Enlighten Me

Enlighten Me is a graphic novel by Minh Le. It features a young boy named Binh who gets in trouble at school after he hits another boy who has been bullying him over his Vietnamese heritage. He is afraid of being suspended but only receives a verbal warning from the vice principal at his school.  During the summer break, Binh's parents take him and his two sisters on a silent meditation retreat. Binh has to turn in his electronics and refrain from talking for an entire weekend. Of course, he is bored. However, when a Buddhist nun gathers all the kids to tell them the Jataka tales - the stories of the Buddha’s many past lives - Bình takes a fantastical dive into his imagination and starts to see himself in these stories. The questions remains, will he retreat further into himself or will he emerge from the weekend open to change?

This is a funny story written for kids 9 - 12. I learned a few new facts about the life of the Buddha that I have not read elsewhere in adult books. The Jakarta tales were new to me and I want to learn about all of them. While Bình is the protagonist of the story, the book is really an introduction into the life of Buddha. I was impressed that Bình found peace at the retreat but I guess that is the whole point of the book. The fact that he obtained this in the short span of a weekend seems like a fairy tale but, then again, it's a children's book.

5 out of 5 stars.

A Geek in Japan

 

I saw this travel guide at my local Barnes and Noble. Its pages appear similar to a comic book format but it is not a comic.  I figured that the page design would help me retain information easily so I bought it. It was published in 2019. The guidebook covers a wide array of topics in short articles accompanied by sidebars and numerous photographs. It provides a lively digest of the society and culture of Japan. The book was designed to appeal to the generations of westerners who grew up on pokemon, manga and video games. This audience description does not describe myself. However, I found the book to be a fantastic resource.

Spotlighting the originality and creativity of the Japanese, debunking myths about them, and answering nagging questions like why they're so fond of robots, author Hector Garcia has created the perfect book for the growing ranks of Japanophiles in this highly informative guide. It has sections on Japanese culture, history, work life, music, TV and movies. Each section has photos and sidebars and short articles on each topic.  The sidebars are what make the book look like a comic book. The humor also gives it that comic book feel.

I am preparing for a month long visit to Japan in 6 weeks and have read several guidebooks. A Geek In Japan has its place among them all. The information contained in the book rates somewhere between a comprehensive travel guide and light reading.  I am rating it 3 out of 5 stars.

A Nest of Vipers

The third novel in the award-winning Bangalore Detectives Club series finds amateur sleuth Kaveri Murthy involved in a dangerous plot that endangers the life of the visiting Prince of Wales. This historical mystery was published earlier in the month on May 2, 2024.

The publisher's summary:

This latest novel in the Bangalore Detectives Club mystery series takes the reader deep into the historical era surrounding the visit by Edward, Prince of Wales, to Bangalore in 1921. When the prince begins a tour of a number of Indian cities, he encounters passionate crowds demanding independence from Britain, with rioting on the streets of Bombay in November 1921.

The mood of the prince's subsequent trip to Bangalore and Mysore in January 1922 appears, at first glance, very different and is made to large, welcoming crowds. But perhaps all is not what it seems to be. While exploring another (seemingly unrelated) crime scene, Kaveri and Ramu become tangled in a complex web of intrigue, getting pulled into a potentially dangerous plan that could endanger the life of the visiting prince.

This new novel also takes us into the world of jadoo—Indian street magic—with sleight-of-hand magicians, snake charmers, and rope tricks. Kaveri and Ramu continue their sleuthing, with help from the Bangalore Detectives Club, amidst the growing rumblings of Indian independence and the backdrop of female emancipation.

I thought that the beginning was slow. The Prince of Wales did not enter the plot until two thirds of the way into the story. Several murders did occur throughout the story though. Kaveri relied on social functions that she went to with her husband in order to meet people and ask questions. While I am sure this was realistic for the era, it didn't make for an exciting read.

The setting was prominent to the telling of the story. The reader learns alot about gender roles, Hindu rituals and the foods of India. While the book is advertised as a historical mystery, it reads more historical fiction. The reveal of the whodunnit seemed slow but I believe that I am comparing the book to a suspense story. There is no suspense here and I guess I should have prepared my review for the correct genre of the book. However, I cannot but feel that the book should be suspenseful.

It was fun to get reacquainted with the characters but, for me, it was a slow read. 3 out of 5 stars.

Pretty Girls

Pretty Girls was published in 2016. The story is about a woman named Claire, whose sister disappeared twenty years ago in a mystery that was never solved. It scarred every member of the family, each reacting a little differently. The book contains many trigger warnings including rape, murder, torture, sex assault and suicide. In addition, it has intense graphic scenes. I loved the story but would not recommend the book for minors.

The publisher's summary:

More than twenty years ago, Claire and Lydia’s teenaged sister Julia vanished without a trace. The two women have not spoken since, and now their lives could not be more different. Claire is the glamorous trophy wife of an Atlanta millionaire. Lydia, a single mother, dates an ex-con and struggles to make ends meet. But neither has recovered from the horror and heartbreak of their shared loss—a devastating wound that's cruelly ripped open when Claire's husband is killed.

The disappearance of a teenage girl and the murder of a middle-aged man, almost a quarter-century apart: what could connect them? Forming a wary truce, the surviving sisters look to the past to find the truth, unearthing the secrets that destroyed their family all those years ago . . . and uncovering the possibility of redemption, and revenge, where they least expect it.

This story is one wild ride! It was so suspenseful that I could not do my regular Friday errands yesterday until I finished the book. It had an amazing plot with an ending I did not see coming. There were alot of twists. I did not figure out where the story was ultimately going until I passed the halfway point in the story. However, the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. While I was reading I knew the ending was going to be good but was not prepared for it. It was incredibly satisfying. Author Karin Slaughter wrote a fantastic story and she is now one of my favorite authors. If you haven't read Pretty Girls you need to get a copy of it. You won't be disappointed but don't forget that you need an uninterrupted block of time to read it. I am actually speechless right now and cannot delve further into why the book is fantastic. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Four Steps Missed

Here is another entry for me in the Clock Reading Challenge. In this 4th installment of the Titus Ray thriller series our CIA spy is sent to Israel in order to determine if the U. S. Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) made a deal with Israel to allow them to tell their assets in Iran that they were working for the CIA.  The Israelis made a number of Iranians believe that they were ultimately working for the CIA. The plan was made because MOSSAD had a hard time finding assets. The Israelis are known to use intelligence that they gather in order to carry out assassinations. However, it is illegal for the U. S. government to assassinate foreign leaders. The U. S. Inspector General had an active investigation into the DDO. Titus Ray and his cohort Ben Mitchell were given the assignment to find evidence against the DDO. Titus had another reason for traveling to Israel. He needs a grandmother to consent to his and his wife Nikki's adoption of their foster child who they have been raising since her CIA father died in an operation one year earlier.

The plot moved fairly quickly and I was able to read the book in one sitting. I was somewhat surprised that the title has more to do with the adoption than a CIA operation. The four steps missed concern steps that should have been made before Titus would be allowed to adopt. For instance, verification of the grandmother's mental health is one of the items that should have been made in writing. Grandma was in a mental health facility in Israel after the death of her daughter. If you have read any title in the series then you know that our spy Titus is a new Christian. Consequently, there is no foul language or sex inside the pages of these books. They are all clean thrillers. 

I loved the story and am rating the book 5 out of 5 stars.

Uniquely Japan

Uniquely Japan is one of several travel guidebooks that I purchased for my upcoming trip to Japan. Most of them are in comic strip format. Three have been written by Abby Denson! She also wrote Cool Japan Guide and Cool Tokyo Guide which I will review later this month. Denson has used her own drawings and photographs in this book. There are chapters devoted to Arts and crafts, fun things to do, fashion, food, high tech toilets, Japanese creatures. and street sights.

I have learned to look down at the ground to see lavishly decorated manhole covers, pink polka-dotted backhoes, and toilets with warmable seats and blow dryers. I now know that I can get my ramen from a vending machine and I will see silly mascots promoting serious businesses and whimsical architecture for neighborhood police stations. Denson also discusses several types of sweets available in Japan, which is important to me! However, I have already begun researching sweets by ordering boxes of sweets and tea directly from Japan.

Uniquely Japan is a nice resource to have. While it is in no way a comprehensive guide, I know that there are a few things I will remember due to the comic strip format.  I am rating it 4 out of 5 stars.

Kitchen Front

The Kitchen Front is a fairly new World War II era story that takes place 2 years after Britain entered the war. It was published in 2021. The plot follows four women from Fenley Village who are competing for a spot hosting a wartime cookery program called The Kitchen Front. The contestants must create an appetizer, entree and dessert. Points are given by the judge and the lady with the most points wins the competition. This book was based on an actual BBC program of the same name. With German U-boats frequently disrupting the UK's supply of food, Britain's housewives had to use ration coupons in order to obtain goods. In an effort to help housewives with food rationing, this BBC show ran a cooking contest. The grand prize was a job as the program’s first-ever female co-host.

For young widow Audrey, winning the competition could be a chance to pay off her husband’s debts and keep a roof over her children’s heads. However, her estranged sister Gwendoline is equally set on success even if her own kitchen maid, Nell, is competing against her. Then there is Zelda, a trained London-trained chef desperate to succeed in a male-dominated profession. These four women found that in order to finish the competition they will have to bend the rules. Lady Gwendoline has borrowed a french trained chef from another manor house to cook her entries. Both Nell and Zelda obtained the meat for their main courses from friends but Zelda's came from a black market source. Audrey "borrowed" some herbs from someone else's garden.

I thought the author made a wise decision to write a WWII historical novel that focused on food rationing. The book is not your typical WWII novel. We don't read anything about the progress of the war or the soldiers fighting it. It's all about the families left behind. I loved the small town English setting of this novel. I also enjoyed reading the detailed descriptions of the food and the recipes that were given. It's amazing how clever cooks were able to make food that was delicious given all the food rationing they had to deal with. Recipes are given at the end of each chapter. 

Initially I disliked both Zelda and Gwendoline, particularly Gwendoline. As the story developed, their pasts were defined and I began to admire them for what they overcame in life. Audrey Landon is the most sympathetic character in the story. She is trying to raise her kids in a dilapidated house. She is only able to get by financially with a small pie making business. Her sister Gwendoline is an upper class lady with a condescending attitude and no joy. She thought that marrying well would bring her happiness but it didn't. Her husband was abusive, both mentally and physically. Zelda is a pregnant single woman who wants to be a head chef in a ritzy London restaurant. Nell Brown is a shy kitchen maid with amazing cooking skills and a wonderfully patient and kind teacher, Mrs. Quince. Both she and Quince work for Gwendoline's husband at Fenley Hall where they all live.

The Kitchen Front is an inspiring story that captured my heart. It has put author Jennifer Ryan on my radar and I plan to read her other books. 5 out of 5 stars.

Two Days in Caracas

The Clock Reading Challenge is a fairly new challenge for me. You need to find book titles with numbers 1 through 12 in them and then add a photo of the book cover to its corresponding clock number. I picked Two Days in Caracas for the challenge this month. I have read several other books by Luana Ehrlich and enjoyed them. Thus, I will be reading books for this challenge from several of Ehrlich's series.

The publisher's summary:

Titus faces a threat he never imagined.

Can he capture Ahmed Al-Amin before it's too late?

Confronting a new operative . . .

When veteran CIA operative Titus Ray arrives in San José, Costa Rica, and meets fresh-faced Ben Mitchell, a hot-tempered new operative with barely any experience in the field, he has a choice to make--ignore him or take him under his wing.

Facing an old demon . . .

In the middle of an active, ongoing operation, Titus is suddenly called back to the States where he must deal with the failures from his past and make decisions about his future with Detective Nikki Saxon.

Opposing a present danger . . .

In an effort to stop Hezbollah assassin, Ahmed Al-Amin, from murdering a high-profile government official, Titus travels to Caracas, Venezuela, where he learns the assassin is but one piece of a complicated international plot to deliver chemical weapons to some of America's most dangerous enemies.

Facing the truth . . .

Titus risks everything, including his future with Nikki, to capture Ahmed, but is it enough? Can his newfound faith sustain him when everything about his operation goes sideways?

While the book is a spy thriller, it is also Christian fiction. In prior reviews of Ehrlich's books I was critical for the Christian side not being mentioned in the plot until the ending. Christian fiction should include spirituality throughout the entire story. In Two Days in Caracas Ehrlich gets it right. We read about Titus Ray's faith struggles from beginning to end. It made perfect sense to include this part of Titus's personality in the story. Also, because this is Christian fiction there is no foul language, immoral conduct or details on how a character was tortured. I read alot of spy thrillers and didn't miss any of it.

I had some personal issues with whether Titus Ray should have a job as a spy given his faith. He regularly kills people for his country. Is this an appropriate job for a Christian? I have read in newspapers over the years that men who work for the CIA are a religious bunch. I can't believe that it's an OK job for them. I was quite uncomfortable when Titus prayed for success before an operation wherein he was going to snatch a terrorist that might involve killing him. I don't see God as taking sides so this felt unseemly.

The story was entertaining. It's unique plot and fast pacing made it  hard to put down. The only difference between this type of spy thriller versus the traditional genre is that this one does not have cliffhangers or any suspense between the chapters. Some folks will be turned off by this but I felt that it was charming.  We still have an interesting plot and characters that are well-developed.

5 out of 5 stars.

Where the Body Was

I was excited when I found out Net Galley would provide me with a copy of this comic. Author Ed Brubaker writes awesome stories and this one is no different. The story takes place in Summer 1984 in an abandoned boarding house on Pelican Road that junkies have taken over. 

The story opens with an introduction to the boarding house. We meet the couple who were the original owners as well as their neighbors. After they pass on the boarding house falls into disrepair and junkies and other criminals move in. A girl who thinks she is a superhero, wearing a mask and a cape, has a crush on Palmer who is doing drugs with a woman he is sleeping with, Toni. In order to get cash for their fix, the couple burglarize homes. She threatens him with going to the cops if he doesn’t stop. Palmer tells everyone that he is a cop and flashes a badge at anyone whose behavior he does not like. Despite this, I found him to be a sympathetic character. Another character that I liked was Ranko. He is a homeless man who sees everything happens on the street even though no one sees him.

There were alot of characters introduced in the beginning and I didn't even try to remember who was who. I knew I would get them straight during my read which I did. Each of these characters get to narrate their own chapters and the reader begins to see the well crafted plot through their eyes. The body was not introduced in the book until the halfway point. 

Normally I would complain about this but the story was so absorbing that I didn't even notice its absence. 

Where the Body Was is an entertaining mystery that satisfies. Comic fans will want to read this one. 5 out of 5 stars.

Letters of Wisdom

I was surprised when I opened up my Net Galley app a few days ago and found a new book by Wanda Brunstetter. I was even more surprised that it is part the Friendship Letters series which I thought was just a duology. Letters of Comfort and Letters of Trust were both published last year and I loved reading them.  The new book will be published on February 29, 2024.

The publisher's summary:

Friendship Letters Series — Doretta Schwartz has always enjoyed writing letters and feels her letters can be a bit of a ministry to her friends. In this series, exchanging letters that contain open and honest feelings and struggles helps Doretta and two of her best friends through the darkest challenges of their lives.

 

Letters and Prayers Between Friends Become a Balm for Healing

 

Irma Miller thought having a family of her own would bring her joy and a sense of accomplishment, but she struggles with memories of the abuse she suffered as a child at the hand of her stepfather. When she becomes physically and emotionally abusive to her own children, she reaches out to her friend Doretta for prayer and wisdom. But Irma may find herself at an even darker emotional place before she will admit she needs professional help to heal the past traumas. Will Doretta’s letters of wisdom help Irma and her family, or will too much be broken to ever be repaired?

 

Find out in the third book of The Friendship Letters series by New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter.

 

I love Wanda Brunstetter's books. When I obtained the book I deliberately read slowly because I knew that it would be done in a flash and I wanted to savor every word. I loved reading about all that baking that the female characters were doing and wish they were baking for me! The topic of the story is child abuse, both physical and emotional. The author stated at the end of the story that she was a victim of child abuse as was her husband. I did not see that coming. She seems so well adjusted because she pumps out multiple books each year.  

As for our main character Irma, she suffered severe physical and emotional abuse from her stepfather and she began behaving the same way toward her own children.  She was not aware that abuse can be handed down the generations if the victims don't receive counseling. As the story continued, Irma became more and more abusive to her kids. I could tell that this was where the story was going and that the author was going to be sympathetic to her. However, I felt that her kids were brats just as she accused them of being. They never did what they were told and even caused accidents among themselves. 

The letters between Irma and her friends Doretta and Eleanor are a source of healing for her. They address her current struggles and past traumas. The Scripture references given to her were spot on and I must admit that the ones concerning anger touched my own heart.

The advanced review copy (ARC) that I read had three mistakes. Doretta was referred to as Irma in these places. It was easy to figure this out though. As this is an ARC errors are to be expected.  I am sure that they will be corrected before publication.  

5 out of 5 stars.

South of Sepharad

Thanks to the Early Reviewer's Club at Librarything I was able to obtain an advanced review copy of South of Sepharad. The book is scheduled to be published on February 20, 2024 and it is a historical fiction account of the Jewish expulsion from Spain in 1492. 

The publisher's summary:  

GRANADA, SPAIN, 1492. Vidal ha-Rofeh is a Jewish physician devoted to his faith, his family, and his patients. When Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand conquer Granada they sign the Alhambra Decree, an edict ordering all Jews convert to Catholicism or depart Spain in three months' time under penalty of death.

Against his wife's belief that converting is safer than exile, Vidal insists they flee. Unwillingly leaving behind their oldest daughter with her Catholic husband, Vidal's family joins a caravan of 200 Jews journeying to start their lives anew across the sea in Fez. On the caravan, Vidal struggles to balance his physician duties of caring for the sick while struggling to mend strained relationships with his family. At the same time, his daughter back home finds herself exposed to the Spanish Inquisition living as a converso in a Christian empire.

Presenting readers with a painful but important part of Jewish history, South of Sepharad is a heroic, heart-breaking story of a father who holds tightly to his faith, his family, and his integrity all while confronting the grief of the past and the harsh realities of forced exile.

When I saw this debut novel as an Early Reviewer's choice, I knew I needed to read it. The book covers a part of history that I don't know much about and the setting provided many important details concerning life during this time period. The reader learns about the details of Jewish life and culture including the rituals of Shabbat as well as the restrictions placed upon them. The fragrance of the Granada lemon groves, it's grand architecture and foods are frequently mentioned also.

I learned alot about the history surrounding the Alhambra Decree, commonly called the Edict of Expulsion, including how it was enacted, communicated, and enforced. I thought it was odd that a notice about the edict was nailed to synagogue doors but how else would the notice be communicated in the 1490s? I was shocked that the Jews were only given three months to leave. That's not alot of time to plan. The rabbi organized the departure of approximately 200 families and they left Granada within a month. Their caravan walked slowly to the port city of Malaga where they hoped to get a boat that would take them to the African coast.

As far as the characters are concerned, I felt that Vidal was a weak man. He put his job before his family. While his principles ended up saving his family it was disheartening to always read that he would give his time and money to his patients even though his family was adversely affected by it. His wife should have been in charge. However, Vidal's actions were a tool that helped to explain the difficulty that the Jews had to deal with. As the time for departure approached, Vidal's interactions with his patients explained many of the circumstances that the Jews found themselves in. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to historical fiction fans. 5 out of 5 stars.

Her Every Fear

I selected Peter Swanson's 2017 thriller for the Calendar of Crime Challenge. It was published in the month of January and meets the publication month criteria of the challenge. As is usual for a Peter Swanson novel, this one was a fantastic read.

The publisher's summary:  

Growing up, Kate Priddy was always a bit neurotic, experiencing momentary bouts of anxiety that exploded into full blown panic attacks after an ex-boyfriend kidnapped her and nearly ended her life. When Corbin Dell, a distant cousin in Boston, suggests the two temporarily swap apartments, Kate, an art student in London, agrees, hoping that time away in a new place will help her overcome the recent wreckage of her life.

But soon after her arrival at Corbin’s grand apartment on Beacon Hill, Kate makes a shocking discovery: his next-door neighbor, a young woman named Audrey Marshall, has been murdered. When the police question her about Corbin, a shaken Kate has few answers, and many questions of her own—curiosity that intensifies when she meets Alan Cherney, a handsome, quiet tenant who lives across the courtyard, in the apartment facing Audrey’s. Alan saw Corbin surreptitiously come and go from Audrey’s place, yet he’s denied knowing her. Then, Kate runs into a tearful man claiming to be the dead woman’s old boyfriend, who insists Corbin did the deed the night that he left for London.

When she reaches out to her cousin, he proclaims his innocence and calms her nerves . . . until she comes across disturbing objects hidden in the apartment—and accidently learns that Corbin is not where he says he is. Could Corbin be a killer? And what about Alan? Kate finds herself drawn to this appealing man who seems so sincere, yet she isn’t sure. Jetlagged and emotionally unstable, her imagination full of dark images caused by the terror of her past, Kate can barely trust herself . . . So how could she take the chance on a stranger she’s just met?

Yet the danger Kate imagines isn’t nearly as twisted and deadly as what’s about to happen. When her every fear becomes very real. And much, much closer than she thinks. 

I was able to figure out early on the identity of the whodunnit. The why and how were not so easy to determine. In fact, the reason that the perpetrator of the crimes acted as he did was pretty chilling. It was what made this psychological thriller so scary. Any woman who lives alone is going to be afraid not only for Kate but for themselves as well. This book will make you second guess every odd sound you hear in your home. I believe that the "her" in the title "Her Every Fear" includes the reader.  

The story has a jaw dropping plot that turns into an awful tale of horror. Fans of psychological mysteries will love it. The plot becomes more and more scary and disturbing as the story unravels and it kept me sitting on the edge of my seat. It also made me get up out of bed and check my door multiple times during the night that I finished reading the book. I can say so much more about why this book is good but basically it scared me to death.

5 out of 5 stars.

Cool Japan Guide

I picked up this graphic novel guide to Japan last month because I will be traveling there in March. It is, as the title suggests, very cool. When you first open the book you are introduced to our guides, Abby Denton and her husband Matt. In each chapter they offer some Japanese words that would be helpful to know, as well as information on hotels, food, Japan apps, festivals, night spots, touristy places, other travel resources and they explain the bath and toilet differences between Japan and the U. S. Unless you see a sign that says "western toilet," you will either get a squatting toilet or a fancy one that cleans and dries too. As the book's back blurb states, this is the first travel guide to be written from a cartoonist's perspective. 

The book looks like a children's comic, but it isn't that at all. I found it easy to read and insightful.  Because of the comic strip format, I will most likely remember many of the tips that are shared inside its pages. Another reason that I liked the large format for the comic strips is that my middle aged eyesight needs bigger drawings and dialogue boxes in order to read comfortably.  I have often picked up the book to dream about what I can do during my travels. The answers to my ongoing questions about my trip are easily found within its pages and I just love this guidebook.

5 out of 5 stars.

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Salt House Place

Salt House Place is the debut novel of Jamie Lee Sogn. It is advertised as a twisty thriller about the allure of the past and the danger of the truth as a young woman dives headlong into a cult. 

The publisher's summary:

In the far reaches of the Pacific Northwest, three best friends spend a day at the lake…but only two come home. Ten years later, Delia Albio is tormented by the mystery of what happened to fifteen-year-old Zee on the lake that day. When she receives an email from Cara, the remaining friend in the trio, she can’t resist the pull of the “life-changing” news in the message. Delia, hopeful for answers, travels home to see her old friend. Cara is gone by the time she gets there, setting off another mystery. When Delia hears about the women’s empowerment group that Cara joined, she sets out for the group’s retreat property on the Oregon coast to find her. Delia feels this could be her chance to reconnect with Cara and reckon with that fateful day at the lake. Instead, Delia uncovers a possessive group with a dark agenda. As their leadership closes in, Delia hurtles ever closer to the truth―if only she can survive a cult that will protect its secrets at any cost.

 I had a hard time becoming interested in the story. It just didn't grip me as I expected it would. We read about main character Delia's everyday habits and exchanges with her family but none of it had any bearing on the plot. The story picked up 50 pages into the story which is my DNF cut-off point. At this point in the story Dee is investigating the Artemis cult that Cara had joined. It is a new age cult that reminded me of scientology. My interest in the story waxed and waned throughout my read. I continued to read because I was interested in finding the answer to the fundamental question of why Zee died and how did Cara end up in a cult.  I got those answers but the book did not satisfy me.

While the book has received some good reviews it was not my cup of tea. I would recommend passing this one by. No rating.

The Amish Wife

The Amish Wife was published on January 1, 2024 and I bought a copy for the Calendar of Crime Challenge. It is not fiction as I had originally thought but rather is a true crime story. In this book author Gregg Olsen solves a crime that took place among the Amish in 1977. After 2 or 3 pages I recognized the plot. A movie had been made about this crime in 2019, The Amish Serial Killer. After reading 100 pages I decided to watch the movie again because it was fantastic. Lo and behold our author Gregg Olsen is one of the narrators of the show. In the book at hand, Olsen reveals the conspiracy that kept this crime a secret for forty-five years.

The publisher's summary:

Pregnant wife and mother Ida Stutzman perished during a barn fire in an Ohio Amish community. The coroner’s report stated that she died of natural causes. Ida’s husband, Eli, was never considered a suspect. When Eli eventually rejected the faith and took his son Danny with him, murder followed. The dubious circumstances of the tragic blaze were willfully ignored and Eli’s shifting narratives were disregarded. Could Eli’s subsequent cross-country journey of death, including that of his own son, have been prevented if just one person came forward with what they knew about the real Eli Stutzman? These questions haunted Gregg Olsen and Ida’s brother Daniel Gingerich for decades. At Daniel’s urging, Olsen now returns to Amish Country and to Eli’s crimes first exposed in Olsen’s Abandoned Prayers, one of which has remained a mystery until now. With the help of aging witnesses and shocking long-buried letters, Olsen finally uncovers the disturbing truth about Ida’s murder.

I enjoyed the first half of the book but became bored in later chapters. The reason for the conspiracy of silence was already given by this point in the story,  although the author gave more details about it throughout the book. The movie I watched addressed this reason so it was not news for me. I did not read Olsen’s first book about the murder so I cannot say whether or not he has given updated information in this book. 

The title is misleading in that we don't read about Ida. It's about her husband, his friends and local law enforcement. We see all three covering up what they know about Ida’s death. It would be nice to have more information about her. Even the movie wasn't completely about her. It was about the death of her son Danny, the so-called little boy blue in the press. As a true crime story the death of Ida and Danny is a compelling one. I am not sure The Amish Wife is the best retelling of their story.

3 out of 5 stars.

The Importance of Sons

Last year I read another book by Keira Morgan, The Importance of Pawns, and loved it. I resolved to read every other book she has written and The Importance of Sons became my newest novel of hers. It is the author's second book in the Chronicles of Valois series. Sons is about Duchess Anne, the young ruler of Brittany who was forced by her family into a bitter choice: marry the French king or lose her duchy. Anne is surrounded by enemies but she eventually learns how to navigate the treacherous French court and secure her place as queen. When her first child is born, Charles-Orland, Countess Louise d’Angoulême resents both Anne and the baby. Louise, with ambitions for her own son, challenges the queen's position and manipulates the king's decisions. They frequently clash as they compete for power and control. This story is based on the life of Duchess Anne of Brittany. The author brings us a riveting tale about the dangerous rivalry between these two strong women.

The story began slowly because many characters were introduced all at once. I had a hard time keeping them straight. I felt the Louise was the more likable character at first. Anne was painted as a frivolous girl but as the book delved further into her life story, she became a compelling character. While she enjoyed spending money, Anne had a difficult life. She was forced to leave her first husband, before receiving an annulment from the Pope, and marry someone she did not know, the king of France, when she was just fifteen-years-old. She was definitely manipulated by everyone at the French court but she learned how to make a life of her own. I then began to view Louise as a villain. Certainly, their sons were competing to be the king of France, but Louise harbored a lot of hate in her heart. Anne never did so I felt she was the most likable. By the time she was 20 Anne had given birth 5 times. Can you imagine that? History tells us which son captured the throne but I will not be a spoiler. Even if you already know, reading about the maneuvering between these two ladies will be enjoyable for you to read about.

3 out of 5 stars.

Oath and Honor

I don't typically read political books. Liz Cheney's memoir Oath and Honor is an exception. It is a gripping first-hand account of the January 6th, 2021 insurrection from inside the halls of Congress. While I am familiar with her efforts on behalf of the January 6 Congressional Committee, I wondered whether there would be any new information in the book.

The publisher's summary:

In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump and many around him, including certain other elected Republican officials, intentionally breached their oath to the Constitution: they ignored the rulings of dozens of courts, plotted to overturn a lawful election, and provoked a violent attack on our Capitol.   Liz Cheney, one of the few Republican officials to take a stand against these efforts, witnessed the attack first-hand, and then helped lead the Congressional Select Committee investigation into how it happened. In Oath and Honor, she tells the story of this perilous moment in our history, those who helped Trump spread the stolen election lie, those whose actions preserved our constitutional framework, and the risks we still face.

 

I should say up front for transparency's sake that I do not like Donald Trump. Never have, never will. This book is quite insightful on what happened in Washington DC both before, during and after January 6. While I kept myself up to date on news stories during this time period, the author has given new information about what happened on that day inside the congressional chambers. I will not be a spoiler here. Aside from these tidbits most of the information was not new to me. I followed the House January 6 Committee work diligently. However, the book will be a great reference for future generations of Americans who will not have lived through this part of our history.

3 out of 5 stars.

The Vintage Village Bake Off

I first learned about this book from a blog review that I read last year. As a fan of the Great British Bakeoff, I had to read this cozy novel which is based on the competition. It did not disappoint. The story opens with the main character, Robert Parkin, living with his cat Isaac Mewton in the Devon village of Millbrook. Robert keeps himself busy by taking care of  his chickens and goats. While he has never been a lady's man, the local ladies still vie for his company. It soon becomes clear, though, that Robert’s victoria sponge cake is the lure. They want the recipe. Robert can bake anything but his real masterpieces are his scones. He soon comes to the attention of the local media. Reporters ask him which county makes the best cream tea: Devon or Cornwall? Friends set up a competition for Robert and one other lady to settle the debate. Robert’s sisters Bunty and Hattie are both at crossroads in their lives, so news of their brother’s baking competition is the perfect excuse for them to visit Millbrook. As the siblings relish each other’s company, and Robert relishes being at the heart of his community, he bakes up a storm.

While I expected Robert to be the main character, I think his sister Hattie also played a big role too. The first half of the story was mainly about her. She is a realistic character, being a widow of an emotionally abusive man. When she realizes that she is not doing something she wants to do because of internal thoughts she received in the past from her husband, Hattie begins to reject these ideas. It is not easy for her. Sometimes she can do it but other times she succumbs to the training she received from the husband. Both of her siblings, though, are submissive to others too. Something must have happened in childhood for them to have these traits.

Reading about the baking kept me interested in the story. Who doesn't love scones, cakes and cookies? However, while the baking is going on, the characters move the plot forward. This is not a cozy mystery so the plot was basically character development and more specifically, their relationships with the opposite sex. 

This is a cute story that cozy fans will love. 4 out of 5 stars.

The Blue Monsoon

The Blue Monsoon is the second book in the Mumbai Blue crime thriller series. In this installment of the series Senior Inspector Arnav Singh Rajput has to find a serial killer who leaves his victims spreadeagle and castrated at the entrance to Hindu temples with their faces cut beyond recognition. Drawn into their flesh are symbols of a tantra cult. He also must deal with friction within the caste system. His own associate will not investigate premises that are owned by lower castes. While the victims are from different castes so are the suspects and none of them want to be associated with each other. A video of the first murder is uploaded onto the account of a Bollywood social media influencer and millions of people had viewed it before her social media accounts were suspended. The desecration of this body at a Hindu place of worship puts the city on edge and divides Arnav’s priorities: stopping a fanatic from killing again and caring for his wife who’s struggling through a challenging pregnancy. If you’ve read the first book in the series, The Blue Bar, you will remember that Arnav Singh Rajput married his wife Tara, after she became paralyzed.

The setting was the weather. The story takes place during the monsoon season and the rain is mentioned on almost every page. I never knew much about monsoons but have learned that they are rain showers where the flood waters can reach up to a person's knees. It is impossible to remain dry when you walk from a car to inside a building and the characters' clothes stayed damp all day with mud splattered all over them. Of course, this makes keeping a crime scene dry near impossible. However, Arnav and his fellow inspectors had no problems reading the crime scenes. The monsoon atmosphere takes the reader to Mumbai in July and I could almost feel my arthritis kicking in when I read about the characters always being damp from coming inside from the rain.

I love the main character Arnav. He seems to be a realistic guy. Arnav's relationship with his wife and daughter resemble families we all know. While he has a good relationship with both, he feels the usual aggravation from them that all couples must deal with. Arnav makes mistakes but doesn't become angry when they happen and he always admits making mistakes when he is called on the carpet. When he gets caught speaking white lies, he always admits doing so and you think that these admissions will result in a change in the plot. Instead, after the admission of guilt, Arnav takes the plot somewhere else.  I also love that he chose an outspoken woman as his wife. Tara continues to push all his buttons even though she is totally dependent on him for care and support.

Mystery lovers who have not read the series yet should begin with the first book, The Blue Bar.  I was just as good as this one and I highly recommend it.  5 out of 5 stars. 

Manner of Death

Manner of Death is another fast paced medical thriller from Robin Cook. While it is the 14th book in his series featuring husband and wife team Laurie Montgomery and Jack Stapleton, Cook has written 40 novels to date. In this installment of the series Jack and Laurie must resolve a series of homicides that have been cleverly staged as suicides.

The publisher's summary:  

After Dr. Jack Stapleton’s near-death confrontation with a medical serial killer, his wife, NYC Chief Medical Examiner Laurie Montgomery, is carrying the load both at work and at home. When Laurie insists that Dr. Ryan Sullivan—an underperforming senior pathology resident who is spending his required month at the medical examiner's office but who truly detests doing forensic autopsies—assist her on a suicide autopsy in hopes of stimulating his interest in the field, the last thing she expects is to be unwittingly drawn into a major conspiracy that puts her own life in jeopardy. 

Desperate to avoid performing as many forensic autopsies as possible, Dr. Ryan Sullivan offers to participate in a research project on a series of suicides put together by one of the medical legal investigators. These suicides, like the case Ryan analyzes with Laurie, hint at some bothersome questions about their "manner of death." Although the project was more of a ruse than a serious study, Ryan surprises himself by immediately uncovering unexpected shared commonalities. Most astonishing of all, Ryan's inquiries eventually put him and Laurie at risk by leading to a nefarious cancer diagnostics company that promotes the very latest, groundbreaking cancer screening technology in a shockingly self-serving and fraudulent fashion.

This is a fast paced suspense thriller. While it is part of a series featuring Montgomery and Stapleton, it can be read as a standalone novel. Information from prior novels in the series has been skillfully written into the back story. Ryan Sullivan is a new character for the series. He is unlikable and, at first, seems to be the villain. He is not. Laurie takes him under her wing to force him to take his pathology internship seriously. Ryan cannot bear the graphic nature of performing an autopsy. He finds a way to get out of doing them by offering to study suspicious deaths that he feels were not due to suicide. During this study he finds his footing and begins to take the internship seriously. Here is where the thriller takes off. Fans of Robin Cook will probably like what he has done at the end of the story concerning Montgomery and Stapleton. I think it is the right step. While I do not want to spoil it for anyone who is going to read Manner of Death, note that something new is on the horizon for the series. 

5 out of 5 stars.