Library of Souls--Ransom Riggs

Here's another book that I waited on a list for through my library. Again, unusual, but worth it for sure. This is the third and final book in the Miss Peregrine series and all I can say is thank you Ransom Riggs for a satisfying conclusion.

Although this wasn't my favorite of the 3, it is really good and answers all your deepest and darkest questions about the Peculiars. I didn't want it to end, but as a reader I'm happy with how it all wrapped up. This was the only one of the books that I read on an e-reader, which absolutely takes away from the fun and creepiness of the photos, but I loved it anyway.

[Review] A Curious Beginning--Deanna Raybourn

First my rant: Penguin Group denied my request to review this as an ARC. But I love Deanna's books so I got it from my library (after waiting on a list, which I rarely do) and it is absolutely worthy of review here. I still love you Penguin, but you did me wrong!

Now my review: This is the first in a new series set in Victorian England about a young woman named Veronica Speedwell who was orphaned as a child and raised by her two spinster aunts. Despite having to care for her aunts they allowed her significant freedom to travel and pursue her hobby of lepidoptery (studying butterflies). When the last aunt dies, Veronica prepares to start an independent life pursuing her passion, but before she even gets out the door a thug tears apart the aunts’ house and threatens her. Fortunately, a kindly baron shows up just in time, warning her that she is in danger and that he knows things about her past that he will reveal to her in time. He leaves her with his friend Stoker, once a prominent adventurer who is now forced to do taxidermy work for wealthy collectors. When news arrives that the baron has been murdered, Veronica and Stoker set out to solve the mystery of what happened to him and how all of this is tied to her. The revelation of who Veronica truly is and who her father is turns out to be more dangerous than either of them could have ever known.

Veronica is a fresh and interesting character who refuses to conform to societal norms and butts heads with all sorts of people because of her brash nature and independent streak. This is a great start to what I think will be a fun series. I breezed through this book and look forward to reading the next one.

[Review] The New Neighbor--Leah Stewart

This one goes on my list of favorite books I’ve read in 2015. The main characters are elderly Margaret, who lives alone in the Tennessee mountains and Jennifer, a young woman who moves into the house across the lake from Margaret with her young son Milo. Both women have their fair share of secrets, but while Jennifer wants hers left hidden, Margaret will do anything to find out what Jennifer is hiding, even at the risk of exposing the story of her own forbidden love from long ago.

This book has been compared to Zoe Heller's “What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal” and I can see why. Margaret and Jennifer are both liars, but whereas Jennifer appears to be lying to hide her past and keep her son safe, Margaret lies to manipulate and garner sympathy. Both characters are fairly unlikable but the story is engaging and I not only enjoyed it but have been recommending it to people for the last few months. Definitely give this one a try!

Thanks to Touchstone and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.

[Review] Forbidden by Eve Bunting

For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It was a fast read with quirky, creepy characters and a great setting on the Scottish coast. Young Josie is recently orphaned and sent to live with her aunt and uncle. When she arrives she finds that while they are not thrilled to see her they have something in mind for her to do and it involves their secretive livelihood. Fortunately, she befriends a local boy named Eli and his grandmother, and together they provide the only friendly faces amongst a town full of weird and disturbing people. Even the dog is disturbing!

Poor Josie was so naive that I couldn't help but worry about her and hope that she found a way to get away from her horrible aunt and uncle. Unfortunately, the ending made very little sense. It explained some things about Eli and his odd habits and way of dressing, but beyond that it was just strange and almost silly. The afterward by the author is worth reading though, because I doubt most people are aware that the type of activity that Josie's aunt and uncle were engaged in was real and that there are many accounts in history of this very thing occurring along the rocky coastline of Scotland. I can't say anymore without spoiling the story for anyone who has not read it.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley and Clarion in exchange for an honest review.

[Review] These Shallow Graves--Jennifer Donnelly

Historical mystery is a favorite genre of mine, especially those that are set in NYC or London. This one is set in NYC and concerns the mysterious death of Charles Montfort, a partner in a successful, international shipping business. His 17-year old daughter Jo isn’t satisfied with the official conclusion that her father accidentally shot himself while cleaning his gun. Searching for answers she encounters Eddie, a handsome news reporter, who not only agrees to help her but also shows her the gritty realities of life from which she has always been sheltered, first by her father and then by her doting uncle Philip. Jo learns things aren’t always as they seem and finds some unlikely friends along the way, all while trying to maintain the façade of a demure society girl engaged to a boy from one of the city’s wealthiest families.

Overall, the story is good and the characters are enjoyable. The romance between Jo and Eddie is cute if not somewhat predictable. The mystery, however, is obvious from the beginning and Jo remains incredibly naïve nearly until the end. At almost 500 pages, this book is way too long. I skipped around for the last 100 pages or so and was still able to follow what was happening. The conclusion is great though, and absolutely justified sticking with the story, at least for me.

These Shallow Graves will be released in late October by Delacorte Press. Thanks to Delacorte and Netgalley for providing this ARC for review.

[Review] Defending The Dead--Sheila Connolly

I enjoy Sheila Connolly's County Cork mysteries, but this was the first in the Relatively Dead series that I have read. I was intrigued by the Salem witch trials connection and having never been to Salem myself, the descriptions of the town then and now were fun to read. The genealogy research also was interesting and Abby is an easy character to like. The afterward is particularly fascinated where Sheila describes how much of the story and the genealogical connections are true.

I guess because I didn't read the previous books I feel a bit confused about the situation between Ned, Leslie and the children Ned fathered. I should probably go back and read the first two books to understand that relationship and also how Ned and Abby came together. Overall, it was good, just not great. As a mother of a little girl, I found Ned's biological daughter Ellie a bit too mature in her words and actions for a 7-year old, so some scenes with her didn't quite ring true for me. Also, I highly doubt any mother would let the babysitter take her child out all day without asking where they were going. I also kept wondering what the son was doing while Ellie was romping around with Abby and Leslie was at work. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for providing me with this ARC.

[Review] The Dead Assassin--Vaughn Entwistle

Arthur Conan Doyle and his playwright friend Oscar Wilde team up to discover who is behind a bizarre scheme to reanimate corpses of executed prisoners and instruct them to kill key members of the British government. All the while a menacing fog hangs over London. Wilde is hilarious, and I must admit that despite years of English lit courses I never knew he was married with two children. I didn't love Conan Doyle bringing his soon-to-be mistress into his home with his wife and children, but I know he did carry on an affair with her while Touie was dying.

All in all I think Entwistle does a nice job of bringing Oscar and Arthur to life in a new and unique way. In the course of their adventures they tussle with a strange toymaker and the menacingly flamboyant Marquess Rufus DeVayne, who rides in a yellow carriage pulled by zebras. Despite the light banter between Arthur and Oscar the overall feeling of the book is quite dark, particularly the first half, and the duo barely escape with their lives. The Marquess is truly a disgusting character and unfortunately it seems the sleuths, and Queen Victoria herself, haven't seen the last of him.

Thanks to St. Martin's and Netgalley for this ARC.