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Happy Wife: A Read With Jenna Pick
by Meredith Lavender
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Happy Wife, by Meredith Lavender Young 28-year-old woman marries 46-year-old wealthy gentleman, following his divorce from his wife. She is not welcomed into their very wealthy community in Winter Park Florida. He is a very successful attorney. She was barley making ends meet. They seem happy, but following their marriage, she becomes a “work widow”. Then, no surprise, he goes missing. Explores marriage wealth and the secrets behind closed doors.

Persuasion
by Jane Austen
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This was a complex read for me. Chosen by my book club, and I am in the end, so glad they did. I initially had a hard time adjusting to the language, and the pattern of writing. This for me require a slow contemplative read. I developed a deep respect for the author. Taught me much about the times, especially the plight of women. Behind this complicated soap opera are themes around issues of second chances, class issues, social mores, cultural aspects of the time, and integrity. I can’t say I loved it but I can say, it was a remarkable novel, and I am glad I read it. I am also glad I did not live during that time.

With A Vengeance
by Riley Sager
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I really loved this. I am already a big Sager fan. But I liked that this novel changed his usual formula. Normally Sager's books involve someone in an old house or area, figuring out an old mystery from their past. But in this case, this was all about knowing what happened and searching for revenge/justice. There were also the usual twists. Some were predictable (one especially so), but some were unexpected and none of them detracted to the story. It can be difficult to read a train mystery without thinking of the Orent Express but I loved this story as it showed the different ways we look for justice.

The Mystery Writer
by Sulari Gentill
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Theo quits law school in Australia and moves to stay with her brother, Gus, in the US. While pursuing her new writing career, she meets another author, older and famous, and falls in love. One day when he doesn’t show up for their daily meeting, Theo goes to his house to find him brutally murdered. With no other clues, the police investigate Theo and Gus as the main suspects. To protect Gus, Theo signs up with a publishing company that will promise a new identity and protection if she continues to write as the alias and disappears. Gus tries to find Theo for years and then a book is published that is exactly what Theo was working on before her disappearance. Can Gus find his sister and can Theo escape the confines of the publishing company? This book was a quick read and kept you interested. I recommend The Mystery Writer a try.

Incidents Around The House
by Josh Malerman
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I didn’t realize this was the horror genre, not my typical read. Thematically it addresses issues around families and secrets and betrayals, but on the surface, true to its plot, it is a horror story, and a pretty scary one. Eight-year-old Bella has a friend, but she lives inside the closet. She is not invisible but can take many shapes and forms. Bella names her “Other Mother”. She wants Bella to let her into her heart, but Bella continues to resist. “Other Mother” starts out as a good friend, and Bella has no other friends. As Bella’s mom and dad’s relationship seems to be crumbling, “Other Mother” seems to become more aggressive and stronger. What follows is this family’s journey to be free from “Other Mother”. I am not quite sure how it ended, and I have now read the ending three times. I am still thinking about it.

Still Life
by Louise Penny
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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.

The Sandy Page Bookshop
by Hannah McKinnon
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Great summer read. Perfect getaway.

Listen For The Lie
by Amy Tintera
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I really enjoyed reading this mystery/ thriller. It was interesting slowly learning the facts about Savvy’s murder through Ben’s podcast. He interviews several people in Lucy and Saavy’s town to find answers to the Whodunnit. I enjoy Lucy’s character and friendship with Saavy

Restore Me
by Tahereh Mafi
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This is the fourth installment in the Shatter Me series, and it marks the beginning of a new chapter in Juliette’s journey. It’s fascinating to witness how much Juliette has evolved since the first book. Her character development is one of the strongest elements of the series, and in this book, we see her step into a leadership role in a way that feels both powerful and deeply vulnerable. There were more revelations in this book, pieces that were left out in the first three books begin to unravel here, surrounding Aaron Warner and Juliette’s past. The way these storylines are expanded adds layers of depth and kept me turning the pages. We meet so many new characters and we get to explore them as people as well, which I really like. Tahereh Mafi’s writing continues to shine in this book. Her lyrical, emotional style captures the internal struggles of the characters so vividly that you can’t help but feel their pain and inner turmoil. Overall, I highly recommend this book, especially to readers who’ve been following Juliette’s story from the beginning.

The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
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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.
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