The Truth About The Devlins: Book Reviews

 

The Truth About The Devlins

By Lisa Scottoline

Netgalley

I have read several novels by Lisa Scottoline. I have to say this has to be the best yet of her thrillers. I had hoped she would write another historical fiction. I was disappointed it wasn't another one like Loyalty. But, its ok, still love Lisa's novels. 

I don't know what it is but thrillers are different now adays, from the younger authors. I love the thrillers from the old school, like Grisham, and of course Scottoline. The newer thrillers are mostly, domestic thrillers( husband, wife). It doesn't give me a thrill as much as the older thrillers who have been around for years. 

Anyway, the novel takes place in Philly with a legal family. The family has wealth, prestige, and connections of course. All the kids are are well established lawyers except TJ. TJ unfortunately isn't exactly a black sheep. He just made some bad mistakes, and decisions. 

His brother, John calls him during their father's birthday celebration. His brother, John thinks he accidentally killed someone. They go out to the scene of the accident, he is missing. At this time he is also working for the family's legal corporation. His Sister, a lawyer asks him to investigate a lawsuit involving a correctional facility connected with a pharmaceutical company testing inmates without consent. The victims have long term health issues after which causes a lawsuit many years later.

The novel deals with wealthy families who think they can't be touched( insular) with their money, connections. Do you keep helping your children get out of their messes and bring you down? What ever the cost to the family? Do you pay? Or do you do "tough love"?

There is a lot of heart, love, family, social justice, and morals. You expect to know where the novel is going with TJ, you don't. There is so much more I can say. But, I don't want to spoil it.  This is much more than a thriller, its family dynamics, and character without being too deep. FYI- Its not too deep and preachy, no lessons( at all). But, you realize there is looking at abuse( alcohol) a different way, and the prison system as well. 

I Recommend if you love the author. I think its her best( thriller). Loved the fast pace, kept you thinking, and captivating...

The Great Divide: Book Review

The Great Divide

By Christina Henriquez

I loved The Great Divide even though it was not a sweeping historical fiction epic. The Great Divide grabbed me from the first page. Back when I was in my twenties, Panama was a big topic and talked about. You hardly hear anyone talk about it. When I was in college my room mate was a Panamanian. I have not read many books about the area, fiction or non-fiction. I knew a few facts but not enough. Didn't hear much about how the Canal was built, who built it. So, I was glad to read about it.

The book opened my eyes to the history, and the US involvement. A dark part of history. The action of the US and other countries action with colonialism.  After reading, I'm sure there is much more to know about in the people, country, and the culture. For instance, I wasn't aware Panama was actually Columbia, and became part of the US for 100 year lease. Which actually did happen.

 There was illness, sickness, poor living conditions, and poor treatment of the workers which all did actually happen. 

In 1906 in Panama, history is being made. There are few inter-related main characters. They tell their stories and narrate the history which is interweaved into the story. 

It is a page turner and it was captivating, and kept the story moving. There are three main characters, Ada from Barbados, Omar from Panama, and Marian, from the US( Tennessee). 

Ada, a teenager was born out of wedlock, as well as her sister, Matilda. Her Mother, born as a slave. The slave, and plantation owner finds out about her, and her husband's affair. He has no choice but to cast her aside. Ada's mother leaves with her children and a new beginning, and a house.  After the girls become teenagers. Her Sister becomes ill. Ada feels she has no choice but to travel to Panama for work to raise money to help her sister. 

Then Omar, a Panamanian teenager wants to work on the construction of the Panamanian Canal. His Father, and him don't see eye to eye when it comes to trust the Americans. They don't speak for months.

This is where the story becomes interesting. I loved the story. Only two critique of the author. It was too simplistic in writing, and style. I was expecting a bit more. The traditional historical sweeping epic of a novel. Because I felt the Panama Canal was a large project. I think I expected the same from the story. Just my opinion. The other the ending, was wrapped up in a pretty bow with a conclusion. It maybe because I am a literary fiction snob. Most lit-fiction never wraps up knowing the conclusion with character and story. Usually there is no ending, and us as the reader imagine ourselves.

I still recommend it and loved it. If you don't know the history of the Panama Canal, PBS, Discovering the Panama Canal or History Channel has one as well. You can find both of YouTube. 

Medgar and Myrlie: Book Review

 

Medgar & Myrlie

By Joy -Anne Reid

If the only name you know is MLK Jr, There is so much else to read about in Medgar and Myrlie. There is one name you most likely don't know about is Medgar Evers and Myrlie. This book is not only about the civil rights movement. Its about the love story of Medgar and Myrlie. How she loved, supported him all his life unfortunately till his death. Even after his death she continued on. 

He was more instrumental and did more for the movement than most people are aware of in the white and black community. Possible because he was doing his work in the south as the central cause not as a federal issue like MLK. 

If you think being Afro-American is dangerous now. You should go back before the 1960's. Black people couldn't go to the same schools, bathrooms, water fountains, restaurants, etc. Killing, lynching, disappearances, suspicious killing( lynching, suspicious disappearances and killings were rampant in the south. Court cases were unjust. 

How would you feel serving your country during WW2 and return to the country you sacrificed your years of service to and wasn't acknowledged by  certain people mostly in the south. You still would have been beaten, lynched and been treated with disrespect. This was exactly what happened to Medgar and others that served. When Medgar returned he met Myrlie and married and then moved to Mississippi.  He became an insurance agent and talked to his customers about the inequality in our country. He started holding meeting in churches, civic centers. Which was dangerous and many times had to meet in secret. He was then hired by NAACP who had a different agenda. Where he was looking for a movement in the cities, and towns throughout Mississippi. Through sit-ins, protest, but the NAACP wanted to fight in the courts which was too slow. They felt it was too expensive to bail the protestors out of jails, or security to keep them safe. 

He was instrumental in the movement with other names, MLK, John Lewis, Malcolm X. He is less known because his fight was in his state Mississippi, Where he's life and family was always in danger, including his neighbors who some didn't want no part of  Medgar because of the danger if they were associated with him. One night ended it all for Medgar, Myrlie and his family, Mississippi and the nation. Myrlie after his death kept his memory alive by continuing his work. Now Myrlie is still in love after his death of many years and continues his work even now.  Yes, I would recommend the book if you are unaware of the the civil rights movement. 

Book Review: Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story

 

Varina Palladino's

Jersey Italian Love Story

by Terri Lynne DeFinco

What a fun, comically,  and exciting read. About an Italian NJ  family, the Palladino's. 

The escapades of matriarch, Sylvia, 92 years ago, Varina, 70 years old, and Donatella, the granddaughter.  Which includes the large extended family. The brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.  Think of Moonstruck, and Saturday Night Fever, loud, large, extended family.  

The three, Grandmother-92(Sylvia), daughter-70(Varina), and granddaughter(Donnetta) live in the same house under one roof. Varina during the day owns and works in her specialty Italian grocery store in the neighborhood. We also meet Paulie who has been adopted to the family, Paulie since he was 5 years old. Who Donnetta treats Paulie like a brother. A large family gathering during Christmas Eve Donetta is held up at the police station. She is always getting in trouble. Paulie "The man in shining army" rescues her. She has constantly had issues. No one but Paulie knows what happened. Donnatella has so many issues herself. You don't find out later until much later what is with her. 

Another twist Sylvie schemes with her grandaughter to make posters advertising her daughter would like to meet a man. Varina has no idea. So men start popping up at her store without her realizing why she is so popular. Men popping up at her store. Can you imagine?! There is so many escapades they scheme, and continue to plot ideas. There is so many funny, comical lines. You are laughing out loud.

I could see the scene as I used to live in New Jersey and knew the area she was writing about. I could picture it in my head as a movie. In Wyldale, NJ. I picture the row houses in a close knit community like in Jersey City, North Bergen. As I have never been in this community.  It was fun reading about the shopping malls she mentions, Bergen Mall, Paramus Park, etc,

I enjoyed reading until the last part. It just bothered me. What a way to ruin a book that was a fun book to read. To a book that became tragic, and sad abruptly. I wasn't expecting it. I understand novels that have to have a bit of meat. Which is a book I like. But the sadness was unexpected. Why would you ride a fun book and then put sadness, and tragedy in a novel. What were the publicists thinking? The novel didn't work for me only in the last part. If you are going to write a serious novel, OK, I like serious. This was too sad. But to go to two extremes it was so sad it made me cry! The book was great and fun until the last part. I would have given it 5 stars unfortunately because the story didn't work at the end I give it three stars.

Gator Country: Book Review

 

Gator Country

by Rebecca Renner

I decided to read Gator Country, when I saw the title of the book. I lived in Miami, and Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and Broward County. I reminisced about Alligator Alley, and Alligator tourist stops. Most people don't come for the Everglades, and the alligators. They come for the tourist stop of the beautiful beaches, and palm trees. 

I didn't know the difference or care about the difference of an alligator and a crocodile. Do you know? I'll tell you. Alligator is more subdued and less aggressive than a crocodile. They also have rounded U -shaped snouts vs, Crocodiles have long and pointed, V-shaped snouts.

For years indigenous people and Afro-Americans lived in Florida. It wasn't till the turn of the 20th Century. The wealthy tried and did attempt to change and develop the land. Which is where we are today. The wealthy were in competition with the swamp people who lived here.  After 1920's land started to develop and change to become like towns and cities outside of Florida. They became resort towns, like Miami Beach.

 

Look up the names of towns in Florida, like Dade, Tamiami, developer named Flagler. the development has a rich history of Florida. 

 

The story of Gator Country that the large piece of the deep south stretching across Florida bay at the outflow of the Everglades, up the entire state of Florida, along the low country wetlands of Georgia to the Carolinas to touch Virginia, and to the west. From the Florida panhandle across Alabama, Mississippi, and its river delta, Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast of Texas down to the Mexican lagoons. The biodiversity hotspot that is the North America Coastal Plain and a nearby perfect overlay of the impoverished deep south. This is the kingdom of the American Alligator, where marshes swamps, and bayou harbor hundreds of endemic species of flora, and fauna where don't develop anywhere else in the world. Over the centuries, gator country has drawn the roughest of settlers. Before the invention of the air-conditioner only the hardiest survived there and the more stubborn bothered. Before the RR came, each small town was like an island in a sea of wilderness. Venture past the tree line and quite literally you were on your own. Since then, more and more people came to live against the land instead of with it creating and adversary of gator country itself. 

 

I am not a nature gal exploring the Everglades. But I remember alligator wrestling, and swamps. But never did go so far. as walking the many miles of swamps. The nature reservists can do that for me.  So, reading the book about the swamps and the muck in a book was better than personally experiencing it in real time. I was hoping the book wasn't just about the poaching, but also about the ecosystem, and climate change that is happening globally.  Gator Country does prove what is happening by poaching alligators will cause the imbalance of the ecosystem in Florida. Which causes problems in the swamps by the way, which is necessary, the mangroves, etc. It is already affecting the ecosystem in the Everglades(swamps). 

Gator Country, the author, Rebecca Renner and her travels into the Everglades, journey and investigating one sting of gator poaching.,

 Jeff Babauta ( he's real name). He has been a wildlife office. Where the story picks up is Jeff one last special job. He is almost ready to retire after almost 30 years. He changes his name, and his identity to catch a group of gator poachers by disguising himself as a dead-beat poacher. What he has to go through and hide his identity for that last Harrah. What is at stake to protect the wildlife. Each chapter is either Rebecca and Jeff's story.  

For Jeff to set up a trap, and a sting. He has to set up a alligator farm. He starts slow and starts calling contacts to purchase eggs, and alligators. He then is tutored by one of the poachers to catch alligators and how to incubate the eggs. Which was interesting in an amateurish way. 

What is interesting Jeff starts to befriend and care for the baby alligators once they hatch. Me who doesn't care or never thought of wildlife start to care about these alligators! 🤣l! 

Why, I never did, I have no idea. The author brought them up close and personal for you to care about them. Ok, they are not fuzzy, fluffy and cute. But they are part of our world. We should care about them. Not to steal eggs and make alligator trophies of keyrings. The alligators used to be close to extinction because of the excess killing of them. But, since the 1960's the number has grown back since the 1980's because of protection laws. Just because we have a large number now doesn't mean their numbers will stay consistent. 

What bothered me all the money put in to capturing the poachers for a small amount of alligator eggs. Didn't seem like it was worth the time, and money. There didn't seem to be any accountability. The book didn't make me feel satisfied that the stings were making a difference. Instead, Jeff wanted to give them leniency.  The poachers' children what happens to them? They should have thought about that before they did the crime. The poachers are going to continue, and other people will get in on the act. Because the punishment is a joke. 

In Florida you must carry a license to poach a certain number of eggs, and alligators. Sunshine Alligator Farm where Jeff was staking out produced 13,000 eggs from the swamp each year. 

 So many poachers cross state lines to sell alligators, and their eggs. For a small number of criminals. Which the author doesn't see as criminals. She feels sorry for them. I have a different perspective. Most likely because I don't live in the swamp land. What can I say I'm a bleeding heart. I now have a different perspective of even alligators. It seems Rebecca feels sorry for the poachers. They have no other way to survive. This is their livelihood. I don't know the answer, But the punishment is a joke.

I personally didn't feel satisfied about reading the book. There were no solutions brought up.  If there was perhaps, I would feel differently about the book. Though the book felt like I was reading a novel. 

The Best Minds: Book Review

The Best Minds

By Jonathan Rosen

I decided to read The Best Minds because it was on the Atlantic Monthly best books of the year. And because I read one of his novels. 

It is a difficult book to get through. You can't read it quickly but only in small baby steps (50 pages/day). I didn't understand the organization of the book till I watched the author discuss his book. I also couldn't get his point of writing the book. I was ready to give up. It seemed the book was all over the place. This is the second book this year after watching the author talk about his book. I understood it. I will say, if you don't understand mental illness, the culture, and society, and the psychiatric profession. If you want to understand it a little better. Read The Best Minds.  

The book is based on true events the author, and his best friend some twenty-five years ago(tragedy). I'm giving you spoilers and letting you know in advance. Beside the book giving you background understanding of culture and society. In the beginning of the book there are plenty of Jewish references. I wasn't expecting that. Not that I mind, it made the book more pleasant to read. 

Jonathan Rosen and his family move from Massachusetts to New Rochelle NY. H befriends a boy next door, Michael Landor. They were friends but also competitive in many ways. Michael was very intelligent beyond his years. Where Jonathan was dyslexic and felt not as smart. Jonathan's family were all literary geniuses, and subdued compared to Michael's family were a wild bunch. Michael's grandmother was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Jonathan questions and wonders through the book why he didn't come down with the fatal disorder, but he's friend does. What made him so special? Anyone could have gotten it, the boy next door. You don't know what goes on.  Both of their teachers realize their strengths. Even though Jonathan is dyslexic it doesn't stop him competitively, and their intelligence. 

One day an incident happens. A gang approaches them. They don't bother Michael as much as they do Jonathan. The incident haunts him throughout the book. He never forgave Michael. 

They eventually after high school Michael became more reclusive and his behavior had changed to odd behavior. The friends became distant and didn't stay close after high school. Even though they went to the same university. Michael graduated the university in three years and was hired in a high-powered stressful job which didn't last long. Jonathan ended up transferring to Berkeley in California. 

They lost touch with each other. They were never close again. While Jonathan's mother stayed in the know with Michael. Michael ended up in a community of psychiatric professionals. Helping Michael and supporting him. His behavior, and outside appearance changed, but intellectual he was above and beyond. 

He had his first psychotic break and was placed involuntary in the psychiatric hospital for some months. Michael's father was he's rock, and best supporter. Michael did not want to work as a cashier at Macy's. He thought he was better than that intellectual. Which is true. Many patients put in this situation believe they are better than that. Eventually Michael's father has connections. He influences Yale Law School to take him. 

The Professors are impressed with his intelligence. When Michael can't do the work. They give him slack, and some of his friends, and classmates help him out. He isn't able to find a job once he graduates. He gets into a relationship as well, which becomes a live in situation(GF).  Then the NYT finds out about Michael and its in the paper.

 He becomes famous. Ron Howard the producer wants the movie rights to make a movie. In the meantime, Michael writes the book which supports him financially.

There is so much about this book. I didn't discuss and I don't want to ruin it.  I think the author was attempting to do too much in the book. He first wanted to write a memoir about him and he's friend. Then doing research turned into more. I didn't realize the organization of the book. Childhood, second part society/culture/ psychiatric profession, government, the science and behavior of mental illness. The third part is how he handles the illness. The fourth part the dream. 

The first part is easy to read it's basically a memoir. Growing up immersed in his family and Jewish culture all around him. The second part is society and government, and psychiatric culture. How World War 2 (holocaust) was taken and reminisced by the psychiatric establishment. Conditions and institutions were seen like the Jewish people during the holocaust. How they were seen or unseen.

 President Kennedy made the problem worse when he released the patients into society. There was no plan. The government was in a cloud thinking communities would just embrace them in open arms. Really! People just didn't want to pay for their care. Now, its easier not to look at people who are disheveled and look the other way. Homelessness, medical care, just throw them away. 

The second part is technical and textbook like which most people aren't interested in. Most people don't like to be lectured to in a book and scholarly. Which makes a book not readable. I will say the book is aimed not at the general public. Which is where the books audience should be. That is why during this section I was wondering who the author was trying to capture. What was he trying to say? I'm still not sure. 

The third and fourth part of the book was less boring and told us what Michael was going through. Though my feeling was it wasn't personal and told from a distance what was going on with him. Since he lost touch with his friend which detracted from the story. I still not sure what the author's aim was. Was he asking how Michael became ill why? How wasn't Jonathan touched? It could be anyone. It can be a genetic disposition. It can also be environment and many other factors. 

Then came his illness. No one intervened. Because he has a high intelligence the mental illness was not a threat. Professors and family, and support systems didn't see his illness as a threat. They saw his high intellect first and ignored the illness, not the person. I was a psychiatric nurse. I'm used to seeing the signs and symptoms in the DSM 4. I know how to handle it. Most people in society will walk away and have no idea what to do.

The only way a person is cared for in a hospital in an emergency situation. Is if he is a threat to himself or others. If he doesn't want any help, he can refuse it. The hospital or police officers can just release him. I have always felt that is crazy.

 Also, a person doesn't see anything wrong. Thats he's perception of himself and the world around him. Some activists who get involved in patient rights have no idea. Why are they involved? They are not doctors, nurses. They are only looking through the eyes of a "normal Person". I can understand why this went haywire. 

The only time a person with a psychiatric disorder is put in care indefinitely is if the person commits a crime. Long time crimes with psychiatric disorders are cared for institutionalized in prison. Something is wrong with the system. But it takes funding to do something. These people who are homeless after being institutionalized or hospitalized are constantly in a revolving door. How would they get treatment if they refuse their meds? Or don't have the money to pay for them? 

Institutions are run poorly. In some states they are trying to help the homeless who have severe mental illness. Nothing is easy, there always snags. Many times things are not run as efficiently as they should. We must try to find a solution. There will always be people trying to take advantage. But our society must not keep looking away. We must have compassion.  We must help people who can't help themselves when they refuse treatment. And can't make rational decisions. Not turn a blinds eye, 

This young man was lucky he had a support system, and many people for years didn't see him as a problem. Not getting the help for an extremely sick person is not going to get better and control his illness. He will just get worse. Some people even without meds are not a threat. But some do and need involuntary hospitalization not in JAIL. Everyone has right to housing, food, medicine and safety.

The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory- Book Review

 The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory

By Tim Alberta

The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory is an important book to read to understand the Evangelical Church in our politics today.

Tim Alberta is a reporter, investigative journalist, and author of the Atlantic Monthly. He is also a pastor's son of the Evangelical Church. 

Mr. Alberta starting writing this book after his father passed away. How he was treated after he wrote his first book, American Carnage. He felt he was safe in the church away from the politics. This didn't happen. He was approached by someone who he knew growing up. Attacked verbally at his father's funeral. He then realized he must write a book on the Evangelical Church to open people's eyes, wake up and to hopefully safe it. This a journey for a young man to understand what is going on with the church he loves. A long journey to discovery what is right and what is wrong and be critical where it needs to be. 

His previous non-fiction was about what went wrong with congress in his previous book(American Carnage). He's most recent book is about the criticism of the Evangelicals. He is objective and critical of the church. He is critical of people he admired, respected as an evangelical growing up in the church, what was shocking to realize part of it was he's father that led a evangelical church in Michigan. 

Tim Alberta has concluded money and power, and politics is more important than leading a Christian life. How did this happen, he criticizes? 

The leaders of the evangelical church instead of teaching from scripture. They are speaking on the pulpit of current events. Since Nixon and Reagan changed the climate in politics. It has captured the movement. 

The Right knew how to divide and capture and divide society starting with the abortion issue. Then went on to use Jimmy Carter who was running for president as a wedge in the south. From there it continued in colleges (Liberty University) for starters and then it grew and blossomed to where we are today. FYI-Did you know Catholics were the ones who were upset about abortion, not evangelicals. 

Tim Alberta did an extensive interview with several pastors that are extreme and not so extreme. Which in one of the interviewees was a prominent leader (Moore) in the southern baptist organization. 

Mr. Alberta doesn't hold back. He is critical and honest in his interviews. He writes about how the church became powerful before President Trump. How they used everything inside and outside of scripture to entice more congregants to join their Megachurches. Also, how politicians were used, and millions of dollars given to and from politicians. I assume separation of church and state was thrown out like the bath water!

Remember the serpent oil gathering so called church rallies? You ever watch them on movies sounds like the same thing. All this to gain power and make the church richer. Its very sickening because some of these pastors realize they are wrong. But they can't help themselves. The money is more important than anything else. 

After President Trump's candidacy it changed everything. Many Evangelicals still didn't want Trump. But after Covid started most of these people thought the government was targeting them. Which was foolish, because Trump was the government. Does it make sense?.no. But somehow the pastors turned it to, and Fox News as well turned it around to their advantage with conspiracy, and, yes, Lies! ( I don't call fake news. Call it what it is). The movement became stronger after, and Trump stronger. 

What's wrong with the church? the leaders, pastors, organizations. Also, the corruption, sexual scandals, the cover-ups. Scriptures not being spoken on the pulpit. Some churches have bowed to the pressure. Some churches did back down. But some didn't. They may have lost members but not enough to not survive. There are many churches and organizations are fighting back. On Youtube, podcasts, Pastors and leaders as well through different medians. You just don't know it.  

Thank you, Tim Alberta, for publishing and opening the eyes of the public. The question of what is happening all around me is finally answered with the book

I'm not a Christian but all the church services I have attended in the past many years didn't make sense. For example, Love your neighbor..., Treat the stranger..., didn't make sense. With those words Christians were not living up to scripture as I saw it. After reading the book I finally realize what's going on. 

I recommend the book anyone who wants to understand what's going in our country. Why the Evangelical Church has captured Trumpism (they think he is a savior btw). Then the book is for you. I will say though, read it in small gulps. Reading too much will overwhelm and consume you with sadness and anger.

Black Cake: Book Review

 

Black Cake

By Charmaine Wilkerson

Library Copy

I have seen the novel, Black Cake since it came out. I have so many books to read on my TBR list and in my Kindle ready to read. But, new books keep coming out. I just didn't have the time to pick it up yet. Perhaps the title didn't tickle my fancy. Was I wrong, yes. The novel is awesome. I finally picked up, Black Cake because the book club I belong to chose Black Cake. 

I don't know how to put the book into words how much I enjoyed reading. It was a different type of read. Would you call it literary fiction? a thriller? with family dynamics. I don't know but I loved it. Totally different than anything I've read. I enjoyed reading the imagery of the island, the culture, and society, and the events of Jamaica in the 1960's. I love reading about cultural diversity. Black Cake was all that and more. 

The few gripes I have about the book. 1) Starting the book you must get used to the author's literary style. It took a bit to understand who and what was going on. Once you understand the writer's style you get comfortable reading.2) The author introduces the characters not all at once but slowly introduces them into the story. Which confuses you for a short while.3) Then the different timelines does become confusing as well for a short time. But once it comes together it is a breeze. 4) Short chapters make it easy to digest. 5) The only problem readers may have an issue is. It reminded me of the movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark 2 was a roller coaster ride. Meaning there was too much going on. No downtime to settle and absorb the story. Not everyone would like this writing style of the author. For me, I still enjoyed reading. This may be a writing style trick to make you think how short life is. Just my assessment. 

There are two timelines, and locations one in the present day, and the other in the 1960s. Locations, California, England, and the Caribbean. In the center of the story is the mystery of their mother, Elenor Bennett's Black Cake. 

The children of Elenor Bennett, Benny, and Byron( B and B) are in their mother's home after she passed away. The one request is for the children to listen to their mother's recording. On the other hand is Covey( Elenor), a bi-racial girl raised by "Lin" who is a gambler, and a shop owner on the island. Covey's mother, Matilda left her daughter behind as a young child. 

We meet Covey, who likes to swim, surf, and compete. She also likes to learn and help Pearl make and bake Black Cake which is infused over and over with the tradition and customs in Jamaica. Which is illustrated in the novel. 

Then her friend, Bunny, and she are joined at the hip and do everything together, including competing. Then something happens to Covey and she must find a way to escape her situation which her father caused. I am not going to go any further or I may ruin the book if you choose to read it. All I will say as there are secrets about Covey to be uncovered as you read the novel. And more continents to travel to. 

While reading I was confronted with the question: Do I really know my Mom and Dad? Are there secrets that are eventually uncovered? Others that are held onto maybe because of the shame and not revealed ever. 

The novel has many themes which I was surprised it brought up. Shame, racism, colonialism, bi-racial, elitists, working class,  English society, family Secrets, family dynamics, and shame. I'm sure more that I didn't address. 

No wonder the book is talked about so much by book clubs and now a feature film streaming on Hulu. There is so much to discuss in groups and I recommend it to literary readers looking for a quick read that actually reads like suspense.  

Fear Is Just A Word: One of best Non-Fiction

Fear is Just A Word

By Azam Ahmed

Library Copy

Fear is Just A Word is amazing, and thrilling, at the same time a horrific non-fiction narrative. The book is difficult to stop reading.  Edge of your seat heart-thumping narrative that doesn't slow down. As a reader, it was an uncomfortable read. It's a must-read for anyone who lives in the United States and is concerned with the border in Mexico.  

The book takes place in Mexico and dives into a bit of the history of Mexico and the government, corruption in the 1930's, and the Cartel leading up to 2014, In San Fernando, Valley.

 This is where the narrative starts with Miriam Rodriquez. In her hometown people are being kidnapped, and most of the time murder is a daily occurrence. Many of them were never found. and never recovered.

The citizens of Fernando Valley fear for their lives. Are they going to be snatched? It has been reported a mass murder of 72 people were murdered. All of them were kidnapped and ransomed, and unable to pay the kidnappers, and eventually murdered.

Karen Rodriquez is snatched from her home. Her Mother, Mariam Rodriquez is fearless and doesn't quit, The police are slow in responding, and finally investigating what happened to her daughter. Marian finally decides to dig herself into the kidnapping. Since the authorities are slow. 

Instead, she goes to the police and finds sources and clues. She continues to advocate for her daughter to find the truth. Until the truth is uncovered. We find her continues to advocate even after she finds out what happened to Karen. Instead, she finds purpose in helping others. She advocates for them for those who don't have a voice because of fear of authorities, and the cartel. 

The writing of the book, Fear is Just A Word is an emotional read. The writing feels like you are observing with the author what is happening and the experiences firsthand raw emotion. Myself not know the culture, politics, and people of Mexico unfortunately. Because of politics on the "border wall". I didn't know what was truth and lies in Mexico. I am ashamed to say, it is in our own backyard. 

The book is about Maria, and the people in Mexico living in fear and corruption. What happens to the people after Maria is gone. But, changes have happened because of Maria. People organized chapters around the city to make their voices heard. There have been changes in policing, slowly. 

A few years ago, a novel, American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins was published. I was not in the camp of liking it. After reading, Fear is Just a Word, The book was so much better. The understanding of what's happening on the border. Why do thousands of people try to cross the border illegally? Fear is Just Another Word is a better narrative to explain perhaps the corruption in Mexico, the crime, Cartel, and poverty.

I think this is going to be one of the better non-fiction I have read all year. I have a few more weeks and I'll let you know. 

 

Loyalty: Book Review

 

Loyalty

By Lisa Scottoline

Galley copy from Netgalley

Lisa Scottoline is known as a mystery-suspense author. In her first novel, She has gone out of the box to shake things up and went out of her usual with Eternal, and now Loyalty. I can't give you my take on Eternal because I haven't read it yet. Instead, I read Loyalty and absolutely loved it. I didn't know what to expect. The only other author I know who wrote out of his usual was Chris Bojhalian. He wrote a spooky novel. In the years past he has written novels out of his usual, with historical fiction as well.  I shouldn't have been surprised then, with Ms. Scottoline writing a terrific novel either. 

I have learned to take notes when there are many characters to keep track of at first. Then once the story is set up I can usually then understand what is going on. As I have gotten older I hate starting a new book. I tense up and get nervous until I know how the story is set up. My reasoning for taking notes in the beginning of the novel.  Is to keep track of the characters. 

Loyalty takes place in Sicily sometime in the 1800s. It takes a bit to get to know who is who is in the novel. The cast of characters includes Franco and Roberto( Franco's twin brother), who work for a wealthy lemon grower, a Baron, a lawyer, Gaetano, and his family, Mafalda is a new mother, and Alfred, a farmer who produces " magical cheese", and Dante a person who intersects the entire story between all the characters. 

The lemon grower, the Baron asks Franco to commit an illegal act, kidnap 5 year old, Dante and murder him. Instead, Franco takes him to the madhouse. Gaetano, who is a lawyer and believes in Justice seeks out and investigates what happened to the little boy, and Alfredo who I'm not sure why he is a character in the book. But does enhance and enrich the folk tale-type novel He is a minor character. I would love to see more of him in the novel. I hope Lisa in the future finds a place to put him in another novel. 

Dante is held in prison for years. Most workers don't understand Dante in the Mad House. They think he is psychotic and crazy. Who wouldn't if you were imprisoned and isolated for years? 

One part I was confused about with Dante as he is older. I was trying to figure out if she was a vision or a real person. If so, how did she get into the madhouse without detection? Maybe I missed something. It didn't take away from the book though. Years later Franco thought his boss loved him. Found out the baron used him as a tool. Instead, Franco takes revenge on the Baron and burns the Baron's property, and ruins the Baron. Franco and his brother rise up to become a group of men and form what is called a mafia. The novel has themes of injustice throughout the novel. 

The novel is a unique novel set in Sicily. Some people will not like the novel because of the many unfamiliar names. But also the characters don't come all together and connect till the end. If you have the patience to let the author play with it. Then you will keep going. It is a wonderful read for the beach. Sicily is a character in the novel. I could imagine the landscape in Sicily, think of the movie, The Godfather. I could see the landscape and the music of The Godfather while reading. If you saw the second Godfather you will know what I am talking about. 

                                                  

Book Club, and Review: The Lost Apothecary

The Lost Apothecary

By Sara Penner

 The Lost Apothecary is one of the novels you just sit back and read and take in. Just let the author do the work, and you imagine and enjoy. I am a literary snob and enjoyed reading the unique style of writing.

The author had two times lines that really worked for me. The timelines are usually weak. Usually, when I read there is one timeline I care about and the others don't usually work. The authors use the technique too much.

The author of The Lost Apothecary allows you to use all your senses of imagery. The author spun the tale of each of the characters in corresponding chapters and parallel each of their actions and behaviors. What a lot of work for an author. But it worked for the intensity of the story.

The novel is a feminist tale with injustices to women, and also is a mystery, suspense, escapist, friendship, and historical fiction, with a touch of magic. Some novels don't tell the story specifically. The authors who write at times think we are stupid and have to lecture us in the story, not Lost Apothecary.

The author used many literary techniques and tricks which includes symbolism in many parts of the novel which worked for me. The author made a point to say that women are erased from history. You will understand what I am talking about while reading. Also, the use and crimes against women For thousands of years were unaccounted deaths in suspicious deaths of men.

One part of the story bothered me a tad. Eliza is a 12-year-old girl not understanding menstruation. No one told her. She thought she was cursed. The correlation between menstruation and the curse was an interesting take. Our book club realized and talked about how the author used it in the novel. Did it work? Or was it unbelievable? You decide.

A female apothecary, Nella in 17 Century England sells disguised potions to women seeking revenge and the men who wronged them, either by abuse, neglect, etc.

 Two hundred years later in the present day, US a woman and her husband are planning on a trip to England.  She leaves without her husband. 

She finds out he was cheating on her. She arrives in London once in London. She takes a walk. During her walk she finds a vial in the Thames River. 

This is the intersection of the two storylines intersect. Instead, she finds out he has been cheating on her. The hardest part she gave up her dream of going to college and becoming a historian. After she learns he has cheated she takes the trip alone. That's when the lives intersect.

I would like to recommend the novel to anyone looking for a book to read at the beach. Anyone who loves historical fiction and take you away to another time and place with a touch of magic.