Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love a mystery. This one is good to the end. Its a simple story but filled with twists and turns that make it move along quickly. I love a book that starts with the ending so that you spend the whole book wondering how the author will get there.
I also like reading books for book club because they take me out of my comfort zone. This is a first novel by Steadman but I hope its not her last.

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Not Our Kind by Kitty Zeldis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what a book. This is wonderful writing, rich, complete characters that are interesting and often frightening. The setting and the plot are wonderful.
Today, again, people are not afraid to be racist or anti-Semitic. This book hearkens back to those days when many clubs and venues were restricted. No Jews or Negros allowed. I never lived this but my parents did. My grandparents escaped the pogroms of Russia only to find plenty of racism here.
In my youth I thought these things had ended but I might have been wrong...

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Neon Prey by John Sandford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

John Sandford might be the most readable author i've ever read. This book can't be put down. The twists and turns, the characters and deceptions are wonderful. All in all you know what's going to happen but Sandford brings the story to life. That's why after 29 books, Lucas is still interesting.

Bravo, can't wait for the next one.

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The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I guess every book isn't for everyone. This book is highly rated and everyone I know loved it. I was bored to tears, had the whole plot, what there is of it, worked out in no time and was bored. Its a book for book club so as usual, they will show me how wrong I am.....

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The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The best for last? This is the best of the Maisie Dobbs novels to date. The characters are mature, full and there is little question about their sincerity. In other words, the seem like real, historical figures.Of courst it is the author's wonderful imagination and her ability to weave real events, people and issues into the story. Brilliant work. I can't wait for another.

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To Die But Once by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having some knowledge of Dunkirk, this book put a totally human face on the early events of WWII. The story, while intensly personal, tells me so much about life in England during this early period of the war. Maisie's "work" as an investigator seems to brush against so many significant events and so many important concepts. The story is genius. It brings so many things together that one needs to digest it and spend time thinking about some of the ideas therein.

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In This Grave Hour by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another page turner, mystery from Jacqueline Winspear. Again I learned more about Maisie but more important I got a feel for the intrigue and emotion spawned by the first days of WWII in England. This has done more than educate, it has immersed me in that culture. With characters that jump off the page and make the story more than real. What a great author.

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Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the best of the series so far. Reading about Munich before the war was chilling. In this current political climate it sounded a bit ominous. Maisie's time in Munich was filled with intrigue and subtrifuge but I believe it will give way to additional themes in later books.
Again, this is a history lesson wrapped in a mystery. Loved it

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A Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As ususal I come away from this book better for having read it. Knowing about the Spanish revolution is not the same as reading about people embroiled in it. Ms Winspear teaches me more than history, I learn about the emotion and intrigue that was surely present. Of course, it is a joy to follow Maisie's complex emotions too. There may be more lessons here. Coping with grief and sadness for one.

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Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked the first half. A great first half. A pretty good third quarter, then I got sort of bored. I'm glad I read it. Good history, great character development. I really felt for these people. I can't wait for my book club to show me what I missed. They always show convince me that I really liked the book.

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Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a very special book because it seems to mark a watershed for several of the characters. I'm excited to see where Maisie goes from here. As usual this is a book with twists and turns and a very interesting ending.

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Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A most enjoyable book. Sheds light on how tyranny can come in many forms, and quietly without a peep until it is too late. Such a simple story but with a multitude of messages. Maisie is about to move out of her world and I am about to learn more about this fascinating period between the wars. Jacqueline Winspear, I think you have a special genius for teaching and entertaining at the same time.

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