My Darling Husband - Kimberly Belle

My Darling Husband is bestselling author Kimberly Belle's newest domestic suspense novel. 

Jade and Cam have it all - five successful restaurants, two adorable children, a beautiful house and numerous luxuries. They're living large.

Someone else knows that as well. What could be more frightening than a home invasion? A home invasion when your children are home. That's what happens when Jade. What the invader is demanding is is a very specific amount of money - and Cam has a limited time to come up with it.

Great setup! My Darling Husband is actually told from three points of view - Jade, Cam and the invader. As readers, we're privy to the details that Jade doesn't have. Suffice it to say that Cam has been keeping secrets from Jade. Not unexpected in this genre.

Jade is feisty and resists the captor both physically and verbally, even as she tries to figure out why he has chosen their family and home to invade. As she gathers info from her interactions with him, she begins to have her own suspicions - about Cam.

The timeline has now and then movement. We're in the present with Cam as he scrambles to put together the cash. But we're also in the future as he gives an interview to a reporter about the events. The captor's point of view lets the listener know a bit more than Jade does. However, Belle caught my off guard with unexpected developments in the last bit of the plot that surprised me. (Surprises are good!) Without providing spoilers, there's definitely some social commentary woven into the invader's impetus and the book's epilogue. 

My Darling Husband was a fast paced, action based listen. There were a few situations where I had to suspend disbelief, but overall an entertaining entry in the domestic suspense genre.

I chose to listen to My Darling Husband. Natalie Duke, Seth Podowitz and Charlie Kevin were the performers. They all did an excellent job. Each played one of the three main players and employed voices that absolutely suited the characters. Within those characters there are interactions with other characters and each narrator conjured up yet another voice for those situations. Each reader was easy to understand, pleasant to listen to and spoke clearly. There's lots of emotion in the book and each narrator easily captured and portrayed the action, situations and more. 

Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of My Darling Husband.

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot - Marianne Cronin

Although my favorite genres are mysteries and suspense, I like to take a break and mix things up with something different.

I loved the colors, flowers and stars on the cover of Marianne Cronin's debut novel, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot.

Seventeen year old Lenni and eighty three year old Margot are both living on borrowed time. Lenni is on the terminal ward and Margot is in for heart surgery at a Scottish hospital. Their paths cross in an arts and crafts class at the hospital and despite their difference in age, they hit it off. 

I liked the story telling method that Cronin chose for her novel. Lenni and Margot decide to share their lives, told in stories and paintings - all in a run up to their 'one hundredth birthday' - a combination of their ages. The point of view is back and forth between the two, both past and present.

Lenni is the first character we meet and I have to say that after the first few chapters, I wasn't quite sure that I would enjoy this book. I found Lenni's actions, inner dialogue and outward questions to be that of a much younger person. She makes friends with the hospital pastor (who was a great, kind patient character) and asks questions such as 'why can't he wear his dress (vestments) to garden in'. I'm not sure if Cronin was aiming for precocious, but I found her to be a bit annoying. And I felt bad about it, as we know she is dying. My opinion did warm up as the book progressed and we come to know her past, her hopes and fears more intimately.

But.....I have to say that I loved Margot! Perhaps because I am closer in age to her and can relate easier to her. Her life story is fascinating as we watch her grow, change and embrace what life throws at her. That's not to say there isn't heartbreak in her life, but she seems to makes it a part of herself and moves on. I couldn't wait for her next chapter.

There are a number of 'good' characters that are positive and populate Lenni's world, but there's also a'Nurse Ratched'. I had a difficult time believing this awful character's actions and attitude.

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot gives us two different perspectives on life. One barely begun and one reaching towards the end. Each has heart warming and heart breaking bits. Cronin's tale will leave you wondering what your own story might be.....

I chose to listen to The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot. I often feel closer to and more engaged with a book when I listen. The readers were Sheila Reid and Rebecca Benson. I thought I recognized Reid's voice from a television show as I listened and was proven right once I went looking. She's got a lovely gravelly tone to her voice that connotes an older character, along with a Scottish accent. She's got a measured pace of speaking that added to the mental image I had created for Margot. She easily makes the character come alive, interpreting and presenting Cronin's work well. The voice that Benson provided for Lenni sounds young and suits the character. Her voice is clear and easy to understand. What I wasn't as keen on on was the speed of her narrating and the longish pauses. She also did the voice for Father Arthur and it felt warm, suiting the character. Listen to an excerpt of The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot.

Film rights have already been sold. 

Second Chances - Craig Grossi

Second Chances by Craig Grossi is the newly released follow up to his first book, Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other.

Craig found Fred the dog in Afghanistan and had him taken back to the US. Grossi suffers from PTSD and Fred is a very important part of his life. The two of them now travel America together, "spreading the message of stubborn positivity."

In this latest book, Grossi and Fred go inside Maine State Prison and meet the incarcerated men who live - and work - on the veteran unit. Here, they train Labrador Retrievers to be companions for disabled vets.

This type of training program is available in almost 300 prisons in 50 states. They provide a 'second chance' for the incarcerated trainer, as well as the veteran who will receive the dog. Maine State works with the non profit, America’s Vet Dogs.

We meet the the trainers as well as other vets who join Grossi's new writing group at the prison. We become privy to their stories as they share details of their lives and hopes for the future. I had not read the first book, but Grossi shares many details of his life and his service career in the military with the men. There were some startling revelations. I think the men were able to share with Grossi as he was a veteran and 'got' it. The benefits of both the writing group and the dog training went both ways. The sense of self worth, accomplishment, pride and hope are direct results for the men - and Grossi as well.

Details of the dog training process are presented as well and I found those interesting. At times, I did find the level of detail to be a bit overwhelming - detailed descriptions of rooms etc. that do set the stage but felt like filler.

I chose to the listen to the audio version of Second Chances. The author himself is the narrator. It's always a treat to hear an author read their work - they lived it and the emphasis, the emotion and more is just there. Grossi has a clear speaking voice and its pleasant to listen to. His speed of speaking is measured and precise, although a bit slow for me. I always find listening to a book immerses the reader more. I did enjoy Grossi's tale and hope that he continues to find healing and keeps sharing his 'stubborn positivity' message. I hope too that the incarcerated men we met have gone on to their second chance.

Here's an audio excerpt of Second Chances. 

The Rose Code - Kate Quinn

The Rose Code is bestselling author Kate Quinn's latest release - and it's another fantastic piece of historical fiction. 

Quinn takes us back to WWII, Bletchley Park and code breakers. The Rose Code is told through three very different young women -  debutante Osla, self-made Mab and spinster Beth. Each brings with them a skill set that will help to defeat the Nazis.

But the narrative also takes us to 'after the war' in 1947. One of the three is in a desperate situation and needs the other two to help save not just her, but to find a traitor. 

What is it about WWII novels that we enjoy so much? I think it's the people and their attitudes. Keep calm, carry on. Needs must. Honor, duty, loyalty, a sense of camaraderie and much more from not just those in uniform, but those holding the home front as well. And although we know the outcome of the war itself, there are so many stories to be told.

Quinn does a fantastic job telling this tale. The characters were all so different and wonderfully drawn. I loved Osla's sassy spirit, upbeat attitude and quick mind. Mab has overcome much to get where she is - she presents a hard front to the world, depending on no one but herself.  Beth has a brilliant mind, but has been stymied by her overbearing mother. The war gives her a chance to escape her heavy hand. Three unlikely women thrown together by the war. I can't say I liked one more than the other, they each brought so much life to the plot. Supporting characters are wide and varied and include Prince Philip with a cameo from Lilibet.

I was fascinated at the behind the walls look at Bletchley Park and what it took to break codes and how those breakthroughs shortened the war. Fact is woven through Quinn's plot as well - there were indeed traitors and spies passing on information. The mystery of who that is in The Rose Code is slowly played out in a back and forth from during the war and after.

Love - and loss - also play a part in The Rose Code. Wartime romance is much different than present day with distance and uncertainty playing a large part back then. The romances were well written, poignant and tugged at the heartstrings.

I chose to listen to The Rose Code. It was narrated by one of my favorite readers - Saskia Maarleveld. She has the most wonderfully expressive voice. She provided different voices for each of the three lead characters that very much suited the mental images I created for each. (I really did like Osla's!) There are many male characters as well and the voices and tones Maarleveld provided were believable. She captures the tone and tenor of Quinn's work easily with her voice. And the emotions of the characters as well. Her voice has a lovely British accent that is pleasant to listen to. She enunciates well and her speaking voice is well paced. Her voice has a rich tone to it. I've said it before and I'll say it again - when listening to a book, I find I am much more immersed in the story and that was definitely the case with The Rose Code. The audiobook is 15 hours and 40 minutes long - and it never lags or drags. In fact I would have been happy with more!

And excellent historical read based on fact, populated with engaging characters I cared about and a mystery to boot. I was caught up immediately in the story and loved every bit. Five stars from this listener. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Rose Code.

The One I Left Behind - Jennifer McMahon

I read Jennifer McMahon's novel  Island of Lost Girls back in 2008 and I really enjoyed it. (my review) As well as 2011's Don't Breathe a Word (my review) So, I was happy to pick up her latest offering - The One I Left Behind.

Regina Dufrane's upbringing was turbulent and unsettled. Her mother loved her, but was manic, often leaving her to her own devices. Her only friends were the other two outcasts at school. But in 1985, when Reggie is thirteen, a serial killer strikes their town. He takes women, leaves their severed hands on the steps of the police station and then their bodies appear five days later. He is nicknamed Neptune. But Reggie's world falls apart when the killer snatches mother.  The killer is never caught.

Twenty five years later, Reggie has left town and is a successful architect. And her life is going along fine - until she receives a telephone call telling her mother Vera has been found - alive. Can she identify her killer? Where has she been all these years.

McMahon again employs her split narrative technique. We revisit the past through Reggie's memories and learn more about the case in excerpts from a book written about the killer. And of course through present day as Reggie returns to her hometown to be with her mother.

Although all the right elements are there and the style echoes McMahon's previous books, I just didn't love it as much as the first two. I found some of it far fetched - Reggie decides she can solve the crime better than the police - architect detective. The whodunit it was fairly obvious and the supporting cast all seemed to be caricatures rather than characters I cared about. The one person I did like? Vera.  The plot did stretch credibility for me, as did the ending.

I chose to listen to The One I Left Behind. The reader was Julia Whelan. She has a pleasant, expressive voice and enunciated well. She has a slightly gravelly tone to her voice that gives some weight to her reading.

I like McMahon, but this latest book, in my opinion, didn't match her previous offerings.

Read an excerpt of The One I Left Behind.  You can find Jennifer McMahon on Facebook.

The House Girl - Tara Conklin

 The House Girl marks Tara Conklin's debut novel.

The story is told in two narratives - that of Josephine a 17 yr old house slave in 1850's Virginia and Lina - a class action lawyer in 2004 New York.

The opening chapter belonged to Josephine and I was immediately captivated. She is planning to run - and it won't be the first time.

“Mister hit Josephine with the palm of his hand across her left cheek and it was then she knew she would run.  She heard the whistle of the blow, felt the sting of skin against skin, her head spun and she was looking back over her right shoulder, down to the fields where the few men Mister had left were working the tobacco.” 

Lina's law firm is looking for the "perfect plaintiff" to be the 'face' of a lawsuit being brought, seeking reparations for descendants of American slaves. She stumbles across Josephine's name through her father's work. He is an artist and there is great controversy concerning who really painted a series of paintings attributed to Josephine's 'Missus' - Lu Anne Bell. Was it Lu Anne or was it the slave Josephine?

Lina's narrative follows the search for the descendants and I found this part of the story extremely interesting. Lina is also going through her own personal difficulties - she has her own family issues that have been left untended for many years. I wanted to like Lina more than I did. Although she is a high powered lawyer, she is still a petulant child with her father. And given that she is highly intelligent and quite adept at research,  I cannot believe that she never sought to confirm the details of her mother's life and death. By the middle of the book I found myself speed reading through her sections.

It was Josephine's story that grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go. I know it's a fictionalization, but Conklin has based her novel on facts. Heartbreaking facts. Additional narrators are introduced through their letters - that of a slave doctor and a young woman whose home was a stop on the Underground Railroad. I enjoyed these sections very much as well.

I chose to listen to The House Girl. The reader was Bahni Turpin. She was excellent - her interpretation of Josephine chillingly brought her story to life. The cadence and tone she used for Lina was completely different of course, but I found it matched what I thought of Lina - a bit whiny. The accents used for other characters - especially that of Lu Anne Bell were excellent and believable.

This one is poised to be the darling of book clubs everywhere. There is a reading group guide. I did enjoy this debut effort, but there are other books dealing with slavery (and in a deeper manner) that I would recommend ahead of this title. Still, it was an entertaining listen. Listen to an excerpt. Or start off reading an excerpt of The House Girl.

You can find Tara Conklin on Facebook and on Twitter.

The Uninvited Guests - Sadie Jones

I chose to listen to Sadie Jones's latest book - The Uninvited Guests. I was glad I did, as the book had the feel of a radio play to me.

1912. A rambling old manor in England. It is the night of Emerald Torrington's twentieth birthday. Preparations have been made and guests invited. But a nearby railway accident results in the house and party acquiring many more guests from that crash. The family is able to stow most of them away in the morning room. But one gentleman brashly joins the family at their dining table. And his presence takes the night into darker territory in more ways than one....

Jones captures the "I daresay old chap" attitude and dialogue perfectly. Kate Reading was the reader. I had a bit of an issue with her voice at first as I had recently listened to her read another book that I didn't overly enjoy. I had to separate that character from this book. However, she is an excellent reader. She has a British accent, but one that is easily understood. She enunciates very clearly and has a different way of placing emphasis on certain words by either drawing them out or biting them off. She portrayed both male, female and child roles with very different (and believable) voices, matching them well to the characters.

The first three quarters of the book is character driven. Jones excels at manipulating her characters and our reactions towards them. Things change rapidly as the night goes on and so do our players. I quite enjoyed this dark interplay. However I can only describe the last quarter of the book as, well - odd. I wasn't exactly surprised at the direction the story took - there were enough allusions to guess. But what had me scratching my head were some of the things that did happen  - they seemed forced into the story for I'm not sure what reason. (I know I'm being a bit obtuse but I don't want to provide spoilers) I had enjoyed the book up to this point, but felt let down with the end run Jones chose.

I still enjoyed this as a good listen, but not as much as I had hoped to.

Listen to an excerpt of The Uninvited Guests.