The Devil's Advocate - Steve Cavanagh

Have you read Steve Cavanagh already? I've read three of his books so far and will absolutely be reading the others.

Why do I like his books so much? I'm a fan of suspense fiction, legal battles, and twists and turns. Cavanagh bring those three things together again in The Devil's Advocate. 

That cover catches your eye - with the font and the colors used. But it is the one sentence that seals the deal. 

"He's won every trial...because he's planned every murder." Creepy eh?

There's a group that work for and with lawyer Eddie Flynn. It's easy to 'meet' the supporting cast. You can easily jump in without having read any of the previous books.

I hope you enjoy them as well! 

Lime Juice Money - Jo Morey

I loved the cover of Jo Morey's first novel - Lime Juice Money.

You'll find out what that phrase means - and travel to Morey's setting in Belize. She has done a fabulous job of building her "world" in the jungle. The plants, orchids, predators - both animal and human, the indigenous people, those who are hiding and those who come for holidays. And more....

The book is told from two time lines and two characters. Laelia and Ellis - father and daughter. Laelia's sister plays her part well. There are many other characters - many are toxic. I was surprised at the direction Laelia's life went. I tried to be not judgmental. Another factor is her tinnitus - she cannot hear well. And some persons might take advantage of that...

The plotting, the setting, the characters - kept me engrossed from first page to last. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Lime Juice Money.

The Homemade God - Rachel Joyce

Rachel Joyce is an author who has had me in tears with her writing - some happy - some sad, but always engaging and thoughtful.

The title, The Homemade God, was a bit of an enigma. I have my own thoughts on the who and why but I'm going to let you discover your own ideas. I do like the cover image and it houses much of the book.

Four adult siblings have wonderful rapports with each other. But an

episode changes everything in their world. Nothing will ever be as it was again.

Joyce has created wonderful, detailed characters. You'll have your favorites and those you detest. You'll question their options, intents,  goals, actions, and thoughts and more.

The Homemade God is another fantastic read from Rachel Joyce. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Homemade God. 

The Peculiar Gift of July - Ashley Ream

I've taken to looking, really looking at book covers before turning the first page. My latest is the Peculiar Gift of July by Ashley Ream. 

The figure could be a woman, but I thought it was a teenage girl. She's holding a small building gently in her hands. And I think the lights are fireflies.

The book is set in a small island where you know everyone and they know your business as well. I love quirky characters - and there are many in this tale. I think Malcom was one of my fave characters - and July as well.

July's interventions are very subtle the first time. Common things and actions that nobody really notices. Until others do. And the tone changes. The past needs to leave and let the now in. I think Ream really caught the emotions of the players. I enjoyed her writing very much. See for yourself - read an excerpt of  The Peculiar Gift of July.

She Didn't See It Coming - Shari Lapena

I adore Shari Lapena's books! I've read than all and with new entry I've declared it my favourite. But this latest? She Didn't See It Coming is crazy good!! And yes, it's my new fave.

Why, you ask? Everything starts with one event. Bryden fails to pick up her child from daycare. The daycare calls her husband Sam to come and get the child. He’s rather put out about it but jumps in the car to go get Clara. The thing is…Bryden hasn't come home or the next day either.

The police are called in and the tale takes off from there. Bryden is a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, friend, an employee and more. And as readers we have access to everybody’s thoughts and actions. But can we believe what each character is saying?

I love twists and turns in a tale, and my goodness there’s some of the best ones I’ve ever read this book. I couldn’t predict at all how things were going to go.

What a great summer read! Well, actually it’s a great read anywhere and any place! See for yourself - read an excerpt of She Didn’t See It Coming.

Tiny Vices - Linda Dahl Spotlight!

A Bookworm's World is happy to welcome author Linda Dahl with news of her latest book - Tiny Vices.

What is about?

DESCRIPTION

For fans of Anne Tyler and Jojo Moyes, this is a tartly compassionate and contemporary tale of sibling love and conflict, marital challenges, and what personal fulfillment looks like—or doesn’t—in middle age.

Mid-life: Its obligations and demands, its petty foibles and evasions. And sometimes, its crises. Dreams are deferred, shortcomings rationalized. Like favorite old clothes, petty misdemeanors may feel comfortable, but they’re not a good look.

The Talley siblings are planning a family beach vacation—all four of them together for the first time in years. They suspect it will be their last. And God knows they all need a vacation. But wait, is it really such a good idea? Corina, with her recently diagnosed Alzheimer’s, can hardly manage to get through a day without a debacle. Pete is a just-barely-walking catalog of medical calamities stemming from his longtime addictions. Becca is reeling from her teenage son’s latest misadventure. And then there is Kathy, the eldest. After firmly avoiding going back to Rincón Bay, the beach town just a few hours south of the Arizona–Mexico border that has haunted her since a college spring break trip three decades ago, she’s determined to go back and face her ghosts—though she might be better off facing the fact that her marriage is in serious trouble.

When the Talley siblings and their entourage (two spouses, added on at the last minute, and Corina’s Mexican housekeeper/caregiver) finally land in Rincón Bay, they all encounter unexpected consequences from the wounds inflicted by careless loving—but maybe, too, the seeds of healing and hope.

For fans of Anne Tyler and Jojo Moyes, this is a tartly compassionate and contemporary tale of sibling love and conflict, marital challenges, and what personal fulfillment looks like—or doesn’t—in middle age.

Mid-life: Its obligations and demands, its petty foibles and evasions. And sometimes, its crises. Dreams are deferred, shortcomings rationalized. Like favorite old clothes, petty misdemeanors may feel comfortable, but they’re not a good look.

The Talley siblings are planning a family beach vacation—all four of them together for the first time in years. They suspect it will be their last. And God knows they all need a vacation. But wait, is it really such a good idea? Corina, with her recently diagnosed Alzheimer’s, can hardly manage to get through a day without a debacle. Pete is a just-barely-walking catalog of medical calamities stemming from his longtime addictions. Becca is reeling from her teenage son’s latest misadventure. And then there is Kathy, the eldest. After firmly avoiding going back to Rincón Bay, the beach town just a few hours south of the Arizona–Mexico border that has haunted her since a college spring break trip three decades ago, she’s determined to go back and face her ghosts—though she might be better off facing the fact that her marriage is in serious trouble.

When the Talley siblings and their entourage (two spouses, added on at the last minute, and Corina’s Mexican housekeeper/caregiver) finally land in Rincón Bay, they all encounter unexpected consequences from the wounds inflicted by careless loving—but maybe, too, the seeds of healing and hope."

"Siblings take a last-gasp vacation to Mexico in Dahl’s novel....There’s a lot of complexity crammed into this fairly brief story, and the realism is impressive...." —KIRKUS REVIEWS

Linda Dahl began writing as a freelancer about two passions, jazz and Latin America, before turning to fiction. She has written ten published books, including the novels Tiny Vices, An Upside-Down Sky, Gringa in a Strange Land, and The Bad Dream Notebook, and the nonfiction works Stormy Weather and Morning Glory. Her books have consistently garnered awards and praise, including a Notable Book of the Year nod from The New York Times Book Review for Morning Glory in 2000. Linda loves reading, swimming, music, and doing volunteer work in her community. She lives in Riverdale, New York.

Photo credit to Geoffrey Doughlin.

A Case of Mice and Murder - (The Trials of Gabriel Ward) by Sally Smith

The cover to Sally Smith's book - A Case of Mice and Murder - called to me. The font used, the colors and images and the subtitle.

The setting is in 1901 Britain. Most of the book takes place in the Inner Temple Archives and Library. This is an actual place and it was fascinating to learn about it. The police can only enter by consent. And that is how we meet unwilling sleuth Sir Gabriel Ward KC. He can't say no. And he would be much happier if he could work on his latest case - the disputed authorship of bestselling children's book Millie the Temple Church Mouse.

I admit I felt overwhelmed with so many supporting players in the beginning. Names and titles abound! But with this being the first book I believe Smith is building the setting and atmosphere.

I came to really, really enjoy Sir Gabriel. I liked being privy to his inner dialogue along side with the outer. The verbal jousting is so very clever.

The plot? I knew I wouldn't guess the answer to the question of whodunit. Smith's plotting is wonderful. It benefits from her own knowledge as a Barrister and King's Counsel. 

A Case of Mine and Murder is so clever! Watch for the second book - A Case of Life and Limb.