Wednesday, July 27, 2016

The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg

Martha is 79 and lives at Diamond House, a retirement home in Stockholm. Faced with unappetizing meals and dreary surroundings, it appears that the owners are really trying to cut corners. Martha and her friends Christina, Anna-Greta, Brains, and Rake decide to embark on a life of crime in order to make things more exciting and improve their living situation. Sneaking into the staff gym to get more fit, eating good food, and staying at a nice hotel are just part of the plan. Will "The League of Pensioners" (as they call themselves) be able to fulfill their dreams of getting a lot of cash, or will their misdeeds land them in prison? The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules is a leisurely-paced humorous tale.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Jonathan Unleashed by Meg Rosoff

In New York City, Jonathan is thoroughly enjoying looking after his brother's dogs, Dante and Sissy, while his brother is working in Dubai. Jonathan is, however, bored with his job writing ads for an office supply store and is not really in love with his girlfriend, Julie. His big joys in life are walking the dogs and spending time with them. Jonathan wonders if it's time to make some big changes in his life or stay with the status quo. Jonathan Unleashed is a quirky novel filled with humor and affection for our four-legged friends.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Laura "Lo" Blacklock is excited when she's given the assignment of travelling on the debut cruise of the small luxury ship the Aurora. She figures it could be the big break she needs to move up at the travel magazine she works for. She arrives on the cruise with little sleep and frayed nerves after a burglar breaks into her flat a few days before her departure. Then, in the middle of the first night of the trip, she thinks that the young woman in the cabin next to hers has fallen overboard.  After she tries to report what happened, the blood she saw on the balcony has disappeared and she's told that no one was occupying that particular room. Is Lo correct in what she saw or could she be mistaken? The reader soon suspects that Lo belief is correct and she's probably in real danger, while her boyfriend at home is concerned that he has not heard from her in days...  The Woman in Cabin 10 is a locked room tale similar to The Girl on the Train.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Listen to Me by Hannah Pittard

Mark's and Maggie's marriage hasn't been the same since Maggie was mugged a few months ago. She's cut back on her work hours, bought mace and even a switchblade--leaving Mark wondering about her mental state. He decides that they should head out for their annual trip from Chicago to visit his parents in Virginia earlier than usual.  Traffic turns out to be bad and they also begin to worry about a huge storm that they will have to drive through. These obstacles fray both their nerves and make the car ride even more tense. Will Mark and Maggie be able to come together and heal their marriage or will the journey push them even further apart?

Friday, July 15, 2016

Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo

Kate Burkholder, the chief of police in Painters Mill, Ohio, is asked to go undercover in a small Amish community in upstate New York. The authorities are concerned about the children who live there and a teenage girl who was found frozen to death nearby. Kate grew up Amish and it would hopefully be an easy transition for her to slip back into that lifestyle--but adapting to the Amish ways (no electricity and no driving) prove to be a bit of a hurdle for Kate. In addition, the group is lead by a bishop named Eli Schrock who is extremely strict. Soon, Kate and others are in danger. Will Kate be able to find out what's going in Roaring Springs before anyone else comes to harm? Among the Wicked is a strong addition to the Kate Burkholder series. Having Kate leave her normal environs and putting her relationship with Tomasetti on the back burner has given the series a welcome kick.

Heartbreak Hotel by Deborah Moggach

When retired actor Buffy is left a Welsh bed and breakfast in an old friend's will, he decides to leave London and try to run it himself. Buffy isn't really a cook or housekeeper--but he is a fun and sociable host. With help from two of his daughters and local resident, Voda, he attempts to make a go of it. Offering cooking basic car repair classes along with a place to stay, Buffy hopes he can help the place stay afloat.  Throughout Heartbreak Hotel, Moggach explores Buffy's extended family's lives, along with those of the people who come and stay. An enjoyable story filled with love and humor.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

The Girls by Emma Cline

In late 1960's California, fourteen-year-old Evie Boyd is an only child, bored being shuttled between her divorced parents. In the summer, before heading off to boarding school, she becomes intrigued by some young women she sees hanging out in a local park. She becomes especially entranced by Suzanne--leading Evie to spend time at the commune where the women live. The cult group is lead by a man named Russell who takes control of all aspects of their lives. The Girls is closely based on the Manson family murders and is an engrossing coming-of-age story.