Short Book Reviews: Thrillers and a Romance

Goodbye Paris by Mike Bond

Goodbye Paris

Goodbye Paris by Mike Bond, June 11, 2019, Big City Press
Genre: thriller, political suspense
The author has written thrillers set in political hotspots around the world. This one is set in Paris.
I was captured by all the what-ifs taken to be true facts in this fictional novel. Five stars. I hope to read his other thrillers set in other parts of the world. 

The Family Upstairs

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell, October 29, 2019, Atria BooksGenre: suspense, family drama

I enjoyed this thriller, suspense novel, with its unusual setting, plot, and characers. The story is primarily told from the point of view of young people and teens living in an old mansion but manipulated and at the mercy of deluded parents being controlled by their new adult friends. How the different characters manage to weather the storms that ensue when  the intruding strangers take over their lives is quite intriguing and hair-raising. I gave this five stars.

If She Wakes

If She Wakes by Michael Koryta, May 14, 2019, Little, Brown and Company

Genre: suspense
I've always enjoyed suspense novels involving patients who wake up from a coma, but this one takes place while one of the main characters, Tara, is still semi-comatose, unable to speak or move her extremities, but able to hear and understand everyone and everything around her.  

Tara understands what is going on with the investigation into the car accident when her passenger was killed and she was injured. She, however, can only move her eyes up and down in response to yes and no questions. Abby, an insurance investigator, tries to help find the truth about whether the fatal crash was truly an accident or if the death of Tara's car passenger was murder. 

Another five star suspenseful read.

Ellie and the Harpmaker

Ellie and the Harpmaker by Hazel Prior, May 2, 2019, Transworld Digital

Genre: romance, contemporary drama
I found this a good change from the thrillers I've been reading. It involves the gradual flowering of a timid unhappily married woman when she begins to take harp lessons from an equally timid but eccentric harpmaker, Dan. 

Ellie is surprised when Dan offers her one of his handmade harps free, and she reciprocates by helping Dan in his private life, apart from falling in love with him. 

Unusual characters and a romantic plot with a few twists and turns makes this very enjoyable reading. 

What have you been reading lately?
Memes: The Sunday Post  hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also,  It's Monday: What Are You Reading, and Stacking the Shelves. 

Thriller: No Right Way by Michael Niemann :Sunday Salon

No Right Way

No Right Way (A Valentin Vermeulen Thriller #4) by Michael Niemann, May 14, 2019, paperback
In a Turkish camp, Valentin Vermeulen  investigates why aid for Middle Eastern refugees is being intercepted. 
Source: thanks to Wiley Saichek of Saichek Publicity for a copy for possible review

I am reading several books at once, according to my reading mood - historical fiction, mystery, thriller, plus an historical novel for book club.

For historical fiction, there are 
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See (Korea) and
The Song of the Jade Lily by Kirsty Manning (Shanghai)

and a mystery novel
The Perfect Fraud by Ellen LaCorte

Memes: The Sunday Post  hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer,  Stacking the Shelves, and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? by Book Date., and Mailbox Monday.

Sunday Salon: New and Recent Books

New and recent books:

The Paris Diversion

The Paris Diversion by Chris Pavone, May 7, 2019, Crown Publishing Group
Genre: political thriller, suspense
About: terror attack across Paris affects expat Kate Moore and her family

Map of the Heart

Map of the Heart by Susan Wiggs, February 12, 2019, William Morrow
Genre: historical drama
About: Set in WWII France, Provence, and Delaware, a family discovers family surprises when they return to France. 

All the Beautiful Lies

All the Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson, published February 5, 2019, William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: suspense, psychological thriller
About: Set in Maine. Harry Ackerson returns home after the death of his father and tangles with his step-mother and a myserious woman.

The ABC Murders

The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie, paperback, TV Tie- in published January 8, 2019, William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: mystery, Hercule Poirot #13
About: tie-in to a limited streaming series starring John Malkovich, Rupert Grint, and Tara Fitzgerald.

Currently re-reading:

Maman a Tort

Maman a Tort by Michel Bussi, Kindle edition, June 15, 2017, Presses de la Cite
Genre: suspense, thriller set in the Havre, France
About: A three-and-a-half year-old boy, Malone, tells his school psychologist that his parents are not his real parents, and sets off a series of events.

Finished reading:

We Were the Lucky Ones

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter, published February 14, 2017, Viking
Genre: historical novel based on true stories of a Jewish family in Poland
About: the author discovers her family are WWII survivors and decided to tell the story in novel form of their experiences living in and escaping Poland during WWII, 
Comments: The author does meticulous historical and family research to outline the political events in Poland during 1939 through the end of the war, events that shaped their family history of survival and flight that left their family luckily intact. I learned a lot of history from reading this book, which was a pick for our library book club. 

What books are you reading this week?

The Sunday Post  hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer,  Stacking the Shelves, and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? by Book Date., and Mailbox Monday.What books are you reading this week?

Sunday Salon: Canadian Authors Wanted

I've joined the 12th Annual Canadian Book Challenge by The Indextrious Reader.  thanks to a suggestion from Suko at Suko's Notebook.

background images from Large Roadside Attractions of Canada

Two reviews I've already entered for September: It All Falls Down and The Lost Ones, are thrillers by Vancouver author, Sheena Kamil.

The Lost Ones

It All Falls Down

I'll be looking for other Canadian authors so I can fulfill the 13-book requirement! Though I'm assured there is no penalty if I don't reach the goal!

A new American book arrived for review, thanks to Wiley Sachek.

Bum Deal

Bum Deal by Paul Levine, Jake Lassiter #12, published June 12, 2018 by Thomas and Mercer
Genre: legal thriller, featuring "Second-string linebacker turned disillusioned defense attorney Jake Lassiter ." 

My husband has co-opted this one for the time being and seems to be enjoying it!

A Japanese book I recently finished was

Convenience Store Woman

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, translated, published June 12, 2018, Grove Press
The novel covers aspects of contemporary culture in Japan, what society dictates that young women should aspire to and how they should live. 

Keiko breaks the mold, finds a niche as a convenience store worker, but after 18 years, her family and friends and even her co-workers think she should move on, find a husband, start a family, etc. But Keiko is only comfortable in her convenience store world. 

Revealing and enigmatic for Western readers, no doubt, but it's easy to side with Keiko, who chooses her niche, returns to what suits her.  This book was a lucky library find.

What books will you be reading this week?
Memes:  
The Sunday Post  hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer,
It's Monday, What Are You Reading? by Book Date.
Mailbox Monday. Also, Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews

Sunday Salon: Digital versus Paper

My most intriguing new book is this ARC from Harper Collins.
Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World by Maryanne Wolf addresses what parents and educators are probably concerned or curious about - the overtaking of the printed word by digital and online media, its unforeseen consequences on children learning to read, the positive and the possible negative.

It was easy to start reading this book, being an avid reader.
I resisted ebooks for a long time, but then found them easier at times, especially in low light situations at night, or lying in bed. Now, I'm mostly back to reading paper, at least for now.

Sweet Little Lies by Caz Freat is due to be published August 14, 2018.  It's a crime novel that seems to be a thriller and police procedural, with a detective constable delving into the past and crimes that may involve her father.

I admit I went out and bought this book, The Woman in the Window, not wanting to be on the very long waiting list for a library copy. It was quite an intriguing read, especially with the agoraphobic main character who swears she witnessed a murder from the window of her house. No one believes her as she is considered unreliable and delusional, and even her doctor admits that her medications can bring on hallucinations and  loss of a sense of reality.

I was caught up in the plot although toward the end, I guessed the truth. For me, it was not a surprise ending, but this didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

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Trial on Mount Koya by Susan Spann is the 6th Shinobi mystery set in medieval Japan and featuring a master ninja Hiro Hattori who solves crimes with his unusual sidekick, the Jesuit priest Fr. Mateo.  I enjoyed the first five and am eager to read this one for my book review on July 11, part of a book tour. Each of the books can be read as a stand alone novel.

Library book I'm currently reading:

The Red-Haired Woman by Orhan Pamuk was a lucky find at the library. I don't read enough books narrated by young men/teenagers and written by male authors. This is a literary novel about an adolescent falling in love and dealing, well or not so well, with an uncomfortable working situation, well-digging in the countryside under a demanding and obsessed well digger.  I've just now finished the book, a five star read definitely.

The writer is so good that his book made me begin to feel guilty too, as guilty as his young protagonist, although I had none of his experiences and did none of the things this young protagonist did.

What books are you reading this week?

The Sunday Post  hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer,  It's Monday, What Are You Reading? by Book Date., and Mailbox Monday. Also, Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews.

Sunday Salon: Busy December

Welcome to the Sunday Salon where bloggers share their reading each week. Visit The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. 
Also visit Mailbox Monday, and Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Visit It's Monday, What Are You Reading? hosted by Book Date. 

Getting ready for the holidays also means clearing the house of extra kitchen items, clothes, even furniture. I may need more time!

This Sunday Salon is a day early because I woke up this morning thinking it was Sunday! That's what happens when hubby gets a Friday off. Throws the whole weekend feeling off. But so glad for the extra day this weekend!

Two new ARCs and a book to share this week:

Under the Influence by Joyce Maynard, to be released February 23, 2016 by William Morrow

The New York Times bestselling author of Labor Day and After Her returns with a poignant story about the true meaning—and the true price—of friendship.

Shelter by Jung Yun, to be released March 15, 2016 by Picador.

Why should a man care for his parents when they failed to take care of him as a child? A debut novel that asks what it means to provide for one's family.




Kingdom Come: An Elizabeth Harris Mystery by Jane Jensen, to be released January 5, 2015 by Berkley
In Amish country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a troubled detective has to solve a crime. 


I am still reading:

The Witch's Market by Mingmei Yip, fiction

The Hot Countries by Timothy Hallinan, thriller 



Recent reviews:
The Sound of Glass by Karen White, fiction
What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan, psychological suspense

What's new this week for you?  

Sunday Salon: Slow Reading

Welcome to the Sunday Salon where bloggers share their reading each week. Visit The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also visit It's Monday: What Are You Reading hosted by Book Journey, and Tynga at Stacking the Shelves.

Haven't been reading as much as I used to. Must be the holidays keeping me busier than normal - decluttering, tidying and filing, putting up a tree, getting ready to wrap presents, etc. We plan a relatively quiet Christmas this year, however. 

A book came for a tour I signed up for though I don't know the dates yet. I'm getting into it though and enjoying the idea of a book about moving to a South Pacific island.

The Last Good Paradise by Tatjana Soli is to be released February 10, 2015 by St. Martin's Press. I received an Advanced Readers Edition for review. Here is a brief synopsis: "a novel set on an island resort, where guests attempting to flee their troubles realize they can’t escape who they are."

But it seems a coral atoll might be a nice place to try.

I also have lined up a cozy read, a Library Lover's Mystery by Jenn McKinlay - On Borrowed Time, the fifth in the series. 

I have liked previous novels in this series. This one is described as a cozy about the mysterious disappearance of the librarian's  world-traveling playboy brother. Hopefully, a light read over a busy holiday.

What have you planned for holiday reading?

Sunday Salon: Fireworks

Welcome to the Sunday Salon where bloggers share their reading each week. Also visit It's Monday: What Are You Reading hosted by Book Journey, and Mailbox Monday each week. Also visit Tynga's Reviews at Stacking the Shelves.

Taking it easy on the last day of the holiday weekend. Gardening, swimming, cooking, and eating. And of course watched lots of unusual fireworks....on TV. This one reminds me of a giant jellyfish with long glowing tentacles....or hanging chandeliers.

One interesting book came in last week:

by Marie-Helene Bertino.

Madeleine Altimari is a smart-mouthed, precocious nine-year-old and an aspiring jazz singer. As she mourns the recent death of her mother, she doesn’t realize that on Christmas Eve Eve she is about to have the most extraordinary day—and night—of her life. (publisher)

I enjoy books with precocious kids as the main characters. How about you?

Sunday Salon: New Mysteries and More

Welcome to the Sunday Salon! Also visit The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer; It's Monday: What Are You Reading? at Book Journey; Mailbox Monday, and Stacking the Shelves.

While I was hibernating at home the last two-three weeks, reading the final book tour novels for May, I added these books to my pile to be read. Can you tell that I like mysteries?

The Summer House by Santa Montefiore; Simon and Schuster 

The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore; William Morrow 

For the Love of Baseball: A Celebration of the Game That Connects Us All; Skyhorse Publishing

A Possibility of Violence by D.A. Mishani; Harper ARC 

All Day and a Night: A Novel of Suspense by Alafair Burke; Harper ARC 

The Care and Management of Lies by Jacqueline Winspear; Harper ARC

Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner; William Morrow

          The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen; Harper

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng; Penguin Press ARC 

Jack of Spies by David Downing; Soho Press ARC

The Ways of Evil Men

I am also reading The Ways of Evil Men by the late Leighton Gage, the seventh Chief Inspector Mario Silva mystery novel set in Brazil, which I snagged at the library.  I had thought in a review of his previous book, Perfect Hatred, that the many Portuguese names were hard to keep straight. The Ways of Evil Men has a list of the characters at the front of the book! And I love that the font is larger than his other books. This mystery author will be missed by his readers.

A Well-Tempered Heart

I saw this at the library today and after reading the first lines, seeing the setting and the book description, I had to take it home! It is about a Burmese woman who is a successful lawyer in the U.S. but unhappy in her personal life. A voice in her head persists in asking her pointed questions about her purpose in life. In the meantime, another Burmese woman must struggle with the fact her two young sons were taken by rebel soldiers.

What new books are you reading this week?

Sunday Salon: Being Honest About the Books You Read

Welcome to the Sunday Salon! Also visit The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer, and It's Monday: What Are You Reading? at Book Journey. Also, Mailbox Monday at its permanent home, and Stacking the Shelves at Tyngas' Reviews.

I have noticed a few bloggers are being more outspoken about the books they don't like and I think I will join the ranks. My first two-star rating on goodreads went to The Girl with a Clock for a Heart, which I found more than wanting. The characters seemed pre-programmed, like a clock, that is, and were unsympathetic and totally without redemptive value. I must say though that the suspense in the thriller -  for that's what it is, a thriller - was good, but somewhat disturbing, the violence being committed by another clockwork-like character. I wanted real characters that I could understand, if not the girl or the villain, then at least the main character. This is Peter Swanson's first book, however, so there is hope....And would you believe it - I find it hard to fathom - he's a poet!

New books that I hope will be good reads:

From the library, I borrowed
White Ginger by Thatcher Robinson, a mystery set in San Francisco and
The Harlot's Tale by Sam Thomas, a midwife mystery set in 1645 in England.

What are you reading this week; what new books do you have?

Sunday Salon: Let It Snow

Welcome to the Sunday Salon! Also visit The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer, and It's Monday: What Are You Reading? at Book Journey. Also, Mailbox Monday at its permanent home, and Stacking the Shelves at Tyngas' Reviews.

The snow doesn't bother me anymore. More snow coming today? Okay. So, I'm getting blase about this unusually white winter. I know that the Northeast is getting unused-to ice storms, which is something they're not used to, as yet! How about you?

The cover makes the book. Do you agree? How about these covers?

But I am also intrigued by clever and eye catching titles! Such as the ones below:

Which one would you choose to read first? Click on their covers, which will take you to the goodreads book descriptions. They are new review books, thanks to the publishers.

Right now, I'm reading Savage Girl by Jean Zimmerman, about a girl raised by wolves in Nevada in the 19th century. Quite interesting.

What did you get in your mailbox and which are you planning to read this week? 

Sunday Salon: Just Reading, No Labor on Labor Day

Welcome to the Sunday Salon!This post lists new books and links up to It's Monday; What Are You Reading? at Book Journey;  to Mailbox Monday hosted by Yolanda of Notorious Spinks Talks Books and to Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews.

Here is what arrived the past couple of weeks, some books I had been looking forward to and others a nice surprise.

Books finished:
Mystery Girl by David Gordon, review to be posted Tuesday for a book tour.
Alex by Pierre Lemaitre, a thriller in the vein of the Stieg Larsson books, but quite different in plot, and VERY creepy, as many French thrillers are.
Going Through the Notions by Cate Price, a cozy mystery in a new series, for a book tour this week.

Now reading:
Jana Bibi's Excellent Fortunes by Betsy Woodman, a novel set in northern India about a Scottish woman who lives there with her parrot and helper. The first in a series, the second of which, Love Potion Number 10, I also plan to read.

Reviews to be done:
The Sound and the Furry by Spencer Quinn, the sixth in the Chet and Bernie detective series, starring a humorous and unusual duo, Chet the dog and his human partner Bernie.

Enjoy the Labor Day events and long weekend! Put up your feet and relax. No labor on Labor Day, remember?  Are you traveling, and if so, what are you reading?

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