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Reviews by Helene M. (Sarasota, FL)

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Killers of a Certain Age
by Deanna Raybourn

IF MURDER COULD BE AMUSING (12/12/2022)

While murder is never amusing, if ever it was, this is the book that would make it so. Four women of a "certain age" have been assassins throughout their working lives. Now the tables are turned and they must outsmart the killers who are pursuing them. A fine tale of female …more

Exiles: Aaron Falk Mystery #3
by Jane Harper

Intrigue down under (8/30/2022)

Exiles could have been a great book, but somehow just missed the mark for me ... Jane Harper is a good writer, and the concept of this book was a sound one, the character development, which is an important element of any fiction book for me, was excellent ... especially the …more

The Last Grand Duchess: A Novel of Olga Romanov, Imperial Russia, and Revolution
by Bryn Turnbull

History Made Personal (12/12/2021)

Bryn Turnbull does a very good job in making the broad sweep of a very major historical period - The Russian Revolution - accessible by making it the story of the Imperial Romanov Family, as seen through the eyes of the eldest Romanov daughter, The Grand Duchess, Olga. …more Through that focus, the reader is able to absorb the scope of change that took place in Russia from the early 1900's to the final day of the monarchy in July, 1918. The story moves back and forth between 1913, 1918 and the years in between, providing glimpses of life in the various Romanov palaces, the country house at Tsarkoe Selo, and then throughout their exile. At first I found the shifting time frames a bit off-putting, but the technique helped to contextualize much of the drama that was Russia in the early 1900's and 19teens. It also provides an opportunity to introduce many of the other characters who influenced Olga and strengthened her resolve live as The Last Grand Duchess. It enables the reader to see Olga as she matures from a dreamy romantic girl to a woman who meets the demands of a life of sacrifice to a greater cause and to her family.

The Romanov family had ruled Russia for three hundred years at the time of the revolution. Even though Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandra thought of themselves as humble, devout people, I was struck by the opulence of their lives, especially in contrast to the lives of their subjects. The entire family (and the Empire) was impacted by the hemophilia of the Tsarevich, Alexi, because it was that illness that brought Fr. Grigori Rasputin into their lives. While Turnbull makes no judgments on the good or evil done by Rasputin, there is little doubt that he wielded a huge influence on decisions made, especially while the Tsarina "stood in" for the Tsar while he was at the battlefront.

I think the book accomplished a great deal that one always hopes historical fiction will - that is, to make one want to learn more about the reality of the period it covers. I certainly felt challenged to review what I knew of the Russian Revolution, the Romanov's, Rasputin, Lenin, Trotsky and the beginnings of communism in Russia and beyond. Kudos to Bryn Turnbull for a job well done, and in the words of one of her characters, allowing us to witness "the true cost of war ... the price paid by the gallant...by the loyal." (less)

Black Widows: A Novel
by Cate Quinn

Made reading a fun again! (1/3/2021)

Fun may not be exactly the right word for the feeling evoked by a murder mystery, but this book certainly did make me want to visit book stores, and talk to others about books once more. Let me explain: for the past year plus, so much of what I've seen being published has …more

A Good Neighborhood
by Therese Anne Fowler

Characters Make the Book (1/3/2020)

Because of my work in a local bookstore, I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of Therese Anne Fowler's newest book. Fowler has done wonderful work in drawing characters one can care about, or despise, or for whom one can wish redemption - just like people we know in …more

The Big Finish
by Brooke Fossey

A Huge Disappointment! (10/21/2019)

I really wanted to like THE BIG FINISH, but, sadly, there was NOTHING to like. Had I not been committed to writing a review for Book Browse, l I would have thrown the book away after the fist two chapters.

The plot is somewhere between the movies, Grumpy Old Men, and Lost …more

Women Rowing North: Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing As We Age
by Mary Pipher

Ladies, Get Your Paddles, We're Rowing North! (5/19/2019)

This may be one of the most important books I've ever read - particularly for women like myself, of a "certain age," whose lives have been affected by the loss of important markers - husbands, careers, family relationships that change as one grows older.

In compelling prose, …more

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