Monthly Archives: May 2016

“The postbox murders” by Edmund Glasby

Grisly murders in picturesque Oxfordshire villages.  Yes, as the title implies, bodies are being dismembered and stuffed into postboxes!  The first is discovered by a little old lady mailing her letters, then on the same day another.  A months respite, … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Mystery fiction | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

“Like Family” by Paolo Giordano

This story is scarcely more than novella length and so skillfully written that I can only guess it loses nothing in its translation from the original Italian. A young, dual-career couple living in Turin, Italy are expecting their first child.  When the … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Fiction, Love stories, NetGalley, Novellas, novels in translation | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

“The Two-Family House” by Lynda Cohen Loigman – Book Review

Abe and Mort Berman are brothers who are as different as night and day.  Abe is personable and gregarious.  Mort is anti-social and acerbic. Together they run a company that makes cardboard boxes.  When their father passed away they took over the … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, debut novels, Family sagas, NetGalley, Women's fiction | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Cover Love: Part 4 – Doors

I find myself attracted to certain kinds of covers.  Covers are, after all, the way the publisher ‘hooks’ the reader into choosing one book over countless others. In this, my fourth installment of ‘Cover Love‘, I’d like to show you books from my … Continue reading

Posted in Cover Love series, Dustjackets, Fiction | Tagged , | 4 Comments

“The Mourning Hours” by Paula Treick DeBoard – Book Review

Suspicion and circumstance serve to decimate a Wisconsin farm family in this memorable debut by Paula Treick DeBoard. A typical rural family, the Hammarstroms run a 160 acre dairy farm.  The grandfather, a widower, lives on the farm in his … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, debut novels, Edelweiss, Family sagas, Fiction, Mystery fiction | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

“What the waves know” by Tamara Valentine – Book Review

Izabella Rae Haywood adores her father who she says is “one-eighth Narragansett Indian and seven-eights mystery”.   He takes her to Tillings Island, where he has roots.  They fish together and share a deep bond.   But her parents argue more … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, debut novels, Edelweiss, Literary fiction | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cover Love: Part 3 – Gates

NOTE: This post was last updated on December 6, 2018 I find myself attracted to certain kinds of covers.  In this, my third installment of ‘Cover Love‘, I’d like to show you books that feature gates on their covers. Some I’ve already … Continue reading

Posted in Cover Love series, Dustjackets | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

“Breaking measures” by Emma Raveling- Book Review

From the tender age of three, Leila has known that she was destined to be pianist.  Born to wealthy and influential parents she is guided every step of the way toward what she feels is her hard sought for destiny … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Mystery fiction, NetGalley, Novellas, Suspense | Tagged , | 3 Comments

“The Wacky Man” by Lyn G. Farrell – Book Review

A heartbreaking novel that packs a visceral punch! “The Wacky Man” is a compulsively readable debut novel that expounds upon the life of Amanda May.  Amanda is fifteen when we meet her and she is a scarily intelligent and seriously mentally … Continue reading

Posted in award winners, Book Reviews, debut novels, Fiction, Literary fiction, NetGalley | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

“Quiet neighbors” by Catriona McPherson – Book Review

If ever there was a mystery penned for bibliophiles, this one has to be it!  With myriad book references, and the atmospheric settings of a) a house built next to a graveyard, and, b) an unorganized used bookshop – it … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Fiction, Mystery fiction, NetGalley | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments