Here I go again, trying catch up on reviews of the books I've read. I am determined to get current, although this post isn't going to be the one to do it.
These are shorter reviews, mainly just my thoughts. If you'd like a synopsis or more information about a book, just click on the link in the book title to be taken to Amazon US.
It's time to get this show on the road!
Historical Fiction, 365 pages
eBook purchased from Amazon
Rating: A+
My Thoughts: I loved this dual timeline novel about the Lyons family. The 1913 timeline features the Lyons family, living in an apartment in the New York Public Library since Mr. Lyons is superintendent there. His wife, Laura, wants to be more than the traditional wife and mother, and while this creates tension, even more appears when valuable books are stolen from the library.
In 1993, Sadie Donovan is curator at the New York Public Library and the granddaughter of Laura Lyons, the famous essayist. Rare books, notes, and manuscripts for the exhibit she's running begin disappearing, causing her to team up with a private security expert. The investigation soon becomes personal.
The inner workings of the library, the characters of Laura and Sadie, the mystery of the disappearing books and manuscripts, the dual timelines all combined to create a read that kept a stranglehold on my attention. A Best Read of 2025.
Science Fiction, 335 pages
eBook purchased from Amazon
Rating: A
My Thoughts: I absolutely loved Weir's previous novels, The Martian and Project Hail Mary, so I had to pick up this book about Earth's first and only lunar colony. We learn all about the ins and outs of the colony through the eyes of young Jazz Bashara, who's not above trying to commit the perfect crime in order to improve the quality of her life.
I liked the local cop's solution to a domestic violence case, and his use of a spray bottle made me laugh. I also enjoyed Jazz's voice. She drew me right into the story and kept me there.
I do love the way Andy Weir's mind works, but he is a passionate technophile, and sometimes his descriptions of how things work in space can be a bit much. Fortunately, those parts are easy to skim through. I am definitely looking forward to what that mind of his cooks up next.
Carved in Blood by Michael Bennett
#3 Hana Westerman police procedural, 306 pages
eBook purchased from Amazon
Rating: A
My Thoughts: I continue to enjoy this series set in New Zealand. I'm learning a lot about the Maori culture through the strong plots and even stronger character of Hana Westerman.
In this third book, Hana has been working with her father to help young locals to earn their driver's licenses-- those licenses being passports to their futures. When Hana's ex-husband is murdered, she's brought in to solve the case.
This is an excellent series that I hope goes on for a good long time.
#18 Bruno Chief of Police, 305 pages
Digital galley from Net Galley
Rating: B
My Thoughts: It's always a pleasure to visit with Bruno, the police chief of the small French town of St. Denis. (I always read these books with a French accent!) As Bruno works to solve the murder of a successful businesswoman, readers are treated to good food and good friends. And sparks fly between Bruno and Jilly, a woman who happens to have a basset hound just like he does.
Will Bruno, who never has good luck in the romance department, finally find love? I'm looking forward to finding out.
There you go-- four more reviews that get me a bit closer to catching up. Have you read any of these? Which ones? What did you think? Of course, inquiring minds want to know!
I like the Michael Bennett series, too, Cathy, and I'm glad this one lived up to the promise of the others. And you can't go far wrong with a solid Martin Walker book. I do like my 'visits' to St. Denis. I'd like to read The Lions of Fifth Avenue. It's got books, rare objects, and the NYPL. What's not to like? All in all, it looks as though you've had some solid reading, and I'm glad for that.
ReplyDeleteI, roo, like Michael Bennett's series and love the Hana Westerman character and her family. There definitely will be a book four as this book ends in a cliff-hanger. It won't be available too soon for me. The Lions of Fifth Avenue looks interesting. I haven't gotten into science fiction, although your description of Artemis tempts me to try it, but the technological information would sly right by me.
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