Sarca

Another page-turner by Hightower! I never thought I'd be interested in the dealings of horses, but the author writes a compelling mystery.

My first attempt at reading this book was in 2014, and I only gave it 1 star. Going on a knitting-themed kick with reading, I tried reading this book again 9 years later with more age and patience under my belt...I didn't finish it this time either but I added another star because, well, this book isn't bad...it's just not my genre of preference. I understand Carol pining for a baby, but every page has her weeping; I can't read that constantly. Actually every character's problems were repeated over and over, causing me to eyeroll through the chapters, which is not any way to enjoy a book. So, Macomber is not a fave, i will not be reading her again, but that's ok. I think I've given her enough chances to move on.

It starts out a story of two college friends who get into an accident, crashing the car into the river. One survives, the other doesn't. And...well, that isn't where the story ends. Because the author starts in on sub-plots involving the girls' families, introducing other characters and tragedies among them in a twisty, confusing, overly descriptive and slow-to-the-chase story. I couldn't keep characters straight, flipping back to figure out who we were talking about.
One reviewer said the author gives you a lot to chew on...indeed, you could choke on the filler.This novel took effort, and I unfortunately couldn't finish it.

A lot of useful info and techniques. A good watercolor bible.

Suspenseful story, yes, but a difficult read emotionally.

Another fantastic read from Hightower! Rich characters, vivid descriptions and great dialogue. I never thought I'd enjoy reading a serial character like Sonora Blair like I am. I plan on reading more!

Well-written intro to McEwan's work, although some of the imagery is disturbing...

Well-researched, and informative. A good read for any Duran Duran fan.

What a surprise! I was riveted from the first page. Andy takes us through his life growing up in Newcastle, UK, through his journey in Duran Duran, and after. An intimate, balanced and down-to-earth recount. Highly recommended.

The story was cute, I'll give it that. But, it was in desperate need of a good editor. Is the main character reading from her diary, or...? Cutting into the flow of the conversation to explain how you offered the last cookie to your friend and when refused you say “more for me!” seemed unnecessary. The names of the stores in this small Ontario town were cute. Btw, Nipissing has one “p”, not two.

I first picked up this paperback from a used bookstore many years ago, and wanted to re-read it again. I remember it being really good...and it is! Smartly written, with characters you care about.

A well-written mystery. A real page-turner! This was my first Claire Douglas novel and I'll be picking up more!

I didn't finish this, as I couldn't get into the MC. So it goes, life is too short.

2.5 Stars
Here's the deal with this one: I read this when I was 14 for a dissertation I had to do for grade 9 English. We had to choose a book from our school library that WASN'T Stephen King (the bane of every English teacher, lol). I picked this one up from the rack, opened the first page, and saw the towns Sudbury, Markstay (Mark's Tey in the book) and Chelmsford all within the first few pages! Mind you, the author is talking about towns in the UK, but still...Being from Sudbury, Ontario, and having a love of art, this was the one I decided on.

Fast forward to now. The odd title has always been in my memory bank, but the plot was forgotten about. I found a copy on Internet Archive and decided to re-read it.

And well...it's not bad. Good story overall, but the writing is repetitive, and manner of speaking shows its age. I was able to skip paragraphs without consequence when the story got too stuck on details.

I also found most of the characters' names sounded too much alike: Shirley, Sandra, Sally/ Trudi, Trish. Seriously, writers, think how that affects your reader. It confused me...

A thoroughly entertaining read, well-written and fun. The historical aspect regarding Bonaparte was great. Will be reading more.

Thoroughly enjoyed this. An easy read with likeable characters. I hope this writer continues to write for this series.

First time reading any of this author's novels. I'd say the writing is average, and the plot was twisty. As short as the novel was, it seemed to not tie up loose ends. And I was bothered by how the MC, a psychiatrist, was so quick to blur ethical lines with her patients. 2 stars from me.

A gaslighting story about a pregnant woman who moves into an old mansion in upstate NY with her rich husband. The gaslighting came from the real estate agent who sold them the mansion, and basically got a bunch of people to play with her in her web of lies, and all because “she could.” The story drew me in for 3/4 of the book - where we hear from the pregnant woman's perspective - until the story went cray; like, Gone Girl cray, where we get to hear from the real estate agent's diabolical mind. The story should have been over with the cherry-on-top ending...except it wasn't. The author tacks on a “it was all a dream and reality is your nightmare” type ending. It wasn't needed.

This is the first book I've read with knitting as a central theme...and I didn't want to throw it across the room within the first 15 pages! I found it light and enjoyable. I'll be picking up Sadie Hartwell's first book in the series.

First time diving into Nancy Drew at my age. Very “privileged white people” mystery written in the tone of “a different time”, but charming and light nonetheless. I can see why little girls liked this series. I'll be reading more Nancy Drew.

You know, I never read any Nancy Drew as a kid. So, why not now? I totally get it, why girls love her. It is a little hokey and antiquated in the writing, but there is something about it that I quite enjoyed.

Well-written, suspenseful and well-crafted story.

From the first page, I could not put this book down. But, as things go with timely books, this one finished abruptly at 2014 so it doesn't include all that occurred later. Anyone who lived through this in Toronto knows how it ends...with Rob Ford's sad death. I didn't like the guy at all as a mayor, especially his wanting to shut down library branches for Tims outlets. I was among the few who believed that there was a crack video out there. But, regardless, his decline was really awful and death from cancer terrible.

At any rate, Doolittle's account is engrossing. I could not put it down. Toronto: Crazy town indeed!

I don't know what has happened to Joy Fielding's writing. I used to really love her books, but lately, her novels have really not been great, including this one. Mercy's daughter goes missing on a camping trip in Georgian Bay, and is presumed drowned. Throw forward in time, and Marcy goes to Ireland to find herself following a separation and thinks she sees her dead daughter alive there; she pursues her. Along the way she finds a guy there who knew her daughter, and helps her. It all just seemed too packaged tightly in some weird Hallmark Christmas romance mystery way. Lol

My stars are based on the style of the drawing and the storytelling alone which were good overall. They both carried me to the end of the novel. However, I did have a hard time personally with the author's actions regarding those photos she stole from the memorial...and then never returned them! I kept waiting for her to reach out to Seth's family, but never did. This is my own bias, as I feel if you UE someplace, you take nothing but photos.