When Vera Wong finds a dead body in her tea house, she is shocked at the sight...and inspired to try her hand at detective work. Swiping evidence from the body, she identifies her suspects, holding them close and becoming like family--unrelentingly bossy, yet protective and doting. A humorous and endearing story of a parent who means well and the deeper-than-blood bonds of found family. Highly recommend.
This short novel squeezed my heart. Rich, layered characters and a strong sense of place make this story equally lovely and poignant.
The perfect book for lovers of tennis and those who enjoy the art of competition. This novel dives into the mental mindset of winning at all costs and reckons with the fact that winning isn't always everything. Or is it?
Strongly recommend.
With an endearing ensemble cast, this novel is a delightful escape into the lives of people who love books--even though their bookish lives often push them to the brink. A most enjoyable read.
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When pragmatic and--let's face it--desperate Kitty Talbot heads off to the London season determined to find a husband and save herself and her four sisters from financial ruin, she runs into the most eligible--and arrogant--bachelor the season has to offer. Sharp-witted and entertaining, this Regency-era novel had me smiling start to finish.
I so enjoyed this spin on Hitchcock's "Rear Window," with its twists and turns and bourbon and binoculars! Sager kept me guessing until the edgy ending. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a twisty thriller!
I enjoyed the island hotel setting and light paranormal aspect of this novel. A fun summer read!
This historical novel about a disturbing chapter in America's history--the institutionalization of "feeble-minded" women--kept me engaged from page one. Definitely recommend.
This novel presents a sensitive examination of the various ways people cope with the death of a loved one. It dives into the evolution of grief through the eyes of Sally, the victim's younger sister, who always held a special place in her heart for the boyfriend blamed for her sister's tragic death. A sad yet hopeful story of heartbreak, forgiveness, love, and resiliency.
This mid-20th century historical novel tells the story of Maddie Sykes, a talented young seamstress whose new-found admiration and befriending of the fashionable tobacco wives is challenged by a disturbing discovery. Her ethical dilemma--to tell or not to tell--may put her dear aunt, whose livelihood depends on the tobacco wives, in jeopardy. You can hear the taffeta swoosh and smell the curling smoke in this compelling debut sure to generate discussion at book club.
An intriguing dive into the individuality of each person's moral compass juxtaposed with the often conventional expectations of society. Equal parts edgy and passionate, this novel is sure to generate lively discussion at book club!
Sex in the City meets Fatal Attraction. An enjoyable read with a conclusion that's bound to generate plenty of lively conversation at book club.
Chloe Davis has never completely shaken the dark murkiness of her child memories: a man carrying a shovel, six missing girls, her father in prison for their murders. But twenty years later, miles from her childhood home, Chloe has earned her Ph.D. and is a psychologist with a private practice. She has her own home. She's engaged. She's moved on. But then the cycle begins again as teenage girls start disappearing in an eerily similar manner to those crimes committed by her father. Is it a copycat? Is it coincidence? Is it her fault? This nuanced suspense kept my nose buried in its pages long after I should have gone to sleep. A riveting debut! I can't wait to see what Stacy Wellingham comes up with next!
A rhythmic dance of words meshes seamlessly with powerful illustrations to impart a timely reflection on endurance and hope.
Enjoyable interpretation of Sleeping Beauty with a modern-day twist and sensibility. A worthwhile escape for fans of fantasy and fairy tales!
Richly-textured novel revealing how all the seemingly small moments, interactions, and experiences in our lives inform the people we become and the values by which we live. Phenomenal storytelling!
Gorgeously-written novel about the challenges of parenting a child with social-emotional challenges, the struggle of moving forward in the face of loss, and the urgency of protecting and respecting the resources and ecosystems of our planet. Equally beautiful and gut-wrenching, BEWILDERMENT challenges the reader to consider the depths of human impact not only on each other but also on the world--and universe--around us. Highly recommend.
Part ghost story, part family drama, this coming-of-age MG novel focuses on Essie O'Neill, a girl who keeps a detailed list of all her fears. When her widowed mother marries a doctor who works on an island for severely ill quarantined patients, Essie has even more to fear, especially when her nightmares involving a red door become increasingly real with each night. Her mistrust of her new stepfather and her fear of the lsland leads her on a quest to convince her mother to get them off the island before it's too late. Eerily timely with regards to the recent pandemic, this story reveals that even the most deeply-rooted fears can be eased with a bit of listening, awareness, and trust. Recommend for readers who enjoy darker stories with spooky elements.
A brilliant, richly-layered novel about family, racial and social dynamics, and the weight of one's choices. There are many moving pieces in Ray Carney's story, and Whitehead brings them together flawlessly. Highly recommend!
The daily grind of this ensemble cast of characters intersects and intertwines in intriguing ways, informing the navigation of their lives in ways they never expected. Check out this backlist title for a fun, witty read!
The Thursday Murder Club of the Coopers Chase Retirement Community enjoys speculating on theories to cold murder cases, until a current murder, and then a second, fall right into their laps. And they're off and running, inserting themselves and their unconventional methods into the investigation by aligning themselves with a novice police officer and her reluctant boss. Funny, clever & twisty, this quick-paced, delightful read comes with endearing characters and a reminder that the elderly still have plenty of spark and the right to a good bit of adventure.
I enjoyed the island hotel setting and light paranormal aspect of this novel. A fun summer read!
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Thoughtful exploration into the experience of watching a loved one succumb to illness and the self-discovery that unfolds throughout that emotional journey. A strong novel with textured characters and evocative writing.
At times Maiklem's finds are enchanting; at other times revolting. But in all cases, this book provides a fascinating peek into London's history as revealed through the treasures discovered along the Thames RIver's muddy shores.
Bittersweet story tenderly delivered and with nuanced characters. The seven multiple points of view were distinctive, in-depth, and engaging. The setting, Atlantic City in the summer of 1934, sizzled with energy--I could practically hear the waves crashing and smell the salt air! The darkness encroching on those of the Jewish faith during this time period is delicately and honestly depicted. The story opens with tragedy but ends with a stong sense of hope and the enduring devotion of family. Beautifully written! A stunning debut by Rachel Beanland!
Ghosts and libraries? Sign me up! Teenaged Ropa can speak with the dead, and she relays their messages back to the living for a fee. Ropa doesn't have the time or financial security for charity. But when one ghost begs her to find her young son who has disappeared, Ropa reluctantly agrees and finds herself plunged into an even darker world than the post-catastrophic one in which she lives. This atmospheric urban fantasy roams through Edinburgh and other dimensions, taking the reader on an edgy paranormal ride.
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A good unreliable narrator -- I mean photographer -- is hard to find, right? In this novel, you'll find both. The pacing and execution of this psychological suspense novel are spot on. A deftly-written debut of jealosy, fixation, and reinvention that will kep you wondering long after you've read the final chapter.
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When his dear sister-in-law dies and his brother checks himself into rehab, Patrick is charged with caring for his niece and nephew for the summer. Patrick--nicknamed GUP (for Gay Uncle Patrick)--reluctantly takes on the responsibility, but doing so forces him to confront several elephants in the room, including his unexplained departure from a successful acting career and his inability to move on in any relationships even years after the loss of his love, Joe. Delightful and sweet, this novel reminds us that when helping others deal with heartbreaking loss, we often are forced to confront--and finally deal with--our own pain. Equal parts funny and touching, THE GUNCLE is well worth the read.
Funny and irreverent, this mystery kept me turning the page and chuckling all the way to the end.
This compelling read pulled me in at page one and held me captive to the end. A well-paced, intriguing mystery with characters you'll care about. Definitely recommend.
Fun satisfying rom-com with engaging characters and lively dialog. An enjoyable read!
It's the summer of 1962, and Heddy, a poor girl from Brooklyn, has just found out she lost her scholarship for her senior year at Wellesley. While working as a summer nanny for a wealthy family on Martha's Vineyard, she hopes to find a solution that will allow her to finish school. Along the way she learns having money doesn't ensure happiness and appearances don't always match up with reality (no surprise on either point, but Heddy has much to learn about such things). Definitely a page turner in that I cared about Heddy and was curious to see how she'd work out her situation. An interesting cast of characters, a growing friendship, a love triangle, social class conflicts, and a financial shell game add to the appeal and intrigue. This engaging story had a main character I genuinely cared about, plot twists that upped the tension, and a summer island setting that becomes an appealing character in the story.
A suspensful YA with vivid imagery and a perfect depiction of determined spirit in the main character, Hwani, who travels to the island of Jeju, her birthplace, to solve the disappearance of her father. This descriptive historical fiction set in 1426 Korea caught me up in the delicate and raw relationship between Hwani and her sister. Hwani discovers as much about herself as she does about her father's disappearance, which adds to the rich complexity of the story. Beautifully written.
I enjoyed ALL ADULTS HERE especially for it's unique premise: Astrid, a widowed older parent of three grown children, closely examines how she actually did as a parent (and wants to fix what she may have done wrong). After witnessing the horrific death of an acquaintance, Astrid begins an emotional journey of self-examination and comes to the realization that life is short and she's tired of hiding who she really is. (She also learns to let loose a little!) I found it an interesting perspective to see a mature woman taking control of her own life, following her heart in a way that may surprise her children (she's in love with a woman) and discovering who she really is in her heart. An interesting novel about the impact our words and actions have on others and on being true to yourself.
Fun, engaging read with a dynamic, relatable main character and an unexpected mystery. Delves into the complexities of friendships, the struggles of self-perception vs. public opinion, and the consequences--positive and negative-- of social media. An enjoyable novel!
Adult contemporary fiction about marriage, friendship, betrayal, rebuilding trust, and the importance of understanding what went wrong. Compelling and thought-provoking novel that probes the pros and cons of dredging up the past.
Twin sisters. A controlling mother. A suspicious death. It seems clear who the responsible sister is & who needs looking after. But sometimes when the circumstances and stakes shift, the truth seeps out in unexpected ways. Told from two perspectives in alternating chapters, this suspense novel also has an unexpected touch of light humor that adds to its complexity and allure. This one kept me questioning and turning the page. Definitely recommend!
THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL & NEV is a uniquely-presented jounalistic story of the power of music, the influence of public figures, the importance of social justice, and the complexities of perception. This brilliantly written debut by Dawnie Walton blends the themes of music, race relations, social justice & equality, and private motivations versus public persona. Perfect for music lovers, those nostalgic for early 1970's settings, and anyone who appreciates exceptional writing. Highly recommend.
Middle grade novel in verse about a young girl struggling to be accepted for who she is and the bullying she faces because of her weight. An honest examination of the damage done when people refuse to looking past physical appearance to embrace the unique, beautiful person within.