The Garnett Girls are women who are trying to find their way over the course of this well written first novel. Mother, Margo, was once wildly in love with Richard but all did not go well. She has gone on to a somewhat chaotic life and has been a less than perfect mother.
Margo’s three daughters have their own relationships and issues. Imogen is about to be engaged but is William really the right person for her? Is she doing what is safe or what is best for her? Sasha has a rather prickly relationship with controlling husband Phil, while Rachel seems to have the perfect husband d(he does lots of cooking and childcare). Is he?
Readers follow each of the daughters careers-writer, doctor and lawyer respectively. Has professional success made then happy? What will happen to them and Margo?
This book has wonderful settings. The characters are sufficiently complex and there is lots of plot. All of these make for an involving read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and, Avon and Harper Voyage for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 16 May 2023
From the Publisher
These blurbs are from authors whose books I have enjoyed.
MANY TITLES BY HISTORICAL FICTION AUTHOR, MARIE BENEDICT, CONTINUE TO BE E BOOK BARGAINS. MY PERSONAL FAVORITE IS LADY CLEMENTINE THOUGHTI HAVES ENJOYED ALL OF HER BOOKS. TAKE A LOOK ON YOUR FAVORITE BOOK SITE.
OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS, I HAVE LISTED MANY BOOKS THAT ARE ON SALE FOR PRIME DAY. TAKE A LOOK TO SEE IF I MISSED ANY THAT YOU MAY WANT.
I got to know Karen during Covid when we spent a delightful afternoon emailing back and forth. I am happy to let readers know that this second in a series is an e book bargain for today. Highly recommended!
September 1878, London.
Michael Corravan, a former thief and bare-knuckles boxer from seedy Whitechapel, is making good as an inspector at Scotland Yard, which is under heavy scrutiny after a trial the previous year convicted four senior inspectors of corruption.
One night, as the pleasure steamer the Princess Alice travels up the Thames, she is rammed by the Bywell Castle, a huge iron-hulled collier – roughly equivalent to a railway engine hitting a baby carriage. The Princess Alice shears apart, throwing all 650 passengers into the river; only 130 survive. Because it’s a pleasure touring boat – akin to our hop-on-hop-off buses – no one even knows who is on the boat, which throws London into a panic, as worried friends and relatives race around trying to find survivors. Then, the newspapers suggest that it is not an accident but sabotage by the Irish Republican Brotherhood, who believe violence is the path to restoring Irish Home Rule. For Corravan, born in Ireland and adopted by the Irish Doyle family, the case presents a fraught challenge. Accused by the Home Office of willfully disregarding the obvious conclusion, and berated by his Irish friends for bowing to prejudice, Corravan doggedly pursues the truth, knowing that if the Princess Alice disaster is pinned on the IRB, hopes for Home Rule could be dashed forever.
Corrovan’s dilemma is compounded by Colin, the youngest Doyle, who has joined James McCabe’s Irish gang. As violence in Whitechapel rises, Corravan strikes a deal with McCabe to get Colin out of harm’s way. But unbeknownst to Corravan, Colin bears longstanding resentments against his adopted brother and scorns his help.
As the newspapers link the IRB to further accidents, London threatens to devolve into terror and chaos. With the help of his young colleague, the loyal Mr. Stiles, and his friend Belinda Gale, Corravan uncovers the harrowing truth—one that will shake his faith in his countrymen, the law, and himself.
The author:
USA Today bestselling author Karen Odden earned her PhD in English at New York University and taught at UW-Milwaukee and edited for an academic journal before turning to writing fiction. All five of her mysteries are set in 1870s London. To learn about her books and her writing workshops, or to read her historical blogs or newsletter, visit www.karenodden.com
Some editorial reviews:
Praise for Under a Veiled Moon: “[An] exceptional sequel . . . Fans of Lyndsay Faye’s Gods of Gotham trilogy will be enthralled.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Victorian skulduggery with a heaping side of Irish troubles.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Will keep readers curious and guessing to the end.” —Manhattan Book Review, 5-star review
“Fans of Anne Perry’s William Monk series, now completed, will love Corravan’s investigations.” —Poisoned Pen Bookstore
Katherine Center has become one of my favorite authors. She writes good stories with character about whom I care. Hello Stranger is one of my top two read by her, the other being How to Walk Away. That was the book that made me know that I would always want to read Center’s titles.
This novel has a heroine whose voice I loved. Sadie Montgomery can be funny and sassy. She is a portrait artist who has some complicated family relationships. Her mom, also a portrait artist, died young while Sadie’s father was very disappointed that she walked away from being a doctor (his profession). There are also a stepmother and stepsister who challenge Sadie.
Sadie has many other relationships too. There was a boyfriend and there are her dog, a vet, a good Samaritan whom she does not seem to like, a therapist, a best friend, coffee shop baristas, a neighbor whom she finds creepy, and others. It is fun to watch all of these relationships over the course of the story.
Center also looks at a serious and real issue in this story. Looks is just the right word as Sadie suddenly has a medical crisis that leaves her unable, literally, to see faces. She knows that they are there but nonetheless can’t make sense of them. This is a real condition and one that the author researched for the novel. It is especially challenging for Sadie as she is an artist and her work has always been face centered.
Readers will want the best for Sadie. Read this very enjoyable novel and wait to see how her life evolves. I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
This horse was named for the city where he was born but he became well known to those from many other areas. He was one of the greatest race horse EVER. Lexington also sired many other famous race horses.
This is the story of both a horse and his times. That time was the Civil War era. It is nonfiction that reads easily. Recommended to anyone interested in horses, history and/or a good story. Those who read Geraldine Brooks’s recent novel may also want to read this one. It is written by an author who understands horses.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
What a terrific book to inspire young girls (and all children for that matter). Here is the story of Virginia “Ginny” Apgar. Born in the early 1900s, her world was not like today’s where girls are more encouraged to pursue their dreams. Yet, Virginia forged ahead.
Apgar is best known, at least to adults, for the Apgar score that was most aptly named for her. It assesses how an infant is doing at birth. It was both simple and revolutionary.
Still, much happened to Virginia before that and this book tells her story. It will inspire. Highly recommended. By the way, the illustrations are delightful, among the most appealing that I have seen in a children’s title.
Many thanks to W. W. Norton & Company for this title. All opinions are my own. I LOVE THIS BOOK!
I first visited Maine in 2009 and fell in love. Many return trips followed to favorite spots like Kennebunkport, Portland and, most especially, Acadia National Park. ANP is one of my favorite places in the world.
So, it is not surprising that I was very excited about this book. That said, this title is not a tourist guidebook. Rather it is a deep dive into the ecology, diversity, climate and more, and some of the people of Maine. The authors invite the reader to dip in anywhere or they say, start like Alice (in Wonderland) at the beginning and keep going. Whichever way a reader approaches this title, there is much to learn in what felt to me like a somewhat academic title.
There are many gorgeous photos in this book along with maps, charts and more. These enhance the text and give those who don’t know a good sense of the state. Those who already know Maine will probably leave this book knowing more than they did.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Globe Pequot Down East Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Those who have followed Milk & Mocha on line and enjoyed them, will be delighted to grab this collection. While I honestly can’t say that I loved all of the comics, I did find some of them to be sweet.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 