Susan Weissman

This was my first Benjamin Stevenson mystery, and I enjoyed it! It was a well-done holiday mystery, with lots of winks and nods—and plenty of clues to readers who want to play along. Although technically a Christmas mystery, or “holiday special” as the author refers to it throughout, there certainly wasn't much joy or merriment. Just well done clues and a satisfying conclusion, all done under a holiday theme.

Such an amazing book. Totally engrossing novel set in East Berlin and Washington DC during the Cold War era of the 1960s, 70, and 80s.. I was completely caught up in the story of Luisa and her family, all victims of the Soviet domination of East Berlin during that time. So well written and researched, I would have read 24/7 if I had been able to.  It's a different view of an era I remember very well but did not fully understand. Highly recommended—my first five-star book of this year.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. 

Wow. This was a great book about a topic about which I knew very little. 

In the first half of the book, Frankie McGrath goes to war, volunteering to become a nurse in Vietnam. This was by far my favorite part of the book. It was believable and heart-wrenching. I felt like I was right there with Frankie as she became immersed in the horrors, the purpose, and even the occasional joys of her days in Vietnam.

The second half, which took place after Frankie returned home, didn't resonate as much with me. I felt like it tried to represent every woman who went to Vietnam, and in doing so somehow diminished each of their experiences. It was no longer Frankie I was reading about, but a “woman who went to war,” who experienced every possible outcome upon her return. Nonetheless, it was an amazing story—and I cried at the ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. 

This was a heartwarming and enjoyable novel about the early life of Queen Elizabeth II, as it parallels her beloved Corgi, Susan. We begin in her late teen years, when she receives Susan as a gift from her parents. The story only extends as long as the life of Susan, and so ends with her passing when Queen Elizabeth was in her late 20s. 

Seeing Elizabeth's life as it relates to the life of her dog certainly offers a unique perspective. I wasn't sure I would like it, but it was surprisingly effective in demonstrating the Queen's humanity. I found it a bit awkward at times, but overall a lovely and interesting read. I was sad to come to the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed this follow-up to An American in Scotland, featuring Dr. Emilia McRoy, a former American ER physician who relocated to a small town in Scotland. This cozy mystery successfully treads the fine line between cozy and traditional. “Dr. Em” is also the town's coroner, which allows her to investigate mysterious deaths without being overly nosy and annoying. It is somehow both lighthearted and mysterious, which is refreshing and highly enjoyable. The tone is similar to that of another series I enjoy, Connie Berry's Kate Hamilton mysteries.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed this novel of World War I. Told with dual timelines set sixty years apart, during World War I and the late 1980's, Miss Morgan's Book Brigade made these women seem as alive as they were more than 40 and 100 years ago.. Although I swore I had read enough war novels, this one seemed to grab me right from the beginning. How could I resist the idea that rebuilding a devastated society required not only food, supplies, and medical care, but also free access to books for everyone, especially children!

Although I thought the World War I story was much more compelling than the one set in the 1980's, the two did work together to make an enjoyable novel. One of my favorites of the year so far!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. 

I enjoyed this Cold War spy thriller, although the title was somewhat misleading—the main character only resembles and idolizes Jackie Kennedy, who does actually make a brief cameo appearance.

Mia Walker goes to Paris as a model and ends up involved in Cold War intrigue. Her adventures are somewhat unbelievable but very entertaining. I stayed up late to finish the final third of the book, eager to find out which characters were on which “team.” This was a fun read that I would recommend to readers of Susan Elia Macneal's Maggie Hope series..

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. 

The President's Wife is “serious” but enjoyable historical fiction. The subject is fascinating yet little known (at least to me), and although the story moved slowly, I never lost interest. 
Edith Galt Wilson was President Woodrow Wilson's second wife. Married during Wilson's first term as president, Edith became known as the “first female president” when she tried to protect her husband after a stroke. She assumed many of his duties as she tried to preserve his presidency and protect his health and legacy. 
Most of my criticisms are of her life choices and not necessarily of the story. Their courtship was somewhat creepy, at least on the part of the President. And Edith's actions after his stroke were misguided at best. But the novel led me to understand the motivations behind these actions, and I was intrigued enough to read through to the end. Although I didn't always agree with Edith, I liked her and felt I understood why she acted as she did. 
I would highly recommend this novel for anyone looking for thoughtful, well-written biographical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel to read and review.

This is a lovely multi-generational family Christmas romance. Mothers and daughters, sons and in-laws, exes and children—all unexpectedly spend the holidays together in one large “cabin” with excellent acoustics, which helps make up for the lack of communication between the residents. I loved it, and I bet you will too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. 

This was a fun and interesting historical novel set mainly during the days immediately before, during, and after the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.  An unlikely foursome of women are brought together by a complicated series of events in the days leading up to the earthquake. After the quake and the traumatic events surrounding it, the women separate to try to continue their lives—only to be called back together to find revenge and closure.

I enjoyed the story. The individual experiences of the women were all interesting and enlightening, and the plot was fast-moving. The writing was excellent. My only criticism is that perhaps it tried to do a bit too much—an historical, action, feminist, caper novel? It was a bit overwhelming—but in a good way. I loved it and highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have loved every book I have read by Audrey Blake, but this one not so much. It was certainly well written with an inspiring subject, but I just couldn't get into it. Even though it was clearly factionalized, it read more to me like a biography—a list of events and situations. I hate to leave a review like this about one of my favorite authors, but it would be even harder for me to be dishonest.

Maybe it was just the wrong book at the wrong time for me. I hope so, and I certainly look forward to reading this author's next book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. 

This was a solid serial killer mystery set in the present-day southwestern United States. Blessing of the Lost Girls combines J.A. Jance's Brady and Walker family series, and includes quite a bit of backstory and family history, especially at the beginning. Although I am very familiar with Joanna Brady and her family, I have never read any of the Walker family stories. Despite this unfamiliarity, I would rather have just taken the Walkers as presented in this story without all the complicated family history. It interrupted the otherwise smooth and intense flow of the story. The characters were so fully formed in this novel that the detail seemed unnecessary. 
Despite the detailed family tree explanations, the story of the serial killer targeting mainly young indigenous women was timely and compelling. After a quick, grisly start, the first third was a bit slow, mainly due to all the family history. But it quickly picked up and I stayed up late last night to read the final 75 pages.
A very good read, especially for J.A. Jance's many fans.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Morag is a pilot and heir-apparent to a small airline in the northernmost islands of Scotland. A series of midair emergencies cause her to end up marooned on a small island for a few days, completely off the grid and in the company of Gregor, a “hermit” bird researcher who is trying to escape demons of his own. Her time on the island with Gregor help Morag to reconsider her professional and romantic future.

I've read and loved Jenny Colgan's books for years, but this is perhaps my favorite. Its life-and-death situations make it seem a bit edgier than her usual novels, yet the ending is as sweet and satisfying as ever.

A true five-star read for me. I can't recommend it enough!

Rather than the biography of a person, a saga spanning generations of a family, or the story or of the rise of city, this novel recounts the life of a restaurant, the Lakeside Supper Club, in a small vacation town in Minnesota. Although two families are intertwined with the life of the restaurant, the Supper Club itself is the one constant at the heart of the novel, and we learn of the human characters through their interactions and relationship with the restaurant.

I “read” the audiobook version of this novel. Although the shifts in time and perspective were sometimes challenging to follow, especially in the audiobook, the narrator, Aspen Vincent, did an amazing job of bringing the characters to life and keeping them straight in my mind.

With a few exceptions, women played the major role in the novel and in the life of the restaurant. Each one had a distinct vision for the restaurant, and each achieved their personal destiny either through or as the result of their relationship with the Supper Club. I enjoyed seeing the threads unravel and then come back together at the end. A wonderful, emotional read!

Murder in the Mist was the first of Cora Harrison's Wilkie Collins/Charles Dickens novels I have read, and it won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a mysterious murder during one of Charles Dickens' famous Christmas house parties. The tone, atmosphere, characters, as well as the mystery itself were all perfect. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this suspenseful novel of family secrets and drama.  It reminded me of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but with a southern gothic twist!  The narrators did a great job with the audio version, and added an extra layer of complexity to the characters. Excellent!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This outstanding entry in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series offers a set of mysteries that bring together the couple's past and present., While Sherlock is out in the field investigating one aspect of the mystery, Mary does her research while confined to quarters with an injured foot — somewhat reminiscent of Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time. To tell more of the mystery would give too much away, but fans of the series will find it both enjoyable and extremely satisfying.. I highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was an enjoyable Christmas romance, Although the plot was a bit far-fetched and very sketchy on the details, the story was lovely and heartwarming, and I found myself enjoying the book in spite of myself.. Recommended for anyone needing a quick shot of holiday spirit!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed  this novel set in 1920s New York. At the heart of the story is Zia, a young Italian-American widow who becomes tangentially involved with organized crime as she tries to investigate and avenge a family tragedy. Although people are murdered, this is not really a mystery novel. And although there are criminals, most of them are not portrayed as entirely evil. However, there is a manic uncertainty throughout the story. Characters seem to act irrationally and impulsively, without clear motive — whether it be drug use, or hidden loyalties, or family connections. The conclusion was satisfying but abrupt. I would love to see a series devoted to Zia and the rest of her life story, rather than have it quickly recounted in the last chapter.

All in all a satisfying story with interesting characters. I just wish it continued!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy to read and review.

Jenny Colgan has delivered another wonderful holiday novel with Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop. Carmen is at loose ends with her home, her love life, and her job. But bit by bit, over the course of a year, and with the help of family and friends both new and old, the scattered puzzle of her life gets reassembled. Although the lack of communication at the heart of the story was a bit frustrating, I loved the setting, the characters, and just about everything else about the novel. The Edinburgh of the novel may lack winter sunlight, but it is bright with the joy and warmth of both the holiday lights and the hearts of its residents. Sappy I know, but this is a Christmas romance after all.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

We start with a murder in a women's rooming house in 1950's Washington DC. We then spend the next 400 pages learning the stories of the women who live here, We learn where they come from, what they do, who they love, and who they hate. We see them ultimately come together as a found family, and then very nearly self-destruct.

Kate Quinn blends her trademark historical suspense with a genuine sense of what it felt like to be a woman living and loving during the era of McCarthy, the Rosenbergs, and the Korean War.  This is my favorite book of the year so far, and I only hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.