Purrder She Wrote By: Cate Conte (expected publish date 7/31/18)

Expected Publishing Date: July 31, 2018

Welcome back to Maddie and the Cat Cafe!  A purrfect blend of cozy small town life and brilliant detective work.  Conte manages to infuse really cleverly dropped clues with enough twists to keep the reader guessing until the very end.  Maddie and family don't disappoint in this second installment of the Cat Cafe Mystery Series!

The Cat's Table By: Michael Ondaatje

I have to say...I was leery of picking this one up. I was so disappointed by Divisidaro that I wasn't sure I could read Ondaatje work again.  Glad I gave it a chance.  A beautifully written awakening of a young man.  Simply written with an economy of words, yet packers a powerful punch, and show how just listening and being open to the happenings around you can dramatically affect your in the moment and later.

A Theatrical Feast in New York. By: Elizabeth Sharland

This is a delicious little slice of broadway history as told through the hotels/restaurants/collaborations over the years.  A quick read, but full of fascinating and tantalizing tidbits for the theatre groupie in all of us!

A Deeper Sleep By: Dana Stabenow

This was okay-not horrible, but not fabulous. The setting of Alaska was beautifully described, but I just couldn't buy into the main plot line.

State of Wonder By: Ann Patchett

I have to say...not my favorite by Ms. Patchett.  Everything I've read by her previously has been outstanding (Bel Canto is one of my all time favorite books-it's absolutely stunning), but this one didn't do anything for me.  I'm not sure if it was because I didn't have an "in" to any of the characters, or something about the plot didn't interest me, but when I finished it, it was just ...meh.  HOWEVER, there is no denying that Ms. Patchett gorgeous writing is as evident in State of Wonder as in her other works, and that saved this one for me.

Whispers of Warning By: Jessica Estevao

I really hope there is a third book on it's way, because I'm in LOVE with this series!  The characters are so intriguing, the plot lines sufficiently convoluted to leave you guessing until the big reveal, the history is well researched and expertly entwined, and the spiritualism is such an ingenious back drop for this series!!  Kudos to Ms. Estevao on a unique series!  This book finds Ruby in the midst of the polarizing time of suffrage, while trying to keep herself off the stage (literally) and assuaging her Aunt's fears for her safety.  A fantastic addition to this series!

Whispers Beyond the Veil By: Jessica Estevao

A totally unique take on a traditional cozy.  Set in Old Orchard Beach, Maine at the dawning of the turn of the century, we meet Ruby, who may or may not have unique abilities-in the spiritualist sense.  Setting a cozy in the world of spiritualists is a stoke of genius and Estevao has created a lively setting, fantastic characters and a totally credible story line.  I can't wait to continue with this series!

Stranger Than Fanfiction By: Chris Colfer

The star of a t.v. show decides to take a fan up on his offer of a road trip:  A pretty brilliant premise for a pretty brilliant YA novel.  Smoothly written, excellent characters and a ride across country and a ride through our own ideas of fame and life.  Colfer does it again!

Sleeping Beauties By: Stephen King & Owen King

A stunning and fascinating take on the battle of the sexes.  In a story more fantasy than horror, the Mr.'s King take us to a small town in Appalachia that becomes the focal point for the bizarre sleeping disease (Aurora) and it's unfolding consequences for both men and women.  I ripped through this story-it's absolutely brilliant!

Suspicion By: Joseph Finder

What I love about this particular Finder book is that more of the action is cerebral.  There isn't a lot of running around, not a lot of car chases, just a lot of internal thoughts that can get the heart rate thumping just as madly the car chases, etc... When Dan accepts financial help from the father of his daughter's best friend it send him off on the worst adventure of his life.  This is fast paced, gripping and leaves the reader with an icky feeling about who can be trusted and who can't!