“Scars are just the body’s response to things that shouldn’t be there. A reminder of the pain.” This line from The Last Exchange perfectly captures the heart of Charles Martin’s latest novel, where suspense and deep emotion blend into a story that lingers long after the last page. In The Last Exchange, Martin introduces us to MacThomas “Pockets” Pockets, a former Scottish Special Forces soldier. Pockets lands a role as a bodyguard to Hollywood star Maybe Joe Sue, a woman with a picture-perfect public life but a private world marred by trauma and a desperate longing for a child. Martin’s portrayal of Maybe’s two lives—the glitz and glamour versus her […]
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Eliza Hamilton’s Untold Story of Love, Loss, and Legacy
4.5 stars. Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie’s retelling of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton’s life in My Dear Hamilton is rich with historical detail and vibrant prose. They bring Eliza to life not just as Alexander Hamilton’s wife, but as an influential figure who helped shape a nation. Through extensive research, including thousands of letters, they explore Eliza’s journey from spirited young woman to the grieving widow of a flawed yet brilliant man. Eliza’s fierce love for her country and her complex relationship with Hamilton lie at the book’s heart, and her character shines against the backdrop of a nation struggling to find its footing. The story is episodic, immersing readers in […]
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A Tale of Freedom, Friendship, and Bravery in Pre-Civil War Philadelphia
All We Were Promised transports readers to 1837 Philadelphia, where three young Black women—Charlotte, Nell, and Evie—struggle against societal constraints and personal secrets. Charlotte, who recently escaped slavery, lives as a servant to her white-passing father in a city she thought would guarantee her freedom. Nell, from a wealthy, freeborn Black family, is passionate about the abolitionist cause and introduces Charlotte to the movement. Their paths intersect with Evie, Charlotte’s old friend, who remains enslaved and longs for escape. The story delves into the meaning of freedom, both physical and emotional, as each woman seeks a better future in a city simmering with racial unrest and anti-abolitionist sentiment. Lattimore enriches […]
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A Slow-Burn Tale with Sparks of Suspense: A Review of Johnston’s Latest
Johnston’s latest literary suspense novel paints a vivid picture of a small Wisconsin town haunted by the mysterious disappearance of three boys in the 1970s. The story centers on Sean Courtland, a drifter who ends up working for Marion Devereaux, a man shrouded in suspicion. Alongside Sean is Dan Young, another wanderer with his own secrets, and Denise Givens, a local waitress whose life becomes entwined with Sean’s after a bar altercation. Detective Corrine Viegas, determined to uncover long-buried truths, watches as these lives intersect and set off a chain of events leading to devastating consequences. While the premise holds promise, the execution is slow. The first half drags with […]
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A Riveting Return to Connilyn Cossette’s King’s Men Series
“We serve the God who spoke the universe into existence. The God who split the sea to rescue his people. The God who conquered death with an empty tomb. There is nothing at all that he cannot do. So keep your eyes on the Lord, my friend, for he is at your right hand. Do not be shaken” (Psalm 16: 8).—Connilyn Cossette, Shield of the Mighty. 4.5 rounded up to 5.Connilyn Cossette’s latest addition to the King’s Men series delivers a powerful story of love, loyalty, and redemption set in ancient Israel. Zevi, a seasoned captain in King Saul’s army, returns to his hometown of Maresha on a mission to […]
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Espionage Meets Art: Gabriel Allon Returns in Portrait of an Unknown Woman
Daniel Silva’s 22nd Gabriel Allon installment returns the legendary spy to his original passion: art restoration. Now retired, Allon’s peaceful life in Venice with his wife and children gets upended when he’s drawn into the high-stakes world of art forgery. His old friend Julian Isherwood faces ruin over a dubious Van Dyck painting, pushing Allon back into the game. What follows is a skillful blend of art and espionage as Allon crafts forgeries of his own to ensnare a shadowy forgery syndicate and its financial backer. Silva’s sharp storytelling and insight into the art world shine, giving readers an inside look at the craft and deception of forgery. The plot […]
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A High-Octane Battle Between Good and Evil
Dark Angel, the second entry in Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson’s Shepherds series, delivers a gripping and intense military thriller with a unique faith-based twist. Former Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson is back, now training with the Shepherds, an elite organization of warriors tasked with confronting spiritual threats. But the challenge of stepping into his role as the rookie leader of a new team is just the beginning. Jed’s visions of an imminent overseas attack force him into action, and what follows is a pulse-pounding mission that blurs the line between the seen and the unseen. Andrews and Wilson skillfully weave together elements of counterterrorism, faith, and supernatural warfare, creating a […]
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The Soaring Journey of Bessie Coleman
Carole Hopson’s debut novel takes readers on a breathtaking journey through the life of Bessie Coleman, a pioneering aviatrix who pursued freedom in the skies when such aspirations were daunting for a Black woman. Set in early 20th-century America, this riveting tale spans from Texas cotton fields to the heights of European skies, exploring themes of perseverance and identity. Hopson’s vivid storytelling brings to life young Bessie’s first glimpse of an airplane, sparking her relentless drive to fly. Despite societal norms and racial barriers, Bessie’s determination leads her from Chicago’s segregated streets to France’s flight schools. The depth of Hopson’s research enriches the story, particularly through Bessie’s relationships with supporters […]
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Friendship and Corruption in Biloxi
In The Boys from Biloxi, John Grisham masterfully weaves a tale of friendship, betrayal, and the complex interplay of law and crime set against the backdrop of 1960s Biloxi, Mississippi. The story follows two boys, Keith Rudy and Hugh Malco, whose childhood camaraderie devolves into a fierce rivalry as the circumstances of their lives draw them onto opposing paths. Keith, the son of a determined anti-crime prosecutor, dedicates himself to the law, while Hugh slips into the seedy underbelly of organized crime, following in the footsteps of his father, a notable crime figure in Biloxi. Grisham’s narrative is both engaging and informative, shedding light on the historical context of Biloxi’s […]
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A Melancholy Story of Isolation Amid the Scottish Clearances
Clear presents a reflective, melancholy story set in the 1840s during the final stages of the Scottish Clearances. John, a destitute Scottish minister, takes on a job to evict Ivar, the sole inhabitant of a remote island, for much-needed money. Despite his wife Mary’s objections, John travels to the island, where he meets with an accident that sets the stage for an unexpected connection with Ivar. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of John, Mary, and Ivar. As the two men, who do not share a common language, learn to communicate and build a fragile bond, the story touches on themes of solitude, survival, and the human spirit’s resilience in […]
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