The End of Temperance Dare by Wendy Webb

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The End of Temperance Dare,' A Novel of Suspense by Wendy Webb. 

In The End Of Temperance Dare by Wendy Webb, we are introduced to Eleanor Harper. She has become the director of Cliffside Manor, an artist’s retreat. Beginning as a tuberculosis sanatorium in the early years, it has made a name as a retreat for artists. Eleanor knows of the Manor after having done a story on it, as a journalist and crime reporter. When the position became available, she was interested hoping to find a more peaceful job, and very surprised at being chosen.

From the very first night things get off to a strange start; the prior director who had planned on retiring, commits suicide. With such an inauspicious beginning Eleanor finds herself feeling a sense of doom. With her background though she is unwilling to give up the job and moves forward to welcome her first group of artists.

As she meets the group assigned for her first retreat, she begins to wonder what has drawn them all together. She feels that each person was chosen personally by the prior director, but she cannot determine why. There is something eerie and frightful about the building, and some of the rooms. As strange things begin to happen, weird and frightening forces seem to be moving in, putting all the inhabitants at risk. Can she find a way to fight and save them all? Who is Temperance Dare, and why is she out for vengeance.

Webb takes us into the darkness of a secret that has lasted for years. She chooses an old sanatorium, a place where many with tuberculosis end up dying, and develops a story that oozes doom and retribution. She creates a sense of terror from the very beginning with the death of the previous director.

She creates her characters with various strengths and flaws, making is hard to determine just exactly is happening, and she creates a connection between each of them, and someone or something to do with the early years of the sanatorium. The story creates an eerie feeling of impending danger, and keeps you reading with the lights on.

If you enjoy tales of suspense and horror, you will find this a clever work. Webb takes you into the dark places and holds you spellbound with terror.

This would be a terrific book for a reading group

Rating 4/5

In Twenty Years by Allison Winn Scotch

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'In Twenty Years,' A Novel by Allison Winn Scotch.

College is a time to stretch your wings, meet new people and chose a direction in life. The friendships made during this time often last a lifetime. Yet there are times that we also lose touch. In Twenty Years by Allison Winn Scotch we follow a group of six friends from Penn State. Twenty years previous when they were all together they were sure their friendships would last. Held together by Bea, the one they all connected to, life seemed as magical as it could be.

Yet when she dies, the group splinters, they are now leaderless and the ties no longer seem to be enough to hold them. Each find themselves estranged, holding old grudges and feelings they have buried that helps to separate them from the easy camaraderie they once shared.

After twenty years they have agreed to meet again, the five remaining friends on the eve of what would have been Bea’s 40h birthday. They have all made their way in life and it is with great reluctance they meet. However, such was her influence upon them their promise to Bea twenty years prior binds them to this reunion.

Not knowing what will happen at this meeting, especially without their leader, they soon find they must confront their past, and come to terms with each other in order to heal and move forward. Even with her death, and the pain that came with it, Bea holds them as if she were still there. Can they find the glue that binds them and make the peace that seems to be what their old friend and ally Bea has expected from them even in death?

Scotch has given us a group of friends whose lives have grown and evolved over the years. Allowing hurts and grudges against each other they have unraveled their bond, which makes them very human. She takes us into their lives as well as that of Bea as they travel on the road that destroyed their trust. The telling evokes tears and joy as well as sadness and death. You will find yourself immersed in this group as they come to terms with their own feelings. Scotch pulls us into her story and the outcome seems to be one we need for ourselves.

If you enjoy literary excellence and friendships that last a lifetime, you will want this book for your library. If you enjoy drama and love this will fit the bill.


This would be a great book for both a Reading group or Book club with a great deal of information to decipher and debate.

Rating 4/5

The Bones of Grace by Tahmima Anam

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Bones of Grace,' A Novel by Tahmima Anam.

A serendipitous meeting, a deep seated love, and a clash of cultures are threaded throughout the backdrop of The Bones of Grace by Tahmima Anam. Zubaida Haque is on a quest to find the bones of the walking whale, a fossil that could provide a missing link in evolution. It is during this quest that she has a chance meeting with Elijah during a concert. Elijah is the typical American of the time, and Zubaida is the adopted daughter of a family in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Yet her life is dictated by her upbringing, and at her families insistence, she marries her childhood best friend and resigns herself to live the typical life of the Bangladesh expectation. Giving up her dream of finding her whale and making a decision to forget about Elijah, she finds herself unhappy and feeling confined. A friend offers her an out, when they find a need for her assistance on a documentary film about the beaches of Chittagong where ships are destroyed and then broken down and the pieces sold to the highest bidder.

The locals work this highly dangerous job as the pay helps them to take care of their families. It is here that Zubaida meets Anwar, a man who seems to know the secrets of her past, and how she came to be adopted. Her life is changing, and she now must make a choice, continue with her marriage, making both herself and her husband unhappy, or move forward to the life she had imagined for herself.

Can she move forward and save what she had with Elijah and will she ever fulfill her dream of finding her fossil and her own background. Taking apart ships is dangerous for those involved, but also a way out of their own misery. It is here that Zubaida finds her inner strength once again, and now she must make her hardest decision, one from which she cannot turn back. Is this what she has been looking for all along?

If you enjoy, beauty, romance, and danger, as well as literary fiction this would be a great book for your library. Once started the elements inherent to this type of book will keep you reading. There is a sadness twisting through the story, and yet you find it is just a part of the life of those involved.Anam takes us into a country of beauty and traditions, but also danger and death. She gives us a romance and a hope of renewal in characters that are strong, yet with a depth of feeling. Zubaida is just trying to follow the dictates of her family, which she has never felt part of, but she finds it even more difficult after her chance meeting with Elijah. She follows the dictates of her family because it is what is expected, but Anam also gives Zubaida a core of reserve where she compartmentalizes the hurts and feelings that drive her.


This would be a great book for a reading group or book club with a great deal of interest and creative discussion.

Rating 4/5

Pearl by Deirdre Riordan Hall

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Pearl' A Novel by Deirdre Riordan Hall. 

In Pearl by Deirdre Riordan Hall, we follow the life and exploits of Pearl Jaeger, a young woman who is on her own and homeless at a time most are dreaming of their first prom. Pearl has grown up with the privilege of having a rock star as a mother, but JJ has become the product of her life. Drugs and poverty are more her mainstream and Pearl is not interested in following her path.  Angry and hurt Pearl has learned a lesson in trust. For her she has learned she has to look out for herself, and any happiness is only fleeting, for danger and drugs are always just around the corner.

When her Mother passes, her Uncle who has never had a good thing to say about her mom, becomes her guardian, he sends her to an elite boarding school. She is ready to shift her life and uses this challenge as a way to move forward.

Her sanity seems to come in the form of an art teacher who seems as messed up as she is, and when she has to face her own demons, she finds that what she thought was important isn’t  as simple as she imagined.

Through friendships at the school, especially one with a boy named Grant, she finds she has the tools to trust, but can she just rely on these new skills or will her future be forged by her mother’s past. Will Pearl be courageous, as she dreams of, or will the past catch up and take her back into the morass of drugs and failure?

Hall has given us a glimpse into the life that we sometimes hear of, and she gives us characters that are both flawed and human. JJ wants nothing more than to be famous again, yet she continues on a path that drags her further and further into pain. Pearl tries hard to hold her life together, but she too is being pulled into the spiral that draws her mother.  You find yourself rooting for Pearl as she searches for her own courage to beat the demons that destroyed her mother.

If you enjoy literary fiction with a depth of emotion and the creation of hope and courage you will find Pearl to be just the work.  This would be a great find for your library and a great summer read.

Book clubs or reading groups would find this a great find for their discussion groups as it will add a great deal of dialogue for their inspection.

Rating 3/5

Where We Fall by Rochelle B. Weinstein

Posted first on blog critics as Book Review: 'Where We Fall', A Novel by Rochelle B. Weinstein.

The secrets we hold often determine our lives, but the truth is often hard to find. In Where We Fall by Rochelle B. Weinstein, we are introduced to a family that on the outside seems to have it all. Abby Holden has everything she always wanted, a lovely daughter and a loving husband. Her husband Ryan is an excellent high-school football coach. He can encourage and push his team to victory, but for some reason he is unable to make his wife, Abby, happy.

She struggles with depression, dark, heavy and overwhelming, often leaving her unable to even get out of bed. It has marred their marriage and takes a toll on their daughter. Unsure where to start his journey Ryan begins to lose faith. This is not how life was to be lived; they all grew up together when life was much simpler.

Lauren Sheppard, another friend has spent her life documenting the beauty of the world through photography.  Avoiding her home town, her work has now brought her back into the fold. Suddenly these three once inseparable friends find themselves together again.  Lauren and Ryan once dated and Abby and Lauren were the best of friends. The three of them did everything together. Ryan wonders where it all went wrong.

Life continues and lies have no hold when love, hurt, and the eddying of life pull at the heart.  Suddenly a secret that has torn them apart may be the very thing that heals them all.

Weinstein has given us a wonderful tale of life and its distractions. She gives us characters that are both flawed and yet lovable, capable of great things including healing. She takes us deep into the heart of depression and the undertow of how that affects both friends and family alike. You will find yourself affected to the very core by the depth of her work.

If you enjoy literary drama, romance, relationships, and family, you will find this a great addition to your family. A work that initially seems overwhelming that will take you to the depths and then lift you up to the light of love; you will find it difficult to put it down.

This would be a great book for a book club or reading group. Depression and the hurt it creates would be a great topic for debate.

Rating 4/5

Therese Makes a Tapestry by Alexandra s. D. Hinrichs and Illustrated by Renee Graef

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Therese Makes a Tapestry' by Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs and Illustrated by Renee Graef.

Therese Makes a Tapestry by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs and Illustrated by Renee Graef is an exceptional work for a child. Therese is a young girl working in her family’s tapestry business, doing unraveling and cleanup, when she receives one of her first gifts from her Papa. It is a beautiful painting of the palace in winter. She is entranced and wants to do something special in return. Knowing that women are not allowed to do the actual tapestries, she nonetheless determines that she is going to immortalize her small painting through tapestry.

She works hard and is often belittled by her brothers who do the finest of work, but she knows that she can do this. She is nimble and determined and when completed she and her brothers are amazed at the final project. They do not show their pride but she does not care. This is her gift to give, and she is proud.

Hearing that her Papa is coming home she is unprepared for the surprise that is in store for her, one that will rock the tapestry business to its core. Will this damage the family business, and will her beloved Papa forgive her?

If you are looking for a book for your child that stretches the imagination and encourages them to push and challenge the status quo, you will not be disappointed. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is poignant, but exciting.

This is a wonderful reader, and the history takes you to a time long gone. This work is a true treasure for your child’s library.


This would be a great gift for your child and one that could be handed down for generations.

Rating 5/5

The Rabbit Who wants To Go To Harvard by Zeldar the Great with help from Diana Holquist and Christopher Eliopoulos

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Rabbit Who Wants To Go To Harvard', A Parody by Zeldar the Great with Help from Diana Holquist and Christopher Eliopoulos.

The Rabbit Who Wants to go To Harvard by Zeldar the Great with Help from Diana Holquist and Christopher Eliopoulos is a fun poke at the concentrated effort some families use on children to overachieve at a young age, when friends and fun should be more important.

Interactive and witty, the work is fun and zany, almost more for an adult reader, although the way it is written is fun for a child. Leaving blanks to fill in the child’s name is one way it works to involve younger readers. Anyway, who couldn’t love the bunny family.  However there is certainly enough humor to entertain an adult as well.

Ronald Rabbit wants to be normal, but he can't. His mom wont let him. She harbors an obsession with Harvard. While she pushing him in every direction she works her way through her own issues. The rest of Ronald's siblings seem to be overlooked in this strange yet fascinating dive into his moms obsessive and compulsive push for achievement. But he won't let her down, even if it means giving up his own fascination with Peter Rabbit, after all his mother assures him that Peter will never go to Harvard with his background.

The Rabbit family is somewhat dysfunctional, but there is a strong push for the little rabbit to begin preparing himself for greater achievement while mom does her own form of encouragement. If you are looking for a book that is fun to read and can challenge your youngster, this may be the very one. By involving them with the use of their name and with all the various ways of encouraging the adult to follow the vocal cues required this is a great book for a parent to read with their child.

This would be an interesting book for a reading group, one full off fun and discussion, especially about obsessions and how they affect others.

Rating 5/5

Girl Through Glass by Sari Wilson

Posted first to Bog Critics as Book Review: 'Girl Under Glass,' A Novel by Sari Wilson.

In Girl Through Glass by Sari Wilson, we are taken into the very heart of dance as seen through the eyes of Mira Able, a gifted and mentored young dancer.  Beginning quite young, Mira is able to focus and pull her substance from deep inside. She seems to transcend many of the issues the other young girls face, yet she strives for even more.

Her life at home is difficult, her mother is trying to find herself, and often embarrasses her. Her father is sometimes overwhelmed by it all. When they split up, Mira learns that she is different than most children her age. When her mom’s new boyfriend makes a move, she is somewhat flattered, but always honest, letting both her parents know.

That is when the family finally comes to an end, and within a very short time, her life changes one more time.  Her father meets and marries a woman who is intrigued with Mira, and dance. She becomes a champion of her training and performances. Mira is appreciative, yet is now lonelier than ever.

It is during this time that she meets a man who is knowledgeable and kind. He becomes her mentor and while her family is unaware of this relationship, she grows through his instruction and conversation. Yet she finds that she is entranced by him, and though he is old, she loves him.

As Mira moves ahead, we begin to follow the shadow of her life, and suddenly we move forward in time and meet a young woman, and dance professor named Kate.  She is struggling with her own demons, and the fate of both is entwined in a strange array of life choices.

Wilson gives us a serious and provoking look at dance and takes us into the background of the theater and stage.  The lives of those who dance is different than that most children and the lure of dance is in their blood.  Dropping out is not an option, those that leave do not always leave on their own but because they do not make the cut. They each strive to be the best.  Yet all is not in harmony and the danger is sometimes overlooked. Each strives to do their best, and become the greatest.

This is a deep and sad story of love and loss, as well as darkness and tragedy.  We see the beauty and grace of the dancers, but also watch the unimaginable unfold into a secret that changes everything.

If you enjoy novels of gripping and challenging situations you will love this work. It is full of interest, and takes you into the background of dance, making you aware in a way that creates and understanding of how such a profession can change lives.  A novel of love, hate, loss and poignancy, you will find it hard to set aside until you reach the very end.

This would be a great book for a book club or reading group. The discussion would be quite lively.

Rating 4/5

Wicked Lewiston, A Sinful Century by Steven D. Branting

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Wicked Lewiston, A Sinful Century,' by Steven D. Branting.

History has a place in every area, town, city or country of the world. Historians often research so that we may learn of our past, often in an effort to help our understanding of who we are and where we have come from, as well as alerting us to what we need to change in the future in order to grow and prosper.

Things that occur in different regions often leave traces that affect far wider areas than can be imagined. In Wicked Lewiston, A Sinful Century by author and historian Steven D. Branting, we are introduced to an area in Idaho that has a past of murder and mayhem that seems incomprehensible.

From the very beginning this area that is nestled in the confluence of two great rivers has drawn a crowd. The weather is lovely, the area full of fish and game, and the winters often without the snows that strike the rest of the country. Lewiston became a city before the police force as we know it began, giving those who had a penchant for trouble room to commit crimes and allowing even questionable deaths to go un-investigated.

Branting has taken a timeline of offenses from the mid 1800's though the early 1900's depicting crimes of a nature that are disturbing even to this day. It is not even the crimes themselves that are so disturbing but their frequency that’s unbelievable. For a small area, even in the late 1800's, Lewiston was known for both crime and prostitution. Initially the capital of Idaho, it seemed to draw many of the seedier people, those looking for more than what was available in other, more structured areas.

This is an interesting tale of an era that one would think was a thing of the past. However as with most cities and areas, sometimes death only hides its presence. Branting’s time line of nefarious deeds and circumstances takes you into the minds of those whose decision to take what they feel is their due, or to take the lives of others keeps you digging to find the cause.As the city grew, so too did crime. Murder and greed consumed those whose lives touched the wrong characters. From the back alleys of Lewiston to the glamour of Washington D.C, murder and corruption became just a little too bold as even those who left the area drew the wrong sort of attention.

If you enjoy history and are also avid into real life crime and punishment, you will find this a work that would be great for your library. Branting researches the information and finds a way to make it both interesting and informative.


This would make a great work for discussion group as they discuss the growth of law and discovery in an evolving era.

Rating 4/5

The Jericho River, A Novel about the History of Western Civilization by David W. Tollen

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'The Jericho River, A Novel About the History of Western Civilization' by David W. Tollen.

History is one of those things that people either love or hate. Often dry and boring, it does not have the continued excitement that helps to keep one interested. This is especially true of the young who are looking for constant thrills due to gaming and other entertainment that is now readily available. In The Jericho River by David W. Tollen, he gives us an alternative to the dry and often unexciting past. Utilizing the past and history throughout it’s a wonderful mythical and epic tale of danger and excitement and he finds a way to introduce both myth and history in order to keep the reader fascinated.

Jason Gallo finds himself propelled into time under bizarre circumstances. Before he can figure out how to return to his own time, he finds himself on the trail of his father. A professor in his own right, his father disappeared years before leaving a young Jason on his own. But this tale is more than just an adventure, it is a timeline of history.

As Gallo moves from rumor to rumor of sightings of his father, he finds both danger and intrigue. He makes both powerful friends as well as dangerous enemies. He finds himself in situations and places that you only know from books, both real and imagined. But with all his heartache can he find his father before his presence changes the world as we know it?

This would be a great book for your young historian to add to his library, or even your adventure enthusiast. It is also intriguing for anyone who enjoys a great romp into the past, with myths, history and adventures of worth. Tollen does a great job of making history fun. Tollen has created a group of characters both intriguing and eminently likable. Often the action is unbelievable, but also mythologically and historically correct in most cases. The action is fast paced and keeps you interested in a way that seems surreal. Jason is a fun protagonist, but he also raises both questions and doubt about his experience as he is not always in the know about the history he’s travelling through.


This would be a great book for a reading or discussion group, with plenty of information to spice it up.

Rating 4/5

The Palest Ink by Kay Bratt

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Palest Ink,' A Historical Fiction by Kay Bratt.

Times of turmoil often breed courage and valor. In The Palest Ink by Kay Bratt, we are trust into a story of a Cultural Revolution supported by Chairman Mao. As his Red Guard begins a deadly assault on their people leaving many innocent victims in their wake, there are those who believe they can create their own mark on history through the opportunity of rebellion.

Benfu is a young man, worried more about his career as a violinist and an arranged marriage that he wants no part of, then the possibility of revolution. His family are intellectuals and teach in Shanghai. They know of the histories and the possibilities of the coming surge and how they must now begin to hide valuables and change in order to stay under the radar of those hunting for possible rebellion.  They also understand how often the innocent can be targeted, and history supports the dangers inherent in the coming wave of assault.

Pony Boy, a member of the lower class, is Benfu’s best friend. Their futures are very different and they look at life in different ways. Together in the struggle of Political turmoil, they must both make decisions that can affect both themselves and their family. Thrown together in the chaos of revolution, they begin their own mission and rebellion against the red tide of Mao’s Red Guard.

Can they find a way to make their mark on history? Life moves quickly for both, and the tide turns ever sharply for their own families. Will they continue on their quest, or is all lost for themselves and their families.

Bratt has given us characters that begin in loving homes, Benfu, ready for university, and in the tradition of the country soon to be affianced.  His best friend has a harder life and yet in both cases their innocence shines through. As the darkening of revolution begins it changes them and they both have to find a way to grow and live in the chaos created in the wave of danger and deaths.  Bratt has given us a time of turmoil and has allowed us to watch the growth of these two youths into entirely different people then where they started.

The Revolution itself is well documented and the historical significance of Chairman Mao’s Red Guard leave fear in its wake. The danger and fear that come through the writing create discomfort and unrest, much as it must have been during the times. The addition of the danger is palpable, and adds to the chaotic feelings left after the reading of this work.

If you enjoy history, revolution, courage, romance and family, then this will make a great work for your library. Kay Bratt has given us a work of intensity.

This would be a great work for a reading group with an amazing array of information for discussion.

Rating 4/5

Joan of Arc, A History by Helen Castor

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: "Joan of Arc,' A History by Helen Castor.

The past is a fascinating way to discover our roots as well as learn about those that have come before us. There is an interest in the history of many cultures, religion, the saints and all the things that have altered the history of the world.

In Joan of Arc by Helen Castor we are taken into the world of a young woman who not only changed the course of history but was labeled first an outlaw and then a saint. There are many works about Joan of Arc and if you have an interest in her back ground you will be amazed at the gathering of information for this particular tome.

Castor has done a bit of deconstructing and creating a history of the period that takes us not just into the story of Joan of Arc, but of the times to help show how important the advent of Joan and why it was so important.  Knowing what was happening and how it all came about brings the fiery and committed Maid or Orleans into stark relief.

A young woman self-proclaimed to be chosen by God to lead the French to freedom, she is stalwart and brave in a way that defies women of the time.  The fact the a King and his army would follow that advice of a girl, for that is what she was, both young and maidenly, is a testament to her passionate belief that she is guided by god.

Castor is able to take us into the life of a young peasant girl who hears the voice of God, and leads the French army into victory. Burned at the stake for heresy, she is later validated through those who kept the faith and knew of her victories and believed her story, as she finally becomes a saint.

If you enjoy history and have even a passing interest in Joan of Arc, you will find this an amazing read. This is a story of truth from the histories and journals of the times that tells like fiction and yet is known to be true. You learn of the girl and her life as well as her passionate belief in God. This is truly one of the best histories I have encountered. Her years were short yet her battles were epic, and she, through her faith accomplished what others could not, to drive the English from France and reset the French King on the throne.

This would be a great book for a reading club; the discussion surrounding the material would be abundant.

Rating 5\5

Compulsion, A Novel by Meyer Levin

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Compulsion,' A Historical Drama by Meyer Levin.

Nature or nurture, both arguments are often used in why there are those among us who have that bit of themselves that blocks the way they feel about killing, torture, abuse or pain against others. The question is difficult, for many times killers come from the best of families. 

In Compulsion by Meyer Levin we follow the fictional story of true happenings from the 1920s. Depicting a story of an early example of an infamous crime, we are immersed in the fascination of the minds of two young men. Styled after the true life crime of Leopold and Loeb, we are taken back to a time in history where Psychology was still young in the field of criminology.  

Judd Steiner and Artie Straus have it all; they come from solid families, and are very intelligent. Yet somehow they have committed an unspeakable act. It appears that these two young men feel no remorse. 

As they are caught and the facts begin to come to life, they are in a fight for their very lives. For the prosecution is urging for hanging. Yet their attorneys are pushing for a mental defense. How could two such well known and smart young men do such a deed and then feel they could get away with it. 

As we are led deeper into the psyche of the individuals the twists and turns keep you reeling. There is a strange current that keeps you wondering how such an action could have occurred and with such a lack of remorse. 

Both sides of the law feel they are right. What is the real story and who is the main instigator? That is part of what they are trying to decipher. 

Levin has given us an interesting look at the kidnapping and murder of a student, by two bright and rising stars of the community. One is charming and the other not well liked due to his superior attitude. As police begin putting together the clues, one thing becomes very clear. There is a strange lack of remorse. As Levin begins to reveal the story peeling away the layers, we find a great deal of confusion. 

He takes you back to a period of time where psychology used in investigation was in its infancy and not everyone was buying in. His take on the situation takes you there and you find yourself along with the investigators and lawyers trying to find the true happening and reason for it. Yet does it really matter in a crime like this. 

If you enjoy mystery and historical happenings you will find this quite satisfying and unique. Levin takes us deep into the darkness of the minds of two young men who, to all purposes, had it all. This is a deep and interesting look at the reasoning behind their actions and you will find it both interesting and difficult to put down. 

This would be a great book for a reading group or a book club. 

Rating 5/5

Capital Dames by Cokie Roberts

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Capital Dames,' A Glance at the Women of the Civil War by Cokie Roberts.

The Civil War was a time in history where women were finding their own allegiances, a time of war and treason, heartache and treachery.  The Years of 1848-1968 were defining years both for the emancipation of slavery but for the women who chose their own involvement in working for their beliefs and that of their husbands and families. 

In Capital Dames by Cokie Roberts we are taken into the parlors and the Whitehouse during a time when unrest was at its height. We are introduced to the women behind the great names in the histories of the colonies, and educated as to the real lives that were led by the men and their leading ladies. 

Whether they were the communicators, the spies or the informers, each had a strong belief in what they were doing. We meet the First Lady of the White House, as well as the belles of both the north and the south. There is an amazing array of information gleaned from writing, diaries and news of the time and Cokie has taken the opportunity to shine a light on the women behind the history of the Civil war. 

What I enjoyed about this particular telling is that Roberts tells the history as it unfolds, not just the woman, but also the men as they too play their part in history. While the emphasis is on the woman, it is the history and the making of it that seems to be the guide. I have always been interested in history and yet found myself in awe by some of the happenings. Many I did not know, and do not recall coming up in history lessons in school. 

Often the woman had to speak for the men, they were away at war, and information deemed important would often make its way through the woman, and their own visits with Generals and the White House as they tried to find a way to work the system to the best advantage of their own particular husband, family or belief. 

It is an amazing array of bravery and fortitude that holds you enthralled in the reading as you find yourself wondering just how you would handle some of the same issues. The war also brought to light the suffering and the need for hospitals, and we also meet the women who worked tirelessly to bring the Red Cross to light. 

If you enjoy history and want to know more behind the written facts, you will find the information garnered here through numerous records, many never before published, to be interesting and heartbreaking.  You may also learn a bit more about this time in history, especially the part played by the woman as their men did their best to bring an end to war. 

This would be a great work for a reading or book club. The information is priceless, and the debatable material would keep a group talking long after hours. 

Rating 5/5

True Medical Detective Stories by Clifton K. Meador, M.D.

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'True Medical Detective Stories,' a compilation of true-life medical cases presented by Clifton K. Meador, M.D.

We often hear of medical miracles, but are they really miracles at all. Or was there perchance a special Doctor in charge that took more than a cursory look, more of a medical investigator, someone that looked further then the obvious to find the root of the situation.

In True Medical Detective Stories by Clifton K. Meador, M.D., he takes us into the examination rooms and gives us case by case notes of some of the most interesting of true-life medical cases. Not only does he give us the play by play of the studies and bedside looks, but he does it in such a way as to make this truly a page turning set of mysteries.

He also pays homage to Berton Roueche, staff writer at the New Yorker from 1944-1994, the man who popularized medical detective stories.  The interesting thing about these true life stories is that the doctor was the one who took the steps to dig deeper, often planting the bug of an idea with the patient or their family that then bore fruit, taking him in direction that was necessary to find the cure.

It is important to note that without this communication from both sides many of these cases could well have ended in tragedy.

Doctor Meador takes the cases and with his twist on wording and descriptions of the facts takes us into the sometimes mysterious causes of illness.  Doctors often have to become detectives in order to find the root of the issue, and it is these cases that strike the pose of mystery, for without this investigation there would have been no story.  Some death often seems without cause, which makes this work so fascinating.

If you enjoy true mystery as well as medical miracles you will find this to be a work that is difficult to put down.  Doctor Meador takes us on a journey into the detective work of those dedicated professionals who wanted a more concise understanding of the cause of their patient’s maladies, and gives us a depth of understanding into the necessity of thorough communication between the doctor and his patients.

A book group or reading club would find this a great work and challenge to create both questions and answers.

Rating 4/5

Us by David Nicholls

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'Us' by David Nicholls.

Relationships are often mystifying. What attracts certain people repels others, and occasionally two persons with interests in opposing directions still come together and form a bond. As with all connections, you must work to keep them strong. Yet what if the interest is no longer there?

In Us, a novel by David Nicholls, we are invited into the lives and relationship of Douglas and Connie. The story weaves back and forth through the years of their lives from the first hint of a crack in the relationship, to the beginning when love was new and then back again. The mix of personalities is both interesting and part of their charm.  In the beginning the differences make their relationship more satisfying and exciting.   

When Connie informs Douglas that she may be ready to move on now that their son is leaving home, he is shocked, even knowing the relationship has shifted. Indicating they will discuss a possible breakup more once they have completed their trip abroad with their son, she explains that she wants to have this time as a bonding for father and son whose relationship has become strained. Douglas is not prepared and uses the trip to try and strengthen his bond with both Connie and their son. His fear of loss is all pervasive.  He has loved Connie since they met and he cannot see life without her. 

So begins a journey full of strange and adventurous happenings.  The extreme oddity of situations that occur initially brings them together, then as normalcy returns the next event begins another tear in the fabric of their union. There are tears and laughter, sadness and anger. The real life situations and incidents make you feel like a voyeur into a friend’s relationship with all its ups and downs. There is also music and craziness with just enough panache to keep you involved and betting on loves survival. 

Nicholls weaves us an interesting story of love and loss, betrayal and feeling, leaving you with an ache of emotion. His protagonists are an eclectic mix, and his love of life shows through his characters in every decision and move. You are transported on this journey with them, through all the pain and laughter. 

If you enjoy romance and adventure, laughter and fun, as well as the foibles of real relationships you will find this to your liking. 

This would be a great book for a reading or discussion group. The amazing array of situations would find the most ardent of reader eager for debate.

Rating 5/5

The Great Grisby by Makita Brottman

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'The Great Grisby' by Makita Brottman.

Dogs have been noble companions to both the rich and the poor. One of the characteristics that make them so popular is the loyalty and love they shower on the owner. Because of the power of such devotion, many consider their animal much as they would their children. The devotion goes in both directions, often in ways that may seem strange to those who have never had a pet, or that have not connected in such a way.

In The Great Grisby by Mikita Brottman, we follow the history of such bold tales of the love of these creatures, from kings and princes, to artists and philosophers. Women as well as men tell the tales of love and throughout the telling we are also given snippets of the author about her own companion, Grisby. There is an amazing array of information, much taken from journals and even news of the day. The feelings are jettisons around the globe through letters between friends and family, all extoling the virtues and care of their companion.

While each story is different to the other, there is the over lying dependence on these creatures for that devotions often lacking elsewhere in their lives, or in some cases just and addition of devotion. When the animals age and pass one, there is such a tragedy of feeling, and when the grief has passed and with the addition of a new dog, in many cases this animal may actually be names exactly the same as the deceased.

You will find many of the antics and stories somewhat odd and even occasionally over the top, and yet if you know any dog lovers you already know that there is a special bond, that is shared between the pet and their owner. Often tongue in cheek, the author gives us glimpses into her own feelings, and we find ourselves wondering what Grisby is up to as we follow the history of dogdom through the ages.

If you love animals and are an aficionado of dogs this is a wonderful look at the trials and tribulations of those in the past as they come to terms with the differing personalities of the pets they call their own.

The antics and the treatment seem sometimes over the top, and to an unwary dog fan you may mutter a few ewes. The true dog person does not find any of the situations that you read about as out of the ordinary, and yet I believe there are certainly degrees of dog people. There is a spectrum of behaviors from both the animal as well as their owner. You will find yourself interested in the differing patterns and attitudes that become oddly entertaining on closer inspection.

If you enjoy history and animals you will find this to be an unusual treat. This would be a great book for a discussion group, giving rise to questions and answers, as well as antidotes from those in the know of how the animal is often the real owner and not vice versa.

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.