Mer Barr

Interesting twist on the murder mystery theme.

Well written story wise and good movement of the plot although it went on a very long time. I didn't get a hint of the murderer til ‘the butler did it' scene, which I like.

I didn't like the structure of the paragraphs. There was absolutely no visual [and probably audio as well] transition of the storylines switching, not even a graphic separator or extra blank lines! I had to quickly reread the top of the paragraph to do the catch up and there was alot of switching going on.

I may try the next in the series, although I'm not a murder-based mystery fan.

Wish I would have read this book before [b:Across the Nightingale Floor 77160 Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, #1) Lian Hearn https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1438630231l/77160.SY75.jpg 161332] as it does a great job of filling in the backstory of all the adults and rolls right into the beginning of that book. Thankfully I've read this immediately after and the details are still fresh in my mind to connect the characters' stories.Nicely written, doesn't tangent off the main story the author wants to tell [I hate when authors do that!], there's some jumping back and forth between the several parallel stories but it's pretty easy to catch back up.

Finally! A book that brings Pompeii to life! Not just those who were caught and entombed by the lava as so many documentaries have done. This author, tho she doesn't seem to have been one of those who did the direct work of unearthing and restoration, has definitely done her research of what Pompeii was like well before the life-changing explosion.

The author covers topics like games, businesses, politics and governance. It's amazing how much writing has been uncovered over the centuries and what folks can surmise from the depth of a rut.

This book was the result of ‘shelf surfing' and it never results in an enjoyable read for me. Perusing the ‘new books' or ‘fiction' shelf at the local library or buying an interesting book cover at the local bookstore seems to always result in a very depressing or unsatisfactory read. And this was was not different.

It seemed like 95% of the characters were ‘seedy' and what they were saying was negative and depressing. I was hoping to get a sense of storytelling in South Africa, I'm crossing my fingers this was the exception and not the rule.

Not as enjoyable as [b:Golden Buddha 41703 Golden Buddha (Oregon Files, #1) Clive Cussler https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1338482352l/41703.SY75.jpg 1666204]. It doesn't have as much as the humorous interactions between the characters and there are several different plots going on at the same time, which got me lost at times and forgetting where different plots left off.But still lots of great action.

You can tell this book is written by a fellow journalist that feels research and the facts are important, not sensationalism and inflammatory wording. [a:Marie Colvin 6425697 Marie Colvin https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s name didn't ring a bell and I suspect it's because she reported for a UK news agency and I intentionally limit my exposure to news.I'm thankful I didn't read this during 2020 or the start of 2021 when my mood was dark and troubled by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on my daily life. The horrors experienced by others is already difficult for me to deal with and adding Marie's life on top of these 2 would have been too much.The author did an amazing job of showing Marie's good points and bad points. How both aspects made her a good fit for the type of work she chose to live. I'm not yet done with the book and I suspect I'm not going to make it to the end. She's already into conflicts I remember seeing and hearing on the news that I would see on tvs that I would pass in my daily comings and goings. It's starting to add detail and the horror [which she wanted people to know about now that I think about it].Interestingly, I came across a reference to the documentary/movie “A Private War” that I watched, and which picks up where I am now in her life, to her last moments. And while writing this review I see [b:On the Front Line: The Collected Journalism of Marie Colvin 19015506 On the Front Line The Collected Journalism of Marie Colvin Marie Colvin https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385622146l/19015506.SY75.jpg 21378920] as a recommend. I'd love to read this, to experience her thoughts directly.... but not right now.

The plot was great! I'd always wondered what major transitions, of any kind, would look like. And being a fan of science, this hit the mark.

I'm a science fan who doesn't want the nitty-gritty details of the sciences involved, nor do I want to spend time making sure the science is accurate or viable. I want it to be thought provoking and support the plot. Interestingly, this book was all over the place in this area for me.

It seemed the author was thinking out loud, walking thru the situations to solve the various issues of what it would take to make all the transitions necessary. I liked some of the detail but not paragraphs and paragraphs that stalled plot over and over. I'm sure someone who likes to deep dive will really enjoy this aspect of the book.

I love the Smithsonian and all the museums and work they do. I've even worked behind the scenes in the Natural History Museum's archives on a research project. And I love the idea of a Secretary of the Smithsonian combing thru all their collections and taking advantage of the staff on a treasure hunt of sorts.

Which is why I'm surprised that I wasn't so interested in the story itself. I didn't make it very far in the book even after having it 6 weeks on my book shelf. In hindsight I should have known better. I've never visited the Natural History Museum. Not even when I worked on the research project in that building. I've always visited the air and space, the cultural history, and the non-modern art museums.

Waaay too short to explain the whole eleventh metal business from the initial book, or else I blinked and missed it.

Incredibly fun and informative.

The interest here was what it might have been like the ‘eve' of the Nazi army's invasion of Paris. What are people worrying about, what are they doing or not doing, who is cutting and running? The list of characters are pretty seedy and not altruistic and of course not alot of action but there is alot of interaction between characters and lots of mystery.

Don't get to experience a whole lot of Big Bend National Park, as with other parks in this series, but the action is definitely good and the mystery remained a mystery for me til almost the very end, which I prefer.

A very nice mixing of the biographies of women who staffed the airplanes, their lifestyle, and the impact of the world's political, social, and legal activities on their lives, from the 50s thru the 70s.

I got jealous all over again. ;-)

I've heard [a:Brandon Sanderson 38550 Brandon Sanderson https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1394044556p2/38550.jpg]'s book are tomes but this plot was well crafted, moved along without sidetracks, and had many characters that were detailed enough [the narrator did a great job of distinguishing the different characters audibly] I didn't have the usual issues of keeping track.I'll add the next in the series to my TBR$.

A story that was not in the tv series, although I would have enjoyed seeing the war hatchet and the lawyer twins. Another well made story line and movement, however I once again am lost trying to track who is connected to whom.

Next one in the series is in the TBR.

A great book if you want to study war strategy and tactics. And it has alot of names and personalities to keep track of. I like an emphasis on plot with short pauses for descriptions of people and ideas.

Interesting topic, some canned characters, the plot continues to move which I prefer, places I've not been to which I like. Reminds me a bit of [b:The Da Vinci Code 968 The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon, #2) Dan Brown https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579621267l/968.SY75.jpg 2982101] with the hidden clues, niche knowledge, and hidden groups.

Fascinating read! Was nice to see references to their directly held research, rather than someone else's, that defined their thoughts in the book. I did find all the names and locations hard to differentiate or visualize, as that part of the world is not where I was raised.

I really like stories that are more about the interesting people rather than relying on action or exploring only the thoughts that go thru someone's mind. And I really enjoy an author that uses really great similes to describe a situation and generate humor.

I'll be moving on to the next in the series.

Very quick and fun read but I think [b:Beautiful Chaos 10757833 Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles, #3) Kami Garcia https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327878503l/10757833.SY75.jpg 11254742] does a much better job on the subject.

A nice extension of the storyline, however I've reached my limit of young adult angst. I don't think I'll pick up the next one in the series for awhile.

So nice to come back to Darkover after such a long time and so nice to see this available in audio! All of the self-doubt and the macho attitudes are annoying, of course it's my buttons being pushed, not a reflection on Ms Bradley's skill.

Usually you open the second book in a series like you do watching a horror flick, thru a crack between 2 of the fingers of the hand covering your eyes. Afraid to find out the second book is not as good as the first, but yet you can't not look either.

Thankfully I enjoyed this one! I wished I'd read this closer to the first book as there are many references to the first that I've forgotten. Also, the list of family members on each side of the wedding aisle is huge and sometimes hard to keep track of. But the author stays focused on the storyline and doesn't get bogged down in detail and minutia.

Putting the rest of the series on the TBR list.

I've been wanting to read this book, mainly for the title, and patiently waiting for COVID-19 to die down enough for my library branch to start Interlibrary Loans back up. And it's been a real joy to read! There are many places in the Middle East that I'd love to see and experience but I don't believe I can, so I'm glad to be able to live vicariously thru her experiences.The author's style and imagery reminds me of [a:Frances Mayes 4826 Frances Mayes https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1267654734p2/4826.jpg] and her books on her 2nd home, in Tuscany. I love this style.I'm reading this in 2021 and the book was written in 2006. I do travel often on my own but I'm not sure I would be as comfortable as her friend Bea was. And there has been so much that's changed in the region since the book was written, that it has me wondering if the author would still feel as comfortable traveling the region now as she did then?

I seem to remember the beginning of this book and either I never finished it or I'd forgotten the rest. I'm glad I'm rereading it because it's answered alot of the questions I had while reading [b:Speaker for the Dead 7967 Speaker for the Dead (Ender's Saga, #2) Orson Scott Card https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1295660894l/7967.SY75.jpg 2327777] which I seem to remember more of.