Scott Turow proves once again why he’s the king of the legal thriller with Presumed Guilty. This book pulled me in from the first page and didn’t let go. Rusty Sabich, now retired, finds himself back in the courtroom defending his fiancée’s son, Aaron, against a murder charge. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the tension is palpable as Turow expertly navigates themes of racial bias, small-town dynamics, and the complexities of the justice system. The courtroom drama is riveting—Turow obviously has courtroom experience, but he also has a delightful sense of humor. Rusty’s internal conflict adds emotional depth, and the layered characters make them authentic and relatable. Aaron’s struggles […]
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Faith, Family, and Finding Oneself in 1967 Alabama
3.5 rounded up Untethered is a thought-provoking exploration of faith, duty, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of a racially tense 1967 Alabama. Katia Daniels, the protagonist, has dedicated her life to caring for others—first her family, and now the boys at the Pike County Group Home. Her struggles with love, loss, and a deeply rooted sense of obligation unfold in a story filled with emotional depth and historical context. While I appreciated the book’s focus on faith and its examination of trauma, I had trouble fully connecting with the characters and the narrative. The writing sometimes felt awkward, and the story lacked cohesion, which made it hard to stay […]
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Electrifying Action: Brian Freeman Delivers with The Bourne Shadow
Brian Freeman’s The Bourne Shadow is an absolute knock-out. The fifth installment in Freeman’s continuation of the Jason Bourne series is everything you’d want in a high-octane thriller—loaded with tension, packed with action, and impossible to put down. Freeman dives into David Webb’s haunting past, weaving a taut narrative that forces Bourne to confront secrets buried under years of amnesia. When a woman unexpectedly recognizes him as Webb, it sets off an electrifying chain of events that thrusts him into a breakneck journey across Europe. From neo-Nazi cells to political intrigue, the stakes couldn’t be higher as Bourne searches for answers about his forgotten life. The pacing here is masterful. […]
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High-Octane Action with Layers of Secrets
Break Every Rule packs a punch from page one. Tommy Miller hides in Florida, hoping his old life remains buried. That hope vanishes when kidnappers snatch his wife, Teresa, and infant daughter, Rosalita. Tommy taps his old skills as a soldier and member of a secret group called the Outsiders. Violence waits at every turn. He learns Teresa carries secrets of her own, tied to the murder of a British Royal tangled in a sex ring. Detective Lindy Jax investigates the abduction and suspects Tommy holds back key details. She has her own reasons: years ago she lost her brother without a trace. Brian Freeman, known for continuing Robert Ludlum’s […]
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A Willy Wonka-esque Premise
Lucy Hart knows all too well what it’s like to grow up without loving parents. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found solace in books, especially the Clock Island series by reclusive author Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she shares her love of reading with her young students, particularly seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who tragically lost his parents and became an orphan. Lucy dreams of adopting Christopher, but she lacks the funds and stability to make it happen. Jack Masterson, the mega-bestselling author of the Clock Island series, quit writing under mysterious circumstances and for the past six years has been drinking himself into an early […]
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Power, Corruption, and Suspense: A Review of Thriller Absolute Power
I always enjoy Baldacci’s thrillers, so I went back and read one I missed from 1996. Some may find it far-fetched, but with today’s politics, who knows? Absolute Power grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. It’s gritty, clever, and full of twists that make you question everyone’s motives. The story begins with Luther Whitney, a career thief, witnessing a crime while robbing a billionaire’s mansion. But this isn’t a typical break-in gone wrong—it’s a murder that implicates none other than the President of the United States. Luther is a flawed but fascinating protagonist. Despite his criminal past, he’s a man trying to do the right thing in […]
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Adventures, Assassins, and Adrenaline in We Solve Murders
Richard Osman has done it again! We Solve Murders kicks off a brand-new series featuring an unlikely detective duo: retired police officer Steve Wheeler and his adrenaline-junkie daughter-in-law, Amy. Packed with humor, heart, and a fast-paced plot, this book will keep you hooked. Steve is living his best low-key life in a quiet English village with his cat, Trouble, and pub quiz nights. Amy, meanwhile, is in chaos, working as a bodyguard for best-selling author Rosie D’Antonio, whose latest novel has ticked off some dangerous people. When a murder frame-up puts Amy in the crosshairs, she calls on Steve for help. Cue a high-stakes, globetrotting adventure with Steve, Amy, and […]
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A Timeless Tale of Art and Family
Tracy Chevalier’s The Glassmaker feels like stepping into a kaleidoscope—colorful, intricate, and timeless. Set on Murano, the island of Venetian glassmakers, this novel captures the lives of the Rosso family, particularly the indomitable Orsola Rosso, whose spirit and skill defy societal expectations. The story opens in 1486, where Orsola longs to craft delicate glass goblets, but as a woman, she’s deemed fit only to make “inconsequential” beads. Those very beads save her family repeatedly as the novel skips through centuries of triumph, loss, and survival. From the Renaissance to plagues, Napoleon’s conquests, and even COVID-19, Chevalier vividly portrays Murano’s changing fortunes and the resilience of the Rosso women. The glassmaking details are […]
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Beyond the Headlines Review
Beyond the Headlines takes readers into the fast-paced world of investigative journalism, following veteran reporter Clare Carlson as she tackles the murder case of billionaire Charles Hollister. The story’s premise is captivating, weaving together themes of celebrity, domestic abuse, and a decades-old mystery tied to the Vietnam War. The author’s newsroom expertise is evident, providing an authentic glimpse into the relentless pressures of breaking news. The novel kicks off with an emotional jailhouse interview with Laurie Bateman, a former supermodel and actress accused of killing her husband. As Clare digs deeper, the case becomes more tangled, spanning multiple murders and unsettling family secrets. While the plot promises suspense, the execution […]
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Revenge and Redemption in Ancient Egypt
Wilbur Smith, the legendary master of historical adventure, immerses readers in ancient Egypt with The New Kingdom. Known for his vivid storytelling, Smith’s novels span continents and eras, and this book certainly adds to his impressive legacy. Hui, a young scribe, sees his life shattered when betrayal and murder tear his family apart. Cast out by a conniving stepmother and brother, Hui’s journey takes him from the comforts of Lahun to the harsh realities of exile. Along the way, he joins the Hyksos—a formidable army of outlaws—and transforms into a fierce warrior. His quest for vengeance becomes intertwined with the fate of Egypt itself, as gods and mortals collide in […]
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