Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay

Hello everyone.  I hope your day is going well.

Did y'all have parents weekend in college?  I didn't.  I had parents day in high school at band camp.  I've bored you about marching band before, yes, yes, I can hear your nerd and geek chants from here.  Be quiet you cool people.  Anyway, once again, it was a big band, a show band with over 600 kids. We actually got paid to do halftime for the Bills and Patriots. Every fall, all these kids and teachers trudge off to the Pocono Mountains to go to camp.  Bet you thought the Poconos were just for honeymooners, nope, but thanks now I have the old song from the commercials to Mount Airy Lodge going through my head. (It is on YouTube for those of you who like punishment.) At band camp, we would learn how to march, play songs from pre-game and the first half time, and move in unison. Towards the end of the week, when we were exhausted and riddled with mosquito bites, the parents would come and sit on top of a big hill and watch the first show.  Yes, on a hill, how else are you going to see the formations.  You can't see a moving train with Penelope Pittstop tied to the tracks from ground level!  (Seriously, that was a show, the wheels turned, the train engine moved, smoke came from the stack.  It got a standing ovation at the Patriots game when they played the Dolphins. We had to kneel at the sidelines before going on and, frankly, I had a famous Dolphin's quarterbacks butt in my face.  I won't say who, then you'll know how ancient I am.) Having parents at camp was a good thing, the bad was when they left.  It was then officially skit night.  I don't want to talk about it.  I'll just say, the nightmares continue to this day.

I recently read Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay. I have read several of his other books, Every Last Fear and If Something Happens to Me. I've enjoyed them all. In this story, we are treated to Parents Weekend at a small college in Northern California. Parents arrive anxious to see their children and hear about their experiences. Excitement becomes disappointment when all five of the students are AWOL. When one doesn't show it is not that significant but when all five don't arrive for a planned dinner, something is amiss. Perhaps they all ditched their parents for a great party. Despite trying, none of the scholars will answer their phones, compounding the worry. Adding to the nervousness is a student recently found drowned on the local beach. As the feeling of something being very wrong grows, FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller is called in to assist. Fans will recognize her as a reoccurring character.

Alex Finlay's books are different for me, not your average thriller. Don't get me wrong, I love average and non-average thrillers equally. It is like choosing your favorite child. But this book is part family drama, part secrets unraveling, part kind of police procedural (yes, I know Keller is FBI, but that feel), and part thriller. Because of this kind of story, it moves slower and has more story development that a shoot straight through thriller but not dry like police books can get. If you don't want the investment in actually reading an actual story, if you just want quick, cheap and lots of twists, then this isn't the book for you. However, if you want something with memorable characters, a more involved plot, and twists, then this is your baby. Sometimes a book reads so quickly that I almost feel like I'm not getting my "entertainment dollars" from it. This is different. Despite being a pleasantly paced read, it is deeply satisfying. Once I get rid of my book hangover, I'll be ready for Finlay's next!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy. St. Martin's Press, not only always has great books, but has been so kind to me for which I will always be tremendously grateful.

PS. When writing this I kept typing Bank Camp.  Now THAT sounds like something fun.  I'll take my camp in 50's and 100's, thank you!

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

Hello everyone. I hope you're having a great day.

As you likely know, I repeat myself incessantly.  Naturally, you probably already know this, but despite having grown up with an inground pool, I am afraid of dark water.  I didn't like the pool when the sun wasn't shining in it.  Hey, it is a rational fear.  Who knows where the bottom is? Yes, the pool is clean and the water clear but maybe there is a clear monster at the bottom. Maybe someone has moved the bottom and instead of being nine feet down it is ninety.  The ocean is even worse. Now despite all your snickering, I will fight you to the end that the ocean fear is well founded.  Have you seen those fishing shows where they pull tunas out of the water that are eight feet long and six-hundred pounds? Those things are swimming around your legs.  Oh no, my friends, it is not all lost cute little clown fish and his forgetful pal that speaks English with the voice of Ellen Degeneris.  You'll never convince me those huge tunas don't dream of freaking someone out by swimming next to their legs.  Also, I'm certain they also speak English and sound exactly like Tony Soprano.

Despite my fully founded fear of dark water, I have a thing for all kinds of ships. I was lucky enough to date someone who worked in the engine room on an aircraft carrier. He had some wild stories.  I was able to go on a merchant ship, also amazing.  I've toured an aircraft carrier from WWII, a submarine, a battleship, and an LST (landing ship tank).  Most of all I adore the old-time ocean liners.  Not cruise ships, ocean liners.  You know the kind that are black on the bottom with a thick white band at the top.  I've been fortunate to see the SS United States several times and have many things from the ship while in operation.  The SS United States holds the record for fastest transatlantic crossing.  It could go faster than modern cruise ships can go, and even faster in reverse than the Titanic could go moving forward.  Sadly, the SS United States has been sold to a town in Florida.  They are having the red, white and blue smokestacks removed, doors cut off and are sinking it.  I guess it will attract tourist to dive it. Since they only make the taxes from any additional hotel room rentals, restaurant or sales tax from any new tourists, I am not sure how they plan to recoup their money.  Anyway, it is sad, end of an era.

I recently read The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White. I actually read this book out loud to my husband as we did household tasks. This is the story surrounding a mystery on the RMS Lusitania.  In 2013 we follow Sarah, a writer looking for a book idea.  She is researching her great-grandfather, who died on the Lusitania. Sarah goes to England to try to get to view the records of a Member of Parliament, John Langford. His family's archives might hold answers to what happened aboard the ship before it was hit by a German torpedo and sunk. We also follow people on board the ship in 1915.  Caroline and her husband, Gilbert, are traveling with a valuable piece of unpublished music.  Locked in their suite's safe, it is highly prized and sought after.  In addition to her husband, Caroline's long time single male friend, Robert is on board.  The sexual tension between them is palpable.  In addition, there are two con artists.  Tess and her sister, Ginny, are pulling one last job while on the ship then headed for a new crime-free life in England. As I'm sure you can imagine, all is not what it seems.  The characters aren't as simple as they appear, each holding secrets. 

As the reader, we are privy to history, knowing the torpedo is coming.  This adds to the tension as the story races to its unchangeable end. Beautifully written, this trio works together with such an ease that the pages flip without being feeling jolted from author to author.  The pace and writing is uniform in feeling. Each character is well developed leaving us to wonder who will make it through the U-boat attack. This is my third book written by this trio and I hope there are lots more to come.  While I read each author independently, seeing their sections come together so consistently makes me not only cheer for the characters but the authors. A wonderful book, you won't regret reading.

By the way, I have a postcard sent from the RMS Lusitania.  I don't think I'll ever look at it the same way.

The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose

Hello everyone.  I hope you're having a great day.

You know what offends me?  Well, a lot of things and I guess you really have no way of knowing the answer. If you've followed my tales of housewifery for long enough, you'd know broken dishwashers offend me, because they plague me. Cleaning also offends me, it is boring. People that litter bug me.  I once saw someone empty their car ashtray into the visitor parking lot at Colonial Williamsburg.  Not only is it ugly and trashy but at a historic site? Come on!  Okay, I'm rambling.  Focus. Breathe.  Movies offend me when they come out with sequel after sequel, and it starts to feel like a money grab.  Now I'm sure a case could be made for things like the Star Wars journey which by now must encompass a billion years.  I still don't understand the movies from the 70's, are the white plastic guys good or bad?  Then the wrinkled guy with the hood, is he part of the government and good or bad? Why is he in the hood/cape thing and why does he glow? What really gets my goat is when a movie does well, then there is a sequel which most of the original cast stars in but the story is weak.  Then there is another sequel that holds little similarity to the original and the first cast wouldn't be caught dead in it.  No story and lousy cast equals money grab.  I've been trying to think if there are any book examples of the same.  I can think of a series that could have been shorter but no real offenders.  Thankfully.

I recently read The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose. This is the third book in the Molly the Maid series. I have read and loved the previous two books: The Maid and The Mystery Guest. This most recent volume can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone. However, coming back to characters you already have an established history with creates an ease, comfort and curiosity that is very pleasant.

In this story we are following Molly and Juan as they are preparing for their wedding. They both still work at the Regency Grand Hotel, him in the kitchen and her as the Head Maid and Event Coordinator. The hotel is hosting TV show that evaluates antiques people bring in. Before reviewing the publics wares, they invite the hotel employees to have their treasures analyzed. When it is Molly's turn, she is surprised to find that her "item" that was her grandmother's is worth millions. Naturally, Molly faints on tv, endearing her to fans everywhere. With Molly persuaded to sell, the tv show sets up an auction at the Regency. As the gavel comes down to close the sale, the item suddenly goes missing. Molly and friends must solve both the mystery of the missing multimillion dollar item, in addition to how and why her grandmother had it.

This story is wonderfully written. Reading is so easy. The story told from the perspective of present day, and entries in Molly's grandma's diary, moves smoothly to solving past and present mysteries at the same time. While certainly delightful for first time series readers, those invested in the series will revel in learning about Molly's beloved Gran, explaining so much from the past. I was left smiling and crying at the same time. A joy from beginning to end, definitely the best in the beloved series. Written and shined to perfection, just as Molly would want.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballentine books for the advanced copy.

The Sublet by Greer Hendricks

    

Hello everyone.  I hope your day is going well.

How do you feel about ghostwriters? I understand the need for them, some people have a story to tell yet aren't great writers.  What drives me bonkers is when celebrities go on TV talking about their book, praising themselves about what they wrote when in fact they didn't write it at all.  Then the person that did go through the blood, sweat and tears of actually birthing the book goes unrecognized.  I suppose it is less impactful if it isn't a blockbuster book and about a topic like "how to use a left-handed wrench under your right knee when chewing Double Bubble gum while wearing a cowboy hat." Before you start yelling, yes, I know it is a good living for lots of writers. Writing a whole book is hard and selling it even more difficult I guess I just feel protective of authors, especially the unfamous. 

I recently read The Sublet by Greer Hendricks.  I have read several books from this author and loved them.  This time we are treated to something different, a short story approximately 61 pages long.  This is the story of Annie, a writer.  Annie is acting as a ghostwriter for Melody, a Wellness guru. In a crowded Manhattan, Melody helps Annie, and her family, find a bigger apartment.  A sublet.  After moving in, odd things start happening.  Information comes to light but are the sources credible?  

This story is a quick, fun, very enjoyable read. Easy to get into from the very beginning, moving at a nice pace, and shorter length, it would be great to read on an airplane or for a day at the beach.  

Many thanks to NetGalley and Greer Hendricks for the copy of this book.  Please keep them coming!

Silent as the Grave by Rhys Bowen and Clara Broyles

Hello everyone.  I hope your day is going well.

I've told you repeatedly how my family members are huge movie buffs. Today I was thinking about the large number of books that have been turned into a movie.  Gone With the Wind comes to mind as one of the most famous and Rebecca (the moody Hitchcock). I've reviewed The Legend of Hell House, Burnt Offerings, You, Stepford Wives, etc. Maybe that is a credit to the authors, not only do they have an interesting plot, but they can paint a cinematic picture for you even before it is on film.  Lately there have been a couple of books about the movie business, a very famous novel about a legendary actress in the old Hollywood "system", a story of an actress hunted by an unknown fan, and now today we have a new book.  Hubby has read several from Rhys Bowen and was anxious to add this to his collection.

I recently read Silent as the Grave by the team of Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles.  This book, by the popular mystery writers, places us in downtown 1909 Manhattan.  Busy young mother, Molly, finds herself entwined in the latest sensation, moving picture production.  The cameras roll as her teenage daughter aspires to be an actress.  It is not long before the filming seems to be dangerously sabotaged, and murder ensues.  Secretly asked to help track down the culprit, Molly weaves her way through the colorful cast of characters we've come to expect from the authors.  But will she zoom in on the villain in time?

An interesting and enjoyable read.  Fun for the mystery lover and movie buff, alike.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the early look.  It was a pleasure.

PS. Don't forget to stay close to the candles, the staircase can be treacherous (Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, going up dark castle stairs with an unlit candelabra).

The Girl from Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig

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

Did you ever see the Broadway show Hamilton?  If you haven't, you can watch it on Disney+.  It is an amazing show.  Not only is the story fascinating, but the coordination and talent is unbelievable.  There is a donut-like circle in the floor.  It has a stable center, but the donut part turns continuously.  The actors sing and dance on and off this pastry turntable.  All the while dancing, turning back and forth, stepping on and off the rotating part.  It makes me dizzy just to write about it.  I cannot begin to fathom the practice this took.  Those actors are the most coordinated people, with the best balance anywhere!  That isn't even the best part.  The whole thing is teaching you history, making it human...real.  Exactly how history should be taught.  With respect to all history teachers, names and dates are meaningless without the who and why. Places like Colonial Williamsburg do this well, you see and hear Thomas Jefferson roaming the streets, hear the whispering of the revolutionary war.  It is so much easier to understand when history is whole, whether it is a destination, or musical theater or is a smart intriguing book.  There are several wonderful writers of history and historical fiction, lucky for us readers.  Hubby loves this kind of book, and he wants to tell you about a good one.

I recently read The Girl from Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig. Despite the modern day standing of the neighborhood, this novel takes us back over two hundred and twenty years, to the bustling times of a quite young United States. We are following Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.  They work together in their roles as lawyers to save a man from a murder conviction.

The research is incredible throughout, and we learn a surprising amount about the characters and the political background of the times. Still, this is a whodunit on a grand scale, with numerous potential suspects and the fate of a possibly innocent young man in the balance. The author gives us just the right amount of detail to set the scene and the personalities of the characters are well done. Very enjoyable right through the final pages, written no doubt with a quill by lamplight.

Many thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the early copy of this book.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

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

My sisters, the triplets, have a special bond that I'll never share.  I'll never be included, always the outsider.  I don't need to be part of their club; I'll settle for Costco. Not only does the bulk shopping club offer four pounds of butter, but it is cheaper and not nearly as sassy as the triplets.  I bring this up because there is a group text that we all use. Last night the text notification "ding" was going off like telemarketers after two venti Starbucks, while the church bells rang at a royal wedding.  Nonstop.  They were watching the Oscars.  Now we all love movies, mostly because my parents did, but they take the award show to a whole new level.  Two of my sisters often have an Oscar party and were crushed when they couldn't get molds of the Oscar statue.  They wanted to make them in chocolate and wrap them in gold foil for party favors.  Anyway, last night I don't know what was going on, but they were definitely channeling movie critics Siskel and Ebert (google them). I now know more about movies, that I haven't seen, than I ever wanted to. Some of which I'm certain I don't want to see now.  Let's be honest, I'm still perplexed by the popularity of No Country for Old Men.  At least we weren't all in the same house.  This time I could get away from who wore the best dress, whose boobs are popping out, who had the best accent, and the "most magnificent set design!"  Sometimes distance is a good thing.

I recently read Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano.  If you are unaware of this series, shame on you.  This is the fifth in a four-book series.  Oh yes, you heard me correctly.  Maybe this is not true, but after the third book there were rumors would be only one more.  Indeed, book four wrapped everything up very nicely.  I was shocked when I discovered that there was going to be an additional book in the series.  Shocked and delighted.  You know there are those people that see a book they might like .... might.  They find out it is part of a big series and immediately purchase all the books, not knowing if the storyline or author is for them?  I am not one of those people.  I dip my toe into the pool, unwilling to jump into ice cold water or to waste money on a series I won't love.  However, run, don't walk and buy yourself this entire series.  Of course, this book and all her books could be read as a standalone, if you have no soul. Just trust me, you will enjoy them so much more if you read them in order.  The storyline builds from book to book, as do the characters and the relationships between them. Just do it...don't make me stop this car! (Any American ever on a car trip with their parents will understand this threat parents use to get kids to behave.) 

In this book, we, of course, follow Finlay and Vero.  Remember the busybody neighbor Mrs. Haggerty?  Well, she is in trouble.  A body has been found in her backyard!  Since her entire property has been declared a crime scene, she moves in the Finlay, Vero, and the two kids.  As lovers of the series can imagine, things get bananas.  The daughter gets suspended from school for fighting, the boy refuses to wear any clothes, taking his pants off without warning. (So does my husband, maybe it is a male thing...flaunting...whatever.) Finally, Mrs. Haggerty is cleared but now Finlay's ex-husband, Steven, is being held for the murder.  Now Finlay and Vero must solve the case to get Steven off the hook. 

As with all the books in this series, this is hilariously funny.  The dialog is perfect, sarcasm mixed with heart.  The book reads quickly, leaving you wanting more.  Sweet, laugh out loud funny, suspenseful, interesting.... just add all the good words you know right here.  With the world going wild around us, when eggs are being sold for almost ten bucks a dozen is the least of the bad things happening, you need this book. Your stress level will thank you.  

Hugs and kisses to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy.  It was just like Christmas!