Category Archives: Fiction

The Displacements by Bruce Holsinger

Posted on February 24, 2023 by bseat

I first encountered Bruce Holsinger when I read his historical thriller series, A Burnable Book and The Invention of Fire. Both books were very well written and I enjoyed them immensely in part, because they were so grounded in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Literary Fiction | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Posted on January 13, 2023 by bseat

The word of mouth on this book was pretty intense. It was on almost every list for mystery/suspense and was touted as a “must read” by many sources. So I read it. My response is “Meh,” as my millennial daughters … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Mystery, Psychological Mystery, Suspense | 2 Comments

The Maid by Nita Prose

Posted on January 6, 2023 by bseat

Happy New Year! I’m so glad that I can share a delightful book as my first post for 2023! Molly Gray is a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. She is fastidious and meticulous and a stickler for proper etiquette. … Continue reading →

Posted in Detective novel, Mystery, Romance, Suspense | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

All Creation Waits by Gayle Boss

Posted on December 16, 2022 by bseat

It is almost Christmas now, and if you are following the church calendar we are in the third week of the four weeks of Advent. Advent is supposed to be a time of waiting, of reflection, and quietness, but in … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas books, Non Fiction, Short Stories, Spiritual | Tagged | 1 Comment

Five Decembers by James Kestrel

Posted on December 9, 2022 by bseat

This book was the winner of the 2022 Edgar Awards, and it certainly deserves that honor. Set in Hawaii in 1941, this is a hard knuckle thriller that takes you all across the Pacific on the trail of a brutal … Continue reading →

Posted in Detective novel, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery/Detective, Thriller | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Box 88. by Charles Cumming

Posted on December 2, 2022 by bseat

I think Charles Cumming is currently one of the best writers of spy novels.  Like Le Carré, he lets us see the person behind the spy with all of their fears and vulnerabilities while meticulously crafting his plots with suspense … Continue reading →

Posted in Books to take on vacation, Fiction, Spy/Covert Operatives, Suspense, Thriller | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Posted on November 25, 2022 by bseat

Every year I evaluate the books I read and come up with my top two or three books for the year. I have to confess I was getting a bit worried about what I would put on that list this … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Suspect by Scott Turow

Posted on November 18, 2022 by bseat

There are some authors who consistently produce good books that are interesting, surprising and well written. Turow is one of those authors. I have never read a book of his that was disappointing. He is able to constantly reinvent himself … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Legal Procedural, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Suspense | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Magician by Colm Tóibín

Posted on November 4, 2022 by bseat

I was intrigued by all the hype about this book and decided to put aside some of my reservations and read it. This is a novel about Thomas Mann, the Nobel laureate and author of A Death in Venice and … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Prize Winner, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Summer Hours at the Robbers Library by Sue Halpern

Posted on October 28, 2022 by bseat

As I have been recovering from knee replacement surgery, I have found it absolutely essential to have books which are compelling to read. Because of the pain, the brain fog induced by medications and just the overall malaise you feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment