The Sea Garden by Marcia Willett FIC Wil

With Maeve Binchy and Rosamund Pilcher both gone, Marcia Willett is the only author I have found who comes close to writing that type of novel.  It is filled with characters whose lives are intertwined.  I love the descriptions of the English countryside and the interactions of the characters.  A great book to read while enjoying a cuppa!   It begins with Jess Penhaligon.  She is a young artist who has just received an award for her painting.  The award is in honor of an artist who has died.  His widow, Kate, was sad that Jess had no family present at the ceremony.  She ends up inviting Jess to come to Cornwall.  Jess accepts and ends up finding a link between her family and Kate's.  The sea garden was the site of many lovely parties decades ago.  The people there are shocked when they meet Jess who is the spitting image of her grandmother Juliet - and Jess is shocked to see pictures of Juliet taken in the sea garden so long ago.  You won't be on the edge of your seat but you also won't be put off by any language or violence.  Just a lovely book!

Fetch the Devil 364.152 Ric

In 1938 Hazel Frome and her 23-year-old daughter, Nancy, took a road trip across Texas. The women never reached their destination and were later found dead in the Sierra Diablo desert - apparently victims of a robbery gone wrong.

At least that's what everyone assumed until certain facts came to life.  Such as ....

• The women had been tortured but were not sexually assaulted or robbed.

• While stranded in El Paso for a few days awaiting minor car repairs, a mysterious envelope was delivered to them. The contents are unknown but they caused the women to rush out of town.

•  Hazel was the wife of a high-level executive of a San Fransisco explosives company - a fact she was not shy about telling everyone she met.

• Several known Nazi spies and con men were operating in the area.

• In 1938 the Nazis were very interested in Mr. Frome's explosives company.  In fact, they were quite eager to find a way to get to him.

The case was botched from the beginning. The crime scene was trampled by gawkers and a mysterious stranger assisted the coroner. Law enforcement agencies fought for jurisdiction, refused to cooperate or share evidence.  Eventually the case went cold and the Texas Rangers - who having won the fight to have control of the physical case files decided to shred them.

Seventy-five years later journalist Clint Richmond gathered what evidence remained, investigated old leads, and published his conclusions in the new nonfiction book Fetch the Devil: The Sierra Diablo Murders and Nazi Espionage in America.

If you like meticulous true crime nonfiction, this is a top-notch book.  Richmond investigates each angle thoroughly (in some cases to an exhaustive length, dragging down the narrative).  However, he's greatly hampered by the fact that the investigators and witnesses have now died and the complete set of files were destroyed.  While his conclusion makes sense given the evidence he puts forth, it stretches thin in some places.  

Read it yourself and comment below on this blog with your conclusions.  You can find Fetch the Devil in the adult nonfiction section under 364.152 Ric.

The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin 347.73 Too

   

We own this book but you can also download the audio book from Wilbor which is what I did.  I found it to be a very interesting book. There is plenty of history of the Supreme Court and the building itself, but most of it is about the time between the early 1990's to around 2007 (although Roe v  Wade and the whole abortion issue is brought up a lot!!).  There are lots of interesting cases from that time period - Clinton's impeachment, affirmative action, gay rights, Bush v Gore, the death penalty and so much more.

In my younger years I didn't think often about the Supreme Court - I just assumed they were supposed to look at the Constitution and that they were unbiased.  Well of course that isn't exactly how it works.  And reading about how they are vetted and chosen turned my stomach most of the time.  It is a very readable book and you will learn a lot.  Will you be happier after learning some of the behind the scene stories?  You will probably be a bit depressed like I was but we probably should understand the court a bit more than we do!

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty FIC Mor

I loved this book!  At the beginning you know someone is dead and people are being interviewed by the police.  You know that it happened at a school function known as Trivia Night which was a fundraiser.   The police know that people are not being totally honest with them.

Little by little you get to know the people who were there that night.  Madeline is a funny woman with a killer sarcastic edge to her.  Her ex-husband Nathan left her with a baby 14 years ago.  Even though Madeline is married to Ed, a wonderful guy, things are a bit weird.  Nathan and his new wife Bonnie have moved back to town - and they have a child in kindergarten which happens to be the same grade as Ed and Madeline's child.

 Celeste is the beautiful one in the group.  Always put together.  She is married to Perry and they have lots of money and twin boys.  What goes on behind closed doors is shocking.

Jane is the new woman on the block.  She is a single mother and sort of an outcast until Madeline befriends her.  When her son, Ziggy, is accused of bullying (and this is in kindergarten!) her life begins to spiral down and she thinks she will have to leave town.

Very entertaining and keeps you guessing as to the victim's identify and of course the killer. I think most people will love this book.
      

No Safe House by Linwood Barclay MYS Bar

The Archer family in this book is the same one that was in an earlier book (No Time For Goodbye).  I did read that book but just have a vague memory of it - and that had no effect on ability to enjoy this latest book.  Because of the trauma from the first book, Cynthia became obsessed with keeping her daughter safe.  Well now Grace is a teen and she can't stand the way her mother hovers.  It gets to the point that she moves out for a while.

Well Cynthia was right to be overprotective.  Grace gets herself into some bad trouble while hanging out with her boyfriend.  She calls her dad to come get her and he has to try and keep Grace from being implicated in a murder - whether or not she is guilty.  Eventually Cynthia finds out about the danger they are all in.
Already things were tense in the town because of a couple that was murdered in their home.  I found it to be an entertaining book about a family that will do anything to protect themselves.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt FIC Tar

I loved the cover of this book (I am so shallow) and wanted to read it but it was so popular that it had holds and I didn't want to have to find time to read a 750+ page book on a deadline.  When I discovered the audio on Wilbor I put it on hold.  It was about 36 hours long!  But I have lots of time to listen while walking, gardening, cleaning, etc.  And I finished it on the sixth day.  So you can guess that I liked it.  It's hard to pinpoint the exact reason.  I felt sorry for Theo, the main character, but I never really liked him that much during much of the book.  A lot of things happen but I was rarely on the edge of my seat. Somehow Ms. Tartt just reeled me in.  When the story begins Theo and his mom have been actually enjoying life since father/ husband has left with no forwarding address.  This happiness doesn't last long because of a tragic accident.  Theo has to carry the guilt that he was the reason they were in the museum when an explosion takes the life of his mom.  Theo is knocked out but when he comes to he sees an old man who is dying.  He asks Theo to take care of a dying request.  As Theo looks around the shambles he notices The Goldfinch (a famous painting that really does exist).  And he takes it.  With no mother and a father who is MIA Theo goes to live with the family of a childhood friend.  The story jumps through the different phases of Theo's life.  Love, loss, friendship, obsession - a bit of everything.  The thing I liked least about the book was all the drug taking - there was a lot of it and probably took up at least 100 pages!  All in all I liked the book but you have to be ready for a commitment!

Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain FIC Cha

 

(I listened to the audiobook from WILBOR).  This novel takes place in 1960.  Ivy is only fifteen but she basically is the one taking care of her grandmother (who suffers from diabetes), her older sister (who is not too responsible   some mental illness) named Mary Ella, and Mary Ella's son whom they called Baby William.   In a way they are lucky because they have a house to live in in exchange for the two sisters working on the tobacco farm.  Ivy also has epilepsy.

Jane Forrester is the newest social worker who is getting ready to marry Robert, a doctor, and she is crazy about him.  He is not thrilled that she wants to work (none of his colleagues' wives work except one who is a teacher) but doesn't say no.  Of course she doesn't tell him everything that it will involve.  Is she a good social worker?  Yes, because she is totally invested in the lives and needs of her clients......but no say her husband and her boss - because she is totally invested in the lives and needs of her clients.

The story was interesting but even more so was revisiting the way the world was back then.  Jane having to ask the doctor for a birth control pill (wouldn't do it without an okay from her fiancé) is hard to read!  The sterilization programs that went on were inhuman.

A great book that will captivate you.  I think it would be a great book club selection - lots to talk about!

The Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local - and Helped Save an American Town by Beth Macy 338.7 Mac

Rather a long subtitle but it gives you an idea of the book's theme!  You probably know that the furniture industry has been devastated over the past decades and you probably know some of the reasons.  Ms. Macy traces the history of the Bassett Furniture Company located in Bassett, Virginia.  Since the town was named after the family you can guess how influential and important the family was.  The founders of this company were varied, interesting and often not very nice. There are family feuds of course!

It was sad to read about the destruction of this industry - but it was heartening to read about John Bassett III.  He was part of the third generation of Bassetts (I guess that's why he has the III!).  As his factory was less able to compete he decided to do something about it and saved hundreds of jobs in his little town.

This was a fascinating story behind an American industry - and you might not enjoy your cheap imported furniture as much when you read about the working conditions in which it was made!  (and yes I am as guilty as the next guy.......but I'll think twice before I buy my next piece of furniture.)

Lisette's List by Susan Vreeland FIC Vre

 

If our country were threatened by invading forces, what would people rush to hide and protect?  My cynical soul suggests that it might be all of the electronic toys - smart phones, tablets, computers, x-boxes, kindles, etc.  After all you might want to be tweeting during an invasion.  Before the outbreak of WWII the people of France were obsessed with protecting beauty in the form of artwork. The story of what they did is amazing.  This book is a novel about a small village in France where a man tried to save his grandfather's personal art collection. The story begins in 1937 when Lisette leaves Paris, the city she loves, to follow her husband, André, to Provence to care for Pascal, André's grandfather.  When they arrive, Pascal is playing boules and seems pretty healthy to Lisette.  But it is soon apparent that Pascal wanted them there for another reason.  Over the years Pascal had built frames for some struggling artists who paid him with paintings.  So in this very humble home there are beautiful works of arts by artists who became famous.  Pascal wants to be sure that before he dies Lisette understands and appreciates the art.

When war finally breaks out, André hides the paintings before going off to fight.  He refuses to tell Lisette where they are hidden in order to protect her.  The story takes the reader through those war years.  After peace finally arrives, Lisette must try to find those paintings.  If you like historical fiction I think you will enjoy it.

Arsonist by Sue Miller FIC Mil

We own the book and the audiobook.  I listened to it and really enjoyed it.  Frankie (a she) Rowley has been doing relief work in Africa for the past 15 years.  She comes home to New Hampshire occasionally.  Now that visit will be to their former summer home which is now a permanent home.  This town is heavy with summer people who return year after year to their homes.  When Frankie returns she is feeling that she doesn't belong anywhere.  Her parents aren't doing well.  Her dad is suffering from some dementia and tends to wander at night.  Her mom is no longer in love with her husband but at the moment she is stuck.  The first night that Frankie is there a summer home is torched.  And then another and another.  At first it seems to be done to homes where no one is there - but that eventually changes.  It begins to drive more of a wedge between the summer people and the permanent residents.  This book didn't get great reviews but I was entertained - and that is what it is all about for me!

That Night by Chevy Stevens FIC Ste

Toni Murphy is deeply in love with her boyfriend, Ryan.  It is a good thing that he loves her because she isn't very popular with the girls at school - those mean girls!  Toni's parents were having a hard time dealing with her too - because they keep comparing her to her "perfect" sister Nicole.  Nicole isn't exactly what her parents think she is.

One night Nicole begs Toni to let her go out with them - they are headed to a private location but Toni lets her tag along.  Nicole never returns because she is murdered. Toni and Ryan are sent to prison for the murder.  So part of the book focuses on Toni's high school days and the murder, then there are the years in prison and finally her release from prison when she is in her 30's.  One of the saddest part of Toni's story is the bullying - it began in high school and continued on to prison and even after her release.  She has a lot to do after her release - try to rebuild a relationship with her parents, find out who killed her sister and try to stay away from Ryan

After I'm Gone by Laura Lippman MYS Lip

An interesting mystery.  Felix meets the love of his life, Bambi, in 1959.  He makes a lot of money (not all of it is on the up and up) and Bambi and their three daughters live a good life.  That is until 1976 when it all blows up and Felix is headed to prison.  He would have been out in a few years but that was too long for him - so he disappears.  Bambi is left behind with no husband and no money.  But wait, maybe Julie knows something, after all she was Felix's mistress.  He did leave Julie a small business but she doesn't seem to have much money.  Ten years later on the same day Felix disappeared so does Julie.  Eventually her remains are found.

Twenty-six years later a cold case detective starts looking into murder.  Sandy, a retired detective, starts digging deep.  Where is Felix?  Who murdered Julie?  The lives of everyone involved will change forever.

A very readable book.  The story goes back and forth between the past and the present.  It kept my interest from beginning to end.

An Unwilling Accomplice by Charles Todd MYS Tod

 

We own the book but I listened to the audiobook from WILBOR (because I can't get enough of those English accents!).  This series by Todd takes place during WWI.  The main character is Bess Crawford.  She nurses wounded soldiers in France and is often back in England on leave.  In this book she has just come back to London on leave when she gets a request from the War Office.  A wounded soldier is to receive a medal of honor at Buckingham Palace.  Due to his extensive injuries he will need help getting there and he has requested her.  She doesn't recognize the name Wilkins as someone she nursed but she is willing to help out.  He is in a wheelchair and heavily bandaged.  She can only see his eyes but he is a nice man.  After the ceremony she takes him back to the hotel.  He cons her into letting him be by himself with some friends that evening and promises to take his powder before going to bed.  She gives into his pleas against her better judgement.  She stays in the hotel but of course she can't stay in the room with him! He is gone the next morning and she finds herself in deep trouble with her superiors.  In order to clear her reputation she must find him.  It is a typical British mystery - slow paced - but I love them.

The Girls of Murder City by Douglas Perry 364.152 Per

I don't know how I missed this book when it was new in 2010, but what a pleasant surprise to find it while browsing the shelves.

The Girls of Murder City by Douglas Perry is the true account of the 1920s "gunner girls" of the Cook County jail.  If you've seen the musical Chicago, then you know the plot: in separate incidents, two beautiful women brazenly murder their boyfriends and then bask in the publicity.

"Beautiful Beulah" Annan and "Stylish Belva" Gaertner fascinated the press who interviewed them daily in their jail cells.  Smitten with their glamor, the journalists fawned sycophantically  ... all except reporter Maurine Watkins, who was covering her first big story.  

Watkins was disgusted with the accused murderesses and appalled by her fellow reporters and "sob sisters".  In contrast to other news accounts, Watkins' articles were sly and barbed, subtly poking fun at the spectacle.  Watkins soon had her own following of devoted readers. She later went on to write the play Chicago based on these stories. Years later her play was made into the musical.

The Girls of Murder City is a great book on two levels.  First, the story of the murders themselves is fascinating high drama.  And then there's the story of the Maurine Watkins, the lone reporter who could see through the Razzle Dazzle.

You can find this book on the nonfiction shelves under 364.152 Per

Best to Laugh by Lorna Landvik FIC Lan

Lorna Landvik’s latest novel, Best to Laugh, is a departure from her typical storytelling in that she sets this one in California rather than her native Minnesota. The author best known for Patty Jane’s House of Curls and Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons sends her main character, Candy Pekkala, to Hollywood, where she has the opportunity to sublet her cousin’s apartment in historic and glamorous Peyton Hall. Here she meets a variety of well-developed and colorful characters – a strength of Landvik’s writing – who provide friendship, support, and the connections Candy needs to break into a career as a stand-up comedian.

Landvik, a comedian herself, knows the difficulty of the business and the life of Hollywood in the 70s and 80s. For Best to Laugh, she drew heavily on her own experiences to shape those of the protagonist.

This is not my favorite of Landvik’s novels, but I enjoyed it and it gave me a glimpse into a past lifestyle and era of Hollywood glitz and glamour.

What Alice Forgot, by Liane Moriarty FIC Mor

Alice is 29 years old and expecting her first baby.  She and her husband, Nick, are happily in love, renovating their first house.

Except, she's not and they're not.  She's 39 years old, has 3 (!!) children, and Alice and Nick are separated.  A fall at the gym, a hard knock to the head, and Alice has lost the last ten years of her life -- no memory at all of what has brought her to a place where she is an organizer of other school mums, a distant sister to her once-best-friend, a divorcing wife, and a SO SKINNY gym-goer.

I loved this book by the author of the newly-released "Big Little Lies".  Alice is irresistible, and I could hardly put the book down for wanting to find out how she navigated the life in which she found herself.  Check this one out while you're waiting for your chance at Moriarty's newest release!

Small Blessings by Martha Woodroof FIC Woo

     

This is a debut novel and I enjoyed reading it.  It is filled with a lot of tortured quirky characters.  Foremost is college professor Tom Putnam.  Tom is the most considerate and kind person on campus.  You would think that good things would come to him.  Instead he is living a horrific life.  His wife, Marjory, has always had emotional problems.  Marjory's mother Agnes knew that Tom should never have married her. Things were bad but when Marjory found out that Tom had a short-lived affair....she had a total breakdown.  Agnes left her law practice to move in and help watch over Marjory.  She is the talk of the town.  Still Tom took her to the bookstore for the kickoff of a new program.  And there Marjory meets Rose who has come to town to run the bookstore.  Immediately Marjory seems drawn to her and invites her to come for dinner the next Friday night (and that is something that never happens).  Tom would be anxious enough about that but he has even bigger problems.  That affair he had?  Well, after 10 years he has received a letter from her.  She is putting his son on a train (what son?????) and he is arriving on Saturday.  A readable and enjoyable novel.