Being a Patterson fan, I just couldn’t wait to get his newest Women’s Murder Club book from the library (there were over 250 holds on it!) so I scored it for 50% off at BJ’s. I’ve read all the other Women’s Murder Club books in this series and this one did not disappoint. One can read this book on its own, but if you’re a fan of the series, you’ll enjoy tracing old themes and reading new ones.

The main plot in this story is the murders of some high profile San Francisco millionaires and their bizarre method of death: by snakebite. Tie in a subplot of the murder of a homeless man, some similar cold cases from 1982, and issues with everyone’s love lives (except Claire’s), and you’ve got this one in a nutshell!

I enjoy these quick reads – the perfect beach book for me!
This one has the added bonus of an excerpt from Patterson’s forthcoming book for Dec. ’09: “Witch and Wizard”.
I’ll give it 3 1/2 stars – it was a fun read!

On a recent trip to the library, I picked up Murder Most Maine since it looked entertaining, not gory, and not too long (under 300 pages). It turns out that this book is the third in the Gray Whale Inn series, mysteries that involve Natalie Barnes, the innkeeper of the historic Gray Whale Inn on Cranberry Island, Maine. In this installment, Natalie is hosting an upscale weight loss retreat at her inn, when Dirk, the handsome trainer, is found poisoned and Natalie’s boyfriend is named a suspect, throwing the inn (and Natalie) into a tizzy. A secondary storyline runs throughout the book as well, as a 150-year-old skeleton is found in the local lighthouse and Natalie decides to do some additional sleuthing.

I’ve discovered that these books are part of the literary genre known as “cozy mysteries”. I personally had never heard that term before. A cozy mystery (according, in part, to www.cozy-mystery.com) is a mystery that usually features a heroine, in a small town or village, who is a typical citizen, yet she has the propensity to “find” mysteries and enjoys enjoys being an amateur sleuth. Cozy mysteries may contain murders, but they aren’t graphic, overly violent, or otherwise extremely disturbing (my prior review of the Agatha Raisin books would fit these qualities).

I really enjoyed reading this novel. It reminded me of the Faith Fairchild mysteries which I also enjoy and which also feature recipes at the end. I definitely look forward to getting books 1 and 2 of this series!

I give it 4 Stars!

I recently came across a copy of A Break with Charity by Ann Rinaldi at our library booksale. I really enjoy Rinaldi’s historical fiction for young adults and have read many of her YA novels. A Break with Charity tells the story of Susannah English – a teenage girl living in Salem at the outbreak of the witch trials. While at first Susannah longs to be part of the group of girls who are secretly meeting together at the parsonage, she soon comes to fear them, and her efforts to stop them result in her own family being accused of witchcraft.

I enjoyed reading this novel, especially since I recently re-read Miller’s The Crucible. Rinaldi does a great job of blending historical fact and fiction. Readers should remember, though, that there is fiction in historical fiction, and realize that Susannah’s story is not true. Many of the surrounding facts and characters are based in fact, though, and this book serves, in my opinion, as an excellent introduction to the Salem Witch Trials, particularly for young readers. I’d recommend it to those who like historical fiction, especially those who are in middle school and up.

I’d rank it 4 Stars.

I recently read the 2003 novel, Harvard Yard. I loved this book! It tells of the story of Peter Fallon – a character familiar to Martin’s fans- and his search for a rare, unpublished Shakespeare play which is hidden somewhere in or related to Harvard. Along the way the story interchanges between Fallon in the current day and the history of the play through time, from when Shakespeare wrote it and gave it to John Harvard through the centuries. As time progresses, we see the story of Harvard College and the closely linked Wedge family play out through the generations, while in the present day there is a race against time to find the manuscript.

I truly enjoyed this story. It was a great blend of history, mystery, and action – set in a place I know and love. Even though it was over 550 pages, it read quickly and I couldn’t put it down. I look forward to reading more of Martin’s work – especially those similar stories tracing a historical artifact.

I give this book 5 Stars — loved it so much I have to own it! (and luckily found it for a buck at the library book sale!)

Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg

Murder Most Maine by Karen MacInerny

A Break with Charity by Ann Rinaldi

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Coming soon…a review of Harvard Yard….

The other day at the library I spontaneously pulled out “You’ve Been Warned” by James Patterson and Howard Roughan. I love Patterson’s thrillers as they are quick and fun. This one was no exception. I read the whole book – which goes quickly, even if it is over 350 pages – in one afternoon. The main character, Kristin Burns – a NYC nanny, has some strange, almost psychic phenomena happening to her and tying her to a murder (while all the time she’s also having a secret affair with her employer). This was a quick, fun read – great for the pool or a summer “unwind”!

Harvard Yard by William Martin (got it at the library book sale for a buck!)
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail (a play) by J. Lawrence and R. E. Lee
The Firemaster’s Mistress (for my HF bookclub) by Christie Dickason

Happy Reading!

I was fortunate to receive a free advanced reader copy of Lisa See’s new novel: Shanghai Girls (which becomes available in late May). I have read See’s other works (some reviewed here) and love, love, love her historical fiction, so I was greatly anticipating this read!

This novel tells the story of Pearl and her sister May – both “beautiful girls” (similar to models) in Shanghai in the 1930’s. After somewhat disastrous arranged marriages, and the invasion of China by the Japanese, Pearl and May begin a harrowing journey to America – to Los Angeles and their husbands – to begin a new life. This story is about new beginnings, clashing cultures, the ability to adapt, long-kept secrets, and the enduring and unending power of familial – especially sisterly – love.

I loved this book – though I have to say that it is sad and at times disturbing. I kept wanting everything to turn happy for Pearl, the main narrator, however, real life kept interfering. Pearl and May are both such strong characters. They are incredibly different, but wonderfully portrayed in both their strengths and their weaknesses. While I loved the characters, I also found it interesting to learn of the Chinese immigration process and the Chinese community within Los Angeles at that time. To be honest, I need to say I was a bit disappointed in the ending. I’m not sure if there is a possible sequel or if it is meant to leave you feeling unfinished, as life too often does.

I would recommend this book to See’s fans – definitely – and to those who enjoy reading of the Chinese culture and experience. I give it 4 1/2 stars!

Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of fun, easy reads. Life got a little busy, so reading needed to be light!
Along with reading Miller’s “The Crucible” for a play I’m performing in, I read two of the Agatha Raisin books – both dealing with her marriage to James and the mysteries she encountered; and I also read the first book that Charles Finch – of “September Society” – wrote: “A Beautiful, Blue Death”.
This morning I finished something more intense: “Shanghai Girls” by Lisa See, so that review is coming soon!

My neighborhood book club’s April pick is Empress Orchid by Anchee Min. What an interesting read! I had never heard the story of China’s last empress, Tzu Hsi (known as “Orchid” to her family). This book traces her life from the death of father while she is a teenager, to her being selected as a wife for the young Emperor, to her bearing him a son and heir, to her helping her very young son to rule China in the days near the turn of the 20th century.

I found this book interesting and engaging. Life in the Imperial court is vividly described, and Min’s style is such that I could picture it down to the last detail. Orchid is a complex character: intelligent and sensual, and at times ruthless and conniving. While this is, of course, historical fiction, I couldn’t help but think that Min had captured Orchid’s character, as she seemed so human. She is definitely a strong, female protagonist.

Min has published a sequel to this book, covering Empress Tzu Hsi’s 46 years in power. I think that I will read it! I got this copy from the library.

I give this book 4 Stars!