Books Read in November

Billy Boyle by James R. Benn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At first I thought the whole premis of the story was far fetched and ridiculous. As I read on it became a totally engrossing mystery with wonderful characters. Billy is an interesting character who, although simple at first, becomes more and more complex as the story unfolds.
The story itself is the same, starts simple, ends complex.
Based on some real people and places and held my interest from chapter 2 right through the stuff at the end. I am starting number 2 of Billy's adventures in a few minutes.

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The Wedding People by Alison Espach
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It is rare that I don't like a book. This book took too much of a suspension of reality. This from a reader science fiction.
The characters were as shallow as they seem to be as people. They were placed in odd situations and then continued as if it was normal behavior. I don't think there was one character I liked and I never was able to find a real plot. Just an unhappy woman finding herself in a weird situation with a bunch of weird people. Skip this one.

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Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a brilliant author. This book is a masterpiece of historical fiction. She brings life to the flight of the Hindenberg and its demise. I have seen movies, pictures and read other accounts but all pale set next to this book. I need not tell you the story, or reveal the ending, because most readers already know those things. This book is about people and their lives. Their emotions and what causes them to act. Put another way it brings actual "humanity" to the story. Flight of Dreams is a masterpiece because it shows us real people and how they might have acted. The book is fiction but, as Ariel Lawhon always does, she has breathed life into the characters.


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Red Lies by Cristelle Comby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Imagine the the end f the Soviet Union is history. This story brings that slice to life. I liked it because of the way it ended. I must add that it was an adventure and a kick to read. Just enough history to keep me interested and enough action to keep it from being boring. I love the fact that the protaginist is a woman and that the men are pretty much hollow and predictable. Read this, its fun. Can't believe I did not remember reading it in 2021.

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Books Read in September

Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great book. I did find the jumping around to be a little distracting but... as I read it became clear where the author was going. Ariel Lawhon is a master storyteller. I was sometimes confused but never felt like putting it down. The action is non stop and the personal story is intriguing. If you have read other books on SOE this will become a favorite.

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A Peculiar Combination by Ashley Weaver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first in what may be an interesting series. Many questions are raised, many relationships are hinted at and a whole family is caught up in the story. The plot was interesting but I thought a bit thin. I liked the writing and the way that the story was presented so Electra will get another chance on my bookshelf.

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The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is another very devious plot by Peter Swanson. A lot of running around and what seem to be false leads. In the end its a pretty intriguing story. These stories never seem to get old. There is no way to imagine where the story is going until it gets there. If you like mysteries and drama, this book will be perfect. I like stories I can't quite figure out. In this case, as in many Swanson stories, its more how will they solve it. Interesting and fun.

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A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sorry to say I read this out of order, do you think it will matter? I read it so fast that my Kindle almost overheated. A devious and convoluted story that had me on the edge of my seat. I was waiting for the next twist. This book is a delight if you like twisty turning books with a good amount of murder in them. Just shows that Peter Swanson should be in the genius category. Characters that jump off the page. You can see what is going on, taste the food and get a little drunk on the drinks. I love a book that feels real.

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Books I read in August, 2024

Leaving Eastern Parkway a novel by Matthew Daub
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although I would put this book in the category of "Same old story" I still enjoyed it, from the shocking beginning to the.... well, I don't want to ruin it. Let me just say that the ending is not shocking.
Building the story around handball was genius because I don't know anyone who is involved in handball as a player or spectator. Do you? I count it as a pretty obscure sport, not on my radar at least.
I enjoyed the read but is not on my recommend list because it has little to recommend it. Just a simple story of an orthodox, Hasidic Jew gone rogue.

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