Keep Reading March 2018
March included a vacation with lots of reading time including long flights and hours by the pool. My choices for this month will reflect the spirit of drifting off into a mystery or thriller to help keep away the thoughts of the real world.
My first choice is Grace by Paul Lynch. This spell binding book takes place in Ireland at the very start of the potato famine. Grace’s mother wakes her up one morning, cuts off Grace’s hair and tosses her out of the house to find her way in the world. Her younger brother follows her. I don’t want to say too much and give away the plot. Just trust me on this one. You will be looking for other books by this author. There are only two previous books. I am hoping for more.
In A Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware is the last of her books I found. She needs to sit down at her computer and write another one right now. Old school friends are invited to the hen party of one of the group. Shortly after arriving the women realize that an uninvited person is on the property. One of the women wakes up in the hospital and tries to remember what lead up to the accident that caused her injury. You are taken back and forth in time to piece together the events that culminate in a night of terror.
The Girl Who Came Back by Kerry Wilkinson is another page turner. Thirteen years ago a young girl disappeared from her back garden. Her father was questioned extensively because he left her alone in the garden.
A young woman shows up in this small town and says she is the missing girl. Some question her but most people believe her. What is the real truth? Although the clues are clear in afterthought, it will take you a while to figure out what is going on.
We are planning a trip to Florence so I am heavy into reading books about that area. Tuscan Rose by Belinda Alexandra is my favorite Florence book so far. Mostly I have been reading mysteries and they are very good but this book is special. In 1914 a baby girl is left with a convent in Florence Italy. When the child grows up she becomes the governess to a wealthy family. When the Fascists come to power her world is turned upside down and she gets involved in the resistance.
I do seem to really like books with this kind of theme.
If you need a feel good book after all this tension, here is one I really liked. The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce will give you the warm and fuzzy feeling you are looking for. It follows the usual story line with a group of people who are struggling through life find each other and solve each other’s problems. There are some surprises and this is a great book for any music lover. The man, who owns the small music storm that will only sell vinyl, can find just the right piece of music to help anyone with what is going on in his or her life. I love a book like this every once in a while.