fiction – Page 6 – The Spine View

Innocent Bystander by C. A. Asbrey

Innocent Bystander by C. A. Asbrey is the third book in The Innocent Mystery Series. It did not matter that I have not read the previous books, this book can be read as a standalone. The story is a bit mystery, a bit romance mixed together with a little dose of trouble and it all made for an enjoyable read.

Abigail (Abi) MacKay’s youngest sister Madeleine is basically a spoiled brat and seems to relish getting in trouble. Madeleine’s latest adventure is to run away and marry David Bartholemew a man a number of years her senior. What Madeleine does not know is that her husband’s previous wives have died under questionable circumstances.

Fortunately for Madeleine, Abigail is a Pinkerton agent and she is determined to find her before she is the next victim. She enlists the help of Nat Quinn and Jake Conway from the Innocents gang. A band of outlaws that make their home in Ghost Canyon. She has had dealings with them before and despite being criminals she knows they will help her and they have a plan. Yet, as we all know, even the best laid plan can go awry.

What ensues next is a couple of plot twists and unforeseen incidents that keep the reader engaged. In this, the author has done a good job of hooking the reader early and maintaining their interest throughout without the plot being forced or rushed. Just the right amount of tension has gone a long way here to make a story that feels like it unfolds naturally.

Another thing I enjoyed about this book are the details of life during the second half of the 19^th century. Especially how the new scientific discovers of the time were being used not only is everyday life but also by law enforcement. One of the major reasons I enjoy books with a historical setting is to learn about the times and the author surprised me with the amount of information in the story.

The only thing I would have liked more of is character development. In all honestly, I can’t complain too much since I have not read the first two books. I suspect had I read them, I would not be mentioning it. Therefore, feel free to take this comment with a grain of salt.

In a nutshell, this is a well written and researched historical book. I recommend this book for people who like mysteries with a historical setting.

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

The Whisper Network by Chandler Baker

The Whisper Network by Chandler Baker is a pager turner that is part mystery part thought provoking look at corporate culture and women’s rights in the work place. I predict this will be one of the most talked about books in the Women’s Fiction genre this year.

The story revolves around four strong, and resilient women who work for the Fortune 500 company Truviv, Inc. Three of the women, Sloane, Grace, and Ardie, are attorneys and part of the inhouse legal team. The fourth, Rosalita is part of the night cleaning crew. They have one thing in common, they have all been sexual harassed by Ames Garrett another attorney on staff.

Each woman, for their own reasons, have remained silent about his behavior. Then when the CEO of the company dies unexpectedly and it appears that Ames is the shoe in for his job, they decide it has to end. What starts as just adding Ames to the “BAD Men’s” list circulating around Dallas turns into a law suit and much worse. The consequences will be far reaching and will affect the entirety of these women’s lives.

Baker did an excellent job of telling a story that is very relevant today. I was especially taken with how thoughtfully the characters were portrayed in the book. They were human and made mistakes… lots of them and despite being strong they doubted themselves. They struggled with work and family demands. They felt guilty for not being the perfect mother and wife, something most every woman has felt at some point in her life.

The pace of the story was a little slow at first, but once it got going it was a page turner. The story had some twists in that were predictable. Still, this story really grabs at you because despite being fiction it is so very real. The book will resonate with many.

I highly recommend this to any women working today. In addition, this would make an excellent book club read because the issues it addresses. I received a free ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White

The Glass Ocean is a wonderfully entertaining story of intrigue and romance set in the days leading up to the entrance of the United States into WWI and grounded in the present by one woman who is linked irrevocably to the past.

Sarah Blake is an author with one best seller already under her belt. Despite her successfully debut, she is struggling with her finances and to come up with an idea for her next best seller. Her mother’s Alzheimer’s seems to be taking a toll on her creativity as well as her pocketbook. Desperate for an idea, Sarah decides to open a trunk, even after promising she would not, that has been passed down in her family from her great-grandfather.

Inside the truck she finds an intriguing note written during the final voyage of the Lusitania which was sunk by a German U-boat. Knowing in her gut this is the big idea that has been escaping her for so long, she heads off to the UK to do research. Once there she tracks down John Langford, who has troubles of his own, to enlist his help researching his family’s ties to the sinking of the Lusitania.

What they uncover will shock both of them to the core in more ways than one. It may even shed new light on the sinking of the Lusitania. The question is, are they prepared to tell the world of their discovery?

The Glass Ocean despite being written as a collaboration of three authors readers seamlessly. I liked all the characters and the development was good. I do wish I had understood Tessa’s sister a little better. The plot is totally fictional but seemed plausible. The pace was very nice and the intrigue kept me reading on several occasions when I should have been doing other things. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the Lusitania and what life was like as a first-class passenger.

The one thing I was not happy with is the ending. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say that the fate of some characters did not work for me.

All-in-all, this is an entertaining historical fiction/romance and will appeal to a variety of readers. I recommend it to anyone who likes Historical Fiction set in the first quarter of the 20^th century. I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag

I read some really good reviews about The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag and was super excited to read it. It should have been a home run for me. Alas, I just could not connect with the main character. The plot dragged and at page 107 I called it quits. My first “DNF” for 2019.

Reflecting back, it boils down to the two items I mentioned above. The plot just did not grab me which is so unusual for a crime thriller. Normally, by page 10, I can’t read fast enough. In addition, I never had a connection to the main character which in a thriller is not a death sentence; yet, put together with the plot problems…. Let’s just say this one is just not for me.

Somewhere I read someone’s thoughts that has really hit home for me. To paraphrase, “This book is not a mainstream reader type of book and will in time become more of a cult reader work.” I totally agree with this assessment. Therefore, you will just have to read for yourself to decide if you are in my camp or not. Either way, I hope you enjoy.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Below is the publisher’s blurb about the book:

“ In this breathtakingly bold, intricately constructed novel set in 18th century Stockholm, a dying man searches among the city’s teeming streets, dark corners, and intriguing inhabitants to unmask a ruthless murderer—perfect for fans of Perfume and The Alienist.”

The Blameless Dead by Gary Haynes

The Blameless Dead, by Gary Haynes, gives new meaning to the phrase “revenge is a dish better served cold.” Revenge is the only motive for the serial killer in this fast paced historical thriller. Yet, the story is so much more. I found it to be an intense and harrowing ride through the darker side of humanity.

The book starts with what appears to be a robbery gone wrong but turns into so much more. When one of the suspects leads an attorney, Gabriel Hall who is representing him, to make connections to his missing niece, Sangmu, the darker side of this story starts to unfold. It is not long before Gabriel connects the dots between this crime and a string of missing girls. Once he has put two and two together he races to find the killer in hopes that he will also find Sungmu.

This book brings to the forefront the true horrors of war by not only addressing the horrors themselves and what humans are capable of doing to others but also the fallout of their actions. I do believe that in this instance the killer is insane, as in the case of Ted Bundy, he was able to hide it for years. In fact, I can see a lot of parallels to Ted Bundy and wonder if the author took some inspiration from his story.

The plot is fast paced and the story line exciting and believable. The author did a good job in researching the underlying facts though I know the story is entirely fictional. I have not read much about the aftermath of WWII especially as it relates to Russia; therefore, I found that part fascinating. The plot was well done and is complex in places. This is one that you will have to pay attention or you will miss an important element.

The only negative is I never really got to know the characters in a way that allowed me to connect with them. This happens sometimes in plot driven stories and is the main reason I rated it four stars instead of five.

I actually found the story difficult to read because of the subject matter. I feel this book is geared more towards a male audience. Therefore, I am recommending it to those readers who like dark, intense thrillers. I think that historical thrillers readers who don’t mind graphic violence and enjoy a fast paced historical thriller will also enjoy this one.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Ensnare (Burlin Butterfly #1) by Leah Moyes

Ensnare, book one of the Berlin Butterfly series by Leah Moyes, tells the heart wrenching story of a young, former orphan girl, Ella, trapped on the wrong side of Berlin when the wall is erected in August of 1961.

Ella’s father is gravely ill as soldiers start unrolling spools of barbed wire, which will form the first Berlin Wall, to keep the citizens of East Berlin from fleeing to the west. She is torn between escaping while she still can, with her young brother and best friend Anton, and staying behind to care for her sick father. Ella makes the only decision she feels she can and stays behind while entrusting her brother to Anton’s care.

In a very short time, Ella’s father passes away and she is stuck alone in East Berlin. She has no money for food or to bury her father. Therefore, she strikes a deal with the Frankes, a wealthy and influential family in East Berlin, whom runs a mortuary. She will work as domestic help for 2 years to pay off the debt she owes them for the casket and burial. Once Ella begins working for the Frankes she makes friends and seeks ways to escape East Berlin. Yet what awaits Ella in the next two years will be much more than she expected and will put her life in danger and the lives of those she comes to trust and even love.

I was captivated with the character of Ella from the first. Her story has a realness to it and kept me engaged throughout. Just thinking about a 15 year old girl having to make such a life changing decision gives me goose bumps. Yet, she is strong and resilient. I felt the author did justice to the character by making her that way. Times were different then and hard ship was common; therefore, children had to grow up much faster.

I also loved the historical aspect of the book and felt the setting was the perfect backdrop for Ella’s story. The descriptions of the East versus West side of Berlin rang true to the times. It is obvious that the author did her research.

In addition, the plot moves smoothly along and at a nice pace. I was never bored and never felt the story was rushed. The story just seemed to unfold effortlessly with just enough twists to keep your attention but not so much that it felt over worked. Really well done!

Ensnare is one of those books that has a lot going for it and should appeal to a broad audience. I highly recommend this book to lovers of Historical Fiction, Romance and Women’s Fiction.

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson

If I had not known in advance this was a debut novel I would have said, “No way.” The prose is as polished as any seasoned writer. Beyond the Point, by Claire Gibson, takes the reader into the world of West Point where we meet three young women athletes, Hannah, Dani and Avery, recruited to play basketball.

When they first meet they do not become friends immediately. Avery and Dani develop a fierce rivalry on the basketball court. Dani is an incredibly gifted player and is given a place on the varsity team as a freshman. Avery finds this hard to handle and it fuels her own personal insecurities. Over time Hannah the shy and faith driven women, who tends to be the anchor of the group, brings them all together and slowly a fierce friendship is formed.

You might think this book is about how women endure the rigors of a male dominated school like West Point. It is that and so much more. It is ultimately about how three strong women forge a long lasting friendship and face the hardships of West Point together. The friendship they have not only makes them stronger; they draw upon this strength to navigate the world after West Point when tragedy strikes.

This book is strongly character driven. Dani, Avery and Hannah are all portrayed very realistically and are fully developed. I especially loved that the author gave me both their strengths and their weaknesses.

The story is told form all three points of view. So we get a window into the interworkings of each of the main characters. The plot is not slow or fast. It does meander some as the author, especially later in the book, keeps flashing back to things that happened at West Point that sheds light on to a current situation or event.

I am really excited to see what else this author has in store for the future and expect that this is just the being of many good things to come. I highly recommend this book to readers who like a character driven story especially those with strong female characters.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Witches of St. Petersburg by Imogen Edwards-Jones

Pub. Date: 22-Jan-2019 Rating: 3.5 Stars

Based very loosely on facts, The Witches of St. Petersburg, by Imogen Edwards-Jones, is about two young sisters Militza and Stana whose father arranges their marriages to members of the Russian nobility. Once they arrive at court the Russian aristocracy look down their noses at them for being not only outsiders but uncultivated and having backwater ways.

The sisters further this appearance by dabbling in black magic. They predict the sex of the servant’s unborn children, read tea leaves, and hold séances to communicate with the dead. All of this is very unseemly for someone of the nobility. That is until the sisters capture the attention of the Tsar’s wife Alexandra.

Tsarina Alexandra has produced nothing but girls and she is desperate to give the Tsar an heir. So desperate in fact that she allows the sisters to send her charlatan, after charlatan, to help ensure a male child is born to secure the Romanov line. I guess you could say desperate times call for desperate measures. Once Rasputin enters the story Militza and Stana are desperate to help Alexandra and secure their place in the social standings of the Russian court. Unfortunately, they are wholly unprepared for what will come.

I read some of the reviews going into this book and was not sure if I would like it. Since I love reading historical fiction that are based on facts and I also find paranormal stories fascinating, I decided to not let others influence me. That is not to say that there were not flaws, because there were and I just ignored them for the most part and enjoyed the story for the entertainment it is.

So what I liked about the book was the darker side of court life that was betrayed. I felt the author really did a good job of capturing that. I also liked her imaginative take on fictional events surrounding the Romanovs. The sisters Militiza and Stanza’s characters I also liked. I felt that they were still young enough that they didn’t realize what they were getting into. What started out as a simple attempt to elevate their social standing in the end turned on them in the most horribly way.

What I did not like was the repetitiveness of some parts. I felt that the book could have been cut down by a third and it would be better for it. The other thing I disliked was all the sexual content, in the second half of the book, which took away from the plot. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind sexual scenes in books especially when it helps move the story forward or releases tension. I just felt that it was heavy handed and fewer would have been better. This goes back to my prior point, less would have been better.

In summary, while I did like parts of the story and enjoyed reading sections, especially the first half of the book. There were flaws that some readers will find fatal to the overall story. This is why I have rated it at 3.5 stars. I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff

The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff is the fictional tale of women who were recruited and trained to become spies in Europe during WWII. It is a tale of incredible courage and fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds. Though the tale is fictional it is based on the fact that there were women that were spies during WWII.

This story starts in the U.S. shortly after the war is over. Grace Healey, a war widow herself, finds a suitcase in Grand Central station in New York City. She can’t resist the urge to open it and look through its contents. She finds a group of pictures of young women and this intrigues her. On a whim she takes the pictures and returns the suitcase to its hiding spot under a bench.

She becomes obsessed with finding out who the suitcase belonged to and who the women are in the pictures. As she works to gather information, the reader is introduced to Eleanor Trigg. Eleanor runs the organization in England that recruits, trains and handles women spies in German occupied Europe. Eleanor recruits a young single mother Marie Roux who is later sent to France as a radio operator for the French resistance. As Grace slows finds all the puzzle pieces and fits them together we see what really happened to these women.

My favorite thing about this book is the strong, resourceful, women characters the author has presented us. We normally think of women during WWII as entering the work force for the first time and doing men’s jobs in factories that would normally have been considered male only job. We tend to forget that women did play vital roles during WWII.

The story is told from three POVs, Grace, Eleanor and Marie. The author made sure the plot was seamless despite the changing POVs throughout. There was not tons of character development but there was enough to fit the plot. At first I thought this might be a flaw, but I in retrospect I think the author did this so on purpose. She gave us enough to connect to the characters but not enough to overwhelm the reader and bog down the plot.

The pace of the plot was good and there was plenty of intrigue to keep the reader turning the pages. I was hooked early on in the story and I wanted to see what actually happened. I also liked how everything wrapped up at the end. I wish I could elaborate further; yet, I don’t want to spoil the story for others. Let me just say that how the government handled things was spot on to what happens in real life.

I know from other books that the life expediency of a spy during WWII was very short. Therefore, the only thing I disliked about the story was the decisions made by Marie. I felt she was overly reckless and even a little naïve. Who would go off and become a spy knowing the odds of dying are very high and thus leaving a young child without a mother.

I highly recommend this book for readers of both Historical Fiction and WWII stories. I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton is an ingenious murder mystery with shocking twists that cannot be foreseen. It reminds me of the movie Groundhog Day except here the MC is trying to solve a murder before it is committed so he will be released from the loop.

The story opens on the resetting of the loop after innumerous rounds without the murder being solved. When we are first introduced to Aiden, he does not even know his own name. He wakes up in a wooded area near a castle and he has no idea how he got there. He manages to make his way to the castle and learns that he has just 8 days and 8 different hosts to solve a murder that will be committed. No one will know it is a murder because it is disguised as a suicide. Once he has solved the murder he is to meet the Plague Doctor, an elusive person who appears to be in charge of the loop, at the lake with the answer. When the correct answer is given he will be released.

The Plague Doctor informs Aiden that others are trying to solve the murder and only one of them will be released. He further advises Aiden to use all his hosts wisely and that each host has been carefully chosen for him. What he does not know is that nothing is as it appears and someone wants all of his hosts dead. He will have to trust someone in order to solve the murder and free himself from the loop.

I am in awe of the author’s talent for making such a complex and tangled plot. I honestly do not know how he kept all of the details straight. It made for one of the best murder mysteries I have read in a long time. In my opinion, Mr. Turton is right up there with Agatha Christy.

The plot is paced quickly but I want to warn you not to rush through. There are too many little details that could easily be overlooked that become important as the story unfolds. In addition, I thought it brilliant how the author did not give the reader a lot to go on about the MC, Aiden Bishop. This deliberate lack of character development allowed Aiden to change as the plot required and Aiden needed to change and you will see why when you read the story.

If you love mysteries and complex plots this is the book for you. I highly recommend it to everyone. It is a suburb work of fiction and will have you in knots trying to fit the puzzle pieces together.

I won my copy of the novel in a Book Riot giveaway and this in no way impacts my review.