Review: Murder at an Irish Christmas

Murder at an Irish Christmas by Carlene O'Connor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The Sunset Route: Freight Trains, Forgiveness, and Freedom on the Rails in the American West

The Sunset Route: Freight Trains, Forgiveness, and Freedom on the Rails in the American West by Carrot Quinn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story of Carrot's early life in Alaska was so devastating that it was necessary to take a break from reading. At first, also, the moving back and forth in time was a difficult adjustment but once I decided that that really is the way we think back over our lives, memories in random order many times within an hour's time, it became easier. The pain and loneliness and emotional toll of Carrot's life is stunningly described. For the first time it has become clearer to me why people would choose to live this nomadic, emotionally distanced, seemingly unfettered life style. No number of springtime flowers or star-studded skies would ever compensate for a lack of love and emotional bonds and the need to dumpster dive to eat. How she managed to pull anything resembling a life worth living is nothing short of miraculous.

This a BookBrowse provided ARC review.

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Review: An Irish Country Practice: An Irish Country Novel

An Irish Country Practice: An Irish Country Novel by Patrick Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Three years have gone by since a young doctor, Barry Laverty, arrived in Ballybucklebo to interview with Fingle Flaherie O'Reilly. Fingal, a widowed bachelor doctor, was in the process of physically ejecting a patient into a rose bush, tossing a shoe and sock behind the victim, as Barry walked up the path to the door. Barry, a young single doctor, who was applying to the practice as an addition, almost turned on his heel, got back into Brunhilde his ancient VW and headed back to Belfast . Instead, he was accepted by Fingle and now three years and eleven books later Barry is a partner and soon to be married to a local schoolteacher. Fingal is cutting back his hours and trying to get his new wife, Kitty to do the same. Another member of the practice, Dr Fitzgerald is dealing with a gambling addiction and a new Dr has come to intern for a year and is a unique addition as a result of his upbringing and experience finishing med school. Kinky, the intrepid housekeeper now lives in her own home with husband, Archie.
Ballybucklebo's residents, too, have seen changes, the aforementioned ousted patient now lives in California but now must find the wherewithal to return home to visit with his mother,Anne, diagnosed with cancer. Donal and his wife are expecting a new baby and Donal as usual has a lottery going on the delivery date. Fingal's brother, Lars and his female friend, the Marquis' sister are finding their relationship somewhat strained. As a result, Fingal and Kitty now have a new Lab, Kenny, who is being trained by the old boy, Arthur Guiness, in the fine art of birding and also the joys of a bowl of Smithwick's.

And so life in Ballybucklebo moves on as it does in all the world--with joy and sorrow, ups and downs, challenges and easy sailing, wins and loses, laughter and tears, achievements and failures, success and disappointments--all in all--a nice normal place to be.

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As Invigorating as a Hot Charleston

Murder on the SS Rosa by Lee Strauss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As invigorating as a hot Charleston

Just as fun Roaring Twenties Romp! TransAtlantic crossing on an elegant ocean liner.A few forays into steer age,with glimpses into a bit of the life of employees.Mostly,though, lavish clothing , bootleg booze,scandalous liaisons g,lamorous former spy, American film star, studious soon to be medical student, handsome Chief Inspector,oh,yes,AND a dead Ship's Captain in a pickle barrel! Who could ask for anything more?

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Sometimes Feeling Guilty is Unreasonable....

The Survivors by Jane Harper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sometimes Feeling Guilty Is Unreasonable

...and making someone feel guilty is unforgivable . Found this book very difficult for several reasons.The initial premise ,that the loss of rescuers lives is somehow the fault of the survivor , didn't resonate with me at all. That being the case, the repetitive narration bored me and somber tone depressed me. I finished the book but felt no sympathy or empathy for any of the characters except the two victims. They were innocent women who lost their lives because of teen male angst.




.vivor

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Common Healthy Practices

Rewiring Tinnitus: How I Finally Found Relief From the Ringing in My Ears by Glenn Schweitzer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Common Healthy ACTIVITIES

Not a lot of new approaches to the achievement of a healthy life, no matter the individual' concerns or afflictions. Exercise, eat well, reduce stress, sleep well. Add in meditation, therapy, and the author's collection of guided meditation and sound tracks for $50, if so inclined. Glad I didn't buy the book!

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Review: Murder in an Irish Cottage

Murder in an Irish Cottage by Carlene O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MacDara's aunt is found dead in her cottage--did the fairies finally win??? Or did something more human murder her? Because the death occurs in a nearby village neither Dara nor his fiance, Guarda O'Sullivan can investigate officially but that does not mean they don't nose around unofficially. Paintings, a legally blind cousin, a stuttering storyteller and a pal from Garda academy among others play a part in the confusing situation right until the last few pages. One of the best in the series for red herrings.

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The Killer: Man or Beast???

The Naturalist by Andrew Mayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bear Attacks?

Filled with scientific genetic data and computer analysis, this mystery is fascinating as well as perplexing. Two young women have been mauled to death by bears, or maybe a big cat. Law enforcement and Fish and Game in Montana agree. But Dr Theo Cray does not be!I've it. He thinks there is a human serial killer responsible and that there have been many victims before these.Now he must use his skills and eventually risk his life and those of family and friends to prove it. The statistics of the number of victims and serial killers exist is enough to produce nightmares!

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Review: Visions in Death

Visions in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Life moves on for Peabody and McNab, Mavis hasn't had her baby yet, Somerset gets a chance to help in an investigation and a psychic comes to Dallas with info on murder of a young woman in Central Park. Is her information true--does she have visions, has she seen the murder? Dallas is certainly skeptical but the woman seems to be legit and when she " sees " another murder Dallas pays more attention. A big guy--uses a gym? Ties a red ribbon around their necks and each of the victims are into crafts--does he scope them out at craft supply stores? He takes their eyes after beating them, and raping them and strangling them--where does the anger and hatred come from? Another race against time for Dallas and the gang. What a convoluted ending but our girl comes through as always!

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Exciting, Tragic, Upliftng , Remarkable

Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



One man's life and experiences in Milan during the last two year's of Nazi occupation of Italy. From guiding Jews through the Alps to safety in Switzerland to becoming a spy as driver for a high_ranking Nazi General , Pino's life was one of danger and excitement. Loss of loved ones, especially Anna, memories of Nazi inhumanity, the unjust treatment of the man he served all contributed to a postwar crises of faith_in God, in humanity, in the future. In time,by moving on and blocking the memories,Pink was able to live a life of happiness and accomplishment. By the time this book was written he was 90years old,living in the Italian Alps and most of the other players in the tale had died.

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Review: Presumed Dead

Presumed Dead by Mason Cross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fifteen years ago a serial killer terrorized the small town of Bethany , Ga. Since the bodies of eight of the supposed nine victims were found on and around Devil Mountain, naturally the name Devil Mountain Killer was attached to the crimes. One victim, presumed dead though body missing, was Adeline Connor. Her only relative, David Connor, a young Bethany man believes he saw his sister on a street in Atlanta. Now, after years of searching the woods around his home to find her body, he is convinced she is still alive and seeks help in finding her. Enter Carter Blake, whose life is dedicated to finding missing persons, including those who do not wish to be found.

Carter is not a welcome guest in Bethany where the small town would let sleeping dogs lie. The killer has moved on, died or gone to jail. No need to stir up old memories. Besides, David Connor had been considered a possible perp and, as an odd ball stoner, was looked upon as an outsider though a local. Still, the first investigator he'd hired to find his sister had been murdered in Atlanta looking for Adeline and though it appeared he'd been a stranger in a bad part of town who was victim of a carjacking gone bad, David did not believe that. As soon as Carter starts snooping, however, bodies start turning up and the method of death is two shots to the head with a .38--same MO as the DMK. Has the killer returned? If so, why? and is Adeline still alive?

As Carter and one of the Sheriff's deputies, Isabella Green, the daughter of one of the victims who died 15 years ago, delve further into the mystery, more people are killed. Some are locals, others are not--so are the killings related to the search for Adeline or not?

The trails and backroads of the area are not the only twisty traits of this compelling mystery. One thing though--I'm beginning to see a pattern to these Carter Blake plots that may give an early clue to the bad guys in the books. Not going to reveal my theory though, don't want to ruin the tales for other readers. Plus, I need to test the theory out on the next book. Hmmmmm

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