Sunday, April 28, 2024

The Widow Spy by Megan Campisi

It's 1861 and Kate Warne and several of her Pinkerton colleagues are trying to break Confederate spy Rose Greenhow. They are searching Greenhow's home for her cipher key, because finding it would help the Union's cause immensely. Greenhow, however, is clever and threatens to derail the group's plans. In The Widow Spy, Campisi details the life of Kate, who was a real person. An interesting read for those who enjoy historical fiction featuring female characters.

Monday, April 22, 2024

Death in the Details by Katie Tietjen

In the years after World War II, widow Maple Bishop lives in Elderberry, Vermont, mourning the deaths of her husband and brother and wondering how she is going to earn enough money to keep her home. A trained lawyer, Maple also makes dollhouses and all the accessories to go with them. Soon, Maple has set up shop in the local hardware store and is taking orders, but discovering the body of Elijah Wallace in his barn could derail her plans. The sheriff considers Maple a busybody and tells her to keep her opinions to herself about Wallace's murder. Yet Maple, with the help of young police officer, Kenny, just might solve the case herself. Death in the Details is a great start to a new mystery series, perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Susan Elia MacNeal, and Allison Montclair.

Monday, April 15, 2024

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

Lauren has a big problem. She comes home from a night of partying to find her husband at home--but she's not married. She soon discovers that something bizarre is happening in her attic. It is able to produce an endless supply of husbands. If she doesn't like the husband she's been given, she can just send him up in the attic and he disappears and is replaced with a new one, each having his own history with her. Uncovering the backstory of her life with each current husband can be exhausting at times. In addition, even though time is moving forward, Lauren sometimes finds her close friends' and family's lives have changed too. The Husbands is an interesting and original look at one woman's journey to find a life that works for her.

Friday, April 5, 2024

Trust Her by Flynn Berry

After escaping with their lives in Northern Spy, Tessa and her sister, Marian, now live in Dublin with their children. It's been three years since Tessa and Marian informed on the IRA, and the duo wonder all the time if they are safe--even though the sisters were given new identities. Tessa, though, is kidnapped by the IRA and forced to reestablish contact with her MI5 agent and try to get him to work for the IRA. If Tessa doesn't, her family will be harmed. Tessa worries constantly about the safety of her four-year-old son Finn and also wonders if she and Marian will ever be able to extricate themselves from the situation they are in. Like Northern Spy, Trust Her is a suspenseful read that will have you turning the pages. It will be published in June.

Monday, April 1, 2024

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

Every time Daphne meets a new guy, she finds a piece of paper with his name on it and the amount of time they will spend together. It's been this way all of her dating life, starting in 5th grade. However, on her latest blind date with Jake, the paper has only his name. What does this mean? Has Daphne finally met the one? Could it possibly be that simple?