Review: The Syndicate Spy: A Juliet Arroway Novel

The Syndicate Spy: A Juliet Arroway Novel by Brittany Butler
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

When looking at the description for this book on Amazon, I am struck by the fact that though this book is being advertised as a futuristic book, "In the near future, Earth’s oil reserves are depleted. " it was set (according to the very first page) in 1938. Unless this is a significant typo, it sure put a different spin on this book for me. So which is it? A book set in the past with all sorts of modern tech, or a futuristic book with old-fashioned tech?

In the very first paragraph, I found a distracting mistake on the author's part. COPPER DOES NOT RUST, NOR DOES IT SMELL OF RUST. Yes, this may be nit-picking, but it still made me question how good this book would be. Mistakes such as this tend to pull me out of the story and question what I had been reading.

As I kept reading, I realized that this author has an interesting command of the language. For instance, Juliet's eyes can speak to her partner Mariam. Ohhkay. "Juliet took a SHARP swig of water" ??? "A silo of light poured into the compound."

This is most likely a very good book. I do so love futuristic novels, and having two kick-butt heroines would have been just perfect. However, too many things distract me from what could have been the perfect story.

*ARC supplied by the publisher.

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Review: A Good Family

A Good Family by Matt Goldman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A slow-moving domestic thriller that, in some places, is right up there with the movie Gaslight.

There are plenty of issues with this book; for example, Katie seems to be heavily in denial. We can almost understand why, but I can't buy it - not completely. I had to stretch my credibility muscles quite a bit during parts of this novel. Katie just seemed too naive to be a higher-up at General Mills.

I can not say that this was a bad read-it really wasn't, and it kept me turning pages avidly. I really wanted to know how and why Jack kept disappearing and why Bagman just suddenly showed up with not a peep from Jack or Katie at the lateness of the hour.

This was worth the time it takes to read and will keep you guessing even if the ending is a little too pat for my comfort. I will most likely be reading the next book Mr. Goldman produces.

ARC* was supplied by the publisher Forge Books, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "Katie Kuhlmann's marriage is falling apart. But she has a secure job, her children are healthy, and her house, a new construction in the prestigious Country Club neighborhood of Edina, Minnesota, is beautiful. She can almost ignore the way her husband, Jack, has been acting -- constantly checking his phone, not going to work, disappearing from the house only to show up again without explanation.

Tension in the Kuhlmann house only gets worse when Adam "Bagman" Ross, a mutual friend from college, happens to be in the neighborhood and in need of a place to stay. Jack is quick to welcome him into the sanctity of their home, but Jack's strange behavior only gets worse, and Katie fears their new guest is also harboring a dark secret. As she begins to uncover the truth, she realizes that something is terribly wrong -- and she must race to protect her family as danger closes in."

Review: Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl

Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renée Rosen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've read just about everything that Renée Rosen has written (so far, I haven't gotten the chance to read Windy City Blues, but I will!) and have loved the majority of the books. Some I have gotten as ARC-the remainder I have bought with my hard-earned cash-this is one I purchased and really looked forward to. I think that there is nothing better than fiction mixed with fact. Ms. Rosen is one of the few authors that can blend the two seamlessly, and I love it!

Some readers may be put off by this book being about a beauty tycoon, but it is more a book about living lies and eventually owning up to them. Both the narrator, Gloria Downing, and Estée Lauder are living with significant lies. It isn't easy to live a life when you don't know who to trust.

This is also a bit of a romance on both women's parts. With Estée, the romance deals with her husband. This was a bit of an odd relationship. With Gloria, her romances are a bit more fluid for the times, and you may think she never finds her true love, but she does, and it was a bit of a shock for me.

I think that this is a perfect beach read as well as a book club read. It would be fun to discuss with a group of cosmetic lovers the life and ambitions of a strong woman like Estée Lauder.

I highly recommend this book.

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SYNOPSIS: "It’s 1938, and a young woman selling face cream out of a New York City beauty parlor is determined to prove she can have it all. Her name is Estée Lauder, and she’s about to take the world by storm, in this dazzling new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces and Park Avenue Summer.

In New York City, you can disappear into the crowd. At least that’s what Gloria Downing desperately hopes as she tries to reinvent herself after a devastating family scandal. She’s ready for a total life makeover and a friend she can lean on—and into her path walks a young, idealistic woman named Estée. Their chance encounter will change Gloria’s life forever.

Estée dreams of success and becoming a household name like Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Revlon. Before Gloria knows it, she is swept up in her new friend’s mission and while Estée rolls up her sleeves, Gloria begins to discover her own talents. After landing a job at Saks Fifth Avenue, New York’s finest luxury department store, Gloria finds her voice, which proves instrumental in opening doors for Estée’s insatiable ambitions.

But in a world unaccustomed to women with power, they’ll each have to pay the price that comes with daring to live life on their own terms and refusing to back down."

Review: Dead But Not Forgotten: Stories from the World of Sookie Stackhouse

Dead But Not Forgotten: Stories from the World of Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've never read fan fiction, but I suppose these stories are just that. These are stories by famous and some not-so-famous authors who are writing about characters in the Sookie Stackhouse universe.
Most of the authors did a tremendous job of retaining that specific something that was needed to keep me reading.

Unfortunately, the author I most looked forward to reading wrote the one story I was most disappointed in. It may need a re-reading at some point to see if I will enjoy it more on a re-read. This would be the story Widower's Walk by MaryJanice Davidson. This story is set in the far future and features Eric. Eric does a lot of introspection in this story, and it just doesn't have the impact or adventure the other stories did. However, I can see why this story was left to the very end, and I do understand why it was written in this semi-depressing manner.

Well worth your time and money if you are a fan of the Stackhouse series.


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Review: Prom Mom

Prom Mom by Laura Lippman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2.5 STARS

I'm truly unsure of how many stars to give this book. On the one hand, it is a very good (if slow) thriller; I guess you would call it. It was a very slow read, with a lot of emphasis in the last half of the book on COVID and the politics of the time.

I could not connect with the characters-none of them, but I will say I disliked all of them and was glad most of them got their comeuppance.

The last 10% or so of the book had me a bit confused. Who really did it? I wasn't sure that I could really believe anything that came out of Meridith's mouth. I would have loved a little more in-depth ending.

I'd love to give this a 2.5 rating, but when all know, we can't do that here!


*ARC was supplied by the publisher William Morrow, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS - "New York Times bestseller Laura Lippman tells the story of Amber Glass, desperately trying to get away from her tabloid past but compulsively drawn back to the city of her youth and the prom date who destroyed everything she was reaching for.

Amber Glass has spent her entire adult life putting as much distance as possible between her and her hometown of Baltimore, where she fears she will forever be known as "Prom Mom"--the girl who allegedly killed her baby on the night of the prom after her date, Joe Simpson, abandoned her to pursue the girl he really liked. But when circumstances bring Amber back to the city, she realizes she can have a second chance--as long as she stays away from Joe, now a successful commercial real estate developer, married to a plastic surgeon, Meredith, to whom he is devoted.

The problem is, Amber can't stay away from Joe. And Joe finds that it's increasingly hard for him to ignore Amber, if only because she remembers the boy he was and the man he said he was going to be. Against the surreal backdrop of 2020 and early 2021, the two are slowly drawn to each other and eventually cross the line they've been trying not to cross.

And then Joe asks Amber to help him do the unthinkable...

Review: Charlotte Illes Is Not a Detective

Charlotte Illes Is Not a Detective by Katie Siegel
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
LGBT

I'm sorry, but I just don't know what t say about this book. Don't get me wrong; it is a cute book and gives me a different perspective on people. However, this book could not keep me engaged at all. I love mysteries, but this one was too forced for my tastes. The ages of the main characters have me wondering if this is the problem I'm having. I normally love learning about the younger generation and what they think of life and relationships. Not this time.

Charlotte came off as unlikeable, clueless, and whiny. One of her friends is trying to be an influencer, and a lot of people in my generation may think that this is just another way of saying, "My job is all about wanting/expecting stuff for free and taking no responsibility for your life."

I guess that I am just the totally wrong audience for this type of book.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Kensington, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "For anyone seeking to satisfy their Harriet the Spy, Encyclopedia Brown, or Nancy Drew nostalgia, this charming, entertaining debut based on the popular @katiefliesaway TikTok series stars a twentysomething former kid detective who’s coaxed out of retirement for one last case.

The downside of being a famous child detective is that sooner or later, you have to grow up . . .

As a kid, Charlotte Illes’ uncanny sleuthing abilities made her a minor celebrity. But in high school, she hung up her detective’s hat and stashed away the signature blue landline in her “office”—aka garage—convinced that finding her adult purpose would be as easy as tracking down missing pudding cups or locating stolen diamonds.

Now twenty-five, Charlotte has a nagging fear that she hit her peak in middle school. She’s living with her mom, scrolling through job listings, and her love life consists mostly of first dates. When it comes to knowing what to do next, Charlotte hasn’t got a clue.

And then, her old blue phone rings . . .

Reluctantly, Charlotte is pulled back into the mystery-solving world she knew—just one more time. But that world is a whole lot more complicated for an adult. As a kid, she was able to crack the case and still get her homework done on time. Now she’s dealing with dead bodies, missing persons, and villains who actually see her as a viable threat. And the detective skills she was once so eager to never use again are the only things that can stop a killer ready to make sure her next retirement is permanent . . ."

Review: My Magnolia Summer: A Novel

My Magnolia Summer: A Novel by Victoria Benton Frank
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. Just wow!
I didn't realize who this author was related to, so I had no expectations when I started this book.

This was just a wonderful book. Exactly what I needed to come to of my book slump. This was one of those books that I just didn't want to end.

This is a perfect beach read, and it reads fast. I'll tell you, I didn't want this book to end! I was a tad disappointed that the conclusion was as brief as it was. I would have loved to learn more about the family and how their lives were going on. But, I can see where this might be the start of a series. I do hope that Violet gets her own book!

My Magnolia Summer starts with an interesting look into the workings of a restaurant kitchen and jumps into several family issues...one tragedy after another, but don't worry, things work out for the best.

A lovely book about family, home, and personal growth.

*ARC supplied by the publisher William Morrow, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "Escape to the South Carolina Lowcountry, where family bonds and hidden secrets run deep. In this gripping tale of self-discovery, Victoria Benton Frank introduces us to Maggie, struggling to find her place in the world when she receives a phone call bringing her back to her hometown of Sullivan's Island.

In New York City winter never seems to loosen its hold and for South Carolina transplant Maggie (born Magnolia after the fairest summer flower) the balmy beach weather of April back home on Sullivan’s Island feels like a distant memory. Until a phone call from her sister, Violet, changes everything.

Gran, the treasured matriarch, has fallen into a coma after a car accident caused by Maggie’s troubled mother, Lily. But once Maggie returns, she finds that her hometown of Sullivan’s Island holds even more secrets. The Magic Lantern, the restaurant owned and run by generations of women in her family, is now rudderless, and her sister seems headed for a savage breakup.

Once she is between the marsh grasses and dunes of South Carolina, she feels herself changing like the Atlantic tides, rediscovering the roots she left behind, and a new and different version of herself—one who can see how a minor crash into the back of a very handsome farmer’s truck may become fortunate. Or perhaps it’s even… fate?

When the three generations of South Carolina women join forces—the family pillar Gran, troubled Lily, impulsive Violet, and redoubtable Maggie—anything is possible.

With stunning descriptions of the magic of the Lowcountry, this novel will transport you to a world of treasured family traditions and unexpected twists of fate.

Review: A Most Agreeable Murder

A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I cannot believe that I am only at the 10% mark in this book and have already laughed several times, hard enough to nearly wet myself.

This book reminds me very much of one of my beloved historical romances  but with a little more whimsy!

I let you know more as soon as I finish it!

Well, I finished, and it was a read that was well worth my time. There are a lot of giggles, a tiny bit of romance, and a very, very complicated murder with many red herrings.

I don't know how to describe this book. I sure wasn't your typical historical. Instead, it was a delightful mix of Regency historical, comedy, and mystery.

All I can say is do yourself a favor and try this book. You can't go wrong. There is something in it for every type of reader.

I hope there will be more stories set in Swampshire (even the name of the town gives me a fit of giggles), and I would love to know more about Mary. If you read this, you too will be curious about just how the author will treat Mary. Is she what I think she is, or is there another explanation? Only one way to find out!!!

*ARC supplied by the publisher Random House, the author, and NetGalley.


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SYNOPSIS: "When a wealthy bachelor drops dead at a ball, a young lady takes on the decidedly improper role of detective in this action-packed debut comedy of manners and murder.

"If you grew up reading Jane Austen and Agatha Christie (or are a fan of Bridgerton and Knives Out), you will adore A Most Agreeable Murder."--Kate Stayman-London, bestselling author of One to Watch

Feisty, passionate Beatrice Steele has never fit the definition of a true lady, according to the strict code of conduct that reigns in Swampshire, her small English township--she is terrible at needlework, has absolutely no musical ability, and her artwork is so bad it frightens people. Nevertheless, she lives a perfectly agreeable life with her marriage-scheming mother, prankster father, and two younger sisters-- beautiful Louisa and forgettable Mary. But she harbors a dark secret: She is obsessed with the true crime cases she reads about in the newspaper. If anyone in her etiquette-obsessed community found out, she'd be deemed a morbid creep and banished from respectable society forever.

For her family's sake, she's vowed to put her obsession behind her. Because eligible bachelor Edmund Croaksworth is set to attend the approaching autumnal ball, and the Steele family hopes that Louisa will steal his heart. If not, Martin Grub, their disgusting cousin, will inherit the family's estate, and they will be ruined or, even worse, forced to move to France. So Beatrice must be on her best behavior . . . which is made difficult when a disgraced yet alluring detective inexplicably shows up to the ball.

Beatrice is just holding things together when Croaksworth drops dead in the middle of a minuet. As a storm rages outside, the evening descends into a frenzy of panic, fear, and betrayal as it becomes clear they are trapped with a killer. Contending with competitive card games, tricky tonics, and Swampshire's infamous squelch holes, Beatrice must rise above decorum and decency to pursue justice and her own desires--before anyone else is murdered."

Review: Not the Ones Dead

Not the Ones Dead by Dana Stabenow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars rounded down.

This is a little different from Ms. Stabenow's usual mystery. Oh, don't get me wrong. There are the usual wonderful descriptions of the land, flying, food, animals, character growth, and the same 'friends helping friends' vibe as her other books.

I'm just not at all sure that I like the political vibe you get with this book. Yes, the politics here is a modern, up-to-date issue, but it is not what I expect from a book that is supposed to be entertaining, no matter what side of the political coin you fall on or the color of your skin.

All in all a good mystery that keeps your blood boiling.

*This ARC was supplied by the publisher, Head of Zeus, the author, and NetGalley.

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Review: Such Good Friends: A Novel of Truman Capote & Lee Radziwill

Such Good Friends: A Novel of Truman Capote & Lee Radziwill by Stephen Greco
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Be careful, ya'll; if you think you are getting the whole book for free...you are not. Right now, for pre-ordering, it only shows (on Amazon and B&N) as a very, VERY pricey paperback.

This is a perfect book club choice. You will love this book if you love lush, never-ending descriptions of clothing, decor, architecture, art, dated gossip, and Truman Capote. If you can see beyond the plot device of using the housekeeper to narrate what are private dialogues between Truman and some of his Swans, then this book will be a perfect beach read. I had difficulty trying to suspend my disbelief that the housekeeper would be privy to all of these conversations.

Frankly, I just don't have what it takes to enjoy books of this caliber. I need something that takes me away from this world. I need something that will make me think, laugh, cry, and use my imagination, something that will pique my curiosity. This book did none of those things for me. It felt as if the longer I read it, the longer the book became until I felt that it would never end.

The era that is the basis for this book will make it a little awkward for those of us who were born in the late 50's and only know some of these people when they were already past their prime. But, on the other hand, if you are much younger than me, then you might find this an exciting slice of mid to late-20th-century history. But, of course, it is history about the wealthy jet-setters and only touched briefly on anything significant that was going on in America at the time.

I should have realized that I would likely not love this novel when I realized it was similar to "The Swans of Fifth Avenue."

I did find it interesting that this book focused on Lee Radziwill and Truman Capote and not so much on the other Swans. However, I was disappointed not to hear more about Jackie Kennedy (at least by the 50% mark).

At times the author would use 21st-century language instead of what apropos of the 'women who lunch' in the mid-19th (1969) century would use, which would drag me out of the story.

This was not the perfect choice for me. I just never got the attraction of Truman Capote and most likely never will. However, I think many out in Bookland will enjoy this look into the rich and famous.

ARC was supplied by the publisher Kensington Books, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "“Fans of Capote and the era of Camelot should be delighted.” —Shana Abé, New York Times bestselling author of The Second Mrs. Astor

A must-read for fans of Truman Capote and Jackie Kennedy, this star-studded, evocative novel revels in the glamor, gossip, and casual betrayal of 1960s and ’70s high society New York and the socialite “swans” that ruled this scandalous world.

On a Thursday morning in May 1961, a well-mannered twenty-one-year-old named Marlene enters the Fifth Avenue apartment of Lee Radziwill to interview for the position of housekeeper and cook. The stylish wife of London-based Prince Stanislaw Radziwill, Princess Lee is intelligent and creative, with ambitions beyond simply jet-setting. But to the public, she is always First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s little sister.

As Marlene becomes a trusted presence in the Radziwill household, she observes the dazzling array of famous figures who flit in and out of Lee’s intimate circle, including Gloria Vanderbilt, Rudolf Nureyev, Jackie and the President, Ari Onassis, Gore Vidal, Andy Warhol, and, most regularly, celebrated author Truman Capote. At the height of his fame following the success of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Truman has granted Lee place of honor in his flock of glamorous socialite “swans.”

Their closeness stems from an unexpected kinship. Both know too well the feeling of being second-best. Seeing his shadow in the woman he refers to as his most unconventional swan, Truman uses his influence and talent to try and make Lee a star.

Their bond deepens through the decade’s extraordinary events, from JFK’s assassination to the era-defining Black and White Ball. But Marlene, who Truman has taken under his wing as an aspiring writer, can see Truman’s darker side—especially his penchant for mining his friends’ private lives for material. And there are betrayals on either side that may signal the end not just of a friendship, but of the shared expectation that wealth and fame can shield against every heartbreak."