cjeanne99's reviews
975 reviews

The Road Virus Heads North by Stephen King

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dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No

3.5

Thank you Hoopla for having so many of these Stephen King novelettes available for a listen. In this book - King reminds us that making purchases at an estate sale need to be done with caution - lots of caution. And - carry cash. 
The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

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mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

After a slow start - I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Li Lan - the 18 year old "spinster" daughter of a widower with debts. Her father makes an arrangement for Li Lan to become a ghost bride to the dead son of a merchant family. When the son begins to visit Li Lan in her dreams - claiming he was murdered by someone in his family - Li Lan and her Amah visit a medium for advice on how to ward off the spirits. The medium helps Li Lan - by giving her a draught that almost kills her - allowing her spirit to move into the world of the dead. As she travels in the spirit world, Li Lan learns that many of the beliefs her Amah has about spirits - scoffed at as superstitious by many - turn out to be true.  She stays in the spirit world with her dying body being cared for by Amah, and begins to collect information to support Lim Tian Ching's claim that he was murdered. She meets other spirits, some friendly, some nefarious, and learns about human nature.  
Had no idea that the book was produced as a television show.
Including a link to a study guide summary. 
https://www.gradesaver.com/the-ghost-bride/study-guide/summary
Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Quick read of a nice story about two lost souls - one in his 60’s and one in her teens - who connect and learn that kinfolk is not only the people you have a genetic relationship with. Set in the 1970’s in Park, Alabama - Nub Taylor crosses paths with Minne Bass. 
Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas

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mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

Another intriguing story - but - the Charlotte/Lord Ingram story line does not appeal to me. 

Stand Your Ground by Victoria Christopher Murray

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reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I loved the dual storylines of the two women involved in the story - I grieved with Janice for her loss and her challenges with her husband and family. I understood Meredith's situation - married to a man who thought he was invincible. A man who lived steeped in his white privilege. These two women bring the reader into their lives in an engaging manner. 
And while I could not have written a better book - I am still trying to come to grips with the ending.
Did Murray want to show that Wyatt had learned from his mistake? That scenario at the Defenders meeting in the suburbs - and the attack that ends with the sound of high heels, and a baseball bat rolling towards him. Was she going for an Orson Welles Rosebud moment? I'm glad Meredith got out of a marriage to a hateful person - but at what cost?
The Devil of Nanking by Mo Hayder

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Another dual timeline book with two narrators. Not sure what value Gray’s modern day narration added to the story. We could have gotten the reference

The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd

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informative medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes

4.0

Not exactly sure when I read this - but I know I did. Loved Eliza’s determination in saving the family business through indigo. 
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

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  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I remember loving this book. Based on the publication date - I am guessing I read it in 2004 as that was a time in my life when I would was engrossed with reading novels with a good storyline. 
Not sure I would want to see the movie. 
The Mapmaker's Apprentice by C.J. Archer

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mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

Second installment in the Glass and Steele series. Still in search of the watchmaker Chronos - they get involved in the search for Daniel - the grandson of a friend - who has disappeared. Daniel was working as an apprentice at the mapmaker’s guild when he didn’t come home one night. Matt and India pose as a couple from the United States in search of someone who can make a map for them - allowing them to inquire about Daniel. Turns out that Daniel, like India, has magic - and was kidnapped in order to prevent him from blatantly using his magic in map making. 
Their inquiries lead to an excavation of Roman ruins in London. The ending was rather anti-climactic - but - still shaping up to be a series with lead characters that are engaging. 
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

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informative medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.25

Belle Green’s story is interesting - but at times I felt like I could have gotten as much understanding of her life by reading a few blog posts and articles instead of this book.  Often the writing left me flat - not engaged - not caring about the characters or events. 
The author notes - telling how they came to work together - what that process was like - what experiences each of them brought to the table - that raised the book up a bit in my rating.