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A Game for All the Family by Sophie Hannah

5/15/2016

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Having just left her high pressure job in London, Justine Merrison plans to do absolutely nothing but all too soon, her daughter Ellen seems deeply depressed.  Justine finds the beginnings of a disturbing murder mystery written by Ellen and set in their own home.  As Justine begins to unravel the threads of what is behind her daughter's sudden change in behavior, she finds everything is not as it seems.  

I think A Game for All the Family is probably a book that you either really love  or you really don't love.  I  was very intrigued by all the twists and turns and was certainly caught up in the plot.  I was waiting for the surprising twist at the end but I was disappointed.  Without giving away the storyline, I felt there were so many other ways the book could have ended or other characters that could have been tied into the ending.  I enjoyed the buildup of the story so much and then simply was unsatisfied with the resolution.  

I received this book from William Morrow through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

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Flight Patterns by Karen White

5/15/2016

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Karen White's latest novel, Flight Patterns offers a glimpse inside the dynamics of family relationships, particularly those between sisters and those between parents and children. 

Georgia Chambers has been living and working in New Orleans for the past 13 years and has almost come to terms with being estranged from her family in Florida. All that changes when James Graf, a prospective client, comes to Georgia for her help researching his family's china pattern and she soon finds herself returning to her family home looking for answers and maybe redemption. 

Karen White is, and continues to be, one of my favorite authors.  She always develops engaging colorful characters and the setting of her novels are so well depicted, I often dream of visiting the towns and locales in person.  Flight Patterns is no exception.  

​I learned about some of the intricacies of beekeeping and particularly enjoyed the quotes from Ned's (Georgia's grandfather) beekeeping journal that were included at the beginning of each new chapter.  I thought the sections written from Birdie's (Georgia's mother) perspective were especially well written and shed light on Birdie's mental illness.  I also felt Ms. White captured the youthful voice of Becky (Georgia's niece) with real authenticity.  

I received this book through the First to Read program in exchange for an honest review.  

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Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica

5/10/2016

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If you haven't read Mary Kubica, that needs to change immediately!  Her dark twisty novels are so suspenseful and engaging, I can't put them down.  

Don't You Cry is told in alternating chapters by Quinn, whose roommate Esther is missing, and Alex, who has encountered a mysterious young woman he desperately wants to befriend.  The more both Quinn and Alex delve into their individual situations, the more complicated each becomes.  

This book kept me guessing long into the night and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Mary Kubica is definitely a master storyteller and has a firm handle on this genre.  I highly recommend Don't You Cry and look forward to reading more works by Mary Kubica.  She is quickly becoming a must read author on my list.  

I received this book from Harlequin through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

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Wilde Lake by Laura Lippman

5/2/2016

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Wilde Lake provides one wild ride!  

Luisa "Lu" Brant has just been elected state's attorney for Howard County, Maryland and not only is she new to the job, she is the first woman to serve in that office.  While Howard County doesn't see many homicides, she quickly finds herself trying a homicide against her old boss, the former state attorney.  

In preparing for the trial, Lu begins to more closely examine her own past and her memories of the summer of 1980 when her older brother saved one friend's life at the cost of another man's life.  Can Lu rely on her version of events at that time?  What might she have misinterpreted or perhaps overlooked?  

While I enjoyed this book, it did take me a little time to see how the two stories might relate to each other.  I found both the recollections of the past and the present day story compelling.  Ms. Lippman definitely knows her craft and I didn't anticipate the book ending the way it did.  

I received this book courtesy of William Morrow through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

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