Reviews from today

The Stranger by Harlan Coben
Review: This book starts out that it is going to be an intense read but falls short. It is not his best work. I feel he needed more of a back story. you go from the stranger telling secrets to all of these players to oh I found out who did what the end.

The Clairvoyant Countess by Dorothy Gilman
Review: I really liked this book.  It is a lot different than Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax stories.  This book assumes that psychic powers actually exist.  The main character Madame Karitska is a psychic.  she uses her abilities to help her good friend Detective-Lieutenant Pruden solve crimes.  I wish Gilman had written a sequel. I didn't want the book to end.

Lowcountry Boil by Susan M. Boyer
Review: A murder mystery.  In my opinion, this hits the perfect spot. Not too light and fluffy - but not grim, dark, and scary.  Just right in the middle.  It has a strong Southern flavor and a rather cozy feel to it without being too ditzy.

Lowcountry Bombshell by Susan M. Boyer
Review: This book (which is a sequel to Lowcountry Boil) is a bit weaker than its predecessor.  If you are not absolutely fascinated with the ins and outs of Marilyn Monroe's life and untimely demise - then you are going to be snoozing during some parts of this novel.  Also, the "love" aspect is much stronger in this novel, leading to a lot of romance-angst in    addition to a straight mystery.  That being said, this is a good book - enjoyable, Southern, and a quick read.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Review: A story of two Parisian sisters, separated (at a very young age), and then reunited as the Nazis invade France during WWII.  The very different sisters take very different paths during this time of German-occupied, war-torn France.  The novel focuses on the durability and resilience of women.  A good epic novel that illustrates different
ways—both equally plausible—of dealing with the same situation.