Somebody Worth Killing
by Jessica Payne
Fast and Fun (4/20/2026)
Nadia is a suburban mom of two girls, the wife of a man who loves her and who she loves, as much as she can. Nadia is also a psychopath and an assassin for hire. She has mastered her secret life and is for the most part, happy. A wrench gets thrown into the works when she is offered a job that has her shocked and confused.
This novel is very fast moving. Nadia is full of energy and so is her story. She keeps herself under control but killing bad people and we come along for the ride. The story is told from her point of view only (finally, a book from one perspective) and she goes from cool and organized to confused and slightly crazed. I love that we get to see all the little details about how she manages her family and her job, and keeps all the balls in the air. Despite her job, she is a very likeable killer.
The writing is well suited to the pace of the story, short on descriptions and focused on the action. While a bit predictable is was nonetheless a fun and engaging read.
The Jellyfish Problem
by Tessa Yang
What a Tale!! (3/17/2026)
The Jellyfish problem is unlike any novel I have read. I really loved this story! It combines a wonderful tale with strong characters and relationships, a little zoology, and a bit of mysticism. The characters deal with grief, loneliness, friendship, family and fear all while encountering what may be a giant jellyfish.
The main character, Dr. Jo is grieving, working in isolation in a small aquarium in a small town. She is called to investigate a massive jellyfish that is lurking off the shores of a small island in Maine. What follows is a study of how differing characters deal with the unknown reality of such a mystery.
We see fear, wonder, resignation, acceptance and love. We feel Dr. Jo's awe of the beast as well as her cares for the inhabitants of the Island. We see how the appearance of the jellyfish affects relationships and threatens the community. The writing is quite spare, and the author leaves some descriptors to the imagination, some of which may depend on how you fell about jellies. I had just watched My Octopus Teacher and this novel reminded me of how little we know of these creatures. The fact that we may fear Jellyfish may blind us to their unique qualities.
This novel would be an excellent choice for book clubs and we can find so many metaphors to unpack!
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives
by Elizabeth Arnott
New type of mystery/detective book! (12/3/2025)
Three wives of serial killers support one another in the fun and thought provoking novel. There stories unfold as yet another serial killer seems to be on the loose.
My favorite thing about this book is the way we are given insight into the lives of the women who were in the dark as to what their husbands were doing. As they look back for signs they should have seen, things they may have missed, they realize they may have insight that can help find the culprit.
The balance between the mystery/detective work and the women's' stories is perfect.
Despite the heavy subject matter the book reads quickly and is almost impossible to put down! Somehow the author kept it light enough not to be too disturbing. The writing is excellent, way more than the usual detective novels. Looking forward to reading more from this author!!
The Bone Thief
by Vanessa Lillie
Interesting but...(spoiler alerts) (8/1/2025)
This book started off with an intriguing premise, Indigenous remains have been unearthed and the owners of the property claims legal ownership. We meet our heroine, a Cherokee BIA worker, who we hope will save the day. Lots of history and modern day issues are addressed. And then we are told the owners of the land are part of a "Founders" organization that is trying to create a museum to save their failing club.
Very quickly the story becomes a tale of a weird group of cultish leaders, crazy cover-ups, unbelievable coincidences, murders, blackmail plots, baby-stealing plans, and worse.
I read to the end, and the story just became more and more chaotic, in a very bad way. I felt that this story could have been much better, and interesting had the author not decided to put forth such an unbelievable plot in such a confusing, disconnected way. So disappointed!
The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant
by Liza Tully
Start of a Fun Series?! (3/7/2025)
This was a fun, easy read, full of interesting characters and luxurious settings. Olivia Blunt is bored in her research job and applies for the job of assistant to Aubrey Merritt, the great detective. Olivia is young, carefree, overly confident in her abilities and very inexperienced. Aubrey is wealthy, demanding, impatient, critical and hard to please. What could go wrong?
Olivia finally gets the chance to work on a case when Aubrey, who insists on being called Merritt, is asked to investigate a death that has been ruled a suicide. The pair heads to a luxury resort on Lake Champlain to investigate. Right away we see that this will be a huge learning experience for Olivia. She jumps to conclusions and misses important clues. She is eager to learn and does so as the novel unfolds. Olivia has the personal skills, whilst Merritt has the brains and experience.
The setting and characters are a bit over the top, in a quirky way, but nothing is too dark or disturbing. This makes the novel a perfect beach book. The chemistry between the characters is fun and intriguing. I am eager to see how the relationship grows and changes. This could evolve into a fun series, which I hope it will!
One Death at a Time
by Abbi Waxman
A Fun Ride! (12/11/2024)
Author Abbie Waxman is new to me. I was looking for a non-stressful read, and this novel was truly engaging. The novel itself feels like an old school Hollywood movie, with mansions, burlesque, prison, and many interesting settings.
The characters are each very distinct and well rounded. The plot moves along very quickly and is very engaging. Mason meets Julia at an AA meeting and a fraught relationship begins. Throw in a mystery and we are off! I most enjoyed Julia's character, a former actress turned lawyer, she can be dramatic, rude and haughty, and also loyal and caring, but most of all she is fearless!
This was a very enjoyable read. Hopefully Julia, Mason and the gang will all be back for more adventures!
The Funeral Cryer: A Novel
by Wenyan Lu
Different but Amazing (2/29/2024)
The writing in this debut novel is astonishingly beautiful. There are poetic sentences that amazed me with their power and insight. There are no wasted words in this book. There is humor, insight and memorable characters.
This book may initially turn off some readers because the writing is deceptively dry and understated and the subject matter SEEMS depressing. Power on as it is a story of empowerment and hidden strength, and that is the genius of the author and her story telling.
The Funeral Cryer is an unnamed woman whose job is to sing and cry at funerals in order to encourage mourners to express their grief. The job is essential and yet it carries the stigma of death and causes her to be ostracized in her small, drab impoverished village. No names are used in this novel, reinforcing her sense of alienation. Characters are identified by their role in her life. The Wife, our funeral crier, has a cell phone and a television, but every other aspect of her life is seemingly lived according to ancient customs. Her life is one of drudgery and hopelessness. She is subservient to her lazy, verbally abusive husband, and lives according to the whims of her mother, her distant brother, sister-in-law and her disappointing daughter. She is self-deprecating, tentative and introspective. Her existence seems to be to be in service to others. Her only solace are her visits to the barber, a newcomer who washes her hair and treats her as an adored equal.
It all seems miserable, and yet The Wife is a much more layered and complicated character. She evolves, and we see her become self-aware, a woman who has longings, desires, and finds her way to getting what she needs. There is a sly humor to this novel and this character. She is a woman who will no longer be a doormat, but she is clever enough to let them all think she is, all in order for her to live on her own terms. The ending is ambiguous, and yet I felt sure she was on her way to a much better future, one that she alone will determine.
This novel, these characters and the stunning writing will stay with me for a long time!
The Adversary: A Novel
by Michael Crummey
Another amazing novel by Michael Crummy (12/19/2023)
I love Michael Crummy, He is one of my favourite authors. That being said he does not write sunny, shiny novels, he writes about hardship, strife, conflict and darkness. His characters live in remote communities in Newfoundland usually reliant on the fishing industry. The lifestyle is rough and danger is everywhere, from the elements, the work, and most importantly the people. Tough times means tough people, add in religion, superstition, lack of true law and order, lack of education and you are going to have danger, suspicion, fear and trauma.
This novel revolves around two wealthy siblings Abe Strapp and his sister, the Widow Caines, both of whom are truly horrible people. Abe is a true bully, a bully with power who answers to no one. His sister is more cunning and controlled. Their evil manifests itself very differently and the havoc they wreck upon one another as well as the rest of the community seems endless. The one person who could restore some sense of order, the Anglican Beadle Clinch, is as, if not more corrupt than anyone else. That leaves the rest of the townspeople at their mercy.
The story is compelling, I struggled to put down this book! I was usually reading with a sense of dread, so this is not a relaxing beach book! The writing is, as always, poetic and evocative. Crummy manages to make the reader feel as if they are truly in this small village, experiencing the cold, the sea, the hunger and the fear. No one will protect the helpless villagers, they must try to keep their heads down and avoid the wrath of Strapp or the machinations of the Widow. On top of the horrors of the humans are the natural elements; neither the sea nor the weather show any mercy. Outsiders are also a danger. It is a wonder anyone survives.
It all sounds very grim, but it is a most impressive, unforgettable novel, as are all of the offerings by Michael Crummy.
Becoming Madam Secretary
by Stephanie Dray
Important Woman Unknown (10/31/2023)
Miss Perkins was a woman who defied societal norms to fight for change in American society. Raised in modest circumstances she became friends with a group of New York elite women who shared her passions and helped her achieve many outstanding achievements that changed the lives of every American. If you thought child labor barbaric, she fought and succeeded in having it outlawed. Safer workplaces, Social Security & many other programs that protect workers, children and the elderly were ideas she proposed to leaders, including President Roosevelt.
The author has availed herself of much existing research and brought this admirable woman and her work to life. At times her characters felt rather flat, and the tone seemed superficial. Miss Perkins' life was not an easy one, but she was resilient and committed to social change. She deserves to be well-known, her story shared and taught in schools. The novel was a bit long, but there was so much territory to cover. This was an easy read, interesting and informative.
All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher
Super Important! (6/19/2023)
This book tells the fictionalized story of the Jane Collective, which was a real grassroots collective of women and doctors who worked to facilitate abortions for women in Chicago. They existed between 1969 and 1973. As demand skyrocketed and the doctors could not keep up, several of the lay-people were taught to carry out the procedure. Their safety rate was almost 100 percent.
The book shows how dangerous, demeaning and expensive an experience abortions were, and how these people made it a safe, supportive, informed process. They worked in secret as they were very much breaking the law. Eventually some were arrested, but Roe vs Wade was resolved before they went to trial.
Prior to the 2016 election this book would have felt like a quaint retelling of an historic moment, now it feels urgent and as if we will be seeing Jane Collectives again. That is why this book is important and relevant. Through her characters and their relationships the author explores how different women held very different views on the issue. She also shows how the women who needed this service the most were low-income women and women of color. The most harrowing part was when they talked about women seeking illegal abortions being forced to perform sex acts (as well as pay a lot of money) for their procedures. It illustrated how vulnerable and desperate these women were before Jane was formed.
This book should be read by everyone, but especially by all the male politicians making laws controlling women's health care and their bodies!
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley
Loved it, until the end... (10/11/2022)
This novel grabbed me at the beginning - a smart, crotchety senior is pressured to allow a troubled girl into her life as an aide, driving her about and living in her home. For the most part it was a light, easy read, if somewhat predictable. However, the last few chapters took the story in all kinds of "topical" surprising directions, and they all felt forced and jarring to me. The "real story" could have been any one of the secrets revealed but the author threw in so many twists and turns that none of them landed.
Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel
by Anthony Doerr
Fascinating, but not easy... (10/18/2021)
I am generally not a fan of books where there are multiple stories taking place in different time periods. I find that although the storylines eventually merge the journey is too disjointed and jumpy for my liking. This novel uses this format, and although I did not love that aspect, the writing and the stories made it worth the effort. This is a novel for lovers of books and libraries. It celebrates stories and the power of books to educate, comfort and transport us.
The author gifts us with characters we rarely read about - my favourite being Omeir, a boy who farms with his team of massive oxen and who is forced to work, driving his team for the Sultan who is intent on invading Constantinople. In each story the attention to detail is astounding - I truly felt I understood the lives each character led - from minute personal details to larger issues of politics, religion, war, safety etc. The novel made me really think about our world and what we are creating and destroying. For me, when a story leaves me thinking for days about such issues it is worth reading!
Housebreaking
by Colleen Hubbard
Engaging Read (10/3/2021)
This is a novel about characters, and as a reader I loved watching them evolve and grow. Del is not the most lovable woman, she is aimless, drifting from one menial job to another, self-sabotaging and miserable. A few crucial events occur that force her to grow up and take responsibility for herself and her life. How she chooses to do so was a bit wacky, but she finds the strength and backbone she needs.. While working towards her goal, one fueled by both memories and anger, she begins to drop her defenses (a bit) and accept and be a friend.
The actual circumstances she puts herself in sometimes were somewhat unbelievable, the characters were sometimes over the top, but all in a warmhearted way. This is an easy and engaging novel.
Beasts of a Little Land: A Novel
by Juhea Kim
Decent Read (8/3/2021)
The author writes beautiful descriptions of Korea, it's people, clothing etc. Sadly I was disappointed with this novel. The story was very disjointed, with too many peripheral characters. Pacing was erratic, with some portions being long and drawn out, and then suddenly it is eight years later. There were times when modern phrasing/dialogue popped up. I found most of the characters unlikable and flat with the exception of Jade and JungHo. Most were not needed, others were missing - other courtesans in the homes, Silver etc. Characters suddenly had traits (yearning for motherhood) that came out of nowhere and/or they disappeared and only were mentioned again at the end, as if to wrap up the story. Long scenes would be introduced, only to come to nothing. Important historical elements were not really explored; the horrors of the comfort women, the actual war/fighting, the introduction of the courtesans to the realities of their job. It seemed that the author had elements personal to her that had to be included, whether they fit the story or not. The final chapter felt like it came from a totally different book, trying to circle back to the beginning but not realistic. For me the novel felt very disjointed and choppy.
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Fascinating Novel/Strong Female Character (2/9/2021)
An intriguing novel based on the life of the personal; librarian to J.P.Morgan. Bella da Costa Greene was a light skinned Black woman who, along with the rest of her family passed as White in order to escape the horrors of prejudice after Reformation. On the recommendation of his son Morgan hires her to add to his then private collections. The novel takes us with her into the highest of American society as Bella must learn to navigate the world of the rich and powerful who accumulate art. We see how she overcomes being the only female in this field, avoids having her heritage discovered and manages to have a personal life. We learn that she became quite famous and respected and invaluable to J.P Morgan and his now public library (she was the one who pushed him to open the collection to the public).
The day-to-day choices Bella had to make were often heartbreaking and yet she was never timid or cautious. I loved how the author used her extensive research to deliver a novel that is both fascinating and hard to put down. I recommend Googling Bella da Costa Greene after reading the novel for photos and more details about this ground breaking woman. The issues raised in this novel are very timely and for that reason this novel would be an excellent choice for Book Clubs!
Migrations: A Novel
by Charlotte McConaghy
So Many Layers! (7/13/2020)
I love a novel that defies my expectations and takes me on a journey. Migrations has so many layers and explores so many themes, and yet the author masterfully ties everything together in a hauntingly beautiful tale. Franny is a character unlike any other, she is a "wanderer", unable to settle herself anywhere. She is searching for answers and for closure. She craves family but cannot stay, she has obsessions, she is hopeful and she despairs. The ending was a surprise and left me with hope. There are many characters and they are all well developed. This is a very thought provoking, unique novel with many important themes and much sub-context. It is perfect for book clubs!
He Started It
by Samantha Downing
What is Happening??!! (2/11/2020)
This book really grabbed me by the throat! It is part road trip, part family drama, part mystery, and part psychological thriller! The writing is very fast paced, never lags at any point, and the story kept me up well past my bedtime!
The author slowly lets the reader get to know the characters, their past, and the present scenario that is unfolding. The sibling are all very secretive and their recreation of a childhood road-trip brings all their baggage to the forefront - not fun when you are all stuck in the same car. There are multiple twists and turns, all leading to a crazy "what just happened?" ending. Really fun and well crafted!
Remembrance
by Rita Woods
Great story, some flaws... (2/11/2020)
I am a big fan of Historical Fiction and love learning about the past. This book deals with slavery, an uprising in Haiti, the recent earthquake in Haiti, the slave trade, the underground railroad and much more. There are also strong elements of magical realism.
I enjoyed this book, despite some real issues. i found the book very repetitive, and rather choppy. Some scenes took forever - how many times can a character pause, stand alone, faint, etc? It took a full chapter for two characters to agree to pick up and carry another. I felt the threads that were supposed to tie the characters together were quite thin. There were times when I really didn't know what exactly happened (Margot & Josiah) and I really did not like the entire Gaelle storyline. There is a great novel here, and the writing is beautiful, but some tighter editing would have benefited the story.
The Sun Down Motel
by Simone St. James
Surprisingly Good (11/17/2019)
I have to admit - I was not sold on this book right away. It is written with alternating narrators from different eras, something that is becoming very common and, for me, boring. The mystery seemed like it would unfold predictably and I was sure I knew within the first chapter who did what to whom. Happily I was wrong! The characters were fairly well developed even though their motivations were not entirely believable. Background details were sketchy and relationships were not well explored. Some characters could have been fleshed out more, yet In spite of that, I was very engaged - it was a hard book to put down! Being accustomed to books showcasing the differences between the way women were treated in the past compared to now, it was refreshing to read a book that showed the strides women have made even since the 1980's. Halfway through I had figured out the mystery, however that really didn't take away from my enjoyment of the novel. On a minor note -
I am hoping that the cover art is changed - the book repeatedly mentions a blue sign - on the cover it is red, and the fact that the motel has 2 stories while the cover shows a single story motel - rather careless....
A fun, fast easy read!
The Kinship of Secrets
by Eugenia Kim
Thought provoking, moving novel! (10/9/2018)
I really loved this story of a Korean family who emigrates to the U.S, leaving one child behind. The author does an excellent job of showing us the struggles each family endures; the Korea family faces war, displacement, famine and more. The new Americans deal with assimilation, guilt and regret. Eventually Inja, the daughter who was left behind, is sent for- at age 16 - and the family must learn to be whole again. Inja must assimilate to both American culture and her nuclear family, Miran must learn to be a sister. He parents must move beyond their guilt and belatedly become parents to Inja.
The author, Eugenia Kim, paints a very realistic picture of how each family member copes, first with the separation, then within the newly re-formed family. The emotions of anger, hurt, resentment, fear, guilt and love are all explored and feel true. The background of life in Korea vs life in the USA - where the Korean war was not in the headlines- is also interesting - I always love when I learn stuff!
My favorite parts were reading about Miran and her mother sending care-packages to Korea and what they send provides a snapshot of American culture and also shows how the gifts are sometimes little luxuries, sometimes the means of survival.
The novel is based on Kim's family's true story (modified) and Kim describes how later in life she asked her sister what the experience had been like for her and she used this as the basis of the story. The author provides some background on the history of Korea that was relevant to the novel - very much appreciated!
