This is almost like reading a mystery detective novel, only it's a true story about real people. It's amazing how a creative search for records, in addition to fortuitous encounters with just the right people at just the right time, can unlock stories that have been carefully hidden for decades. If you like mysteries, or you're interested in the process of genealogy, you should enjoy this.
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Lynn finished reading We Solve Murders by Richard Osman (We Solve Murders, #1)
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman (We Solve Murders, #1)
Lynn finished reading Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
Data is fundamental to the modern world. From economic development, to healthcare, to education and public policy, we rely on …
Lynn wants to read A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
A Prayer for Owen Meany is the seventh novel by American writer John Irving. Published in 1989, it tells the …
Lynn started reading Middle Kingdoms by Martyn C. Rady
Lynn reviewed Buried Secrets by Anne Hanson
Review of 'Buried Secrets' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Lynn reviewed Last Remains by Elly Griffiths
When builders renovating a café in King’s Lynn find a human skeleton behind a wall, …
Review of 'Last Remains' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I didn't mean to read this in one night, but I find Ruth and her friends difficult to leave halfway through a case, and so read it in one night I did. Something about this one feels like it might be the final book; it doesn't feel sad, but it feels . . . resolved. If this is true, The Last Remains is a worthy conclusion to one of my favourite modern detective series.
Lynn reviewed Homecoming by Kate Morton
The highly anticipated new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Clockmaker’s …
Review of 'Homecoming' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This was thoroughly enjoyable. Having read a number of Morton’s books, I foresaw the first major twist, concerning one of the main character’s identity. After that, however, it became, I felt, overly complex. The story hangs together, but perhaps the conclusion would have been more satisfying if there weren’t so many twists, and if there were fewer strands to the overall thread.
In any case, Morton’s books are all worth reading, and the fact that I read the whole 500+ pages in only one day shows the difficulty I had putting it down!
Lynn reviewed She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge
Review of 'She Lies in Wait' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Lately I’ve found it difficult to stick with books, even when they sound like something I would like. This was different. I really, really enjoyed this. It was just very well done. The pace with which information was revealed was just right, and the balance of present-day action with flashbacks to the night of the crime was perfect - so many times such novels get sidetracked by extensive dips into the past that I find distracting and unnecessary. The author included brief glimpses of the crime as it progressed, but only enough to give it a minute-by-minute feel that added to, rather than distracted from the overall story. The most enjoyable thing I’ve read in some time.
Lynn reviewed Agatha Christie's Marple by Anne Hart
Review of "Agatha Christie's Marple" on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I’ve read Miss Marple stories for years, and seen countless versions on television, but Agatha Christie seems not to have had the same need I have for a coherent timeline, which is where Anne Hart comes in. Such a fun little book.
Lynn reviewed Our First Civil War by H. W. Brands
Review of 'Our First Civil War' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This was interesting, but it was much less the story of the Patriots versus Loyalists than the Continental leaders (wealthy people like Benjamin Franklin and George Washington) versus the British government. The Loyalists were sort of mentioned in passing on occasion, but they were not given anything like the extensive examination afforded to the Continental leaders or the British government.
A much more thorough treatment of this topic - featuring not only the average farmers and small businessmen who made up most of those fighting on both sides but also the Spanish, the French, and the Indians (all of whom were independent actors rather than side characters, with their own motivations and influence) - is Alan Taylor’s American Revolutions, still by far the best book I’ve ever read about this fascinating conflict.
The most enjoyable part of Brands’ book for me was the pre-revolution section, in which he detailed …
This was interesting, but it was much less the story of the Patriots versus Loyalists than the Continental leaders (wealthy people like Benjamin Franklin and George Washington) versus the British government. The Loyalists were sort of mentioned in passing on occasion, but they were not given anything like the extensive examination afforded to the Continental leaders or the British government.
A much more thorough treatment of this topic - featuring not only the average farmers and small businessmen who made up most of those fighting on both sides but also the Spanish, the French, and the Indians (all of whom were independent actors rather than side characters, with their own motivations and influence) - is Alan Taylor’s American Revolutions, still by far the best book I’ve ever read about this fascinating conflict.
The most enjoyable part of Brands’ book for me was the pre-revolution section, in which he detailed the various efforts of American colonists to drive the French out of the Ohio valley, and how these efforts eventually led to increased conflict with Britain. Although I knew the basics of this subject, there was considerably more detail here than I’ve previously encountered and it was quite interesting.
Lynn reviewed Vanish Like Water by Sam Mustafa
Review of 'Vanish Like Water' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Interesting. I enjoyed it more the further back in time it went, and I suppose there was a compelling human drama in the heart of it, but to characterize it as a detective story is a stretch. Most of the action involved organized crime, and most of the characters were weapons dealers. That world does not appeal to me, and those are not people whose company I enjoy.
Lynn rated We the Elites: 4 stars
Lynn reviewed The Maid by Nita Prose
I am your maid. I know about your secrets. Your dirty laundry. But what do …
Review of 'The Maid' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
I enjoyed this. It was more drama and less cerebral than I usually read, but the main character was likeable, and she had good people around her when she needed them - which is pretty much all you need, really.
I got distracted about halfway through with some research, so perhaps I enjoyed it a bit less than I would have done had read it straight through. But it was still worth reading.
Review of 'Tips and Tricks of Deciphering German Handwriting' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
A handy little book to add to your collection of German transcription resources.