First Line from Prologue: Île de la Cité, Paris 2019. The fire peels Notre Dame like an illuminated manuscript soaked in water, its layers separating, releasing their secrets.
Skylark is a dual-timeline story about underground Paris. The timelines take place in 1664 and 1939, and concern the daughter of a master dyer at the Gobelin Tapestry Works who tries to save her father when he is unjustly accused of a crime, and a psychiatrist faced with the Nazi persecution of Jews.
The prologue concerning the burning of Notre Dame led me to expect more from the present day; however, it was used just to show readers how certain events can uncover stories and secrets.
Seventeenth-century dye-making techniques and the three hundred plus kilometers of tunnels and catacombs under Paris made for some very interesting reading, but the story ultimately never engaged me as much as I thought it might.
eISBN: 9781668028179
Atria Books © 2026
eBook, 464 pages
Historical Fiction, Standalone
Rating: B
Source: Net Galley
First Lines: I never meant to see what was in his drawer. I was never a mother who snooped.
In this thriller, two teenage girls have been found dead in a wealthy Chicago suburb, and high school counselor Abby Rosso begins to suspect that her son might be their killer.
Occasionally, I forget that I have to be careful with the psychological thrillers that I choose to read. In the case of What Boys Learn, I found whodunit to be much too easy to deduce and the neurotic Abby Rosso extremely annoying. The pace of the book was very slow, and more editing would not only have sped the story along but also not given me the time to realize how little I cared for any of the characters.
eISBN: 9781641296922
Soho Press © 2026
eBook, 464 pages
Standalone Psychological Thriller
Rating: D
Source: Net Galley
First Line from Prologue: Cambridge, 1935. The banks of the River Cam were a bustle of activity on the first day of the Lent Bumps.
When Iris Sparks' friend from her Cambridge days is suspected of being a Soviet operative, British Intelligence coerces her to find out the truth. First, she and business partner/friend Gwen Bainbridge must find a way for the suspect to hire their marriage service.
I have enjoyed this series from the very first book, and having the opportunity to see the irrepressible Iris Sparks in her university days was a treat. Fire Must Burn also gives readers a chance to watch a spy-in-training while navigating the murky dealings of the intelligence service.
While reading this eighth book in the series, I suddenly realized that one of the reasons I like it so much is the repartee between Sparks and Bainbridge, and that repartee is reminiscent of T. E. Kinsey's Lady Hardcastle series, another favorite of mine.
Bring on the next adventure for Iris and Gwen! These books are definitely "more-ish."
eISBN: 9781448315949
Severn House © 2026
eBook, 256 pages
Historical Mystery, #8 Sparks & Bainbridge
Rating: A
Source: Net Galley
I'm sorry to hear that What Boys Learn didn't engage you more than it did, Cathy. It's so important that the author create characters that interest the reader; I've sent books to the DNF file for violation of that rule. But I'm glad you liked the Montclair; I've had that series on my wish list since I first read about it here.
ReplyDelete"Fire Must Burn" definitely sounds interesting. I have that series on my list of "want to reads." Maybe I'll actually get to it this year.
ReplyDeleteI had just found out about the new Montclair! So glad it's as good as the others in the series - something for me to look forward to. And I was highly amused by your review of What Boys Learn :)
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