Book Review: Thistle & Twigg

Photo taken of book by me

Title:  Thistle & Twigg
Author:  Mary Saums
Pages:  277
Publication Date:  2007
Version:  Hardcover
Genre:  St. Martin's Minotaur

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"Jane Thistle is a widow who has just settled down in Tullulah, Alabama, after a long and happy life with her husband, a career military officer whose job took them all over the world. But now that she's on her own, she's just as happy to have found this delightful small Southern town to call home. Her new best friend is Phoebe Twigg, also a widow, who has lived in Tullulah all her life. Phoebe is about as different as could be from the worldly and refined Jane Thistle, but her colorful personality and warm, welcoming Southern nature make them quite a team.
 
The two ladies become fast friends when they stumble on a dead body while on a walk in the woods near Jane's new house. And that's not all of the mysteries interrupting the slow life in Tullulah: Someone seems to be threatening Jane's neighbor, a local old recluse who seems to have more interest in the land than in its inhabitants; a firebomb explodes in Phoebe's kitchen; and unexplainable sounds and objects turn up at the strangest times in Jane's house. Jane and Phoebe quickly become partners in investigation in Mary Saums's funny and charming---and surprising---debut mystery."


My Review:
Well, I will keep this short and sweet, I did not like this book at all.  I won't go into too much detail of the book per say, as I don't want to give it all away.  I will simply tell you why I disliked the book mostly.  It was written in a way that was very hard for me to follow.  Impossible to follow?...no, but I don't like to have to think that hard when reading a "leisure" read.  I got through on the characters alone, I did enjoy the characters and their personalities.  I found moments I would simply laugh out loud at things they did or said.  So, overall a book I was able to struggle through, but not one I would recommend for anyone else to read.  It would be on the bottom of my list and I will not be reading on in the series either.  

1 out of 5 Stars!

Book Review: I'll Never Tell

Photo taken of book by me

Title:  I'll Never Tell
Author:  Catherine McKenzie
Pages:  347
Publication Date:  2019
Version:  Hardcover
Genre:  Adult Fiction, Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"Deeply buried secrets make for a disturbing family reunion in bestselling author Catherine McKenzie’s tantalizing novel of psychological suspense.

What happened to Amanda Holmes?

Twenty years ago, she was found bludgeoned in a rowboat at the MacAllister family’s Camp Macaw. No one was ever charged with the crime.

Now, after their parents’ sudden deaths, the MacAllister siblings return to camp to read the will and decide what to do with the prime real estate the camp occupies. Ryan needs to sell. Margaux hasn’t made up her mind. Mary believes in leaving well enough alone. Kate and Liddie—the twins—have opposing views. And Sean Booth, the groundskeeper, just hopes he still has a home when all is said and done.

But it’s more complicated than a simple vote. The will stipulates that until they unravel the mystery of what happened to Amanda, they can’t settle the estate. Any one of them could have done it, and each one is holding a piece of the puzzle. Will they work together to finally discover the truth, or will their secrets finally tear the family apart?"

My Review:
WOW!!!  This was an amazing book that had me feeling so many emotions throughout the entire book.  The plot was built and executed perfectly, making me change my guess at the conclusion multiple times.  This was one of those books you hate to put down and can't wait to pick back up if you do have to put it down.  It also was very easy to connect to each and every character in the book.  From first to last chapter I was in love with the book, the author, the writing, the characters, and the plot.  I found myself feeling like I was part of the book and the mystery of it all.  There were so many family secrets, so many deep secrets that were hidden away and even forgotten about for 20 plus years by the characters that now, after coming back to do a memorial for their parents, all the children and those involved in the family's camp had to dig back up and confront and sort out.  I think my favorite character was Ryan, but they all were very well developed and easy to relate to.  I would not hesitate to pick up another book by this author.  I also would highly recommend anyone and everyone read this book!!  The mystery and the secrets of what happens at camp stays at camp continue until the very end of the book, where then you are in full understanding and simply can't believe you didn't see how it would all play out sooner.  I enjoyed this book in every way and am glad I picked it up to read. 

5 out of 5 Stars!!!!

Book Review: Echoes Among the Stones

Photo taken of book by me

Title:  Echoes Among the Stones
Author:  Jaime Jo Wright
Pages:  374
Publication Date:  2019
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction, Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"After Aggie Dunkirk's career is unceremoniously ended by her own mistakes, she finds herself traveling to Wisconsin, where her grandmother, Mumsie, lives alone in her vintage, though very outdated, home. Aggie didn't plan for how eccentric Mumsie has become, obsessing over an old, unsolved crime scene--even going so far as to re-create it in a dollhouse.

Mystery seems to follow Aggie when she finds work as a secretary helping to restore the flooded historical part of the town's cemetery. Forced to work with a puzzling yet attractive archaeologist, she exhumes the past's secrets and unwittingly uncovers a crime that some will go to any length to keep hidden--even if that means silencing Aggie.

In 1946, Imogene Grayson works in a beauty salon but has her sights set on Hollywood. But coming home to discover her younger sister's body in the attic changes everything. Unfamiliar with the burgeoning world of forensic science and, as a woman, not particularly welcomed into the investigation, Imogene is nonetheless determined to stay involved. As her sister's case grows cold, Imogene vows to find justice . . . no matter the cost."


My Review:
Well, it is a good thing this book was set in my home state of Wisconsin, because honestly that is about the only thing that kept me reading on in it.  It was told about every other chapter or so in past, present, past, present....not really my kind of book when I have to keep switching from past to present so often.  I found it to be slow moving and very drawn out.  In my opinion this 374 page book could have been summed up in about 50 pages or less.  I wasn't drawn to the characters either like I am in most books.  Besides them being in Wisconsin I really did not feel any connection or like they were becoming my fast friends in a fictional book.  The first chapters I thought, all right, this has potential.....that quickly fizzled out by chapter 4 for me.  So would I recommend this read?  That's a big negative, sorry.  Perhaps it simply wasn't for me, but you won't find me rushing to tell anyone about this book.

2 out of 5 Stars!!