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Waters of Destruction (An Orchid Isle Mystery, 2)
Author:
Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, LGBTQ+ Books
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, LGBTQ+ Books
Book Type: Hardcover
Waters of Destruction by Leslie Karst
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
An intriguing murder mystery with an atmosphere-rich Hawai'ian setting!
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
An intriguing murder mystery with an atmosphere-rich Hawai'ian setting!
Waters of Destruction is the second book in author Leslie Karst's excellent and atmosphere-rich Orchid Isle Mystery series featuring two malahinis (newcomers) to Hilo, Hawai'i, retired transplants from Southern California, Valerie Corbin and her wife, Kristen. When one of the bartenders goes AWOL at the restaurant where she works, Sachiko asks Valerie, a former caterer, if she could fill in for a couple of nights until a permanent replacement is hired. But when the missing bartender is found dead, and Sachiko becomes the police's number one suspect in his murder, Valerie agrees to snoop around among the restaurant staff for clues as to who really killed him.
Valerie and Kristen have made the big move to Hilo, bought a great old home, and are in the delightful process of outfitting the kitchen, locating the perfect pieces of furniture at garage sales, and generally settling into their new life. They are a fun couple with both common and divergent interests, and they are wonderfully adept at coordinating with each other. Since the murder in the previous book, Kristen has come to terms with Valerie's interest in getting to the bottom of the mysteries, especially to help out their new friends.The story is full of vibrant descriptions of the island and island life that are so vivid I felt I was seeing things firsthand, and I enjoyed the recipes featured after the story was over. I loved how the author included a glossary of the various Hawai'ian words and phrases that peppered the dialogue throughout the story at the end of the book. However, she did a great job with context or short explanations when a new word came up.
While the eventual victim is missing at the start of the book, it takes a while for his death to be discovered. In the meantime, the author cleverly introduces the staff at the restaurant where he worked and the members at the rowing club where he was competing for the position on the team for an upcoming race, while Valerie carefully prods them for their opinions about the man. Her questions are to the point, but she always strives to be low-key so as not to alarm anyone or keep from appearing too interested in the answers. I enjoyed how she finally came to the right conclusions, and the final face-to-face between her and the murderer was intense but, ultimately, successful. It pays to make friends. I look forward to this couple's further adventures.I recommend WATERS OF DESTRUCTION to cozy mystery readers, especially those who would enjoy a Hawai'ian setting or realistic LGBT representation.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.
i read this book just about non stop within 24 hours. it's definitely one of those books that is hard to put down. it is scary and exciting and beautiful and witchy and sad and heart wrenching. it takes place in the adirondack mountains, my favorite range. this family of female witches, the venery, is fabulous. these are talented women who know their botany. they kill bad men who abuse women. this book isn't for those who might find the content too painful, that's for sure. it's very bittersweet.
A Grounded Sparrow
"Heartwood" tells the story of the search for Valerie Gillis, a 42-year-old hiker known as "Sparrow," who vanishes while navigating the challenging Appalachian Trail. In charge of conducting the search is Beverly, a Maine State Game Warden. A third key player is Lena, a seventy-six-year-old retirement home resident who connects strongly with the missing woman. This trinity of women provides the framework of the book.
Valerie, a nurse, found herself drained and disillusioned after the Covid crisis. "We were called heroes. But we were given only two options-- being a hero or falling apart." The Appalachian Trail was her way to seek rejuvenation. Her journal entries, penned as letters to her mother, offer a glimpse into her emotional and physical deterioration. These entries gradually reveal the reasons why this seasoned hiker strayed so far off course, especially when she was so close to completing the trail.
Beverly's unwavering dedication to her work, even at the cost of her personal life, makes her a fascinating character. Her impressive achievements in a male-dominated industry are commendable. However, the lack of progress in this particular case has raised doubts about her capabilities and cast a shadow over her typically relentless drive.
The introduction of Lena is baffling and makes her the weak link, which ultimately makes her eventual importance in solving the central mystery feel contrived and convenient. Her role creates an imbalance in the overall structure. While Valerie's and Beverly's perspectives drive the plot, Lena's interludes feel like unnecessary diversions.
Gregory, Valerie's husband, seemed somewhat evasive. While husbands are always potential suspects, his behavior was particularly difficult to interpret. In contrast to Santo, Valerie's hiking companion for most of the trail, Gregory's role in the story was clear. Santo's periodic interviews seemed unnecessary and appeared to serve only to introduce another possible suspect. In a motion picture, a decent film editor would leave these scenes on the cutting room floor.
I enjoyed learning of the challenges of search-and-rescue operations. Beverly and Valerie were compelling characters and Valerie's heartfelt journal messages to her mother were moving. Lena and Santo were like speed bumps, however, and detracted from an otherwise smooth reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Heartwood" tells the story of the search for Valerie Gillis, a 42-year-old hiker known as "Sparrow," who vanishes while navigating the challenging Appalachian Trail. In charge of conducting the search is Beverly, a Maine State Game Warden. A third key player is Lena, a seventy-six-year-old retirement home resident who connects strongly with the missing woman. This trinity of women provides the framework of the book.
Valerie, a nurse, found herself drained and disillusioned after the Covid crisis. "We were called heroes. But we were given only two options-- being a hero or falling apart." The Appalachian Trail was her way to seek rejuvenation. Her journal entries, penned as letters to her mother, offer a glimpse into her emotional and physical deterioration. These entries gradually reveal the reasons why this seasoned hiker strayed so far off course, especially when she was so close to completing the trail.
Beverly's unwavering dedication to her work, even at the cost of her personal life, makes her a fascinating character. Her impressive achievements in a male-dominated industry are commendable. However, the lack of progress in this particular case has raised doubts about her capabilities and cast a shadow over her typically relentless drive.
The introduction of Lena is baffling and makes her the weak link, which ultimately makes her eventual importance in solving the central mystery feel contrived and convenient. Her role creates an imbalance in the overall structure. While Valerie's and Beverly's perspectives drive the plot, Lena's interludes feel like unnecessary diversions.
Gregory, Valerie's husband, seemed somewhat evasive. While husbands are always potential suspects, his behavior was particularly difficult to interpret. In contrast to Santo, Valerie's hiking companion for most of the trail, Gregory's role in the story was clear. Santo's periodic interviews seemed unnecessary and appeared to serve only to introduce another possible suspect. In a motion picture, a decent film editor would leave these scenes on the cutting room floor.
I enjoyed learning of the challenges of search-and-rescue operations. Beverly and Valerie were compelling characters and Valerie's heartfelt journal messages to her mother were moving. Lena and Santo were like speed bumps, however, and detracted from an otherwise smooth reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Truth About the Accident
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Donna C. (g-ma) reviewed on + 3177 more book reviews
Very slow and boring
Interlocking stories of generations of women of color, spanning continents and millennia. A difficult book, but worth the time.
The Museum Detective
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
Although I was fascinated by the archaeology and the history contained in The Museum Detective, it really wasn't my cup of tea. With the current political turmoil here and abroad, I find myself having little patience with the restrictive lifestyles of more traditional Muslim women, and that is what Dr. Gul Delani has dealt with most of her life. It's been tremendously difficult for her to work her way up into her position at the museum in Karachi. Moreover, I wondered why she was still so determined to find her niece and why her parents seemed eager to write the girl off.
The angst piled higher and higher as the story veered from archaeology and history to drugs, the illegal antiquities trade, corrupt police, and other people in power who couldn't be trusted. Perhaps if I had been in a different mood, I would've enjoyed this book more, but I didn't. I just couldn't warm to Delani or care about her search for her niece.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
The angst piled higher and higher as the story veered from archaeology and history to drugs, the illegal antiquities trade, corrupt police, and other people in power who couldn't be trusted. Perhaps if I had been in a different mood, I would've enjoyed this book more, but I didn't. I just couldn't warm to Delani or care about her search for her niece.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
I am enjoying all the stories that are being written about overlooked women in world history, whether real or fictional. Elise Hooper's The Library of Lost Dollhouses is another strong addition to this category, and her Author's Note at the end explains the people who inspired her characters.
The story spans a century and is told by two women, one, head curator Tildy Barrows who is passionate about saving the Belva Curtis LeFarge Library in San Francisco. As she described it, I wished I could go there and wander through all the rooms-- marvelous! The second is Cora Hale, extraordinary artist and creator of the most exquisite dollhouses I've ever read about. (I love the Thorne Rooms in the Phoenix Art Museum and have visited them many times, so this is a subject that's interested me for a long time.) I love how Cora was able to incorporate women's secrets into the houses she created for them.
Another strong point in this book was the descriptions of how difficult it is to keep a place like the LeFarge Library afloat, especially after the pandemic. As the book traveled from one place to the next, from Tildy's life and then back to Cora's, I couldn't wait until all was revealed. All in all, this is a heart-warming read that's well worth your time.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
The story spans a century and is told by two women, one, head curator Tildy Barrows who is passionate about saving the Belva Curtis LeFarge Library in San Francisco. As she described it, I wished I could go there and wander through all the rooms-- marvelous! The second is Cora Hale, extraordinary artist and creator of the most exquisite dollhouses I've ever read about. (I love the Thorne Rooms in the Phoenix Art Museum and have visited them many times, so this is a subject that's interested me for a long time.) I love how Cora was able to incorporate women's secrets into the houses she created for them.
Another strong point in this book was the descriptions of how difficult it is to keep a place like the LeFarge Library afloat, especially after the pandemic. As the book traveled from one place to the next, from Tildy's life and then back to Cora's, I couldn't wait until all was revealed. All in all, this is a heart-warming read that's well worth your time.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
Not Dead Yet (A Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis Mystery, 14)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
I've loved this series since the very first book. I've learned so much about Greece, its landscape, its culture, and its language. These books have been the next best thing to visiting there. (I wish!) Not Dead Yet continues Jeffrey Siger's tradition of marrying a first-rate cast of characters with blood-pumping action seemingly ripped fresh from the headlines.
The action in Not Dead Yet is set in cosmopolitan Athens and the remote rugged coastline of the Peloponnese, but even though the setting is so rich and evocative, there's so much more to this book-- and the entire series-- than its setting.
If you love multi-faceted characters who have grown together as a family and show true love and affection for each other, you'll find it in these books. If you love humor, you'll find it here. If you love scary bad guys, there's Dimitris Onofrio, a man completely capable of murdering entire families in revenge-- whether he's sure they're guilty or not. But in Siger's talented hands, Onofrio isn't your typical bad guy. (Just don't turn your back on him.) How Kaldis works against his "superior" officer's direct orders to investigate the plane crash is a work of art encompassing every member of his team and some new faces like retired aeronautical accident investigator Niko Reichardt. And if you've grown to love Kaldis and his family as much as I have, well, I knew he could pull off the impossible. It was just a matter of how.
There are many surprises in store when reading Not Dead Yet, and when I closed the book on the final page, I had a big smile of complete satisfaction on my face. Do yourself a favor. Pick up this book. I bet you'll love it-- and don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for the other books in the series.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
The action in Not Dead Yet is set in cosmopolitan Athens and the remote rugged coastline of the Peloponnese, but even though the setting is so rich and evocative, there's so much more to this book-- and the entire series-- than its setting.
If you love multi-faceted characters who have grown together as a family and show true love and affection for each other, you'll find it in these books. If you love humor, you'll find it here. If you love scary bad guys, there's Dimitris Onofrio, a man completely capable of murdering entire families in revenge-- whether he's sure they're guilty or not. But in Siger's talented hands, Onofrio isn't your typical bad guy. (Just don't turn your back on him.) How Kaldis works against his "superior" officer's direct orders to investigate the plane crash is a work of art encompassing every member of his team and some new faces like retired aeronautical accident investigator Niko Reichardt. And if you've grown to love Kaldis and his family as much as I have, well, I knew he could pull off the impossible. It was just a matter of how.
There are many surprises in store when reading Not Dead Yet, and when I closed the book on the final page, I had a big smile of complete satisfaction on my face. Do yourself a favor. Pick up this book. I bet you'll love it-- and don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for the other books in the series.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
One of the best books I have read in a long time.
I thought it would get confusing and I would become overwhelmed with the time jumping and different points of view, but the short chapters made it easy to read and follow along.
I thought it would get confusing and I would become overwhelmed with the time jumping and different points of view, but the short chapters made it easy to read and follow along.
This Lent the Hallow prayer app is utilizing "A Song for Nagasaki" as reflection on suffering and hope. This true story of the Japanese man, Takashi Nagai, may be one of the most poignant and beautiful books I have ever read. Takashi is wholly a patriot, in the Japanese sense of the word and a dedicated scientist in the evolving field in the early third of the 20th century of radiology. The death of his mother gives him glimpse into something inexplicable and undescribable, and becomes the foundation of his quest that ultimately leads him to Christianity.
The atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki was less than 300 hundred yards from Takashi's office in the local hospital where he was working August 9, 1945. Through horrific struggles in the center of nuclear devastation, Takashi's faith actually deepens and his strength is often attributed to the rebuilding of the faith, and the rebuilding of Nagasaki. [5/5]
The atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki was less than 300 hundred yards from Takashi's office in the local hospital where he was working August 9, 1945. Through horrific struggles in the center of nuclear devastation, Takashi's faith actually deepens and his strength is often attributed to the rebuilding of the faith, and the rebuilding of Nagasaki. [5/5]
Fast and furious! Konrath has a wicked imagination!
A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Parenting & Relationships, Self-Help
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Parenting & Relationships, Self-Help
Book Type: Paperback
I think Sue Klebold did a really, really good job of describing the absolute terror she and her family experienced as being related to a person who committed both murder and suicide in exceptionally well-known and televised school shooting.
As a person who had a school shooting in her home community, as a high schooler, a few years before Columbine, I was certainly nervous to read this book. Yet, Klebold holds nothing back, sugar coats nothing, and also is exceptionally open and warm.
As a person who had a school shooting in her home community, as a high schooler, a few years before Columbine, I was certainly nervous to read this book. Yet, Klebold holds nothing back, sugar coats nothing, and also is exceptionally open and warm.
1666 by Lora Chilton is published by Sibylline Press, an imprint that seeks to to "publish the brilliant work of women authors over 50!" Lora Chilton is member of the Patawomeck Tribe. The book is based on research through interviews with tribal elders, colonial documents, and a study of the Patawomeck language. This book is a story of courage, resilience, and survival. It is about a journey home. It is the story of the fact that, despite every effort to destroy them, the tribe survives today. An emotional, heart-wrenching story recounting an unforgettable history.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2025/04/1666.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2025/04/1666.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Donna C. (g-ma) reviewed on + 3177 more book reviews
This ended up being surprise book
It was moving very slow to the point I thought about quitting but then it finally started getting into the nitty gritty of the lives of the 3 women on the block, from that point it was hard to put down as you wanted to know what was going to happen page after page
It was moving very slow to the point I thought about quitting but then it finally started getting into the nitty gritty of the lives of the 3 women on the block, from that point it was hard to put down as you wanted to know what was going to happen page after page
The Comfort of Ghosts (Maisie Dobbs, Bk 18)
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Marcia C. reviewed on + 686 more book reviews
Up to page 237, this is an engaging mystery novel about the role of some orphan kids in London during World War II. But then everything wraps up neatly and ANOTHER story line starts, unrelated to the first 12 chapters. No, that's not good novelistic practice! I guess the author wanted to wrap things up from the past since this is her last entry in this series. But for me, that made the book a don't-read. Too bad.
All That it Takes (McKenzie Family Romance, Bk 2)
Author:
Genres: Religion & Spirituality, Romance, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Religion & Spirituality, Romance, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Paperback
Nicole Deese is an auto-read author. She creates complex characters, places them in challenging real-life situations, and adds humor and faith to craft five-star novels.
All That It Takes picks up where All That Really Matters, the first book in the Mackenzie Family duology, ends and I was eager to return to this world. Valerie and her young son left Alaska to begin a new chapter in Washington state, but their carefully made plans fall apart as soon as they arrive. Miles is a pastor with a passion for international ministry, but job changes demand he focus his efforts locally. Can each of them find peace and happiness in their new reality?
This was a five-star read, and not only because the heroine and I share a first name! Other aspects I enjoyed included the politics of being employed at a megachurch, being mentored through an elite creative competition, and the heroine using her skills to reconcile with her past and support other women.
All That It Takes picks up where All That Really Matters, the first book in the Mackenzie Family duology, ends and I was eager to return to this world. Valerie and her young son left Alaska to begin a new chapter in Washington state, but their carefully made plans fall apart as soon as they arrive. Miles is a pastor with a passion for international ministry, but job changes demand he focus his efforts locally. Can each of them find peace and happiness in their new reality?
This was a five-star read, and not only because the heroine and I share a first name! Other aspects I enjoyed included the politics of being employed at a megachurch, being mentored through an elite creative competition, and the heroine using her skills to reconcile with her past and support other women.
Runners by Phil Oakley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This absorbing family drama continues as the nation survives the Depression, Prohibition, and World War II.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This absorbing family drama continues as the nation survives the Depression, Prohibition, and World War II.
Runners is the second book in Phil Oakley's fictional saga based on his own family history, and it is an emotional and heart-wrenching dive into not only theirs but also the nation's past. The author gives readers truly relatable characters, putting names and faces on previously anonymous beings who survived the Depression, Prohibition, the Dust Bowl devastation of Oklahoma, and World War II. These events deeply affected his and every other family in the country during those times.
Judge Walter Oakley and his wife, Ada, are undoubtedly strong people, but after the constant strain of the times and the barrage of personal family tragedies, the cracks in their armor began to show. It was quite an emotional rollercoaster reading what they experienced. Early on, I wept along with Ada when she had no idea where young Ray had gone off to, whether he was alive or dead, whether she'd ever see her youngest child ever again, all while grieving the loss of an elder son, Glenn.The book is rife with vibrant settings and vivid descriptions, and I easily imagined what it was like for Ray to ride the rails while learning it was not at all the romantic experience as pictured in films. The same can be said of Ralph's activities on the Louisiana coast, smuggling liquor, or Jimmie's wild child life drinking and partying in speakeasies. The stories are so visual I felt like I was seeing things firsthand alongside the characters. The author tells an absorbing tale. For being two strong pillars of their community, the Oakley's children almost all sow a lot of wild oats or live recklessly. Some eventually learn a lesson and come out better for the experience, while others do not.
As this is the second book in the series, much of what I imagine was covered in the previous book, had I read it, would have helped me enjoy and understand this one better. I had some difficulty figuring out who many of the characters were, having to determine that from context as the story progressed. The author often mentioned names of people who hadn't been introduced in this book at that point, and that was confusing. Sometimes, an explanation would soon follow, as in the case of Jimmie's friend, Lewis. Still, at other times, I was left in the dark for quite some time, as in the case of figuring out how many children there were in the Oakley family, their names, genders (Jimmie), and their position in the family. Their backstories were missing from this book in the series. I also experienced a bit of confusion regarding the timeline as the author jumps around some as he picks up the story of a different sibling. Eventually, my understanding did clear up, but by that time, I was well into the family drama. I feel that for the best reading experience, the two books should be read in chronological order.I recommend RUNNERS to readers of historical fiction, family dramas and sagas, especially those who enjoy stories based on real people.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.
Wow! I've never read anything by this author before, but he is good. When first starting it I wasn't sure I'd like it, as I tend to avoid thrillers. But its World War II setting kept me going. Especially as I was familiar with the real history of the events and organizations depicted in the novel. I finished it in less than two days.
And it didn't hurt that the author has the same first and last name as my favorite, childhood cowboy hero.
And it didn't hurt that the author has the same first and last name as my favorite, childhood cowboy hero.
Still reading it but some good points made!
The Power Chord Behind Tom
Mike Campbell was Tom Petty's right-hand man, his lead guitarist throughout his recording career. He, along with his co-writer, Ari Surdoval, has written a rare gem: a truly enjoyable rock and roll biography. Unlike many other musician autobiographies, Campbell avoids self-congratulation and doesn't overstate his significance in the music industry.
Tom Petty's backup group, the Heartbreakers, were integral to his signature sound. Mike Campbell, the lead guitarist, was an essential member, notably co-writing hits like "Refugee," "I Won't Back Down," and "You Got Lucky." His distinctive guitar work, as exemplified in the outro solo of "Running Down a Dream," is unforgettable. Campbell's influence extended beyond Petty's work, collaborating with artists such as Stevie Nicks and Don Henley, co-writing Henley's iconic songs "Boys of Summer" and "Heart of the Matter," as well as Nicks's "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around."
Early in his life, Campbell faced many challenges. Growing up in poverty in Florida, he was forced to sell his blood plasma for $15 a day to buy food before finding success. The book also explores the journey of Petty and Campbell's early band, Mudcrutch, as it evolved into the Heartbreakers, including the difficulties they encountered. The band struggled to find its unique sound while dealing with producers, record companies, and internal conflicts. Resentment grew within the group due to the "Tom Petty and..." label and Petty's eventual dominance over the other members, who were told by management that they were merely "sidemen," and would be compensated as such. Campbell found himself acting as a mediator between Petty and the rest of the band, persuading them to stay together despite the challenges.
Mike Campbell's unassuming nature is part of what makes his book such a good read. He puts making the best music above all else, even if it means deferring to Petty and sometimes being at a disadvantage because of it. While the book includes stories and mentions names like Harrison, Dylan, and the Stones, it never becomes a gossipy tell-all. Although Tom Petty is no longer with us, Mike Campbell continues to make music and, thankfully, has shared the Heartbreaker journey with us.
...somethings are over
Some things go on
And part of me you carry
A part of me is gone -- "Walls" Tom Petty
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Mike Campbell was Tom Petty's right-hand man, his lead guitarist throughout his recording career. He, along with his co-writer, Ari Surdoval, has written a rare gem: a truly enjoyable rock and roll biography. Unlike many other musician autobiographies, Campbell avoids self-congratulation and doesn't overstate his significance in the music industry.
Tom Petty's backup group, the Heartbreakers, were integral to his signature sound. Mike Campbell, the lead guitarist, was an essential member, notably co-writing hits like "Refugee," "I Won't Back Down," and "You Got Lucky." His distinctive guitar work, as exemplified in the outro solo of "Running Down a Dream," is unforgettable. Campbell's influence extended beyond Petty's work, collaborating with artists such as Stevie Nicks and Don Henley, co-writing Henley's iconic songs "Boys of Summer" and "Heart of the Matter," as well as Nicks's "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around."
Early in his life, Campbell faced many challenges. Growing up in poverty in Florida, he was forced to sell his blood plasma for $15 a day to buy food before finding success. The book also explores the journey of Petty and Campbell's early band, Mudcrutch, as it evolved into the Heartbreakers, including the difficulties they encountered. The band struggled to find its unique sound while dealing with producers, record companies, and internal conflicts. Resentment grew within the group due to the "Tom Petty and..." label and Petty's eventual dominance over the other members, who were told by management that they were merely "sidemen," and would be compensated as such. Campbell found himself acting as a mediator between Petty and the rest of the band, persuading them to stay together despite the challenges.
Mike Campbell's unassuming nature is part of what makes his book such a good read. He puts making the best music above all else, even if it means deferring to Petty and sometimes being at a disadvantage because of it. While the book includes stories and mentions names like Harrison, Dylan, and the Stones, it never becomes a gossipy tell-all. Although Tom Petty is no longer with us, Mike Campbell continues to make music and, thankfully, has shared the Heartbreaker journey with us.
...somethings are over
Some things go on
And part of me you carry
A part of me is gone -- "Walls" Tom Petty
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Lady's Last Mistake: A Bow Street Duchess Romance (Bow Street Duchess Mystery Series)
Author:
Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Romance
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Romance
Book Type: Paperback
I was disappointed by this author's first book in this series, MURDER AT THE SEVEN DIALS. I swore I wouldn't read another of this series. I am willing to eat crow. This one, the eighth of the series, is a keeper. This story is fascinating, and no one has a "gift."
Lady Cassandra has a terrible secret. She has decided never to marry and instead throws her support and money behind a home for unwed girls. Physician and fourth son of a marquess, Lord Grant Thornton likes his rake reputation. However, there is a serious side to him that includes a free clinic in the poorest part of London.
Before long, these two adversaries meet in the one place where they want no one to know about their secret, independent lives. This is an engaging story. However, I knocked off a half-point for the unlikeliness of the plot. Overall score = 4.5 stars.
Bow Street Duchess Mystery
1. Murder at the Seven Dials (2023)
2. Death at Fournier Downs (2023)
3. Silence of Deceit (2023)
4. Penance for the Dead (2023)
5. Fatal by Design (2023)
6. Nature of the Crime (2024)
7. Taken to the Grave (2024)
** 8. The Lady's Last Mistake (2024)
Lady Cassandra has a terrible secret. She has decided never to marry and instead throws her support and money behind a home for unwed girls. Physician and fourth son of a marquess, Lord Grant Thornton likes his rake reputation. However, there is a serious side to him that includes a free clinic in the poorest part of London.
Before long, these two adversaries meet in the one place where they want no one to know about their secret, independent lives. This is an engaging story. However, I knocked off a half-point for the unlikeliness of the plot. Overall score = 4.5 stars.
Bow Street Duchess Mystery
1. Murder at the Seven Dials (2023)
2. Death at Fournier Downs (2023)
3. Silence of Deceit (2023)
4. Penance for the Dead (2023)
5. Fatal by Design (2023)
6. Nature of the Crime (2024)
7. Taken to the Grave (2024)
** 8. The Lady's Last Mistake (2024)
Alice B. reviewed on + 3651 more book reviews
Gwen Cooper adopted a three week old eyeless cat. He was totally blind. She fell in love with him. He fell in love with her, and she took him home for a cat that she thought, and most people thought would be limited. Homer did not live in himself to anything he was hyperactive, but he was a lot of fun and everyone who got to know Homer loved him, and this is the story of Homer, the goofy crazy black blind cat. Rejoice and enjoy.
The Lineup: The World's Greatest Crime Writers Tell the Inside Story of Their Greatest Detectives
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
While I appreciated all the short essays about the various authors and their central characters, I especially liked those which dealt with authors I have read. Would the narratives about the other authors convince me to read their output? Possibly, if I didn't have so many unread volumes in my library. So I will reluctantly say that I can't afford to start other series when I have so many unread in my home. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the process of writing about and generating a main character for a series.
When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed by Nicholas Litchfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The riveting tale of an actor unwittingly drawn into an obsessed director's dangerous vision for an action/adventure cult film.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The riveting tale of an actor unwittingly drawn into an obsessed director's dangerous vision for an action/adventure cult film.
When the Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed is Nicholas Litchfield's riveting story of a struggling Hollywood actor cast as the "career-making" lead in a South American director's upcoming action/adventure film. Enticed by his agent's claims that this is sure to be his break-out role and the director's early successes, actor Dominic Graves soon finds himself heading to Uruguay, anticipating 10 weeks on set in a beautiful seaside location. However, the amenable location may end up being the only promise fulfilled of the entire experience.
Dominic Graves is a 31-year-old, five-year veteran of the Hollywood scene, but with only a handful of B-movie credits to his name, his signature megawatt smile is starting to dim. His agent, Bernie Finkelman, a horrid and abusive old man with rumored ties to the Mafia, is no longer an active advocate for Dominic's career and has sold him a few "bill of goods" jobs in the past, so he's understandably wary. However, Dominic, who has earned a reputation for hard drinking and carousing while on a project, starts drinking on the flight to Uruguay and takes some of his worst, self-destructive habits with him into this new opportunity, negatively impressing the other members of the cast and crew. Ignatio Martinez, the vision-driven and cliche-spouting director, only contributes to Dominic's troubles with pre-dawn to late-night workdays, no downtime, and numerous unnecessary takes of scene after scene after scene. Add in a leading lady with a history with the director and desperate for a big career, who clings to whomever she currently deems most beneficial to her goal, including her new leading man, and the filming becomes a nightmare. Scores of unhappy film industry professionals are trapped working on a project that quickly begins to look like it will ever see distribution.The plot is well-paced, with an absolute gem of an opening that guaranteed my continued reading. Dominic is an engaging character, and I couldn't look away as he immediately began making a series of unfortunate behavioral choices and what he experienced once on set. The behind-the-scenes glimpses of film creation were interesting, and the discussions around the practical aspects, especially the safety concerns for those involved, were fascinating. The suspense built steadily, and I had a constant, fearful anticipation of what would happen next and whether or not Dominic would even survive principal photography.
I recommend WHEN THE ACTOR INSPIRED CHAOS AND BLOODSHED to readers interested in tales of filmmaking gone awry.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.
Cooking with Judith: Comfort Foods Create WOW Eating
Author:
Genres: Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Reference, Religion & Spirituality
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Reference, Religion & Spirituality
Book Type: Paperback
Rarely do I give a cookbook without nutritional information five stars. However, this is something special. I'm in awe of it and have read it twice. I love everything about it. The recipes are easy to follow, with clear directions and color photos of the finished product.
This author specializes in creating dishes from ingredients found in her pantry; there's no need to rush to the store for unusual ingredients. Treat yourself and your guests by getting a copy of this book. Overall score = E.
This author specializes in creating dishes from ingredients found in her pantry; there's no need to rush to the store for unusual ingredients. Treat yourself and your guests by getting a copy of this book. Overall score = E.
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