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The Fingerprint (Miss Silver, Bk 30)
hardtack avatar reviewed on + 2535 more book reviews


I enjoy all of Ms. Wentworth's books and do not look forward to the day when I've read them all. But that may be far into the future---if I live that long---as some of her stand alone novels are hard to come by. Whereas the novels in the "Miss Silvers" series are more easily available. Maybe I'll have to finish reading all her books in my next life.

However, in this one, due to not having enough evidence to easily convict the killer, I felt the end was a bit too pat. But I still enjoyed it.

And as I reach the end of the "Miss Silver" series, I'm wondering if she will finally find a bride for Detective Inspector Frank Abbott.


jjares avatar reviewed on + 3230 more book reviews


This is an overview of several important cities in Egypt, Greece, and the Middle East that disappeared. Only recently has archaeology found these places again. Some were considered myths because no one knew where they were located. Bless Charles Rivers for the abundance of photos and maps; they helped tremendously.

Heracleion-Canopus-Naucratis was an important international port region in the Mediterranean Sea area. This is where people entered and exited Egypt. These cities operated as one giant metropolitan port. Due to a buildup of sediment, the coastline extended into the sea. This process took about 5000 years and wouldn't have been obvious to its citizens.

After about 2000 years, the process was reversed, and Heracleion began sinking. Eventually, the area sank as the water table rose. Because it happened so gradually, the people were unaware until it was too late. Then, a series of earthquakes decimated the coastline, submerging these three cities and Alexandria.

Alexandria was created in Egypt in a limited space (to show the Greeks' idea of Hellenism). It was also built on the Nile delta. Alexandria was a multicultural city. When Ptolemy inherited Egypt, he made Alexandria the capital, which hurt the three cities mentioned above.

When the Romans took over Egypt, they continued to use Alexandria. By the time the Romans moved in, the subsidence was earnestly underway. The same thing that destroyed Heracleion-Canopus-Naucratis also sank Alexandria.

For about 100 years, Mari was the most important city in Mesopotamia. After Babylonian King Hammurabi captured the city, it was eventually deserted and abandoned. When archeologists in the 1800s and 1900s found frequent mention of Mari, no one had any idea of its locale or size.

Heinrich Schliemann found Troy in the 1870s. It was located in present-day Hisarlik, Turkey. He also worked sites on the island of Crete, eventually opening up the ancient area of Knossos. However, the British gentleman scholar Arthur Evans did extensive digging on Crete and named the area the Minoan Culture.

The map of Crete (page 103) shows dozens of sites where work is being done to excavate ancient sites. Evidence shows that these sites were devastated by earthquakes and rebuilt, only to have it happen repeatedly. Then, catastrophic fires leveled the sites. Eventually, the Minoans were so weakened that they could not afford to rebuild.

Finally, this book describes the hunt for Ubar (also called Iram or Webar). They describe how knowledge of Ubar came about. This ancient city was reputed to be in the "Empty Quarter" of Oman. To understand this, think about the film LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. Those mountain-high sand dunes were the 'empty quarter.'

Of all the stories of excavation, the one about Ubar is the most interesting, long, and involved. Nicholas Clapp and a group of archaeologists went to Oman and found pottery shards and indications that they might have found Ubar. However, a huge sinkhole developed in the middle of the site (hundreds of feet wide and more than 40 feet deep). This ended their trek but they claim they found Ubar. Some question that.

It took the technological advances of the 20th century to assist in the search for these missing cities. The sites are in various states of discovery, but much more is expected in the future.


King, Ship, and Sword (Alan Lewrie, Bk 16)
cwousn avatar reviewed on + 58 more book reviews


I didn't discover Dewey Lambdin's Lewrie series until 2007. I only read one of his books per year, so now, 17 years on, some of his earlier works are fuzzy in my memory. I've seen some reviewers who were disappointed that this story dealt more with Lewrie being ashore than at sea. I found it refreshing in that there were a lot of characters from past volumes reintroduced and their effect on Lewrie's development was reinforced. In the second half of the novel, Lewrie goes back to sea and is engaged in a sea battle (as his readers have come to expect). As always, Lamdin delivers a tale that is enthralling and believable. Highly recommended.


Mother's Day Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries)
reviewed on + 418 more book reviews


Ok Mystery, but, sorry, I did not like all the social/ political innuendos in the story!


Big Sky (Jackson Brodie, Bk 5)
reviewed on + 144 more book reviews


I got this book through paperbackswap.com. I had heard Kate Atkinson was a good writer so decided to read the Jackson Brodie series in order. Atkinson is a good writer but not a good storyteller. These books supposedly are "thrillers" or mysteries but thus far, all have been a little short on the mystery part. In this book, like the other four, there are far too many coincidences to be believable. As many other Amazon reviewers have noted, there are so many characters that it's sometimes hard to keep track. In this book I was trying to remember who a particular character was but wasn't interested enough to go back through the book to see if I could find where she first appeared. I just didn't care enough.

Jackson Brodie is the recurring/main character in these books. I have come to see him as rather aimless and not very likeable. As other Amazon reviewers have noted, the story seems disjointed. It's clear early on that this will be a human trafficking story. The two girls in the first chapter don't reappear until much later. All the "thinking" that the characters do (mainly Jackson and which is in parentheses) doesn't add much to the story and is distracting. Jackson also doesn't seem to do much in this book as far as "sleuthing"--it seems like he's more along for the ride while others around him do the actual detecting (this was also pointed out by Amazon reviewers). After the human trafficking part of the story is wrapped up, the author adds a few more chapters that are not relevant and add nothing to the story--Jackson's daughter Marlee (who is barely mentioned prior to this) dumping her fiance at the altar; the female impersonator at an arcade show singing on stage, etc. At the end of the story, I wondered who had been driving the silver BMW that was following one of the characters. I wondered if I somehow missed it in the mess of the storytelling. Apparently not--a one-star Amazon reviewer noted that there was no resolution about the silver BMW. So, was this sloppy storytelling by the author? Or did she purposefully leave it unresolved?
As of this review, there's one more Jackson Brodie book ("Death at the Sign of the Rook"). Not sure if I will read that one as it's probably a hot mess like all the previous Jackson Brodie books.


The Lemon Sisters (Wildstone, Bk 3)
The Lemon Sisters (Wildstone, Bk 3)
Author: Jill Shalvis
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
flyinggems avatar reviewed on + 429 more book reviews


Book 3 in the Wildstone series

This is Mindy & Linc and Brooke & Garrett stories.

Wildstone
1. Lost and Found Sisters (2017)
1.5. The Good Luck Sister (2018)
2. Rainy Day Friends (2018)
3. The Lemon Sisters (2019)
4. Almost Just Friends (2020)
5. The Summer Deal (2020)
5.5. Mistletoe in Paradise (2020)
6. The Forever Girl (2021)
7. Love for Beginners (2021)


All That Is Mine I Carry With Me
aprillynn avatar reviewed on + 73 more book reviews


It took me a minute to figure out the POV / writing format and the lack of quotation marks made for a more difficult reading experience. Also, I wasn't very shocked at the ending.


A Noble Scheme (Imposters, Bk 2)


This was Roseanna M. White's most complex romances yet, and by "complex", I do not mean "confusing". No, I mean deep. Intricate. Detailed. Delicate. Meaningful. Fragile. The main characters had multi-layered personalities and intertwined backgrounds. EVERY character had a strong background and solid backstory, there were great metaphors and symbols, the plot was one of those mysteries where it looks simple but thickens, and again... there was the eye-popping, heart-tripping, and eye-stinging romance!

Christian romances--or romances in general--have a stereotype of the female love interest being almost perfect while the male love interest is an immoral wreck, but Roseanna M. White made the main characters' struggles equal here. I was almost hearing the dialogue of the climax as the characters shouted across the room, and the messages on frustration, anger, bitterness, resentment, and feelings toward--or against--God were not pasted on but part of the story. This should be one of those books where you remember the message and it sticks with you for months.

Was it perfect? Well, there was some plot convenience, along with a few unrealistic, almost silly, parts. So no... but the rest makes up for it.

Roseanna M. White has spoiled me. For months, I'll be complaining about other novels as I try to find one as good as this. Although not necessarily her best mystery, this is by far Roseanna M. White's best romance. If you haven't read her before, please do now, and if you have, please do again! 6/5 stars!

*I received a free copy of this book to give a honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone!


Honor Bound
reviewed on + 383 more book reviews


Superlative tale of WWII espionage -- specifically, the destruction of a fueling ship for German submarine U-boats -- "... the replenishment vessel has to rendered hors de combat" (p. 183). An intricate web of deception. Entertaining, engaging, exciting. So good, that time collapses.


The Big Sleep
reviewed on + 383 more book reviews


This is an old time mystery style with a detective who is smart, tough and gives an honest days work for his pay. In this story he is hired to find out who is blackmailing one of two daughters and his investigation opens up a whole can of worms.


Very Good, Jeeves (Jeeves, Bk 4)
hardtack avatar reviewed on + 2535 more book reviews


When you read Wodehouse's "Wooster and Jeeves" stories it's very easy to understand how they were turned into a very funny and successful British TV series. Quite often I get so involved in the short stories I forget to chuckle. It's only after I've finished the story that I'll slap the book down and rejoice in the entertainment I've just had.

This book contains eleven short stories. These are parodies of the British class structure in that Wodehouse often makes upperclass Bertie Wooster look like a fool as his 'gentleman's gentleman Jeeves gets him out of trouble and saves the day. And so many of Wooster's relations make you wonder how Britain created an Empire.


The Accused (Mystere Parish: Family Inheritance, Bk 1) (Harlequin Intrigue, No 1441)
scoutmomskf avatar reviewed on + 2522 more book reviews


Good book that kept me guessing to the end. Alaina is a lawyer who, along with her two sisters, has inherited a house in the tiny town of Calais, Louisiana. She and her sisters were separated and sent away by their stepfather after their mother died. The stepfather has recently died, and the terms of their mother's will state that each girl must live in the house for two weeks before they can inherit. Alaina had just been passed over for a promised promotion at work and decided to take those two weeks to reevaluate her future.

Carter is the sheriff of Calais and, as a favor to a family friend, agreed to supervise Alaina's adherence to the terms of the will. As a cop, the last thing he wants to do is babysit a big city defense lawyer. He's none too happy when his first glimpse of Alaina triggers an unwelcome attraction. But when strange things happen, he's determined to keep her safe.

The suspense of this story kept me hooked from start to finish. Strange sounds, evidence that someone has been in the house with her, topped off by a possible ghost, have Alaina and Carter on edge. Then, they learn that trouble may have followed her from Baton Rouge. This story had multiple twists, sometimes with more questions than answers, as they tried to identify the culprit. The building tension kept me glued to the pages with a surprising conclusion. Though the immediate mystery was solved, some unanswered questions remain for the following books in the series.

I enjoyed watching the development of Alaina and Carter's relationship. Neither was looking for it, but the sparks between them were undeniable. Carter is a good guy who takes his job seriously. Despite the professional antipathy between cops and defense lawyers, he finds it easy to connect with Alaina. He is protective while still respecting her abilities and independence. Alaina is strong and independent, but she isn't stupid. I liked that she didn't take unnecessary risks. Carter and Alaina grew closer as they worked together to identify the threat, but initially, they weren't looking at a future together. But when the final confrontation was over, they realized they didn't want to be apart.

I'm curious now to read the other books and see how the series turns out.


The Heiress
cathyskye avatar reviewed on + 2257 more book reviews


Rachel Hawkins weaves her compelling tale from the vocal strands of matriarch Ruby McTavish, her adopted son Camden, and Camden's wife Jules. It doesn't take long after readers arrive at Ashby House to realize that they've fallen into a den of vipers... and that everyone's motives should be suspect.

The Heiress reminds me of one of my favorite mystery tropes: is this person the true heir? DNA tests have killed that favorite of mine, but it still lives on in books like Josephine Tey's Brat Farrar and to a tiny degree, here. After all, the McTavishes who've stayed at Ashby House would like nothing better than to take every penny of Camden's inheritance away from him, and they're not too picky about how they do it.

One of the highlights of the book is the letters Ruby wrote to Camden. Her words prove her to be strong, sympathetic, and devious. Those letters, combined with occasional newspaper articles, are the backbone of The Heiress, and they define a fascinating character.

To one remote, beautiful mansion, add a hornet's nest of characters, and some delicious plot twists. What do you get? A wonderful story that you can't read fast enough. After enjoying The Heiress so much, I know that I'll be reading more from Rachel Hawkins.


Kill for Me, Kill for You: A Novel
cathyskye avatar reviewed on + 2257 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


This is the second book using Patricia Highsmith's Strangers on a Train as a stepping stone that I have read this year, and I wondered what my reaction would be. It is a testament to Highsmith's iconic story and Cavanagh's skill that I finished Kill for Me Kill for You with a big smile on my face.

This fast-paced, plot-driven book may leave you feeling as if you're strapped in a car on a wild and woolly roller coaster ride. However, where most plot-driven books fall short in characterization, Kill for Me Kill for You doesn't. It's all too easy to put yourself in the shoes of the grief-stricken Amanda, Ruth, and Scott, and all too easy to hope that Farrow, the homicide detective, will put all the pieces together for some sort of justice to triumph.

Since so much hinges on the marvelous plot twists, I can't say much about this book without giving something away, but I will say this: Read it, and don't be surprised if it puts a smile on your face, too.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)


West with Giraffes
West with Giraffes
Author: Lynda Rutledge
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Hardcover
smileen avatar reviewed on + 245 more book reviews


I think I had a smile on my face almost entirely through reading this book! I mean, who does not love giraffes? After reading The Women, I needed a light hearted story like this one. There was a lot of sadness and tragedy in this book, after all it took place in 1938 wen the country was on the brink of war, and people were living in Hoovervilles around the country, and hoboes were jumping trains looking for their next meal and a better life, and people were just dying living in dust bowls where they couldn't breathe, much less survive.. But the story of two giraffes caught in a hurricane while being shipped to New York from Europe-and their story of how they made it across the entire country to San Diego, on washed out roads, and too small bridges and tunnels and steep mountain passes is just amazing. This book is based on a true story, and the clippings from various newspapers from all over the country are shown throughout the book. The characters are so believable-Woody, running away from his past, and trying to be a better person, but the old ways die hard. Red, a woman, wanting to write a photographic journey for Life Magazine about this trek, when women were frowned upon for having any such ambitions of traveling alone, and The Old Man, guiding this entire voyage, seemingly crusty on the outside but with a heart of gold for treating animals. I think everyone will like this!!


Truth or Dare (Helen Grace, Bk 10)
MKSbooklady avatar reviewed on + 933 more book reviews


Helen Grace is one bad ass cop. I really enjoy these books. I think the short (2-4 pages) chapters help with keeping the story moving right along. Lots goes on in this one, it's fast and crazy! Good book.


Vanished (Private Justice, Bk 1)
oldrockandroll avatar reviewed on + 277 more book reviews


This is the first book I have read by this author. I really liked it. The characters were believable and I hope she writes more stories with these characters. Great read and I will read more by this author.


Hermit's Peak (Kevin Kerney, Bk 4)
perryfran avatar reviewed on + 1164 more book reviews


This is the fourth book in McGarrity's excellent Kevin Kerney series. Kerney is the ex-Santa Fe chief of detectives who was forced to retire after sustaining some gunshot wounds. But in this one he is now Chief of the New Mexico State Police. The novel starts out with Kerney inheriting a large piece of land outside of Las Vegas, New Mexico. While visiting the property, a stray dog leads him to some bones of a murder victim near the mesa of Hermit's Peak. The skeleton is incomplete but forensics determine that the victim was a young woman, probably Hispanic, who was probably raped and murdered. Meanwhile, Sara Brannon, the army major who worked with Kerney in the first book, TULAROSA, returns from her assignment in Korea with a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. While Kerney works on his relationship with Sara, another murder takes place in a remote cabin near the site of some illegal clear cutting of timber. The victim also is near a greenhouse filled with a large crop of marijuana. So why was he killed?

This was really another compelling page-turner from McGarrity. The story took some interesting twists as Kerney and his deputies try to identify the young woman found on the mesa and the reasons behind the killing of the marijuana grower. This one really kept me reading and concluded with a very tragic turn of events for one of Kerney's deputies. I have one more book on my shelves from this series that I will be reading very soon.


Murder is a Family Business (The Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries) (Volume 1)
pj-s-bookcorner avatar reviewed on + 849 more book reviews


Well written cozy who-done-it. Lee is part of her family's high end PI business. While doing a favor for her mother's long-time friend, she finds the friends' husband murdered. Things just aren't adding up and Lee can not let it go.


Long Way Down
Long Way Down
Author: Jason Reynolds
Genre: Teen & Young Adult
Book Type: Hardcover
reviewed on + 168 more book reviews


This book was haunting and fabulous.
I was at first daunted that it is written entirely in poetry, but within just the first few pages the story quickly unfolds, and it is utterly searing. Will the futile and tragic cycle of violence that swirls around Will, a 15 year old boy from the 'hood, be continued by his own determination to avenge his brother's murder. Within the poetry, this boys voice is crystal clear. His anger, his confusion and fear, all are starkly laid bare--and in the fewest possible words imaginable! I will be thinking about this very moving book for a very long time.

***** Five stars!


Ubu Roi
Ubu Roi
Author: Alfred Jarry
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
thebigaym avatar reviewed on + 63 more book reviews


I'm sure the performance live would be better than the reading it.


The American Daughters
pj-s-bookcorner avatar reviewed on + 849 more book reviews


Based on a journal of an actual enslaved woman, Ady, and some conjecture this is an interesting look at life in New Orleans in the period leading up to the Civil War from their perspective.


The Last Sacrifice (Last Disciple, Bk 2)
reviewed on + 29 more book reviews


This book is #2 of a 3 part excellent series. The combining of the early Christians with the inner workings of the Roman Empire makes for an outstanding historical saga.


Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey across the Life Line
reviewed on + 2 more book reviews


A great book! She defends and explains her position without condemning anyone. She shares stories, facts, and data to give the big picture of where she came from and how her perspective changed.


A Whale of a Murder: A Venus Bixby Mystery
booksinvt avatar reviewed on + 457 more book reviews


A Whale of a Murder is the debut of the A Venus Bixby Mystery series set in Chatham Crossing, Massachusetts and featuring music store owner, Venus Bixby. Venus is preparing to celebrate her fiftieth birthday with a party at the Sofia Silva Whaling Museum and also serve as the Grand Marshal for the town's Fourth of July parade.

As Venus walks through the museum grounds to check on the party preparations she stumbles over the platform shoes 0f the museum gift shop manager, Margaret McGee. The woman is dead and a valuable artifact is missing.

Detective Oscar Donovan has his hands full of suspects and he thinks Venus might be one of them. Venus and her sister Sherrie create a Sisters' List of Suspects and begin their own investigation that ultimately ends in a reconstruction of the morning Maggie was found dead.

An interesting debut, but the characters take a little getting used to. Complicated relationships exist between Venus and pretty much everyone in her life. Nobody seems to give off warm and cozy vibes except for Venus' cats: Sonny and Cher. I'll give the second installment in the series a try now that the majority of Chatham Crossings backstory has been told.


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