CORAM HOUSE
By Bailey Seybolt

You can leave Coram House but you can’t leave it behind.

3.5 stars
In 2016 Alex Kelley, a true crime writer hoping to redeem herself from her last book, takes a job as a ghostwriter for a book revolving around the shadowy inheritance of the Catholic orphanage, Coram House, in Vermont. For generations there have been stories of abuse and the disappearance of a boy named, Tommy, at the orphanage back in 1968. As Alex delves into the mysteries she becomes overly obsessive and a bit of a nuisance with authorities. Did Tommy actually exist? Her investigation takes a chilling turn when Alex discovers a body near the lake and believes it has something to do with Coram House. The past just won’t stay buried.

There is a gothic vibe in the eerie setting of Coram House on Lake Champlain with the cemetery next to it. A debut inspired by true events. I liked the atmosphere and setting of the story. It is a slow-burn suspense/thriller with some twists and turns, and a lot of red herrings. I didn’t connect with the MC; probably because she was so complex and scattered all the time. I thought for a debut it was a pretty good read. I will keep an eye out for what she does next.

HOME OF THE HAPPY: A Murder on the Cajun Prairie
By Jordan LaHaye Fontenot

Reading by: Christine Lakin was very well done.

A journey of reinvestigating a kidnapping and murder in 1983 and interwoven with Louisiana history.

Jordan LaHaye Fontenot’s great-grandfather was kidnapped and murdered in Mamou, Louisiana in 1983. This impacted her family deeply, as well as, many in her hometown. Jordan tells this tragic story from when her great-grandfather was kidnapped, the ten days of the search and FBI investigations, before his body was found floating in the Bayou Nezpique. She tells of the trial and conviction of, John Brady Balfa. As a journalist, Jordan LaHaye Fontenot, wants to get all the facts and has done extensive research on this.

I can only imagine how difficult it was for this young journalist and author to be objective against her responsibility to family. “Yes, Home of the Happy is a book about a murder. But it’s also a memoir—the story of a family and of a place, and of the culture that defines both.” From Country Roads Magazine

This debut book/memoir was heartfelt and the rawness and openness of her storytelling was impressive. Her writing is so vivid, you see, feel and even smell the descriptions that she so skillfully has written. I look forward to what she writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio for the audiobook

THE BONES BENEATH MY SKIN
By T. J. Klune

Narration by Kirt Graves was very well done and brought the story to life with his reading, in this sci-fi whimsical storytelling by T. J. Klune.

Taking place in 1995 when Nate returns to his family cabin in Oregon after the violent deaths of his parents, losing his job, and a brother who is estranged. Nate encounters two strangers in his cabin, Alex and a 10-year-old girl named, Artemis Darth Vader (Art). Art isn’t your typical 10-year old girl as Nate soon discovers. Things start to happen fast and Nate must make a decision to wallow in his grief, anger and memories or make a future for himself, once and for all. This is an unforgettable journey and Artemis Darth Vader will steal your heart with her charm and quirkiness. It’s a sci-fi suspense read with some humorous moments as well. This is my first read by this author and I will definitely read more by him.

Exploring sexuality, identity, grief, loss, family, home, love, and relationships.

THE BRIGHT YEARS by Sarah Damoff

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC ebook of this brilliant story.

This is Sarah Damoff’s debut and I have to say I was impressed by her incredible writing skills of telling this beautiful, heartbreaking, and inspirational story. Starting in 1958-2019 and told from three intimate points of view, of a Texas family of four generations; dealing with real life experiences and how these experiences impinge upon their lives. Ryan and Lillian are deeply in love, but each harbor secrets that impact the relationship. Years later their daughter, Georgette, unearths her family’s history and has decisions to make.

This is a well paced multigenerational story with themes of addiction, secrets, trauma, grief, love, choices, heartbreak, and joy. I will be eagerly awaiting Sarah Damoff’s next book.

VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS
By Jesse Q. Sutanto

Reading by Eunice Wong was very good. I paired audio with the book.

A cup of tea, food, and a corpse …

A cozy mystery taking place in a small neighborhood of San Francisco. We meet 60-year-old Vera Wong who finds a corpse in her tea shop and decides to investigate the murder herself. Through her meddlesome process, she befriends four young individuals, taking them under her wing and providing the mothering she was born to give, all while unraveling the mystery behind the corpse.

This is a genre I don’t normally read, but a light read, such as this, is nice after a heavier read. This is a first read for me by this author and it was a fun quirky whodunnit. All in all, a quick and entertaining read and look forward to book #2 in the Vera Wong series. Themes of motherhood, identity, relationships, family, heartbreak, and death.

THE WOMEN ON PLATFORM TWO
By Laura Anthony

Narrated by: Jessica Regan, Shakira Shute, and Maeve Smyth The narrator’s all did a fine job reading this story.

1970s Ireland —— a time when women had no rights to their bodies and forms of contraception were prohibited.

Dublin, 2023 we meet Saoirse who realizes she may never want to be a mother. It was only a few decades ago that a group of women made this option possible for her. Saoirse meets Maura, a woman on the same train she is on; Maura recounts a story from 1969 of herself and a friend of hers named Bernie.

Based upon a little-known true event this haunting story …could not be timelier. A powerful read of resistance and resilience. A group of trailblazing women who shaped history. I thought this was a very good debut and enjoyed her writing. She brought the characters to life and kept me engaged. I look forward to future books by this author. Touches upon relationships, domestic abuse, misogyny, friendships, contraception, and rights to choose.

Daughters of Shandong
By Eve J. Chung

A work of historical fiction inspired by Chung’s family who was displaced during the Communist Revolution in China. The Daughters of Shandong is told through the eyes of Hai, the eldest daughter of the Ang family. Hai along with her mother and sisters are turned out of their home in Zhucheng during the Revolution, enduring a long and difficult journey to reunite with their father and husband. This is about self-preservation, community, and achieving goals within a culture that devalues women. Through the experiences of Hai and her loved ones, we see the consequences of war, trauma, displacement, and gender-based discrimination while telling a story of survival and triumph.

I was fully invested in these memorable characters. With all the ups and downs this family and others endured, was difficult to fathom. It is an extraordinary debut; and I love when a new author can pull me in from the beginning, and when it happens, it’s like magic. Also, the cover of this book is so beautiful. I am so looking forward to what is next from this brilliant author.

Thank you to BookBrowse and the publisher for the book.

The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree
by India Hayford

Narration by, Zura Johnson, Matt Godfrey, and Laura Jennings was very good.

3.5 stars
A haunting Southern gothic story with sprinkles of magical realism, that takes place in rural Arkansas in 1967. Genevieve, at a young age has lost her mother, father and grandmother and after suffering abuse from trusted family, decides she must find her way in life on her own. She returns back to her childhood home where she discovers that her own need for healing is part of a larger tapestry of suffering.    

Exploring themes of family, loss, fundamentalist religion, the resilience of women, and folk magic. I like reading Southern gothic stories and with the magical realism thrown in made this debut a good read. At times I didn’t understand the reasoning and choices some women chose, but after reading an article of how the author created her story, helped me to understand. Her writing is good and I look forward to reading more from her.

Thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ALC of this.

Tilt by Emma Pattee

A pregnant overwhelmed woman’s epic journey across a ravaged city with the weight of her past and her hopes for the future.

Narration by Ariel Blake was very well done for this rapid paced literary thriller debut. An impressive read set over the course of a day, in Portland, Oregon, where a massive earthquake has rocked the city. Annie, nine months pregnant, out shopping, must now try and survive and protect her little “bean” trying to get back home to her husband. Annie encounters the human desperation and kindness of others; reflecting on her marriage, career, the anxieties of becoming a mother, and how to pursue your dreams and deal with your disappointments.

I thought this was written beautifully and I was impressed by this dynamic debut. For a 240 page novel, it has a powerful impact. I’m eagerly awaiting her next book already.

The River Knows Your Name by Kelly Mustian

This haunting atmospheric southern story paints a vivid picture of the Mississippi Delta and its people. The characters are well developed; complex and nuanced with compelling backstories. Kelly Mustian created an immersive read that engaged me from start to finish. We follow Nell and her sister, Evie, who discover their mother, Hazel, is not Evie’s mother. For nearly thirty years, Nell promised to never reveal what they found. Told in dual storylines, Nell, forty-two in 1971, delves into her past to uncover buried secrets, and Becca, a struggling young mother trying to survive during the thick of the Depression in 1930s.

A story touching upon secrets, heartache, betrayal, survival, endurance, love, family, mother-daughter relationships. Enjoyed her debut book, The Girls in the Stilt House, and I enjoyed this one, as well.

Thanks to BookBrowse and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of this beautifully written book.

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The readings by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Sandra Okuboyejo, A’rese Emokpae, and Janina Edwards, are all very well done. I paired the audiobook with the book.

Is true happiness ever attainable or is it just a fleeting state?

Set in Nigeria and America, Dream Count is centered around four women depicting the complexity of each of their lives: Chiamaka, Zikora, Kadiatou, and Omelogor, each reflecting of becoming the best versions of themselves. Chiamaka, a travel writer yearning for a soulmate; Zikora, an ambitious lawyer wanting a career, and the so called, “perfect” family; Kadiatou, a maid seeking opportunities in America; and Omelogor, a financial powerhouse in Nigeria who begins to question how well she knows herself.

Themes of love, motherhood, identity, privilege, longing, regret, and the search for connection are explored in this complex and layered story. A distinctly feminist note rings throughout the book. The atmosphere of pre-lockdown uncertainty of 2020 pandemic is only a backdrop for the reminiscing of the characters. This is my first read of Adichie’s and I really enjoyed it, but felt it was a tad too long. The gender strictures put upon them is the culture of what is expected of Nigerian women. The universal yearning to be known and loved ties each of these women together. I found the character of Kadiatou to be the centerpiece of this book. Adichie, is a gifted storyteller and her writing is beautiful and poetic. I will be reading more from this skilled author.

Thank you to BookBrowse and Penguin Random House for the book to read and discuss.

SALTWATER by Katy Hays

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC ebook

In 1992 the wealthy Lingate family is vacationing in beautiful Capri, when playwright, Sarah Lingate, is found dead below the cliffs. Sarah leaves behind a three-year-old daughter, Helen. Many believe the Lingate family is responsible even though her death is ruled accidental. The Lingate’s continue to vacation every year in Capri and on the thirtieth anniversary of Sara’s death in Capri, Helen, who is now thirty, along with the family assistant, Lorna, hatch a plan for Helen to escape her controlling family. A necklace that Sarah was wearing the night she died, suddenly appears at the manor where all are staying. Things quickly go sideways when Lorna disappears…
What is happening? Who is Lorna really? Where is Lorna? What really happened to Sarah all these years ago? So many questions, so many secrets.

I enjoyed this sophomore book by Katy Hays, as well as, her first book, The Cloisters. I liked the writing style and all the secrets each character harbors. The story was compelling and I enjoyed the twists throughout. I look forward to what Katy Hays does next. Saltwater will be available to read on March 25, 2025.

THE SPECTACULAR by Fiona Davis

I paired the book with the audiobook, and Rachel L. Jacobs and Kimberly Farr both do a fine reading of this book.

This story is inspired by true events. As with all her books, this too is set in New York City, at the Radio City Music Hall, in the 1950s with the glamorous Rockettes. Another part of the story is the “Big Apple Bomber” who terrorized the city for sixteen years. At a time when women were expected to marry and raise families, nineteen-year-old, Marion, defies her father’s wishes to pursue her dreams of theatre. When a bomb goes off at Radio City Music Hall one night, Marion finds herself being pulled deep into the investigation. Kept secrets slowly emerge as the story unfolds. A bit of romance is thrown in too.

An enjoyable read, even though there were a few far-fetched moments. I had not heard of the “Big Apple Bomber,” so that was an interesting storyline for me. I always appreciate the research done for her books and can’t wait to see what her next book will be.

WILD DARK SHORE by Charlotte McConaghy

Read by: Cooper Mortlock; Katherine Littrell; Saskia Maarleveld; Steve West

All of the readers did a great job of narrating this book. Saskia Maarleveld is a favorite narrator of mine.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Advanced Audiobook

An eco-fiction thriller with the theme of the world in crisis because of climate change, but told without preaching. Set on the remote island of, Shearwater, between Australia and Antarctica—is a research station where scientists have been studying environmental change. The island is receding and will soon disappear. Researchers have left and Dominic, the island’s caretaker and his three kids will be picked up on a second ship. A woman, Rowan, washes ashore unconscious. Why is this woman anywhere near Shearwater, Dominic is wondering and why is the family here alone, Rowan is wondering, after she has come around. Suspicions grow, dark secrets come to light, and the impossible choices we make to protect those we love, are all in this adventurous dark medium-paced read.

I enjoy Charlotte McConaghy’s beautifully written works and her story telling of the challenges of protecting the environment. I liked her previous books, Migrations, and Once There Were Wolves.

PENITENCE by Kristen Koval

Therese Plummer does a fine reading of this suspenseful story. This is Kristen Koval’s debut and I thought it was well written and I’m excited to see what she does next.

Opening family wounds and bringing dark truths to light with the guilt we live with.

Lives are shattered when Angie and David discovery a shocking murder in their home. Turning to a mom of a former boyfriend of Angie’s, for legal counsel, both Angie and David are confronted by impossible decisions. Digging into the intricacies of forgiveness and human frailty. The journey of finding forgiveness, compassion, and mistakes is not always a clear path.

The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole

Nicole Cash does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of this debut book with her reading of this epic tale following the lives of three generations of daring women.

is told in alternating chapters by Esther, a strong-willed Yoruban matriarch and her daughter, Amina. In letters to her daughter, Esther narrates her life growing up in Ibadan, Nigeria. Some chapters are voiced by an Iyanifa, a title for a priestess in the Yoruba tradition. Amina arrives in New Orleans after dreaming of a better life and opportunities hoped for in America. After becoming a single parent to her daughter, Laila, and finally starting to find her way, a hurricane is threatening to destroy the city. Years later Laila is wanting to know more about her mother and her distant relatives of Nigeria.

This book is filled with folklore, Yoruba Christianity, traditional religion, mother/daughter relationships, betrayals, love, and heartbreak. I thought this was a very good debut and I liked the development of the characters and her writing style. I look forward to future books by Olufunke Grace Bankole.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook

Paul Brightman is a man on the run, living under an assumed name in a small New England town with a bounty on his head. His security is breached and he must flee before Russian operatives locate him.

Alternating between two timelines — the present as Paul is struggling to stay alive and the recent past with the telling of how Paul got himself into this precarious situation in the first place. His survival is questioning everything and trusting no one, in this fast paced thriller.

Joseph Finder’s prose gives just enough detail to keep the reader interested without going overboard. I enjoyed The Oligarch’s Daughter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC read now ebook.

This is the author’s US debut and you will fall head over heels with this unputdownable read. A sweeping story set primarily in the 1960’s but toggles back in the past too, with so many layers it is hard to describe. It is a coming-of-age story, a love story, a family drama story, and a bit of a thriller. So many secrets are revealed in this passionate love triangle of Beth, her loving husband, Frank, and Gabriel Wolfe, Beth’s young love. Beth must make a choice — between the woman she once wanted to be, and the woman she has become. There are twists I didn’t see coming in this compelling read and a big satisfied sigh upon the end.

I enjoyed the simplicity of her writing style and the character development. I am not a fan of romance novels, but this is so much more than that. I am looking forward to what this author will write next. This will be out March 4, 2025.

Narrated by: Stina Nielsen and Saskia Maarleveld both do a wonderful reading of this beautifully illustrated debut.

A historical fiction debut about obsession and loss…

Set in the eastern
Netherlands 1960s post-war; following Isabel, an awkward and closed off 28-year-old woman living in her deceased mother’s home. Isabel’s brother brings his girlfriend, Eva, to stay with Isabel while he’s away. Isabel becomes obsessed with this forward young woman and struggles to accept her friendship.

There are romantic and erotic components in this poetic love story, (long descriptions of sensual encounters, that may offend some) with a central theme of home throughout. Touching upon relationships, unspoken truths, xenophobic and antisemitic tendencies, and misogyny.

I enjoyed her writing and found the story very compelling. Most significant is the character development of Isabel over the course of the novel. I was surprised of learning the things the Dutch government did post-war. I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author.

Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kristen Miller

Narrated by: January LaVoy

This is all about the power of books ——

January does a wonderful reading of this provocative satirical read set in Troy, Georgia, a small southern town, in the spring and summer of 2024. The town is in an uproar over banned books and “Lula’s Little Library” changes everything. Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books falls under the categories of censorship, politics, and satire fiction. It’s hysterical at times even though it deals with some heavy topics. The way the author delivered this was very clever. Some may think it’s too political, but it really doesn’t delve into the topics in detail. Themes of, the power of books, protecting southern small-town secrets, and information wars, are in the book. There are lessons for all in this read. A light read, with heavy topics…an oxymoron, but true. May ruffle a few feathers, especially for the more conservative. For me it’s more of a mature YA/Adult book because of the writing style. I will take a look at her other book, The Change, and I look forward to what she writes next.

Another reader, mentioned this and I believe she’s right: Interesting how the author chose the name Troy, for the town. Not sure if she chose the name “Troy” to be ironic or not. Think “Trojan Horse”. It’s a brilliant name for the town in this book.

Quote: …. “Betsy knew that a book hadn’t turned their son gay any more than the romance novels she’d once loved had made her a harlot”.

The novel includes discussions of violence, suicide, sexual assault, enslavement, physical and emotional abuse, antisemitism, anti-LGBTQ bias, and murder.