The Last Time We Saw Her by Jaclyn Goldis

Posted on 03/25/2026 | Leave a comment

Rating: ** (2/5)

Published: Emily Bestler Books, June 2026

Format: ARC

Genre: Mystery

Source: Publisher

Ten years ago, a group of Jewish kids and their counselors were camping on an Azores island when one of them went missing. The police have been unable to determine what happened to Sydney, and a decade later, everyone involved returns to the island for a memorial at the local synagogue.  Since everyone is together again for the first time since Sydney’s disappearance, counselor Jules aspires to make a true crime documentary and interviews everyone who was present on their camping trip.

I don’t think the whole documentary transcript format fit with the rest of the narrative. It led to everyone arguing about their memories and motives and didn’t feel cohesive.  Then there’s the whole hidden treasure hunt thing that convoluted the latter part of the book.  It was terribly cliched how the villain spent chapters monologuing their crimes to their intended victims before dispensing of them.  Considering all the revelations, I was very disappointed in the ambiguous ending.  If it hadn’t ended so abruptly, I might have given it three starts.  The final third of the book was altogether too messy.  Between all the bickering and blaming, it was a tedious affair with an unsatisfactory conclusion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

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When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro

Posted on 03/17/2026 | Leave a comment

Rating: **** (4/5)

Published: Vintage, 2000

Format: Trade Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Personal Collection

Christopher Banks is a renowned English Detective who grew up in Shanghai until his parents disappeared.  His first-person narrative is very meandering and he tells his story in a series of recollections.  He reflects on his childhood growing up next door to his best friend Akira, his mother’s staunch aversion to the opium trade in China, and his father’s complicity.   He illustrates how his life in London after university shaped his career and how his friendship with socialite Sarah Hemmings evolved.

Fast forward to 1937 and Christopher returns to Shanghai to solve the mystery of his parents’ disappearance amidst the Japanese invasion of China.  This is where the story gets a bit chaotic.  At first I thought perhaps his investigation in Shanghai was some sort of delusion or fantasy.  The episode with the occupants of his former home was certainly confusing.  And I couldn’t understand why Christopher was convinced his parents’ kidnappers kept them captive in the same house for nearly two decades.  Despite the discombobulating narrative of that period, I thought the conclusion was satisfactory, though it took a very non-linear route to get there.  Overall it was an intriguing, well written character study.

Also by Kazuo Ishiguro:

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The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas

Posted on 03/11/2026 | Leave a comment

Rating: ****1/2 (4.5/5)

Published: Houghton Mifflin, 1942

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Historic Fiction

Source: Personal Collection

Roman soldier Marcellus is commanded to Crucify an innocent man, and his Greek slave witnesses how profoundly Jesus’ death affects his master.  While gambling at the foot of the cross, Marcellus wins Jesus’ cast-off Robe and he is forever changed.  His slave Demetrius had a brief encounter with Jesus as he entered Jerusalem a few days previously and knows that there was something exceptional about this man. Marcellus and Demetrius spend the remainder of the book learning about Jesus, his miracles and teachings, and speaking with those who knew him best.

It took me a good 80 pages to get acclimated to the tone and pacing and to get acquainted with the characters.  By the time Marcellus and Demetrus get to Jerusalem, I was hooked.  I loved that they had a front row seat to Christianity’s infancy and how they watched the movement grow throughout the region.  I was saddened by the tragic ending but moved by the courage it presented.  Though slow going at times, this book was an immersive experience that was evocative and emotional.  I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did and that is a credit to Douglas’ elegant writing and superb character development.

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She Thought She Was Safe by Terri Parlato

Posted on 03/07/2026 | Leave a comment

Rating: **** (4/5)

Published: Kensington, February 2026

Format: Hardcover

Genre:Mystery

Source: Goodreads Giveaway

Between her recent divorce and the death of her mother, Emma’s life is falling apart.  She discovers the identity of her biological father among her late mother’s papers, a secret she withheld from Emma her entire life.  It turns out her dad is bestselling author Alex Spencer, and he and Emma tentatively connect over email.

After confirming Emma’s claims through a DNA test, Alex invites his estranged daughter to his remote lake house in Maine.  At Spencer House, a rambling Victorian in a tiny community of just 4 families, Emma hopes to work on her own novel. But Spencer House has its secrets, and when one of the Cheshire Lake residents is found murdered, they are all suspects… Alex arrives on scene to bolster the group, but the more time Emma spends at Spencer House, the more she realizes Alex is hiding something.  Though she can’t help but be in awe of his fame and talent, Alex’s gregarious generosity is a façade.

I thought the atmosphere and the characters of the Cheshire Lake enclave were well written.  The clues were dished out with good pacing and a sinister undertone.  There were a few minor plot inconsistencies, but the satisfying twist rounded everything out nicely.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via a Goodreads giveaway.

Also by Terri Parlato: Watch Your Back

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If You Tell by Gregg Olsen

Posted on 02/25/2026 | Leave a comment

Subtitle: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood

Rating: ***** (5/5)

Published: Thomas & Mercer, 2019

Format: Trade Paperback

Genre: True Crime

Source: Personal Collection

Imagine the most horrifically abusive, compulsively lying person and multiply that awfulness by ten.  Now imagine that person is your mother…  Shelly Knotek is the epitome of evil.  She only seems satisfied when other people are suffering, and that includes her own children.  Nikki, Sami, and Tori only know one kind of mother and have lived with Shelly’s violence their entire lives. 

It’s not just the children who suffer, but wayward folks Shelly claims she’s trying to help, like her husband’s nephew, Shelly’s hairdresser friend, and a fellow who’s down on his luck.  While her daughters somehow endured, these three individuals don’t survive Shelly’s ruthlessness.  It’s a terrifying story of a sadist, but also one of fortitude and sisterhood.  While it was utterly riveting, this book is not for the faint of heart because of its portrayal of child abuse and torture.

Also by Gregg Olsen: The Amish Wife

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Good Company by Kate Christensen

Posted on 02/19/2026 | Leave a comment

Rating: ***** (5/5)

Published: Harper, June 2026

Format: ARC

Genre: Fiction

Source: Publisher

Julia is visiting her alma mater for a book festival.  A moderately successful novelist, she is promoting her recently released memoir, the basis of which is her tendency to foster toxic relationships.  Abandoned by her father as a child and pitted against her two sisters by her demanding mother, Julia has some demons in her past. The weekend of the festival, she meets fellow writer and panelist Ellis Blackwell, and she is almost disarmed by his flattery and flirtation.  Almost.

I enjoyed the alternating chapters of book festival narrative and memoir excerpts.  Beware: Julia has a lot of trauma to unpack.  But she writes like Pat Conroy, which I loved.  She’s eloquent and angry and justified.  I don’t think every reader will appreciate Julia’s blunt candor, but I definitely connected to her on so many levels.  Besides the liberal arts education and English degree, there were the darker concerns (daddy issues, substance abuse, self-sabotage) that were relatable.  It was a well-crafted novel with some heavy themes, but also very complex characters.  Julia felt like a kindred spirit and I really enjoyed the experience.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

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Just Visiting This Planet by Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Posted on 02/16/2026 | Leave a comment

Subtitle: Further Scientific Adventures of Merlin from Omniscia

Rating: *** (3/5)

Published: Black Stone Publishing, 2025

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Nonfiction

Source: Personal Collection

Merlin’s first book was novel, clever, and full of interesting tidbits.  His second book was more of the same, but a bit more esoteric and physics-forward.  I didn’t find it as engaging, as Merlin’s responses were going more for humor than useful knowledge.  I definitely didn’t have as many “aha, look what I just learned” moments.  If NdGT ever publishes another Merlin book, I’ll probably skip it.

Book 1 in the series: Merlin’s Tour of the Universe

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The Neighbors are Watching by Aggie Blum Thompson

Posted on 02/14/2026 | Leave a comment

Rating: ***** (5/5)

Published: Minotaur, June 2026

Format: ARC

Genre: Mystery

Source: Publisher

In Caren Costa’s affluent Bethesda neighborhood, image is everything.  The morning after her neighbor’s party, she wakes up with a concussion and no recollection of what happened after she left the party.  Everyone assumes she got blackout drunk, but Caren is determined to clear her name and figure out why someone would want to hurt her.

Finn is a basement apartment tenant in the same neighborhood.  A year ago, his best friend Autumn was shot and killed in the house where she was a live-in nanny.  Autum’s employer is a divorcee renter and a bit of a pariah.  It’s no coincidence that her landlords are the same people who hosted the party where Caren was allegedly drugged.  When people are desperate enough to protect their reputations and their kids’ futures, ruthlessness is the name of the game.

This was a super fun, well-paced read. It wasn’t exactly a domestic thriller; it was more of a suburban drama with an unsolved murder subplot.  The characters and their voices felt authentic, the dialogue was well-written, and the overall plot didn’t feel contrived.  I liked how Caren and Finn connected and supported each other.  I actually enjoyed the petty backstabbing, it was done in a way that didn’t seem tacky.  When you have money to solve your problems, it’s easy to make Caren think she’s losing her mind.  Good stuff!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

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A Brief History of The Tudor Age by Jasper Ridley

Posted on 02/10/2026 | Leave a comment

Rating: **** (4/5)

Published: Carroll & Graf, 2002

Format: Trade Paperback

Genre: Nonfiction

Source: Personal Collection

If you ever wondered how people lived during the late 15th and 16th century, this book has everything you need to know.  All aspects of existence during the Tudor era are addressed here – where people lived, what they ate, how they dressed, and what they did for entertainment are just a few.  I enjoyed the more social aspects of the book like clothes, food, and pastimes, more than the administrative details like laws, enforcement, and punishment.  Otherwise, it painted a very comprehensive picture of how an English subject got along during the reign of the Tudor monarchs.

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Lust for Life by Irving Stone

Posted on 02/08/2026 | Leave a comment

Rating: **** (4/5)

Published: Plume, 1934

Format: Trade Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Personal Collection

Irving’s immersive portrayal of Vincent Van Gogh’s life was rich in detail, color, and atmosphere.  As a great work of historical fiction, it was successful, and that’s why this book is so timeless.  As a character study, it just missed the mark.  I felt Vincent’s motivation and desire, but he wasn’t entirely sympathetic. 

I did learn a great deal about the artist’s life.  I didn’t realize how late in life he started painting.  His early twenties were bleak!  As he moves from one locale to another, he encounters a variety of acquaintances and it’s all these secondary characters that keep the plot moving. When he was in Paris, I found myself going down a Google rabbit hole looking up Van Gogh’s impressionist companions.

As he descended into madness towards the end of the book, the question then becomes did he paint himself into insanity or was he a painter because he was insane?  It was descriptive and engrossing and I enjoyed it much more than The Agony and the Ecstasy.

Also by Irving Stone: The Agony and the Ecstasy

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