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Suspects–dangerous corruption
Suspects
by Danielle Steel
If you want an entertaining romance mixed with some mystery and spies, Suspects is a good choice. It reads quickly and has sympathetic main characters. Theo is a successful business woman in the fashion industry. She is married to an older, extremely wealthy man. They have a relatively happy marriage with one child. Everything changes instantly as Theo’s husband and son are kidnapped, probably by an angry Russian over a business deal that went sour.
Mike is a career CIA agent, promoted up the ladder but still very hands-on. He is married to his job. His path crosses with Theo’’s as he follows up on Pierre de Vaumont, a slimy character who makes his money by matching rich and shady individuals with corrupt individuals who can fulfill their needs. Mike knows about the kidnapping and is immediately drawn to Theo and wants to keep her safe.
Most of the book deals with efforts to find the kidnappers and keep Theo safe. In the process a mostly long distance romance, New York to Paris, develops between Theo and Mike.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Women’s Fiction
Notes: There is steam in this romance as the couple enjoys a “lovefest of tenderness and passion” whenever they are together. Their sexual encounters are closed door, but that part of the story becomes repetitive and does not move the plot forwards.
Publication: June 28, 2022—Delacorte Press (Penguin Random House)
Memorable Lines:
He could feel his good resolutions sliding away, like Jello-O down the drain.
The windows were all tightly closed so tear gas wouldn’t enter the apartment, and they heard the first cannons go off, shooting tear gas into the crowd. Mike was shocked at what was happening, it looked like a war zone in the most civilized city in the world.
“You’re not a normal person. You’re an exceptional, remarkable one that people are jealous of, which makes you a target. And there are dangerous people in the world.”
Knit of the Living Dead–murder at the bonfire
Knit of the Living Dead
by Peggy Ehrhart
If you enjoy a cozy mystery with a lot of well-composed descriptions, likable characters, and clean language, you might enjoy the Knit & Nibble Mystery Series. In Knit of the Living Dead, Pamela, an editor for a fiber arts magazine, follows screams at a Halloween bonfire. She discovers a young woman who has found a dead body. With almost everyone in costume, it is difficult to tell who is in attendance, much less who the murderer is. It is possible that the deceased is not even the intended victim.
Pamela and her best friend and neighbor Bettina are joined in their sleuthing activities by Nell, an elderly member of their knitting club. They interview possible suspects under various guises, narrowing down the pool and often hoping the perpetrator is not someone nice that they have difficulty imagining as a killer. Both the murderer and the motivation are a surprise when revealed.
I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: 1. #6 in the Knit & Nibble Mystery Series, but would work as a standalone.
2. Includes directions for making a Trick-or-Treat tote for children and recipes for Pumpkin-Spice Crumb Cake and Candy Corn Halloween Cookies (which have a chocolate base).
Publication: August 25, 2020—Kensington Books
Memorable Lines:
Despite the festive atmosphere and good cheer, the bonfire awoke feelings more appropriate to a pagan celebration marking nature’s mysterious powers. The flames illuminated rapt faces, dramatizing features and rendering the familiar unfamiliar.
The air was chilly but still, and the day was bright and cloudless. Lawns on Angler Road were still green, with fallen leaves like bright paint spatters here and there.
Wilfred had outdone himself. The beef was meltingly tender, savory, and meaty, infused with the flavors of carrots, mushrooms, and the subtly sweet onions—all melded together during the stew’s long, slow cooking.
Lover Come Hack–mad for mod
Lover Come Hack
by Diane Vallere
I am not particularly interested in fashion, interior design, or retro looks from the 50’s, but that didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying Diane Vallere’s Lover Come Hack which features Madison Night, an interior decorator who channels Doris Day. Buying up estates to increase her inventory of vintage clothing for herself and furniture, appliances, and knick knacks for her clients, Madison creates original and fun interiors for a certain niche of mid-century aficionados through her business Mad for Mod.
The irony of this story is that as Madison is increasingly becoming twenty-first century digital, the high tech world is about to do her in. She finds herself juggling two boyfriends, figuratively stabbed in the back by a good friend and colleague, under investigation for murder, and competing in a design competition. The action and complications in Lover Come Hack just keep coming. The characters are interesting and will keep the reader guessing as to motivations and psychological frame of mind. The ending is a surprise, but believable. Just be ready to rent a few Doris Day movies in the aftermath of your immersion into a 50’s culture in a 21st century setting.
I would like to extend my thanks to Edelweiss and to Henery Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: #6 in the Madison Night Mystery Series. This is my first in this series, but worked well for me as a standalone.
Publication: October 30, 2018—Henery Press
Memorable Lines:
As I drove home, I couldn’t help feeling like an untethered balloon. I didn’t lack direction, but the changing winds of today’s events had scrambled my emotions.
The recent rains had let up indefinitely, replaced by a post-storm glow. It was as pretty a day as any I’d experienced recently, with the exception of the black cloud over my head.
…it was far more powerful to know the truth than to live in the shadows of lies and willful ignorance.
education pathways 