Truly Wilde: The Unsettling Story of Dolly Wilde, Oscar's Unusual Niece By: Joan Schenkar

Pieced together from letters left by Dolly Wilde and the remembrances/writings of those who knew her, this biography is more a series of topical essays than a straightforward biography.  Some interesting insights into a truly fascinating woman, who was the niece of Oscar Wilde and lived/died a parallel life to her famous uncle.  

the wavily gallery By: Kenneth Lonergan

A devastating look at the slow slide into dementia and it's effect on the afflicted and her family.  A stunning piece of theatre.

Ture West By: Sam Shepard

Not my favorite of Shepard's work.  I don't find the flip from the agent believable which makes the second half of the play hard for me to swallow.

Selections from short edition kiosk By: Various

These short stories are available from short edition kiosks.  Mine were located in the prudential Center in Boston.  You select either a 1 minute, 3 minute or 5 minute story, and the kiosk prints out a story for you in a randomly selected genre.  It looks like a CVS receipt, but it has a short story on it instead of useless coupons!  I read the following: Jealous  by: Celine Lledo, Blue Hair and Tulips  by: Luz, and The Hidden Letter  by: Patrick Ferrer.  Great fun!

The Given Day By: Dennis Lehane

WOW!  A great historical novel set in Boston between 1917-1920.  An amazing story of one Boston cop and a black man and how their lives intersect and the strange friendship they develop.  All of this with a sprinkling of Babe Ruth, the upcoming Volstead Act, the Great Molasses Flood and the Boston Policeman's Strike.  Intricate and endlessly fascinating this book will stay with you after you've finished it!

Truly Madly Guilty By: Liane Moriarty

I love Moriarty's work, because it's set up like a thriller.  Quick chapters with major twists, leaving you wanting more!  Let's face it, she is the master of the domestic thriller!  Real characters, dealing with real issues and there is always a major "OMG!" to kick you in the gut at the end.

Rules of Engagement By: David Bruns & J.R. Olson Publish Date: 6/25/19

Reminiscent of James Clavell's "Whirlwind", "Rules of Engagement" sets up numerous story lines that all culminate in an explosive ending. A truly terrifying premise sets the action in motion, and it doesn't stop until the pulse pounding conclusion. Fascinating characters (and I'm thrilled to see so many strong women written in a military thriller!!!), numerous twists and turns, and nail biting cliffhangers all wend there way through a cyber-attack that is/could be all too real! I'm hoping, based on how this ended, that this novel could lead to a series!!!!

Missing You By: Harlan Coben

As with all of Coben's novels, this one is full of twists and turns.  They come at you so fast, you're likely to get whiplash!  What starts as a simple exploration of on-line dating, leads Kat on several chases that all culminate in a blazing inferno of facts about her own past, and possibly her future.  Exceptionally written, ingenious plotting and likeable characters combine to to make this one of Coben's best!

Winter Chill By: Joanne Fluke

Being used to Ms. Fluke's Hannah Swenson cozy mysteries, I was kind of aghast at how dark this one was-but damn it's good!  Is it a ghost story?  Is it a psychological thriller?  Is it a clever combination of the two?  This, "it was a dark and stormy night" tale doesn't answer the ultimate question it poses...or does it?

Strangled Eggs and Ham By: Maddie Day Publish date: July 2019

Oh, how I LOVE this series.  In this latest installment, one of Robbie's B&B guests is found dead at the disputed site of a future development.  With the town divided and Robbie trying not to take sides, the reader is embroiled in the pros and cons of the development of Closs Crossing; with Adele heading up those opposed and Fiona Closs heading up those for the development.  All of the wonderfully diverse characters that we've come to love, get equal time in Strangled Eggs and Ham, and their characters are deepened and make us love them all the more.  A very real set of characters populates the Country Store Mysteries which truly makes reading a book in this series like visiting old friends.  Plus you can't beat all the fabulous descriptions of the food made in Pans and Pancakes.  A wonderful series, one of my absolute favorites!

Burn This By: Lanford Wilson

A very unconventional love story-maybe.  A very unconventional story of loss and grieving-maybe. An unconventional family story-maybe.  Maybe its all three-whatever it is it hits the reader hard and doesn't let go. Kind of stunning in it's simplicity and it's rawness.

All My Sons By: Arthur Miller

After all these years, this is still my favorite Arthur Miller play.  It's deeply affecting and downright heartbreaking!

The Labors of Hercules By: Agatha Christie

The Labors of Hercules has just jumped into my top 5 Agatha Christie novels!  A brilliant concept, set's up these 12 fascinating mysteries, modeled on the 12 labors of Hercules-just done in Hercule style. Absolutely brilliant!

The Hollow By: Agatha Christie

Have to say, this one didn't wow me. I felt it was a little long in the set  up, although I understand why, it just felt long.  Kind of dragged, and the ending felt a little "precious".                                     

                                                             

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine By: Gail Honeyman

I wasn't sure what to make of this one.  But when all was said and done, I enjoyed it.  Parts of it were very depressing, but ultimately I was left with a feeling of hope.