“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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Stormy Setting, Shallow Story: The Unwedding by Ally Condie
Ally Condie’s adult debut, The Unwedding, sets a classic locked-room mystery against the picturesque backdrop of Big Sur. Ellery Wainwright, recently divorced and alone, goes to the luxurious Resort at Broken Point for what would have been her 20th wedding anniversary. Instead of peace, she finds chaos: she finds the groom at a wedding held there dead in the pool, and a sudden storm traps the guests with no hope of rescue. As bodies pile up, Ellery and two other guests, Ravi and Nina, step into the unlikely roles of amateur detectives. While the setup is promising, the execution falls flat. The characters, including Ellery, don’t leave a lasting impact, […]
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The Resilience of Women and Books in The Underground Library
In The Underground Library, Jennifer Ryan masterfully captures the enduring strength of women and the profound power of books during one of history’s darkest times. Set against the backdrop of the Blitz, the story intertwines the lives of three resilient women: Sofie, a Jewish refugee seeking solace from her tragic escape; Juliet, a determined new deputy librarian fighting to transform the quiet Bethnal Green Library into a sanctuary; and Katie, a young woman grappling with personal loss and a life-altering secret. When bombs threaten to reduce their beloved library to rubble, Juliet bravely moves it to the Bethnal Green Underground Station. Here, amid air raids and uncertainty, books offer a […]
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Lost Dreams and Hard Realities: Lorraine’s Journey in The Girls We Sent Away
Lorraine Delford’s story is equal parts heartbreaking and enraging. Set in the 1960s, the novel follows Lorraine, a high-achieving teen with dreams of space exploration, whose plans are derailed by an unplanned pregnancy. Her disloyal boyfriend abandons her, and her parents, more concerned with appearances than their daughter’s well-being, whisk her away to a maternity home. Here, Lorraine endures a stifling regimen of “ladylike” lessons, where she’s pressured to give up her baby to restore her family’s “honor.” The narrative digs into Lorraine’s inner turmoil, highlighting her strength and fierce love for her unborn child. The author skillfully immerses readers in Lorraine’s despair and determination, illustrating a chilling reality: societal […]
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A Family’s Past Unravels in the Heart of Italy
Dominic Smith’s Return to Valetto takes readers on an atmospheric journey through a nearly deserted Italian village, where ancient walls hold wartime secrets. Hugh Fisher, a grieving widower and historian, arrives in Valetto on sabbatical, intending to reconnect with his roots and study the fading town where he spent childhood summers. But his plans are upended when he discovers a “squatter” in his inherited cottage—Elisa Tomassi, a Milanese chef claiming Hugh’s grandfather, a resistance fighter in World War II, promised it to her family. Smith masterfully unfolds a multi-generational tale of love, betrayal, and resilience. As Hugh uncovers his family’s dark past and learns of Elisa’s own family’s sacrifices, he’s […]
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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 Haunting Mix of Mystery and Heritage
In Spirit Crossing, the 20th installment of William Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series, the story dives into themes of Native trauma, family bonds, and the environmental impact of Big Oil. When a politician’s daughter vanishes in Minnesota, sparking a huge search, Cork’s grandson finds the grave of an unidentified Ojibwe woman. This discovery sets off an intense investigation led by Cork and the Iron Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police, revealing a tangled web of connections and dangers, including a link to the missing girl. Krueger skillfully intertwines real social issues with a compelling mystery, navigating the complexities of Indigenous rights and human trafficking with sensitivity and insight. The story treads into […]
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Giving Jim His Voice: A Riveting Reimagining of Twain’s Classic
In James, Percival Everett brilliantly reimagines The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective, offering a fresh and thought-provoking take on Twain’s classic. Instead of the childlike portrayal of the original, Jim emerges as a deeply intelligent, strategic man. When Jim overhears he’s about to be sold, he hides on Jackson Island. There, he encounters Huck, also on the run, and the two launch into a familiar yet newly meaningful journey down the Mississippi. Through Jim’s eyes, each run-in with danger, every brush with conmen, and the odd moments of luck take on rich layers, highlighting the horror of slavery and the absurdity of the racial norms in the antebellum […]
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A Blend of History, Faith, and Romance
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” —Unknown. Amanda Dykes’ Born of Gilded Mountains is a sweeping historical novel that beautifully blends history, faith, and romance, set against the rugged backdrop of Colorado’s mountains during the Gilded Age. Dykes is known for her lyrical writing, and this novel is no exception—it reads like poetry, with rich, atmospheric descriptions that draw you into the setting and the lives of the characters. In 1948, Mercy Windsor, once Hollywood’s beloved leading lady, seeks refuge in the remote Colorado town of Mercy Peak after a scandal topples her career. […]
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