The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Riley feels so alone. She has just lost her father and has to clean out his home and she cannot count on her brother, Danny, to help. He has been through so much, having been wounded as a soldier in Iraq, and is still suffering the consequences. But as she begins to sift through her father’s papers, she uncovers evidence that her sister, who she understood to have died by suicide when she was 2 years old, may actually be alive. Needing to uncover the truth, she pursues this possibility, in spite of all the pressure she is experiencing from those around her to just get the job done.

Here is another quite suspenseful book, with unexpected twists and emotionally charged characters. As we feel the pressure Riley is under to get the house in order and ready to sell, we also feel for her as she digs up so much of her family’s past. Because she was so young when she lost her sister, she was relatively untouched by the loss, with the exception of the impact it had on the family who remained. Her mother was distant, her brother was deeply angry, and her father was kind but distracted as well. We thoroughly understand how Riley came to be a counselor for middle school students, trying to prevent for them what happened to her own sister.

We also question, along with Riley, whom she can trust. Can she trust the real estate agent who has been pressuring her to get through her father’s things so they can put the house up for sale? Or her father’s old friend, who lives in her father’s trailer park and whose wife keeps dropping hints about her family’s secrets? We even doubt, along with Riley, whether she can trust her own brother, whom she adores but worries about his volatile personality.

While mostly plot-driven, with all the family secrets being at its heart, I feel the characters are also deeply sympathetic. Jade, in particular, is one we feel for; forced to live a lie, looking over her shoulder for so many years. We feel her terror, her unease with anything suggesting publicity. But we also feel her yearning, her love for her music that brings her the only joy she thinks she’ll ever experience.

I definitely recommend this book as a suspenseful, twisty page-turner!

My Husband’s Wife by Carla Kovac

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Eva has been through quite a lot over the past 5 years. She has lost her first husband, Hugo, who died by suicide 5 years prior, and she never imagined she’d find love again. Surprisingly she has, and she’s thrilled that her 10-year old son loves her new husband, Zach, as well. Now that they’ve all moved in together, she is starting her new job as a wedding planner for a venue nearby. She’s nervous but excited, as she’s loved her job, loves being there for people on their most special day. As she is about to meet her second couple on her first day, she has the shock of her life: the man in front of her, “Theo,” inquiring about a wedding plan, is her dead husband! She tries to maintain her poise, but her curiosity is overwhelming. As she digs in further to figure out this puzzle, her very life becomes endangered.

This is an absolutely “un-put-downable” suspense thriller, with a complicated and twisty story about identities and lies. Eva does her best to try to warn the woman who is engaged to Theo, but it becomes a quite challenging to do so without appearing as if she herself is not crazy. This repeats again and again, with Eva coming to doubt herself, her judgement because of her own stormy past. A friend she has made in her new town is someone she thinks she can trust, but she comes to doubt this as well, when suspicions surface about this friend and her current husband. There is also a friend she has made, someone she thinks she can trust, but she becomes suspicious that she is having an affair with Zach (her current husband). It may sound as if the story is too convoluted, but it is quite brilliantly laid out, such that even when we think we know what is going on, there are additional twists that keep it just beyond our ken.

If you’re looking for a story that will grab you from the first page and keep you up reading late into the night – here’s your pick! It’s fun, a bit creepy, and utterly suspenseful and will absolutely hold you till the bitter end.

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Another tennis novel!

Since her mother’s death when she was quite young, Carrie has not only been raised by her devoted father, but she’s been somewhat indoctrinated by him. From the time she could hold a tennis racket, she was on the courts, and her father, a tennis player in his own right, began to coach her. Between her own determination and her father’s encouragement, she was focused not only on playing well, but on playing the best… in the world. Years later, after having achieved this status once, when she sees an up-and-coming woman player threaten her legacy and she is determined, despite her now advanced age (for tennis), to defend her place in this world.

I enjoyed this book more than I expected. It has not been as well-received as many of Reid’s other novels, but I found it compelling. I think I was drawn to Carrie’s character because in spite of her singular, laser focus and drive, she is also frighteningly isolated and terrified of attachment. She has no patience for dishonesty – which alienates almost everyone she interacts with – yet she is deeply caring of and loyal to those she does love. She also lives the double standard between men and women in the public eye; that is, when a man isn’t pleasant or smiley, he is considered strong – but when a woman acts similarly, she is labeled a bitch.

One cannot help but love her father’s character as well. He is devoted, kind, and utterly faithful to Carrie – even when they experience their differences. It becomes apparent that although he is overcome with pride for his daughter, he also worries about her happiness. He has his hesitations and perhaps regrets about how far he’s driven her, but he nonetheless stays with her through whatever she chooses for herself.

While I am not one to watch sports on TV, I truly enjoyed the detailed accounts of Carrie’s various tennis matches. I found them to be engaging, even suspense-building. We are given a court-side seat, with a view into the mind and body of the pro athlete; the anxiety and physical strain from within as well as the leviathan pressure from without.

This novel is not for everyone; but if you have even a passing interest in sports (and of course, tennis in particular), you will likely find this a satisfying read. I certainly did.

The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

It is five years since the summer Maisie and Grant stayed with their “guncle” Patrick, while their father was in a substance rehab facility, and bonded closely with Patrick. Since then, the children have grown into tween/teens and are now challenging Patrick in entirely new ways. Greg, their father, has done well. He’s remained sober, focused on raising the children with the support of Patrick who relocated to NYC to be near them, and is, in fact, now engaged to a marquesa from Italy, named Livia. The only obstacle was the children’s vehement opposition to Livia, and they are determined to enlist Patrick in their quest to derail the wedding plans.

Once again, this book was delightful: infused with sarcastic dialogue, tender moments, and beautiful descriptions of Patrick’s travels through Europe with the children. Patrick treats his niece and nephew not like grownups, but with respect, caring, and an attentive ear; trying to get to know them as they are at this new stage, as individuals. And as he copes with their maturity, he also struggles with his own advancing age, an issue that he’s allowed to impact his own love life. So while this novel might be tossed off as feathery and superficial, there are much deeper and more meaningful themes here. They’re merely dressed up in Hermes scarves and Prada accessories.

I do think it’s worthwhile to read this series in order, beginning with The Guncle and then proceeding to this one, in order not to feel behind. And the other is just as entertaining anyway, so, again, worth it.

The perfect summer read – whether you’re traveling abroad or just staying in your own backyard!

Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline

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All Jake wants is to reconnect with his son, Ryan. Given all his absences because of having to build his business from scratch, he feels now is the time, before Ryan leaves for college. So when he agrees to pick up Ryan after a movie and Ryan begs to drive home even though it is beyond the legal time for him to be doing so, all Jake can do is agree to it. Little does he suspect that this decision will be the worst he’s ever made. What happens next leads to the need for both to lie, and of course one lie begets the next and the next…

This is every parent’s nightmare scenario, one in which we are responsible for a horrific outcome and all we want to do is protect our child, no matter the consequences to us. We see the tragic outcome of Jake trying to be a friend instead of a parent, a mistake we all make at one time or another. Most of us have been fortunate that the consequences were not fatal, but not everyone is as lucky.

On the whole, this novel was taut, suspenseful, and completely unnerving. As a parent reading this, it was difficult, to say the least.

Getting more into the weeds of the writing, however, I have to say that I found it somewhat repetitive, almost perseverative (which might have been intentional, as the circumstances would warrant a repeated self-flagellation). The plot was intricate and twisting and certainly kept one’s attention – it was literally an accident that one could not look away from – but the entire book was plot-driven. The characters were flat, superficial. We learned some insight into Jake’s character, but his son and his wife were merely cardboard figures created to facilitate the plot.

That said, if you’re looking for suspense, twists and a riveting page-turner, this fits the bill. And perhaps many of us could benefit from reading this – it is truly a cautionary tale!

Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

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Dorothy Sayers is tired of men taking control of everything. In spite of the literary accomplishments of her female colleagues, they are being completely minimized by the men who are initiating the new Detection Club. a club for mystery authors seeking to heighten the prestige of the genre. Well, Dorothy will not take this lying down! After her little gathering of five women authors she feels have proven themselves worthy of being included, she hatches a plan to have them inducted into this club as well. Nevertheless, the men continue to ignore, even denigrate them. What if they, as writers of murder mysteries themselves, solve an actual, real-life murder mystery? Perhaps then their male peers will take them seriously. This, however, turns out to be more complicated than she ever imagines.

If you’re looking for a bit of morbid fun, this book is for you! The “Queens” as they call themselves, find themselves deep in the mire of a brutal murder that could potentially stump even them. As they delve deeper and deeper into the details, they learn to work together, to appreciate each other’s strengths and support each other through their weaknesses. We learn that everyone appears to have some sort of secret, some part of themselves that they would prefer be kept hidden from the public eye. They are vulnerable, because particularly at the time this story takes place, the interval between the great wars, women had little in the way of independence and relied not only on their “upstanding” reputations but also, of course, on the men around them. Even women with means. Even women who were as famous for their brilliance and talent as this authors were.

The characters themselves, as well as the plot, hold intrigue, humor, sensitivity, and surprise – keeping at least this reader completely engaged. Once again, Marie Benedict has done it!

Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Margo and Ian have been searching for her dream house for months now. Thinking ahead, they’d bought an apartment in an up-and-coming neighborhood, anticipating that they’d sell at a higher rate and increase their money for a down payment on their “forever home.” Of course, this was all Margo’s idea; Ian could rarely be counted on to plot this far ahead, being consumed with his job solving the world’s climate crisis. And, as Margo reasoned, one cannot be too aggressive in this overwhelmingly frustrating market. After losing not one, not two, but ten houses because of being outbidden by entitled, cash-wielding competitors, she is ready to do what it takes. No matter the cost…

This is an outrageous story that begins benignly and builds to an utter “Gone Girl” crescendo. We learn of Margo’s repeated disappointments, her challenges growing up in a financially unreliable family, and her first taste of stability upon visiting her husband’s more privileged family. When Margo learns of a “perfect” home coming onto the market – the one she MUST have – she is determined to convince the owners to sell it to her and no one else. In Margo’s world, this perfect home equals happiness and she will make it her own – no matter the cost…

This is the type of novel you can swallow whole. It is that story that keeps you reading until the wee hours, perhaps sneaking it out during your lunch at your desk. Even while Margo becomes more and more unhinged, and Ian, her husband is more and more stumped by her behavior, we also see her humanity, her desperation. Her attachment to her friend’s dog, Fritter, is an example of her more tender and vulnerable side. When Natalie seems to ignore the needs of her own dog, Margo steps in to care for him. At the same time, Margo is also truly flying off the deep end.

If you were held captive by such books as The Girl on the Train or the Woman in Cabin 10, you will be excited to read this one as well. It is clever, twisty, and unputdownable.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Nora Stephens has been convinced by her younger and very pregnant sister Libby to come away with her for a few weeks to a small town made famous by a book Nora has actually promoted. While Nora is usually impossible to tear away from either her work as a literary agent or her home in NYC (and her Peleton…), she agrees to come because she will do anything to make her sister happy, as she’s done since their mother died when they were teenagers. So here she is, in this sad little town, still trying to sneak a bit of work into her day, in spite of the task list Libby has created for them to try to break out of their usual routines. And no good deed goes unpunished, for the only spot where she can find any bit of reliable wifi is where she runs into – to her utter shock – her absolute work nemesis, Charlie Lastra. Immediately, there is an email exchange between them which grows into an outright battle of wits. And even as Nora is focused on her sister and her sister’s welfare, she finds herself becoming more and more entangled in this mystery that is Charlie Lastra.

If you’re looking for a light, fun, and very summery/vacation-y read, this should be the first thing you pack to take along. While it is somewhat predictable – ok, very predictable – it is also replete with witty (giggle-along-with) dialogue, endearing family drama, and even a few steamy romance scenes. While Nora thinks of herself as being a “shark” and not exactly a people-person, she is actually someone who loves deeply and protects those she loves with the ferocity of a mother bear. She becomes the character we cannot help but love back – and this makes the story so utterly engaging.

So even despite the many romcom tropes to be found here, I still found this book a delight to read (or, in truth, listen to). I believe you will too!

The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Three timelines and three narratives come together in this mystical, haunting story of heartbreak and misguided love. We meet Maddy in 1999 who comes to London for her sister’s wedding and becomes entangled in a tragic love triangle. We then meet Frieda, a young woman mistaken for a rule-follower who goes to London in mutiny against the father she’s always idolized. And finally, we meet Lucy, a 12-year old girl who, while trying to overcome her mourning for the mother she’s lost, is brought also to London, where she is expected to participate in her stepmother’s sister’s wedding. Each of these women has in common their rebellious streak, their stark honesty, and their connection to London’s Lion Park Hotel.

As I struggle to sort my feelings about this novel, I have to go back to my inclination, initially, to abort it entirely. I am glad I did complete it, just to see where it would lead, but I have to admit it was more work than a book should be. While each story line had potential, I believe the characters were so unlikeable – or at best, difficult to engage with – that it was hard to feel invested. Their stories were also a bit contrived, and not only because of the mystical elements (which I often flinch at). Throughout each narrative, it was emphasized how strong and independent each of the women characters were. Yet, each, in her own way, was waylaid by a man of dubious virtue and usually selfish intentions. Of course, the earlier stories of both Frieda and Lucy, took place in the 50’s and 60’s, when women had less power, particularly within their family structures. But still… smart and “independent” women should not have been so easily duped by such utterly shady men.

So, all in all, not my favorite. there are so many other choices that would better fill your time, in my opinion!

I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhorn

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

It’s been years, decades even, that Anna has been fighting in a German court to establish her identity as the Grand Duchess of the Romonov family. She’s been grateful for the support of her loyal childhood friends, who have shuffled her around from sympathizer to sheltering sympathizer. But she resents that she’s been abandoned by her extended family and her former teacher, who have accused her of being an imposter. Through this dual timeline, we learn both of Anna’s traumatic experience of living through the cruelty of the Russian revolutionaries, as well as her fight to survive the aftermath.

A huge fan of this author, I was somewhat disappointed by this particular novel of hers. I am always game for a dual timeline as well as most historical fiction. I was interested in the history and fate of Tsar Nicholas and the Russian Revolution. However, because this timeline skipped around so much, both in time and location – and never in a linear fashion – it became onerous to keep track of. Moreover, the story was relentlessly heartbreaking, with little in the way of lightness. Of course, it is a brutal story, but even the most brutal history can be relayed with moments of tenderness, some expressions of wit. There was poor little of relief in this telling and, so, a heavy load to carry.

That said, I absolutely learned from it and was, in fact, surprised at the ending. Glad I read it? I’m still not sure. But I certainly feel a bit smarter for having done so.