Overly complicated plot line. Yes and no (depending on how you view the ending).
Could it have be2.5
Badly written? Nope.
Badly drawn characters? Kinda.
Overly complicated plot line. Yes and no (depending on how you view the ending).
Could it have been better? Absolutely.
Ugh- when a book starts out strong and then it takes all kinds of wrong turns.
And when your heroine isn’t the likable character you first met? You should have moved on.
Probably means it was a good read, just not a good read for me.
(I toyed with a DNF, but the overwrought storytelling was still compelling. By the time I realized it wasn’t a terribly fun read, I was closer to the end than the beginning, so I just pushed on.)
Truth be told if this wasn’t a Christmas-themed story, I would have dropped this about 100pp in, but I was in the mood for a holiday happy ending. 2.5
Truth be told if this wasn’t a Christmas-themed story, I would have dropped this about 100pp in, but I was in the mood for a holiday happy ending.
This would make a perfect Hallmark movie (except it was missing the mandatory Christmas tree lot scene). Solitary artist, charming and engaging heroine, and a overly large and slightly meddling family.
Maybe because I didn’t realize it was the sixth in a series (too many references to the other characters) or because it wasn’t as funny as I prefer, it just wasn’t the Christmas-themed romance I’d hoped for — but I’ve got time to try another before the big day arrives!!
In the meantime, may all your holiday reads be merry and bright!! ...more
Review update - 10/24/22 My heart truly aches as I think about the loss of this genuinely caring, funny and authentic human. I highly recommend Mr JordReview update - 10/24/22 My heart truly aches as I think about the loss of this genuinely caring, funny and authentic human. I highly recommend Mr Jordan’s memoir— in his own voice you’ll quickly learn what humility and grace are. Rest in peace dear man.
Leslie Jordan is one of those character actors who is always a happy surprise when he pops up — Designing Women and Will and Grace being two examples of his recurring roles. I know when I see him, I’m going to laugh and he will most likely steal a scene or two.
What I never knew was his name or anything about him (remember IMBd was decades away).
Then came Covid 19 and my husband’s social media problem (I say addiction, he says I exaggerate— no doubt the truth is somewhere in the middle, but I digress). He came upon Leslie’s daily Instagram videos and urged me to take a look. At first it annoyed me but after two or three, I was hooked. Jordan’s way of verbalizing what we were all feeling, especially during the early days of the pandemic, was so easy to relate to. As we both watched him— I was happily learning more and more about the actor who had always been good for a laugh.
This book— which I listened to rather than read— was quite simply a great joy from start to finish. I laughed, teared up a few times, and than giggled a lot more.
Despite “fame” or recognition, everyone has a story. I highly recommend Mr. Jordan’s story— his delivery is as sublime as his acting!!
As I slowly make my way through the wonderfully written Charlie Parker series, I’ve noticed a big shift in the last few books.
A shift for the better As I slowly make my way through the wonderfully written Charlie Parker series, I’ve noticed a big shift in the last few books.
A shift for the better you ask? Depends on reader preferences. Parker’s world has always been marked by violence and malevolence but the subtle otherworldly moments are now anything but subtle.
Parker and his partners (in vengeance) continue to rid their world of evil men (and almost as often, women) but their cause has picked up in followers— those who live among us along with a few shadows who do not.
Still, the writing remains the draw but the darkness is gathering now. No longer just at the edges of the dark (and I’ll add super creepy) forest of the author and Parker’s mind.
One thing I noticed in the first 8-9 books was the author’s liberal use of foreshadowing. Sometimes it was almost a red herring as it directed the reader’s attention to the obvious, when in Parker’s world, it’s never that simple.
Not a shred of foreshadowing in these later installments. Even that lends another layer of suspense— just where is Parker and pals heading next?
Regardless— I’ll follow him… Next book please!!
PS— Another author who did his research— the central Ohio information was spot on… three of the four books I’ve read this month use Ohio locations— all correctly. Amazing!!
Slight (itty bitty) spoiler-ish comment below.
PPS- All I gotta say is Sam is creeping me out more than the dead daughter!!...more
I’m such a fickle reader— sometimes I binge certain genres and other times they just don’t satisfy. Clearly HF isn’t working for me. In this case, DNF
I’m such a fickle reader— sometimes I binge certain genres and other times they just don’t satisfy. Clearly HF isn’t working for me. In this case, maybe because the pirate wasn’t pirate-y enough? ...more
Always good to leave on a high and this was a well-written mystery dealing with troubled Amish teens crossingLast book of 2021 with 11 minutes to go.
Always good to leave on a high and this was a well-written mystery dealing with troubled Amish teens crossing paths with psychopaths. Throw in a few old cases, red herrings, and some relationship complications and you’ve got a pretty darn good mystery.
Not a bad way to ring out the old and ring in the new for good reads!!
This is a really GREAT read but writing a spoiler-free review is more important than rehashing the plot. Other folks do a better job of balancing bothThis is a really GREAT read but writing a spoiler-free review is more important than rehashing the plot. Other folks do a better job of balancing both.
My advice? Read the blurb if you’re on the fence. But, trust me, the less you know, the better the brain freeze when those plot twists start spinning.
One thing I will say about the plot— I couldn’t imagine being married to someone who couldn’t “see” your face. And yet- it’s a fascinating thought that someone could love you, regardless of what you looked like. The inner self being more important than the outer self.
Anyway… an hour later, my brain still hurts a bit but it was well worth it!!
Dropped the ball on this review and now I have to think back to four months ago (it was like 30 books ago). Hey, I’m an aging bookworm now.
PendergastDropped the ball on this review and now I have to think back to four months ago (it was like 30 books ago). Hey, I’m an aging bookworm now.
Pendergast involvement equals immediate ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I think it ended in a real cliff hanger so that’s another ⭐️ (not because I love those kind of endings but because it was related to Constance and maybe we’ll finally learn more about her unique back story).
Murky memories include schlock reality TV crew, a haunted cemetery, sham experts, and some fairly creepy scenes.
Another solid entry and for the first time in awhile, it has me ready for the next book already—come on gentlemen, let’s get those chapters written. ...more
Growing up, I was especially drawn to fairy tales, legends, mythology and fantasy stories. Maybe because of that I still love discovering well-wri3.75
Growing up, I was especially drawn to fairy tales, legends, mythology and fantasy stories. Maybe because of that I still love discovering well-written YA fantasy novels.
When I opened up Small Favors— such an innocuous title— I couldn’t even remember adding it to my TBR just 6-7 months ago. It definitely was a story inspired by myths and fantasy.
A tight-knit community, a code of rules, and a pastoral setting surrounded by a deeply forested and ancient woods. Creepy but as the story opens we learn about beekeeping and get to know the hive and the family raising and relying on those hives.
It may have a pastoral beginning but the darkening shadows spread out from the “pines” and settles, ever so quietly in Amity Hollow.
What follows is a year of darkness, emotional strife and the hardships of winter combined with malevolence waiting in the darkness and violence. We learn how easy it is for neighbor to turn against neighbor. We see this all though the eyes of Elleria Downing, our heroine and half a set of twins.
This is a great book to go into knowing nothing as the turns in the story build upon each other. While I admittedly found the last few chapters a bit of a mess, (we got it— violence and vengeance only begets more of the same.) the long build up ends in a fairly quick and messy ending.
A 100 less pages on the build up and an extra chapter toward the denouement would have earned this fascinating tale another star. (No doubt this is because I’m a critical old bookworm and not the teenage audience this book was written for— who else would Whitaker have been created for besides Elleria?)
Regardless— I look forward to reading more from this author— she sure knows how to build a slow burning book!!
PS—the beekeeping information was stellar!!...more
What a fun read— and one that can be picked up when you need a good chuckle.
What’s a group of aging retirees to do when their retirement home beco3.5
What a fun read— and one that can be picked up when you need a good chuckle.
What’s a group of aging retirees to do when their retirement home becomes worse to live in then prison? Find a way to go to prison…
Lots of silly antics with a good dose of reminding readers that life doesn’t end when you are “over the hill” by society’s standards.
I think this would make a great series— I spent the last few chapters casting the parts (Candace Bergen as Martha, Jane Fonda as Christine, Pierce Brosnan as Rake and DeNiro or Pacino as Brains… ).
Four months later… I loved this King book because there was a lot of old school King here.
I’ve always appreciated those wNeed to catch my breath… RTC
Four months later… I loved this King book because there was a lot of old school King here.
I’ve always appreciated those who create art — paintings especially. I have some talented family members who paint. Me? Very little drawing skills. I can’t create art but I like to think I know good art when I see it.
And that last sentence is tied to the slightly convoluted plot line— or maybe just the convoluted ending.
Regardless, it was a book I didn’t want to put down. Good art is like that!!...more
I avoid “dog” books and for good reason— in no particular order— I’ve grown up with dogs, in my 30-plus-year marriage, we are on dog #9, leaky tear duI avoid “dog” books and for good reason— in no particular order— I’ve grown up with dogs, in my 30-plus-year marriage, we are on dog #9, leaky tear ducts, a knowledge that life isn’t complete without a furry, four-legged friend (felines are delightful too), and most importantly, I’m an easy mark for any stray and never met a dog book that didn’t make me cry (sad or happy tears).
My hubby took one look at the cover tonight and immediately asked with pity in his voice— why are you reading that?
“Because I loved Lily from the first time I met her,” I said and then, in Lily speak, I added—I! CAN’T ! IMAGINE ! ANYONE! NOT ! LOVING! THIS ! BOOK!
Now forget all that business about avoiding dog-centric books because this immediately became one of my favorite odes to ...more
Another excellent entry in this mystery series, which is set in Ohio’s Amish country.
I’ve always been fascinated with the Amish— but as I learn more Another excellent entry in this mystery series, which is set in Ohio’s Amish country.
I’ve always been fascinated with the Amish— but as I learn more about their culture, I realized I’ve let the pastoral views of the charming buggy driven by young Amish in their “plain” clothes lull me into forgetting that they are still people with wants, needs, and desires.
Castillo does a great job of balancing Amish community and crime while maintaining respect because of her ex-communicated Amish police chief. Really it’s a great literary choice to have Kate’s viewpoint during investigations— and the resulting tension as she deals with former Amish acquaintances.
This particular murder mystery is somewhat gruesome but cleverly moves among a number of red herrings. And that ending? It was a killer!!
Later— what a great concept— and a word full of possibilities.
During the three sittings I devoured this novella in, I believe I said—I’ll do the disheLater— what a great concept— and a word full of possibilities.
During the three sittings I devoured this novella in, I believe I said—I’ll do the dishes later. I’ll go to sleep later. And today’s— I’ll get out of bed later.
King’s books always give me a case of the “laters,” but that’s why I love his books so much. And my favorites have always been those told through the lens of a young boy. No matter how old King is, he consistently nails the dialogue and reasoning of his younger characters.
Plus, there always evil in some form or another. This book’s evil came in two characters—one unreal and the other unhinged.
Last night when I finally settled down in my comfy bed with the Mister lightly snoring next to me (if it’s a good book I can tune him out— a few decadLast night when I finally settled down in my comfy bed with the Mister lightly snoring next to me (if it’s a good book I can tune him out— a few decades of practice) and decided that a dark mystery or thriller (my two unfinished choices on my kindle) might not be the best books for inducing inner peace and quiet, so I opened a new book.
Andrew McCarthy’s ‘80s memoir was due back to the library in a few days so I figured I’d read about some idyllic upper middle class childhood and be lulled to sleep.
Apologies to McCarthy aside, it was no patrician upbringing despite the private schooling— in fact, a few hours later as I was shocked to learn I’d just finished the last page, I realized that like so many Brat Pack fans, I really got him wrong.
First, I’ll say this, he’s a great writer who did a marvelous job giving this Gen Xer a view from behind those Hollywood curtains. And I enjoyed wandering with he and his friends around the old NYC neighborhoods and haunts I knew from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, having grown up in nearby CT.
The smooth writing, slightly self-deprecating but mostly just honest, went down easy. I found myself relating to him and understood better what I myself had seen in him while watching his most well-known movies. Insecure, yet oddly undeterred at such a young age; self-conscious and introverted, good looking but not in the typical ‘80s mode (Tom Cruise as well as Rob Lowe and other young actors) and quite frankly, one of the luckiest guys around.
Despite naïveté, lack of bravado and little camera training, fame (and maybe fortune, but no spoilers here) found him. He credits various individuals for taking chances or seeing something others didn’t. I loved the theatre coaches and director stories— after a bit of a start and stop, he and the 80s cruised along.
By decade’s end, as he was finding his own sense of worth, Hollywood fame (not to be interchanged with personal success) waned quickly for McCarthy and a whole generation of young actors left behind in the ‘80s.
Yes, Pretty in Pink is a movie I watch every few years, and just a few years younger than McCarthy, I remember chick chatter about which St Elmo’s Fire character was boyfriend material— and “Kevin”was my choice then, and this 50-something chick would still choose Kevin, as portrayed by McCarthy. He was the sensitive guy who wore his boyish good looks (his pix would “totally” be next to that phrase in a dictionary— and yeah, see what I did there?) as easy as those sweaters carelessly tied around his neck.
Molly Ringwald had it right when she described him after a seemingly bland audition. Want to know what she said? Read this book!!
If you grew up in the 80s, watched all those pastel-flavored teen movies or still jam to Simple Minds, OMD, or Talking Heads—I think the teen or 20-something buried within will appreciate a smart, mostly pretense-free look back at free falling into fame and managing to survive by (literally in McCarthy’s case) walking out on your own!
PS- what I left out is the guy never feels sorry for himself— he sobered up, matured, and then quietly carved a solid career in an industry that rarely let actors change, grow up or walk away.
Catherine Ryan Howard— I’ve been reading reviews of her books for years but this is my first.
Holy heck what a great read. Creative. Suspenseful. And Catherine Ryan Howard— I’ve been reading reviews of her books for years but this is my first.
Holy heck what a great read. Creative. Suspenseful. And one heck of a twist that made me sit straight up and yell out— OMG!!
Read the book. Don’t read the blurb. The less you know, the more fun this book will be (okay, fun in an edge of your seat, when will the killer strike kind of fun)!!
Only my second Vera Stanhope book but strong writing, humanly messy characters and a sense of place are becoming the hallmarks of this series. I’m so Only my second Vera Stanhope book but strong writing, humanly messy characters and a sense of place are becoming the hallmarks of this series. I’m so glad it’s a long-lived series because I look forward to being drawn in, again and again.
From the prequel, the stage is immediately set. Even though it feels like a few pages of the script are missing. And as I’m beginning to see, don’t let the leading characters trick you into going down their rabbit holes with their inner dialogue, human frailties or their (obvious or subtle) connections to the murder, or murders, in this case. Red herrings lay (lie?) that way.
What does a naive young wife, handsome but bland older husband, religious zealots, ex-police officers and greedy older men have in common? Why a body (or two), of course, which draws the attention of our less-than-attractive police inspector, Vera Stanhope.
The heroine (of sorts) of this series is the antithesis of Miss Marple and yet, for similar reasons, Vera is as cunning as a black widow spider despite calling everyone “Pet” and summarily dropping by for tea and snacks after plopping down into chairs barely large enough to contain her.
I love Vera— despite the fact I think she’s a bit of a mess, and not just for being a plus-sized, middle-aged, spinster. Like Miss Marple, she sees it all and can quickly connect those dots. And everyone underestimates her!!
And in the end, those dots led to the doorstep of a killer that may have surprised both Vera and this reader.
Bravo Vera— until we meet again in your favorite coffee shop over a bacon sandwich!