At the Water's Edge

I was a bit conflicted with this book. I seen some reviews. I must agree I didn't think the story was serious of being around a Loch Ness Monster. But some how it fit the character of Ellis, Maddie's husband. How he was driven to the point of always the need to be pacified, the war a part of the adventure. Was there more to the relationship of his friend Hank, in Ellis's mind? Always giving Ellis what he wanted.

In the end Hank needed to grow up. What will he do now back in the States? Start over, would be the hardest since he was heartbroken, he has been cleaved down the middle over Ellis.

As for Maddie, the main character of this story, starting out as a woman that didn't know work (when she married) noticing an odd smell when in Scotland and all she could think about is how many heads had lain on the pillows before hers in the tavern. To all tea was loose leaf and steeped more than once.  Things were done as they can when in war. Taking a deer was a righteous theft because it was taken from land that was stolen. 

This story found friendship in women for Maddie. Annie and Meg began to think of Maddie as their friend, (one of them) and Maddie felt like it was the nicest thing that anyone did for her.

What I thought interesting in the beginning how the story was Angus was off to war his wife Mairi waited for his return. But with her losing a child and Angus was assumed dead she had a grave arranged with their names and dates placed on gravestone. Mairi went into that deep dark Loch and ended her life At the Water's Edge. But sadly Angus came home to no wife or child.

Maddie and Angus found each other. And I could see how the story was coming together, all intertwined. Dark days came upon Maddie (from husband Ellis) and she stepped out to the Water's Edge, black and rolling, endlessly deep. Maddie wanted to now what it was like to experience a love so deep you couldn't bear to exist.

A bit of romance, a bit of mystery, and yes a bit of nostalgia of a story about a monster gave these characters some interest to read on. Sure there were times I wanted to kick Ellis and Hank's a** and give Maddie a push. I had to remember what period of time it was written in. So the timeline of war that was going on kept bringing back, how they rationed out food etc..

I give At the Water's Edge 4 

Don't Let Go

This is my 1st Harlan Coben book. I read reviews and see that people do like his books. The opening "Daisy wore a clingy black dress with a neckline so deep it could tutor philosophy .", well you would think it's a story that has you going from the get go. I was a bit disappointed. As characters go, the word in depth is,  I expected Nap Dumas to be this cop that just plunged through his cases. I had to take in account that 1st his family moved to US and it was a small town he was policing. Plus he was 1 of a twin. Which makes it hard to go on because he never really made peace with the death. At times I thought I was reading about kids than adults with lives with careers at that moment. Like the story was all happening at once.

Don't let go: one job, the only job was to protect, and Augie let his daughter go, and so wondering if she was scared that night.

I enjoyed the story though. I really didn't pay much attention on trying to see who really was the culprit. Nap learnt a lot about people, his brother Leo, girlfriend Maura, friend/mentor Augie he embraced what he wanted to what was in front of him, and ignored what he wanted.

Love the reference of a library for Nap. "Books yellowing with age,  hushed sanctuary is revered, where we the people elevate books and education to the level of the religious."

Of course all came together at the end. Nap gets his man and girl. And the town of Westbridge is once again quiet.

I give Don't Let Go  5 

I look forward to reading more Harlan Coben books. Hoping that the characters get juicer.

Heat Wave

Interesting read. I wasn't too sure of how the story was going to be because of the tv show. But it eventually turned out ok.
Although it was a bit mixed up for me because I kept picturing the characters like the ones on the show. That was a distraction. For that the storyline was a bit lost on me.
What I took away from this book is that the relationship of Rook and Heat went faster than Castle and Becket. And Heat is a very strong character more so I believe than Becket.

I think it's cool that it weaves the author into the story but the person is a pseudonym. I like the show. I would like to continue reading on in the series. And hope it only gets better.

I give Heat Wave 4_____>

Hears to the next read Naked Heat

A Christmas Caroline

So what can I say about this book. It was a slow start. But got interesting after getting over the fact that the story was like A Christmas Carol. Here is a girl that has a great job at a top magazine. She goes through her life that she hates the fact that people are in a lower class than she. Criticizing the fact that why people need more work on themselves to be perfect. But not as perfect as she. Lives by what Coco Chanel has lived, and hates children.

Her visited spirits were kind of cool. Especially the Spirit of Christmas Present. Mr. Barkis UPS driver by trade, Spirit on the side. She was a very hard nut to crack. Still didn't believe that her life could be of good. Wondering why people would play tricks on her. But couldn't see she was acting like she was better than anyone else.

Spirits were all trying to tell her that Christmas still means something to the lower order. Even if it doesn't with her.

So Caroline said that once Christmas turns symbolic than it's not cool. It becomes homework.

Caroline had baggage herself. A mother that had no time for her. A father she thought dead but was watching over her. She had a weakness for junk food. Ha! Caroline was still confused of what happened and had that moment that she was going to try and not be rude, be happy etc..

And the final, gets a date for New Year's Eve.

I give A Christmas Caroline 4 

I still think the ending was kind of weird. On a not to sure of how it ended :-/ And the story ok. The Spirits made the book. Story was drawn out a bit but all in all ok. Hope the next who reads this book may find it better and different.

Hallowe'en Party

This book was disappointing to me. I read Agatha Christie books before. But this was the least favorite so far.

It started out very slow. I just didn't get how important in the story that what Joyce kept repeating to everyone. Who actually listened to kids back than? Also Miranda, how she spoke to people. I like a good theme book and mystery. But this story was just a party. Nothing else was about Halloween.

The banter between Poirot and Mrs. Oliver was interesting. Speaking to each other with common things. Doing a favor for a friend, I haven't read so far about Poirot.

Some of Christie's books snag you from the start. Others are a bit lacking I have found out.

After watching a version of Hallowe’en Party I looked for the depth of the characters 

Rowena Drake how she fell for charm and money, prestige. How dangerous she can be. With a gardener-artist, Michael Garfield around, another with a story of how far would he go for money. And how far would he go with his own daughter. Perfect character for a all around women’s man. There goes the town! A lot of townswomen got fooled . At the end our favorite detective says. For this day we light candles to remember the people.

Tv version made the story more interesting.

I look forward to reading more Agatha Christie. But for now I have to give Hallowe'en Party 4