I thought I was a love it or hate it person when it comes to Finlay, but this one fell in the middle for me! I found the multiple perspectives to slowI thought I was a love it or hate it person when it comes to Finlay, but this one fell in the middle for me! I found the multiple perspectives to slow down the pacing at first, but ultimately it came together for me....more
There's no real mystery here-- you know who the bad guy(s) are from page one. I was intrigued by the three central women, who did feel real to me. TheThere's no real mystery here-- you know who the bad guy(s) are from page one. I was intrigued by the three central women, who did feel real to me. The pacing of the before-and-after timelines was pretty well done. Not one I'd recommend, but one I finished....more
I can't lie... it took me about halfway through this book before I felt like I was at risk of not finishing. But once the pace started picking up and I can't lie... it took me about halfway through this book before I felt like I was at risk of not finishing. But once the pace started picking up and the pieces started coming together, I was bought in. The second half has all the fun of a conventional thriller, but there's so much depth here too-- mental illness, generational trauma, first generation immigrants' struggle to find "home"-- really, quite a lot of depth. I'd recommend sticking with it!...more
I absolutely think that all gardeners should be focusing on native plants in their gardens, and Carolyn Summers gives about a bajillion reasons for doI absolutely think that all gardeners should be focusing on native plants in their gardens, and Carolyn Summers gives about a bajillion reasons for doing this (I was fascinated to learn about the various species that require ONE specific type of plant in order to survive). I was able to take some great inspiration here. That being said, Summers is advocating a fairly significant overhaul for most people, including me (and I focus on natives!) and at times I found it overwhelming....more
The first chapter of this book sets up a mystery. When it's finally solved and I realized the story was still going, I looked at my phone to realize IThe first chapter of this book sets up a mystery. When it's finally solved and I realized the story was still going, I looked at my phone to realize I still had much of the novel remaining. That can be an irritating discovery, but I did enjoy the writing of this book so I didn't totally mind spending a little more time with the characters. I do want to mention that there are some very graphic sexual assault scenes here-- the "bad guy" is really, really bad (overly so, a little mustache-twirly in my opinion) and while I'm not particularly sensitive to that kind of thing, it did feel like a bit too much....more
The first chapter of this book sets up a mystery. When it's finally solved and I realized the story was still going, I looked at my phone to realize IThe first chapter of this book sets up a mystery. When it's finally solved and I realized the story was still going, I looked at my phone to realize I still had 3 hours of the novel remaining. That can be an irritating discovery, but I did enjoy the writing of this book so I didn't totally mind spending a little more time with the characters. I do want to mention that there are some very graphic sexual assault scenes here-- the "bad guy" is really, really bad (overly so, a little mustache-twirly in my opinion) and while I'm not particularly sensitive to that kind of thing, it did feel like a bit too much....more
I think a lot of people will pick up this book thinking they are dealing with a narcissist and perhaps realize a few pages in that they're not. That'sI think a lot of people will pick up this book thinking they are dealing with a narcissist and perhaps realize a few pages in that they're not. That's a good thing. Even so, I found the author's compassionate voice and focus on the victims, rather than the narcissists themselves, to be a useful perspective. While this is not a book that will solve anyone's problems, maybe it will help someone feel seen and heard, and that's another good thing....more
Kiley Reid knows how to write characters. From the opening scene of this novel, I was fascinated by the collection of people Reid placed in this (veryKiley Reid knows how to write characters. From the opening scene of this novel, I was fascinated by the collection of people Reid placed in this (very realistic) dorm environment. The strength of these characters-- especially Millie, who I felt for in a way that seemed to physically hurt later on-- kept me going through this lightly plotted, ultimately not particularly believable novel. It's not one I'd necessarily recommend, but I enjoyed the read very much....more
First of all... I have no idea why this novel is called Ladykiller. If anyone can explain, please do. The actual story, however, is sexy and fun. The First of all... I have no idea why this novel is called Ladykiller. If anyone can explain, please do. The actual story, however, is sexy and fun. The locations are drool-worthy, there is a bit of good old-fashioned steaminess, and no one is trustworthy. Of course, it's not hard to figure out exactly what happened here, but this one is definitely worth a read just for the "damn I wish I was an heiress and I had a house in Greece" vibes....more
Stacy Willingham absolutely scratches the modern who-dun-it itch for me-- great pacing, mysterious characters, and a setting that is full of danger. NStacy Willingham absolutely scratches the modern who-dun-it itch for me-- great pacing, mysterious characters, and a setting that is full of danger. Nice audiobook production too....more
The queen of a locked room mystery expands to a rural coastal retreat, but with no less intrigue. If there's one thing Lucy Foley can do, it's create The queen of a locked room mystery expands to a rural coastal retreat, but with no less intrigue. If there's one thing Lucy Foley can do, it's create a thunderous pace with multiple narrator switches that keeps you flipping pages without getting (too) frustrated. Most of the twists weren't particularly unexpected, but a few were genuine surprises, and the journey to get there was just so fun and satisfying. Lots to love here... it's not great literature but it's very very good fun....more
A fun, trapped-in-a-house mystery. It's bit slow to start, with light cliffhangers at the end of every chapter that led me to feel a bit like I was beA fun, trapped-in-a-house mystery. It's bit slow to start, with light cliffhangers at the end of every chapter that led me to feel a bit like I was being led around without much to go on, but at some point the pieces started coming together. Really, the best thing about this book is the cultural aspect-- it adds a fascinating depth to the relationships and motives. Without it, the novel would fall flat....more
Burton's novels have a kind of playful, chaotic, twisted vibe, and while it's a very specific vibe to recommend, I gobble these suckers down like candBurton's novels have a kind of playful, chaotic, twisted vibe, and while it's a very specific vibe to recommend, I gobble these suckers down like candy. HERE IN AVALON is no different in terms of vibe, and has the same hip NYC locales, and-- like Burton's other novels-- is not particularly believable. Even so, I was transported by this book, and truly felt like I'd been on a ride by the time i finished. A great late night fireside crackler....more
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