Murder by Degrees introduces Dr. Lydia Weston, a professor and clinician at the Women's Medical College in Philadelphia, 1875. Her patient/mentee, Anna Ward, has disappeared. It is out of character because she has a disabled brother and an adult sister who depend on the money she earns in service. When her body is pulled from … Continue reading Murder by Degrees – Ritu Mukerji
Author: Emily Leader
I have been an avid reader since Dick and Jane met Sally. At age 7, I read my parents' first edition of "To Kill a Mockingbird." I am a retired lawyer and so read almost only fiction for pleasure. I'm adding in nonfiction these days, largely on social justice matters but also history, biography, and weird topics that catch my imagination. I used to read only serially, one book at a time. Presently, I read paperbacks, hardcovers, listen to audible, listen to CDs and read online through Net Galley. Covid-19 has caused me to read a lot so I have re-upped my Goodreads challenge for 2021 and am starting to review at least my favorite finds annd, perhaps, some stinkers.
The House of Doors – Tan Twan Eng
Just now, I finally put this book down. I had no choice. I'd finished it. As usual, when I find a book particularly moving and exquisitely written, I feel like I can't do it justice. Tan Twan Eng brings us to 1921 Penang in Malaysia where Leslie Hamlyn, a British woman born and raised in … Continue reading The House of Doors – Tan Twan Eng
Unnatural History – Jonathon Kellerman
I am never disappointed by an Alex Delaware novel and Unnatural History offers up a story I enjoyed very much. Donnie Klement, talented photographer and son of an obscenely wealthy absentee father and an already dead mother was shot while he was sleeping in his studio. His most recent project was to find unhoused people … Continue reading Unnatural History – Jonathon Kellerman
Flee North: A Forgotten Hero and the Fight for Freedom in Slavery’s Borderland – Scott Shane (Audio Version)
I was blown away by the story of Thomas Smallwood who, among other things, was the first person to use the phrase, "Underground Railroad" in print to describe the network that supported the escape of enslaved people in the U.S.. Scott Shane has brought us a story I never heard before of this fascinating man. … Continue reading Flee North: A Forgotten Hero and the Fight for Freedom in Slavery’s Borderland – Scott Shane (Audio Version)
A Traitor in Whitehall – Julia Kelly
A Traitor in Whitehall is a delightful debut novel in Julia Kelley's "Parisian Orphan" mystery/spy series. Evelyne Redfern is recognizable to many because her father, a famous titled adventurer/ne'er-do-well and mother, a French woman who was a bit of a femme fatale, had a huge public custody dispute over Evelyne that was in all the … Continue reading A Traitor in Whitehall – Julia Kelly
Flipping Boxcars – Cedric Kyles and Alan Eisenstock (Cedric the Entertainer)
Flipping Boxcars was a could not put it down read for me. Floyd "Babe" Boyce, a native of Caruthersville, Missouri and WWII veteran has made a name for himself in his hometown. He is African American, married to his sweetheart Rosie, with three boys and a girl and success as the owner of a popular … Continue reading Flipping Boxcars – Cedric Kyles and Alan Eisenstock (Cedric the Entertainer)
The Land of Lost Things – John Connelly
It helps, though it is not necessary, to have some familiarity with written fairy tales as a genre to get the most out of The Land of Lost Things. I check this box big time, having read and reread the very dark versions of the more famous fairy tales by Hans Christian Anderson and The … Continue reading The Land of Lost Things – John Connelly
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store – James McBride (audible)
NOTE: When I review I book I listened to, I can't fact check things I believe are correct or confirm all spellings. Hope you love this book even as you find my mistakes! Pottstown, Pennsylvania, not far from Reading. A little further to Philadelphia. James McBride, one of the very best story tellers in the … Continue reading The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store – James McBride (audible)
The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp -Leonie Swann
I LOVED this book… BUT. A group of elderly acquaintances have made a home together in Agnes Sharp's house where they take care of one another and have agreed to ensure each person lives the life they want in their old age. Most of the group has a background in law enforcement or espionage but … Continue reading The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp -Leonie Swann
The Peach Seed -Anita Gail Jones
The Peach Seed is a loving story of family, of life-defining choices, personal failure and redemption all tied together by little carved peach "seed" monkeys. It's kind of a a coming of age in old age story. It is around 2015. Fletcher Dukes, widowed father of three adult daughters, grew up in Albany, Georgia. In … Continue reading The Peach Seed -Anita Gail Jones
They Called me Bookworm 