The subject matter of this book is dark and troubling, making it a difficult read at times. I had read about Ireland‘s Magdalen Laundries, but had no idea this cruel treatment of girls was going on in North America as well, but then this is why I enjoy historical fiction. The book is a powerful, well researched story and while I found it was sometimes a bit wordy, it was a worthy read and one I will remember. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 4/5

This is one of those stories that you will never forget. It felt a little like the author channeled Fredrik Backman‘s story telling skills about people, mimicked Matt Haig‘s skill at injecting the fantastical and then used Mitch Album‘s way of including religion without preaching. It had humour, tragedy, some religious musings, all while telling a wonderful story about people, family and love. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC. 4.75/5

This was a decently entertaining thriller, marred only slightly by an overly complicated plot and a few plot points that strained credibility. It is told in 2 time periods, present day by the main character Claire and through the readings of a diary written years ago by another young woman named Marcia. There were some unexpected plot twists that I enjoyed, and the isolated setting was suitably foreboding. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3.75/5

This is the 61st novel in the 'In Death' series. I have read them all and still find them to be both great police procedurals and very entertaining. This one revolves around the art world and does a great job of illustrating the work and research that goes into catching a killer. If you like mysteries with strong female characters, I highly recommend this series but start with #1 “Naked in Death“. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 4.25/5 stars

This is a legal thriller inspired by a case the author (a lawyer) was involved with. I have marked this as a pick as I think this series holds promise, but there were a few irritants. First the plot was predictable with no surprises. Also, I found the ending to be overly saccharine with too much about praising the main character. That said, most of it was enjoyable and I would be happy to read the next one. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3.25/5

I thought this was a clever and tightly plotted thriller with some great twists. It also felt fresh, as the plot was very original. While there were many great characters, keeping track of who was who was easy. There was some violence of course, but also some humour, a touch of romance and a cat that played a role as well. The forced revealing of secrets as a means of providing a 2nd timeline also worked. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. 4.25/5

This is a clever, easy to follow, well researched, historical fiction with both thriller and romance aspects. It is set in 18th century England and told from 2 POVs. I enjoyed that the writing enabled me to feel empathy for both the main characters. There were good twists, lots of wonderful period detail, and the author has included some real people as characters, so it was educational as well. I loved it. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 5/5

This is an absolutely delightful mystery perfect for the fans of “The Thursday Murder Club“. I actually thought this one was better. Set in southern California the author has created a wonderful cast of characters of various ages and backgrounds. While there is a murder or two and the mystery is very good, the charm is really the characters, which I hope to see in more books. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC. 4.5/5 stars

This is about secrets, sisters, aging, forgiveness and love. I enjoyed all the characters, even the troubled ones. The damage even well-meaning parents can cause, the misunderstandings, and the need for forgiveness are explored, as is the cost of carrying guilt. The novel also documented the heartbreak in caring for a parent with Alzheimer's. I also loved the bits of bird trivia that related to the story. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 4.5/5

When Hazel says no to her principal's advances and tells her parents, the family's lives change. The story details how the 4 of them deal with the repercussions (both good & bad) over the course of the school year. I enjoyed some of the book but did feel there were some parts that dragged and think that trying to tell all 4 members stories prevented me from connecting to the characters as well as I wanted. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3.25/5

This is an historical fiction novel set in 1905 in the new province of Alberta. It features a young Scottish bride who has escaped her brutish groom and against the odds and the opinion of many people, has chosen to homestead in a rural area. The challenges of the work, the attitudes common to the time, and a bit of romance make for a compelling story. As with the best novels of this genre, it was educational as well as a great read. 4.5/5 stars

This is the 3rd book in Gasper's Cove Mysteries series. These are light, fun, cozy mysteries that feature a craft store owner (Valerie) and are set in rural Nova Scotia. In this one Valerie is the campaign manager for her friend who is running for mayor and when the current mayor is killed, Valerie investigates. These are short books, and I treat them as a kind of an enjoyable palate cleanser between darker or more serious reads. 3.75/5 stars

This is the true story about a woman in Paris who risked her life during WWII to try and save what art and cultural treasures she could from being stolen by the Nazis. She went about her job at the Jeu de Paume Museum, trying to not draw attention to herself, as she secretly had contacts with the French Resistance and documented what she saw. Probably more suited to the art lover as it is very detailed, it is yet a fascinating read. 3.75/5 stars

One of the first scenes has the main character getting stuck in a bathing suit in a changing room. Having experienced the same thing with a sports bra, I laughed out loud and was hooked. This is a light slightly autobiographical rom-com and features a successful, newly divorced woman who doesn't fit society's body size standards. I really enjoyed the humour, the romance and the strong female characters. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 4/5 stars

This is the 2nd book in the Gasper's Cove Mysteries series. It is a cozy mystery set in rural Nova Scotia and features a woman who runs a craft store. The series lovingly captures the charm of the area as it tells light but entertaining stories. This one features Churchill's WWII Operation Fish, so I learned something new and had the main character trying to solve a murder to free a friend who has been arrested. It was a fun read. 3.75/5 stars

This book started slowly, with many references to literary works I had not read, and I thought about giving the it a pass. I am glad I didn't, as by midway I was hooked. The main character's desperation to fit in and the desire for 'standing' left him vulnerable and watching him fall prey was frustrating yet riveting. The ending was a surprise and while a little far fetched, wrapped up the story nicely. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3.5/5

This is historical fiction with elements of magical realism. I really enjoyed the historical story set in Shanghai during the war with Japan, WWII and then the escape of people to Taiwan after WWII. I also liked the present-day timeline, and the coming-of-age story complete with some very chaste romance. I would have, however, preferred a more realistic spying method instead of the magical realism. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3.5/5 stars

This is a somewhat complicated mystery, with a supernatural element and puzzles to solve. I enjoyed the characters and the story, and I always love puzzles, but I did think the “choose your own adventure' component was unnecessary. I also do not like interrupting the flow of a book to solve a puzzle, but you can download a printable PDF of the puzzles and solve them ahead of time, which worked for me. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3.75/5 stars

This is the 7th book in the 'DI Adam Fawley' series, and the case is this book is a follow up to the case in the first book “Close to Home“, so I would recommend it be read first. Also, any real description of the plot would be a spoiler for the first book. I enjoyed this one but be warned that there are a lot of different police working this case and keeping track of who was talking was sometimes difficult. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 4/5

This is the third book in the 'Susan Ryland“ mystery series and although I think it is better for having read the first two, it can be read as a stand alone. The series features a Susan, a book editor, and there is a book set in 1955 that she is editing within the book...effectively giving us two mysteries. I really enjoyed it and think it was my favorite. Note that there are a lot of characters to track. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 4.5/5

At times this book felt a little heavy on the science for a pleasure read, overall, it was a fascinating look at the weirdness of the human brain. The author takes us through some of her cases, emphasizing that, when making a diagnosis, the need to pay attention to the story the body tells us. My favorite were the patients who did not know they were blind, their brains confabulating what they expected to see. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 4/5

This rather sad and complex story featured both adult and older teenager characters. It explored the themes of racism, harassment, marriage, infidelity, parenting (including special needs children), coming out as gay and coming of age. I certainly enjoyed it, but it did feel like I was getting a short glimpse into the lives of these interesting characters and was left wanting a bit more. Maybe a sequel? Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 4/5

This book is set in 1954 and is a nod to a few of Agatha Christie books. It is a story about revenge and features a locked room mystery set on a train, with a strong female character. I admit that the plot is a bit convoluted, and with both numerous characters and lots of predictable twists and turns it felt a little like a farce. Despite that, I still found it entertaining and enjoyed the story. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC. 3.75/5

This is the 11th book in this series, and I recommend they be read in order. Evan is “The Nowhere Man“ and is an 'Equalizer“ type character and the books generally revolve around someone who is in trouble and calls in Evan for help. In this one he must find a gang of rapists & porn producers but has promised the victim he will not kill them, forcing him to think about mercy and his own morals. Thank you to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. I loved it. 5/5

I will probably not remember this book in the years to come, but it provided me with a few hours of fun entertainment and sometimes that is enough to ask of a book. I found myself riveted as I anticipated the satisfaction of justice being served upon the villain. While there are a lot of characters and keeping track of a few of them was not easy, it did not detract from my enjoyment. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC. 3.75/4 stars!

This book is an homage to Agatha Christie and is best suited for fans of her work. The mystery is set in present day, but there are numerous references to Christie's work and life. Once I realized I was never going to like Agatha (the main character), I was able to find respect for her and her determination to find out who murdered her ex. So, while this convoluted tale is not for everyone, I did enjoy it. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3.25/5

This book is a cozy mystery set in Nova Scotia, that also features a craft store. Since I love mysteries, Nova Scotia and I dragged my son in so many craft stores when he was young, he called them 'crap stores', I had to give it a read. It is both short and light, but also a fun, easy read. There was humour, murder, a hint of romance and an ending that I did not see coming. While this is not great literature, I found it entertaining. 3.5/5 stars

I have always enjoyed this author, and this novel was no exception. The book is set in Australia and the USA. It features a story within a story, and I found this part to be particularly riveting. While the plot was somewhat predictable, I thought it was a lovely, easy and entertaining read. The themes include domestic abuse and control and its long-lasting effects, as well as family, love and loss. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. 4.25/5 stars

This is the first book in what is to be a new series (Nora Breen Investigates) featuring a former nun and it is set in 1954 England. It felt a little deeper than a cozy mystery but still had that comfortable and easy feel and I really enjoyed it. It is character driven and the author certainly created a cast of interesting ones. I also loved the relationship between Nora, (the nun) and Rideout (the cop). I look forward to more. 4.25/5

This is an intellectual thriller in the sense that we spend a lot of time in the minds of the two main characters, a father who is an ex-cop and his grown son, a criminal profiler and psychiatrist. The book, which featured two serial killers, had a somewhat creepy atmosphere and a constant sense of dread, but not a lot of action. I enjoyed it, but thought it dragged a bit at times. Thank you to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. 3.5/5 stars

This story is set in Maine and was inspired by the diary of an actual midwife (Martha Ballard) who practiced in the late 1700's. I thought it did a wonderful job illustrating the lives of women at the time and their lack of autonomy, as well as how the local midwife knew everyone's secrets. The book deals with rape and murder and is about love, loss and one woman's fight for justice. I really enjoyed it, and it will stick with me. 5/5 stars

This is the 4th book in a series, the 1st one being “A Rip Through Time“. The series feature Mallory, a 21st century homicide detective who has ended up in 1870‘s Scotland. When a man is murdered at a country estate in the days before a wedding, Mallory, Gray and McCreadie investigate. The books all have mysteries, some great humour, and a bit of romance. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more. 4.5/5 stars

This book starts out as a normal thriller, with some decent humor thrown in and then takes a wild, dark turn. I realize that the 'over the top' outrageous last half of the book is satirical and campy, but it was just a little too much for my taste. I did appreciate the commentary on social media and had no trouble finishing the book. Even though it was crazy tale, it was easy to read and I will remember it. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3/5

This is the second book in a series and I think it is a better read if you have read the first one “Leave No Trace“. The story is set in Alaska and the Florida Everglades and revolves around a new source of energy and a threat to humanity. I was reminded of books by Clive Cussler with this one, as it is an action adventure with a bit of speculative science fiction. This is pure entertainment, and I enjoyed it. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 4/5

Some books are entertaining in the moment, but you don't really remember them months later. Others, such as this one, are so powerful that you will remember them for years. The story is tragically sad, but also a wise commentary about the prison system, from an author who has volunteered in one for many years. This is not always an easy read, but there is a sense of hope and bright moments. I loved it. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 5/5 stars

This is written by the talented historical fiction writer Mandy Robotham. The book is set in London during the 1960's, in the era of the cold war. Maggie's husband was killed and as a widow and mother of a teenager, Maggie has taken a job as a 'watcher' with MI5. A chance encounter with a Russian spy, leads her on a dangerous mission to discover the reason behind her husband's death. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. I quite enjoyed it. 4/5

I never know what I will get when I pick up a book by this author, but experience tells me I will love it, and this one is no exception. This book is about romantic love, the love for a child and the love of science & space. Set in the 1980's around the Space Shuttle Program, it also clearly demonstrates the sacrifices astronauts must make, particularly the first women in the program. I really enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. 4.5/5

Backman is one of my favorite authors and this book did not let me down. This is a tender story about friendship that has moments of wonderful humor and heartbreaking sadness. It is set in 2 time periods, present day and 25 years earlier - when 4 teenagers became friends and made sure the one that was a talented artist got noticed. The story moved slowly at times, but it always moved me. I really enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. 4.5/5

This is the 4th book in the 'Hayley Chill' series, and I recommend starting with the first (“Deep State“) which I thought was the best. The others, however, are all still very entertaining and this one, while a little more gruesome, was still an exciting read. It is set in Hawaii and involves a plot to affect a Supreme Court ruling by having two judges killed, using those who are charged with protecting them by threatening their loved ones. 4/5

This is set in 1937 Bombay (Mumbai) and Europe. It follows the story of a nurse whose British father abandoned her and her Indian mother and the conflict this has caused is one of the themes of the book. The author did a great job of capturing the atmosphere in India & Europe at the time. I enjoyed it, but the last half of the book seemed to lack that 'something' that would have taken it from good to great. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 4/5

This is a fascinating look at how animals perceive the world around them, using senses. Some of these are those we share as humans, but many are specific to some animal groups, such as echolocation and sensing magnetic fields. While it is a science book, the author's sense of humour comes through and lightens the overall feel of the book. While I won't remember all the details, my respect for the diversity of life has grown immensely. 4/5 stars!

This is a story about the pressures society puts on women and difficulty of being both successful at work and as a parent. When offered a pill to eliminate the guilt Maya feels as she is pulled in two directions, she takes it...but of course life is not that simple. A thriller element is introduced as Maya has gone missing, but the story is about so much more. I really enjoyed this story. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. 4/5 stars

This is the 1st time I have panned a book & it hurts me to do it. The author tried something different & I found it to be just too much work to follow. Perhaps a preamble explaining the concept would have helped. I also found the various endings frustrating & while clever, not satisfying. I am a huge fan of Anthony Horowitz (which this has been compared to), but his books, while also quite different, are easy to follow. Thanks to Edelweiss+. 2.5/5

This was a wonderfully fun rom com. I appreciated that while it made fun of the tropes in the genre, it did not resort to the typical 'misunderstanding' conflict towards the end. The characters lives were realistically complicated, with the complexities of family responsibilities well represented. In addition, the Alaska setting was a treat. I really enjoyed it. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital advance reading copy. 4/5 stars

This story is set in 2 time periods and is told from many POVs. The historical part is inspired by some real-life conflicts between Vietnamese refugees and the KKK that occurred in Texas in 1981. I found the book to be entertaining, and a worthy read but wanted to connect more with the characters in the present-day setting. Unfortunately, there were simple too many of them, thus diluting their stories. Thank you to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3.5/5

This thriller has one of my favourite set ups...the locked room. There are a lot of characters and POVs and the author did a great job of differentiating most of them. I also found the story entertaining. Unfortunately, it didn‘t quite hold together as much as I would have liked. It was the reveal at the end that seemed to be lacking a little for me, although the last couple of lines were great. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. 3.5/5

This novella is both science fiction and a cozy mystery (complete with a yarn shop) and it looks like it is the start of a new series. It was an enjoyable read, but I found it a bit confusing at times and had to really think about the plot and the parameters of life on the ship. I did love the premise though and look forward to more from the main character, so I will be happy to give the next one a chance. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3.5/5

I have been enjoying this series immensely and this novella (#3.5 in the series) is no exception. The combination of mystery, historical fiction, time travel and the hint of romance meets all my wants for a fun read. This one had Mallory taking the lead in a case and had her meeting up with Charles Dickens. I highly recommend starting with the first in the series “A Rip Through Time“. 4.25/5 stars

I had high hopes for this one as I enjoy this author, but it never quite met my expectations. While I enjoyed it, the overwhelming number of characters meant that with some exceptions, it was hard to differentiate among them. I think the author captured the time and place well and I did learn something, but I wanted more. It is still, however, a worthy read, but perhaps not as good as her previous works. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3.25/5

This author always manages to both entertain and educate me, which is the reason I enjoy historical fiction. This book deals with Vietnam vets in Canada and the effect deinstitutionalizing those with mental health issues had on vets suffering from PTSD. Set in Toronto and Vietnam, the story includes romance and an unlikely female friendship, where both women experience a ‘coming of age‘. I really enjoyed it. Thank to NetGalley for the ARC. 4.25/5