The Guest by B.A. Paris

Hello everyone.  I hope your day is perfection.

Have you ever had company that stayed too long?  Frankly, I would have no problem telling my sisters it was time to leave.  What is the movie line, after a while they start to stink "like yesterday's diapers?"  That has never happened.  Despite them being total brats, even as adults, I still can't get them to stay for long enough when they visit. I know, it is crazy. I'm begging for trouble. Speaking of people overstaying their welcome, my husband is always amused by a restaurant name.  On the Outer Banks, in Kill Devil Hills, there is a restaurant named "Eat and Get the Hell Out."  I don't know, sounds like the kind of place that would charge you for a napkin. In reality it is supposed to be very good. If you are there on vacation, I'm sure they would treat you right, just don't stay too long.

I recently read The Guest by B.A. Paris.  I've read many books from this author and have enjoyed them.  The Guest is the story of a married couple, Iris and Gabriel.  They come home from a trip to discover their friend, Laure, living in their house.  She has had a falling out with her husband, Pierre, who is also their good friend. Pierre has confessed to Laure that he had an affair that resulted in a child.  This betrayal adds additional sting because Laure wanted to have children, but Pierre did not.  Naturally, this fills Laure with rage, resentment and questions about their future.  Iris and Gabriel do their best to be good hosts but as Laure's stay wears on, stress abounds and questions mount.

This book somehow feels different from Paris' others.  The story is complicated, yet simple.  She is excellent at misdirection, guiding us through one situation to the next.  Characters are well developed and likeable, leaving just enough room for a bit of suspicion.  I became entrenched in the twists and turns which last until the satisfying end.  A very fun read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this early copy of The Guest and supporting my B.A. Paris addiction.

The Other Mothers by Katherine Faulkner

Hello everyone. I hope you are having a great day.

When I was a kid all the mothers in our neighborhood stuck together.  If you crossed the street without looking both ways and another mom saw you, you better believe by the time you got home you'd be in trouble.  Likewise, if it was hot, regardless of where you were a child would be treated to an ice-cold cup of Kool-Aid.  (Oh yeah!) (Get it? That is what the Kool-Aid man said.) If you were at someone's home on Sunday night, watching The Wonderful World of Disney, popcorn was the protocol as was lying on your stomach in front of the TV. 

One of my favorite neighborhood moms learned I disliked tomatoes.  She, Mrs. C, was completely offended. Mrs. C always had a beautiful garden and quite the green thumb.  She insisted I just hadn't had the "right" tomato and made me climb into her garden with her.  She plucked a ruby red cherry tomato off the vine and popped it into my mouth.  It was unlike anything I'd ever tasted.  Mrs. C was right, I loved tomatoes.  

Mrs. C and my mom would have birthday lunches and exchanged gifts.  I still have a copper Paul Revere tea kettle she gave my mom.  I still cook Mrs. C's Italian chicken. While most of the moms on our street were equally nurturing, Mrs. C was a little extra beloved.  Although she's gone now, sadly, I hope she knew how much she meant to so many.

I recently read The Other Mothers by Katherine Faulkner.  This is the story of a young mother, Tash, who has been invited into a desirable playdate group.  The members of this group are perfect moms.  They are wealthy with delightful houses and experiences.  Far different than that of Tash, whose young family is struggling financially. Once exploring this tight knit group of young women, Tash discovers a link between the group and a recent suspicious death.  As a journalist, this mystery is too great for her to resist.

This book was a quick read. The chapters are short, often ending on a reveal.  This makes it so easy to read just one chapter more, then just one more.  There are many characters, but they are fairly well defined, so there is no confusion.  The writing itself, is wonderful.  There are no unneeded words, yet scenes are set perfectly.  Dialogs are natural and flowing.  It was very pleasant to read.  The neighborhood mystery/thriller is fairly common, there is nothing really new here.  However, if you like that kind of story, like I do, this one really works.  The appeal for this is as it is with others set in common life....it could happen to you.  A solid, well told story, this was a fun book.

By the way, if Mrs. C was there, she would protect you from anyone evil, apply a Band-Aid to your knee and give you a snack.

The Proof of the Pudding by Rhys Bowen

Hello everyone.  I hope you've had a great day.

A few weeks ago, I received an interesting book from Berkley publishing.  They were so kind to send it to me.  In short, this is the story of a chef who works at one estate that gets "lent" to another for an event.  Someone ends up dead, and others sickened from the dinner prepared by the chef.  I read hubby the jacket and he physically grabbed the book (gently with affection, he says).  He has been reading a lot of special forces type thrillers and thought this book sounded like a great break.  He finished it quickly, really seemed to enjoy it, and is interested in more by this author. Hubby's thoughts are below!

I recently read The Proof of the Pudding by Rhys Bowen, my first in the Royal Spyness Mystery series. This novel was a delight to read, a classic whodunit with a colorful cast of characters and no one is above suspicion. It was if I had stepped into a classic black and white film from the late 1930's and was guaranteed a seat in the room as the guilty party was revealed. The Royal Spyness series should not be overlooked by those seeking a little historical sleuthing.