Review: The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America's Enemies

The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America's Enemies by Jason Fagone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this book rather enlightening. It was an fun change of pace. Usually, I only get the perspective of Alan Turing and that team. One of the revelations that surprised me (only a little really) was how fast the NSA took to declaring whatever they felt like as classified due to "national security." Not even three years into their existence and they are barging into citizens' home under the "national security" guise (some things never change). I cannot even imagine what it was like for the Friedmans to watch their life's work be taken away with the stroke of a pen especially after all they had done for the country.

For those who are looking for a quick read, this is definitely a quick read. The page count is slightly misleading. The last 100 pages of the book contain the author's notes/bibliography and an index. The novel part of the book is only 341 pages.

I think my next dive into codes will be the Navajo Code Talkers. In fact, I have Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII on my Kindle waiting to be read.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift.

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Review: Crook's Hollow

Crook's Hollow by Robert Parker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a Kindle edition of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

Also, I am not related to the author.

This was a great fast paced book. I loved the twists in the plot, and there are plot twists aplenty. I started this book late last night, but had I started it earlier today, I would have finished it in one sitting. I am looking forward to more books from this author.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book by an author with the same first or last name as you.


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Review: Pebble in the Dark

Pebble in the Dark by Antony Botting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a Kindle edition of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

I really enjoyed this book. If you believe in panspermia or at least entertain the notion of it, then this is a read for you. The story line was fun and keeps you on your toes. I look forward to the next book. There is real promise as to where this story line could go, so I hope the execution of the next one is just as good if not better.

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Review: Darkened Demigod: Weapon of War

Darkened Demigod: Weapon of War by Shawn Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a Kindle edition of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.


This book started out rather slow, but had a unique concept. It then became The Host meets Armageddon. I did not hate the book, but I did not love it either. I struggled to get through it. I do not think this genre is for me.


I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book set on a different planet.

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Review: Punishment

Punishment by Scott J. Holliday
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a Kindle edition of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

This was a really unique book (at least to me). I did enjoy the twists of the story. The relationship with Jessica was a bit much, though. I had high expectations for the book, but after reading it, I have mixed feelings about it. I cannot really pin point why. I am undecided about whether to try the next book.

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Review: Silent Fear

Silent Fear by Lance Morcan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very interesting story. At times the book seemed to drag, but for the most part it was fast paced. Between the deadly flu virus and the murders, it most certainly reinforced my dislike for crowded places and large social gatherings. This book was my first book by the authors. I am definitely going to read another book of theirs.


I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book by two authors.

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