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Reviews by Mary O. (Boston, MA)

Power Reviewer  Power Reviewer

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Trust No One
Trust No One: A Thriller
by Paul Cleave
Riveting (7/8/2015)
A brilliant novel with twists and turns that make it hard to put down. It is a perfect summer beach read. The addition of the backdrop of early onset Alzheimer's adds another dimension to this murder mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!! Highly recommended
The Shore
The Shore: A Novel
by Sara Taylor
Series of vignettes (7/8/2015)
A beautifully written series of vignettes that weave in and out of the characters' lives. I love debut novels and this is a special treat!
The Well
The Well
by Catherine Chanter
Hard to put down! (3/24/2015)
I love debut novels and think that most of the time they are the author's best effort. This is a wonderful beautifully written first novel with unique twists and turns. The style of writing and character development is first rate. One of the BEST novels I have read in a long time!!! A real joy!
Shocking Paris
Shocking Paris: Soutine, Chagall and the Outsiders of Montparnasse
by Stanley Meisler
Life seen through art (2/12/2015)
A wonderful and informative history that reads like a novel.
This book spotlights Jewish artists in the "School of Paris" considered outsiders whose art portrayed their struggle to survive in a life of fear and despair during WWII German occupation. Antisemitism is clearly reflected through their art. A great read for art history and WWII buffs!
The Nightingale
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
A Pageturner! (10/31/2014)
I love to read historical fiction and get totally absorbed in the characters and times. The Nightingale is an engrossing, well developed account of two sisters in WWII occupied France. One of the BEST reads I have had lately. Never a dull moment!!!
Her
Her
by Harriet Lane
Slow but engaging (6/12/2014)
A very slow start which had me re-reading the first few chapters. I expected a more compelling thriller and better character development. The storyline was interesting but needed more "oomph". I would recommend it as a quick beach read!!!!
In Praise of Hatred
In Praise of Hatred
by Khaled Khalifa
True Hatred (3/14/2014)
The title "in Praise of Hatred" perfectly describes the book and it's characters. Sequestered in a small home, three aunts and the protagonist live in a world of vicious hate. At times disturbing but well drawn out characters reflecting the conflicts in the Muslim world and Middle East. A book people should read to gain insight into that tragic world.
The Cairo Affair
The Cairo Affair
by Olen Steinhauer
Twists and Turns (1/15/2014)
This is a multiple-faceted spy novel of international espionage set in the a Middle East. It is fast paced, at times a real page turner, with some unexpected twists and turns. There is good character development and depiction of the culture in the Middle East. A very enjoyable read if you are a lover of espionage novels!
Letters from Skye
Letters from Skye
by Jessica Brockmole
The Lost Art of Letter Writing (7/9/2013)
As you pick up Letters from Skye and get engrossed in the love story against the backdrop of war, you suddenly realize that written letters are no longer the preferred method of communication. This is a captivating novel told through letters. You instantly are transcended to Elsbeth's and Davey's individual worlds and feel like you are writing the letters and living their lives. You grow to love the characters through their writing. I highly recommend this book - I LOVED IT!
Children of the Jacaranda Tree
Children of the Jacaranda Tree
by Sahar Delijani
Heart and soul (3/21/2013)
My favorite books are typically debut novels and this one captured my heart. Beautifully written in a poetic sense showing the depth of Sahar's soul and spirit. It describes post revolutionary Iran through the eyes of 3 characters with past and present intertwined. Highly emotional, both sad and uplifting, at times heartbreaking, but you come away feeling the resiliency of the characters and a true sense of hope. I highly recommend that all read this!
The Spy Lover
The Spy Lover
by Kiana Davenport
A true delight! (1/9/2013)
I LOVED this book! Set in the Civil War, it portrays three main characters - a Chinese immigrant Union soldier, his daughter who is an army nurse in search of her missing father, and a Confederate officer who falls in love with his nurse. Beautifully written, it describes all the horrific aspects of war as well as the complications of love and human emotion. I highly recommend this book to all. It is an absolute pleasure!
The Edge of the Earth
The Edge of the Earth
by Christina Schwarz
Disappointing (10/24/2012)
I love historical fiction and couldn't wait to read this novel. I must say I was disappointed in the character development and the book did not keep me engaged. "Drowning Ruth" is one of my all-time favorites so maybe my expectations were unrealistic.
Sentinel
Sentinel: A Spycatcher Novel
by Matthew Dunn
Page turner (7/7/2012)
Will Cochrane is a memorable Cold War character and you feel like you know him as you are ensconced in the book. A typical British spy thriller that makes you want to read it in one sitting. A perfect summer beach read!!
Tides of War
Tides of War: A Novel
by Stella Tillyard
Daunting! (12/20/2011)
I love historical novels where I can embrace the world at that particular time and place. Tides of War is beautifully written and I enjoyed it from the first page on. The characters are well developed especially the strong female characters. You are totally drawn into the brutality of the bestiality and brutality of war and the lives of the soldiers at the front. I highly recommend it as an engrossing and entertaining novel
A Bitter Truth
A Bitter Truth: A Bess Crawford Mystery
by Charles Todd
a historic yarn (8/22/2011)
I highly recommend this historic novel for perfect summer beach reading! It is a well written description of a complicated family situation during World War I with murder as the backdrop. There is good character development and twists and turns that make you love and hate some characters at the same time! It would make a great discussion for a book group. ENJOY!
The Daughter of Siena
The Daughter of Siena: A Novel
by Marina Fiorato
Intriguing historical read (6/10/2011)
I found The Daughter of Siena to be a very enjoyable read and good story - perfect for summer beach reading or a book club! I must preface my comments by saying that I am a sucker for romantic historical fiction or any novel set in Italy, especially Tuscany or Umbria! The author does a great job of weaving the Palio race and its rivalries, the city of Siena and its history and art with romance and intrigue. Definitely a quick, worthwhile, and enjoyable read!
The Devotion of Suspect X
The Devotion of Suspect X
by Keigo Higashino
Haunting (1/14/2011)
This is truly a murder mystery or "whodunit" page turner! It is an engrossing read where you don't want to take a break when you are reading it. This book continues to haunt you after you finish the last page. It is a book about love, blind devotion, sacrifice, truth and justice. With some surprising twists and turns, the question remains "does justice prevail?"
The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai
The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai: A Novel
by Ruiyan Xu
the haunting way language taunts us (11/9/2010)
This is a debut novel that paints a very haunting picture of loneliness, love and pain. The sing song lyrical quality of the prose reads almost like poetry. It evokes emotional isolation from page one and captures you until you finish the last page - I couldn't put this book down! It truly shows how silent and verbal communication, language and culture bond people together and painfully break them apart. A great debut for a highly talented author -
The Doctor and the Diva
The Doctor and the Diva: A Novel
by Adrienne McDonnell
a perfect diva (7/5/2010)
The Doctor and the Diva captured my interest from the start. It is a book that is hard to put down and a perfect page turning "summer beach read". The twists and turns all point to how passion drives the soul. You feel like you are a world traveler embracing each character's life and journey. A great read!
Pearl of China
Pearl of China: A Novel
by Anchee Min
Remarkable friendship (2/1/2010)
The ups and downs of Chinese history are very painful but a great backdrop to this story. It is a beautiful story about an enduring friendship between two very different souls that defied all odds. It brought tears to my eyes as it explored the changes in China as a result of Maoism and the unrelenting persecution of dissenters. What is most gripping is that the author was a first hand participant in China as it was going through the red revolution. An excellent read!
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