There once was a girl. A beautiful girl with the world at her palms. But then the girl slowly and surely discovered, the world she once loved was nowhere to be found. Happiness and hope? That’s for fairy tales. There’s no prince charming to the rescue, no knight in shining armor. And for the Girl in Apartment 9? Well, her story is about to be told...FBI Agent Emma Griffin has had to overcome many obstacles throughout her life to get to her happily ever-after. But somehow death and destruction always loomed over her shoulders. When she is asked by her neighbor Paul to find Sydney Parker, a girl that has gone missing from a nearby college, Emma jumps on the case. On the surface, Sydney seems like a high-achiever. A good student, a good daughter, and a girl that champions for mental health awareness. So, what could have possibly happened to cause her to vanish from her apartment? Did she leave on her own or was she taken?
April 2011: On a remote mountaintop overlooking the remains of the Iranian nuclear weapons program, Azad Ashani witnesses a Quds Force demonstration of a capability meant to upend America’s war in the Middle East. Ashani, director of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security and Irene Kennedy’s former back channel to the Iranian government, recognizes the demonstration’s true significance, and the nation-ending conflict it will provoke. Alone, Ashani stands no chance of preventing this rush to madness. But with the help of one man, he just might.
In Washington, DC, CIA director Irene Kennedy briefs the president that the operational window to kill or capture Osama bin Laden at his recently discovered compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan is rapidly closing. But before he’ll authorize a commando raid on Pakistani soil, the president demands irrefutable proof of bin Laden’s presence.
Proof he trusts just one man to provide. Preventing a looming war in the Middle East while delivering justice for the nearly 3,000 Americans killed on 9/11 would be a big ask for anyone.
I thought I had the perfect marriage. But as our beautiful children sleep soundly in the next room, I stare at the messages between my husband Rob and another woman, their promises to run away together bringing tears to my eyes. My heart stops when I see the latest one: ‘Leave my wife to me. I’ll get rid of her.’My blood runs cold. I know this woman. I’ve let her into my home, where she’s bounced my rosy-cheeked baby on her knee. She could ruin my life in moments – she knows things about me even Rob doesn’t…They think they can get rid of me so easily. They think they can just tear apart the perfect life we’ve built. But they've made a mistake underestimating me. He doesn't know I've uncovered his secrets. And now I know just enough to destroy him.I can play the perfect wife for just a little longer. I’ll do anything to protect my children and my life. And he has no idea just how far I’ll go…
The story was one wild ride. The identity of the mistress was easy to figure out but because earlier books by Heald had many uncertainties, I could not be sure. Heald is known for throwing her readers for a loop. I kept thinking about all the female characters as possible mistresses. I didn't particularly like the main character Jen. She was a stepford wife whose only goal in life was to keep a clean home for her husband and cook his dinners, which was always later than when his kids ate. Jen lived to please him. When she finally got sick of that husband Jen sought revenge. She was more likeable as an angry wife.
Jen has two close friends, Natasha and Amy. One is in love with Jen and the other is in love with Rob. Jen doesn't know any of this until at least page 250 of this 350 page novel. Rob is the perfect villain. He not only cheats on his wife but he doles out money for household expenses only as they are needed. Jen does not have any money of her own but isn't aware of it because he always gives her what she needs. Any other woman would see him as controlling and demand access to bank accounts.
Lots of plot twists kept coming and it was hard to tell how this story was going to end because these relationships were weird. I wasn't sure which character was going to come out in top. I hoped Jen would win in the end but, hey, I'm not going to tell you. Read the book. It's awesome!
5 out of 5 stars.
A peaceful, independent kingdom until its annexation by the Japanese Empire in the 19th century, Okinawa was the site of the most destructive land battle of the Pacific War. Today, the archipelago is Japan's poorest prefecture and unwilling host to 75% of all US military bases in Japan.
Okinawa brings together two collections of intertwined stories by the island's pre-eminent mangaka, Susumu Higa, which reflect on this difficult history and pull together traditional Okinawan spirituality, the modern-day realities of the continuing US military occupation, and the senselessness of the War. The first collection, Sword of Sand, is a ground level, unflinching look at the horrors of the Battle of Okinawa. Higa then turns an observant eye to the present-day in Mabui (Okinawan for "spirit"), where he explores how the American occupation has irreversibly changed the island prefecture, through the lens of the archipelago's indigenous spirituality and the central character of the yuta priestess.
Okinawa is a harrowing document of war, but it is also a work which addresses the dreams and the needs of a people as they go forward into an uncertain future, making it essential reading for anyone interested in World War II and its effects on our lives today, as well as anyone with an interest in the people and culture of this fascinating, complicated place. Though the work is thoroughly about one specific locale, the complex relations between Okinawan and Japanese identities and loyalties, between place and history, and between humanity and violence speak beyond borders and across shores.
Please note: This book is a traditional work of manga and reads back to front and right to left.
All of the drawings were done in black and white, not my favorite style but I wanted to read this history book regardless. The colorful cover design is deceiving. Also, I had problems following the story. Much of the plot action was shown in the drawings and I became confused between real action and the drawings of spiritual beings. In addition, the book shows the Japanese viewpoint of events which I knew beforehand. However, I was offended by many statements made by characters who were obviously anti-American. This is an unfair statement on my part because the book is from the Japanese viewpoint and, let's face it, the Americans were occupying Okinawa. I was unable to change my feelings though. Another reason I developed bad feelings about the book is that one month after the Japanese surrendered in WWII, they sunk a submarine off the coast of Okinawa that my uncle was on. Everyone on the U.S.S. Twiggs drowned. I did not expect to feel this way about the city of Okinawa but it was unavoidable.
I am rating the book 3 out of 5 stars. I had problems understanding the action. This was probably due to it being a manga story but, nevertheless, I had issues with it.
I selected Twice on Christmas for the Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge. It is a psychological thriller by McGarvey Black and it was published in 2023. This is the second book of his that I have read and he is now one of my favorite authors.
The publisher's summary:
After choir practice for midnight mass, college sophomore Rose Grandon takes a short-cut through Harbor Park. Grabbed from behind, she is violently assaulted, beaten and left for dead. The last thing she hears is a tenor voice singing Silent Night. Several hours later, the police find Rose lying in a ditch. Badly beaten - but alive. As she recovers in hospital, Rose is told she's pregnant. She has a terrible choice to make. She decides to keep the baby. Nine months later, she gives birth to a beautiful baby girl. She names her Mary. Rose lives quietly in her small Connecticut hometown raising her daughter - the one good thing to come out of her horrible ordeal. She begins to get her old self back. But her evil attacker has never been caught. He strikes twice a year. Once on Christmas Eve, once on Christmas Day. And until he's behind bars, Rose and her baby can never be safe. But now he's found out he has a daughter. And that changes everything . . .
This story was incredibly fast paced. Each chapter ended with sky-high suspense that kept me reading from page 1 until the end in one sitting. The ending was shocking and I am still thinking about it several days after finishing my read.
The police investigation took place over fifteen years. There weren't a lot of clues to follow up on as the perpetrator only killed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. He also did not kill in the same state twice so local law enforcement initially did not connect the crimes. A FBI Agent figured out the connection but, still, there were not enough clues to determine the identity of the perp. For the first half of the book, the time period of the chapters was one year after the last chapter. The reader sees a new assault and murder in every chapter and this ratcheted up the suspense.
Rose stopped dating men after her attack. She began to have coffee dates with male family friends and two priests who served at her church after about 12 or 13 years. They all made her feel uncomfortable so she always stopped these casual dates. Her daughter had behavior issues but not with her new 3rd grade teacher, David Zeliga and a new priest in her parish, Thomas Villane. Mary was prone to hitting other children at school and drew horrifying pictures of stick figures attacking people with knives. The reader gets the feeling that these new folks in Rose's life could be the perp. The aha moment in law enforcement resolution of the crimes came toward the very end. I won't tell you what it is but I must admit that the author came up with a brilliant connection between the crimes.
Twice on Christmas is a scary story that sticks with you for days. I am rating it way over 5 out of 5 stars. You simply must read this book.
The Tri-County Summer Solstice Celebration has come to town, and even among local artisans, athletes, and marching bands, Hannah attracts fans of her own while serving lip-smacking pink lemonade desserts. But the mood sours when a body turns up, leading revelers to wonder if the festivities mark both the longest day of the year and the deadliest . . .
A retired professional MLB player has met a terrifying end—and, considering the rumors swirling about his past, the list of suspects could fill a small stadium. Among them could soon be Delores, Hannah’s mother, who publicly held a grudge against the victim after he infamously dunked her in the tank at a previous county fair. With her mother’s innocence on the line, a life-changing announcement at The Cookie Jar, and a plethora of desserts to bake, Hannah can’t afford to strike out as she begins a dangerous investigation into the ruthless killer who’s truly in a league of their own . . .
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Ash has always felt alone. Adults ignore the climate crisis. Other kids Ash’s age are more interested in pop stars and popularity contests than in fighting for change. Even Ash’s family seems to be sleepwalking through life. The only person who ever seemed to get Ash was Grandpa Edwin. Before he died, he used to talk about building a secret cabin deep in the California wilderness. Did he ever build it? What if it’s still there, waiting for him to come back…or for Ash to find it? To Ash, that cabin is starting to feel like the perfect place for a fresh start and an escape from the miserable feeling of alienation that haunts her daily life. But making the wilds your home isn’t easy. And as much as Ash wants to be alone…can she really be happy alone?
The publisher's website states that this graphic novel tackles the topic of gender identity. I was not aware of this until the ending and I looked up the book. A classmate places her hand on Ash's hand and Ash's face lights up. I feel a little stupid for not picking up on the new masculine name but in my defense let me say the reader doesn't know what Ash's name originally was. In fact, in the first chapter I thought Ash was male. Her desire to learn survival skills didn't cause me to suspect anything either. It just sounded like a great adventure. Her withdrawal from her high school classmates didn't make me suspicious either. Half the kids in school are withdrawn. My only clue that she was gay was that hand.
I would not categorize the book as LGBTQ fiction. It's about Ash's six month long plan to camp in the wilderness and then her execution of the plan. She takes her beloved dog Chase with her and, as an animal lover, I enjoyed their exploits. She was only supposed to be gone two weeks but Ash lasted 42 days in the wilderness. After Chase became injured Ash should have taken him home. She didn't and that upset me some.
All things considered, Ash's Cabin was a fun read. 5 out of 5 stars.
Before she mastered the art of French cooking in midlife, Julia Child found herself working in the secrets trade in Asia during World War II, a journey that will delight both historical fiction fans and lovers of America's most beloved chef, revealing how the war made her into the icon we know now.
Single, 6 foot 2, and thirty years old, Julia McWilliams took a job working for America's first espionage agency, years before cooking or Paris entered the picture. The Secret War of Julia Child traces Julia's transformation from ambitious Pasadena blue blood to Washington, DC file clerk, to head of General "Wild Bill" Donovan's secret File Registry as part of the Office of Strategic Services.
The wartime journey takes her to the Far East, to Asia's remote frontlines of then-Ceylon, India, and China, where she finds purpose, adventure, self-knowledge – and love with mapmaker Paul Child. The spotlight has rarely shone on this fascinating period of time in the life of ("I'm not a spy") Julia Child, and this lyrical story allows us to explore the unlikely world of a woman in World War II spy station who has no idea of the impact she'll eventually impart.
