September was a slow reading month for me. I have had more time for sewing and perhaps that was why. At any rate, these six books were enjoyable for me and you might like them too. Lots of historical fiction this time!
There were two additional books I got about halfway through and decided I wasn't enjoying them enough to continue. Those were Mr. Magic by Kiersten White and The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes. Mr. Magic was in the horror genre, which I need to accept just isn't for me. The Spanish Daughter was historical fiction and had a great premise (Spanish daughter inherits a coffee plantation in Ecuador), but the main character masquerades as a man when she arrives to meet her long-estranged family. It just didn't make sense to me, so I set it aside.
On to the books I did like!
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger. This book is set in Minnesota in the years following WW2. A wealthy landowner everyone dislikes is found murdered and war hero Sheriff Brody Dern has to sift through the loads of possible suspects to figure out who committed the crime. Rumours abound that the killer is Noah Bluestone, a Native American WW2 veteran who has recently returned to town with his Japanese wife. This is a very literary mystery, full of complexity, great depiction of place, and rich language. We get an in-depth look at the after-effects of war and the racial injustice that was (and still is) a part of American life. This book is so much more than a murder mystery. 4.5 stars
The Spectacular by Fiona Davis. This author is known for her books set in historic locations in New York. If you enjoy historical fiction, Fiona Davis' books should be added to your list. The Spectacular is set in 1950's Manhattan and features the Radio City Music Hall. Our main character, Marion, is thrilled to have been selected to be one of the Rockettes. She is ready to move on from the slightly boring guy she is engaged to and the predictable and boring life she faces if she marries him. As she embraces her exciting new life as a performer, the city of New York is rocked by a series of bombings by someone the press calls "The Big Apple Bomber". True story! I have no idea why I hadn't heard about this, but it turns out it really happened. Marion is affected by the bombings and is pulled into the search for the Bomber, and an exciting story ensues. 4 stars
The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson. Set in Cornwall in 1730, a young girl known as "Red" accompanies her father throughout the countryside, telling fortunes with an ancient tarot-style method called the Square of Sevens. Her father dies suddenly after entrusting Red's care to a gentleman scholar they meet while traveling. He is a kind man who raises her as a lady in the town of Bath. As she matures, our main character, now known as Rachel, has a lot of questions: Who was her mother? Who were the enemies her father always warned her were looking for them? A series of circumstances causes Red to go into hiding when her guardian dies, and she must support herself by reverting to her fortune-telling to survive and discover her past. Great mystery, major plot twist at the end, very Dickensian in style and atmosphere. I was immersed in this story and didn't want to do anything until I got to the end! 5 stars.
The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff. There is no doubt whatsoever that Lauren Groff is a writer of exceptional talent. Her writing makes you feel as if you are present in the world she describes. In this case, the book is set in colonial America, where a young servant girl has escaped from the disease and famine-ravaged settlement of Jamestown and is being pursued by those who would take her life. She finds herself alone in the wilderness with a warm cape, a flint to start a fire, and the will to survive. This book definitely is a survival story, and the descriptions of the hardship, hunger, injuries, and natural threats from the environment are truly harrowing. This story is pretty much one awful thing after another happening to this girl. No other characters, no dialog, just descriptions of her solitary flight through the wilds. The book is unique and extremely well-written, but you need to be in the mood for nothing good to happen. 3.5 stars
What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline. Don't start this thriller if you have anything else you need to do because you won't want to put it down. Non-stop action ensues from page one until the end. Jason Bennett is driving his family home from his daughter's lacrosse game when he notices he is being tailgated. The other car forces him off the road and two sinister men come out of the car towards him with guns drawn and order him out of the car. During the following moments of violence, something happens that will change Jason's life forever. Later that night the FBI turns up at Jason's home and tells him the carjackers were part of a dangerous drug trafficking organization and that he and his family must go into witness protection immediately in order to save their lives. The Bennetts are then taken away from their full and rewarding suburban lives and placed in completely unfamiliar circumstances. No surprise that the family starts to fall apart at the seams. Then Jason learns something that causes him to take matters into his own hands…Talk about a page-turner. My goodness. 4.5 stars.
When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash. Sheriff Winston Barnes and his wife are asleep when the noise of a low-flying aircraft awakens them. When he rushes to the nearby airport he is not prepared for what he finds: a completely abandoned aircraft sitting sideways on the tarmac, and the dead body of a local man lying close by. No pilot, no cargo. Everyone seems to be a suspect and racial tensions are high in this mystery set in 1980's North Carolina. Sheriff Barnes is up for re-election and knows the stakes are high for him to figure out what happened. An additional complication is the arrival of his daughter Colleen, who has suddenly come back home after suffering a shattering tragedy. Winston and his daughter have a close relationship, which I really enjoyed. Tension rises quickly in this character-driven and atmospheric mystery, and I found myself engrossed. And I sure didn't see that ending coming. 4 stars Free on Kindle Unlimited right now.
That's it for September! Do you think you might pick any of them up? If you read any of these books, let me know what you think of them.
63 responses to “September Book Reviews”
Thank you for your book reviews. I also enjoy reading books by William Kent Krueger; always entertaining and thought-provoking
Thank you for your book reviews. I also enjoy reading books by William Kent Krueger; always entertaining and thought-provoking
Thank you for your book reviews. I also enjoy reading books by William Kent Krueger; always entertaining and thought-provoking
like your book reviews, I use local library , will look for recommendations that perked my interest.
like your book reviews, I use local library , will look for recommendations that perked my interest.
like your book reviews, I use local library , will look for recommendations that perked my interest.
I always look forward to your book reviews. I just finished The River We Remember and also thoroughly enjoyed it.
I always look forward to your book reviews. I just finished The River We Remember and also thoroughly enjoyed it.
I always look forward to your book reviews. I just finished The River We Remember and also thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you, I always get a few additions for my to-be-read list from you. I just finished Summer Stage by Meg Mitchell Moore (4.5 stars), a story of evolving family relationships and how people deal with fame. Also, The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman – if you have not read The Thursday Murder Club series, you need to start it! And Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, absolutely wonderful! And in between books and travel, I’ve been doing some sewing, with a new quilt to share soon.
Thank you, I always get a few additions for my to-be-read list from you. I just finished Summer Stage by Meg Mitchell Moore (4.5 stars), a story of evolving family relationships and how people deal with fame. Also, The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman – if you have not read The Thursday Murder Club series, you need to start it! And Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, absolutely wonderful! And in between books and travel, I’ve been doing some sewing, with a new quilt to share soon.
Thank you, I always get a few additions for my to-be-read list from you. I just finished Summer Stage by Meg Mitchell Moore (4.5 stars), a story of evolving family relationships and how people deal with fame. Also, The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman – if you have not read The Thursday Murder Club series, you need to start it! And Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, absolutely wonderful! And in between books and travel, I’ve been doing some sewing, with a new quilt to share soon.
I always enjoy your book reviews and have downloaded two of your recommendations. I am an avid reader, if I have a good book on the go (and why bother to read any others?) I don’t want to do anything but read – that’s why my quilting projects take forever to finish.
I always enjoy your book reviews and have downloaded two of your recommendations. I am an avid reader, if I have a good book on the go (and why bother to read any others?) I don’t want to do anything but read – that’s why my quilting projects take forever to finish.
I always enjoy your book reviews and have downloaded two of your recommendations. I am an avid reader, if I have a good book on the go (and why bother to read any others?) I don’t want to do anything but read – that’s why my quilting projects take forever to finish.
I always read up on your book reviews and have read many of them. I appreciate when you say you didn’t finish one or another. And your reviews are so through! Thanks! And I love your quiltmaking. Your blog is one I check on every day. 🙂
I always read up on your book reviews and have read many of them. I appreciate when you say you didn’t finish one or another. And your reviews are so through! Thanks! And I love your quiltmaking. Your blog is one I check on every day. 🙂
I always read up on your book reviews and have read many of them. I appreciate when you say you didn’t finish one or another. And your reviews are so through! Thanks! And I love your quiltmaking. Your blog is one I check on every day. 🙂
I have the River on hold at the library. It has been recommended to me twice now, so can’t wait! Thanks for the other reviews too.
I have the River on hold at the library. It has been recommended to me twice now, so can’t wait! Thanks for the other reviews too.
I have the River on hold at the library. It has been recommended to me twice now, so can’t wait! Thanks for the other reviews too.
I read What Happened to the Bennetts and loved it.
The River We Remember is on hold for me at the library ready for me to pick up Love the authors writing.
I read What Happened to the Bennetts and loved it.
The River We Remember is on hold for me at the library ready for me to pick up Love the authors writing.
I read What Happened to the Bennetts and loved it.
The River We Remember is on hold for me at the library ready for me to pick up Love the authors writing.
The only book from this list that I have read was What Happened to the Bennetts. It was a well-written book that really held my interest all the way through. Her books are always good.
The only book from this list that I have read was What Happened to the Bennetts. It was a well-written book that really held my interest all the way through. Her books are always good.
The only book from this list that I have read was What Happened to the Bennetts. It was a well-written book that really held my interest all the way through. Her books are always good.
Thanks. I’ve found 3 of them at my on line libraries.
I enjoyed The River We Remember.
Thanks. I’ve found 3 of them at my on line libraries.
I enjoyed The River We Remember.
Thanks. I’ve found 3 of them at my on line libraries.
I enjoyed The River We Remember.
I share your reviews with my sister because of your honest opinions of the books you’ve read or put down after trying. ‘When Ghosts Come Home’ sounds intriguing. I’m going to download it this morning! Thank you for the time you spend writing the reviews!
I share your reviews with my sister because of your honest opinions of the books you’ve read or put down after trying. ‘When Ghosts Come Home’ sounds intriguing. I’m going to download it this morning! Thank you for the time you spend writing the reviews!
I share your reviews with my sister because of your honest opinions of the books you’ve read or put down after trying. ‘When Ghosts Come Home’ sounds intriguing. I’m going to download it this morning! Thank you for the time you spend writing the reviews!
I always enjoy your reviews. We have similar reading interests. I’ve been looking at that William Kent Krueger book. Glad to hear you liked it
I always enjoy your reviews. We have similar reading interests. I’ve been looking at that William Kent Krueger book. Glad to hear you liked it
I always enjoy your reviews. We have similar reading interests. I’ve been looking at that William Kent Krueger book. Glad to hear you liked it
Hello, I have read your blog for years now and have never commented. I hope this will be sent without complication since I have no confidence in my computer skills. Please know that I and others enjoy the information.
Hello, I have read your blog for years now and have never commented. I hope this will be sent without complication since I have no confidence in my computer skills. Please know that I and others enjoy the information.
Hello, I have read your blog for years now and have never commented. I hope this will be sent without complication since I have no confidence in my computer skills. Please know that I and others enjoy the information.
Listening my way thru all the William Kent Kruger books currently. I started with the standalone books including the new release. Now working my way thru the Cork series. Most excellent.
Vickie
Listening my way thru all the William Kent Kruger books currently. I started with the standalone books including the new release. Now working my way thru the Cork series. Most excellent.
Vickie
Listening my way thru all the William Kent Kruger books currently. I started with the standalone books including the new release. Now working my way thru the Cork series. Most excellent.
Vickie
Love your blog!!! Has always been my favourite! Downloading your book selections as I type. Hope you are enjoying the weekend and sewing up a storm!
Love your blog!!! Has always been my favourite! Downloading your book selections as I type. Hope you are enjoying the weekend and sewing up a storm!
Love your blog!!! Has always been my favourite! Downloading your book selections as I type. Hope you are enjoying the weekend and sewing up a storm!
Definitely going to look for The Square of Sevens. Sounds right up my alley.
Definitely going to look for The Square of Sevens. Sounds right up my alley.
Definitely going to look for The Square of Sevens. Sounds right up my alley.
I forward all your book reviews to my brother in law who is an avid reader and definitely not a quilter. He reads all your recommendations and has commented “how does she do it all”!
I also read many of your suggestions and appreciate the summary of each one.
Thank you so much!
I forward all your book reviews to my brother in law who is an avid reader and definitely not a quilter. He reads all your recommendations and has commented “how does she do it all”!
I also read many of your suggestions and appreciate the summary of each one.
Thank you so much!
I forward all your book reviews to my brother in law who is an avid reader and definitely not a quilter. He reads all your recommendations and has commented “how does she do it all”!
I also read many of your suggestions and appreciate the summary of each one.
Thank you so much!
I look forward to your reading/book selections. I’ve read Krueger’s book, The River We Remember and really enjoyed it. I had not guessed the ending!
I look forward to your reading/book selections. I’ve read Krueger’s book, The River We Remember and really enjoyed it. I had not guessed the ending!
I look forward to your reading/book selections. I’ve read Krueger’s book, The River We Remember and really enjoyed it. I had not guessed the ending!
Thanks for the book reviews. It’s so nice to be have some guidance in choosing books.
Thanks for the book reviews. It’s so nice to be have some guidance in choosing books.
Thanks for the book reviews. It’s so nice to be have some guidance in choosing books.
I always enjoy your book reviews. I just finished the last two books of the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley. I think I left you a comment after book 6. I was right.
I always enjoy your book reviews. I just finished the last two books of the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley. I think I left you a comment after book 6. I was right.
I always enjoy your book reviews. I just finished the last two books of the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley. I think I left you a comment after book 6. I was right.
I always love your book reviews and have read many of the books you loved – thanks for sharing some more.
I always love your book reviews and have read many of the books you loved – thanks for sharing some more.
I always love your book reviews and have read many of the books you loved – thanks for sharing some more.