An engrossing mystery that kept me turning pages until I finished. Mallory is a young woman who became addicted to painkillers. She has been sober for 18 months and is hired as a nanny for a 5 year old boy, Teddy. When Teddy begins producing some disturbing drawings, Mallory begins to investigate. There is a shocking twist near the end that I did not see coming.

I really enjoyed this novel. I was inspired to read it after hearing the author speak and read excerpts from her book at EMPL. It is a fast read about why Grace left her family years ago.

This is the fourth novel by Ellen Meister that I have read and I enjoyed it very much! Joybird Martin, our protagonist, is an optimistic, idealistic 31 year old woman who tries to see the best in everyone and brighten everyone's day. She drives an UBER but would like to be a life coach. One day she drives Devon, a Wall St. equity analyst, who gives her the idea to become a mobile life coach, naming her Honda and business :Joyride. We also meet her dad, Sid Marcus, who loses his job as a TV comedy writer and is now living with Joybird. She has to negotiate her relationship with both her dad and Devon, who she resists but to whom she is attracted.

This is a parable about setting out on your journey in life to find your true meaning in the world (or fortune). Santiago leaves his life as a shepherd in Spain to travel to Egypt. He was told by an old gypsy that he will find his fortune under the pyramids. Along the way of his journey Santiago meets people who help him on his quest and people who hinder his journey but all the time he follows the omens to reach his true destiny. I enjoyed this book and definitely think it’s worth a read. Maybe we can all follow our omens and meet the alchemist who can teach us to go for it.

This was a wonderful sequel to the book The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Honey Lovett is the daughter of the blue-skinned Troublesome Creek packhorse librarian. Honey's mother and father are imprisoned, and Honey decides to continue her mother's book route. As an avid reader, I especially understood how much these people yearned for the opportunity to enjoy reading.

In 1730 England a young girl called Red travels with her father predicting fortunes. When he dies, she goes to live with a guardian named Mr. Antrobus. Red has no idea who her mother was. She knows she has died. Her father is fearful since he tells her he has enemies and was terrified of them finding him. She is anxious to discover all these mysteries, and starts doing some research. I enjoyed this book, but I found it somewhat confusing because of all the characters. However, there is a twist at the end that I never saw coming.

Zoe and Cassie Griffin were once very close, but twenty years ago became estranged. They were both members of a rock band and an incident occurred one night which fractured their relationship. The book weaves the past and present together skillfully as we gradually learn what happened. The themes are sisterhood and forgiveness. Realistic and satisfying ending.

Hidden in the depths of 18th century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women around the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nell who sells well-disguised poisons to women to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary's fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious 12 year old, makes a fatal mistake , sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries. Meanwhile in present day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London 200 years ago, her life collides with the apothecary's in a twist of fate and not everyone will survive.

Still Life by Louise Penny Really appreciated this sophisticated Mystery. Well written, well thought out, exciting, and engrossing. A different type of Mystery then many of the popular fiction I have read. Intricate plot planning, good character development, multi-dimensional characters, and a good mystery as well. I was very involved in trying to solve it. Also loved Armand Gamache, an introspective, honorable, diligent detective, interested in the people as well as the crime. I delighted in his manner of investigation, his desire to listen, to learn, to admit when he is stuck. Jane is dead, and many are suspected. As it is with small towns, everyone knows everyone and there are secretes, but there is also a marvelous feeling of community. The town itself becomes a character. A “Who done it”, of the highest caliber.

Mansion Beach is sort of a modern take on The Great Gatsby. After quitting her career and breaking up with her boyfriend, Nicola is staying on Block Island in an internship for sea conservation. She is staying at her favorite cousin’s rich wife’s family cottage. Nicola is living next to the biggest party house on the island owned by Julianna George and becomes friends with her. Can Nicola navigate the rocky terrain of keeping up with the affluent residents of the island? Who doesn’t survive the summer? Read and find out.