The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

 Horrifying tale of the Holocaust, and a young Jewish boy who is tricked into helping the Nazis.  Told from the perspective of 4 people, 3 Jews and a Nazi.

4 stars.

23 1/2 Lies by James Patterson, et al.

3 novellas:  23 1/2 Lies, Fallen Ranger, and Watch Your Back.

  The best thing I can say about this is that they were short.  None were particularly suspenseful, but I did finish them.

2.5 stars.

                      

           

Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson

Audio.  8 hours.

Read by Graham Halstead

A mystery bookstore owner is drawn into a murder investigation when it appears the murderer is following a list of books he published called Eight Perfect Murders.

Excellent.

5 stars.

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman

 1960s housewife dissatisfied with her life goes on to work at the newspaper, albeit as a clerk.  When female remains are located, Maddie sets off to solve the case, and get a chance as a reporter.

5 stars.

The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson

 Audio.  8.75 hours.

Read by Keith Szarabaijka, Kathleen Early, Helen Laser, and Micky Shiloah.

Joan reaches out to a former teacher, now a P.I., for help and he figures out more than she expected him to.

5 stars.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

 The struggles of women in the workplace in the 1960's, especially those with the audacity to study science.

5 stars.

The Forgotten Girls by Monica Potts

 Girls in rural Arkansas, and presumably other places, and why so many of them are left behind, both educationally and financially.

It was sad reading, but eye-opening too.  I can't begin to imagine the solution for this problem.

Non-fiction that was easy for me to read.  I often get bored by non-fiction within the first chapter, if I even get that far.  I venture nobody has read as many preludes without getting to chapter one than I have.

4.5 stars.

Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister

 Olivia goes missing and DCI Julia Day must find her.  Is the case related to another missing girl from a year ago?

Some nice twists, but I did get a bit confused at times, as to what was going on.  Maybe that was intentional?

4 stars.

Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeny

 A child is kidnapped from a supermarket.  Eighteen years later, the event sets off a chain of events.

It got a bit confusing at the end, but otherwise good.

4 stars.

The Guy Who Died Twice by Lisa Gardner

Audio.  1 hour, 37 minutes.

Read by Kirsten Potter.

Detective D.D. Warren has to solve a most unusual case.

5 stars.

 

The Twist of a Knife by Anthony Horowitz

 Anthony is accused of murder and only Hawthorne can help save him.

I didn't like this book because I don't like the story line of innocent people being framed.  Just my own quirk.  I'm sure others enjoyed it more.  I had to force myself to finally finish it.

3 stars.

The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner

 Ridiculous premise saved by Ms. Weiner's excellent writing.

4 stars.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

 Audio.  9 CDs.

Read by Stephanie Racine.

Family members are being killed, but by whom?  And why?  

The story seemed a little long, but I'm glad I stuck with it.  The twist at the end was really surprising.

4 stars.  (Added a half for the British accents.)

Prom Mom by Laura Lippman

A girl gives birth in a hotel room during the prom.  Story of how this affects her life and that of the baby's father.

This book started okay.  The premise was fairly interesting and Ms. Lippman develops her characters.  Unfortunately, none of the characters are likable.  All the women love and protect this man who doesn't deserve it.  All of them are wrong in their opinion of him.

Then the ending takes a bizarre turn and wraps things up quickly without making much sense (to me).

2 stars

Fire With Fire by Candice Fox

 Ms. Fox has written a half dozen or so novels with James Patterson.  I have enjoyed the books she's written with him, more so than his other co-authors.

This novel by Ms. Fox alone, was pretty good.  The plot premise was interesting, but it was a bit wordy at times.

A young rookie cop gets fired before she even gets a chance.  She teams up with Charlie Hoskins, an old-timer, to find a missing child before her parents blow up the police lab.

3.5 stars.

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

 Jennette's mother pushes her into the world of acting to fulfill her (mom's) dreams.  Along the way there is bizarre/abusive behavior by Mom who appears to be a narcissist.  Mom encourages anorexia so J can play younger roles.  When her mother dies, J is released from many of Mom's nooses, and is currently in therapy.

Overall, a shocking and sad story, but somehow also made humorous by the author.

5 stars.

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

 The title had me worried, but this was a real page turner.  A woman dies by falling off a cliff.  But did she jump, or was she pushed?  (Dr. Winkle?  VINkle!  It is hard to tell, the injuries would have been the same.)

5 stars!

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

 Four residents of a retirement village solve murders.

4 stars.

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

 Audio.  10.5 hours.

Read by Dylan Moore

The lives of many ordinary people are intertwined with that of Jonathan Alkaitis, who is running one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history.

5 stars.

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

 The story of 4 sisters and how their love saves a young man in distress. 

5 stars.