2026 Reviews – Rosepoint Publishing

The Rector’s Daughter by Jean Grainger #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

The Dunmara Series – Book 2

in Historical Irish Fiction

Book Blurb:

Yorkshire, England / County Clare, Ireland, 1918

Billy DeVere has spent his boyhood in the shadow of expectation — the heir his aristocratic father needs him to be. Then the Great War claims his father and both his brothers, and the life mapped out for him simply vanishes. In its place comes something unexpected: freedom. As Billy comes of age, he dares to imagine his own future — and the path he chooses will leave its mark on Dunmara for generations to come.

Dunmara, County Clare, Ireland

Orla Daly is still finding her footing. Her marriage is over, her children’s lives are unsettled, and the career she’s building feels as precarious as it is exciting. But Dunmara — the house that was the backdrop to her whole life — has revealed a connection she never expected, and she can’t turn away from it now. When she discovers an extraordinary painting hidden within its walls, Orla is pulled into a mystery a century old, and begins to understand that saving this house may be bound up with finding herself.

Two lives, a century apart, held together by one enduring house. As Orla follows the trail the painting has left her, Dunmara slowly gives up another of its secrets.

The Rector’s Daughter is the second novel in the Dunmara Story.

My Review:

The saga includes Orla, a champion of the historic Dunmara House, ring fort and tower in Ireland, as well as several of the characters introduced in installment #1, If Walls Could Talk. There is Safira and Professor O’Reilly also heavily involved in the fight for the preservation of the historic grounds and Jeannie who has personal history with the Dunmara House and her grandson, Chase, among the main characters.

Characteristic of the author’s complex storytelling, there is a solid litany of characters from both this and the split timeline that reverts to the time of the War of Irish Independence, including local British individuals watching the unfolding of the escalating tension sure to lead to an all-out conflict.

There are individuals whose alliances appear questionable as the plot begins a tight weave into conflict politics and the escalating brutality perpetrated on both sides. There is mounting suspicion throughout by unreliable perspectives. Fighting and skirmishes are not wholly inflicted on the military and everyone lives on eggshells waiting for the next shoe to drop.

The main characters are fully fleshed as are many of the support characters whose development heaps additional tension on the present-day plot involving the preservation of the historic building and grounds. I greatly enjoyed the detailed description of the application of historical paints on the paintings, techniques, color origins, and hidden messages within the art. Also, as always, I greatly enjoy the basis of words we use today and are familiar with as well as Celtic lore.

The pace begins rather fast then slows well into half of the narrative which left me easily distracted by continued contemporary arguments. There are times when I have to remind myself of the context of a specific (support) character. Otherwise, the plot gently leads the reader into a hook for the next installment.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Historical Irish Fiction, Historical British & Irish Literature, Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction
Publication Date: June 30, 2026

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Jean Grainger is a USA Today bestselling author with over 100,000 5* reviews of historical and contemporary Irish fiction. She is acclaimed for her authentic portrayal of Irish life and history. Born in Cork, she draws from her experience as a history lecturer, teacher, and tour guide to craft characters that feel like friends, and sometimes foes. Grainger’s works span multiple series and standalone novels, covering significant periods in recent Irish history, but told from the perspective of families, the humans behind the headlines. Her stories often intertwine historical events with personal journeys, exploring themes of family, friendship, and human resilience. Grainger’s writing style, characterized by its warmth and authenticity, has earned her comparisons to renowned Irish authors like Maeve Binchy. Her dedication to research and character development has resulted in a loyal readership who feel deeply connected to her stories and characters.

I appreciate you!

Captain Hope and The Battle of Attu by Neil Perry Gordon – #BookReview #MilitaryHistoricalFiction #NetGalley

The Alaskan Adventures of Percy Hope

Book Blurb:

At the edge of the world, where the North Pacific collides with the Aleutian Islands, one of the least remembered—and most brutal—battles of the Second World War unfolded.

Captain Hope & The Battle of Attu, the fifth installment in The Alaskan Adventures of Percy Hope series, brings readers into the frozen fog of the Aleutian campaign through the eyes of a father and son drawn into the same war.

When Percy Hope, a seasoned journalist and Alaskan pioneer, receives a telegram informing him that his son Walter has been deployed to the remote island of Attu, he refuses to remain a distant observer. Securing a place as a war correspondent, Percy travels west into the harshest battlefield imaginable—where wind, ice, and volcanic rock are as deadly as the enemy.

Captain Walter Hope, now leading American soldiers in one of the most unforgiving environments on earth, must guide his men through terrain designed for ambush and survival measured in seconds. On Attu, there are no clear front lines—only fog-covered ridges, frozen ground, and an enemy determined to fight to the last man.

As Percy witnesses the invasion firsthand, father and son move through the same battlefield from different directions—one documenting history, the other shaping it. Between them lies a legacy carried through generations: resilience, leadership, and the quiet weight of hope itself.

Blending meticulously researched history with vivid storytelling, this novel captures the human experience of war in a place where nature and combat merge into a single relentless force.

Captain Hope & The Battle of Attu is a story of endurance, sacrifice, and the bond between father and son—set against one of the most overlooked battles of World War II, where courage was measured not by glory, but by the simple act of continuing forward into the storm.

His Review:

The Aleutian Island chain stretches across the north Pacific Ocean to within sight of the Russian Coastline. The Japanese figured out that the islands’ remote location and nearly zero population made it a perfect location for covert listening posts. The Japanese army took extensive measures to insure that their base was well fortified and entrenched.

Attu Island is a jagged island of volcanic rock and ash often shrouded in fog and icy mist. Retaking this position was not going to be easy. At times men walking on this forbidding landscape could not see someone five feet in front of them. The surface was ash and sand with sharp edges of solid magma poised to destroy the equipment utilized by the unwary.

The Japanese are a proud people with the attitude of the offspring of the proud Samari warriors. They were not going to be removed easily. However, the United States could simply not have that listening post on U.S. territory. Author Neil Perry Gordon paints a horrible picture of the sacrifice and courage it took to wrestle this island back from Japanese hands. The unforgiving landscape and conditions are abysmal and creates an extreme atmospheric picture.

C E Williams The author recreates the dynamic and nail-biting struggle fought in deplorable and often times blinding conditions. Perfect for fans of US military war fiction. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this ebook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Military Historical Fiction, War Fiction, US Historical Fiction
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble

The Author: Neil Perry Gordon approaches storytelling as more than a craft—it is both his passion and his calling, a way to explore the extraordinary and render it vividly real. Through his work, he seamlessly intertwines history, metaphysics, and speculative inquiry, creating immersive narratives that reveal hidden truths and resonate deeply on a human level.

The author of eighteen novels, Neil is best known for his acclaimed The Alaskan Adventures of Percy Hope series, including The Wizard of Hope and his latest installment, Captain Hope and The Battle of Attu. In that powerful work, he brings readers into the stark, unforgiving landscape of World War II’s Aleutian campaign, where courage, sacrifice, and destiny converge at the edge of the known world.

With his newest novel, The Lemurians: A New Testament for the Soul, Neil expands his literary reach into bold new territory—exploring the origins of consciousness, the continuity of the soul, and humanity’s forgotten past. Blending narrative storytelling with philosophical depth, the novel challenges conventional ideas of identity, memory, and creation, inviting readers into a story that feels as much remembered as it is imagined.

Neil’s writing bridges historical fiction and metaphysical exploration, grounded in meticulous research yet elevated by a visionary imagination. His stories do more than recount events—they reawaken them, drawing readers into moments where history and mystery converge.

At the heart of his work is a deep belief in the power of narrative to connect, transform, and illuminate. His novels unfold as rich tapestries where myth, memory, and “what if” possibilities intertwine, opening doors to alternate realities and deeper dimensions of human existence.

For Neil, writing is an act of discovery. Each book becomes a living canvas where the seen and unseen, the temporal and the eternal, meet. His prose carries both intellectual depth and emotional clarity, offering stories that are as thought-provoking as they are deeply felt.

Whether exploring the nature of consciousness, uncovering hidden forces shaping history, or tracing the invisible threads that bind past and present, Neil’s work invites readers to see the world—and themselves—with fresh eyes.

Relax, it's Sunday

Abigail Trench: A Novel of Washington’s Spy Ring #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

Abigail Trench by Randy Overbeck

A buddy read with the CE. His review below.

Book Blurb:

A vivid, propulsive Revolutionary-era thriller with the spy-craft verve of the streaming hit TURN: Washington’s Spies and the electricity of 1776’s New York that Hamilton lovers will recognize, this story is inspired by the lone female operative in Washington’s spy ring.
In occupied New York, a schoolteacher with everything to lose turns information into a weapon, threading between Redcoats and rebels as plots against Washington gather steam.
After rogue Redcoats assault her and strip her family’s Long Island farm, Abigail Trench fights to survive in New York City—tutoring in a high-ranking British officer’s Water Street household by day, navigating taverns, informants, and soldiers by night. Through Abigail’s keen eyes—and a counter-narrative following a principled British major—the novel renders the moral gray zones of occupation with gritty intimacy. As rumors swirl of a strike at General Washington, Abigail’s vantage inside upper-crust parlors and rough waterfront rooms makes her an ideal courier—and a target.
This historical thriller delivers high tension, textured world-building, and a captivating heroine who put it all on the line for freedom.

My Review:

I always enjoy reading historical fiction, especially those stories using real events and persons. This book is very timely and focuses on the historical Culper Ring and Robert Townsend, one of the main support characters, aka Samuel Culper Jr., or Agent 723.

The protagonist is a young teacher from London seeking employment in New York after she and her father moved there from Long Island. Serendipity had a hand in introducing her to a British officer’s family with two small children seeking a tutor. She meets Molly and Jamie at a hanging. Molly is the antithesis to the Major’s wife and provides great street credibility along with descriptive scenes of 1776 New York City.

Abigail has ample reason to dislike the British but manages to plaster on her “teacher’s smile” when around the officers, conferring with the Major while she is tutoring the children in another room of his mansion. It’s the perfect setup to overhear British plans for war. It’s difficult to play the cloying female around the arrogant British officers, but in the role she accepts—nay—forces upon Robert Townsend, she steps into the treacherous world of espionage as Agent 355.

I love the way Abigail faces the fear, forces herself to calm, then dissolves when it’s safe. This is not a role to be taken lightly and is fraught with danger, intrigue, and suspense.

While Molly and Jamie school her on keeping arms’ length from the soldiers, Robert is heavy on spy craft instruction, and their closeness fosters a romance. He is brilliant in his work, creating a perfect cover while setting up a system of codes and a network of carefully curated contacts.

Depiction of the cruelty and the terror of the people quietly builds throughout the novel, manifesting a quiet tension. Townsend was never caught and, indeed so careful in his position that his name was only linked to the spy ring in 1930. That he might have had a lover who passed him major sources of information is neatly woven into the narrative as the tutor who may have shared vital information. She is portrayed very believably as an eighteenth-century teacher/tutor, strong, principled, but with proper feminine frailty.

I enjoyed the storyline and the recognizable events, familiar and historical facts, and that Agent 355 was a woman—this could have been her—why not? Still, I had a little problem with the romance and the epilogue.

I read Crimson at Cape May, Book 2 of the Haunted Shores Mysteries in September 2020 and greatly enjoyed that ghost mystery. This historical fiction is somewhat of a departure from those books.

My Rating: Four point Five Stars

His Review:

Before the Revolutionary War, the people in “The Colonies” were simply subjects of the King of England. Many had come from London to escape the cold, rainy weather and the diseases that were a constant part of life in England. They had come to escape poverty and fulfill the dream of a better life. The “Red Coats” were their own countrymen working to maintain order.

Their entire life changed after the “Declaration of Independence.” Didn’t the colonials understand that they enjoyed all of the benefits of British rule including the “Red Coats” to protect them? The climate changed as George Washington trained an army that chose to fight those British soldiers and the Red Coats were very angry that they were not shown the respect that they felt was due them.

Revolutionaries were gathered and hanged including Nathan Hale. He exclaimed as they put the rope around his neck on the gallows, “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” Abigale watched in angry silence as he died thrashing at the end of that rope and her first love was gone. The crowd was disbursed.

Most of the people were first-generation Americans or recently arrived people looking for a better living in the “New World.” General Washington had the army of revolutionaries who felt that all of the taxes required of them were going to England without any benefit provided to improve this country. The revolution, which began as a protest, devolved into a fight for freedom from the soldiers who abused them, burned their homes, and conscripted many to military service.

Reading this book will enlighten the reader as to why the war was necessary. Similar to the French Revolution, the people required recognition for their struggle and the thankless taxes sent to the King. A new perspective of the Revolutionary War! 5 stars – CE Williams

Last year, I read Red Shadows at Saugatuck, Book 4 of the Haunted Shores Mystery (a paranormal fantasy), and greatly enjoyed it as well.

His Rating: Five Stars

Many thanks to the author for providing us with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is our own.

Book Details:

Genre: Espionage Thrillers, Historical Thrillers
ASIN: B0G95HW2PN
Print Length: 374 pages
Publication Date: June 9, 2026
Source: Author

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, bestselling author, popular podcaster and speaker in much demand. After serving children for almost four decades as teacher, college prof and school leader, he used those experiences and skills to craft captivating mysteries, thrillers and historical suspense. His novels have earned more than a dozen national awards including Thriller of the Year, Best Book Award, the Gold Award and Mystery of the Year. His titles also have garnered hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and BookBub.

His newest novel, ABIGAIL TRENCH, a historical suspense about the Revolutionary War, is released June, 2026 by Diversion Books and distributed by Simon and Schuster.

Dr. Overbeck is also the host of the popular podcast, Great Stories about Great Storytellers, which reveals the little known backstories of famous authors, directors and poets and ranks among the top 50% of all podcasts in the US. When he is not writing or podcasting, he is in much demand as a speaker, sharing informative and entertaining programs to more than 300 groups all over the country.

Five Stars!

Mayhem in the Mountains by Jane Loeb Rubin #BookReview #historicalfiction

A Gilded City Series Book 4

Book Blurb:

1924 in the Catskills sizzled with chaos. The region’s turbulent history during that era could easily have erased any trace of the Borscht Belt’s grand hotels. Prohibition fueled bootleggers and whiskey stills—Dutch Schultz ran an underground distillery in nearby Ulster County. Meanwhile, the Ku Klux Klan stormed north after WWI, targeting new immigrants they viewed as threats to the American way of life. Amid the turmoil, the Isaacson family stood their ground, fiercely defending their land, livelihoods, and each other.

My Review:

As if WWI wasn’t hard enough, the 20s and 30s were fraught with poor laws, the American way of life was changing radically, prohibition fueled mobsters and bootleggers, and the return of soldiers were looking for a gentle return to society amid flooded employment.

Deep in the heart of the Catskill Mountains of New York, chaos reigned supreme and gave rise to the influx of the Ku Klux Klan looking to target the mass of immigrants fleeing massive destruction of Europe.

It was the Isaacson family who put down roots, determined to make a go of their little farm, defend the land, and watch each other’s backs. The Jews moved their chickens out of Harlem, but Papa managed to supplement their meager income with his side hussle—the best whiskey east of the Mississippi.

But, it would appear, he’s not the only one vying for that distinction. Still, when Dutch Schultz needs a way to hide and move his inventory, he’s discovered the perfect way to do so.

The Isaacson family has stayed tight and careful and it’s discovered that it’s the youngest, a girl, not the sons, who show the greatest propensity for carrying on the fine family recipe. She’s even discovered how to make it her own and has become quite popular among the population. Still, as careful as they are, the revenuers find their hidey-hole and a shoot out does not go well for Papa.

I loved the relationship between Ella and her Papa; there is genuine affection. The other children all have their separate interests, but it’s Ella who is the obvious heir apparent. Smart, brazen, she can work out transport details and negotiate well with Dutch. Each of the main characters gets their own chapters, so they are well developed and easy to engage.

There were several passages, however, that lagged the dynamic storytelling and slowed the tension building a bit. I suspected a fox in the hen house from the beginning, however, and the twist following a strong climax was not wholly unsuspected.

Yes, there is the romance circling the main plot, but then that is no mystery. The narrative turns atmospheric, highlights medical practices back then, and manages a strong and satisfying finish. If you enjoy historical fiction, or learning about the distillation of spirits, and the migration of the KKK north, this will be of interest.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Jewish Literature, Jewish Literature & Fiction, Women’s Crime Fiction
Publisher: Level Best Books – Historia
Publication Date: June 9, 2026 – Happy Release Day!

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: A cancer diagnosis unveiling a genetic defect, together with a lifelong fascination with the history of medicine, propelled Jane Loeb Rubin to put pen to paper. In 2009, Jane, then a healthcare executive, first poured her energy into raising research dollars for ovarian cancer while learning more about her familial roots. Her research led her to Mathilda (Tillie), her great-grandmother, who arrived in New York City in 1866 at sixteen, married a man twelve years her senior, and later died of ‘a woman’s disease.’ Then, the trail ran cold. With limited facts, she was determined to give Tillie an exciting fictional life of her own. Jane was left imagining Tillie’s life, her fight with terminal disease, and the circumstances surrounding her death.

Her research of the history of New York City, its ultra-conservative reproductive laws, and the state of medicine during that era has culminated in a suspenseful, fast-paced, award-winning three-book historical series. Her engaging characters are confronted with the shifting role of midwives, the dangers of pregnancy, the infamous Blackwell’s Workhouse, and the perilous road to financial success. In the Hands of Women, 5/23 (Level Best Books) and its prequel, Threadbare, 5/24 (Level Best Books), have been enjoyed by fans of historical fiction. Over There, the third in the trilogy (6/25 Level Best Books), will transport members of the Isaacson family into the hospitals of France in World War 1, challenging the family values they dearly cherish.

Jane’s other publications include an essay memoir, Almost a Princess, My Life as a Two-Time Cancer Survivor (2009 Next Generation – Finalist), and multiple magazine articles. She writes a monthly blog, Musings, reflecting on her post-healthcare career experiences and writing journey.

Jane lives with her husband, David, an attorney, in Northern New Jersey. Between them, they have five adult children and seven grandchildren.

#TuesdayBookBlog

Christopher Hawkins and His Daring Escapes: A Revolutionary War Novel by Jeanne Brownlee Becijos #BookReview #historicalfiction

Rosepoint Publishing: Five Stars

Book Blurb:

An amazing true story of a young sailor during the American Revolution
**For readers of all ages
The Revolutionary War is raging, and 12-year-old Christopher Hawkins runs away to follow his dream of being a sailor and a patriot. During his first sea adventure, the British capture his ship. Quick-witted Christopher escapes at his first opportunity.

At 17, Christopher joins another American privateer ship but is soon captured by the British. This time, he is delivered to the notorious British ship HMS Jersey, the war’s deadliest prison. Armed with only courage, cunning, and a sense of humor, Christopher Hawkins will face death unless he can escape from his British captors twice more.

His Review:

The picture of George Washington crossing the Delaware River to win our freedom sticks in most people’s minds. This tale is quite different but nevertheless very informative. The “Red Coats” were a brutal contingent of soldiers who held no sympathy for the American Colonists! Our forefathers were, after all, rebelling from the true monarch.

Christopher Hawkins and His Daring Escapes — Christopher Hawkins – UK cover

Christopher Hawkins is a young man intent upon helping the cause of freedom. He is young and idealistic. Indentured servants were common and he was sold by his father to help in a tannery. He hated the job and the smells and got word that those sailing on ships could expect to share in goods captured on the high seas. His problem was that the British ships were larger, better manned and the end result was capture and imprisonment.

Young Hawkins is able to escape the prison ship and tries to get back to his home in Rhode Island. The journey is a very long and dangerous journey on foot. There are families who give him shelter and food as he travels.

Ultimately, he is captured and returned in chains to a ship off the coast. The ship, however, is badly over-populated and in the melee, he slips overboard and swims to land. He travels at night and hides during the day. Without a light to guide his way, his travels are fraught with danger.

His memories are very enlightening and entertaining. They have given me an entirely new perspective on the Revolutionary War. Enjoy! 5 stars – CE Williams

Geared for the younger crowd, this is also informative for adults. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

Book Details:

Genre: US Revolution & Founding History
Publication Date: July 24, 2023
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: As a fan of family history, Jeanne Brownlee Becijos has enjoyed digging into the story of her ancestor Christopher Hawkins and traveling to New York, Long Island, Connecticut and Rhode Island to explore the roads Christopher traveled during his escapes. Jeanne has taught K-12 and college students and has written educational textbooks and award-winning plays. She lives in San Diego with her husband.

To learn more about Christopher Hawkins and his world, visit Jeanne’s website http://jeanne.becijos.com

Happiness is a reading buddy — AI generated graphic courtesy Gemini

Mad Mabel: A Novel by Sally Hepworth #AudiobookReview – Dark Humor Literature & Fiction

in Dark Humor Literature and Fiction

Rosepoint Publishing: Five Stars

Book Blurb:

Meet Mad Mabel.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one years old. She’s lived on her idyllic street, Kenny Lane, for sixty years–longer than anyone else. Aside from being a curmudgeon who minds everyone else’s business, few would suspect that Elsie has a past that she has worked exceedingly hard at concealing. Because when it comes to murder, no one ever suspects little girls or old ladies. And Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, once a little girl and now an old lady, has a strange history of people in her life coming to a foul end.

When a new little girl (talkative, curious, nosy) moves into the neighborhood and stops at nothing to befriend Elsie, her carefully-constructed life threatens to come crashing down as the secrets in Elsie’s past start coming to light. Who was “Mad Mabel” fifty years ago? Who is Elsie Fitzpatrick today? And if the past has a habit of repeating itself, who has the most to lose?

Told with Sally Hepworth’s twists, humor, charm, and heart, MAD MABEL is novel that weaves past and present together–through the power of justice and redemption, and all the way to its stunning conclusion.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press

My Review:

Oh I have greatly enjoyed this author previously in deeply suspenseful literary novels, the last one being Darling Girls. The lady can write. This one doesn’t carry that tension-filled nail-biting thriller genre quite like that one, but nonetheless, was unique and quite entertaining.

Yes, once again, a protagonist near my age—I loved it! And of course I was listening to the audiobook and expected to hear that querulous voice so often attributed to an octogenarian, but, thank you, while just a little sharp, it merely reflects the woman’s no-nonsense personality. She’s had it tough and the book will explain why. But not right away.

I loved Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick. She’s a great main character and oozes personality. It’s one of those tough hide, soft heart things and it almost immediately bumps up against the latter when seven-year-old Persephone moves into the neighborhood with her single and struggling mother, Roxanne.

Persephone drove me nuts and for awhile, I had the same go away reaction to her as did Mabel. Long after I was ready to kick Persephone to the curb, Mabel was grudgingly beginning to hide obvious tender feelings for the poor thing, needy and lonely as she was.

In the meantime, Mabel discovered her neighbor in his little home…dead. This will not go well with her history and as there was a bit of antagonism between the two, it won’t take long for that bit to be discovered. Mabel’s background includes a murder conviction when she was fifteen. Even in her old Australian neighborhood, will she never be able to outrun that history?

The author does a fine job of weaving dual timelines with little twists that tease the imagination and beg the question—was Elsie the unfortunate child of deadly circumstances, bad timing, questionable coincidences and circumstantial evidence? Can anyone have this much bad luck? Is she, after all, innocent?

I enjoyed the sense of humor, the dialogue, and the build of empathy for Elsie…and the kid, as well as the contradictions in how her neighbors perceived her. No one believed this. She took in the victim’s dog? She didn’t like that dog. This is some great storytelling and the twists at the end truly caught me by surprise. Loved it. Yeah, I’ve got to recommend this one to my book club.

Recommended for anyone who enjoys a good satirical plot that will keep you flipping pages and forgetting the main character’s age. As my good motobuddy used to say, “age is just a number.”

Many thanks to Lynne at Fictionophile for her recommendation and to my local library for providing me with the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Book Details:

Genre: Dark Humor Literature & Fiction, Domestic Thrillers, Dark Humor
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrator: Hannah Fredericksen, Jenny Seedsman
Release Date: April 21, 2026

Title Links:

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Sally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including The Good Sister and The Soulmate. Her latest novel, Darling Girls, was released in Australia in September 2023, and will be released in North America in April 2024.

Drawing on the good, the bad and the downright odd of human behaviour, Sally writes incisively about family, relationships and identity. Her domestic thriller novels are laced with quirky humour, sass and a darkly charming tone. They are available worldwide in English and have been translated into twenty languages.

Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her three children and one adorable dog. She has recently taken up ocean swimming (or to put it more accurately, ocean dipping).

5 stars

The Caretaker: A Novel by Marcus Kliewer – #BookReview #GhostThrillers

in Ghost Thrillers

Book Blurb:

Follow the Rites…

Nothing less than the survival of humanity is at stake.

From Marcus Kliewer, a new “titan of the macabre and unsettling” (Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author), comes an eerie supernatural horror about a young woman who accepts a caretaking job from Craigslist, only to discover the position has consequences far greater—and more dangerous—than she ever could have imagined.

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY:
Caretaker urgently needed. Three days of work. Competitive pay. Serious applicants ONLY.

Macy Mullins can’t say why the job posting grabbed her attention—it had the pull of a fisherman’s lure, barbed hook and all—vaguely ominous. But after an endless string of failed job interviews, she’s not exactly in the position to be picky. She has rent to pay, groceries to buy, and a younger sister to provide for.

Besides, it’s only three days’ work…

Three days, cooped up in a stranger’s house, surrounded by Oregon Coast wilderness.

What starts as a peculiar side gig soon becomes a waking nightmare. An incomprehensible evil may dwell on this property—and Macy Mullins might just be the only thing standing between it, and the rest of humanity.

Follow the Rites…

His Review:

Macy is a hungry young woman helping to support and put her little sister through school. And just in time, an ad appears for a very nice salary just for watching an old mansion for a few days. What could be more attractive? Yes, the mansion has a bad reputation and its owner is old and very eccentric, but she is close to losing the apartment they share and food is extremely scarce. She jumps at the chance despite her little sister’s badgering.

Things happen at the mansion that defy logic. Doors close, cold air comes out of nowhere and lights go on and off without explanation. Her instructions are to lock up at night and allow no one in, no matter what the situation. The property is multiple floors and she decides to stop at the top and work her way down. However, after turning off the lights on the upper floors and working her way down, strange noises and lights coming back on just after being shut off are becoming the norm. She begins to think there are strange forces at work here. But she and her sister desperately need the money to avoid eviction!

C E Williams This is a very well-written spooky story which gradually deepens in a mysterious way. It becomes a story very hard to set down. Read, enjoy and wonder! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to the local library for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this ebook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Ghost Thrillers, Horror Literature & Fiction, Suspense Thrillers
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books/12:01 Books
Publication Date: April 21, 2026
Source: Local library

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Marcus Kliewer - author — Photo courtesy Goodreads

The Author: Marcus Kliewer is a writer and stop-motion animator. His debut novel We Used to Live Here began life as a serialized short story on Reddit, where it won the Scariest Story of 2021 award on the NoSleep forum. Film rights were snapped up by Netflix, and it was acquired by Simon & Schuster for publication even before it had been extended into a full-length novel. He lives in Vancouver, Canada.

Follow him on Instagram @marcus_kliewer for exclusive book updates / writing things / stop motion animation & a lot of pet videos. [Goodreads]

Find Marcus at:

Website
https://www.instagram.com/marcus_kliewer/

Genre
Thriller, Paranormal, Horror

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown #AudiobookReview #ThrowbackThursday

Editors’ Pick Best Books of the Year 2011

Book Blurb:

The beloved New York Times bestseller from acclaimed author Eleanor Brown about three sisters who love each other, but just don’t happen to like each other very much.

Three sisters have returned to their childhood home, reuniting the eccentric Andreas family. Here, books are a passion (there is no problem a library card can’t solve) and TV is something other people watch. Their father—a professor of Shakespeare who speaks almost exclusively in verse—named them after the Bard’s heroines. It’s a lot to live up to.

The sisters each have a hard time communicating with their parents and their lovers, but especially with one another. What can the shy homebody eldest sister, the fast-living middle child, and the bohemian youngest sibling have in common? Only that none has found life to be what was expected; and now, faced with their parents’ frailty and their own personal disappointments, not even a book can solve what ails them…

My Review:

OMG! A book club book and I missed the meeting! I’ll never know if I’m the only one who found the book dull as gray paint! Surely, there must have been some kind of consensus on the characters (or lack thereof) and the plot (so trope).

A storyline quickly recognized by anyone who ever had a sibling or read about them, particularly of the feminine variety. Three sisters who couldn’t be more different in looks (were they described?), size, temperament, or intelligence. With a slight spread in ages, a deeper division of experience not only with home life, but all aspects of education as well. Basically, a plot of the difference in the experience of how each saw their position in the family. Their relationships all varied with each other as well as their parents.

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown — The Weird Sisters – UK cover

The father is a well-educated Shakespearean scholar. The younger sisters can’t wait to escape their small Ohio town, the school experience, or the books. Cordelia, the youngest and a wild child pregnant with an unknown donor, is ostensibly back to help with an ailing mother. (Not) Rose, the oldest and the one who thinks it’s up to her to run the household—it’ll positively shrivel up without her control. And Bianca—a middle child as messed up as she can get. Does it even make sense to try?

Nope. I didn’t care for any of them. I did have serious sympathy for the mother, trying to survive cancer, but really for what? She was curious about the grandchild? As it was, the plot plods along, through months, through years. Was it years? Seemed like it. And thank heaven it does end. Everyone finds her happy ever after (maybe I shouldn’t always hope for that), and even the mother survives and the father goes on to continue quoting Shakespeare. I wonder if anyone cared.

The star rating at Amazon is currently 4 of five and at Goodreads 3.37. Once again, I have a difficult time understanding how it was picked as the best book of the year. I think it’s a solid 2 stars, but then again, I admit to getting bored easily and perhaps others saw it as classic family drama. I’ll have to go the extra half star for the fact that it’s been chosen as fodder for book clubs. Including mine. I’m sure sorry I missed that one!

Many thanks to my local library for providing me with the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Two point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Family Life Fiction, Coming of Age Fiction, Literary Fiction
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Narrator: Kirsten Potter
Release Date: January 20, 2011

Title Links:

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Eleanor Brown is the New York Times, national, and international bestselling author of The Weird Sisters, Any Other Family, and The Light of Paris.