The Gingerbread House

by Carin Gerhardsen, Paul Norlen (Translator)

In a short space of time, several bestial murders occur in central Stockholm. When criminal investigator Conny Sjöberg and the Hammarby police begin to suspect that there’s a link between the murders, Sjöberg goes completely cold. There is a killer out there whose motives are very personal, and who will not be deterred.The Gingerbread House by Carin Gerhardsen is the first in the Hammarby series, thrillers with taut, suspenseful plots and unexpected twists and turns. This haunting novel explores schoolyard bullying among young children and the effect it has on them when people look the other way. Many of the scenes in this book are self-experienced and based on Gerhardsen’s own childhood. Urban settings and strong portraits of authentic characters are crafted in depth and detail, insuring the books will linger in the reader’s mind long after the finish.The Gingerbread House is written in the same tradition as the Sjöwall / Wahlöö crime novels, and has been described as a book version of the tv series The Wire. It is not only published by the same publisher as Stieg Larsson’s The Millennium Trilogy, but by the same editorial team. (from Goodreads)

My Thoughts

This was a good book The story moved along quickly and the detective team was likeable. I especially liked how the author showed us the personal and professional lives of some of the investigators - especially lead detective Conny Sjoberg. One minute he’s investigating a murder and the next he’s changing a dirty diaper. It made the characters seem real. The book also sends a frightening message about the effects of bullying - yikes!

So, if I understand correctly, this is Ms. Gerhardsen’s first book translated into English. I have just one thing to say to the publisher: WE WANT MORE!! WE WANT MORE!! Please don’t make us wait too long before you let us read more from this very talented author.

Tack så mycket to Stockholm Text and Netgalley for allowing me to read this for my unbiased review.

Publish date: June 5, 2012

Lessons Learned

by Sydney Logan

A young girl needs to spread her wings, but a young woman needs roots.

English teacher Sarah Bray never thought she’d return to Sycamore Falls, but a traumatic event at her inner-city school leaves her desperate for the sanctuary of home. By returning to her roots, an older and wiser Sarah hopes to deal with the demons of her present and confront the ghosts of her past.

She discovers a kindred spirit in Lucas Miller, a teacher from New York with demons of his own. They quickly become friends – bonding through Lucas’s culture shock and their mutual desire to build new lives. When they open their wounded hearts to each other, their friendship effortlessly evolves into romance.

Their love is put to the test when Matt, the quarterback of the football team, shares his deepest secret with Sarah. When the conservative community finds out, Sarah and Lucas – along with the town of Sycamore Falls – are schooled in the lessons of acceptance, tolerance, and love. (from Goodreads)

My Thoughts

This was a well written debut novel. I thought it gave a good representation of the positives and negatives of living in a small town. The message sent about bullying and non-acceptance is relevant in today’s world. One of the worse things we can do when someone is being bullied is to do nothing at all. In this tale, we get to see the results of both action and inaction. The story also talks about dealing with life’s negatives and trying to move forward.

The only thing that bothered me was what I perceived to be Sarah’s sexual teasing with Lucas in the early part of their relationship. The only thing I can think is that the author was using this to show Sarah’s level of conflict as she tries to recover from her traumatic event and determine if she is really ready to make a commitment.

So, all in all a good book. Fast read, good messages and relevant topics.

Thank you to the Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC for an unbiased review.

Publish date: September 6, 2012.

The Taker (The Taker trilogy #1)

by

Alma Katsu

True love can last an eternity . . . but immortality comes at a price. . . .On the midnight shift at a hospital in rural Maine, Dr. Luke Findley is expecting another quiet evening of frostbite and the occasional domestic dispute. But the minute Lanore McIlvrae—Lanny—walks into his ER, she changes his life forever. A mysterious woman with a past and plenty of dark secrets, Lanny is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. He is inexplicably drawn to her . . . despite the fact that she is a murder suspect with a police escort. And as she begins to tell her story, a story of enduring love and consummate betrayal that transcends time and mortality, Luke finds himself utterly captivated.

Her impassioned account begins at the turn of the nineteenth century in the same small town of St. Andrew, Maine, back when it was a Puritan settlement. Consumed as a child by her love for the son of the town’s founder, Lanny will do anything to be with him forever. But the price she pays is steep—an immortal bond that chains her to a terrible fate for all eternity. And now, two centuries later, the key to her healing and her salvation lies with Dr. Luke Findley.

Part historical novel, part supernatural page-turner, The Taker is an unforgettable tale about the power of unrequited love not only to elevate and sustain, but also to blind and ultimately destroy, and how each of us is responsible for finding our own path to redemption (from Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I took me three times to get hooked, but oh I am so glad stuck with this book. It was only those first few chapters that I found a bit slow. After that, it became a page turner. I thought it was suspenseful, this tale with a mix of paranormal, underlying evil and unrequited love. The ending left me wanting more of this mysterious story. Lucky me book #2, The Reckoning, is already out and waiting for me on my kindle.

Publish date: September 6, 2011.

Little Night

by Luanne Rice 

Clare Burke’s life took a devastating turn when she tried to protect her sister, Anne, from an abusive and controlling husband and ended up serving prison time for assault. The verdict largely hinged on Anne’s defense of her spouse—all lies—and the sisters have been estranged ever since. Nearly twenty years later, Clare is living a quiet life in Manhattan as an urban birder and nature blogger, when her niece, Grit, turns up on her doorstep.

The two long for a relationship with each other, but they’ll have to dig deep into their family’s difficult past in order to build one. Together they face the wounds inflicted by Anne and find in their new connection a place of healing. When Clare begins to suspect her sister might be in New York, she and her niece hold out hope for a long-awaited reunion with her. (from Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I thought this book was a good representation of the power of an abusive relationship and the life long impact it can have on those involved. I also felt it told a nice story regarding the power of love and forgiveness.

That being said, I have to tell you I struggled with this book, especially that last quarter. To me, it became disjointed and somewhat repetitive. I had many unanswered questions at the end, to the extent I thought maybe there would be a sequel.

I know Ms. Rice is a prolific author and I think maybe I just ended up with the wrong book as my first read.

Thank you to Penguin Group, via Netgalley, for allowing me to reaf this for an unbiased review.

Publish date: June 5, 2012

My Rating: Please see my comment under "My Rating System".