#fivestars – Page 3 – Rosepoint Publishing

Body of Evidence by Stephen Penner #BookReview #legalthriller

A Rain City Legal Thriller Book 6

Rosepoint Publishing: Five Stars

Book Blurb:

She was murdered ten years ago. Now she has a story to tell.

Seattle Attorney Daniel Raine is hired by one Jim Carpenter who has been charged with a cold case murder.

A body has been discovered, buried under Carpenter’s business. When the remains are identified as a missing girl who was responsible for the DUI death of his own daughter, he instantly becomes the prime suspect.

It’s a clear case of a grief-stricken father out for revenge.

Believing Carpenter’s vehement protestations of innocence, Raine sets out to find out what really happened on that fateful day ten years ago.

But the case gets increasingly difficult as Raine finds himself battling a power-hungry prosecutor with an eye on higher office.

Even worse, all the witnesses seem to have something to hide, and as he digs for the truth, Raine has to fight through a tangled web of secrets and lies.

A web that will soon turn deadly…

His Review:

Attorney J. Daniel Raine enjoys his role as a Prosecuting Attorney. He is noted for his ruthlessness in getting criminals off the street. They are wards of the courts, usually for their remaining lives. However, he is assigned the task of being a defense attorney trying to keep a lovely mid-thirties defendant out of a life sentence. She is very pretty and is like a lost puppy needing rescuing.

Raine is up against a very seasoned prosecuting attorney who really wants to see him fail at his new role in defense. The judge does not allow him a motion to free him from this task. His attitude is “if I am the defense attorney then she is not guilty!” He finds every loophole possible and ignores evidence that implicates his client.

C E Williams This is a very interesting book and is engaging and interesting. I can thoroughly recommend to any who enjoy a solid legal thriller! 5 stars – CE Williams

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: Legal Thrillers, Murder, Murder Thrillers
Publisher: Inkubator Books
ASIN: B0FB9LNVXQ
Print Length: 295 pages
Publication Date: June 8, 2025
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK

The Author: Stephen Penner is an author, artist, and attorney from Seattle, Washington. He has written more than 30 novels and specializes in courtroom thrillers known for their unexpected twists and candid portrayal of the justice system. He draws on his extensive experience as a criminal trial attorney to infuse his writing with realism and insight.

Stephen is the bestselling author of several top-rated legal thriller series. The RAIN CITY LEGAL THRILLERS deliver the adventures of Seattle attorney Daniel Raine and his unlikely partner Rebecca Sommers. The DAVID BRUNELLE LEGAL THRILLERS feature Seattle homicide D.A. David Brunelle and a recurring cast of cops, defense attorneys, and forensic experts. And the TALON WINTER LEGAL THRILLERS showcase tough-as-nails Tacoma criminal defense attorney Talon Winter and her closest allies. Stephen is also the author of the MAGGIE DEVEREAUX PARANORMAL MYSTERIES, recounting the exploits of an American graduate student in the magical Highlands of Scotland, and several other stand-alone works.

In his spare time, Stephen enjoys painting, drawing, and spending time with his family.

Sunday reading — AI generated graphic courtesy Gemini flash 2.5

Four eBooks, Three Genres – Mini-reviews Dogged Pursuit, Fatal Verdict, Smoke on the Water, What We Left Behind

During the time I took a quick blog sabbatical, we continued to read or, in my case, listen to audiobooks. Woefully behind on reviews, I’m posting shortened versions of some of the novels we enjoyed during the hiatus. (Links on individual covers are to Goodreads.)

His Thoughts:

Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt

Minotaur Books
July 1, 2025

Car bombs are a very hands-off way to kill someone. No looking at the victim or victims, just a simple explosion and the deed is committed. The killer never has to look the victims in the eye. However, there are certain skill sets that are required to use this method of killing.

Ryan Tierney is arrested and placed into prison despite the fact that he was not involved in the crime. Andy Carpenter is hired to defend him. The evidence points to Ryan, including a car with his license plates witnessed at the scene of the crime by two police officers. The case seems open and shut.

David Rosenfelt writes a very entertaining novel with many twists and turns. He has been hired to defend this potential killer and is unfamiliar with the client he is defending. The dialogue is very entertaining between Andy and the various characters in this novel. It harkens back to some of the old Sam Spade novels I read as a teenager. I recommend this book as a fast-moving thriller. 5 stars – CE Williams

Note: This is a prequel to the popular Andy Carpenter mysteries and explains how he came to quit working as a prosecutor and opened his own practice as a defense attorney. It is also an introduction to his connection with Tara (his rescue dog).

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Fatal Verdict by Peter O’Mahoney

Thomas & Mercer
July 1, 2025

Sammy is not the brightest individual in any room, but a stroke of luck makes him an instant five times millionaire. He cannot believe his luck. Friends who had seemed to write him off years ago are suddenly back wanting to spend time with him. A lovely young lady named Haley has confessed undying love. The world is looking very positive for Sammy.

Sammy rewrites his will and five days later Sammy is discovered in the shallows with a bullet in his head. His most recent fling is now a suspect in his murder, but his brother Ken is brought in for questioning. Ken swears that he had nothing to do with the killing but that the money rightfully belongs to him. Sure, Sammy bought the winning lottery ticket but Ken felt that Sammy should never have actually got the proceeds. Ken has worked his whole life and why shouldn’t he have those winnings. Adding insult to injury, Sammy paid off some of Ken’s debts; but would not give Ken any money! Ken is a habitual drug user.

Haley is a beautiful and vivacious thirty something who discovered Sammy’s fortune and immediately latched on to him. A new will had been drafted five days before Sammy’s death and all of the money was left to Haley. Ken is livid and threatens Haley feeling the money was his rightful inheritance! He has a solid alibi.

This story features a prosecuting attorney who has been hired to defend Haley. He puts together a great defense team and the climax is very entertaining. Enjoy! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

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Smoke on the Water by Jack Bartley

Koehler Books
April 15, 2025

One of the ways to pay for college was to join the service during the Vietnam War. Tuition was paid and after graduation, the rank of Ensign was given. However, there was a price to be paid. Usually, sea duty followed graduation after a short introduction to military discipline. Following his graduation, the main character Lieutenant Junior Grade Jason Conley finds himself stationed on a destroyer escort off the coast of South Vietnam.

Support fire for the ground troops was supplied by the USS Everett stationed about one mile off the coast. Flashes from shore were followed by large water spouts which often times marched towards the ships on picket. The Everett only had a five-inch gun which was used to protect their position. The Vietnamese would go onto the sandy shore with the guns mounted on truck beds and try to sink the ship. The pucker factor was extreme.

The description of life in the U.S. Navy during the war is well-developed by this author. The young sailors were usually stationed out of Hawaii and to a much lesser extent Guam. The duty stations were usually for four to six months and life aboard ship was close at best. Naval tradition usually keeps the officers and enlisted men separated. This story tells the relationship between men aboard a smaller ship with fewer men. Jason made friends with a number of enlisted men and this is frowned upon by his superior officers.

The relationships between the crew members are vital to the overall mission and working together breeds comradeship and brotherhood. The story illuminates the problems that some of the crews on smaller ships faced. The antics and relationships with shore-based personnel, particularly nurses, are similar to my experience in the Navy. This book is riveting and well documents the extreme highs and lows of the period. It is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or wishes to become familiar with Naval participation in the early 1970’s. 5 stars – CE Williams

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What We Left Behind by Luisa A Jones

Storm Publishing
May 30, 2025

War is on the horizon and the bombing of London is expected to commence soon. Children are assembled and sent to the country with the anticipated bombing of London close at hand. Many of the parents are poor working class and the feeling is that they are dependent upon the charity of others. The children are torn from their homes and sent miles away to the Welch countryside.

The attitude of the men living in England was one of patriotism or shame that they are not fit for military service. Looked upon as less than manly, their favorite escapism is beating their wives and children. Some of the boys emulate their fathers and treat the girls and their younger brothers and sisters with contempt.

The volunteers who take these children in are burdened with more mouths to feed than anticipated. The shy and withdrawn children are usually picked on by their older siblings and other kids. Letters from home are very important to help the children adapt but they are often misplaced or not sent at all during this tumultuous time.

This story visits the nightmares that were endured by both the caregiving volunteers and the children they were trying to help. The author is very adept at providing a look into this very tumultuous time in history. The story is both heart-wrenching and engaging at the same time. Enjoy! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review these books. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

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Rosepoint Reviews – May Recap – June? Wait, I’m not ready!

Rosepoint Reviews - May Recap

If I thought I could clean up both the house and the yard in two weeks, I was sadly mistaken. Granted, I took on a lot more yard projects than I’d originally intended. (I’m one of those who’d rather work outside than in.) Clean a house, it just needs it again the next day or two. Fix up a veggie, flower bed, or fairy garden and it’s something you can enjoy for…maybe the whole summer?

I got my veggie garden all set, hopefully protected from bunnies, possums, and deer. Right now it’s looking a little rough with bird netting and chicken wire around everything, but give it a month. I’ve been cleaning up and doing some redesign in the fairy garden. Really wanted a little all-weather bench down there, but haven’t seen anything affordable so I decided to “make” a bench from the downed trees.

Trying to install a water barrel for the veggie bed, but can’t find proper fittings. The projects I bestowed on the CE are languishing in their original shipping boxes. Had hoped to have at least the kitchen ceiling fan light up in time for the escalating temps set to hit us next week. So, yes, will need more time, hopefully, to get to the house and those clean-up projects.

Flower bed

And it doesn’t help that we are trying to do the Y three times a week. The classes are only 45 minutes but with travel and then lunch and clean up, it ends up a good portion of the day, not to say that the classes don’t wear us out. Now they’ve added a summer challenge which we are going to try—adding one more class–yoga.

Yeah, I know—gluttons for punishment, huh?!

We did manage eight reviews along with a couple topical posts in May, and I’m mildly surprised it was that many with everything going on. The CE provided two and I managed four audiobooks (one for my new book club at the Y). I enjoyed two new authors and will be looking for more from both Alex Kava and Archer Sullivan. With those names, what are the odds they are women authors? (Apparently pretty good as both are.)

I source our books through the library, NetGalley, and author and publisher requests. As always, the links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase information.

Rosepoint Reviews - May Recap

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay (CE review)
Sincerely, Grace by Jean Grainger
Silent Creed and Reckless Creed by Alex Kava (audiobooks)
Once Upon a River by Bonnie Jo Campbell (bookclubs) (audiobook)
Nightshade by Michael Connelly (CE review)
The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan
One False Move by Alex Kava (audiobook)

Favorite Book of the Month

The five-star review in May goes to Michael Connelly for Nightshade, reviewed by the CE. Hard to beat Connelly and I thoroughly enjoyed the latest in the Knocknashee series by Jean Grainger for her atmospheric and gripping Irish tales.

Favorite for May – Nightshade by Michael Connelly

My Reading Challenges page…having caught up through April, now one month behind.

The Goodreads landing page may be correct at 77 of a goal of 150 or 51%, but the book count widget is still off at 62—worse than before. Right now, I’m too busy and tired to work on that too. Maybe later.

Love my new subscribers! I hope you found a book or two that appealed to you and I always appreciate your comments! Have a warm, but wonderful June!

A little light summer reading.

Graphic courtesy Freepik

Nightshade by Michael Connelly #BookReview #crimethrillers

in Crime Thrillers

Rosepoint Publishing: Five Stars

Book Blurb:

Introducing Detective Stilwell: a cop relentlessly following his mission in the seemingly idyllic setting of Catalina Island.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell has been “exiled” to a low-key post policing rustic Catalina Island, after department politics drove him off a homicide desk on the mainland. But while following up the usual drunk-and-disorderlies and petty thefts that come with his new territory, Detective Stilwell gets a report of a body found weighed down at the bottom of the harbor—a Jane Doe identifiable at first only by a streak of purple dye in her hair. At the same time, a report of poaching on a protected reserve turns into a case fraught with violence and danger as Stilwell digs into the shady past of an island bigwig.

Crossing all lines of protocol and jurisdiction, Stilwell doggedly works both cases. Though hampered by an old beef with an ex-colleague determined to thwart him at every turn, he is convinced he is the only one who can bring justice to the woman known as “Nightshade.” Soon, his investigation uncovers closely guarded secrets and a dark heart to the serene island that was meant to be his escape from the evils of the big city.

His Review:

Nightshade by Michael Connelly — Nightshade cover – US

Santa Catalina is a world unto itself. “Twenty-six miles across the sea…” the island was a retreat for the Wrigley family and their casino. The casino was intended to be a retreat for the wealthy from southern California but a town was built and the island populated by the wealthy and their poorer caregivers.

Automobiles are not allowed on the island. Transportation is by foot or electric golf carts. This eliminates the gas and diesel fuel smoke so plentiful on the mainland. The rich can come and disappear on the island to many campgrounds and hiding spots.

Nightshade by Michael Connelly - UK cover — Nightshade cover – UK

The idyllic beauty and the island tranquility become background when a body is found bound in chains and weighted down in the bay. The body is distinctive by the purple streak in her hair. No way to deny foul play as she has obviously been killed and dumped at sea.

A sub-plot is introduced involving one of the island’s long residents. Protagonist Detective Stilwell has his hands full with both cases. He proves to be a determined and dogged investigator and will stop at nothing until he uncovers the secrets of both.

The story has many twists and turns as everyone seems innocent but someone must have tried to destroy evidence.

C E Williams This author shares many interesting detective techniques and methods for solving the killing. The machinations of the suspects and their attempts at providing alibi are intriguing and entertaining. Enjoy! 5 stars – CE Williams

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: Crime Thrillers, Literary Fiction, Police Procedurals
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
ISBN-13: 978-0316588492
ASIN: B0DNDZWQ9R
Print Length: 347 pages
Publication Date: May 20, 2025
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

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

The Author: Michael Connelly is the bestselling author of more than forty novels and one work of nonfiction. With over eighty-nine million copies of his books sold worldwide and translated into forty-five foreign languages, he is one of the most successful writers working today. A former newspaper reporter who worked the crime beat at the Los Angeles Times and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Connelly has won numerous awards for his journalism and his fiction. His very first novel, The Black Echo, won the prestigious Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best First Novel in 1992. In 2002, Clint Eastwood directed and starred in the movie adaptation of Connelly’s 1998 novel, Blood Work. In March 2011, the movie adaptation of his #1 bestselling novel, The Lincoln Lawyer, hit theaters worldwide starring Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller. His most recent New York Times bestsellers include The Waiting (2024), Resurrection Walk (2023), Desert Star (2022), The Dark Hours (2021), The Law Of Innocence (2020), Fair Warning (2020), and The Night Fire (2019). Michael is the executive producer of Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, Amazon Studios original drama series based on his bestselling character Harry Bosch, starring Titus Welliver and streaming on Amazon Prime/Amazon Freevee. He is the executive producer of The Lincoln Lawyer, streaming on Netflix, starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo. He is also the executive producer of the documentary films, “Sound Of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story’ and ‘Tales Of the American.’ He spends his time in California and Florida.

Have a Great Sunday

Watchers by Dean Koontz #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

Rosepoint Rating: Five Stars

Book Blurb:

On his thirty-sixth birthday, Travis Cornell hikes into the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. But his path is soon blocked by a bedraggled Golden Retriever who will let him go no further into the dark woods.

That morning, Travis had been desperate to find some happiness in his lonely, seemingly cursed life. What he finds is a dog of alarming intelligence that soon leads him into a relentless storm of mankind’s darkest creation…

My Review:

Yeah, so I’ll admit it—the cover got me first—and then, despite my son’s admonition about my reading choices (“Koontz is a horror writer, mom”), I grab a Koontz book when I see one.

Watchers by Dean Koontz — Watchers cover posted on Goodreads

Well, mercy, first we are introduced to Travis and the golden retriever (Koontz’ favorite dog) whom he later names Einstein. Travis is an ex-Delta Force now reduced to a lonely, lost soul without much that’ll get him up in the morning. Whether PTSD or the losses he’s suffered and, inexplicably, blames himself (it’s a curse), he’s lost any macho he ever had.

It’s the dog that saves him from a lonely walk in a deserted forest that hides an unnamed monster. Explaining to the dog that he can’t keep him (he’s cursed), he notices this is not your average dog at the outset. Yeah, he keeps him.

In the meantime, we are introduced to Nora, and it’s pretty obvious this will be a romantic match—these two severely damaged persons are made for each other. Nora, never having had a pet is not put off by the dog or his size and quickly realizes that he must be special.

So, wait…

Have you read this? It’s not like it’s a new book and there was quite some sentiment about it. Admittedly, there were a few problems that even I discerned.

Still, I got so involved in the storyline that I couldn’t stop flipping pages. Yeah, I read it—this was not one of my audiobooks. So, I’m flipping pages, and I just LOVE this dog. Unfortunately, he has a history, and the history is trying to catch up with him.

He’s a lab dog. I don’t mean Labrador—I mean laboratory. And the same lab that spawned him also spawned his opposite. Not a dog—but a brutal, nasty animal. Travis (even Travis) realizes this is not a dog he can return to the lab. Poor doggy.

Also, did I mention there’s a hit man out there on a mission?

If you haven’t read it, I don’t want to spoil it for you. You’ll just have to trust me. It’s a wild ride whether or not you have to suspend some disbelief. Just go with it and enjoy the story.

I received the eBook loan from my local library for the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own. I do enjoy a Dean Koontz doggy story! Recommended.

Book Details:

Genre: Ghost Suspense, US Horror Fiction, Horror Suspense
Publisher: Berkley (reprint edition)
ISBN: 0425221806
ASIN: B001974DG0
Print Length: 402 pages
Publication Date: May 6, 2008
Source: Local Library

Title Link(s):

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

The Author: Dean Koontz, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirits of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.

Rosepoint Publishing Reviews – February Recap – March Holds a Spring Promise

Rosepoint Publishing Reviews - February Recap

I loved it for a while, but alas, the AI freebies are over (used my free credits) both on Canva and Gemini. Now I’m back to sampling Freepik—without much luck. The background of the bookcase below is a sample, but obviously not very close to my description of the picture I’d envisioned. Must admit, Gemini came closer to creating the images I wanted, but it too is bye-bye. I used to try to use only those pictures I originated, my pictures or designs. That’s no longer working. Got a source you like? What is your favorite go-to for images?

February is a short one and it flew by. I used to love March. Spring. Warmer weather. New growth, babies. Promise. Of course, for me, it’s also birthday month and as usual the body is saying one thing and the mind another. It’s a clash of wills but it may be the body who wins and both the CE and I are beginning to make more of those dreaded trips to the doc. We used to joke we’d need a car only for groceries and doctor visits. Ugh. Not so funny anymore, but that’s where some of our reading time went.

I’m still using Goodreads to find good audiobooks, as well as blogger buddy suggestions. My library has most of what I look for but it’s amazing the number of books that are on waiting lists despite having numerous copies. Of course, I still find books at NetGalley, as well as author and publisher requests.

We managed ten reviews between us in February that included four audiobooks. As always, the links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase or source information.

Rosepoint Publishing Review - February Recap — Background bookcase courtesy Freepik.com AI

You Have Gone Too Far by Carlene O’Connor
The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne (audiobook)
This American Woman by Zarna Garg
Connie: A Memoir by Connie Chung (audiobook)
From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough (audiobook)
Valley of the Wolves by Brock Farrow (CE review)
Guardian of the Crossroads by Melanie Forde
To Catch a Spy by Mark ONeill (CE review)
Gathering Mist by Margaret Mizushima
Audition by Barbara Walters (audiobook)

Favorite Book of the Month

WOW, it was a tough one this month! A number of them could have been five-star reads from either of us, but despite a small issue that may have knocked off a half-star, the story was still outstanding. Included in the month—several memoirs! In particular though, This American Woman—super, Guardian of the Crossroads—excellent, and Gathering Mist—love the dogs—really ticked off all the boxes. Zarna Garg has an amazing view of issues—some alien to mine but always with a sense of humor. Melanie Forde definitely pushed outside of her familiar family sagas. This one deeper, darker than I’d seen before and it worked, leaving me slack-jawed. Most readers have sampled Margaret Mizushima’s books. Always good, fast paced, and informative. So which one gets the coveted Rosepoint nod?

Favorite for February – Guardian of the Crossroads by Melanie Forde

My Reading Challenges page…

My Goodreads Challenge is currently at 33 of a 2025 goal of 125. No, keeping up with my Challenge page wasn’t a New Year’s resolution. I’ll get to it…

Welcome to my new subscribers! So glad you joined this group. I hope you found a book or two that appealed to you here, and I’m always looking for your suggestions! And to all my readers, have a beautiful March!

It's so hard to choose! — Gemini-generated AI image

Gathering Mist by Margaret Mizushima #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery

Rosepoint Rating: Five Stars

Book Blurb:

Secrets hide within the fog deep in the mossy forests of the Pacific Northwest in this ninth thrilling installment in award-winning author Margaret Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 mystery series.

Deputy Mattie Wray, formerly Mattie Cobb, is summoned to Washington’s Olympic peninsula for an urgent search and rescue mission to find a celebrity’s missing child. With only a week left before her wedding, Mattie is hesitant to leave Timber Creek, but her K-9 partner Robo’s tracking skills are needed.

Dense forest, chilling rain, and unfriendly locals hamper their efforts, and soon Mattie suspects something more sinister than a lost child is at play. When one of the SAR dogs becomes ill, her fiancé, Cole Walker, suspects poison. Fearing for Mattie’s and Robo’s safety, Cole joins the search and rescue team as veterinary support.

Secrets that have lain hidden within the rugged terrain come to light, and when it is uncovered that the missing child was kidnapped, the search becomes a full-blown crime scene investigation, forcing Mattie, Robo, and Cole into a desperate search to find the missing child before it’s too late.

My Review:

I love mysteries and crime thrillers and throw in an awesome service dog and I’m there. This is one of my favorite K-9 series and this installment becomes a page turner very quickly.

With one week to go before her wedding to Cole, a veterinarian, Maddie is called in to fly to the northwest in Washington state to find a missing child. The change in climate is a shock, cold, windy, and buckets of rain with the attendant saturated soil and underbrush and difficult not only for ground trackers but scent trackers as well. The atmospheric description really sets up the scene and becomes a strong integral part of the plot.

This is one reason I enjoy these books so much. You learn so much about canines, their atheleticism, and learning capacity. It’s such a part of the prep for search or take down, however, the info is easily slipped in and just adds the wow factor rather than slowing the pace.

When one of the other search dogs becomes sick, it’s apparent that he might have been poisoned and Cole makes arrangements to join her. Together with the search teams and local search and rescue, they form the grid and begin methodically canvassing the area which includes interviews with off-the-grid residents.

The tension ramps up as the search intensifies. There are a number of support characters and the parents present a divided and suspicious countenance. The story turns to a darker subject than I ever remember being used before and the climax is hard and fast.

The writing style throughout is engaging with no slack in the storyline. Robo shines as a masterful SAR dog, intuitive, smart, and protective. Love the action scenes. Heartily recommended.

Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedurals, Women Sleuths
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
ASIN: B0CRTG7JRQ
Print Length: 252 pages
Publication Date: October 8, 2024
Source: Local Library

Title Link(s):

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

The Author: Margaret Mizushima writes the award winning and internationally published Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries. She serves as past president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and was elected 2019 Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Active in the writing community, she is also a member of Sisters in Crime, Northern Colorado Writers, and Women Writing the West. She and her husband recently moved from Colorado to a home in the Pacific Northwest. Find her on Facebook/AuthorMargaretMizushima, Twitter @margmizu, Instagram @margmizu, and her website http://www.margaretmizushima.com.

#TuesdayBookBlog

History’s Pages: The Knocknashee Story – Book 3 by Jean Grainer #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

in Historical Irish Fiction

Rosepoint Rating: Five Stars

Book Blurb:

In the tumultuous year of 1940, an extraordinary friendship spans the Atlantic. Grace Fitzgerald, rooted in the seemingly peaceful Irish village of Knocknashee, and Richard Lewis, an intrepid war correspondent from Savannah, Georgia, share a connection that transcends simple categorization as World War II rages on.

As Europe burns and America deliberates its involvement, Grace and Richard find themselves witnessing history from vastly different vantage points. While the tight-knit community of Knocknashee anxiously monitors “the Emergency” from neutral Ireland, Richard brings the harsh realities of war to life through his reports from bomb-ravaged London.

Though each explores romantic possibilities closer to home, Grace and Richard’s bond remains unmatched—a connection that defies distance and circumstance. But as the world plunges deeper into conflict, they face crucial choices that could alter their lives forever. Can their unique relationship withstand not only separation, but also the life-changing decisions each must make in a world torn apart by war?

“History’s Pages,” the captivating third installment of the Knocknashee Story, weaves a tale of deep friendship, personal choices, and resilience against the sweeping canvas of history. Perfect for fans of “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” and “The Nightingale,” this novel will transport you to a world where ordinary people navigate extraordinary challenges, and where the most profound connections often defy simple definition.

My Review:

Oh my goodness, can Ms Grainger weave a tale or what?

I am loving this series, I swear her best one yet, and this one particularly grips with graphic inclusion of the escalating war weaving in and out of the quiet Irish village of Knocknashee where Grace is headmistress.

Grace Fitzgerald and Richard Lewis missed each other on her trip to the states with Declan as I mentioned in Book 2, Yesterday’s Paper. The year is 1940 and with Hitler on the march and Europe descending into continent wide war, Richard, with his sister Sarah and boyfriend and budding war photographer Jacob Nunez, are finding success with their articles and photos sent home for their U.S. paper.

Between their experience in France and then London, Richard finally gets a hasty chance to run to Knocknashee to meet Grace. It was a fast and furious, emotionally charged meeting between the two, leaving far more emotive glances than words. Opposites in every way from his old money background and masculine physicality to her simple and poor childhood. a bandy leg legacy of the polio suffered as a young girl. Still…The attraction couldn’t be denied.

Their correspondence continues but on a cautious level. The Irish village men and women are shocked when a beloved priest is sent away to make room for the canon no one wished to see back. While Ireland maintains their neutrality, the war continues to escalate with Richard and his crew seeing first-hand how Londoners dig in to combat the conflagration inflicted nightly on their city.

The author turns on that strong sense of ironic humor as she moves her women through the awakening of male dominated jobs that become easily performed out of necessity by the absence of men during war time. The scarcity of food and supplies become a matter of money and coupons. More than goods, services are increasingly dear—including the delivery of mail—which complicates the relationship even further.

This juxtaposed against the strict moral codes dictated by the church and imposed even as the world outside a cloistered setting crumbled daily.

So much going on in these tales, the depth of “the Emergency” creating havoc and modification to daily life everywhere.

Loved the new characters introduced, including the Cockney girl, Pippa, and the sophisticated Swiss miss, Virginia. Again, the contrast between the characters astonishing yet so well developed.

The third installment hooks and doesn’t disappoint, ending too quickly and looking for the next. Her writing style is compelling, endearing, and unique, assuming a kinship with her reader. She loves her work, obviously inspired with this storyline, well researched and authentic. It shows. I hope you didn’t miss Book 1 and 2. You may wish to start at the beginning but should not miss this episode.

While I was hooked and flipping pages, my only negative would be the full repeat of a few of those letters. Still, the storyline kept me so captivated and flipping pages, it didn’t become a big issue. I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Book Details:

Genre: Historical Irish Fiction, Historical British & Irish Literature, Friendship Fiction
ASIN: B0DGFZ94G5
Print Length:
Publication Date: January 28, 2025
Source: Author

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK

The Author: Jean Grainger is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction, 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 engaging narratives. Grainger’s works span multiple series and standalone novels, covering significant periods in Irish history, including World War I, the 1916 Easter Rising, World War II, and the mid-20th century. 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.