Author: Ivan Doig

It took me such a long time to finish this book. It is well written but the story isn’t gripping so I would only read a bit at night before bed. Overall though the story is a good one and at the end of the book I’m able to say I enjoyed it.

Most of the story takes place in the 1920’s and there are three main characters – Wes, Susan and Monty – and race relations play a big part in the story. Wes and Susan have lived on neighbouring properties in Montana but their parents were at odds with one another over their ranching practices. Monty is the son of two employees on Wes’ family ranch. Susan had some fame as a professional singer and now teaches voice to a variety of students. Wes and Susan have had an ongoing affair for many years. When Wes discovers that Monty has a spectacular singing voice he arranges lesson for him with Susan.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Isabel Allenda

I’ve never read a book by this author that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. When I read a book in translation I’m never sure whether the credit goes to the author or the translator. It wasn’t until after I’d read the book that I saw that it was her first novel.

The story revolves around three generations of the Trueba family. The main focus is on the patriarch Esteban, his wife Clara, their daughter Blanca and her daughter Alba. The setting for the story is a home in a city (the name is never mentioned) and the family’s country estate. It is a time of political upheaval in the country and eventually a military coup overthrows the government and leaves the family on different sides of the conflict.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *

Author: D.C. Alexander

I’m seldom sure where the books on my Kindle come from. When I first got it I often downloaded cheap (never more than $2.99) books that looked interesting. Some of them were even free and, for the most part, they have been worth the money I spent on them.

The book is set in the Pacific Northwest and mentions Seattle and Port Townsend often. A psychopath is murdering men who have a history of abusing women and children and his crimes are an exact copy of murders that have taken place from time to time over the past decades.

The book seemed to have trouble deciding what it wanted to be – a coming-of-age story about five college friends, a philosophical discussion about what causes evil, or a police procedural to catch the killer.

Goodreads Rating: * *

Author: Marlene Adelstein

Six years ago ten-year old Sophie disappeared from a clothing store in a large mall while shopping with her mother. Sophie was not an easy child; although never diagnosed it sounded like she was somewhere on the Asperger’s or Autism spectrum. Not surprisingly, Sophie’s mother has gone a little mad in those six years as has Star, Sophie’s best friend. When new clues about Sophie’s disappearance come to light it is revealed that both Sophie’s mother and Star have been keeping secrets and feeling guilty about her disappearance.

Is the run-away teen who has arrived in town really Sophie?

Goodreads Rating: * * *