The Hammer of Eden by Ken Follett

Ken Follett has written a page turner in The Hammer of Eden with many twists and turns.

Judy is hoping for an upgraded position within the FBI but when someone, who Judy feels is incompetent, is promoted, she finds herself with a case that no one wants. A radio talk show host is approached by a man, Priest, declaring he will cause an earthquake if demands aren't met. While this might seem like an idle threat, California has many earth moving faults that could result in seismic activity at any moment. Judy and Priest are in a battle of wits. Judy is trying to stop a possible earthquake and Priest wants to stop the building of a dam which would flood the commune he lives in.

The Room on Rue Amelie by Kristin Harmel

 

Set in WWII occupied France The Room on Rue Amelie follows Ruby, an American in Paris and a British Royal Air Force pilot. Warning: The novel starts off with a tear jerker. 

Newlywed Ruby Henderson Benoit arrived in Paris in 1939, dreaming of walking along grand boulevards but war is looming on the horizon. Her husband disappears for days hours and sometimes days without explanation, but Ruby is caught up in the fear for her Jewish neighbors and befriends eleven year old Charlotte. When Thomas, an English pilot, arrives on her doorstep looking for shelter, it changes Ruby's resolve and both she and Charlotte spend the next few years protecting each other and praying that Thomas would one day find them once again. 

The Inmate by Freida McFadden

 The Inmate by Freida McFadden is a thriller with tense moments on practically every page. Brooke Sullivan begins her job as a nurse practitioner at a maximum security prison. She accepts that this will be an uncomfortable position but her fears are heightened when she discovers Shane Nelson needs medical treatment. He's not only one of the penitentiary's most notorious and dangerous inmates, but he's also the man who tried to kill her and whom she testified against. The story continues going back and forth over present day and the horrendous night when a party turned into a murder scene.

The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont

 I wasn't too sure about the Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont when I first looked at the blurb, but Nina de Gramont wove a wonderful fictitious story of two women, Agatha Christie and Nan O'Dea (Nancy Neele). One was Archie Christie's wife, the other his mistress. Agatha Christie, in 1926, threw the newspapers into a frenzy when Agatha Christie disappeared for several days. Her own personal mystery was never solved, but Nina de Gramont surmises what she may have been doing during her disappearance. The two women were opposites with Nan growing up in a poor  London family and Agatha living a wealthy life. 

If I Were You by Lynn Austin

 If I Were You is set in London during the WWII blitz. Eve and Audrey had two very different backgrounds. While Eve and her family had worked at the nearby manor house, Audrey was the privileged daughter. They had become friends but it was during the war years that they really began to rely on each other. When they meet two American GI soldiers in London it opens up new avenues for both of them.

Although well researched, it was obvious that the novel was not written by an English author. For me, the war years stories brought back many memories my family had shared of living in London during the terrible constant bombing of The Blitz. 

I thought the descriptions of WWII London were well written, but I can't say I particularly liked any of the characters. Eve seemed to be an opportunist. Audrey, rather than taking advantage of her upper class status to help others, whined about it constantly. The ending, although nice, was a bit far fetched. Rather than being a Christian novel, that some have complained about, I found that God was thrown in every so often without any substance or reason. 

And, my pet peeve when reading novels about England written by an American author, (please have someone from England edit it) Americanisms scattered throughout were annoying and much of the dialog would not have been said by an English person during that time.

Things You Won't Say by Sarah Pekkanen

 Things you Won't say is the story of a family whose life unravels when, following the injury of his police partner, Mike shoots a young offender. He later finds out the young boy was not a danger. Sarah Pekkanen weaves in numerous relationships including Mike's wife, Jamie, her younger sister Lou and Mike ex-girlfriend. All are trying to decide whether to stick together or distance themselves from everything that is coming unraveled.

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

 

The Frozen River  is inspired by the diary of Martha Ballard, an 18th century midwife who is thought to have delivered nearly 1,000 babies. Her great niece, Clara Barton, founded the Red Cross.

Ariel Lawhon weaves an intriguing story around the diary entries and gives a view of life in the small town of Hallowell.

The story begins in Maine during the winter of 1789 when the Kennebec River froze, entombing a man's body. Later, a woman accuses the dead man and one of the town's most respected gentleman of rape. Martha is soon wrapped up in court trials along with her duties as a local midwife. Her diary becomes instrumental in showing local events and timelines.

Hallowell, Maine History

 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

 I remember seeing the movie A Tree Grows in Brooklyn as a child. The book, as often is the case, is by far a more amazing story. Betty Smith's descriptions enlighten all the senses and Francie Nolan delights with her view of Brooklyn beginning in 1912. She also shows the women in the immigrant families as the ones who hold everything together, work hard, and provide for their families. Despite the poverty and struggles, Francie finds so much to be grateful for and although her father is not very reliable, he is a dreamer who finds a way for Francie to go to a better school and delights his children with his singing and his stories. 

"They lived mostly on things made from stale bread, and condensed milk and coffee, onion, potatoes, and always the penny's worth of something bought at the last minute, added for fillip. Once in a while, they had a banana. But Francie always longed for oranges and pineapple and especially tangerines which she got only at Christmas."

This is my first book of 2025 to go on my favorite books list.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

 

Although I've watched many Jane Austen movie adaptations, this is the first Jane Austen novel I have read. I was looking for something lighthearted to read during the Christmas season, and Northanger Abbey fit the bill with all the intrigue and Regency propriety Ms. Austen is known for. 

The Gutenberg Project has many public domain books that can be downloaded free of charge and it is worth taking a look at what is available.

The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman

 I first came across Richard Osman in a Good Morning Britain interview and was intrigued with his Thursday Murder Club Mysteries. The Bullet that Missed is the third book in the series and the Thursday Murder Club crew: Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim come across a decade old cold case with all the intrigue they love to solve. Richard Osman writes with the English humor and sarcastic wit he is known for and is a delight to those of us on both sides of The Pond.

Sam Walton Biography by Vance H. Trimble

 Sam Walton, the founder of Wal Mart, was once America's Richest Man but this title didn't come easily. He worked hard, took chances, and was a strategic businessman from humble beginnings. He was fortunate that his wife was patient and went along with his ideas.

One thing I took away from his story is that a goal and hard work are what is needed for success. A dream is simply waiting for something to happen.

The biography, although not authorized by Sam Walton, was nevertheless well researched and many of those who knew Sam Walton were interviewed.

Favorite Reads of 2024

 Below are my favorite reads (in no particular order) of 2024

Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn

The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult

 Jodi Picoult does an amazing job at showing a situation from different points of view and Perfect Match is no exception. In any story that involves a child harmed, this story tugs at the heart.

From the cover:

In the course of her everyday work, career-driven assistant district attorney Nina Frost prosecutes child molesters and works determinedly to ensure that a legal system with too many loopholes keeps these criminals behind bars. But when her own five-year-old son is traumatized by a sexual assault, Nin and her husband are shattered, ripped apart by an enraging sense of helplessness . . . Nina hurtles toward a plan to exact her own justice for her son - no matter the consequence.

Sycamore Row by John Grisham

 Sycamore Row is a follow up to John Grisham's A Time to Kill with many of the same characters. The town of Clanton is shocked when a well known wealthy landowner, Seth Hubbard, is discovered hanged from a tree. Before his death, he writes a holographic (handwritten) will and mails a letter to attorney, Jake Brigance, letting him know that he wishes to disinherit his children and leave a hefty sum to his housekeeper.

Puzzled by Seth's final thoughts, a will contest ensues which devolves many surprises and conflicts in true Grisham style.

Leave plenty of time to read the last few chapters because it will be difficult to put the novel down once all the secrets start unravelling.

Together Alone by Barbara Delinsky

 Together Alone by Barbara Delinsky reminded me a little of the Desperate Housewives television series. Kay, Emily and Celeste are finding their way after their children leave for college. Each has their own struggles with marriage or in Celeste's case, singleness. Interwoven into the affairs is a mystery of over a decade when Emily's son had been abducted. 

The House of Dudley by Joanne Paul

 

The Dudley family's successes and misfortunes seemed to depend on the whims of the Tudor Kings and Queen during tumultuous times. Both Queen Elizabeth and the last male member of the Dudley family died without descendants. Robert Dudley is best known for his romance with Queen Elizabeth which never resulted in the marriage he had hoped for. 

Robert's younger brother, Guildford Dudley, came to a dramatic end after marrying Lady Jane Grey who became queen of England for a mere nine days following a rebellion by her father to crown his daughter.  She was consequently unthroned by Henry VIII 's daughter, Mary. Both Guildford and Lady Jane were beheaded at the Tower of London.

Joanne Paul has many interesting historical videos on You Tube.

One Summer by David Baldacci

 I usually like David Baldacci's novels but I found the beginning of One Summer to not be realistic regarding the medical diagnosis and miraculous recovery.

From the cover:

There is no joy in the house of terminally ill Jack and his family. With only a short time left to live, he spends his last days preparing to say goodbye to his devoted wife, Lizzie . . .

He reunites everyone at Lizzie's childhood home on the oceanfront of South Carolina. And there, over one unforgettable summer, Jack and his children learn to become a family once more.

Sooley by John Grisham

 

Sooley is a little different from the novels John Grisham usually writes and is based on U.S. college basketball. In particular, recruiting from other countries. 

At 17 Sooley, who has been playing basketball for as long as he can remember, is plucked from the dusty and uneven "basketball courts" of South Sudan and given an opportunity to play for a U.S. college team. After he leaves his home village with the civil war raging around them, he lands in North Carolina and with the help of his coaches tries to concentrate on his game. But shortly after he leaves, rebels descend on the village,  killing the men, taking young women and leaving mothers and children to wander until they find a refugee camp.

Sooley has more than one reason to become an outstanding player, his quest for citizenship could be the only hope his family has to move from their destitute situation. 

My thoughts:

Thomas Sowell has written about the African problems for many years. Rivers that were difficult to navigate (restricting trade), civil wars and bad/power driven leadership have plagued African countries long after colonialism.

In Sooley, it shows the devastation on one family from rebel groups. Families that are hardly managing on a daily basis are dealing with their meager belongings and shelter destroyed and travelling miles on dusty roads to find help. Juxtaposed is the wealth and comfort of American families. The book also shows the kindness of those in Sooley's life trying to help him to be successful in a sport he loves and provide a path for his family to leave their squalor.

One thing I have found in immigrants who are genuinely wanting to assimilate and become part of the U.S., they work hard and are often more patriotic than those born here. Unfortunately, like the rebels in the story, there are others who bring with them violence and their desire to force their will on others, while taking advantage of benefits the U.S. has to offer. 

This would make a great book club read.

Well meaning foreign aid doesn't always help those in need. Including money to fund a Chinese opera house!

British taxpayers’ money has been directed to regions of upper-middle-income countries that are wealthier than parts of the United Kingdom, according to a new briefing paper from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

The report, Robin Hood in Reverse, authored by IEA Research Fellow Mark Tovey, reveals that UK foreign aid has been spent in affluent areas of China, Mexico, and Malaysia over the past five years. This includes Ordos in China, with a GDP per capita of £27,500 – on par with Swansea and richer than 69 other regions of the UK.

The U.S. sent funds to United Nations (UNRWA) which has been supporting terror groups.

The Price of Inheritance by Karin Tanabe

 

The Price of Inheritance by Karin Tanabe is focused on the auction industry, specifically Christie's and Sotheby's. Carolyn Everett is Christie's antique furniture specialist but, despite being a rising star, she is fired from the New York office after a scandal involving stolen furniture. She returns to her home town of Newport, Rhode Island and takes a part time position at a local antique store. While out scouting for acquisitions she comes across an artifact which she is puzzled about. Her search for the provenance leads her to a Marine Captain stationed nearby and uncovers more than she bargained for.

My thoughts:

I was intrigued with the story because I once worked for Christie's rival, Sotheby's, in London. Auctions can be exciting and Carolyn had certainly become caught up in the chase of valuable objects. However, I found the story of the bowl that might or might not be an antique and the reasons why it's antiquity was covered up by (spoiler alert) a teacher at a local university and how Carolyn discovered where the bowl was headed to based on her dealings with a furniture collector. And I'm still puzzling over why Caroline gave the pottery teacher the phone number of the teacher's ex boyfriend when Carolyn asked her to call her. That was actually one of the book club questions in the back. None of the story made sense to  me but I did enjoy the descriptions of Newport.

America the Beautiful by Ben Carson

 I'm still  going through the stack of books I purchased at the Friends of the Library book sale a few months ago and America the Beautiful is one of them. There is no doubt that Ben Carson is a patriot. He is grateful for the opportunities afforded to him and a path he was able to follow from poverty to being one of the most renowned neurosurgeons. The book was written at the end of the first Obama term and tackles many subjects such as the pros and cons of capitalism, morality, and health care to name a few. He also talks about how the country is divided which is sadly more so twelve years after the publication of the book. With an election coming up, it is a great book to read and to remind us that voting for or against personalities rather than policies and what the candidate stands for has had grave consequences in the past.

p.194-195

Many recent polls have shown that most Americans believe that we are on the wrong path as a nation. They are discouraged about our future and the future of our children. I say, be  not discouraged, for God is on our side if we really trust him, as is indicated on every coin in your pocket and every bill in your wallet. We must stop being political and start being logical. . .

It is time to set aside political correctness and replace it with the bold values and principles that founded our nation in history. It is time to stop apologizing and to start leading, because the world is desperately in need of fair and ethical leadership.