The Purity of Vengeance by Jussi Adler-Olsen

 This is another winner in the Department Q series. With Adler-Olsen's signature humor and interesting characters, I found myself rooting for the killer. Her vigilante justice was, to me, justified.

In the 1950s, Nettie Hermansen was the victim of forced sterilization and unjustified incarceration. Thirty years later, she plots her revenge against those who wronged her. Now she is a wealthy widow whose past may be catching up with her in the form of Carl Morck and his Department Q assistants. 

Carl and company are focused on the cold case of a brothel owner who disappeared in the 1980s. When they begin investigating, they uncover similar disappearances and a link to a current extreme right-wing political party leader. Just how they are connected is a dangerous puzzle they must solve.

I liked how the story used flashbacks to Nettie's life and her later revenge against those who had harmed her to weave the past and present together. Nettie is a sympathetic character pitted against an unjust society that facilitated the despicable treatment of innocent women. The intricate plot, combined with some truly evil characters, made this a book I couldn't put down. The fact that actual events inspired it made it more compelling. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Impostor by LJ Ross

This is the first book in a series featuring psychologist Dr. Alexander Gregory. The series has done well in Great Britain and is now being published in the US. Based on this book, it's a promising psychological thriller series.

Dr. Alex Gregory, a former criminal profiler, is a psychologist at a mental health prison. Cathy, one of his patients who was convicted of killing two of her three children, is an interesting person who is in denial of her role in her children's deaths. She's intelligent and manipulative, and a challenge for Gregory. 

Meanwhile, a brutal murder occurs in a small Irish village, and the mayor appeals to Gregory to help. With no forensic evidence, the police rely on Gregory for help in finding the killer. Initially distrustful of Gregory, especially when he contradicts their theories, they soon realize that they are facing a perpetrator who is likely to kill again.

I found this to be a fast-paced thriller with multiple twists and red herrings. Both cases that Gregory is focusing on are intriguing. Cathy, especially, is a puzzle. The writing is good, the characters well-developed. In this book, Gregory is torn between his patients and his desire to return to criminal profiling. He is a conflicted but well-intentioned character. I look forward to the next book to see what path he takes. 

4.5/5 stars. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is February 3, 2026.

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Never Flinch by Stephen King

 I liked King's Holly Gibney character in the first book she was featured in, Mr. Mercedes; she was unusual and quirky. Over the following books, however, Gibney lost those characteristics. In this book, she is a bland, predictable character, as is the plot. I quit reading halfway through and, as a devoted Stephen King fan, that says a lot. I have read all of his books and have always finished and enjoyed them.

Holly is unofficially consulting with Buckeye City Police Department Detective Izzy James on a case in which the police department received a letter outlining that "thirteen innocents and one guilty" person would die. They assume the letter is related to an innocent man who was murdered in prison. When the bodies begin to pile up, with each left with the name of a jury member who convicted the man, Holly and Izzy gear up to find this vigilante. 

Meanwhile, outspoken women's rights advocate Kate McKay is on tour promoting her controversial agenda with a planned stop in Buckeye City. When threats against McKay's life escalate, she hires Holly as her bodyguard. Now it's up to Holly to help find a serial killer and whoever is behind the threats on McKay's life.

This is a slow-moving book with a predictable plot. As stated above, Holly has become a one-dimensional character whom I no longer care about. I'll pass if King writes another book featuring Holly Gibney. 

2/5 stars.

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The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

The Frozen River is one of the best books I've read in 2025. Based on an actual person, this historical fiction novel is beautifully written and expertly plotted. This is the first book I've read by Ariel Lawhon, and I'm excited to read more of her work.

Set during the winter of 1789, the Kennebec River in Maine freezes, and travelers on the river discover a body in the ice. Midwife Martha Ballard is asked to examine the body and determines he was murdered, but a new doctor in town disputes her cause of death. It is his opinion that he died of natural causes, so Martha decides to defend her conclusion by finding the murderer. Also called into question is Martha's defense of a woman who claimed to have been raped by the murder victim and another prominent man. With her reputation at stake, Martha battles patriarchy and societal norms to ensure the truth comes out.

Lawhon does an excellent job of transporting readers to the period, revealing the roles of women in society and the discrimination they faced. Beautifully crafted with an engaging storyline, The Frozen River deftly handles the emotions of the rape victim and Martha's role in the small town. I highly recommend this book. 

5/5 stars. 

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Twice by Mitch Albom

I love time-travel books, and even though the protagonist in Twice travels back in time, he violates one of the primary rules of time travel: don't change the past. Indeed, the purpose of Alfie's visits to the past is to change it. With his gift, Alfie gets a second chance to undo any moment in time with the caveat that he must live with the consequences of his second chance.

When Alfie is eight years old, his mother dies and passes on the family legacy: the ability to travel to any point in time and change it. He only gets one shot at changing the past and must relive his life from that point forward. His mother warns him not to use the ability for financial gain or to change his love life. While he obeys the first rule, young Alfie uses his second chances to woo the girls. Later, he falls in love with Gianna and is determined to win her over. She's a tough nut to crack, but Alfie is persistent, and it looks like he has gotten his true love. Alfie then finds out why his mother said not to use his power to change his love life — once he undoes a relationship, that person will never love him again. With mistakes mounting, Alfie seems to be constantly pursuing love.

I liked how the book alternated between the present and Alfie's past to tell the story. The reader follows Alfie from his tentative use of his powers as a young boy to his reliance on his ability to change the past to make his life ideal, only to find he perhaps shouldn't have changed it. I raced through the book, only to be puzzled over the ending. I cannot expand on this without giving spoilers, so I'll leave it there. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Dead in the Water by John Marrs

 

John Marrs is the master of psychological thrillers. Each of his books features dark plots, flawed characters, and unusual twists. Dead in the Water is no different. Plus, Marrs brings back a character from his book, The Good Samaritan, to add to the mix. 

When Damon drowns, his ex-wife and best friend, Melissa, revives him. While dying, Damon relives parts of his life, but an unexplained moment featuring a dead boy follows him back to life--as does the dead boy. Tormented by what he has seen, combined with hallucinations of the boy, Damon seeks answers as to why the boy haunts him—convinced that the only way to solve the mystery is to die again. Against Melissa's advice, he drowns himself again, only to uncover more unsettling visions and hallucinations that follow him back to life. With each succeeding death and resuscitation, Damon realizes that his past is not what he believes it is, and he begins his search to uncover the truth. 

The plot is intriguing, the pacing pitch-perfect, and the suspense mounts with every page. As Damon finds out more about his past, it affects him in unimaginable ways. The reader follows Damon down the rabbit hole and witnesses his mental and physical decline. In typical Marrs fashion, all is not as it appears, and as one character says, sometimes the past is best in the past. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is January 20, 2026.

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Detour by Jeff Rake and Rob Hart

This science fiction book reads like a thriller with its breakneck pacing and twists. I do enjoy both genres, but the format made it clear that the long-term plan is to turn Detour into a streaming series; one of the authors alluded to this in his acknowledgements. I think the writing and character development suffered as a result.

John Ward, the world's richest man and presidential candidate, is partnering with NASA to orbit a spaceship around Saturn's moon, Titan. The goal is to gather information for future colonization. To this end, Ward has assembled an unlikely crew comprising three astronauts, a physicist, a police detective, and a graffiti artist — all of whom have ties to Ward. The story then moves quickly through the details about training the crew, the technology behind the spaceship, and the first year in space. 

The crew is just circling Titan on the way home when a navigation anomaly and two explosions occur. Although unexplained, neither causes harm to the crew nor the ship. Back on Earth, the crew is isolated and told not to communicate with each other, which they, of course, immediately figure out a way to do. Trading stories, they find that each of their lives is not how they left it — relationships have changed, and things are generally different. With Ward and unseen forces trying to control them, the crew bands together to uncover the truth about their circumstances.

I found the plot interesting, but the delivery stilted. The time shifts were not seamless, and not enough detail was given about the many stages needed to complete the mission. I liked most of the characters, and each brought a unique perspective to the storyline. Overall, I liked the book. Had it not read like an episodic television series, I would have liked it better. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Worlds, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is January 13, 2026.

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The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow

About the only genre I avoid is romance. Judging by the number of romance books out now, I seem to be in the minority here. This book, tagged as folklore and fantasy, is primarily a romance novel. An otherwise remarkable story, beautifully written, lost a star rating from me because of this.

Historian Owen Mallory, a former soldier dubbed a coward, is enthralled with the story of Una Everlasting, a knight and dragon slayer who dies for her queen and country. During his scholarly research into the tale, he receives a mysterious book about her, which a war minister then steals. When Mallory tries to retrieve it, his blood spills onto the book, and he is transported back in time, meets Una, and accompanies her on her last quest: to slay the last dragon and retrieve the grail for the dying queen. What he doesn't anticipate is that the two will fall in love, and Mallory is forced to recount and relive Una's death over and over again.

I'm a sucker for time-travel books, and The Everlasting is a good one. As I stated, the writing is exquisite, and I loved the way Mallory and Una tried to change history. The characters are well-developed, and I especially liked Una's horse. I wouldn't have read the book had I known about the romance element, but I skimmed the sex scenes and some of the overwrought narrative, and enjoyed a well-told tale. 

4/5 stars.

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The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

 In this sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me, Dave delves into the background and motivations behind Owen's sudden disappearance in the first book. There were some loose ends at the end of that book, and this sequel, while not tying them up in a neat bow, did offer some explanations.

It has been five years since Hannah's husband, Owen, went into hiding. Hannah and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have relocated to Southern California when a disguised Owen briefly appears to warn Hannah that they are again in danger. Knowing this day would come, Hannah is prepared and immediately gathers up Bailey and begins their escape. At the same time, Bailey's grandfather, a former lawyer and secret-keeper for a group known as the organization, dies. News of his death devastates them both, and Hannah can't shake the feeling that the threat to their lives and his death are connected. Hannah's goal is to keep Bailey safe and to reunite with Owen by whatever means necessary.

Although engaging, the flashbacks, mainly dealing with the grandfather, made for choppy reading. That, plus the improbability of Hannah's escape plan, made me suspend disbelief at times. The main themes of friendship bonds and forgiveness drove the story. I was expecting a thriller similar to the first book, but this was more background material for that book. Dave did a good job of detailing the relationship between the crime boss and the grandfather, which was pertinent to the plot. Still, despite her efforts, neither character came across as particularly likable, and neither of their past actions seemed forgivable. 

3/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Scribner, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is January 6, 2026.

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The Black Wolf by Louise Penny

This is the second book in the two-book "Wolf" series, The Grey Wolf being the first. This is a classic Louise Penny book — fast-paced and intriguing. The only problems were the many times I had to suspend disbelief and the confusing ending.

After having thwarted a domestic terrorist attack, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is recovering at home in Three Pines. As he ponders a map and a notebook left behind from the attack, Gamache and agents Jean-Guy Beauvoir and Isabelle Lacoste are convinced a second, more deadly attack is coming. But what and where, or who is behind it, they don't know. What they do know is that people high up in the government and their own police force are involved. Trusting very few around them, they seek to uncover the plot and the person pulling the strings, whom they dub the Black Wolf. It's a race against time with a cunning enemy who always seems one step ahead of them.

I love Louise Penny's writing and the characters she creates. The Black Wolf is a ripped-from-the-headlines book with a plot that, while at times far-fetched, is just believable enough to make parts seem plausible. Where it fell apart for me was the confusing ending and the motive of the Black Wolf. I was left scratching my head. 

3/5 stars.

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Matter by Iain M. Banks

 Iain M. Banks was a master at world-building. He died all too soon, but his books, a legacy that is seeing new life in the US, are amazing in their scope and vision.

When Prince Ferbin sees his father murdered by his right-hand man after suffering an injury in battle, he knows his own life and that of his younger brother are in danger. Thinking of his sister, Djan Seriy Anaplian, who left their planet years ago and became a Culture Special Circumstances agent, Ferbin and his servant flee their home planet in search of her. Meanwhile, Djan Seriy has heard of her father's death and the supposed death of Ferbin, and begins making her way home. The youngest prince, Oramen, who is under the protection of the man who killed his father until he comes of age, has no idea that the man is plotting his death. Now it's up to Ferbin and Djan Seriy to try and save him.

This is the seventh book in the nine-book Culture series and is, by far, one of the most complex stories in the series. I loved the settings and the numerous characters that made this such a great read. With his signature humor, descriptive prowess, and spot-on dialogue, this book captures Ferbin's world and the role Culture plays in the universe, transporting the reader altogether. All of the books in this series are different, but this novel's world-building is exceptional. 

5/5 stars.

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Dark Sisters by Kristi DeMeester

 I like historical fiction where the characters are related and the time frame spans centuries. Dark Sisters has that, with a touch of horror thrown in. 

It's 1750, and Anne and her daughter escape ahead of the hangman when they are deemed to be witches. They find an ancient tree in the forest and, joined by others who don't believe them to be witches, build a settlement near it. Anne unwittingly unleashes a power in the tree that is both good and evil.

Anne's descendant, Mary, is caught in a marriage in the 1950s that is smothering her. When she meets Sharon, a single career woman, she is torn between her love for her daughter and her desire to be with Sharon. 

In 2007, Mary's granddaughter, Camilla, is also caught in a stifling situation. The daughter of a strict preacher, she is at odds with the community and her role in it because of her rebellious nature. Camilla is also drawn to the tree, but what she sees both horrifies and fascinates her. She is determined to find the true nature of the tree and its ancient power.

I associate witch trials with New England, so I was confused to find that this takes place near Atlanta, Georgia. Once I figured out that the women were, indeed, related, and the locale, the story picked up. It was also confusing as to the nature of the tree: how could it be both good and evil? What the tree drove some women to do was truly horrifying. The theme of women realizing their power was central to each character in their time period. With one exception, it painted men as overbearing and power-hungry. I've never been a fan of male bashing, so although the men's need to control the women was a propelling force behind the narrative, I was put off by it. Overall, this is a compelling, dark read. 

3/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is December 9, 2025.

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I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

Initially published in 1997, this book was translated into English in 2019, and I stumbled across it earlier this year. Although it's a short book, it packs a lot into its 160+ pages. 

Forty women are held captive in a cage underground. Their living conditions are spartan, and the rules, enforced by guards with whips, are draconian. Years pass, and nothing breaks up the monotony except the delivery of their two meals a day. Then, while being served dinner, a siren sounds and the guards, leaving the serving hatch open, take off. Initially fearful of their freedom, the women, led by a young girl, escape their cage and begin a journey to find civilization and answers as to why they were confined. As they struggle to survive in a desolate world that bears no resemblance to Earth, they learn to rely on each other and form a microsociety.

Despite their depressing conditions and uncertain future, the women form bonds and develop deep relationships to carry them through. They fight to maintain their humanity in a hostile environment that could just as easily break them. I found this to be a haunting book and, at the same time, a tribute to the human spirit and the importance of friendships. 

4/5 stars.

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Cape Fever by Nadia Davids

This is a beautifully written and well-crafted novel about the balance of power between an employer and her servant in a racially and religiously divided colonial colony just after World War I. It is a poignant story with nuanced characters and an intricate plot.

After a bad situation as a household maid, Soraya thinks she has found the right fit with Mrs. Hattingh, a stern but seemingly kind widow. What she finds is not just a house badly in need of repair, but spirits only she can see. While waiting for her son to visit, Mrs. Hattingh takes an interest in Soraya's life, and, thinking Soraya is illiterate, offers to write letters to Soraya's fiancé. The weekly letter writing becomes a ritual, and although Soraya is skeptical that Mrs. Hattingh is accurately writing what she dictates, she trusts her--something she later regrets. As the women's lives become more intertwined and Mrs. Hattingh's hold on Soraya deepens, Soraya desperately seeks to escape her clutches, only to find she has few options.

This is a poignant, psychologically suspenseful story with two strong characters at cross-purposes, each trying to gain the upper hand over the other. The gothic elements and the atmospheric setting enrich the book. The themes of love and grief for both characters unite them and, at the same time, widen the gap. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is December 9, 2025.

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Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher

 

I love the worlds T. Kingfisher creates. I especially liked A Sorceress Comes to Call with its dark take on a fairy tale. With Snake-Eater, Kingfisher again dabbles in dark fantasy with a touch of horror, resulting in an enthralling read. 

Selena seems to be trapped in psychologically abusive relationships, first with her mother, who has just died, and now with her current partner. Her only hope is an aunt she hasn't seen in years. Together with her dog, Copper, and the last of her money, Selena arrives in Quartz Creek only to find her aunt has died. As her aunt's last living relative, Selena claims the aunt's house and, vowing to stay only until she can earn enough money to leave, she and Copper settle in. She soon befriends her neighbor, Grandma Billy, and the local priest, Father Aguirre, both of whom teach Selena in the ways of the desert. What she learns is that there is a flimsy curtain between her and the spirit world inhabited by desert gods, chief among them is Snake-Eater, a malevolent god invited into this world by her late aunt. Fearing her life is in danger from Snake-Eater, Selena turns to her new friends for help expelling him from her house. The result is a battle between gods and humans whose outcome is not assured. 

This is an engaging story with wonderful characters. The writing and pacing are spot-on, and the spirits who inhabit Selena's world are, except Snake-Eater, ones I'd like to have around my house. The desert setting makes what happens believable. Kingfisher is an excellent storyteller, and this well-written book is one of her best yet. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and 47North, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is December 1, 2025.

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The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan

 

This is the first Gilly Macmillan book I have read. I have been assured that The Burning Library is not a good representation of her usual books. That being the case, and as promising as this book was, I will read more of her work.

Two rival organizations, both formed to advance women to powerful positions, are after an ancient artifact known as The Book of Wonder.  One organization, the Larks, seeks to advance women directly. At the same time, the other —the Order of St. Katherine —believes a woman's power lies in being the one in the shadows, manipulating powerful men. Neither organization is above murder to achieve its goals. 

Enter Anya Brown, a newly minted PhD student whose paper on solving the puzzling Folio 9 document gained her international attention. The Larks, thinking that Anya is the key to finding the missing artifact, give her an offer she can't refuse. Not suspecting the danger she is putting herself and her family in, Anya accepts the position and begins solving the puzzles related to the manuscript. It doesn't take long before Anya must decide between family and career. The decision has life-or-death consequences.

I liked the book's premise — advancing women to positions of power — but not so much the methods both groups used to achieve their goals. I also liked the descriptions of the puzzles Anya solved to try to find The Book of Wonder. They reminded me of Dan Brown's book, The Da Vinci Code, only without the one-paragraph chapters. What I didn't like was the ending. As it approached, I checked whether this was the first book in a series because there was so much to wrap up. Instead, Macmillan rushed the ending with broad explanations that weren't particularly satisfying. The Burning Library is a thought-provoking book; it just needed a better ending. 

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is November 18, 2025. 

3/5 stars.

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A Slowly Dying Cause by Elizabeth George

 It's been quite a while since I delved into an Inspector Lynley book, but this one, set in the familiar landscapes of Cornwall, felt like a warm reunion. The setting, so reminiscent of my own experiences there, brought back a flood of fond memories. A Slowly Dying Cause felt like an old friend, welcoming me back with open arms.

When Michael Lobb is found murdered in his workshop by an agent of a mining company intent on acquiring his land, suspicion initially falls on the agent. Pressure is on Inspector Barbara Hannaford to solve the murder, so when a company employee appears to confess, Hannaford thinks the case is solved--but she isn't convinced the case is airtight. When Inspector Thomas Lynley, in Cornwall, attending to estate business, offers to take a look, Hannaford eagerly takes him up on the offer. Sergeant Barbara Havers is also in Cornwall with Lynley, but she is re-investigating the case on behalf of the accused's family. At first, Lynley and Havers appear to be at cross-purposes, but they soon join forces to solve the murder. 

At 650 pages, it seemed like George was ranging far afield with so many subplots. That proved not to be the case, however, by the time she wrapped up the storylines. The book's pacing was steady, keeping me engaged throughout. This book is well-plotted with interesting characters and situations. I was disappointed by the lack of repercussions for a couple of the characters, but overall, this was a satisfying read. 

4.5/5 stars.

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The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen

 I am rereading this series because I started it so long ago and lost track of it around book three. I know I liked the characters and premise, but I wish I'd remembered more about this particular book. Had I remembered the graphic rape depiction and the animal cruelty, I would have skipped it. As it was, I was too invested in the book when those events occurred to stop.

The file of a 20-year-old murder of a brother and sister mysteriously appears on Carl Morck's desk. What's odd is that the case was apparently solved, and the confessed murderer is behind bars. When Morck and his assistant, Assad, try to find out who added the file to their stack of cold cases, their superiors tell them to drop it. That is the wrong thing to tell Morck. As Morck and Assad begin investigating, they find the key to the murders is a homeless woman, Kimmie, hiding from a group of influential individuals. Twenty years ago, Kimmie and the men formed a gang while in school and preyed on helpless individuals. With their past about to be exposed, the three men also begin looking for Kimmie--to silence her permanently. Now the race is on to find the elusive Kimmie. 

Aside from the two issues mentioned above, I liked the book. Admittedly, it is dark, and the deeds done by Kimmie and the men were disturbing, but I found myself caught up in the search for Kimmie and her ability to hide in plain sight. Despite what she did in the past, the current-day Kimmie is a sympathetic character who is damaged. The three men are pure evil, and I rooted for Kimmie to exact her revenge. The book's pacing is well-balanced, keeping the reader engaged throughout. 

3/5 stars.

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Look to Windward by Iain M. Banks

The Culture space opera continues in this, the seventh, in the Culture series. Banks's humor and intricate plot make this book a standout in the series.

Eight hundred years after the Idiran war, the aftermath, the light from two suns, the Idrians exploded, killing millions, is finally reaching the Culture Masaq' Orbital. To honor the loss of life, a symphony by the Chel composer Ziller will be performed. Ziller does not want to return to his home world, so a former soldier, Major Quilan, himself grieving over the death of his wife in the recent Chel civil war, is sent to convince Ziller to come home. Or so that is said to be the purpose of his visit--Ziller is convinced Quilan was sent to kill him. This creates tension on the Orbital as Ziller threatens to walk out on his own symphony performance. 

I am continually impressed by how well Banks does dialogue.  The back-and-forth between characters is both humorous and excellently written. Additionally, the plotting and pacing are spot-on. The characters are sympathetic, especially Major Quilan, and the clash of wills between the temperamental Ziller and those trying to coax him into conducting his symphony is a welcome sideline. 

I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Matter, to see what Banks does next. 

5/5 stars.

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Atmosphhere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I cannot believe this is a TJR book. It is so unlike her other fantastic books that I couldn't finish it. Granted, much of this is my fault. I don't like the romance genre, and this was tagged as a romance novel, but since I love all things space-related, I thought I could skim the romance parts. Wrong. The central theme was Joan coming to terms with her sexual identity; the NASA parts were a backdrop. 

Joan Goodwin, a physics and astronomy professor, was accepted as an astronaut candidate at the start of the space shuttle era. Pitted against her fellow candidates, Joan is the glue holding the fragile relationships together. She is especially drawn to the enigmatic Vanessa. As their relationship moves beyond friendship, they risk jeopardizing their careers for love. 

Switching back and forth in time between a shuttle mission that goes awry and the newly formed bonds among the candidates, we get to know the individuals grouped with Joan. What was particularly annoying was Joan's relationship with her sister. Joan was a doormat, bearing the burden of caring for her niece while also facing the pressures of being an astronaut candidate. This, plus her deepening relationship with Vanessa and the related politics, would have been too much for a lesser person. Not so for Joan. 

I'm sorry to say I couldn't handle the drama between Joan, Vanessa, and Joan's sister. I finally gave up at the 50% mark. I rarely DNF a book, especially by an author I like, so admitting defeat was difficult. On the positive side, the insights into NASA and the astronaut training were good. The book was fast-paced, and the shuttle situation was engrossing, but overall, it wasn't for me. My opinion is in the minority, but I couldn't take any more. 

2/5 stars. 

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