Heroic Measures by Jill Ciment

Do you realize one could possibly write a story about those ordinary circumstances that occur during your daily life? This is one of those stories.

This was my first exposure to this author although the author has written several novels, a collection of short stories and a memoir. I’ve already placed a hold on her memoir because I’d like to know more about this author.

This is the story of Dorothy (a 12-year old beloved pet), Alex (an artist) and Ruth (a former school teacher. The setting is New York City. Alex and Ruth have just decided to sell their apartment and are amazed that they will be getting close to one million dollars for it. They are a bit concerned about moving to another place but Ruth feels that the end is encroaching upon them and it’s time for a major move.

Dorothy‘s hind legs have collapsed and she is in pain. Alex and Ruth take her out of the apartment on a cutting board and carry her down the stairs into the street until they are able to get a taxi to the veterinarian hospital.

This is their story. A day filled with angst in a city that is perhaps the most stress filled in the world. It is the type of story that a friend might relay to another friend.

I liked this story. I guess I’ll have to admit that I cheated and went to the end of the book early on to make sure Dorothy did not meet her demise. In that way I avoided a tearful, stressful time on my part. Now that you know, you can just read away till the end.

A good book. I think you’ll like it.

Ladybookbug!

Something Missing by Matthew Dicks

This novel was written by a first-time author. It is a great story. The premise is plausible and constructed in a coherent manner.

It is the story of Martin, an uncommon house thief. He refers to the people he robs as his “clients”. One visit is never enough and Martin returns to the houses many times. His clients leave when they have children or move. He has specific criteria he follows before he “visits” a home for the first time and seldom deviates from his usual routine.

This story is filled with attention to detail and while the reader does not necessarily applaud Martin for his choice of occupation, he does have some redeeming qualities which are revealed at the end of the novel.

I really liked this book and would recommend it to someone for light summer reading or perhaps during a rainy cold winter’s night. I finished it in one sitting and relished it.

Ladybookbug!

Liars Anonymous by Louise Ure

Jessie Dancing, a real tough cookie, is the central character in this mystery. Formerly accused of murder, Jessie was determined not guilty by a jury. She did not escape the experience without scars. She is currently estranged from her family (two parents and six siblings) and is employed by a roadside assistance operator.

One day a call comes in from a Darren Markson and Jessie’s life is turned inside out. She becomes embroiled in a mystery and as luck would have it, turns up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Fraught with frustration, Jessie tries to reconnect with her family and put her past behind her. Unfortunately, her past is right with her every step of the way. Her former attorney tries to convince her not to get involved but there seems to be an intrinsic need for Jessie to be in the middle of it all.

In the end, Jessie makes a decision to right a major wrong in her life and suffers the consequences.

This was a lukewarm mystery for this reader. However, Ure has earned a Shamus Award(given by the Private Eye Writers of America to honor excellent work in the private eye genre) for best first novel-Forcing Amaryllis- in the past, and perhaps a look at one of her previous books might be worthwhile.

Lady Bookbug!

Killer Summer by Ridley Pearson

This was a new author to me. Although familiar with his co-authoring of Peter and the Starcatchers, I had not read anything by this author in the past.

This was an interesting premise. The location is Sun Valley and the happening is a wine auction in which wine of varying degrees of value (mostly over-the-top) are to be auctioned off to the rich and famous who are attending the auction.

Actually, the auction is only part of the story. There is more subterfuge involved in this caper and the author does a fine job of keeping the reader in suspense as the main character, Walt Fleming, tries to unravel the mystery.

This was a quick-read for me (about 8 hours or so). I may find myself picking up one or two of his books in the future. No rush!

Ladybookbug!

April & Oliver and The Forgotten Garden

April & Oliver by Tess Callahan

Unimpressed by this first novel, I continued reading it to the end. For me the story had no “punch”. Nothing about it warranted me using my time to read it. But I always want to give new authors the benefit of the doubt, so I shuffled on to the end.

April and Oliver have grown up together been each other’s soul mate from early on. At the point of the book where the story begins they are estranged from each other—Oliver newly engaged and a law student—April having difficulty separating herself from an abusive relationship.

From there the story continues to unravel and becomes a journey into the abyss.

Not worth the time it takes to read the title.


The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Released in 2008, this is not a brand-new book. I’m not really sure where I heard about it but I loved it.

The chapters in the book are set up as specific time periods- 1913, 1975 and 2005.

In 1913, the story opens and we meet a four-year old girl left on a dock in Australia. The dock master finds her and takes her home to his wife. Together they raise the child as “Nell”.

In 1975 “Nell” is informed by her father that she is not his and is given a suitcase that was with her when she was found in 1913. She begins a journey to find out all about her roots and in the process purchases a cottage in England.

In 2005, “Nell” passes away at the age of 95 and bequeaths everything she owns to her granddaughter Cassandra including a cottage on a cliff in England. Cassandra begins her own search to discover the real person behind her grandmother.

Interspersed throughout the story are fairytales, written by Eliza Makepeace, The Authoress, who proves to be integral to the story and its unfolding.

Ms. Morton has told a wonderful tale. It is beautifully written and engages the reader every step of the way.

Ladybookbug!

Summer House and Dark of Night

Summer House by Nancy Thayer

A weathered house on a large piece of property is the focal point of this new novel by Nancy Thayer.

Charlotte Wheelwright, granddaughter of the family matriarch, has had some difficulty deciding what she wants to do with the rest of her life. She is deep in pursuit of developing an organic garden and selling her wares to local restaurants and the community at large. With a modicum of success, her plans include further development of the family land, much to the consternation of the rest of the family.

This is basically a gentle story about a family whose summer house is located on the island of Nantucket. While there are some secrets to be revealed, it is not particularly earth-shattering but more like a gentle soap opera.

If you like Maeve Binchy, Jude Deveraux or Jane Green, add this author to your list.




Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann

Troubleshooters, Inc. are back. James Nash is presumed dead. Tess is deep in the throes of computer sleuthing. Lawrence Decker is in the middle of things, trying to protect Jimmy’s life and then there’s Tracy, the seemingly innocuous receptionist who proves there is much more to her than meets the eye.

The hunt is on to find out who wants key members of Troubleshooters Inc. dead.

This is a fast-paced thriller with characters we’ve grown to know and like.

Ladybookbug!

The Geometry of Sisters and The Castaways

The Geometry of Sisters by Luanne Rice

Maura, mother of three, newly hired English teacher, recently relocated to Newport, Rhode Island, has kept a secret for almost sixteen years. An unexpected accident changes everything and Maura must pick up the pieces and move forward.

This then is a story about betrayal, hope, and strength. It is also the story of the bond between sisters no matter how estranged they may be.

A good story about families and loyalties.

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

Ah……another story by one of my personal favorites. This then is the saga of four couples who are very close friends. They travel together to London, Las Vegas and other exotic ports. They have soirees together at a friend’s home on a regular basis. They sit for one another’s kids. They share their lives.

One night while on a romantic re-kindling sail, a tragedy happens which drastically affects the lives of the other three couples. The remainder of the book deals with how the three couples react to the tragedy.

Each section of this book is about one member of the three remaining couples.

Hilderbrand gives us quite a bit of information about the people involved in this story and we leave it feeling as if we’ve lost our best friends.

Ladybookbug!