The Gift

Heard a lot of chatter about this author. This was the 1st book I was able to read this year. Being a short story it only took me about 2 days to read.

To me it felt like a Tales of the Crypt kind of style. Didn't realize it was author's vision of The Gift of the Magi.

There was a lesson in there. How loving and caring for each other is greater than the stuff you have. Although Justin's way was sweet but with a motive just for Christmas. Then he would be gone.

Stella's way was more intent of losing her hair. However she really wanted to give Justin something nice she needed to be talked into it though. For all that they fought and it was not worth it after all.

All in all shows that sometimes it better to find the little things you have. You may find they are the bigger, sweeter ways of life.

Stella did take her power back but happiness ???

Author has written this story smoothly and tells it with no fancy words. You knew what each character was and what they stood for. Keeping towards the original work of O. Henry 1905

I give The Gift 5-------->

 

Towards Zero

 

This was an interesting story. A story that any character could be a killer. Each character had something going on in their lives that made them suspicious. Didn't realize this was Sergeant Battle's last showing. And so he had a lot of things to do. Things to show is nephew who was a policeman also. Although a brief section of Battle and his daughter was written, apparently Battle saw that that gave a break for him in this case.

This was a different read from Agatha Christie's books. More about mental abuse than just sinister murder, or was it? Especially between Audrey, Kay and Neville Strange that was some kind of sickness going on there

Interesting to solve a murder people begin with the murder. The murder is at the end. The story begins long before that. For this it takes a lot of research, questions, prodding etc.. A lot of characters as usual AC writes.

It was fun to read that Hercule Poirot made this story. Battle brought him up because with giving everything Battle and his nephew had with these murders at a party. There's nothing I can say or do like being in a trap and you can't get out. Battle thought about Poirot things not being quite symmetrical gets him worked up. Then he solves the case. So Battle goes about that way.

Finally in Poirot style, Battle gets everyone together and one by one rules each out. Sort of! And solves the case. First time for me that there was a romance at the end. Audrey falls for the person who helped her.

I give Towards Zero 5-------->

The Cruelest Month

This is only the 3rd book in the series. Sadly I didn't like this one. It was darker than the other 2. And Gamache was a bit out of sorts this time. I don't know if it was the people who were to keep an eye on Gamache, or his best friend thought of him all this time as jealousy. And his family were threaten.

The story of Hadley House was always to be in the forefront. I just don't know this story was disconnected for me

TS Eliot poem meaning- believing that hope was cruel because it always led to disappointment.He always believed that the contrast between the despair of a person and the bright world of Spring 

can make the person even more unhappy. Like when flowers start to bud but the cold weather is not really done. So in cases, the buds don't make it.

 And maybe that's why it was a disconnect. All through the story there was hope only for it to be taken away of sorts.

Anyways I give The Cruelest Month  4

Am looking to read the 4th book!

Broadway Butterfly

I really wanted to like this book. I usually don't go for books that are non fiction. Although this book is not  marked as non fiction, it is based on true facts.

I actually sat in on an interview with this author and of course made the book interesting to read. And also was from the city I lived. 

It got to the point that I couldn't wait til I finished book. The story itself was very interesting but very repetitive. One good thing it was a Kindle First Reads choice. Of course there could be no ending as we know because well Who dunit? Not every ending gets all wrapped up with a bow.

I felt a bit sorry for Dot King. For she never really got to live her life and never knew what she was getting into. Getting herself involved with a politician (of sorts), people with a lot of money using for who knows what? Dot's own family trying to cash in.

The life of a flapper is glamours? Or is it dangerous, or both?

At the end I can only say story was interesting. Confusing on where the author wanted to take this story( I believe it"s because she tried to stick to the true story and not sound factual) It's hard to do that. For that she lost a lot of other readers as well as me. Which brings the thought should I read another book by this author? Time can only tell.

I give Broadway Butterfly 3-4

 

Murder Fest Key West

This one was the best out of the four that I read so far. Much more sinister than the others.  Though provoking story. This author doesn't go back and forth with his books. He stays on a course. It's been awhile since I read about Cam. Forgot about his girlfriend that he loves, Kailey. She pops up in this story. Also got to meet his longtime friend Cody. Most of the bad stuff was happening to him. And he didn't know it. Of course Cam got involved put him and Diane at risk.

Pretty good story. Except for the fact Cam is always finding someone and sleeps with. While professing his lov for Kailey. Maybe that she said she would mary him after finishing up things in her life. Will keep Cam honest (hehe...)

Anyway good book to read, not too heavy. Highlights posted on goodreads.

I give Murder Fest Key West a 5 ----->

On to the next

 

The Seven Dials Mystery

 

This wasn't the best of AC but not too bad of a read. I might be missing something since the heroine Bundles was introduced in AC's The Secret of Chimneys which I haven't read yet. She was said to be the typical heroine, very likable. For me since I read this one first, she is new to me. I liked her character in the book. When I looked at the only movie I could find, Bundles was played like a annoying side kick. Which I read Lady Eileen "Bundles" was an interesting character. I love the back and forth that she had with her father, Lord Caterham. You could tell there was love between them.

My most annoying character was Loraine Wade, who was Gerry Wade's sister. Sad what came of him. Anyway Loraine just didn't fit in. Something about her. Come to find out a reason.

Superintendent Battle I found to be a man with character. Seemed to be a pleasant man. Again the movie I found him difficult. This secret organization was a bit over the top with the hoods and all. And when they met they wore these hoods to say no one knows who each other is. Not true though. Kind of a Twilight Zone moment.

Another observation book vs movie(the only one I know of) the men that were portrayed in book, in my mine were not that much older than Lady Eileen. Speaking of George Lomax, in the movie he is so much older.

After everything said I find that The Mystery of the Seven Dials was not so much intriguing. Although some characters were. Love the typical Agatha Christie moment of ending though!

I give The Secret of The Seven Dials 4 

I will be reading The Secret of Chimneys real soon.

The Baker's Secret

Another author that I have not read before. Although I have heard him on an interview on a podcast talking about this book before and thought it would be a  interesting read.

It is very hard for me to write this review. Nothing really stood out from other books. I did feel Emma was a character of strength and not going to take any nonsense off of anyone. Even when she got beat up. Emma kept on living. To the end Emma was not giving up on helping people. The idea that she would make the bread enough to feed her community and slip not so good stuff in with soldiers was pretty brilliant. At first I didn't like how she was treating her grandmother. I got over that. It is hard to make sure a loved one is safe when they have no memory of things going on

.

I can't even imagine how she could get through that. The one thing she kept saying is that no one is coming to rescue her and her people. They did and was able to get her and her grandmother to safety.

I'll leave some highlights from kindle on Goodreads. That pretty much sums up what stood out for me.

It was a good story. I followed it through. I'm not big on war books but I gave it a shot. And glad I read it.

I give The Baker's Secret 4 

 

The Mostly True Story Of Tanner & Louise

Never read anything from this author before. It was a fun book. It most certainly put in mind of Thelma and Louise. Instead Tanner was a bit more younger. Were they like oil and water? Seem like at the end they were as one.

I think this story was of friendship and self confidence. Tanner as well as Louise needed a friend. And Tanner needed confidence in herself.

Who would of known when Tanner set out to get this job to help an elderly woman. That she was taking Louise on a wild adventure which Tanner thought she was a bad person for robbing a jewelry store of some kind. All along Louise was trying to teach Tanner how to survive in her weird way. A very pushy lady.  Lady as much who loved her husband. A push to see Louise's friend George before something happens. The trip along the way was wild to begin with. Including some how a love interest, August comes in to the picture to help get Tanner and Louise to George. Ending up meeting face to face Louise's enemy to find out Louise's girlfriend was his wife. And his wife was treated badly by him.  Somehow all along Louise's kids were believing Louise was kidnapped. Then finally Tanner gets her life straighten out and Louise gets to spend time with her friend.

There isn't much more to say on this book that some things along the way might not seem believable. Just like Thelma and Louise.

I give The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise 4 

Fun!

 

Fade Away

I was a little disappointed in this novel. Sure Myron was at his best but there was something lacking. I think it was Myron and Win back and forth thing that they do. Win was hardly in the book. I'm guessing we will find out later why.

It was nice to get a glimpse of Bolitar in the past. It clears up some questions especially his playing basketball. And about his girlfriend.

I don't think the characters helped much in the wow factor as to what was going on. I was and I was not surprised for the ending. Characters were kind of messy.

Anyway sadly I read a bit slower now a days. Maybe that has something to do with it. I lose interest if there are too many long chapters.

Although at the ending, now there is something to sink your teeth in to. There is a story for the next one I imagine there will be fire works.

Looking forward to reading the next one, Back Spin.

I give Fade Away 4