I read this book during the chaotic days that followed the US 2020 Presidential elections, starting on the day that for all but the "delusional" the election was called in favor of Joe Biden. It has started my love affair with this author and I have since read 3 more of his books and I really need to read more.
I read this book during the chaos of the 2020 US Presidental elections as I was in need of some very distracting reads. This filled the bill perfectly--I even loved the perfectly bureaucratic ending.
Books that I read and reviewed just because I wanted to...
I found the author Kate Vane via Twitter, we follow each other, and recently I read a book review she posted on her website. I liked her review as it was honest without being hurtful. So I decided to read her latest book.
Rating systems do not allow for partial stars so I am giving this book 4 stars, although in reality I would rate it in the range of 3.5-3.8. In other words somewhere between “I liked it and I really liked it”. I am comfortable leaving my rating at 4 based on the writing strength and the keen ability of Ms. Vane to draw characters and to set scenes.
I found the promo blurbs to be a little misleading so I am creating my own— because this book is different from what you are led to believe—I am not alone in this comment.
For the record, I thought it was going to be a crime mystery wherein a journalist for the BBC, would unravel the “who-done-it” before or by working with the police. And it is sort of…but this book refuses to pigeon-hole itself into one genre and I like that as it makes for a more interesting read. I am also a fan of books that flip through time with alternating storylines involving the past and the present.
Restoring Prana: A Therapeutic Guide to Pranayama by Robin Rothenberg currently reading
Written In My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander #8) by Diana Gabaldon currently reading
The Lingering by SJI Holliday completed 2/2020
Breakers by Doug Johnstone completed 1/2020
Jane Doe January by Emily Winslow completed 1/2020
The Monsoon Ghost Image by Tom Vater completed 1/2020
Click here to read my in depth review
Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth completed 1/2020
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell completed 1/2020
Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris completed 1/2020
The Mitfords by Charlotte Mosley currently reading
ETERNAL EVE The History of Gynaecology & Obstetrics
Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow
Lady Susan and Other Works by Jane Austen read 1/2020
To date I have only read the title novella.
In the honor of February "the month of love" I am starting a category of books with "heart" in their titles. Yes this is mostly so I can finally read Outlander #9 but there are a lot of other enticing titles. This category will outlast February for sure as several of the books are of "doorstop" length.
Written in my Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon currently reading
I have held off on reading this 8th book in the Outlander series as so far it is the last published. The author is hard at work on the 9th book and although she had hoped publish sometime in 2019--it is now 2020 with no publication date in sight. I can wait no longer--this is exactly the kind of immersive book reading experience that "my heart" is longing for right now--so I am giving it solace and escaping once again into this fabulous world.
Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell to be read
This is the 23rd Kate Scarpetta novel. I generally never read out of order but this sounds good and was in one of my many TBR stacks already. I haven't read any of her books since the 1990's and I can't remember why I stopped.
The Death of the Heart by Elizabeth Bowen to be read
This is an author I have never read but after seeing her name mentioned numerous times of Bookish Twitter and after reading JacquiWine's wonderful review I could resist no longer and this title considered one of her best works was a perfect fit.
My Heart is my Own by John Guy to be read
A long-overdue and dramatic reinterpretation of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots by one of the leading historians at work today and a book I cannot wait to start. I do a lot of Royal reading--most recently the Tudors. I am understandably keen to read more on Elizabeth I's biggest rival. A door stopping read.
Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy to be read
A Maeve Binchy title that I have not read--what a perfect way to round out this category with heart.
