on Mike Collins – he appreciates, wine, literature, and gardening, his favorite cocktail is a martini, and he has “a self-deprecating wit.”
Even though I obviously knew Apollo 11 would be successful, reading about it was still suspenseful. Nowadays, we may take for granted all the risks involved, and these guys faced the unknown every time they left the earth’s surface. The entire episode regarding Apollo 1’s fatal fire and the chapters dealing with it were devastating, and those men were still on terra firma.
This was a riveting and informative book that detailed all the specifics of the space program without being too technical. Considering how many genius minds were involved in achieving one of mankind’s greatest achievements, I would say this book was incredibly successful in in its accessibility, scope, and ability to evoke awe-inspiring wonder.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Goodreads First Reads. ...more
There was so much to love about this book including the evocative prose and the exquisite storytelling. Morton demonstrates exceptional skill at tyingThere was so much to love about this book including the evocative prose and the exquisite storytelling. Morton demonstrates exceptional skill at tying together plots that span 150 years and connect a myriad of characters throughout the generations. All of these characters are united by a country house called Birchwood Manor that was purchased by the eccentric artist, Edward Radcliffe in the 1860’s. But during that same summer, tragedy would strike and the consequences of that fateful day would reverberate throughout the next 15 decades.
The present day narratives include Elodie, a London Archivist who discovers a photograph of an unidentified 19th century woman along with Radcliffe’s journal, and Jack, a detective hired to find the lost Radcliffe Blue, a rare and valuable diamond necklace. Going back through time, we also encounter Juliet and her children, London refugees from the Blitz staying at Birchwood manor (she’s also great-grandmother to Elodie), Leonard, Radcliffe’s biographer between world wars, and Ada, a student at the girls school established by Radcliffe’s sister Lucy at the turn of the century. A spectral narrator known as Bridie offers a first person account of all that she has witnessed since the summer of 1862. I was utterly enamored with the way everything came full circle and the various plot-lines contributed to one another through the characters and the house. Really, this was an intricate and beautiful book that transported me to all of the different eras throughout Birchwood Manor’s tragic history.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
In 1974, Leni Allbright and her parents embark on a great adventure, relocating to Alaska to escape what her father considers a doomed America. A VietIn 1974, Leni Allbright and her parents embark on a great adventure, relocating to Alaska to escape what her father considers a doomed America. A Viet Nam vet, Leni’s dad struggles to reenter society and suffers from what we now know is PTSD. Living off the grid promises recovery, but the Allbrights are unprepared for Alaska’s harsh conditions, and it brings out the worst in their patriarch. The book follows them through the decade as they attempt to survive in such an unforgiving landscape.
I rarely use clichéd words like unputdownable, but I was absolutely engrossed in Leni’s story. I was frustrated with her mother’s resignation, furious with her dad’s violence, and enamored with the wondrous setting. I grew to love all of the peripheral characters who banded together as a community. As Leni grows up, she falls in love and risks everything to defy her father. The outcome was explosive and I devoured the final quarter of the book in one sitting. Hannah delivers a phenomenal, emotional story set against a breathtaking backdrop and I adored every minute of it.
I received a copy of this book via the Goodreads First Reads program. ...more
I always love when an author uses the device of a book within a book to tell a story. Here, the fictional author Linda is using the book she wrote to I always love when an author uses the device of a book within a book to tell a story. Here, the fictional author Linda is using the book she wrote to entrap her sister’s murderer. But Linda is quite possibly the most unreliable narrator ever. Her sanity is constantly in question with her paranoia, obsessiveness, and intense, debilitating panic attacks. And the fact that Linda hasn’t left her house in 11 years does not make her entirely credible (more like cuckoo bananas).
Back to the book within the book. When Linda sees who she thinks is her sister’s murderer on television, she devises an elaborate trap to lure him to her home to be interviewed about her latest book. She writes this book specifically for this purpose, deviating from her typical genre and ticking off her publisher. But supposed murderer is a journalist, and she’s hoping that by granting a rare interview to him, she can get him to confess. Then it all just snowballs from there in a crazy spectacle of questionable sanity and Linda’s self-doubt. It was ever so much fun witnessing her unravel, then pull herself together, only to freak out all over again. Was Linda a little annoying? Yes. Otherwise, it was a compelling psychological mind-bender.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the GoodReads FirstReads program. ...more
Dr. Di Maio offers a unique glimpse into a dying profession: forensic pathologist. He discusses his career and some of the high-profile cases he has wDr. Di Maio offers a unique glimpse into a dying profession: forensic pathologist. He discusses his career and some of the high-profile cases he has worked on. From testifying in the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman trial, to exhuming Lee Harvey Oswald, he’s been involved in some of the most controversial forensic mysteries of our time. Since he is a specialist in gunshot wounds, he is called upon to consult in many unusual cases, including the murder trial of Phil Spector and even the historical case of Vincent van Gogh. The saddest and most chilling accounts concerned serial baby murderers. But because of his professionalism and the nature of his work, Di Maio maintains a cool indifference, not because he doesn’t care, but because he understands that a dead body is just a husk. And while his purpose is to determine cause of death, his ultimate goal is the pursuit of truth and the deliverance of justice to a victim. I found this to be a highly-engrossing and fascinating read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Goodreads First Reads program. ...more
Chevy Stevens has done it again, producing a highly intense thriller. The Campbell sisters live in constant fear of their abusive and alcoholic fatherChevy Stevens has done it again, producing a highly intense thriller. The Campbell sisters live in constant fear of their abusive and alcoholic father, until one night an explosive fight forces them to flee their home. Just when their circumstances couldn’t get worse, they stumble upon imaginable horrors. 17 years later, the three women are trying to lead normal lives and forget the nightmares they endured. When their past catches up with them, they must return to the small town that hosted their trauma. The story is gritty, violent, and terrifying. The ordeal these women survived is not easy to read, but Stevens doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of immense cruelty. I’ve enjoyed all of Stevens’ prior books and this is another fast-paced page-turner that her fans will love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the GoodReads FirstReads program. ...more
I was initially intrigued by a fictionalized account of Virginia Woolf’s life as told by her sister Vanessa. When I realized it was an epistolary noveI was initially intrigued by a fictionalized account of Virginia Woolf’s life as told by her sister Vanessa. When I realized it was an epistolary novel, I was even more excited. Too bad there just wasn’t enough substance to make it captivating. Yes, we get a glimpse of the famed Bloomsbury Group, but the entire book takes place before Virginia is a novelist or even a Woolf. She is an unmarried literary critic who is so jealous of her sister, she will do anything to sabotage her happiness. While it does demonstrate her volatile character, I don’t really like to read about people who are so utterly selfish and constantly brooding. Her brushes with madness could have been explored more, but from Vanessa’s perspective, Virginia’s episodes are an inconvenience.
As for the cast of eccentric characters that orbit the sisters, while they are an interesting bunch, these people do horrid things to their friends. They can be spiteful and carry on with flirtations and affairs without regard to anyone else’s feelings. While they consider themselves progressive and modern, seeking to challenge social convention, they are a pretentious lot. As much as I enjoyed the epistolary device, I didn’t think the characters warranted much esteem.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Goodreads First Reads program. ...more
The world-renown Hotel Ritz in Paris was the center of European culture since its doors opened at the end of the 19th century, and that didn’t change The world-renown Hotel Ritz in Paris was the center of European culture since its doors opened at the end of the 19th century, and that didn’t change during Nazi occupation. But it was a different kind of cultural impact that it would have on the city during WWII. Instead of housing authors, celebrities, and artists, it sheltered Nazis, collaborators, spies, and other shady characters.
Mazzeo first offers a brief history of the hotel and its most famous patrons. Then the Nazi’s claim the hotel and high-ranking officials like Goring make themselves right at home in the luxurious suites. Chapter One opens with the most profound and heartbreaking image of “A Frenchman weep[ing], watching Nazi troops occupy Paris.” My only complaint was that some of the anecdotes seemed a bit disjointed at times and I didn’t feel like Mazzeo wrote with authority.
What I found most intriguing was the shift in dynamic upon the liberation of Paris by the Allies. Hemingway sought to liberate the Ritz itself and turned the hotel into his own party venue. Coco Chanel haunted her rooms there hoping to evade arrest for her suspicious activities with her German lover. Marlene Dietrich graced the Ritz with her presence while entertaining troops in the European theater. This incredible hotel hosted larger-than-life personalities and I enjoyed how it was showcased as a staging area for history to unfold. But the glitz and glamour that made it an iconic venue in the first half of the 20th century was not to last and its evolution in the decades to come is presented in the context of reshaping Europe in the modern era.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Goodreads First Reads program. ...more
As a piece of historical fiction, this was a decent, fast-paced read that recounted Josephine Bonaparte’s life and how she became the most powerful woAs a piece of historical fiction, this was a decent, fast-paced read that recounted Josephine Bonaparte’s life and how she became the most powerful woman in France. Originally known as Rose, I appreciated her struggles, especially during the Revolution. But as a character, she’s not entirely sympathetic. She often puts herself into debt just so she can acquire pretty dresses and attend fancy parties. She was also kind of a tramp, but she makes it seem like everyone in France was whoring it up after the Revolution. When she finally meets Napoleon, she just sort of goes with the flow and agrees to marry him more for security than for love. She never defends herself against her husband’s vile family and she gets jealous when Napoleon takes mistresses even though she’s no faithful saint herself. I encountered a few other inconsistencies in the story, but it was an easy read and captured the essence of Josephine’s character. She was in a rare position to witness history unfolding in an unstable France and through her own strength she survived some tumultuous times.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Goodreads First Reads program. ...more
A concept like time travel can be difficult to manage in a cohesive narration, but Greer succeeds in making this a readable, coherent story. The devisA concept like time travel can be difficult to manage in a cohesive narration, but Greer succeeds in making this a readable, coherent story. The devise that allows Greta to travel from 1985 to 1918 and 1941 is electroshock therapy. In these other worlds, war is a looming presence, her ex-lover is her husband, and her twin brother is alive. There are other significant differences, but each of these separate timelines allows her to explore the fundamentals of the relationships that have evolved in distinct eras and under different circumstances.
I was much more engaged with the first half of the book, when Greta is exploring these new worlds, a modern woman mystified by the novelty of her situation. I thought the concept lost momentum in the second half. When the Gretas start interfering in their counterpart's eras, it was like she was doing herself a disservice. For when 1985 Greta is in 1918, 1918 Greta is in 1941, and 1941 Greta is in 1985. It never gets confusing, but I was frustrated with 1941 Greta trying to mend ties with her 1985 ex, and her 1985 self trying to make her 1918 brother accept his homosexuality. Those are just two examples of the cross-decade meddling. Still, the story is solid, and Greer is adept at creating a believable model for Greta's unusual universe.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Goodreads First Reads program. ...more
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