Audrey
I hadn't heard of Evelyn Waugh or any of his books until a couple of them were mentioned during a homily. Helena piqued my interest the most given the subject matter and a line that was quoted. I've heard of St. Helena by name but didn't know much about her story.
The author stresses at the beginning of the book that this is very much a fictionalized take on Empress/Saint Helena pointing out that not much is known about her life. Here, we imagine her as a young girl and follow her journey into marriage and royalty, motherhood, and later her conversion to Christianity through the influence of her son Constantine. Much later in her life, she sets out to find the relics of the Holy Cross.
I really love the concept of this book, but the writing falls flat for me. It's both slow and fast-paced. The time often jumps to another mid-chapter with little to no explanation of how someone or something gets from A to Z. Despite being titled for the main character, we don't get to see a lot of internalization or depth to Helena.
While I didn't love this as much as I'd hoped I would, it was still an interesting read. It's left me curious to read a few of Evelyn Waugh's other novels.
For the past year, Isabelle Drake hasn't had a good night's sleep. Really, she's lucky when she manages to get an hour or two. It started when her son, Mason, was taken and has yet to be found. She doesn't care what measures she has to go to find the culprit be it attending true crime conventions or investigating her neighbors. But as memories of her childhood begin to surface, she starts to wonder if maybe she is the one to blame.
The book jumps around three key points in Isabelle's life: Her childhood with her sister Margaret, meeting her now ex-husband, Ben, and the present day where she meets a true crime podcaster whom she eventually agrees to do an interview with. The timelines are woven together wonderfully and are full of suspense.
I found the characterization to be rich and the most enjoyable part of the story but I loved the plot as well. Though there were certainly predictable moments, it still had a twisty vibe and little details were placed well that they can get pushed to the back of the mind until they're brought up again. Super atmospheric, too.
The writing style isn't my favorite but I didn't notice the over-description so much on the audiobook version. However, I did find the narrator a little bit overdramatic. Not in the sense where it was read more like a drama, but rather that so much of it was read in a half-whisper. It distracted me. Otherwise, she did a good job.
I read A Flicker in the Dark last year and found it just okay. All the Dangerous Things greatly surpasses it in my mind and I'm very excited to see what Stacy Willingham has in store for us next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a free audio copy of the book to listen to and review!
Full of suspense, heart, and intrigue, [b:Kick Ball Slay: An Introduction to West Coast Swing... AND a Murder Mystery 60692333 Kick Ball Slay An Introduction to West Coast Swing... AND a Murder Mystery Doug Dorsey https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1648272994l/60692333.SY75.jpg 95680988] is the perfect murder mystery with charming characters and a strong start to a new series.A gifted detective, Evann Myrick is tasked with solving a series of murders connected to the West Coast Swing competition. The murders don't stop because someone is on the case. The killer seems to be one step ahead of Evann no matter what. His work is cut out for him with so many possible suspects.This is the second book by Doug Dorsey I've read and I enjoyed it as much as [b:The Betrayal: Book 1 of 3 in the Blue Lotus Project 60334730 The Betrayal Book 1 of 3 in the Blue Lotus Project Doug Dorsey https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1644243452l/60334730.SY75.jpg 95070009] despite the different genres. It's a testament to the quality of the writing. I love mysteries that make me think and can only come up with a hunch as to who's done it at best. The dance element also added a lot of character. Top-notch!
Full of suspense, heart, and intrigue, Kick Ball Slay is the perfect murder mystery with charming characters and a strong start to a new series.
A gifted detective, Evann Myrick is tasked with solving a series of murders connected to the West Coast Swing competition. The murders don't stop because someone is on the case. The killer seems to be one step ahead of Evann no matter what. His work is cut out for him with so many possible suspects.
This is the second book by Doug Dorsey I've read and I enjoyed it as much as The Betrayal despite the different genres. It's a testament to the quality of the writing. I love mysteries that make me think and can only come up with a hunch as to who's done it at best. The dance element also added a lot of character. Top-notch!
Inspired by Kate Moore's The Radium Girls, this graphic novel pays tribute to the girls lost due to radium poisoning.
The artwork is fantastic and has a pleasing color palette. The hard edges add a lot of personality to the pages. Though some of the names are the same as well as the backstories, I'd say this is only loosely based on the real women involved. While their illness was certainly a driving force in the story, it was more about social and personal issues at the time. There are a lot of gaps in the narrative, too, and though those gaps are typically filled with artwork, it still felt like something was missing. In any case, I've been looking forward to reading this for a while now and was thrilled when it was finally restocked. It was an enjoyable read as well as an emotional one.
Questions finally get answered in The Hand on the Wall. Who is ‘Truly Devious'? Who killed two of the academy students? What happened to Alice Ellingham? And the latest question, who killed yet another connection to the school and the Ellingham case? With all of the recent tragedies, the school risks being closed for good.
Stevie isn't the only one desperate for answers, and though she does have the biggest piece of the puzzle figured out, she still doesn't know why two of her friends have been killed. Meanwhile, David is on a mission to sabotage his father's presidential campaign. This leads to a group of the academy students staying behind at the school despite an evacuation order... because nothing could go wrong trapped in a blizzard in a school that's shaping up to be cursed.
The story winds down in this book and focuses a lot on the historical part of the mystery. It's also slightly more character-driven than the previous two books. I'm curious about what's next given this one doesn't end on a cliffhanger. So far, I've had fun with this series and plan on finishing it in the near future.
Picking up shortly after where Truly Devious left off, we return with Stevie to Ellingham Academy after making a deal with her worst enemy, Edward King. Things look a little bit different now that one student has died and another has gone missing. Going against all of the warnings, she continues investigating the Ellingham case as well as the recent death and disappearance. The plot thickens when there is another death. If she wasn't suspicious before, she is certain now that there is foul play. Is this the work of a fellow student? A faculty member? Or is it an outside job? Between riddles and bizarre behavior, Stevie has her work cut out for her.
Given we were introduced to the characters in the first book, there's no shortage of action and intrigue in the sequel. I ended up enjoying it even more than Truly Devious. We also get a deeper look into Stevie and David's complicated relationship, though David has been acting strangely since she left and returned. This becomes another mystery Stevie wants to uncover. However, she's yet to make peace with the knowledge of who his father is.
Once again, the book leaves off on a cliffhanger that is perhaps even crueler than the first. Be sure to have The Hand on the Wall ready because you aren't going to want to wait for the conclusion.
When Stevie Bell is accepted into Ellingham Academy, a school for gifted students, she thinks it's the chance of a lifetime to solve the ‘Truly Devious' murders. What she doesn't anticipate is a classmate turning up dead. Was it an accident, or has there been another murder on the property all these years later?I ate up the setting of this book. Ellingham Academy would have been my dream school at this age and I loved all of the different personalities of the characters. It could be over the top at times, but that's to be expected in a YA book. That was part of the fun, too. It's also the definition of a page-turner. As soon as I got to the end I had to start [b:The Vanishing Stair 39893545 The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious, #2) Maureen Johnson https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529970325l/39893545.SY75.jpg 49916464]!
As much as I love this series and its setting and characters, I just didn't click with this one as much as I did with books one and two. The change of POV surprised me because I stop reading the summaries at this point in any series. I was pumped to see what was next for Elma, but I suppose given the epilogue in The Fated Sky, this one's on me.
While Elma is on her way to Mars, her friend and fellow astronaut Nicole Wargin is back on the moon as the colony continues to be established. With her husband a politician on Earth, they make the difficult decision to live apart as they do the work they were meant to do. Despite their distance, they come to share a common enemy: The Earth First movement.
Characters aside (although there are some name drops and familiar faces scattered throughout the story), the book has an overall different tone from the first two. The actual space travel is less of a focus. Instead, it's more of a story about sabotage and a pandemic. Yet, the themes remain similar in other ways. Where Elma was known for her anxiety issues, Nicole, too, struggles with her own disorders, which in this case is an eating disorder. And much like Elma, she doesn't let this get in the way of her job and passion for space travel. I didn't connect with Nicole as much as I did with Elma, but I appreciate the strength of her character.
I'm not sure if more books are in the works for this series. If so, I'm curious if the next one will also follow Nicole or if we'll circle back to Elma. Maybe we'll get to know one of the other Lady Astronauts? Even though I didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous two, I admire Mary Robinette Kowal's dedication to the research, especially when it comes to science and how it might have looked even in the alternate take on the 1960s.
Another interesting work of fiction from Indrajit Garai. I recently read The Bridge of Little Jeremy and despite it being a different kind of story, I enjoyed this one just as much.
Set in Paris, the novella follows Arnault and Lucy. Though they live wildly different lives (Lucy a lawyer and Arnault a convicted felon), they cross paths during a rescue. Years later they enter each other's lives again. Thanks to DNA evidence, Arnault has been exonerated from his convictions, and Lucy wants to do whatever she can to help him.
Even though there's a good amount of action in the book, the plot and the writing lean toward a more intellectual side. We get a deep look into the character's minds and lives as well as a darker glimpse of Parisian life for those impoverished. There's a lot to unpack in 120 pages. Personally, I would have liked for it to have been a little bit longer given the ending was somewhat abrupt. However, that doesn't diminish what there is of the story. Looking forward to reading more from this author!
A haunting concept, yet totally gripping. The first in a series of three books, The Betrayal takes a look at a dystopian future under Sovereign Alexander Wraith who comes to power after much of humanity has been wiped out. Though the world is relatively united, it's far from having archived true peace. Specifically, there is no room for non-compliance, especially when it comes to religious freedom.
Part of a rebel Christian group, Liam and Jessica are fighting the reign of Alexander Wraith. This, of course, is a dangerous venture. Jessica is more accustomed to the risks involved, Liam? Not so much. Much of the journey focuses on him as he comes to terms with the harsh realities surrounding him. With this also comes reevaluating his relationships with people as well as his job.
This is an Orwellian setting in many ways between shady dictators, surveillance, and even mind control. Accompanied by excellent writing and a good mix of action and intellect, The Betrayal is an exciting start to what promises to be a fantastic series. I especially liked the Christian elements. I struggle to find Christian fiction books that aren't sappy. I'm looking forward to reading more from Doug Dorsey!
4.5 - Thanks to the Cold War, it's easy to forget that there was a time when America and Russia fought on the same side. Though Russia started off as an Axis power, by the middle of the war they were in alliance with England and America. Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin made up the ‘Big Three'. When these political superpowers agree to meet, it's the perfect opportunity for the enemy to come up with an assassination scheme.
The book discusses a basic timeline of the war where Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin are concerned. Intertwined are bits on the Axis side from spies to soldiers both on the battlefield and in occupied cities. The main focus is on the rapport between the ‘Big Three' Allied leaders as they correspond, eventually leading up to an agreement to meet in Tehran, Iran.
Naturally, having three of the most powerful men in the world together in one room comes with great risks. One lapse in security measures could lead to disaster. For Roosevelt in particular, getting to Tehran wasn't a simple matter of hopping on a plane. The journey across the Atlantic alone could prove fatal.
Though well-researched, a lot of this book appears to be speculation. The potential for an assassination attempt was there and undoubtedly rumors went along with it, but whether or not any plans were set in motion or thwarted seems murky. Regardless, there are a lot of interesting tidbits to be learned. I haven't seen too many books on this subject.
My biggest quip is really a minor one, which is that I felt two main subjects of the book could have flowed together more smoothly. With a somewhat dramatized narrative, there are a lot of cliffhangers. When going back and forth between two settings, I personally lost some of the impact getting absorbed in another plot.
Lastly, the narrator of the audiobook, Scott Brick, does a wonderful job. So many nonfiction audiobooks are read in a monotone. I appreciated the engaging tone of the narration without it becoming theatrical.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a free audiobook ARC to listen to and review.
Full review on my blog.
A haunting concept, yet totally gripping. The first in a series of three books, The Betrayal takes a look at a dystopian future under Sovereign Alexander Wraith who comes to power after much of humanity has been wiped out. Though the world is relatively united, it's far from having archived true peace. Specifically, there is no room for non-compliance, especially when it comes to religious freedom.
Part of a rebel Christian group, Liam and Jessica are fighting the reign of Alexander Wraith. This, of course, is a dangerous venture. Jessica is more accustomed to the risks involved, Liam? Not so much. Much of the journey focuses on him as he comes to terms with the harsh realities surrounding him. With this also comes reevaluating his relationships with people as well as his job.
This is an Orwellian setting in many ways between shady dictators, surveillance, and even mind control. Accompanied by excellent writing and a good mix of action and intellect, The Betrayal is an exciting start to what promises to be a fantastic series. I especially liked the Christian elements. I struggle to find Christian fiction books that aren't sappy. I'm looking forward to reading more from Doug Dorsey!
Thanks to the Cold War, it's easy to forget that there was a time when America and Russia fought on the same side. Though Russia started off as an Axis power, by the middle of the war they were in alliance with England and America. Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin made up the ‘Big Three'. When these political superpowers agree to meet, it's the perfect opportunity for the enemy to come up with an assassination scheme.
The book discusses a basic timeline of the war where Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin are concerned. Intertwined are bits on the Axis side from spies to soldiers both on the battlefield and in occupied cities. The main focus is on the rapport between the ‘Big Three' Allied leaders as they correspond, eventually leading up to an agreement to meet in Tehran, Iran.
Naturally, having three of the most powerful men in the world together in one room comes with great risks. One lapse in security measures could lead to disaster. For Roosevelt in particular, getting to Tehran wasn't a simple matter of hopping on a plane. The journey across the Atlantic alone could prove fatal.
Though well-researched, a lot of this book appears to be speculation. The potential for an assassination attempt was there and undoubtedly rumors went along with it, but whether or not any plans were set in motion or thwarted seems murky. Regardless, there are a lot of interesting tidbits to be learned. I haven't seen too many books on this subject.
My biggest quip is really a minor one, which is that I felt two main subjects of the book could have flowed together more smoothly. With a somewhat dramatized narrative, there are a lot of cliffhangers. When going back and forth between two settings, I personally lost some of the impact getting absorbed in another plot.
Lastly, the narrator of the audiobook, Scott Brick, does a wonderful job. So many nonfiction audiobooks are read in a monotone. I appreciated the engaging tone of the narration without it becoming theatrical.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a free audiobook ARC to listen to and review.
Though I wouldn't personally call this much of a thriller, Things We Do in the Dark did not disappoint.
When her well-known husband is found dead, Paris Peralta is the obvious suspect. Though she knows she's innocent, she's less worried about the murder charge itself than she is about having her face in the media. This isn't the first time she's been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
With an alternating timeline and POV, we also meet Drew, a true crime podcaster who inevitably comes across Paris' story. We don't hear as much from his side, but it brings the story together as it alternates from past to present. However, I don't think the book necessarily needed his storyline, either. We don't learn too much about him.
What I enjoyed most were the backstories even though the topics were heavy. Paris and Ruby in particular were well-fleshed out. Where the active thrill is lacking, the characters make up for it. That's not to say there's no element of suspense, only that where a lot of what's being told is in the past tense, we know on some level how things end. The characters made it for me. I enjoyed it a lot.
Norman has his life together. He's prim and proper and holds his head high above the rest of the world. When he's called to meet with God Himself, he's not all that surprised.
Sidney is the opposite of his neighbor, Norman. He's messy, forgetful, and some days he can't pull himself out of bed. When he's called on by God, he's certain he's in trouble.
Each of them learn an important lesson in their meeting, and though Sidney and Norman are complete opposites, the first message they receive is the same: That God loves them.
I don't think a children's book has ever made me weep before. The book is so touching, especially if you're a Sidney. The moral of the story is an important one for children and adults alike. I listened to the audiobook but promptly ordered a physical copy to keep. I needed to hear this story.
Norman has his life together. He's prim and proper and holds his head high above the rest of the world. When he's called to meet with God Himself, he's not all that surprised.
Sidney is the opposite of his neighbor, Norman. He's messy, forgetful, and some days he can't pull himself out of bed. When he's called on by God, he's certain he's in trouble.
Each of them learn an important lesson in their meeting, and though Sidney and Norman are complete opposites, the first message they receive is the same: That God loves them.
I don't think a children's book has ever made me weep before. The book is so touching, especially if you're a Sidney. The moral of the story is an important one for children and adults alike. I listened to the audiobook but promptly ordered a physical copy to keep. I needed to hear this story.
There's nothing better than finding a mystery that actually keeps me on my toes and surprises me. When you read a lot in this genre, it's easy to start recognizing the patterns. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle very much has the feeling of a classic mystery (namely Agatha Christie), but it also feels fresh.
Trapped in an endless loop of investigating the same murder, Aiden Bishop takes on different ‘hosts' to help him solve the case of Evelyn Hardcastle's death. He's done this many times before, however, after going through eight different perspectives of this one day with no answer, his memory is wiped and he has to begin all over again. Having gone through these loops more times than can be counted, he starts to lose grasp on who he is in the real world. What's more is that he loses sight of why he's trapped in Blackheath in the first place.
I got invested in the plot right away though I had a lot of trouble keeping all of the characters and their roles straight. The slow pace didn't help this and it wasn't until halfway through the book that I felt I had a grasp on who was who. Even then some of the names were jumbled. Another thing I struggled (and I'll be vague) with was Aiden's Blackheath backstory and conclusion later on in the book. It didn't work for me though thankfully it didn't interfere with the mystery itself. That part of the ending was unreasonable if you ask me. As for the mystery of Evelyn's death, conclusions there were also a bit farfetched, though not quite as baffling.
Despite my quips, I can't deny how hooked I became. My predictions were off which always makes me happy. The writing is good, too, and the characters are both likable and dislikable enough that you don't always know who you're rooting for. If you enjoy twisty plots, this one's for you.
A lot of thought went into this book and it shows. At another time I might have been more in a place to absorb the complexity, but as my final read of the year, it had my head spinning a little bit.
Following a number of timelines in the past, present, and future, we are introduced to a handful of characters that represent their time period. What do they have in common? Ancient stories and text. More than anyone else it seems, the story focuses Zeno. We follow him before and during the Korean war as well as the more modern-day setting of 2020.
To say there is a lot going on in this book is an understatement. The flow was not fantastic jumping across so many characters and time periods and a lot gets lost in the lengthy descriptions and slow-paced, not super eventful plot. I found it thought-provoking, sure, but not altogether exciting. I zoned out toward the end and I don't feel like I missed anything with my lack of attention to it.
Overall, I have mixed feelings. There were parts I enjoyed but others where I was bored and trudging through. Even though the chapters are short, the book itself could have been shorter. The beginning was strong but fizzled out somewhere in the middle. Ultimately, this is the kind of book that will very much come down to personal preference. I appreciate the thoughts and ideas presented, I only wish they could have been slightly more to the point and better organized.
This book has an interesting concept and poses a lot of intriguing questions about life and creativity. I only wish I'd latched onto it more.
The story follows Kathy as she reflects on her life and relationships at the Hailsham boarding school. In this ultimate universe, people like Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy are lumped in these ‘schools' as they were created with one purpose in mind — to be organ donors.
I'd call this light sci-fi, which I do like, I just found the pacing to be too slow (a similar issue I had with The Remains of the Day). There was also a glaring lack of world-building. Without a lot of context, I struggled to connect to the characters and the universe.
Though I didn't dislike this book, I wanted to like it more than I did. I read Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb earlier this year and it was one of my favorite reads of 2022.
Over the course of World War I, Evie Elliot exchanges letters with various relatives and friends, mainly Thomas (a family friend), Will (her brother), and her mother. The war unfolds play-by-play through these letters, and relationships strengthen in unimaginable ways.
Typically, I enjoy reading letters between characters because it gives them such intimate voices to one another. I guess I also like some descriptions and action thrown into the mix. Had it just been two people back and forth I think it would have made a difference for me. I started losing track of the storylines between the minor characters due to there being so many to follow. Thankfully the characters were darling enough to keep me reading on.
Though I didn't dislike this book, I wanted to like it more than I did. I read [b:Meet Me in Monaco 40651658 Meet Me in Monaco Hazel Gaynor https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1547148080l/40651658.SY75.jpg 61839194] by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb earlier this year and it was one of my favorite reads of 2022.Over the course of World War I, Evie Elliot exchanges letters with various relatives and friends, mainly Thomas (a family friend), Will (her brother), and her mother. The war unfolds play-by-play through these letters, and relationships strengthen in unimaginable ways. Typically, I enjoy reading letters between characters because it gives them such intimate voices to one another. I guess I also like some descriptions and action thrown into the mix. Had it just been two people back and forth I think it would have made a difference for me. I started losing track of the storylines between the minor characters due to there being so many to follow. Thankfully the characters were darling enough to keep me reading on.
I grew up watching VeggieTales, oblivious to what a milestone it was in animation at the time. I also didn't know much about its history or why the formats changed as I got older. I can't claim I ever ‘grew out' of the show. I still like watching it now and then for nostalgia, but I never would have guessed the turbulent yet inspiring story behind its creator.
Phil Vischer tells his story about how he founded Big Idea Productions and the subsequent rise and fall of the company. Intertwined is Phil's faith journey and how watching his dream collapse profoundly impacted his spiritual life. The story is touching but also told in a lighthearted way accompanied by witty narration and positivity.
As I read, I wondered why I'd put off reading this for so long despite it being at the top of my TBR pile for over a year. When I got to the end, the sentiments resonated so deeply with me that it was clear that now was the time I needed to hear it and not a moment sooner. Whether you grew up watching Bob and Larry or are looking for an inspirational read, I emphatically recommend this book.
The Socialite's Guide to Murder is the first in a new historical cozy mystery series set in an upscale hotel. While I didn't find it to be the strongest start, there is a lot of potential going forward.
Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy is the reclusive daughter of the owner of the Pinnacle Hotel. After a theft and then a murder, Evelyn takes it upon herself to investigate with the help of her ‘a bit more than a friend' Mac. This puts her to the test due to her agoraphobia. She pushes herself, making her an admirable character more than just her celebrity style.
This was a cute start to the series and I wouldn't mind picking up the next book, however, the book didn't read too much like a piece of historical fiction. While I enjoyed the mental health element, the terminology was not that of the time the book is set. It was written with a modern mindset/approach, and aside from the general aesthetic of the book, it would have worked just as well in a modern setting give or take a plot point here and there (and dare I say it would work better). Nevertheless, there are redeeming aspects to the story, namely the characters. I enjoyed reading about Evelyn, Henry, and Mac.
