His Majesty's Hope

A Maggie Hope Mystery

Susan Elia MacNeal

For fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Laurie R. King, and Anne Perry, whip-smart heroine Maggie Hope returns to embark on a clandestine mission behind enemy lines where no one can be trusted, and even the smallest indiscretion can be deadly.

World War II has finally come home to Britain, but it takes more than nightly air raids to rattle intrepid spy and expert code breaker Maggie Hope. After serving as a secret agent to protect Princess Elizabeth at Windsor Castle, Maggie is now an elite member of the Special Operations Executive—a black ops organization designed to aid the British effort abroad—and her first assignment sends her straight into Nazi-controlled Berlin, the very heart of the German war machine. Relying on her quick wit and keen instincts, Maggie infiltrates the highest level of Berlin society, gathering information to pass on to London headquarters. But the secrets she unveils will expose a darker, more dangerous side of the war—and of her own past (from Netgalley)

My Thoughts

I sure do like Maggie Hope. I just finished book #2, Princess Elizabeth’s Spy, and decided to jump right into #3, His Majesty’s Hope. In book #2, I thought the story was fun and cute. I also thought that this theme would continue, but such was not the case. His Majesty’s Hope has a much more serious tone.

Our heroine, Maggie is still smart, spunky and determined not to be held back because she is a female. In this story, she parachutes into Germany for what is supposed to be a simple, in and out, undercover spy endeavor. She unexpectedly ends up staying longer and oh the horror she discovers. People die in this story and it really takes a tole on our girl Maggie.

I thought the author did an outstanding job of representing the time period that this story represents. Because of what is happening to the Jews and to children labeled as “disabled”, the underlying feeling of the book is very ominous. Because of what happens to Maggie, we are left wondering if she be able to overcome her experience. Will she ever be happy again? What a great cliffhanger!

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group - Bantam Dell, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: March 14, 2014.

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena

Anthony Marra

In the final days of December 2004, in a small rural village in Chechnya, eight-year-old Havaa hides in the woods when her father is abducted by Russian forces. Fearing for her life, she flees with their neighbor Akhmed--a failed physician--to the bombed-out hospital, where Sonja, the one remaining doctor, treats a steady stream of wounded rebels and refugees and mourns her missing sister. Over the course of five dramatic days, Akhmed and Sonja reach back into their pasts to unravel the intricate mystery of coincidence, betrayal, and forgiveness that unexpectedly binds them and decides their fate.
With The English Patient's dramatic sweep and The Tiger's Wife's expert sense of place, Marra gives us a searing debut about the transcendent power of love in wartime, and how it can cause us to become greater than we ever thought possible. (from Netgalley)

My Thoughts

This is a story that is going to stay with me for a very long time. It was so beautifully written and I ended up with such mixed emotions - sad, angry, hopeful........ This is one of those books that you really want to devote time to - it is not faced paced, nor should it been read that way. The author truly has this amazing way of putting words together and much of this would be missed if a reader tried to skim.

While fiction, this is based on a true time period in Chechnya history. I am always amazed that people actually survive times like those outlined in this story. The strength of character, the determination to survive, to be honorable when times are desperate. Unfortunately, we must also read about the opposite - taking advantage of the weak, profiting off people who have nothing and even betrayal.

At times, this was difficult to read due to the harshness of the realities of war and it’s aftermath. Oh how I wished this could have been a story that was neatly wrapped in a bow at the end. But, this would not have held true to the rest of the story and I am glad the author chose not to do that.

Honestly, when I read a book like this, I am humbled. Do we really understand what it is to live under the light of freedom? This book will make me thankful everyday for all that I sometimes take for granted and I hope I never forget.

A first novel by Mr. Marra that should not be missed. Certainly an author to watch.

I am so grateful that I was given permission by Crown Publishing Group, via Netgalley, to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: May 7, 2013.

Wounds

Alton Gansky

A man’s lifeless body is found in the fresh soil of San Diego’s botanical garden. Cause of death is asphyxiation, an easy call for the medical examiner. More mysterious, however, are the tiny drops of blood on the victim’s skin, resulting from hundreds of punctures.

A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death.

Motorcycle riders racing along the empty streets of an abandoned military base stumble across another man’s corpse, its skin revealing long, red-purple marks of a thrashing given with wood dowels.

The numbers mount. Each week another victim and another mysterious clue in a game of mass murder the police don’t want to lose. The solution rests with Dr. Ellis Poe, a religious professor who only wishes to be left alone with his books and classes.

But evil must be faced, and the choice is no longer his own.(from Netgalley)

My Thoughts

I connected with the story right from the beginning. The two main detectives Carmen Rainmondi and Bud Tock, are responsible for investigating some bizarre and very gruesome murders. Along with this, Carmen is fighting demons from her past having to do with the murder of her sister when they were in high school.

I liked the relationship between Carmen and Bud. They worked well together and often exchanged witty, sarcastic comments. There was some interesting connections between Carmen, Ellis Poe and the killer. I thought the author did a very good job of weaving the plot and sub-plots together.

I enjoyed the two main characters so much, I was hoping this was going to be a series - but I do not find any evidence of that. Alas, parting is such sweet sorry.

My thanks to B&H Publishing Group, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this for an unbiased review.

Publish date: May 1, 2013.

　

Nightsiders
Gary McMahon

Welcome to Number One Oval Lane, the last house at the top of the hill. Robert Mitchell thought he lived there with his wife and children, but he doesn’t. Not anymore. A new family—the Corbeaus—has taken up residence, and they are on a deadly mission for mischief.

Soon Robert will understand the true nature of ownership, and he will discover that real life is nothing more than a story…a horror story.

We're playing games now. We're just beginning (From Netgalley)

 

 

 

 

 

My Thoughts

The theme song from The Twilight Zone kept playing through my head as I read this - although with the sex and violence, it would have to be The Twilight Zone - circa 2013.

Take an ordinary family and stick them in the middle of an unexplainable, bizarre situation and see who is still standing when all is said and done. I must say, it ended differently than I thought. I love when that happens.

This was a short story and it zipped from beginning to end. My first book from this author and I must say - well done on the creep level!

Thanks to Dark Fuse, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: April 30, 2013.