The Heights by Louise Candlish -- Ellen is a mother bent on revenge after her son, Lucas, is paired with the troublemaker Kieran. Ellen blames Kieran for her son's failing grades, his use of drugs, their frailer connection, so much! And when something terrible happens to her son, she has plans on how to make things right.
The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall -- Kate is eager to leave as she and her husband split. She decides to check out a small inn in the north of England where her parents stayed for their honeymoon. There she meets Audrey, the 91 year old owner and eventually the two share their stories. Audrey's goes back to World War II where she had a dear Jewish friend, Ilse.
Penitence by Kristin Koval -- When a thirteen year old girl is charged with killing her brother, their father David calls on the local attorney Martine to help. Martine is over seventy and this sort of criminal defense isn't her specialty so she asks her son Julian for help. Julian was the long-time boyfriend of Angie, mom to Nora (the one charged) and Nico (the one killed) so it's all complicated (as was that sentence, no doubt.)
Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay -- Five families come together for a parents weekend dinner, but the college students (their children) that they went to see don't show up. What gives? FBI agent Sarah Keller is in the Bay Area, and helps look for these missing students.
At War With Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House by H.R. McMaster -- I was looking for books to keep on hand over the holiday weekend (Memorial Day) and saw this in the new books area. It took me a while to start it, but once I did, I read it within a few days. It was an interesting look at this general's time working with Trump during his first term. He said if you are inclined to hate Trump, you will find the book pro-Trump; and if you love Trump, you will find this anti-Trump (something along those lines.) I think that's a fair assessment. He spoke highly of many things, but was candid about many character issues with this president. I do wonder what he thinks of how things are going in Trump's second term. I feel this term has fewer people close to Trump who will speak truth to power as I fear Trump has only put "yes" men and women in place.
Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner -- Several Americans meet on ship as they travel to England. Four of them - two sibling sets - were invited to meet Jane Austen's brother. At age 91, he is hoping to share some of Jane's personal effects with great admirers of his sister. Louisa May Alcott is also on board, and she takes charge to direct a play. Pretty cute story.
The Eights by Joanna Miller -- Four young women are among the first ladies admitted to Oxford in 1920. Their neighboring rooms are along Corridor 8, and they - Marianna, Beatrice. Ottoline, and Dora - become good friends. Nice book!
Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas -- Cute book about Haidie and Boots who were put into an orphan house by their older brother Cheet after their mom died. The two manage to escape with the help of Sarah, who was supposed to be a nun, but wanted to marry the laundry boy instead. They make their way west to look for their Pa who went off to make a fortune for the family, but never came back. An enjoyable, easy read.
The Cardinal by Alison Weir -- A few years ago, I read her books about the wives of King Henry VIII and this cardinal, Thomas Wolsey played a big role in a couple of those stories. This book focused on his life serving King Henry.
A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall -- A quick suspense read... Theo, short for Theodora, is meeting her fiancée's family for the first time, and it's not a super-fun time for either Theo or Connor's family. Theo has been anonymously warned to stay away from Connor, and she keeps having flashbacks to her early childhood.
I Seek a Kind Person by Julian Borger -- subtitled, "My Father, Seven Children and the Adverts that Helped Them Escape the Holocaust." After his father's death by suicide, the author researched more of his story, and found out his father was a Viennese Jew who was brought to England after his grandfather advertised for "a kind person" to accept this 11 year old boy. The author saw the ad and decided to locate other children from these ads and tell their stories.
Ward D by Freida McFadden -- Amy is a medical student doing her rotation on the psychiatric unit. She would do just about anything to avoid an overnight stay in Ward D, but duty calls so she's there. She comes face to face with a childhood best friend Jade and her former boyfriend Cameron (I'll let you guess if either of those are patients or fellow medical students.) A fast read and suspenseful!
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant -- Cooper and his 8 year old daughter Finch have been living in a secluded cabin ever since he fled to his friend Jake's place when his daughter was an infant. They are only ever bothered by a Scripture-quoting, spying oddball called Scotland. Actually Finch loves Scotland so only Cooper is bothered by his neighbor. A really cute story if you like this sort of thing. I enjoyed the book.
The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker -- The reader is introduced to Jane O. through the voice of her psychiatrist Dr. Henry Byrd, but the book alternates between Dr. Byrd's narrative, and journal entries or letters that Jane wrote to her infant son. She wanted to record her story somewhat for her son to read in the future. Jane has a curious case of remembering things and Dr. Byrd is helping her deal with some hallucinations and/or dissociative fugue states.
Like Mother, Like Mother by Susan Rieger -- Three parts to this story. The first focuses on Lila, the chief editor, reluctant mom, and one who grew up poor, yet made quite the name for herself. The middle section focuses on Grace, the third daughter of Lila who looks like her father, but is quite like her mom. Zelda, Lila's mom, who was sectioned when Lila was so small she has no memories of her mom is the subject of the third part. Did her mom really die while locked away or did she run away to escape her abusive husband? If she ran away, why did she leave her three children behind? Pretty good story.
