Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is still one of the best books I have read. It does say that it is "inspired" by a true story and since I knew a lot of Mr. Mowat's history (him living quite near me), I know that all the information regarding the wolves is true.

The information gathered by him was so important and I think that even today most countries and scientists don't realize how important it actually was/is. Wolves were wiped out by blood thirst in the US and when the government discovered the imbalance it created, they had to import wolves from Canada in order to "save" their environment.

Mr. Mowat took an experiment that he was given back in the 1950's and turned it into a very entertaining story, while teaching us about the nature of wolves. It is a fact that there has never been a human being reported as having been killed by a wolf.

Reading this story again makes me proud that we had people like Mr. Mowat who were willing to sacrifice a lot in order to advance our knowledge of our planet and its inhabitants.




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The Whip by Karen Kondazian

The Whip [Audiobook/audio Cd] [Unabridged] by Karen Kondazian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was one of the best books I have read this year. Everything came together in a wonderful way; that is to say, the writing is wonderful and Ms. Kondazian has joined my favourite author list. The research into the character was tremendous. The audio is wonderful and what a talent Robin Weigert has to make me truly believe that I was listening to men, women and children.

Many modern authors try to trick us by constantly "hinting" at things that may have already happened or be about to happen and also by jumping around in the story. In this case Ms Kondazian started the story at the beginning and followed it through to the end which in my opinion is the better route for a story to take.

In brief, it is the story of Charlotte Parkhurst, a foundling in the early 1800's. Her life was very hard and eventually she took the identity of a man in order to find employment and to support herself. She became a whip or stagecoach driver and was considered one of the best. Men who knew her were very surprised when she died to discover that she was a woman.

It is odd to think that even now, 200 years later, women in the world are still struggling for equality.

A thoroughly enjoyable and educational story and I am so glad that it was recommended to me by a goodreads member.



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Gray Mountain by John Grisham

Gray Mountain by John Grisham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always love a John Grisham story. In this case, Samantha who is a lawyer in her third year of a big law firm, is laid off due to the recession. Many lawyers are being let go and its quite a catastrophe. She is given a lifeline in a way that will allow her to keep her health benefits but to work pro bono cases at an approved legal clinic. She is accepted in the coal mine country of Virginia. Here Samantha learns how to use the law to help actual "people" who are in problems.

A thoroughly satisfying read.

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Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter

Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Karin Slaughter is one of my favourite writers and this book didn't disappoint. Dr. Sarah discovers a woman brutally and gruesomely murdered in the bathroom of a cafe. This woman was blind and also had an identical twin who is a police officer. There is a serial killer in their midst but who is it? Sarah, who is also the coroner and the ex wife of the police chief, has the job of determining the cause of death.

An enjoyable read, especially for mystery/murder fans.



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Deadline by Sandra Brown

Deadline by Sandra Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a "new to me" author and I will be reading more of her books. I loved Deadline, and especially loved the characters.

Amelia has two little boys. She was divorced from their father after which time he was presumed dead.

An intriguing plot and looking forward to the next installment of this series.

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Previously Loved Treasures: The Serendipity Series, Book Two by Bette Lee Crosby

Previously Loved Treasures: The Serendipity Series, Book Two by Bette Lee Crosby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A story right from the heart. The story opens with Ida Sweetwater who recently lost her husband, Jim. Thirty years previously her son had a falling out with Jim and had left, never to be heard from again. Ida launches a campaign to find her lost son.

An excellent story full of lovable characters. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

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The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Harold Fry (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry) is walking the length of England to visit his old friend and work mate, Queenie Hennessy, who is in a hospice and gravely ill. His walking takes several weeks and as she waits for him to arrive she begins a letter to him. He was the love of her life although he never knew this and was married. Her letter is like a confession of a wrong that she believes she did to him.

An excellent read and an excellent follow up to the first book in the series.

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