Review: Murder on Cape Cod

Murder on Cape Cod by Maddie Day
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I won a paper copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway; however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were given the option of an e-book copy until the publisher is able to send out the paper copies. I am reviewing an e-book copy of this book.

Sometimes, I just need a book that does not require brain cells or critical thinking to process. Especially after reading a couple in a row that were rather heavy ready. With that being said, I was really looking forward to this book. On the one hand, that's what I loved about this book. On the other hand, it is also the reason I did not like the book as much as I wanted to.

Even with "stay-at-home" orders in place, I have not done a lot of reading (sadly, for reasons unknown). I was really looking forward to having a break and reading a pager turner, but one that I did not have to sit and think about for an hour to get it.

I do not know if it is because I have been distracted during COVID, but this book was somewhat putdownable and not the page turner I was looking for. I would still read the second book just to see if it picks up now that the character introductions (and some development) have happened.

There are a couple recipes at the end. They sound great and I am interested in trying them!

View all my reviews

Review: This Eternity of Masks and Shadows

This Eternity of Masks and Shadows by Karsten Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Gods and goddesses of multiple pantheons are living among the mortals in Boston, but mystery surrounds the systematic murders of them.

This was not the page turner I was hoping for, but it was still a great story. A slow start, but a big bang by the end. Being born and raised in Rhode Island, I really appreciated the Boston references. For example, the aquarium. Had I not been there, I would have had a hard time picturing the scene. It is the only aquarium I can recall ever seeing a cylindrical tank with the ramp circling it. I loved the twists this book had as well.

If you like books like The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky where mythologies/folklore meet, you will like this one too.

View all my reviews

Review: Westside Saints

Westside Saints by W.M. Akers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC through a Goodreads Giveaway.

Is resurrection possible? According to the Byrd family preachers it is. When Gilda Carr’s dead mother walks through the door, she goes on a mission to find out how it is possible.

The book is somewhat slow paced. The book’s twist comes from nowhere, really. It was not even on my radar. I was somewhat disappointed because it was almost like a (somewhat) plausible explanation was needed, so this particular explanation was picked out of a hat and put into the story. I had to read it twice to make sure I read it correctly. Once I got over that disappointment and kept reading, I was pleasantly surprised with how well it was weaved into the story.

I have not read book 1 of this series, but I am putting on my TBR list. There are references to the previous book, but this can be read as a standalone without being confused.

View all my reviews

Review: The City of Tears

The City of Tears by Kate Mosse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a advanced reader copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

The Burning Chambers series is a historical fiction series based on the Wars of Religion in France and Amsterdam. The series is supposed to span three centuries. So far, only the prologues have taken place in the 1800s. Book 1, The Burning Chambers covers a ten-year period 1562 – 1572. Book 2 picks up where Book 1’s epilogue left off in 1572 beginning with the Royal wedding of Henry de Navarre and spans to 1594. While you could probably read this as a standalone book, I do not recommend it. You will need the character development and background of Book 1 to understand the references in Book 2.

This book was slow to start, but turned into an emotional roller coaster. The further along into the book, the more I read in a sitting. I think I read the last 60% in 2 sittings. While the story itself was decent, the prologues of both books are keeping me going in this series. There is a lot of mystery surrounding them and I cannot wait to see how the series will circle back.

View all my reviews

Review: Bright Shards

Bright Shards by Meg Pechenick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a rare instance where the second book is as good as if not better than the first book in the series. You are pulled into the story from the start. Each book so far has been a book that I think about long after a reading session (and now long after I finished the book). Going back to reality after this is so depressing. I hope book 3 comes out soon!

View all my reviews

Review: The Burning Chambers

The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book at the same time that I was reading a non-fiction book about WW2.

From page 409:

Following the old Cathar trail, they rode south, passing other refugees on the road. Bedraggled columns of oxen and carts, traps loaded high with meagre possessions, Huguenots fleeing Catholic troops and neighbours who had once been friends.

This is a similar line from the non-fiction book I read only it was the Jews fleeing from the Austrians/Germans. While this book was a historical about the religious war between Protestants and Catholics in France, it would seem we are bound to repeat history only with different groups of people. I digress.

The book itself was great. It had quite a bit of mystery which I enjoyed. I have an ARC of book 2 waiting for me and I am looking forward to reading it.

View all my reviews

Review: The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz: A True Story of Family and Survival

The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz: A True Story of Family and Survival by Jeremy Dronfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

This book was very educational. While reading this I realized just how much teachings about the Holocaust in school is sugar coated. Notwithstanding the the subject matter, this book was written in a way that made it an enjoyable read. Sometimes I find that non-fiction books read like a boring history text book, but this was good.

Each point of view change is denoted with a Hebrew phrase. I had to go to a translator to find out what the phrases meant. To assist anyone else wondering what the phrases are, I have included them below:

אבא – father
משפחה – family
בת – daughter
בן – son
אמא – mother
דוד – uncle
אח – brother
בן דוד – cousin
אחים – siblings
אם וכת – if so
אכ וכן – oh yes

** Please note: I do not speak, read, or write Hebrew. I am neither a linguist nor an expert in languages. If anything is inaccurate, please let me know. **

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2020 - A book with more than 20 letters in its title.

View all my reviews