Review: The Astonishing Thing

The Astonishing Thing by Sandi Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My goodness what a great book. I am already looking forward to the next book from this wonderful author.

I absolutely love books written from the POV of an animal and this one certainly did not disappoint. Here we have the cat named Boo who observes everything that happens in the family. As the story opens there is a husband and wife, two teenagers and a newborn baby, plus a small dog. The wife is unhappy and seemingly is falling into a very low point.

With Boo writing this book we get a different perspective on how things that we do appear to our pets. The story goes through many phases including mental illness, child abuse and single parenthood.

Trying to not put spoilers in here is a bit difficult because I really want to tell everyone about this book.

An excellent read.

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Review: Damaged

Damaged by Lisa Scottoline
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have just recently discovered Lisa Scottoline and have already finished two of her books. Her writing is enjoyable and intriguing.

In this episode Mary DiNunzio, a lawyer and partner in her firm, is two weeks away from her wedding to Anthony. She was widowed a few years ago and she is looking forward to settling down with her wonderful guy. But meanwhile Anthony is away on business and Mary is hired by Edward, a senior who has custody of his ten year old grandson Patrick.

There are a lot of twists and surprises in the story and enough to make you keep right on reading. A very interesting story


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Review: One Perfect Lie

One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to the audio of this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. It might be more like four and half stars but lets face it, if a book can bring out emotions such as crying then it must be good.

Chris or Kurt (real name) has been hired for a teaching position and an assistant coach at a highschool. We do know right from the start that Chris is not his real name and that something untoward is going down. It isn't until the last quarter that we finally know who he is and what is happening.

Along the way he meets a lady, Heather, that he finds attractive and he wonders that with his lifestyle that he would be able to have a normal family.

A great read.

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Review: Big Girl Panties

Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a cute and well written story about a widow who meets a personal trainer, Logan, on a flight. He offers to help her get into shape and that is where the story starts. The characters are all quite likeable and especially Logan's friends Chase and Amanda.

A good lighter read.

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Review: 15th Affair

15th Affair by James Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another JP winner. Lindsey is an operative and her husband is also special forces. When an airplane was blown up on landing they are drawn into a mystery/conspiracy.

Lindsey begins to have very strong doubts about her husband and his fidelity plus trying to keep her little family together and keep a very high profile job.

The story contains some complicated issues that Lindsey herself has some problems sorting out.

Highly recommended if you like action.

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Review: The Chalk Man

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

In 2016 Ed is still living in his childhood home and has his career as a teacher plus shares his home with a boarder. One day he receives a letter in the mail that contains a drawing of a chalk stick man. He is a bit disturbed by this letter and more so when he learns that his friends have also received one.

We are taken back to 1986 when Eddie and his friends were twelve and four of them were very close. Back then there had been a murder and there was always a mystery surrounding it, namely when body parts were discovered and with parts missing.

The story goes back and forth between 1986 and present and has a feeling of innocence and gore all at the same time.

The story held my attention right to the twisted end.

Highly recommended.


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Review: The Murder House

The Murder House by James Patterson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was quite the ride. Police and abducted children from years ago, old houses and rich people. There were chases and killers but to tell the truth I got lost in this story. It was a bit over the top and way too unbelievable.

After having said that, I did finish it and it did conclude in a satisfying way.



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Review: Ford County

Ford County by John Grisham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a book of seven shorter stories revolving around the same area, Ford County. I listened to the audio of this book which was narrated by John Grisham and thoroughly enjoyed every story.

The stories are: Blood Drive, Fetching Raymond, Fish Tales, Casino, Michael’s Room, Quiet Haven, Funny Boy.

At this point in my review I wanted to talk about my favourite of the stories but that is impossible because I loved them all. In some there was a bit of humour, but in all there was also a note of sadness. from the fellows leaving their town to go to the city to give blood right down to the poor wee soul who has returned home to die.

A thoroughly enjoyable book.

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