What We Can Know: A Novel
by Ian McEwan
Dystopian adultery (12/14/2025)
4.25 stars. I was quite excited to get this book because of all the hype surrounding it. As the by-line of the book review in this week's New Yorker (9/29/2025) states: "lan McEwan casts the climate crisis as a story of adultery." Indeed both parts of the book (Part 1 takes place in the future; Part 2 in the recent past: 2014 when the poem that is central to the book was written) are filled with people cheating on their spouses yet all the time saying how they love their spouses. But this moves another theme - what connects people?
The search for a poem written in 2014 (it's now 2119) that fascinates the narrator, Tom, in Part 1) is a trip down memory lane against the ravages of a climatically changed world. Tom's search really mythologizes Vivian and Francis Blundy (the poet is Francis) and when we get to Part 2, you realizes that the past is not always as glorious.
Enjoyed the read but it took awhile for me to totally understand the message.
Bog Queen: A Novel
by Anna North
Atmospheric and beautifully written (12/14/2025)
Oddly eerie and weird but what a read! This book is atmospheric, heart-wrenching, life-affirming and so beautifully written. The five Haddesley siblings (Eda, Charlie, Percy, Wenna and Nora) prepare for the death of their father, Charles. Their family is tied to a bog that has supposedly produced a "wife" for the first born son and the family has a compact with the land. Wenna had broken from the family 10 years ago but returns to fulfill her responsibilities for her father's funeral. She wants to go back to her home but like the others she feels the land calls her. What unfolds is a story of "family cult" stuck to traditions of lore and family.
The book asks the questions are traditions that important? Where does your life find meaning? As secrets emerge, each sibling is faced with a decision about these questions. My only criticism of the book is the mother character and her place in the story. That seemed the weakest part. But I really enjoyed reading this book.
Cape Fever: A Novel
by Nadia Davids
Delicious thriller (12/14/2025)
Delicious psychological thriller about a Muslim girl, Soyara Matas, who becomes the maid to an eccentric woman, Mrs. Hattingh, and becomes enmeshed in her glitches and traps. Soraya is naive and she cannot read, but when Mrs. Hattingh offers to write letter to Soraya's fiancé, Nour, Soraya thinks she may have found a friend or at least a woman she can trust.
When all is revealed at the end, you might have seen it coming, but still the betrayal is raw. In the telling we are dealing with the ravages of colonialism and racism. l'd like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to this beautifully book (ARC).
Ain't Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton
by Martha Ackmann
Nicely written bio (12/14/2025)
Nicely written biography of Dolly Parton that focuses on her career. I'm not a country music fan but l'd grown to like her music - especially her duets with Kenny Rogers - and loved her in Nine to Five. So when this came as a free read on NetGalley (thank you and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, as well) I was intrigued.
Indeed Dolly is no one's fool. She may have grown up poor (the story of her family life is so sad), she was given gifts of music, sing and grit. Her early life of dong writing with her uncle was intriguing - I knew she had written I'll Always Love You but not many of the others mentioned in the book. And her journey to signing was quite a difficult one - again I didn't know this but learning about it and Dolly's perseverance was amazing. I especially loved those parts of the book where Dolly held her ground. She's one tough woman.
Dolly has done a lot to promote reading - the points out that Dolly's dad didn't let his children go to the library because he was sure they'd destroy the books. And her generosity in sharing her wealth is well known. I would have liked more of this to have emerged from the book. Nonetheless, if you are interested in a book about het career, this one is definitely for you.
Wreck Your Heart: A Mystery
by Lori Rader-Day
Fun mystery (12/13/2025)
Sweet, sassy and funny murder mystery - a trifecta for anyone interested in a read for the snowy afternoon or sunny beach. This may be the one for you!
Dahlia “Doll” Devine is once again back at McPhee’s after being booted from her boyfriend’s apartment. She’s signing her heart out for Primary Jim, Lumpy Jim and Silent Jim but this time she’s saddled with her mother and long lost sister! While the setting is Chicago, hardly the heart land of country music, but that’s more a testament to Doll who is kinda unconventional- which makes her such a great character. Then when a murder happens and Doll’s mother is missing. You have to read the book to find out what happens.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for allowing me to read this fine book.
Evelyn in Transit: A Novel
by David Guterson
Charming tale of finding the right path (11/30/2025)
Evelyn Bednarz has an epiphany one day that she's unique; she's separate from others, from everything else. Meanwhile in Nepal, a young boy, Tsering, has the same epiphany. From there flows two stories of two people going against the grain of what "normal" life for them should be with complied but interesting results.
First, the writing is splendid. Second, this is less of a novel and more of a philosophical exploration of the meaning of life and one's place in it - so don't expect action. Rather, the book seeks to understand how people choose to find the right way to live. And, there are moments of humor that add some levity to serious moments in the story. I liked Evelyn more than Tsering but neither grabbed me emotionally. Per the Author's Note, he met Evelyn, so the book is based on a real person in part.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, W.W. Norton, for allowing me to read this charming book.
The Quiet Mother: A Detective Konrad Novel
by Arnaldur Indridason
Compassionate complex noir (11/30/2025)
I enjoy Nordic Noir so when this ARC became available (thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press) I was excited to read it. While this is the third book in the Detective Konrad series, the book can pretty much stand alone from a storytelling perspective - I hadn't read either of the previous two - and the author doesn't bore you with repeating things. The story and characters are straightforward and well developed.
A frail woman, Valborg, is brutally murdered in her apartment. She had reached out to Konrad several months past to find a child she gave up for adoption almost 50 years ago. Konrad had declined to help her and now has guilt over this, so decides to pursue the search, even though not much is known about the birth and many of the people who might know are dead. In investigating, he also returns to wanting to find out who murdered his father many years ago.
These two stories twist and collide in this suspenseful murder mystery. Then thrown into the mix is a bit of paranormal events as Konrad meets up with Eygló, a psychic investigator (who appears in a previous novel per my investigation). The novel explores the themes of guilt, the lasting effects of trauma and the beauty of redemption.
Flashbacks to Valborg's traumatic past mingle with abuse other residents of her neighborhood. When Konrad finally connects the dots on Valborg's murder (you have to read the book to find this out), the haunting impact of past events on the present is glaringly revealed.
This is a complex story filled with compassionate understanding of how the past informs the present.
The Midnight Taxi
by Yosha Gunasekera
Fun cozy mystery that packs a punch (11/20/2025)
This is a cute, cozy mystery featuring Sri Lankan characters - Siriwatha "Siri" Perera and Amaya Fernando - working together to solve a mysterious murder, one in which Siri must prove her innocence.
Siri is a midnight taxi driver in New York City. She loves true crime podcasts and was hoping to go to law school. One night she picks up a fare who upon arrival at the airport is dead and Siri is the logical suspect. Fortunately for Siri an earlier fare had been another Sri Lanka, Amaya, and she's able to secure an attorney quickly. Free on bond, Siri and Amaya join forces to solve the murder. No spoilers here; you have to read the book to find out what happened. It's a good ending!
I enjoyed the characters in this book. Siri is particularly enjoyable with her love of the true crime podcasts where there are certain requirements involved for investigating and solving crimes which are reflected in the story - adding a light, comedic touch. Amaya serves as a nice foil to Siri - so no surprise! There will be another book with these two. I also liked the introduction of Sri Lankan characters, giving more diversity to the mystery genre.
I want to thank BookBrowse and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
Family of Spies
by Christine Kuehn
Captivating family story (11/11/2025)
What an a compelling and captivating personal story of a woman learning of her family's connection to WWIl and the bombing of Pearl Harbor via its roots in Nazi Germany. I simply found it hard to stop listening to this book (gratefully shared with me via Netgalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio).
A chance letter from a Hollywood screenwriter researching for a script asked for help in finding her father, Eberhard Kuehn sent the author on a search only to find references to her grandfather, Otto, as a Nazi spy for Japan sent to Hawaii in 1935. Paid generously, the Kuehns spent lavishly and lived large all the while obtaining information for Japan as they prepared for their attack on America. Otto was convicted of espionage by a military tribunal in. 1942 and sentenced to death but it was commuted and he was deported. Eberhard disassociated himself from family and remained in America after his family left, hiding the secret of his family's past.
With heart-wrenching honesty, the author reveals a story deserving of a place in niche history for all its wealth of historical relevance to Pearl Harbor and WWIl. It also is a heart-filled story as the author writes in her ending sentence: "Secrets eat love like acid but love regenerates."
Highly recommend this extraordinary book!
Wolf Hour: A Novel
by Jo Nesbo
Nordic noir comes to Minneapolis (11/11/2025)
Wow! Jo Nesbo continues in my mind to be the super star of noir! This is another winner for me. Set in alternating time periods (2016 and 2022) in Minneapolis, the premise is that of a Norwegian journalist coming back to finish a book about a series of murders in 2016. A "lone wolf" sniper has killed several people and MPD detective, Bob Oz, is on the hunt only to be suspended when he's drunk and makes some rather startling statements on camera.
We follow Bob as he continues alone handling his investigation while others proceed officially. It's hard to do a summary without giving away the red herrings that keep you veering in one direction to be caught later going in another m. Suffice it to say you won't be disappointed in the read. Nesbo has created a mini-Harry Hole (I really liked Bob) but gives Bob a bit more softness and accountability. I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers to allowing me to read this ARC. Highly recommend.
Hollow: A Novel
by Celina Myers
Different twist on the vampire novel (10/31/2025)
It's Halloween so what better way to join in the festivities than to listen to a vampire book (many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ARC). This is not your typical vampire novel which is why I enjoyed it so much. Mia Adair wakes up after a car crash to find out she's dead and she's become a vampire. And, more importantly she regains her power to talk to the dead as the story unfolds. Mia also much choose which vampire family - the Belmonts or the Suttons, two rival vampire families.
Each family has a complicated history which Mia must now navigate. In addition there appears to be someone targeting vampires and killing them. No spoilers here, you have to read or listen to the book to find what Mia chooses - you won't be disappointed!
The themes of destiny and belonging underpin the story. This was an excellently narrated book too! I would I love vampire books and this is one I definitely would listen to again.
Will There Ever Be Another You: A Novel
by Patricia Lockwood
What happens when you recover from COVID? (10/22/2025)
I listened to this book read by the author. I think this may be my first foray into autofiction. Lockwood has crafted a novel around her contracting COVID in March 2020 and the devastating effects of it on her life and recovery. Lockwood was among the first writers "to shape the cognitive estrangement of the virus, its febrile illogic." In July 2020 she wrote of losing memory like "great chunks of plaster" falling all around her. With this in mind, the story follows the fictional Patricia as she arrives in Scotland with her husband and family where the nightmare begins. Patricia is besieged by hallucinations, aphasia, migraines, amnesia, paranoia and constant wondering if she's alive. It's quite exhausting in this short book to listen to all that!
There are some funny moments especially the one about the references to Dolly the clone. The Google link for the publisher, Penguin Random House, says "A vertiginous love that word novel of a woman's descent into illness and insanity." Indeed the book seems to spiral and swirl as Patricia's mind wonders and as she keeps asking herself what's real. At one point Patricia is dealing with her husband's illness which results I believe into a botched surgery (as I listened to this I kept wondering what my nurse practitioner daughter would be thinking reading this - it seemed to me to be a wonder the guy survived - but then l'd ask is this Patricia sane? So you have to consider the narrator reliability. As Lockwood told an interviewer, "I wrote it insane, and edited it sane."
Because listened to this novel and it is told in diary entries and story line, I did wonder if this might be better to read. But overall the writing - and Lockwood is a great narrator reliability- is lovely and the story about recovering from long COVID is worthy of a read. I feel fortunate that I didn’t get this.
The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)
by Rabih Alameddine
Magnificent Mother-son story (10/22/2025)
What a magnificent, funny, tragic, and brilliant story about a mother-son relationship! I listened to this book beautifully narrated (I felt the "real" Raja was speaking to me). The sweetly trusting Raja lives in 2023 Beirut. He's gay and mother-pecked (she lives with him in his tiny apartment - we learn how this happened). His mother is a termagant but she is insidiously wise and sly.
The book starts with Raja, a well-known teacher in Beirut, receiving an invitation in 2021 from America offering him a residency (Raja wrote a book in Japanese years ago that was a hit in Japan) to write another book. This forms the basis for the offshoot of Raja explaining his life, alternating between past and present events and eventually explaining the invitation. Always in the midst of his story and life is his mother. She's behind the scene orchestrating his life (with him not knowing this. I loved a reviewer's description of Raja's mother as "potty-mouthed, politically active, and fond of edibles." She's the overarching character who at the end completes the story - you have to read the book to find out I mean! Raja and his mother may have what appears to a love-hate relationship but deep down they so love each other. As a mother of sons, I loved that. Highly recommend.
Last Call at the Savoy
by Brisa Carleton
Historical fiction at its best (10/20/2025)
I enjoy historical fiction especially when it includes people forgotten or erased through time who made an impact or contributed good things to society. Ada Coleman was the first female head bartender at the Savoy Hotel in London. She created all kinds of unique cocktails which eventually were tabulated and published but under the compiler's name, a man.
So when Cinnamon Scott and her sister, Rosemary, who's having a rough pregnancy, show up at the Savory, Cinnamon's natural curiosity and her interest in writing perk up the former New York City party girl who is helping her sister during her difficult pregnancy, It also happens another guess knows about Ada which adds to Cinnamon's leaving her breezy, silly ways and get beyond herself.
The story is more character driven though as not much is known about Ada (as the author's note at the end points out), so the themes of sisterly relationships, finding home and following one's heart. As one reviewer noted, the "plots feels a bit contrived" but the author drives action through supporting characters such as "Kit" (a well known author who adds a touch of romance) and Cinnamon's silly New York City friend who calls and visits and adds comic relief.
Rosemary prods Cinnamon to achieve lost goals due to an awful event when she was in college that drove her from pursuing writing. And then there's Ada who being written out of history by a man resonates today with DEI on the horizon. This is just an all-around decent book (not top shelf as one review wrote) but very worthy of a read. Don't miss it. Highly recommend. NOTE: I listened to this excellently narrated book. I want to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to listen to this fine book.
Lolita
by Vladimir Nabokov
Thought provoking (9/16/2025)
Reading Lolita in the age of the Epstein files is weirdly strange. Technically: as to the writing; this is a 5-star read. Nabokov's writing is masterful. Ruth Bader Ginsburg who studied under Nabokov at Cornell, wrote in a 2016 NY Times op-Ed that he "changed the way I read and I wrote." Ginsburg's legal writing was known for its brilliance. Thematically: I struggled because Humburt Humburt's fetish for young girls between the ages of 9-14 so aligns with Epstein and his perversions, and while Humburt didn't traffic his Lolita, his rape of her (even if she was a seductress) is cruel and heartwrenching. This is not to say one should not read this book, its 75th anniversary is just so ironic. But in its whole, this is a classic.
Nabokov’s ability as a writer to create a vile character who justifies his obsession through references to famous people, art and other things where this kind of behavior was accepted is magnificent - and at no time did I feel he was trying to get us to like him either. That a writer can do this is a sign of the strength of their writing. I want to thank BookBrowse for affording me the opportunity of reading this book. This is my first time reading it. I also listened to the book expertly narrated by Jeremy Irons as I read the book. I think this helped me appreciate Nabokov a bit more.
When They Burned the Butterfly
by Wen-yi Lee
Disappointing (9/5/2025)
I struggled reading this book. It just never came to life for me. I wasn’t sure at times if this was a fantasy or a story of the struggles of Singapore gaining independence. In building a fantasy world I understand that this takes time, so fantasy books are usually longer, but I seriously think this could could have been shorter as much of the turf wars got repetitive and silly - or so it seemed to me. I did appreciate the writing at times.
Too Old for This
by Samantha Downing
Wickedly funny read (8/16/2025)
How can a book about a serial killer be funny? Samantha Downing has crafted one such book where you have a likable murderer, Lottie Jones, whose humdrum life alternates between homicidal activities creating an “hilarious mental whiplash” of sorts. Lottie is 75; her son, Archie is grown; she’s settled into retirement and has a group of friends through her church. But Lottie has a past in which she was accused of three murders but later exonerated only after her reputation was in shatters. She thought her past was deeply covered only to have it reappear when Plum Dixon shows up at her door. No spoilers here; you have to read the book - and you won’t get disappointed. Highly recommend.
The Silver Book: A Novel
by Olivia Laing
Beautiful and poignant (7/31/2025)
Beautiful and poignant book about love, purpose and the meaning of reality set in the Italian climatic world between 1974-1975. Part historical and part noir, the book delivers that meaning permanently migrates but we each make ours. I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
The Gossip Columnist's Daughter
by Peter Orner
True crime meets fiction (7/29/2025)
Interesting story surrounding the death of minor actress, Karen “Cookie” Kupichek, daughter of Chicago Tribune columnist, Irv, in 1963. Told almost “tongue in check” by a friend of the family’s son, Jed Rosenthal, she story reads like a 1940s film noir in which a narrator is telling the story (think Edmond O’Brien in DOA). While her death was never solved (suicide or murder) conspiracies theories persisted around a possible connection to the JFK assassination. The author does a nice job of weaving a story that hits all the buttons.
The Sister's Curse
by Nicola Solvinic
Mystery meets magical realism (6/16/2025)
This was a captivating mystery due to its touches of magical realism and possible horror in the waters of Bayern County. Anna Koray is a detective in the Bayern County Police Department confronted by a series of mysterious drownings in the river. She's also grappling with her past as the daughter of a serial killer. As she delves into the drownings, Anna is confronted by her past and a mysterious force working in the river.
The book is a gripping good read, filled with an anxious aura of unbelievability yet one you want to believe because it could be real. It also tackles themes of misogyny and abuse. I want to thank Book Browse and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
Power Reviewer
