Sup with the Devil by Barbara Hamilton

Sup with the Devil by Barbara Hamilton ISBN-13: 9780425243206 Trade Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Berkley Trade Released: October 4, 2011

Source: Bought from Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
After an attempt on the life of her young nephew Horace, Abigail Adams, wife of attorney John Adams, travels to Harvard to investigate. A mysterious woman hired Horace to translate some Arabic, then left him at the mercy of her henchmen. He survived-with a tale of pirate treasure...

Meanwhile one of Horace's fellow students--loyal to the King--is murdered. The Sons of Liberty are desperate to find the rumored gold, but Abigail wants the truth. For the Devil's treasure comes with a curse that could bring down anyone, regardless of where their allegiance lies.


My Review:
Sup with the Devil is a historical mystery set in (and around) Boston in the spring of 1774. This book is the third in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this novel didn't spoil the previous mysteries.

My enjoyment of the previous two Abigail Adam's mysteries was mainly due to the nicely portrayed political tension--and yet personal respect--between Abigail and Coldstone as they worked to solve the mystery. But there is no Coldstone in this book. I also previously liked how Abigail was a part of everything and yet could view people as being real people instead of simply "us" and "them." Yet in this book, Abigail has gone from sympathy toward slaves to very anti-slavery with no explanation beyond the anti-slavery theme of the book. I was also surprised at Abigail's sudden change from troubled by Sam Adam's actions to practically vilifying him (and for fictional actions, too). I found this sudden change confusing.

The author also frequently combined two sentences into one in a disjointed way, which made Abigail come across as scatterbrained or distracted. There were sentences like, "Her mind returned to Johnny as she made ready for bed ("Now I've a clean hairbrush that I keep for those who're taken by circumstances unexpectedly...[and more chatter, presumably from the innkeeper])." or "While waiting for Mr. Metcalfe's reply--he had assured John of the occasion of their last meeting that any help I can be, to you or any of yours--Abigail walked from the Golden Stair to the town jail, only to be told by Sheriff Congreve that Diomede, still half-stupefied, had slipped back into a heavy sleep."

However, as in the previous books, the vivid historical details about the everyday life and politics were skillfully woven into the story. The characters reacted realistically to the situations, and I always understood their motives. The mystery was an interesting clue-based puzzle. Whodunit was guessable, and I was absolutely certain who it was long before Abigail even considered the option.

There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky

No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky ISBN-13: 9780525652939 Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Multnomah Books Released: June 25, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Between the years of 1869 to 1939 more than 100,000 poor British children were sent across the ocean to Canada with the promise of a better life. Those who took them in to work as farm laborers or household servants were told they were orphans–but was that the truth?

After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans’ home before Laura is notified about her family’s unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.

Andrew Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?

Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God”.


My Review:
No Ocean Too Wide is a romance set in 1908 in England and Canada. This is the first novel in a series, and it appears that this family's story will continue throughout the series as the family was not completely reunited by the end of this book. Historical details about the immigration of British orphans to Canada were the focus of the story as Andrew and his boss were carefully investigating the system. I cared about what happened to the characters and liked them. However, everything that could go wrong did go wrong...repeatedly. I started to dread picking up the book because I knew something even worse was going to happen to these nice people.

I was baffled by some things in the story, though. Katie saw the people that took her sister, Grace, and knew where they were at when it happened, but she later said that she had no idea where Grace was or how to find her. Also, by the end, it's like the insurmountable issues standing between Andrew's and Laura's romance never existed.

I believe this was meant to be Christian fiction, but the story seemed to show a God that did not care about the orphan and the widow. The presumably Christian people running the orphan homes were harsh, judgmental, and exploited the children. Worse, when Laura lied and later stole something, it turned out to be a good thing that she did. Every time she did the right thing, it seemed like she encountered obstacles because she had done so. Basically, the story seemed more depressing than uplifting. There was no sex or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie ISBN-13: 9781579126278 Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers Released: 1926; September 2006

Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Village rumor hints that Mrs. Ferrars poisoned her husband. When she commits suicide, she sends a letter to Roger Ackroyd--the man she was going to marry--revealing who the blackmailer is. But before the blackmailer is publicly revealed, Roger Ackroyd is also murdered. The local inspector is convinced the butler did it, but luckily Hercule Poirot is there to investigate.


My Review:
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a historical mystery set in England in 1926 (though it was a contemporary mystery when it was written).

It's a clever, clue-based puzzle mystery. I had suspects but no clear idea of whodunit until the final clues were revealed at the end. Everything fell into place perfectly, and I knew whodunit before whodunit was revealed. I love it when my knowing and the "big reveal" are so close together. (I like to be able to correctly guess, but I don't like spending half a book knowing while the "smart" characters blunder around.)

While the whodunit mystery was brilliant, I didn't find the ending very satisfying. I don't like it when Poirot decides to take the law into his own hands.

There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

A Sword Named Truth by Sherwood Smith

A Sword Named Truth by Sherwood Smith ISBN-13: 9780756409999 Hardcover: 576 pages Publisher: DAW Released: June 11, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGally.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
Long-dormant magical forces are moving once again in Sartorias-deles. Agents of Norsunder, a mysterious bastion of incredible dark power, have reappeared in the world, amassing resources and sowing instability.

But with numerous nations led by young rulers, the world is hardly ready to defend itself. Atan is still uncomfortable with her new queenship, gained after her country was freed from a Norsundrian enchantment that left it frozen outside time for a century. Senrid strives to establish rule of law, after deposing his brutal and cruel uncle, seeking to exert control over rebellious jarls and a distrustful military academy. Jilo never expected the responsibility of leading his nation, but when its dictator vanishes after a Norsundrian attack, Jilo finds himself stepping into the power void, taking the reins of a country so riddled with dark magic that its citizenry labors for mere survival. Clair and CJ lead a band of misfits against magical threats that overshadow their tiny country, including a direct incursion from the Norsundrians.

Those in power are not the only individuals working to subvert the plans of Norsunder. Liere, a young shopkeeper’s daughter, battles her own debilitating insecurities to live up to her reputation as a former savior of the realm. Hibern, a mage’s apprentice, must act as a liaison between national leaders, negotiating politics still foreign to her. Rel, a traveling warrior, stirs powerful allies to action encourages common folk to take up arms.

These leaders soon realize that any significant victory against Norsunder will require an alliance between their nations. Yet good intentions may fracture in the face of personal grudges, secrets, and inexperience.


My Review:
A Sword Named Truth is a epic tween/YA fantasy novel. While technically the first in a series, the characters very frequently talked about the events had that just happened. (This is set immediately after "Fleeing Peace" and overlapped "A Stranger to Command.") I haven't read "Fleeing Peace" and I read "A Stranger to Command" 10 years ago, so I felt like I was thrown into the middle of a story and had to sort out who all of these many, many characters were. The story also frequently switched between viewpoint characters and different events, which was disorientating. There were over 12 young royals (ages 10-15) and several young main characters that helped form the alliance, plus assorted adults and bad guys were also viewpoint characters. The story was mostly people talking about things rather than actual scenes where things happen. For example, we had two characters talk about going to learn at a soldier's academy, then about a year later (as the story covered about 5 years) one briefly remarked that they had done so.

The first half of the story (about 280 pages) was telling the reader who everyone was, either by the historian narrator who summarized events or through the characters endlessly talking about what had just happened and their life now. They also occasionally met the other young rulers, often taking an instant dislike to the other because of the (deeply developed) culture differences or because the other didn't like one of their friends. The second half involved the bad guys attacking several of the good guys, providing a few, brief battle scenes. Much of the conflict focus was on how the allied young royals had trouble getting along. Then, finally, we got an extended, daring undercover raid by the young allies to save a foolish friend.

There was no sex. There were 20 uses of bad language. I have greatly enjoyed some of this author's earlier work (like "Crown Duel"). However, I found this slow-paced and with too many characters who do very little "on screen." I ended up wishing it'd been cut into several short books that followed only a few characters at a time rather than trying to stuff everyone into one book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Heart of a Vicar by Sarah M Eden

The Heart of a Vicar by Sarah M Eden ISBN-13: 9781523308619 Paperback: 268 pages Publisher: Covenant Communications Released: June 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Young love is all too fleeting, as Harold Jonquil painfully discovered years ago when Sarah Sarvol, the niece of a neighboring landowner, captured his heart. After an idyllic few weeks in the throes of blossoming love, reality intervened. They could have no future. Following their disastrous parting, Harold attempted to push aside thoughts of love and regret, but Sarah has never left his heart. Now, years later, he has achieved his lifelong aspiration of becoming the local vicar. However, the role proves more difficult than he imagined. He feels hollow and uninspired—until the most important person in his past returns, challenging him as no one ever has.

When Sarah’s ailing uncle summons her back to the family estate in England, there is only one person from her past she is reluctant to see again: Harold Jonquil, the only man who has ever claimed her heart. But when she comes face-to-face with her former beau, she hardly recognizes the aloof and dull man before her. She is determined to help Harold rediscover the passion he once felt toward his chosen profession. Is it too late for second chances?


My Review:
The Heart of a Vicar is a romance set in 1816 in England. While it works as a stand alone, the previous novels' married pairs show up in this novel, which may entice those who want to know how they're doing.

Harold has always wanted to be a vicar. He's trying his best to be the perfect vicar, but he feels like a failure at it. Was he wrong to choose to become a vicar, especially since he enjoys odd hobbies like climbing walls? When Sarah, the girl he never topped loving, returns to the area, she's disappointed to see how distant and uncaring Harold now seems to be. She understands that he doesn't have a sufficient income to allow them to marry, but she wants to see him happy--and more like his old, caring self again. So she tells him that she's better at being a vicar (in caring for the congregation) than him and challenges him to prove her wrong.

The characters were engaging and acted realistically. The brothers enjoyed teasing each other, so there was some humor as well. Harold and Sarah brought out the best in each other and were better people for knowing each other. The historical details were woven into the story, making it come alive in my imagination. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie

Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie ISBN-13: 9781579126285 Hardcover: 220 pages Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Released: 1941; 2006

Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Jolly Roger is a posh vacation resort on the southern coast of England. When a gorgeous young woman is strangled to death on a remote beach and the obvious suspects have solid alibis, only Hercule Poirot can unravel the macabre mystery.


My Review:
Evil Under the Sun is a historical mystery set in 1941 in England (though it was a contemporary mystery when it was written). It's a clue-based puzzle mystery, and there were plenty of clues. There were enough clues that whodunit was on my suspect list. The critical clues that narrowed that list down to whodunit and how weren't reveled by Poirot until the very end. Still, it was interesting to read and puzzle over. The characters were interesting and varied.

There was occasional use of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this book to Christie fans.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Lone Witness by Shirlee McCoy

Lone Witness by Shirlee McCoy ISBN-13: 9781488040467 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Released: June 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGally.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Were it not for Tessa Carlson, Special Agent Henry Miller’s daughter would have been abducted. But rescuing the little girl has thrust Tessa—a woman in hiding—into the media’s spotlight…and into a criminal’s crosshairs. Now her survival depends on putting her faith in widowed single father Henry if she wants to live to see another day.


My Review:
Lone Witness is a Christian romantic suspense novel. The characters were nice people who struggled with realistic fears. Tessa changed her identity (illegally) to escape her dangerously abusive boyfriend, and she took some jewelry that he had given to her to fund her escape. She doesn't trust her judgement in people and is afraid he's still after her, but she risked her safety to stop a kidnapping. The kidnapped girl's widowed father happened to be on the FBI team tracking this serial kidnapper. He's determined to keep his sole witness safe (partly from gratitude), and his loving family comes to know and care about her.

The author focused mainly on the periodic suspenseful events (where various people attempted to scare or kill Tessa), but the story covered over a month of time. This gave the hero and heroine some time to get to know each other and fall in love. He's attracted to her character as well as her beauty. She feels safe with him and that he brings out the best in her. He builds her up, unlike the ex-boyfriend that tore her down. He's kind, caring, and supportive. She's courageous and good at finding ways to survive. I enjoyed the characters and cared about what happened to them.

The heroine struggled with believing that God could have good things in store for her future due to her bad childhood and an abusive ex-boyfriend in her past. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.