Book Review: Mary Finch and the Grey Lady by S.S. Saywack

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Mary Finch and the Grey Lady

Subtitle: A Mary Finch Mystery (The Mary Finch Mysteries Book 2)

Author: S S Saywack

Genre: Crime, Thriller and Mystery

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 2

Best read after earlier books in series? Can be read as stand-alone

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58907912-mary-finch-and-the-grey-lady

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

The second book in the series follows Mary as she is a maid to a wealthy widow. She enjoys her time in the house, as she is treated well. But then a mystery arises and Mary strives to find out the truth and save her employer. Will she succeed?

What I liked about the book:

I love Mary and her sharp mind. She is the kind of girl I would have loved to fantasise about as a little girl myself.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was an enjoyable read.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the third book I’ve read by this author in this series (counting the prequel). I can’t wait to find out what will happen next and there are two more book in the series to read.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a young adult crime and mystery novel.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

 

If you like crime and mystery, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

“THIS IS THE DAY WE AWOKE DEATH,” Mrs Grady said.

 

Meet thirteen-year-old Mary Finch – a bold, determined heroine, and the star of a stylish new detective series.

 

The avenging spirit of a priestess to an Egyptian queen, the Grey Lady, has murdered five people and now has her sights set on Mary Finch’s employer. How do you kill a spirit set on revenge?

 

A clairvoyant may have the answer, but the ghost she raises expose a dreadful secret that has lay hidden for over thirty years. When her young friend, Fortune Dubois, goes missing, Mary finds herself on the violent and gritty streets of Victorian London chasing a spirit and hunted by the living.

 

Mary Finch and the Grey Lady is the second in the Mary Finch Mystery series. Mary Finch and the Thief is the first book in the series.

About the Author:

 

Book Review: Almost Human: Evolution by Ashleigh Reverie

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Almost Human

Subtitle: Evolution

Author: Ashleigh Reverie

Genre: Science Fiction

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 2

Best read after earlier books in series? Yes

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60717135-almost-human

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

In the second book in this series, we find Edel has survived and doesn’t blame Danny. Still, she prefers to avoid him, realising their shared consciousness can easily cause explosions. But how can he find out more about who and what he is?

What I liked about the book:

Even when Edel is supposedly emotionless, she feels and I loved her for her vulnerabilities.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was an enjoyable read.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the second book I’ve read by this author. I understand she has written two more in the series and I look forward to reading these too when I can.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a science fiction novel.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

 

If you like science fiction, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

In hindsight, stabbing the only person in the world who could give him answers probably wasn’t Danny’s smartest move. When the haze clears and he can finally see sense again, his world has crumbled, and he is overcome with self-disgust at finally crossing that line and becoming a murderer. But his shame soon turns to fear when he learns he didn’t stab her as well as he thought.

 

Danny can’t believe his luck when Edel doesn’t act out in revenge. She wants what she’s always wanted: To be left ALONE. Just when it seems Danny’s hopes of ever finding the answers to his questions are disintegrating, an unlikely ally helps him to forge the friendship he has spent a lifetime craving.

 

With Danny and Jay’s help, Edel is learning to accept this new life of freedom and choices, and is slowly evolving from terrified and traumatised, to someone who resembles a normal, happy human. But her happiness is shadowed by a dark secret that threatens her life, and it seems Edel isn’t the only one hiding something.

 

Soon, Danny and Edel will both learn that mixing secrets with friendship can have devastating consequences.

About the Author:

 

Book Review: One Woman's Voice by Thomas Leverett

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: One Woman's Voice

Subtitle: Biography of Elizabeth Mansfield Irving (1852-1939), elocutionist, patriot, women's rights pioneer

Author: Thomas Leverett

Genre: Biography & True Accounts

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60820534-one-woman-s-voice

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

I’m not really one for reading biographies, but this one was recommended to me by some friends. It tells the story of a woman who was not willing to conform to the rules of the time and set out to have a career; a successful one at that. The book was entertaining to read.

What I liked about the book:

I liked how Elizabeth went against the grain of the time and became successful, young woman, wife, young mother, then widow and single parent to young children.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was an enjoyable read.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I understand he has written more biographies.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a biography.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

 

If you like biographies, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

Elizabeth Mansfield Irving was born in New York State just before the Civil War, when elocution (speaking well and effectively) was a national pastime, and she loved to recite poems and speak. As a woman, she was somewhat limited in what she could do, but she was successful at reciting poetry at veterans' reunions and encampments, and made a national reputation as reader, particularly the poetry of her friend Kate Brownslee Sherwood. She also ran her husband's insurance business and taught elocution in Toledo over many decades. Through her life we can learn about the age of elocutionists (influenced by Delsarte) and the era when women found their voice, not only through suffrage but also through studying and learning elocution.

About the Author:

 

Book Review: Eclipsing the Tide by C.G. Jaquish

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Eclipsing the Tide

Subtitle: (To Be Nameless Book 1)

Author: C. G. Jaquish

Genre: Horror

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59427710-eclipsing-the-tide

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

A dictator who wants to find an heir for his empire, forcing all girls to be aborted, and only sons to be born.

When Eclipse is born, he wants her to be terminated, but he agrees grudgingly to have her raised by his physician and friend.

She doesn’t deserve a name and does all she can to prove her worth to her father. Will she be successful or prove to be the failure he is determined she is?

What I liked about the book:

I liked the book in its entirety. There were several twists and turns.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the first in a series, and I look forward to finding out what will happen next.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a book in the horror category.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Maybe
Adult	Yes

 

If you like horror, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

Eclipse wasn’t born a boy. It was her first and greatest sin, according to Victor Monohue, the supreme leader over all Chrosia and her father. She wasn’t innately attractive like her nemesis, Amy, and she wasn’t as wily as her trainer, Acre. Her life wasn’t shrouded in mystery like Axl’s, it was blown wide open for all to see and judge. And she didn’t have friends, but she had four brothers and a bow. Along with her iron will and determined training, she still barely had a chance, but it was a chance, nonetheless. A chance to be the greatest telepath Asylum, her home planet, would ever know. A chance to prove her worth and strength. A chance to change, to grow, to fall in love, and to live. Once she had all that, nothing could ever take it away..

About the Author:

 

Book Review: When We Love by Tracey Gerrard

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: WHEN WE LOVE

Subtitle: (Ain’t Nobody Series: Book 3)

Author: Tracey Gerrard

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 3

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53952332-when-we-love-ain-t-nobody-series

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

Everything finally appears to fall into place for Holly, Vlad and their loved ones. But what will happen if an until now unknown son enters the scene? And can their family survive the trauma that follows?

What I liked about the book:

I liked the book in its entirety. There were several twists and turns.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the second in a series, although the stand-alone (Let Me) appears to be part of the series somewhat too.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a romantic suspense novel.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Probably not
Adult	Yes

 

If you like romantic suspense, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

A wedding...

 

 

A baby...

 

 

A shooting, but who will be left fighting for their life?

 

 

Vlad and Holly have overcome so much in their lives and come out the other side stronger and more determined to keep their love alive.

 

 

Family is everything to the hopelessly devoted couple and adding to the brood has the whole family deliriously happy.

 

 

However, can the love they hold remain strong and keep this family together, when Vlad becomes irrational after hearing the news that has become a shocking discovery?

 

 

Holly will not let her family fall apart. Knowing what her husband is capable of, she’s determined to stop him from doing anything stupid, but will he listen to reason and see sense, or will he revert back to the man he once was?

 

 

WHEN WE LOVE is the third and final book in the Ain’t Nobody Series. The storyline weaves through twists and plots, keeping you engrossed from beginning to end and your emotions running high throughout.

 

 

Also available on Amazon:

 

 

WHEN WE DANCE

 

 

WHEN WE HURT.

About the Author:

 

Book Review: When We Hurt by Tracey Gerrard

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: WHEN WE HURT

Subtitle: (Ain’t Nobody Series: Book 1)

Author: Tracey Gerrard

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 2

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51825255-when-we-hurt

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

When the trauma of his past hurt surfaces, he loses the woman he loves. Will he be able to own up to his past, share his secrets with her and regain her trust and love?

What I liked about the book:

I liked the book in its entirety. There were several twists and turns.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the second in a series, although the stand-alone (Let Me) appears to be part of the series somewhat too.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a romantic suspense novel.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Probably not
Adult	Yes

 

If you like romantic suspense, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

Things have changed. Holly is left hurting after witnessing Vlad’s brutal behaviour and being on the other end of his vicious tongue. She wants answers to her questions, but will she cope with knowing the truth behind the man she loves deeply? Or will her ethical ways pull them further apart and have her running?

 

Vlad is a broken man. Hurting the people closest to him was never his intention. He knows what he must do but at what price? Answering Holly’s questions means he must reveal his past, which he knows could break them completely.

 

Can he fix the hurt he has caused or is this the end? Find out all this and more in this addictive, exciting, and tender love story that will pull at your heart strings and keep you hooked until the end.

 

WHEN WE HURT is the second book in the Ain't Nobody Series.

About the Author:

 

Book Review: Nowhere Boulevard by Katherine Black

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Nowhere Boulevard

Subtitle: Where Crazy Comes Out to Play

Author: Katherine Black

Genre: Thriller

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55147855-nowhere-boulevard

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

Another excellent book by this author. We follow a family struggling to survive with a diagnosis of early onset dementia. The husband’s life slowly falls apart while his daughter attempts to keep his head above water. But not all is as it seems.

What I liked about the book:

The story is very well written and shows the heartache families with dementia go through, with an added bit of horror.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The interactions between the different family members and how the daughter does the best she can under the circumstances.

My least favourite bits in the book:

Although I hated the end of the book, it was also an excellent twist. Unexpected and tears provoking.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I’ve read several books by this author, and this one fits well in the horror section. Can highly recommend this one, too.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is fiction. Katherine Black spins stories like no other.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Possibly
Adult	Yes

 

If you like horror stories, this book may be the book for you.

I’m certainly looking forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Stephen Bell wants to be forgiven for reading his daughter’s diary. But he’s compelled to dredge every secret as her world changes.

 

This is the story of how Sarah’s perfect existence is shattered when everything trusted is stolen from her. Dad’s quit his job. Mum’s got pregnant and gone mental. But the boyfriend is a welcome distraction...until crazy is dialled to the max.

 

Sarah tries to be normal among her peers — but normal won’t let her be.

 

In a change from Black’s usual style, she breathes life into a family at breaking point. But readers will be left with no doubt that this is Katherine Black at her psychological best.

 

In her trademark signature of getting into the darkest corners of the psyche, she takes them one step closer to the very brink of dancing with the crazies.

 

This is no Disneyland. This is Nowhere Boulevard...

About the Author:

 

Book Review: Confessions of a Killer by Vicky Peplow

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Confessions of a Killer

Subtitle:

Author: Vicky Peplow

Genre: Thriller

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61945191-confessions-of-a-killer

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

When an investigative journalist is at risk of losing his job, he is handed an opportunity to pull himself back from the brink. He is asked to interview a murderer on death row and to find out what makes him tick. Will he get his story or more than he bargained for? Will he still lose his job?

What I liked about the book:

The book is an interesting read.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is another book by this author I’ve read and enjoyed.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a thriller.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Possibly
Adult	Yes

 

If you like your books a little on the dark side, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Confessions of a Killer is Book One in the Confessions Series.

Harlan Fairbanks is a failing investigative reporter who has been given one last chance to prove himself. He is sent to Red Onion State Prison in Virginia to interview convicted killer, Mason Hubbard, along with his sound and cameraman, Shane Hart.

As the interview continues, Harlan becomes more and more intrigued with Mason's story and wants to dig further into his story and find out what makes the killers brain tick. Mason receives some information that makes him lose control.

 

Will Harlan get the story that he needs to save his job, or will he find himself on the unemployment line?

About the Author:

 

Book Review: The Winemaker's Son by Beverley Latimer

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: The Winemaker's Son

Subtitle:

Author: Beverley Latimer

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63024476-the-winemaker-s-son

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

When Saffron’s unexpected pregnancy exposes an unknown side to her husband’s character, she seeks distance from him. However, he works to make up and they try to get back together. On their way home, an accident takes that chance away from him and Saffron is left a widow. Will an unexpected meeting with a Frenchman bring happiness or more despair?

What I liked about the book:

The book is mostly well-written.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I understand she has written a few other books, too.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a contemporary romance.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Possibly
Adult	Yes

 

If you like your books filled with love, life events and challenges, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Saffron and Marcus are in the prime of their youth. Married for just over three years, Marcus still wants to focus on his career and travel the world with his wife. So, when Saffron announces her unexpected pregnancy, Marcus is shocked and furious. He tries to insist that Saffron should have the pregnancy terminated.

Saffron is left shocked and upset, knowing she must choose between him and their baby.

A heartbreaking tragedy results in Saffron travelling to France, where she meets Frenchman, Raphael. Saffron senses that Raphael has suffered a trauma of his own. But will he reveal to her his own story, that is far more tragic than her own?

Can these two strangers, who have seemingly been brought together by chance, bring each other some comfort, or will their respective pasts be too much for them to handle?

About the Author:

 

Finally! Another book out: Wake-Up Call is live!

His life changed in an instant without his knowledge. The scream of his wife brought it all home. Why doesn’t he believe it was suicide?

When Daryll Williams, architect, husband, and father, wakes up and starts his day, everything seems like it always does. However, his secretary, his wife, and his partner all ignore him.
What happened?
Accidental overdose? Suicide? Or murder?
Will Daryll find out the truth or place his family in mortal danger?

 

Accidental overdose? Suicide? Or murder?

Will Daryll find out the truth or place his family in mortal danger?

Wake-Up Call by @JoniMartins3

https://books2read.com/u/4X0wXe

Available now!