The Women in White - Fiction Review

Goodreads: The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description: Extrasensory perception.
The Gift.
A Sixth Sense.
Or something else….

In 1964, four remarkable young women at a prestigious university became the subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough, the women mysteriously vanished and the program was erased from history. Decades later, Riley Bell, newly divorced and desperate for a fresh start, accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Riley steps into a home that is frozen in another era - no microwave, television, or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet. Why has Betty lived in such profound isolation for so many years, and why does she need Riley now? As the story unfolds across two timelines - Betty’s 1960s era of 5 o’clock martinis and high-stakes experiments, and Riley’s quest to uncover the truth about the missing women - old secrets rise to the surface. And the only way to survive is to confront the mystery that has lingered for sixty years.

Genre: Fiction - Suspense

Why I Picked This Book: This sounded interesting and I've had good luck with this author in the past.

My Impression:  I could not put this book down.  Like I would have to convince myself that it was way past my bedtime and when I hit the next chapter, I HAD to put the book down so I could get some sleep.  I almost always read just a few more chapters after that conversation.  I wouldn't necessarily classify this as a thriller.  There's a bit of cat and mouse and the atmosphere of the entire book is unsettling but for the bulk of the book the main characters aren't really in any kind of danger.  The story is told in two timelines.  One is set in 1964 and focuses on Betty and her friends as they fall more in more in control of a madman.  The second is present day as Riley tries to figure out just what happened to Betty all those years ago.

The pacing is fast and the story kept me hooked from page one.  I liked Riley and Betty and enjoyed watching them get to know each other.  As more and more of the past is revealed I couldn't wait to figure out just what happened.  

This was a fast paced read that I enjoyed from beginning to end.  It's unsettling and while what happens in the 1964 timeline is horrifying it's not one that will have you double checking the locks.  I really enjoyed it and will definitely be reading more of this author.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I'm really looking forward to reading more from her backlist and will be looking for new books.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you like stories filled with suspense this is a good read.  

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Friday Fives - Five Quick Reviews for Books I've Read Recently

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. This week I'm sharing 5 quick reviews for books I've read recently.

1.  Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World by Claire Harman - I picked up the audio version from my library and found it to be an interesting and informative listen.  It's not really a traditional biography of Jane though it does go into what is known about her life.  Instead, it talks of how her fame evolved and spread from the time she was alive and writing until where we are now.  I've enjoyed Austen's works but am by known means a Janeite but I still found this really interesting.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

2.  White Hot by Ilona Andrews - I'm making an effort to keep going with series I started so I was excited to pick up this second book in the Hidden Legacies series.  Just like the first one this one kept me engaged from beginning to end.  It was connected to the first book but didn't rely on those previous events so much that I felt lost getting everything figured out.  I really liked seeing more of Nevada's family as well as seeing more of how she and Rogan work together.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  Murder in Miniature by Katie Tietjen - This is the second book in the Maple Bishop and I really enjoyed this one as well. I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Maple and the Sheriff.  Maple is also becoming more of a part of the community and her business is getting more attention.  The mystery is really interesting and I loved how her miniature crime scenes were used. As well, I really enjoyed getting a more in-depth look into Maple's backstory.  I've thoroughly enjoyed the two books in this series and am really hoping there will be more.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

4.  The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst - I have been loving another series by this author so I was super excited about this one.  I was a little hesitant when I saw that it was YA but I decided to go on and give it a chance. I'm so glad I did!  The main character is definitely a teenager both in her thoughts and actions but she's a very likable teenager who works hard and does think about other people.  The magical elements are an absolute delight and I loved all the magical guests (especially Steve).  This was a delightful story that kept me thoroughly entertained.  I'm already looking forward to her next book.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

5.  Everyone On This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson - I absolutely loved the first book in this series and was really looking forward to this one.  I really enjoyed it.  There's a big cast of characters and it did take me a minute to figure out who was who.  This may have been easier in the print version.  The story was a good one with some seriously complicated backstories and motives.  I really liked the Ernest's character development.  The ending (especially the second epilogue) was absolute perfection.  This is a fun series with grim subject matters told in a matter-of-fact manner with a dry sense of humor.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Recipe Thursday - Boursin Chicken

One of my goals for 2026 is to sort through all the recipes I have laying around tucked into folders and notebooks as well as my gigantic Pinterest/food blog collection that hasn't been touched in years.  I've been having quite a good time with it.  I enjoy cooking but it can become a chore pretty easily and this has made it a lot more fun for me as I feel like I'm working on a project.   Around here we've taken to calling it Recipe Thunderdome as all recipes have to be auditioned before earning their place in the final recipe binder. 

*For context I'm a reasonably capable home cook but one who is often trying to multitask and who is pretty much completely self-taught. *

Today I'm Sharing:  Boursin Chicken from Salt and Lavendar

Changes:  None though next time I might double the sauce.

Thoughts of Recipe Difficult: Pretty easy!   Because the Boursin has so much flavor it doesn't have a ton of ingredients and it comes together very easily.

Cook Time:  30 minutes maybe - prep time is maybe 5 minutes.

Served With: Mashed potatoes and green beans

Results:  So good!  We've had this a few times before and always really enjoyed it. It's been awhile but it didn't disappoint.  

Verdict: Survived!  Definitely binder material.

Reading What I Love - The Librarians

The last few years I've made a list of 10 books - 5 books off my shelf, 5 books from the library - that I'm really wanting to read.  There's no real rhyme or reason.  I just go through my library list and my shelves and pick the books that are calling to me.  My focus in 2026 is reading books I think I'll love - or at least really enjoy.

Goodreads:  The Librarians by Sherry Thomas

Blurb:  Sometimes a workplace isn’t just a workplace but a place of safety, understanding, and acceptance. And sometimes murder threatens the sanctity of that beloved refuge....
In the leafy suburbs of Austin, Texas, a small branch library welcomes the public every day of the week. But the patrons who love the helpful, unobtrusive staff and leave rave reviews on Yelp don’t always realize that their librarians are human, too.

Hazel flees halfway across the world for what she hopes will be a new beginning. Jonathan, a six-foot-four former college football player, has never fit in anywhere else. Astrid tries to forget her heartbreak by immersing herself in work, but the man who ghosted her six months ago is back, promising trouble. And Sophie, who has the most to lose, maintains a careful and respectful distance from her coworkers, but soon that won't be enough anymore.

When two patrons turn up dead after the library’s inaugural murder mystery–themed game night, the librarians’ quiet routines come crashing down. Something sinister has stirred, something that threatens every single one of them. And the only way the librarians can save the library—and themselves—is to let go of their secrets, trust one another, and band together....

All in a day’s work.

Why I Think I'll Love This One: Librarians solving crimes - what's not to love. Plus, I've enjoyed other books by this author in the past.  

My Thoughts: I wanted this one to be an absolute winner for me but unfortunately it just wasn't.  I trudged through the first half seriously considering DNFing it.  I didn't care about the characters or what happened to them.  There's nothing particular bookish about them other than that they work in a library.   I am glad I stuck with it.  I really enjoyed the ending.  The characters developed in ways I really enjoyed (especially Astrid and Hazel) and I liked seeing them work together.  The ending was pretty dramatic and definitely kept me turning pages.  Even when I wasn't enjoying the story itself the author's writing style has a nice flow to it that kept my attention even when I wasn't looking forward to picking up the book.  The first half I'd rate 2 stars while the last half I'd rate 4.  The author's writing style gives this an extra half star.  My Rating:  Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I Had to Have Immediately But Still Haven't Read

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Books I Had to Have Immediately But Still Haven't Read.  

1.  Lost Among the Living by Simone St James - I came across a copy at a used bookstore right after my library said their copy was no longer in the catalog (it has since come back - no idea what that was about) and had to have it right then.

2.  Hardcastle's Spy by Graham Ison - I read a later book in this series and enjoyed it so much I immediately had to go out and get the first few books which of course I have yet to read.

3.  Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams - I have enjoyed the first two Schuyler Sisters books and grabbed this one when I saw it but then haven't read it.

4.  The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict - I've really liked what I've read from this author.  Christie is my favorite author so I'm a bit nervous about it which I guess is why I haven't picked it up yet.

5.  Cress by Marissa Meyer - I HAD to have this one 10 years ago when I finished the 2nd book in the series.  I still haven't read it.

6.  The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton - I have really enjoyed everything Kate Morton has ever written except this one.  I picked this one up on Audible right after it came out and then for various reasons haven't gotten to it yet.

7.  The Brightest Star in Paris by Diane Biller - I loved another book by this author and this one looks even better.  I picked it up on Libro.FM a year ago or so.

8.  Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen: Peril at Owl Park by Marthe Jocelyn - I really enjoyed the first book in this middle grade mystery series very loosely based on Agatha Christie's childhood so I had to pick up the second book.

9.  Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto - I've loved this author's Vera Wong books and picked this one up on Libro.FM  right after I read the first one.

10. Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker - This one looked so fun when I saw it at the bookstore, I had to pick it up.  It looks like a short quick read so I thought I'll read it right away.  And then of course I didn't!

What books did you just have to have?

Meet Me in Paris - Fiction Review

Goodreads: Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel

Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description: Julia Glover has brought her twenty-three-year-old daughter, Piper, to Paris for the first time—but they know it will also be their last trip here together. Julia is dying, and as the mother and daughter desperately try to make memories together as the clock ticks down, the world opens up around them. Piper meets a cute French waiter, who might just understand her better than anyone she’s ever met, and Julia meets a man at a dive bar and struggles with how to tell him the truth about her future.

Rock star Jackson Quick’s glory days are behind him. He had a handful of hit songs thirty years ago, but he hasn’t toured in a decade. This week, he’ll launch his reunion tour in Paris, the city where it all began. But he wants more out of life than being defined by fame. When he meets a woman who finally sees him for who he is at his core, the ground shifts beneath his feet.

Henry McGee has been writing hit songs for decades—including Jackson Quick’s biggest hit, City of Light. But his secret is that every love song he’s ever written is for a woman named Celeste, whom he loved a lifetime ago, when they were both teenagers in Paris during World War II. He has spent eighty years believing she died—but when a letter arrives telling him the opposite, he’s on the first flight to France. Can he break through the haze of her dementia, using the songs he’s written all these years, to remind her of who they once were to each other—and to tell her he came back for her?

Henry’s granddaughter, Melody, has just discovered that her husband of twenty years, Gilles, a French cosmetics executive, is having an affair. When she confronts him, he tearfully apologizes and begs her to forgive him. But can she? And, perhaps even more importantly, does she want to? Or is there a different kind of life out there for her if she chooses to be alone?

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoyed a previous book by this author and this looked interesting. 

My Impression: Wow this is a huge cast of characters.  It's seven different stories but each story has its own cast of characters and inhabits its own world that periodically intersect but never touch.  It was surprisingly easy to keep everyone straight.  The stories are a mix of love stories - some familial, some romantic, but all involve the characters learning about themselves.  

I liked all the characters and appreciated seeing them find strength as the book went on.  I also really appreciated that there were no miracle endings but there was a lot of hope.  I loved seeing the stories pass each other and occasionally getting a glance of one event from an outside perspective in another story.  This was a fast read and one I really enjoyed.  

That said, there were SO many characters.  While it wasn't hard to keep them all straight there wasn't a huge amount of character development.  Because of that the characters tended to spend a lot of time speaking in grand statements which made it a little more difficult to connect with.  I enjoyed this book and think the author was very successful in what she was trying to do but I think I would have enjoyed it a bit more if maybe there had only been 3 stories instead of 7.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've enjoyed everything I've read by her and look forward to reading her next book and her backlist.

Would I Recommend this Book? Yes!  While it's not perfect it's enjoyable and cleverly written.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

The Rose and the Yew Tree - Classic Fiction Review

Goodreads: The Rose and the Yew Tree by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott

Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)
Source: Purchased

Description: Everyone expected Isabella Charteris, beautiful, sheltered and aristocratic, to marry her cousin Rupert St. Loo when he came back from the War. It would have been such a suitable marriage. How strange then that John Gabriel, an ambitious and ruthless war hero, should appear in her life. For Isabella, the price of love would mean abandoning her dreams of home and happiness forever. For Gabriel, it would destroy his chance of a career and all his ambitions....

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book: This was the July pick for the Read Christie challenge.

My Impression: While I have read all of Agatha Christie's mysteries (including plays and short stories) I've never read her books under her Mary Westmacott pseudonym.  These have been labeled her "romances" but I struggle to actually consider this book in that genre.   The story is told through the point of view of an observer and focuses on a point in time when ambitious politician, John Gabriel's life collides with sheltered princess of the castle Isabella Charteris.  Because of this there's a distance between the readers and the characters and while we see their actions we never truly never know their emotions.  We do see some of the narrator, Hugh Norrey's, emotions and thoughts which I very much enjoyed.  I also really liked his sister-in-law Teresa.  

This was an interesting read with quite a lot to think about.  I think there's a disservice done to it by billing it as a romance.  If you go in expecting a love story (like I did) I think you'll end up disappointed.  If you go in expecting a story about human behavior and reactions this is an interesting read.  I enjoyed the book and got through it quickly but would have enjoyed it more if there had been a bit more to the story or more character development.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I will definitely read more Christie but am not sure if I'll be searching out more Westmacott.  I am looking forward to reading the August selection - By the Pricking of My Thumbs - which I haven't read in years.

Would I Recommend this Book? Maybe.  It can be a bit hard to find but it was an interesting and quick read.