A Nearly Perfect Copy

Allison Amend

Elmira Howells has a loving family and a distinguished career at an elite Manhattan auction house. But after a tragic loss throws her into emotional crisis, she pursues a reckless course of action that jeopardizes her personal and professional success. Meanwhile, talented artist Gabriel Connois wearies of remaining at the margins of the capricious Parisian art scene. Desperate for recognition, he embarks on a scheme that threatens everything he’s worked for. As these narratives converge, with disastrous consequences, A Nearly Perfect Copy boldly challenges our presumptions about originality and authenticity, loss and replacement, and the perilous pursuit of perfection. (from Netgalley).

 

 

 

My Thoughts

I thought this was an interesting premise. The chapters alternate between Elm and Gabriel’s story. Both characters really want something that require lots of money. Ahhhhhh - therein lies their justification to behave without regard to the moral outcome. It was interesting to watch each of them rationalize their actions.

The story started slow for me. As Elm and Gabriel’s action start to fall apart, things got much more interesting. Would they suffer the consequence of their decisions? This question was the driver for me to finish this book.

My thanks to Doubleday Books, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: April 9, 2013.

Tuesday's Gone　

Nicci French

In Tuesday’s Gone, a London social worker makes a routine home visit only to discover her client, Michelle Doyce, serving afternoon tea to a naked, decomposing corpse. With no clues as to the dead man’s identity, Chief Inspector Karlsson again calls upon Frieda for help. She discovers that the body belongs to Robert Poole, con man extraordinaire. But Frieda can’t shake the feeling that the past isn’t done with her yet. Did someone kill Poole to embroil her in the investigation? And if so, is Frieda herself the next victim? (from Netgalley)

My Thoughts

I really like the main character Frieda Klein. She has a dogged determination. She sees clues that others miss and has an interesting way to connect the dots. She wouldn’t give up even when everyone else thought the original case was an open and closed deal. She has a kind, troubled heart and cares a great deal for the people in her life.

I did not read the first book of this series and don’t feel that this kept me from enjoying book two. Although I like this one so much that I probably will read book one. I’m very interested in continuing to read this series. There was a nice little cliff hanger that certainly has me interested in book three.

Thanks to Penguin Group/Viking, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: April 4, 2013.

The House of Special Purpose

John Boyne

Part love story, part historical epic, part tragedy, The House of Special Purpose illuminates an empire at the end of its reign. Eighty-year-old Georgy Jachmenev is haunted by his past—a past of death, suffering, and scandal that will stay with him until the end of his days. Living in England with his beloved wife, Zoya, Georgy prepares to make one final journey back to the Russia he once knew and loved, the Russia that both destroyed and defined him. As Georgy remembers days gone by, we are transported to St. Petersburg, to the Winter Palace of the czar, in the early twentieth century—a time of change, threat, and bloody revolution. As Georgy overturns the most painful stone of all, we uncover the story of the house of special purpose.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the way the author decided to tell his tale. The story is told by Georgy and when we first meet him, he is in his early eighties. In the next chapter, Georgy is sixteen and an unpredictable event occurs that changes his life forever. In alternating chapters, older Georgy’s story moves back in time while younger Georgy’s story moves forward. We eventually get to the point where the two story lines meet and all secrets are revealed.

I couldn’t wait to find out what was meant by “the house of special purpose”. The author does a great job of giving just enough detail in each chapter to keep the reader engaged. Young Georgy’a story is based during the final years of the Romanovs, a period in history I have always found fascinating. I don’t want to ruin it for readers of the book, but this plays a significant part in the story.

As always, I am sad when I have come to the end of such an entertaining book. The good part though is that this is a new author for me. Mr. Boyne has numerous other books published, and if The House of Special Purpose is an indication of his writing, I have a whole batch of books to add to my TBR list.

I would like to thank Other Press, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review. Lucky me.

Published date: April 2, 2013

The Second Rule Of Ten

A Tenzing Norbu Mystery

Gay Hendricks

Ex–Buddhist monk and ex–LAPD officer turned private eye Tenzing Norbu is back with a new case, a new love, and a whole new set of problems in this fresh installment in The Tenzing Norbu Mystery series.

In The Second Rule of Ten, Norbu investigates the unexplained death of his former client Hollywood mogul Marv Rudolph and searches for the sister, lost during World War II, of wizened Los Angeles philanthropist Julius Rosen. With two cases and an unforeseen family crisis that sends him back to Tibet, Ten finds himself on the outs with his best buddy and former partner, Bill, who is heading the official police investigation into Marv’s death. Cases and crises start to collide. When Ten mistakenly ignores his second rule, he becomes entangled in an unfortunate association with a Los Angeles drug cartel. As he fights to save those he loves, and himself, from the deadly gang, he also comes face to face with his own personal demons. Working through his anger at Bill, doubts about his latest lady love, and a challenging relationship with his father, Ten learns to see the world in a new light—and realizes that in every situation the truth is sometimes buried beneath illusion (from Netgalley)

My Thoughts:

 

I have so grown to like these stories about Tenzing Norbu. They are light and fun, fast paced and entertaining. The other day, I even found myself using one of Ten’s meditative sayings. My only concern has to do with the statement on the publisher’s website that this is part of a three book detective series. WHAT!?!?!?! Only three books? Please say it isn’t so!

Thank you to Hay House, Inc, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: January 1, 2013