Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger

 

I've been enjoying getting immersed in this excellently written series. All of the books have good plots with interesting characters, and enough suspense to keep me turning pages. I didn't love this book as much as the previous books, primarily because of the heavy-handed use of religion. I understand that the O'Connor's are a religious family, but the excessive praying and focus on beliefs in this book was too much.

Cork wanted a family vacation on the remote Lake of the Woods on the US/Canadian border. When a superstorm hits and splits up the family, each faces unexpected peril. Jenny discovers a baby and her murdered mother, then she and Cork must try to escape a killer hunting them. Then there is a doomsday cult that also wants the baby. Why are there so many after the baby? It's up to Cork to solve the murder and the mystery behind the baby.

Following the storylines of the different family members made for a disjointed read. Plus, the constant recounting of feeding and diapering the baby was tiresome. I was also disappointed in the ending. I enjoyed exploring the moral dilemma that Jenny and her family faced, and adding Henry Meloux to the mix is always a treat. 

3.5/5 stars.

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Orbital by Samantha Harvey

 A friend whose taste in books generally coincides with mine recommended "Orbital," so I thought I'd enjoy it. I saw it won the 2024 Booker Prize and, although I've been disappointed in Booker Prize-winning books before, I decided to give it a try. Were it not so short, I would have given up after about 50 pages. This book is not for everyone.

The book focuses on the lives of six astronauts aboard a space station for 24 hours and the 16 orbits they make around the Earth. There are side trips involving a typhoon that is developing, a family affected by it, as well as a space shot to the moon, all of which I found interesting. Mostly, it was a geography lesson as the space station orbited the Earth. 

I'm sorry to say I am not a fan of this book. I found myself skimming over the navel-gazing about the beauty of sunrises over different continents and the dreams the astronauts had. There were interesting parts, but they were few and far between. 

2.5/5 stars.

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Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz

 

I enjoy this series by Anthony Horowitz, as well as his Hawthorne & Horowitz series. Both have interesting plots and great characters. They are also intricately written and challenging murder mysteries.

Susan Ryeland is trying to rebuild her life in England after her relationship and her venture at a hotel on a Greek island failed. Now a freelance editor, she is tasked with editing a continuation novel in the Atticus Pund series by a struggling writer who happens to be the grandson of a famous author. Susan's past work on this detective series didn't end well and almost cost her her life, so she is less than thrilled with the job. Furthermore, the author, Eliot Crace, is portrayed as an arrogant jerk whose ties to his famous family serve as the inspiration for the current book. As more of Eliot's story is revealed, Susan questions the dividing line between fact and fiction.

This book-within-a-book story shifts between two timelines with characters whose names and situations are so similar that it gets confusing at times. I always had to remind myself who was who when the storyline switched. Despite this, I got caught up in the book and the two storylines. I don't know how Horowitz was able to keep both storylines straight, but he did a remarkable job. I don't know if this will be the last book featuring Susan and Atticus, but I hope not. 

4.5/5 stars.

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The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

 I enjoy historical fiction, especially when it features dual timelines that connect past and present. This book checked my boxes, but the story and the characters weren't engaging for me.

Colette Marceau was taught to be a thief at a young age. The women in her family believe they are descendants of Robin Hood, so they make a practice of stealing from those they deem unworthy and giving the proceeds to a good cause. Beginning in World War II in Paris, young Colette and her mother steal from Nazi sympathizers to support the resistance. Flash forward to 2018, and octogenarian Colette is still practicing her craft, but this time donating to charitable causes. There are subplots galore, among them the hunt for Colette's missing sister.

I liked the idea of the story, but the execution was questionable. There is the moral implication of vigilante justice, and the coincidences were hard to swallow. The writing and pacing are adequate, but I never felt attached to the characters, of which there are many. I finished the book, but it was a struggle. I understand the author has a following and specializes in historical fiction, but based on this book, I don't see the attraction. The book is well-researched, and I think many readers will enjoy the premise--it just wasn't for me. 

2/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 17, 2025.

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Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman

 

I've enjoyed Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan series, so when I saw what sounded like a cozy mystery with one of her minor characters from that series, I was intrigued. In typical Lippman fashion, she has crafted a riveting story with interesting characters.

Sixty-eight-year-old Muriel Blossom, who has been a widow for ten years, finds a winning lottery ticket worth millions and decides to take a luxury boat cruise up the Seine. Not used to international travel or traveling in style, she is befriended by the attentive Allan Turner, who takes charge when Mrs. Blossom misses her flight from London to Paris. The attraction appears to be mutual, and the pair spends a romantic day in London before Allan puts Mrs. Blossom on the train to Paris. Once in Paris, Mrs. Blossom is soon visited by the police who tell her Allan has died from a fall from a Paris hotel room when he was supposed to be in London. When the mysterious Danny Johnson tries to strike up a relationship, Mrs. Blossom is suspicious and doesn't know whom to trust. Throw in a stolen art treasure and some misadventures, and Mrs. Blossom's life gets more complicated.

Mrs. Blossom is a wonderful character. Both naive and savvy at the same time, she is a strong woman who is trying to cast aside her comfortable life and spread her wings. I found the book a wonderfully written page-turner filled with wit and intrigue. The plot is clever and the characters engaging. 

4.5/5 stars.

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 June 17, 2025.

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Vermilion Drift by William Kent Krueger

I was wondering how Krueger would adjust his characters after what happened in the last book, "Heaven's Keep." I never should have doubted him.

An abandoned mine near Aurora is being considered as a site for the storage of nuclear waste, which provokes the locals. Cork is wearing two hats: security consultant to the storage project and private investigator for the mine owner, who has hired Cork to find his missing wife. While inspecting the mine, a secret room is found that contains the remains of six murder victims, one of whom is the missing wife. The remaining victims are fifty years old and from a period when Cork's father was sheriff. In his investigation of the older victims, Cork revisits his father's actions, some of which are suspect. 

William Kent Krueger has done an excellent job of delving into Cork's past while he is still recovering from a recent tragedy. He deftly intertwines the present and past to tell a compelling story of love and the repercussions of moral decision-making made under extenuating circumstances. It's an intricate and suspenseful story that examines the evil that humans are capable of and how to combat it. 

5/5 stars.

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The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I chose it mainly because his books have gotten great reviews. Based on this book, I doubt I'll read another of his books. I found the trauma drama too much, and the main character unlikable.

Corby Ledbetter is having a bad year. He lost his job, became a stay-at-home dad, and turned to drink. When he thought things couldn't get any worse, a tragedy occurred, he was sent to prison, and his life was forever changed.

I struggled to finish this book. It was depressing, and the political and social commentary, while contributing to the story, could have made the same point without the navel-gazing.. There were valid points, especially about our judicial and prison systems, but a good editor could have made this a much more interesting book. Corby himself seemed to miss the point about what he needed to do to turn his life around, and that is what turned me off on the character. This review will likely be an outlier, and I encourage readers to consult multiple reviews before deciding whether to read this book. 

2/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and S&S/Marysue Rucci Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 10, 2025.

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