The Story She Left Behind.

 

 

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In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more her beautiful mother. 

By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.

 

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A mysterious, magical story about forgiveness, love, secrets, and family. 

I was captivated with The Story She Left Behind from the first page. I found myself transported from South Carolina to England. I loved his atmospheric language and descriptions; I could see myself in the Lake District, England, with Clara, Wynnie, and Charlie. I couldn't get enough of this story, wondering if Clara would ever find out what happened to her mother all those years ago. I found myself reading this book late into the night, eager to keep reading until I finished it. I'd probably finish it in a day if it weren't for studying. The Story She Left Behind is one of those stories that will make you question why you didn't pick it up sooner. I finished it last night and can't get it out of my mind; I've even recommended it to a few friends. 

This is my first book by Patti Callahan Henry, so I am new to her writing, but I have heard about her for a while. Even though I had heard a lot of praise for this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. One of the most beautifully written books I've read this year. I can see myself returning to this book and rereading it. I was intrigued that a real-life literacy mystery inspired this story. Those types of books have always been among my favorites to read. Each chapter expanded the mystery. I loved the characters, particularly Clara, Wynnie, and Charlie. Henry brought those people to life for me, which deepened the story's impact. I have a strong connection with each of them. However, I adored Wynnie the most; she was such a wonderful character, full of warmth, and you couldn't help but love her. 

I loved the mystery surrounding Bronwyn’s book and the invented language; reading about that was so much fun. If I were to read a book for the first time, this would be it. The Story She Left Behind is a historical fiction and mystery that also incorporates romance, adventure, and belonging. I loved Henry's description of the Great Smog in London; it was so vivid that I could sense Clara and Wynnie's terror. Now that I've read one of her books, I can't wait to check out the rest and see what adventures she takes us on!

Queens Of Crime.

 

 

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London, 1930. The five greatest women crime writers have banded together to form a Secret society with a single goal: to show they are no longer willing to be treated as second-class citizens by their male counterparts in the legendary Detection Club. Led by the formidable Dorothy L. Sayers, the group includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime. Their plan? Solve an actual murder, that of a young woman found strangled in a park in France who may have connections leading to the highest levels of the British establishment. 

 
May Daniels, a young English nurse on an excursion to France with her friend, seemed to vanish into thin air as they prepared to board a ferry home. Months later, her body is found in the nearby woods. The murder has all the hallmarks of a locked room mystery for which these authors are famous: how did her killer manage to sneak her body out of a crowded train station without anyone noticing? If, as the police believe, the cause of death is manual strangulation, why is there is an extraordinary amount of blood at the crime scene? What is the meaning of a heartbreaking secret letter seeming to implicate an unnamed paramour? Determined to solve the highly publicized murder, the Queens of Crime embark on their own investigation, discovering they’re stronger together. But soon the killer targets Dorothy Sayers herself, threatening to expose a dark secret in her past that she would do anything to keep hidden. 

 

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I became a fan of Marie Benedict after reading Carnegie’s Maid in 2020. Since then, I have read several more of her books. I’ve been anticipating Queens Of Crime since I learned she was writing a new novel. My favorite genres are historical fiction and mystery, so I was excited to get started on this book. I like the experience of the "Queens" and that it featured Agatha Christie as one of the characters, who happens to be my favorite mystery author. I was only familiar with Christie, so I wasn't unaware of Dorothy and the others until I began reading the book and enjoyed learning something new. I know it was fictional, but I adored the concept, especially the mystery. I enjoyed reading a book that featured Christie as a character rather than one written by her. 

However, Queens Of Crime didn't meet my expectations. It was not like her earlier novel, which I had read. This novel began strong and drew me in; however, it appeared to slow down in the middle of the book, and I felt there were unnecessary details. The only character development we saw in the novel was Dorthy's and possibly Agatha's. Dorothy has changed dramatically since the story starts by finding out the truth. I liked how the novel showed five powerful women determined to find the truth regardless of what others told them. 

The mystery surrounding May Daniels' disappearance was my favorite aspect of the story. I admired the five women's determination to discover what happened and why. It was fascinating how the five friends analyzed the clues, conducting interviews and imagining what the characters in their books would be like. The mystery was intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat. I even found myself, along with Dorothy, Agatha, Ngaio, Margery, and Emma, attempting to figure out what had happened. I recommend this book, especially if you love historical fiction and mystery.

Five Little Pigs(Hercule Poirot,#25)

 

 

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Beautiful Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, but just like the nursery rhyme, there were five other “little pigs” who could have done it: Philip Blake (the stockbroker), who went to market; Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist), who stayed at home; Elsa Greer (the three-time divorcée), who had her roast beef; Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess), who had none; and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister), who cried all the way home. Sixteen years later, Caroline’s daughter is determined to prove her mother’s innocence, and Poirot just can’t get that nursery rhyme out of his mind. 

 

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Agatha Christie has done it once again! There is something about her writing that has me coming back for more. I liked how the tale was divided into three parts, and just when I thought it couldn't get any more interesting, something unexpected happened. One of my favorite things about Christie's stories is the unexpected twists. Just when you think you've worked out what happened, Christie takes you in the opposite direction, leaving you guessing all over again. Five Little Pigs kept me wondering up until the very end. I struggled figuring out who the killer was. Only in the middle of the book did I begin to suspect who it could be, and it turned out to be someone far different than I had anticipated. 

During the second half, which was written from the perspectives of Philip Blake, Meredith Blake, Else Geer, Cecilia William, and Angela Warren, I began to wonder who the killer might be. It was intriguing to read from each of their viewpoints, and given that it happened across 16 years, they did a great job of relaying what they remembered. However, given how long ago it occurred, I questioned its accuracy. It seems that most of them believed Caroline was guilty of poisoning her husband, and based on the descriptions, I began to suspect that she did kill him. That was one of my favorite parts of this case is how old it was, and I was curious to see what Poirot would discover. 

The most unexpected was the ending, the reveal. I love Poirot reveal of what he observed and what he had learning, it shows how brilliant he is. As I read the novel, I couldn't help but watch and wonder like Poirot about the identity of the murderer and their motivation for killing Amya. I was captivated by this story from the start and didn't want to put the book down until the very end. I've read a few Hercule Poirot novels, and Five Little Pigs has become one of my favorites. I highly recommend it to Agatha Christie and mystery fans!

We All Live Here.

 

 

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Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a house that is falling apart, and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. Her career is in freefall and her love life is . . . complicated. So when her real dad—a man she has barely seen since he ran off to Hollywood thirty-five years ago—suddenly appears on her doorstep, it feels like the final straw. But it turns out even the family you thought you could never forgive might have something to teach about love, and what it actually means to be family. 

 

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I liked how this novel was largely on the relationships between families. I'd always enjoyed reading about family relationships. I was looking forward to this one after reading Me Before You earlier this year. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy the book; I liked most of it, but it wasn't what I expected; to me, the first ten chapters were slow, and I felt as if the plot was dragging on, but it was interesting enough for me to keep reading. It soon picked up, and I was glad I decided to stick with the story. I believe that writing the story with other characters, such as the grandfathers, would make it more intriguing. I enjoyed both Bill and Gene, and while reading the novel, I wondered what the two of them were thinking, especially since they lived in the same house. I was also wondering about Jensen's viewpoints. Gene, Bill, and Jensen were the characters I was most interested in and felt a connection with. 

It wasn't that I disliked Lila; rather, I questioned her decisions on occasion. I didn't have the same connection to the main character as I usually do, which could explain why I thought the story was slow. I adored her bond with her stepfather, Bill. It was obvious how much he loved Lila. I really enjoyed the romantic portions of the stories, particularly those including Jensen. I had an awful feeling about Gabriel from the start, perhaps because of the way he acted, which made me wonder what he was hiding. I loved reading from Celie’s perspective and would love if there was more from her perspective. She was one of the characters that I wondered what happened to her after the book ended. From all the characters in the book, I felt that Celie had the most character development. 

However, I liked reading brief excerpts of the novel Lila was writing. I wish those were mentioned more throughout the book. I loved Gene and Bill; they made me chuckle several times. I did feel that the book was too long, and that the last chapter wasn’t necessary. I thought the book was good overall, and the plot was engaging enough to keep me reading. I would suggest giving it a chance; you could like it more than I did.

Everything We Never Knew.

 

 

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 4.5★

A dazzling and heartwarming novel from Emmy Award winner Julianne Hough and Rule author Ellen Goodlett . 

When the stars align, anything can happen. On stage at an awards banquet is the last place Lexi Cole expected to drown. But as she accepts the award for top-seller at her realty firm, something unusual catches Lexi's a man surrounded by a dark haze. Then she hears a woman screaming for help, and the taste of saltwater overwhelms her. Just as Lexi's throat begins to close, the man leaves the room and the sensation of drowning abruptly stops. Later that night, the man dies of an overdose, and Lexi learns about the traumatic boating accident that killed his sons and tore his family apart. 

Lexi wants to believe it's a bizarre coincidence. Any other explanation would disrupt the normal, comfortable life she's worked so hard to build. Lexi is an expert at denial, a pro at fitting in. But as more strange events unfold, Lexi can't deny the something is changing inside her. She feels other people's emotions, sometimes even glimpses their private memories. By embracing her new abilities, Lexi can help heal people―though not until she confronts the past she's spent a lifetime burying. But when a vision reveals her husband is in danger, Lexi must face her inner demons or lose the person she loves most. 

 

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I had no idea what to expect from Everything We Never Knew when I first came across it. Although I know Julianne Hough, the story's title and cover drew me in. was intrigued by the cover and title before reading the book blurb. It tells its own story. After finishing Everything We Never Knew about Lexi's transition, the cover and title made much more sense and went wonderfully with the story. My only regret is that I hadn't read this book sooner. This book received mixed reviews, but I decided to read it regardless, and I'm pleased I did. I can't stop thinking about this story; I never expected it to have such an impact on me. Everything We Never Knew. is not a story you can forget after reading. Part of me wants to re-read the book. 

This story's imagery was fantastic; I could feel every emotion Lexi was experiencing as if we went through it together. I couldn't help but adore Lexi, and I'm pleased she had some people who believed in her. I wanted to like Lexi's husband, and I did at times, but I despised how he treated her once she told him what was happening to her. A part of me understood why he acted the way he did and if there was a purpose. So much was happening in this book, and each page made it harder to put it down. I’m still thinking about Lexi’s journey. 

Everything We Never Knew is the best book I've read about self-discovery and transformation. Even with the supernatural themes in the plot, Julianne Hough & Ellen Goodlett made it feel real and made us go on the journey with Lexi. It was such a beautifully written novel that I am still thinking about it after finishing it last night. I had never heard of Saturn's return before reading this book, and after finishing it, I undertook my own research since I was so intrigued by it. I highly recommend checking this book out. A story that will take you somewhere you've never imagined.