A Dark Night in Key West

So I was browsing looking at books and came across this series for a steal. I call it a Key West series. So I got it. Than along came this free Novella. It's like a prologue of this series.

Just coming back from a vacation down at the Keys I thought I would try it. And finishing a reading marathon with two books that were intense, I decided to read A Dark Night in Key West.

I like the characters in this novella. Cam Derringer and wife Malinda, Terri and Jim, and their daughter Diane. And who can forget a great character Sunny Ray.

The story started out a bit on the dark side. Something that a kid at the time Cam, should not of seen. But being friends with a schoolmate Susie, Cam thought he was protecting Susie and it ended up in tragedy with Susie's father and her.

Cam swore he would never let death happen again. So he became a lawyer. Partnered with his friend Jim Dade. Jim, his wife Terri and Cam and his wife Melinda became close. Close enough to babysit their daughter Diane.

All were going to see fireworks and Jim and Terri were in accident. But Terri never made it.

Jim took some time off. Cam and Malinda did what they could for Diane and Jim.

Jim needed to get back into the swing of things and came back to work. Cam took a client. And found out this client was no good. And another died on Cam's watch.

Although Diane missed her mother and father terribly. She had Cam and Malinda to lean on. Diane was the daughter that they couldn't have.

Things were going great. I thought Diane went after someone she thought killed her father. But no Diane had a close call which Cam and Sunny Ray came to rescue.

I really am rooting for Cam Derringer and Diane they have had it pretty bad. This time it has hit him personally. Malinda is missing or died. He spent so much money on trying to find her. First becoming a P.I. and giving up law. Than losing his airplane and house. Bought a houseboat. But to keep the search going for Malinda he must take some cases he does not want. Diane looks after him as a psychologist that she became, she always has him in mind.

So that's it. Now to follow next on a Cam Derringer's adventure. 

It was great to see a lot of places mention. It makes me feel like I was back on vacation in the Keys.

I give A Dark Night in Key West 4 

It is a novella after all.

My Lovely Wife

I did like the story. Although there was something about it that I saw or read about before. So I wasn't really that impressed with it. I get it a family, husband and wife, and two kids living in a pretty nice place. But to the unknown what does Millicent and her husband ( who just happens to narrate the story) keep secret, to keep the marriage alive with sparks.

They always seemed to be busy during the day. At night is when Millicent and her husband talked. It was their bedroom routine.

Millicent was a dark character. Claims her sister Holly did all kind of nasty things to her. And she found her soul mate. Millicent and her husband would serial kill together. And their children would be the bond that brought themselves back to earth. The one thing that was understood that they both cared for their children. Or so it seems. Her husband needed to be needed. He took in everything she would give out.

As the story moved along I thought ok these two get along by killing. But as soon as Millicent turned on her husband blamed him for all those murders I knew the story was going to move fast and get to the point. We had the husband trying to figure out what happened to make Millicent turn. Their daughter Jenna was so scared she slept with a knife under her mattress. Their son Rory tried to get a pay day from this.

The knife, the knife that did Millicent in. So much for her.

The last line made me think. He goes back to doing what he would do in bars. Pretend he is deaf. So the story goes, maybe Millicent wasn't just the bad guy in this story. In order to pull off what they did they played off each other. I believe the husband actually needed Millicent more than she did him. Hard to break old habits

I really don't know what to make of this story. I'm hoping that when I go back to review that the highlights will give me something. And I'm thinking it makes a better movie. Not bad for a debut novel though.

For the reason that I'm really a lost for words I give My Lovely Wife 4 

The Nightingale

Its been a long time that a book that I read I can say I really enjoyed. One of the major themes in this book "In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are". What does the narrator mean by this? I believe the meaning is that we all look for love and when we find it whatever goes on around us that is our world.But as war strikes the people go off to war, the enemy evades your space, as of the Germans they took whatever they wanted with the French and Jewish people. We need to be stronger than we ever had. 

As for Vianne, she did what she had to for her and her daughter. Keep her home so when her husband Antoine came home there would be somewhere they can be. Even if the war did terrible things to people, hurtful, painful. A pain that will change you for the rest of her life. Isabelle, Vianne's sister saw war differently. She fought for the country in her way. Action was her motive, making a difference to the men so they can give France back to the Partisans. The pride what she did also matured her. She knew what she wanted to do. And that was her way of finding love. A love that she needed from sister and father. To be acknowledged that Isabelle was worthful. 

I was surprised at who the narrator was. In the beginning I thought it might of been Isabelle. Since it talked how Isabelle was a screw up. And how she looked for so long that that she was wrathful and loved. But sadly when her mother died her sister and father were at odds with themselves. Isabelle was sort of forgotten and on her own. But at the end of the story you could tell that it was not Isabelle. But Isabelle got the love and recognition that she always wanted, from the people she helped, to her sister Vianne.

The characters had secret identities which gave them the opportunity to move in and out of situations that need be in order to help the cause (French Revolutions) and to be determine who their self is. Example The Nightingale, was appropriate for Isabelle was a beauty with some determination moving along into the night. But Ari and Julien had no choice they needed their names change for their own lives. In hopes that they find/ found peace with their family.

I admire both Vianne and Isabelle. In their own way they both stepped up. Isabelle angry at the Germans how they treated the French and the Jewish people. She decided action was the best and found she was good at rescuing the men who will push the Germans out. Vianne she actually started to get on my nerves. Always about her with Isabelle not giving a chance to believe her sister wouldn't be that flaky. But Vianne stepped up to bring Jewish children to the aid of the orphanage. Although trying to save her friend's child, her hand was forced. But at the end she understood how not worthless Isabelle was. How she and her father were risking their lives.

Isabelle was always told that the place of war was not the job of women. Of course Isabelle challenged that. As Vianne didn't know what to do. If she only opened her eyes sooner and found out that they couldn't trust Germans. I believe much so the roles are different now. Far and in between do you hear long ago that women did their part in war overseas. And here in America again they did their part. But today they are out there in the frontline. Women have proven that they are more valuable, they are grounded and bring a new look to the situation.

Vianne gave a list of people to Beck who was the Nazi that lived there with her in wartime. I could not do what she did. Especially when she did ask questions and his answers weren't adding up. Seemed suspicious. That made me angry that she did not pick up on that.

Captain Beck maybe I believe was a sympathetic character. Only because he was torn between his job and how he felt about the war. I think neither way that he should/not get what he got at the end. Of course Isabelle was going to take action. And Vianne as much as she said about Isabelle she was her sister.

I do think women who come from different places can form a silent bond. They themselves are going through what you might be. And it is to support themselves. Gives each other courage. People should not be judgmental for you do not know what is so different.

Antonie said "We chose to see miracles". I think he wanted to believe his wife. And with war being over that it's time to understand the sadness, the happiness that can be. To me it looked like he knew about Julien and wanted good to be in their lives again. Look to the bright future.

There is really not a right answer when Ari was taken away. I understood how Vianne felt. She raised and protected Ari/Daniel most of is life. And to find that there was family of his was hard to give him up. But on the other hand he needed to be with his family. He needed to be raised in the Jewish faith. For that is who he is. I'm glad that Vianne got to meet Ari and he gave back the photo of she and his mother, Rachel.

I would have made the same decision that Vianne made about Juilen knowing his biological father. There was no need for him to know how mean of a father he did have. And I would hope that he would believe his mother what had happened to her. Sadly what the Nazi's have done killed, violated human beings Julien is better off not knowing and living a better life than what was thrown at the French in WWII

I must say the tear jerker of them all for me was when Isabelle and her father looked at each other and her father mouthed "I love you" to Isabelle as he was shot. After that Isabelle knew the Nazi's couldn't touch her heart. They couldn't change who she was inside.

I thought the story gave  more a better understanding of life under Nazi occupation in WWII. I feel why especially the Jewish people are hard. And don't have a give it up attitude.

I give The Nightingale 5 

News of the World

I don't know why but I had mix feelings about this book. I did like the story but I didn't. Nice story about an older soldier that helped a little girl out who was captured by the Kiowas.
I believe that relationship came about with Jefferson Kidd being like a grandfather (Kontah) to Johanna because Jefferson was a father himself. He protected his children. Why make matters worse. Not everyone wanted war
It's pretty neat that he traveled from town to town with newspapers to read aloud the news of the day from around the world even. As a retired soldier he did this for the people for 10 cents. From the beginning, he would think how great it was to travel with a message from one unit to another. He had responsibilities to get that message across. No wonder he went in the printing business after that. It takes dedication to get news out so the town will know what's going on in the world. He believed if people had true knowledge of the world perhaps they would not take up arms, and perhaps he could be this in between of the news of the world. And the world would be more peaceful

Why does Kidd worry what will become of Johanna when she's returned to her German family? He worries that they use their captives for work and not try to let them be to get back to their old lives in their own way. Which the Captain and Johanna connect and there is a trust that she feels.

The tensions between the Indians, whites, soldiers and civilization of how America at a time wasn't sure if they were going to be alright. These tensions do underlie the story of the Captain and Johanna just by the culture she picked up. A white soldier with a girl that acted like she was going to war like the Indians. When Kidd traveled  on his own he was able to move around without a thought. Now with a child he needed to find different ways of surviving. Including surviving a fight with Almay which probably wouldn't happen if he wasn't with Johanna.

In Jefferson Kidd's journey with Johanna he felt he was drawn back in the stream of things because he had a life to protect. I think it means that after the war, and his printing business there wasn't really anything he truly long for. Sure he wanted to be with his daughters, sadly his wife passed. But when he had someone to protect, a job that he must not fail, it was like the old days.

Now for what I didn't like about the story. Although I appreciate the author for closing the chapters on the characters. And we all know their end story, and didn't like how the author jammed everything in that I believe it was the last two chapters. It would of been nice to have that woven in to their chapters.
I do like how Johanna Kidd's life turned out. She gets to start a new life. And seems like Jefferson Kidd did get to live a full life after all.

I give News of the World 3

It feels that the author ran out of what to write and we had to wait til the end with this information.

Nine Perfect Strangers

Let me start off by saying this was a strange story. Although I thought the characters were very interesting and funny, at times the feeling of each chapter was super drawn out. I believe the author gave depth to the characters. The more you dug in the more you found out.

Some readers stopped, couldn't go on. I didn't think I was either. But I plugged through it and glad I did. Out of all the people that went to this retreat I think The Marconi family had the most trouble before and after. Zoe, the daughter did find that light at the end. Frances and Tony were good characters. And a relationship for good. It was nice to see Carmel, Lars get along with the group as well as Ben and Jessica.

Masha and Yao they were weird.

I did enjoy the story. And maybe someday will be able to get to read another of Liane Moriarty's books. I have to admit when I found out it was going to be a movie the actors that will play Frances and Masha, I could see them as those characters .

Spoiler Alert!

   In Masha's head she thought by helping women out was to show them that some carried this self-loathing about their bodies. Especially Jessica and Carmel. I think men and women see this differently. I think women sure anguish over their appearance, their weight, a lot for other women than men. Men always had a superiority to them which makes them feel as though they need not change but women do.Women are more critical with each other, as themselves. Where men are more carefree, don't give a damn what people, or other men think.

I think that Masha being Russian was important allowed her to view men and women in a different way because she wasn't from the country. They have a heartache of their own. Their culture is harder. And for her to see how others are soft she thought best to give them a focus.

I thought Zach's suicide was a terrible thing that happened to him and his family. I believe his asthma medicine did contribute to his mental state. But it was brought up that he wasn't feeling right before hand either. Yes, Heather was wrong of not telling Napoleon about the possible side effects. Something could of been done. At least they could of ruled out asthma meds.

I think these strangers didn't want to be "transformed". Not in the way the meaning is. I think they went to this retreat house to learn to be happy/ier and healthy. Transformation to me is being completely different, not all time happy, or  healthy. And in that weird way Masha and the strangers themselves made it happen. So Masha did do the job the strangers paid her for.

I do look at the older man and younger woman with judgement. Hell, I was one. Too young is not acceptable. In that case it's usually the woman that really haven't been around their own age too much.They go in naive.

Usually when people go to these retreats they go through whatever is given. Lars is right, the people do allow themselves to go through whatever. I believe that's their way of happiness and health. But usually it is relaxation Although in this book Masha went too far which should of been questionable. And to leave the house. 

I guess Frances was never praised as a child. And certainly she wasn't getting that from her mother being a feminist . So when she would apologize to men she saw herself as doing something not right. Something was wrong with her, Frances's self-loathing. She needed approval. It took this strange happening to find Tony.

How Napoleon felt about being too young and happy to know that love wasn't enough, I agree. I think it is a question of both, age and having a true tragedy in life before contributes to this. When your younger nothing matters except what is now and in front of you. If that person is making you happy you don't mind being around them. And you think it's forever. Until reality hits and bills need to be paid, you need to work with each other. Than people find they need to compromise and don't want to. When tragedy hits, you would hope brings you closer to see how much love is there, or not. That's when you see the true feelings come out.

It is a conscious choice to have a good or bad marriage. If there is a hold on hatred for a person than there is going to be a bad marriage. There needs to be a marriage that you compromise with each other. There are ways to work things out. And yes that is the secret of a good marriage.I've been married 36 years and everyday is something. I never take it for granted. As for Napoleon and Heather they need to work together and for themselves to make it work. Zoe found a way.

Really never thought the characters were figured out for me. Never really thought about it. I guess if I had to pick one, it would have to be Carmel. I felt that she always was about that Masha was going to make her different for her than she wouldn't have to work on it herself. When I read her story that until the tragedy happened at the house she had no one to give her positive feedback. Even her own children she couldn't take control. So when she took control, met the new girlfriend, was confident. That is when she came clear.

Good question. I think the author is making a statement for female characters like Frances. Here is a woman who is a writer, not to even think of romance. But you think that she is strong in a lot of ways. Frances writes like it's the old ages from her experiences with men. Not like todays world that we are strong and can have a bit of both worlds. 

My thought on the author having an agenda for female characters other than just finding a man is true. She is that women's author who shows they can be strong and soft at the same time. As for her other books this is 1st book I've read. But did watch the series Big Little Lies and author conveys the same thing. I think Frances that gets married is where she wanted to be. Frances still believed she is strong but could share her contentment with Tony. As for Carmel not getting married, I think she needs to find herself as one for now. Finding her voice and being content she may or may not find someone that will let her be her.

Don't agree that Masha 's comment about the best compliment is a successful woman is being humble. Why should she be humble? Because she is less of a person as a man? I find society isn't ready for women to be Commander-In Chief. But they better get used to it women are breaking that glass ceiling all the time. Men still have that stronghold that if a women is in charge than life would go backward. Although men still can't get it in their heads that women are the backbone of family, society, they are more than what you see.

I was surprised at the end to find out that Masha had 2 children. Reading on her son that died and what it did to her relationship with her husband. I was surprised that she had that same mentality that she would be no good as a mother after how she described herself. I'm guessing it goes back to her culture of how her country perceives women.

My thought would probably be the same if she were a man and left family. It's a cop out! Less of a mother, less of a father makes no difference.

I give Nine Perfect Strangers 4 

The reason being that it was a bit of waste from one chapter to next to set up the chacters. Hoping it will make a good show.