The Long March Home is a moving World War II novel that follows the harrowing journey of three childhood friends—Jimmy, Hank, and Billy—who enlist in the U.S. Army just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The story tracks their struggles in the Pacific Theater, where they endure the brutal realities of war, including the infamous Bataan Death March, testing the strength of their friendship and their will to survive. The narrative alternates between their carefree childhood in Mobile, Alabama, and their traumatic experiences as soldiers. As members of the Thirty-First Infantry in Manila, the friends are captured and forced into a grueling 60-mile march up the Bataan Peninsula, followed by […]
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A High-Stakes Espionage Thriller
3.5 stars rounded down to 3. Night Owl plunges readers into a world of espionage, high-tech sabotage, and international intrigue. The story follows Brad Trasker, a retired counterintelligence agent still reeling from personal loss and disillusionment. He experiences an abrupt shattering of his quiet life when he attends the launch of a groundbreaking aircraft by Kylie Connor, an innovative aerospace CEO. The event takes a deadly turn when the plane explodes, nearly killing Kylie and setting off a chain of mysterious events, including missing data, a vanishing engineer, and a suspicious death. Mayne keeps the tension high with a mix of forensic detail, advanced technology, and relentless action. As Trasker […]
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Amy’s Picks and Pans, Issue 32
Welcome to issue 32 of my monthly Picks and Pans newsletter. This time I dive into an array of genres to bring you some of the best reads out there! Whether you’re into gripping mysteries, spy thrillers, epic historical sagas, or middle grade novels, you’ll find a diverse collection of books to spark your interest. I craft each review to help you discover your next great read, providing thoughtful insights and personal opinions on both books that are getting loads of press and hidden gems. Grab your favorite reading spot, settle in, and let’s explore the wonderful books I read this month! Simon (Sort of) Says By Erin Bow Middle […]
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A Lush Tale of Inheritance, Love, and Family Secrets
If you think your family is dysfunctional, wait until you dive into These Tangled Vines, a captivating tale of inheritance and identity set in the heart of the Italian wine country. This novel masterfully blends heartache and hope as Fiona Bell uncovers a life-altering secret: her biological father isn’t the man who raised her but a wealthy vineyard owner in Italy. When she learns he has passed away and left her in his will, Fiona travels to Tuscany, where she uncovers hidden parts of her family’s history. The narrative alternates between Fiona’s present-day journey and the forbidden romance between her parents, gradually revealing decades-old secrets that have shaped their lives—and […]
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A High-Octane Thriller with Unfinished Business
3.5 rounded up to 4. Deep Sleep is a pulse-pounding journey into the shadowy world of espionage and conspiracy. The story centers on Devin Gray, a countersurveillance expert drawn into a dangerous mission following the death of his estranged mother, Helen, a former CIA officer notorious for her paranoia. Most dismissed Helen’s obsession with a vast conspiracy, but when Devin discovers the clues she left behind, he realizes her fears were justified. With the help of former Marine pilot Marnie Young and a team of covert operatives, Devin uncovers a deep-rooted Russian sleeper network that has infiltrated the highest levels of American society. Konkoly’s military background shines through in the […]
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A Sweet, Hallmark-Style Tale with a Dash of Magic
Midnight at the Blackbird Café offers a gentle blend of magical realism, romance, and Southern small-town charm. Set in the shadowy mountains of Wicklow, Alabama, the story follows Anna Kate Callow as she returns to bury her Granny Zee and close the beloved Blackbird Café. What was to be a quick visit turns into a deeper connection to the town her mother fled years ago. The café is famous for its blackbird pie, rumored to allow the dead to send messages to the living. However, Granny Zee took the secret ingredient to her grave, leaving Anna Kate to serve delicious but non-magical pies. Along the way, Anna Kate encounters Natalie […]
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Intriguing Espionage Thriller Sheds Light on a Forgotten Cold War Spy
“…all you have to do is look at the recent history of Auschwitz and Stalin’s gulags to realize that blind obedience to authority is the exact opposite of patriotism.” Stephanie Marie Thornton, A Most Clever Girl. I thoroughly enjoyed A Most Clever Girl. This novel offers a fascinating exploration of the world of espionage on American soil, based on the true story of Elizabeth Bentley, a notorious double agent during the Cold War. The book masterfully blends historical fact with fiction, painting a vivid picture of Bentley’s transformation from a naïve idealist to a key player in a dangerous Soviet spy network. The story begins in 1963, with Catherine […]
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A Novel About the Power of Books
3.5 rounded up to 4 If you love the smell of old books and the worlds they unlock, The Bookbinder will resonate with you. Set in 1914 Oxford, the novel follows 21-year-old twins, Peggy and Maude, who work at the Oxford University Press bindery. Peggy, captivated by the books she binds, longs for an education beyond her reach as a working-class woman. Meanwhile, Maude, who is developmentally disabled, finds contentment in their simple life, leaving Peggy to shoulder the responsibility for her sister. As World War I looms, women keep the nation running while men fight. Williams weaves historical detail with themes of class, gender, and literature’s transformative power. Peggy’s […]
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The Paris Betrayal Delivers Nonstop Action
4.5 stars I love finding authors I’ve never read before, and James R. Hannibal is the real deal! The Paris Betrayal is a fast-paced spy thriller that hooked me from the start. The story follows Ben Calix, a skilled operative whose life spirals out of control after a mission in Rome goes wrong. Tasked with uncovering a deadly bioweapon, Ben barely escapes, only to return to Paris and find his world in ruins. Disavowed by his agency, cut off from all support, and hunted by unknown enemies, Ben’s situation couldn’t be worse. The action is nonstop as Ben races across Europe to piece together the conspiracy against him. Along the […]
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Religious Persecution in 16th-Century France
The Burning Chambers is a sweeping historical novel set in 16th-century France during the brutal Wars of Religion between Catholics and Huguenots. The story follows Minou Joubert, a young Catholic woman who receives a cryptic letter stating, “She knows that you live.” This mysterious message sets off a chain of events that entangles her with Piet Reydon, a Huguenot soldier on a dangerous mission. Mosse explores themes of betrayal, loyalty, and forbidden love, all against the backdrop of the era’s violent religious upheaval. Her vivid descriptions and meticulous attention to historical detail bring this tumultuous period to life. One of the standout aspects is how much I learned about the […]
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