The Midnight House by Alex Berenson

John Wells goes undercover for the government to determinne who killed a former CIA agent and also killed an army veteran.   His investigation takes him around the world, and eventually leads him to Poland where he discovers a secret base which is operating by their own set of rules.

Originally published in 2011, this is a high intensity novel which will leave you wanting to read more by this author.  His newest entry, published in 2015, is Twelve Days.  Other titles in his body of work include The Ghost War, The Silent Man and The Faithful Spy, The Counterfeit Agent.

A good read for those of you who enjoy subterfuge leading to the unexpected.

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Rising Phoenix by Kyle Mills

While perusing my bookshelf the other day, I came across this title which was actually published in 1997.  I don't make a habit of reviewing older books but every once in a while, I do.

This was a new author to me.  However, when I looked at his body of work, his name became more familiar.  He has written several books and has continued the series that Robert Ludlum started.  He has a new book coming out later this year.

Rising Phoenix is the story of a diabolical plan to intensify the war on drugs by poisoning the narcotics supply.  They publish ads warning users to quit their habits or face the consequences.
FBI agent Mark Beamon teams up with agent Laura Viechi and together they tackle the unknown perpetrators. Facing a daunting task, the team perseveres and reaches a stunning revelation.

A fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

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At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

This new novel is written by Sara Gruen, of Water for Elephants fame. She has written several other books including Ape House, Riding Lesson and Flying Changess.  I have read three of her titles and I'd have to say I like her style of writing.  Her stories are easy to follow and interesting.

This latest entry takes place in Scotland, primarily.  The main character is Madeline Hyde who is a member of high society.  She and her husband Ellis attend a New Year's eve celebration and their behavior at said party is less than acceptable.  As a result Maddie and Ellis are asked to leave the home of Ellis' parents and find themselves in financial decline.

In an effort to get back in his father' good graces, Ellis and his friend Hank decide to go to Scotland to take pictures of The Lockness Monster.  Ellis' father has been preoccupied with the animal for many years and Ellis is bent on proving the monster's existence. Maddie, Ellis, and Hank embark on a precarious trip.

However, this novel has an undercurrent theme which focuses on Maddie and the emotional abuse she has endured for most of her life.  While in Scotland, she begins to realize the exxtent of her suffering and eventually garners the strength to do something about it.

The epilogue discusses some of the real events on which this story was based.  All in all, this novel was good-but not great.  I would point out that it reveals some of the elitist attitudes that present themselves among those who have real difficulty empathizing with others less fortunate.

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The Garden of Letters by Alyson Richman

World War II, Portofino, Italy is the setting for this poignant novel.

Elodie, an only child has the gift of music.  An accomplished cello player, she is enlisted by the Resistance to transmit coded messages through musical scores which are then played to an audience capable of understanding the code.

She loses her father at the hands of the Gestapo who beat him so badly he never recovers.  Her mother and Elodie escape to find safety in the home of a friend.  Eloidie then finds passage to the port of Potorfino where she is rescued by a doctor.

A vulnerable young woman, she is profoundly affected by the effects of war but is able to look forward with hope through the generosity of a stranger.

A well-written account which is based on a true story, The Garden of Letters is yet another perspective of a difficult time in the history of the world.

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Housebroken by Sonja Yoerg

The things that attracted me toward reading this novel were the occupation of the main character which is veterinarian and the puppy on the cover.  However, I discovered that these were just "teasers" for drawing in the vast majority of people who are dog lovers.

Actually, the story is about a southern family that is less than perfect.  We don't glimpse much of the early days of the family except for flashbacks intermittenly dispersed throughout the story which substantiate the particular premise that is being promoted.

As stories go, this was a quick read.  I came to like the main character, Geneva who has been mystified by the family secrets and yet is somewhat reluctant to delve too deeply into what really happened.

The author has written another nonfiction book but this is her first novel.  There is nothing particularly "new" about this story but it does include a discussion guide and that makes it good fodder for a book discussion group.

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Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

A. delightful story about a young woman who is enamoured with the yuppie lifestyle.  She and her partner Chris start a graphic design business, purchase an expensive flat and seem to be content with excessive spending.  As time goes on, the business declines until they lose it all.  Polly and Chris go their separate ways.

Polly's lifestyle changes dramatically and she decides to take up residency on a small island off the coast of England.  She discovers that she has a hidden talent and she capitalizes on it.  She finds herself absorbed in the island way of life and begins to feel as if it was what she was meant to do all along.

Essentially, this is a novel about learning to be strong.  Being able to put the past behind you and look to the future with hope and assurance.

The author has written several other books, one of which I have read entitled West End Girls.  If you would like a change from thrillers, mysteries and the like, this story is sure to invite you in to look at life in a small town.   I found myself picturing the town featured on the popular English series,  Doc Martin while I was reading it.

Enjoy!

Ladybookbug!

Crash & Burn by Lisa Gardner

This author is one that has written many stories that held my attention in the past. This latest entry was a bit slow at times.  Nevertheless, I read it in its' entireity.

The story opens with a single car accident.   Nicole Frank manages to disengage herself from the vehicle.  When the police find her, she reeks of scotch and is calling out for a child named Vero.
The police interrogate her, along with her husband and something just doesn't seem plausible.

As the story progresses, the reader is taken to construing many different scenariors but you'll have to read it to the end to find out the answers.

I wouldn't discount this book.  Suffice to say if you're a Lisa Gardner fan, you'll want to read it. I will say it is not my favorite in her repitoire.

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Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes

Scarlett Rainsford is on vacation with her parens and sister.  On the night before the is slated to leave, Scarlett disappears.  After an investigation, the police are unsure as to whether she ran away or was she abducted.

Lou, who is in charge of a Major Crimes team,is embroiled in other cases but she is intent on finding out what happene to Scarlett.  While reviewing another case, she begins to see connections between the two cases.

Ten years go by and Scarlett is discovered during the raid of a brothel.  The police are very interested in uncovering what has transpired over the past years.  They question Scarlett etensively although she is a reluctant victim.

Human trafficking is a very current issue that  needs to be addressed constantly.  It is my hope that we raise our young women to be alert, self-confident and safe.  Unfortunately, Scarlett, as a bruised individual, was unsure of her self-worth and put herself in a very vulnerable situation.

Although this author has written several books, this is the first I have read.  This is the second book in her new series entitled "Briarstone Crime".  It might be a good idea to read the first book Under A Silent Moon before you tackle this entry.  Often, it gives the reader insight into the main characters and subsequent entries flow more easily.

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Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum

This is a brand-new author whose credentials are impressive. The book is well-written.  Sentence syntax is well constructed and the story flows well.

My criticism of this title is relegated to the theme.  Anna, the main character suffers from a mental disability and is a malcontent.  She spends most of her spare time exploring ways to perk herself up.  Among her extra curricula exploits are sexual entanglements.  However, she also takes language courses and avails herself of therapy sessions.

Basically, this was a depressing story.  As a person who tends to route for the underdog, I found myself hoping that Anna would have a breakthrough and positive experiences would fill up her life.  She has a husband who loves her and three children.   She lives in an upscale suburb and has been given the opportunity to care for herself and her family without the pressure of a career.

I'm not about to "throw the baby out with the bathwater:" and hope that Ms. Essbaum's next novel has a more positive slant.

Ladybookbug!

14th Deadly Sin by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

This book is the latest entry in Mr. Patterson's murder club series.  It re-visits the usual characters that the series is famous for.

Lindsey Boxer is embroiled in a series of shocking crimes that lead investigators to discover that the crimes are being perpetrated by a group wearing SFPD jackets.  Of course this leads the public to distrust the police department.

Yuki leaves her position to work for the opposite side of the justice system. Her decision is based on her belief that a particular crime did not go down as reported.

Cindy is now a brand-new author and has re-kindled her relationship with Rich Conklin.

Lindsey's husband Joe loses his job and does some free-lance investigating.

Claire Washburn, medical examiner has a less than prominent role in this novel.

One of the things I like about this latest entry was snippets of the relationship between Joe and Lindsey. When you've read the entire series, you feel as if you know each of the characters personally and each new entry invites the reader back into the fold.

I did not find this story to be high intensity.  However, I like the way these author's write.

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The Liar by Nora Roberts

Ms. Roberts is one of the most prolific authors I have had the pleasure of reading.  Although I have not read everything she has ever written, I've read enough of her work to say that her stories are well -written and enjoyable.

The Liar is the story of Shelby Foxworth, a lovely young woman from Tennessee has most recently coped with the death of her husband.  While trying to get her life together, she uncovers many things about her husband that she was unaware of.  The most important being that he was a liar and left her with an enormous amount of debt.

Not to be dismayed, Shelby picks herself up, sells their home and most of their possessions, and leaves for her family home with their daughter, Callie.  At home she finds employment and the love and support of her parents, sibling and friends.

This novel explores the strength of a young woman who has been beaten down by making the wrong choices in life.  It suggests that everyone makes mistakes but that the important thing is being able to reach down to that inner source of fortitude," pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again."*

Thank you Ms. Roberts for composing a good story.

Ladybookbug!

*lyric from the song Pick Yourself Up