Author: A. J. Finn

Just about the time this movie showed up on Netflix the library let me know that my copy of the book was available. Tracie gave it a high rating and I must have placed the order when she reported on it. And I agree with Tracie – the book is great – I could hardly put it down.

Anna Fox is a psychologist who is trapped in her home because of her agoraphobia. She lives alone as she is separated from her husband; their daughter lives with her husband. She is on a variety of medications and she drinks more than she should. She plays chess online and participates in an online chat room helping others who suffer from the same ailment. She also spends a lot of time looking out her windows and watching her neighbours. A few days after a new couple moves into one of the homes she watches she witnesses a crime. But did she really see what she thinks she saw or was it in her imagination?

I was able to figure out one of the twists before it was revealed but the books was a page-turner right to the end.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *

Author: Heather Gudenkauf

I’ve started ordering a lot more books from the library and, occasionally, some of the newer books are available. When I see a book that is recommended (or if it is a new book by an author I’ve read before) I will put it on both my Goodreads list and my ongoing library list. I’m not sure where this title came to me from; as far as I can see I haven’t read any of her other books and it wasn’t a recommendation from any of my Goodreads friends.

The story revolves around three pre-teen girls – Cora, Violet and Jordyn. Cora is the brunt of some practical jokes and it is all fun and games until one night Cora is attacked and is badly injured. Violet is at the scene of the crime covered in blood. The book uses excerpts from Cora’s journal, some e-mail and text messages, the thoughts of the families involved, and the psychiatrist brought in to help Cora and Violet overcome their trauma.

I liked the book but I was a little disappointed in the ending.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Kristin Hannah

This is the fourth book I’ve read by this author and I have a fifth one on order at the library. With the exception of one of them (Fly Away) they have all been good and each one was very different – no formulaic writing.

This novel takes place in Alaska, although the story would be good no matter what the setting. I loved her descriptions of the long summer days and nights.

Leni and her parents have moved to Alaska for a fresh start. Her father is a Vietnam vet, clearly suffering from PTSD. Although Leni and her mother settle in very well to their small community her father isn’t well liked. Survival in the Arctic climate is no more difficult than survival in their own cabin in the woods.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Patrick deWitt

I remember this book when it first came out and was winning all sorts of prizes. That isn’t why I borrowed it from the library though. I heard or read that it was coming to Netflix and I wanted to be aware of the story before watching it.

The Sisters brothers, Charlie and Eli, are paid assassins for The Commodore. The setting for the story is 1851 when the brothers are on a job that takes them from Oregon City to California. They are ruthless and almost everyone they meet is gunned down; it is, after all, the wild west. But the story is told in a very humorous way (it won the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour) and you can almost ignore the small bits of violence.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *