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!

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

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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

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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

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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.

Meant to Be by Emily Giffin

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Joe appreciates his privileged life, with the opportunities and luxuries it affords; and at the same time, he also feels bogged down by the expectations it carries. His father, long dead but whose brave military service and philanthropy keeps him well in the minds of the public. Certainly it remains in the mind of Joe’s mother, who maintains the highest ambitions for her only son. And although he rebels against it, he also knows it is likely his destiny. Of course if he ever does forget, the paparazzi certainly remind him on a very regular basis.

Cate, on the other hand, has grown up with very little, but she still has fond memories of when it was just her and her mom. Her father having died when she was very young, Cate feels protective of her mom and watches carefully as she dates men who are not always nice. When Cate sees her mom considering marrying Chip, a cop who uses his power against both of them, she fears for her mother but also feels the urgency to escape their toxic home.

When these two characters’ lives collide, almost by accident, it feels like it could either be magic or heartbreak.

This Cinderella story is based loosely on the lives of John Jr (Kennedy) and Carolyn Bessette. It’s a story of how love can grow between two people even when their backgrounds differ so widely. While Joe is used to women falling for him – and all over him – he becomes dazzled by beautiful and mysterious Cate, who seems to be indifferent to his fame and fortune. And while Cate knows exactly what Joe’s background is, she feels insecure about her own. How will they continue their relationship? How will their respective parents react to their differences? How will the press react?

So many aspire to fame and fortune, but it carries a good deal of responsibility and anxiety. To be constantly under the scrutiny of the public is a burden, particularly with the press having so much access and when information can be distorted and distributed so widely. While it is certainly wonderful to have a financial cushion such that money is not a concern, it also carries the onus of what one does with that money. How it is managed, how generous one is with it.

This book is a delightful read, mixing in some of life’s ugly realities with both romance and glamor. Definitely one to pack with you for any upcoming spring/summer vacations!

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

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Violet looks forward to her book club meeting each week. It has become the only time during her week where she can escape the mind-numbing routine of prison life. She finds that Harriet, the volunteer who leads the meetings, while quite a bit older (and who dresses even older than that) is actually pretty cool in her own way. As for Harriet, she feels blessed to be a part of this group; feeling as if here, in this claustrophobic room with a group of outspoken and demanding women, she can be utterly herself. Frank, who helps out in the bookstore where Harriet obtains her books for the group, is pleased to feel useful there. Especially if it might give him a chance to meet Harriet…

This story, with its rotating narrative between these three characters gives us a window into the life of a young woman who has and still is paying dearly for a tragic mistake she’s made. For even after she’s paid her dues, she still must contend with the impact of what she’s done. Whether it is in the challenge of finding employment with a felony record, the guilt she carries about her crime and the impact its had on others, or the abandonment she feels from everyone in her former life.

This is also a story of forgiveness. We see many unable to forgive, and we see how happiness comes to those who do.

It’s a truly heartwarming story stemming from an unlikely beginning.

The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

The police of Manassus, Virginia, have their hands full. They are being forced to reopen a long-resolved (albeit sloppily processed) murder investigation as well as deal with a missing person. Are the two connected? It appears that the names that keep popping up in relation to both are those of Sarah Morgan, a high-profile criminal defense attorney turned non-profit founder, and her husband, Bob Miller, an attorney as well. As the two become more and more embroiled in their brutal divorce dispute, they both also become more and more connected to the investigation.

I defy anyone to claim they’ve figured this one out before all is revealed! There are more twists and turns in this novel than there are on the Amalfi Coastline! The vicious competition between Sarah and Bob over who will outsmart the other is the beating heart of the plot and with a rotating narration giving insight into their motives and frustrations, we think we will figure it out. But just when we believe we are onto them, the story is flipped on its head and we are given an entirely new perspective. It is an incredibly complex construction and it keeps us guessing until the finale.

Apparently, also, I did it again. I read this in the wrong order, as it is a sequel to The Perfect Marriage, which I didn’t realize. But it absolutely stands on its own and is a delightfully wicked read even without having the knowledge of the first book.

I highly recommend this novel – it’s the perfect escape!

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

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Beatriz has been waiting… stewing actually. She has had to flee the home she adored, has been mourning the untimely death of her twin brother, and has been trying to see a way to extracting revenge for all of it. While her sisters have taken to the society life in Palm Beach, Florida – albeit at a lower social situation than they were used to – Beatriz has held fast to the belief that she’d return to Havana, that Fidel Castro will be ousted, and that they will see Cuba return to better days. When she meets a tall, broad-shouldered, extremely handsome stranger at the ball she’s been made to attend, she is shocked by how he so quickly rocks her world. At the same time, she struggles to remain firm in her desire to pursue justice for her brother and for Cuba.

This is a beautifully written historical fiction novel that enlightened me about this piece of history about which I admittedly knew too little. Written by the author of Next Year in Havana (which I’ve not yet read. I know, I’m going in the wrong order!), this book centers on the aftermath of the revolution that Fidel Castro led, focusing on those who fled mainly to Florida. We are given a close, personal experience of what it was like to live through the Bay of Pigs with family who were affected, followed of course by the Cuban Missile Crisis. We learn of the subterfuge, the Communist agenda, and the complicated spy network that Castro spun in order to hold onto power, and we come to understand why there was suspicion of Castro’s involvement in President Kennedy’s assassination. I certainly knew bits and pieces of this history, but learning about it from the Cuban perspective is extremely helpful.

I am also enamored by Beatriz’s character. She is staunchly independent, resists the comforts she might have felt entitled to, even risks her life in order to do what she feels is right. Particularly for the time she in which she is living and the family she grew up in, she is unusual and admirable.

I highly recommend this book. It’s exactly what I love about historical fiction: the opportunity to learn important pieces of our past but in the most entertaining way.

Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur

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Adam Gardner is rapidly approaching his 70th birthday, and he knows he will accomplish his life goal by then. Just wait until everyone sees what he will have discovered! It will make all of his many other achievements – and there have been a great many – seem small in comparison. He just has to adjust his meds so that he remains in this manic phase long enough to figure it all out…

Meanwhile, his children are continuing to experience the friction they’ve had between them since their youth. In spite of Ken having married his sister Abby’s best friend, Jen, they have yet to reconcile their very different values, their very different life goals. While Ken anticipates a huge financial deal that will situate him better for his run for congress, Abby is content with her quietly growing status as an artist.

At the same time, Steph, a Boston cop on vacation in Cape Cod, where the Gardners live full-time, is interested in getting to know them. Could this be her family?

With complex characters as well as a complex plot, this story is a winner – and not only because of all the Cape Cod references…! (Always appealing to me!) As Abby and Ken work toward the planned celebration of their father, Adam’s, 70th birthday, the tension builds and it is anyone’s guess how the event will play out. And it doesn’t disappoint, in my opinion. There are so many layers of conflict, so many issues needing to be resolved, and they all seem to be on a collision course.

I also feel that this is a thoughtful depiction of bipolar disorder and its ramifications. The author describes the allure of the mania so well: its intoxicating energy, the grandiose notions, the illusion of invincibility. There is also the fear of numbness, of coming down, and hitting rock bottom, which, as it says through Adam’s thoughts, can’t be described by the word “depression” alone. The narrative also reveals the impact the disease has had on Adam’s children: the fear of the swings, the not knowing which father they would be dealing with, and the abandonment they periodically experience. It is a complicated and painful disease that may impact those around the individual struggling with it.

I highly recommend this novel – it’s substantive, fun, and engaging. (And did I mention it takes place on Cape Cod?)

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon

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The dual timeline here:

1944: Helene (aka Nancy) finds herself being flown back into France, under the cover of night. From the get-go, she learns that the “rules” don’t count here on the ground and survival is what is of the utmost importance. That and arming, feeding, clothing, and paying the Resistance fighters she is here to safeguard.

1936: Nancy Wake her younger self, one who has boldly talked her way into a job as a journalist (no formal training), one of her first interviews having been with a then little-known, arrogant and aloof politician named Adolf Hitler. Soon after, we are with her as she bears witness to the evil work of his disciples, torturing Jews in a characteristic gruesome fashion in a public square in Vienna. She is immediately spurred on to do something, anything, to fight against this evil force. At the same time, she also attracts the gaze of one of France’s elite and most eligible young men. So as Europe gears up for war, Nancy is falling in love.

This is another magnificent work of historical fiction from the author of The Frozen River (reviewed here relatively recently). We follow larger-than-life Nancy Wake, an Australian national who lived in Paris before the war, just long enough to be tutored by her best friend in the language, the look, and the poise of the French. But Nancy’s accomplishments were all her own. She proved herself in the early days of the occupation by the Nazis, enough to be noticed by the right men in the right positions. Most impressive was the fact that Nancy was able to garner the respect, loyalty, and support of the thousands of men she led in their unofficial battalions of the French Resistance. It was a testament to her courage, bravado, and willingness to put herself in harm’s way for those fighting for justice.

This is most definitely a MUST READ, not only because it is an utterly addictive novel, replete with emotion and suspense, but because it is our duty to honor individuals (and particulary women, who are so often ignored in war stories) who fought so bravely for justice, civility, and democracy.