About Book Marks
Recent Reviews
Anna DeForest
Positive The New York Journal of Books ... insightful ... This novel depicts many aspects of the medical field but also consists of in-depth book learning as well as the student acquires the skills on how to placate difficult patients or how to deal with scurrilous physicians, as well as how to stay cool in extreme situations and adjust to long hours and ever-changing schedules ... a powerful and somewhat complicated read of a story about a young woman dealing with the intensity of becoming a doctor while she also faces the ramifications of her past and current personal life. Though this is written as fiction it reads more like a memoir.
Elin Hilderbrand
Mixed The New York Journal of Books ... complex and in-depth read. Secrets lurk everywhere, like in a soap opera, and the island residents love the gossip ... A long and intense novel, The Hotel Nantucket shouldn\'t be classified as a beach read, for it is drawn-out and overly descriptive. Though jam-packed with drama, the prose is highly expressive and reads like a travel guide for Nantucket.
Katie Runde
Positive New York Journal of Books Katie Runde\'s debut novel touches on a disheartening topic, which she pens with grace and sympathy. This tale is not only about someone\'s passing with a horrendous disease, but it depicts how family members deal with the agony of it all. Does it pull them apart, or does it bring them together? While the daughters try to hide their anguish in their jobs, spending time on the beach, or with their friends, it\'s understood they are all hurting. All this brings to light the reality of our own demise or of a loved one and how we would handle it. All the very relatable family members are not without quirks, making this a tender read about dealing with the pain of loss.
Elin Hilderbrand
Positive The New York Journal of Books ... captures the charm of Nantucket. The island with the local spots and areas are described so one feels part of the locale; though, this could be considered overkill with the flow of the narrative by slowing down the progression of the story. It depends on the reader\'s likes and dislikes. Some love to have every nook and cranny depicted, and others look for a quick read ... Though labeled a \'beach book\' Golden Girl is much more. It is not fast paced, but is intense, with both depiction of the location and the awareness of each of the various and divergent characters who give their insight of their experiences in their own chapters. It also offers food for thought about what could happen once one dies. Can we get a second chance to work out difficulties and/or help others? Complex and moving, this read will get one thinking.
Mary Higgins Clark
Positive New York Journal of Books Piece of my Heart is a chilling, hair-raising tale sure to leave the reader gasping and puzzling over the unexpected scenarios and suspects while hoping there will be a happily-ever-after ending.
Jodi Picoult
Mixed The New York Journal of Books For those who love in-depth and descriptive prose, this novel has it all. Picoult goes into comprehensive detail regarding Quantum Physics, Brian\'s forte, the history of Egypt and hieroglyphics—including pictures and explanations of the writing—as well as the duties and concerns of a death doula. Intense and at times confusing, the prose tends to be overwhelming and tedious, making this a substantial read ... In actuality, this could comprise three novels ... Along with the comprehensive description of many subject matters—some of these topics which may not be one\'s forte—this book provides education in matters unknown to many as well as offering a great deal of food for thought about human relationships.
Karin Slaughter
Positive The New York Journal of Books ... explosive and haunting with an unexpected and chilling ending. The in-depth description of the atrocious crimes against these women is descriptive and not for the faint of heart yet prove the author has done intense research with both criminal and medical cases. The only detrimental aspect of the novel is the chapters of backstory introduced with the current time frame make it somewhat disconcerting to stay on track. Though this can stand alone, it may be beneficial to read previous issues in this series. Nevertheless, the suspense of this thriller is sure to please the most diehard lover of mysteries.
Lissa Marie Redmond
Positive The New York Journal of Books This tense, fast-paced thriller has the reader believing they can pinpoint the offender before the novel is half-read, however, the surprising culprit is unexpected as well as the ending which is sure to incite a chuckle. This author recognizes exactly how to capture her audience and keep them riveted with the many twists and turns and subplots included in the narrative. The characters are well-defined, especially dealing with present-day teenagers, and the crime theories and scenarios are spot on.
Rebecca Serle
Positive The New York Journal of Books Set in New York City, the book aptly depicts many locations with diverse and descriptive facts so the reader becomes a part of the overcrowded metropolis with the many venues offered and the ever-changing seasons ... a profound tale of unconditional love and anguish with a touch of the mystical and mysterious. Deep, abiding friendship and loyalty are portrayed along with heartbreak.
Mary Higgins Clark
Positive The New York Journal of Books Mary Higgins Clark captivates her readers with another thrilling read, demonstrating how when big businesses with money and power are being jeopardized they will go to any length to protect their assets no matter the consequences.
Robin Cook
Rave The New York Journal of Books Once again, Robin Cook, the mastermind of medical suspense, presents the reader with a spine-tingling read ... a complex, highly entertaining novel filled with metaphors and similes that add graphic details, giving insight into the medical field of pathology, leaving the reader with knowledge a layperson might not have. With the added components of mystery and suspense, this in-depth thriller is sure to keep one gasping.
Nancy Thayer
Positive The New York Journal of Books ... a wonderful, descriptive tale of romance and the harsh, cold winters that shows Nantucket in a completely different light than that of the summer months. One can sense the chilling, blustery winds, and pungent scent of the air, yet feel the warmth of love and friendship that make this a charming holiday read.
Elin Hilderbrand
Mixed The New York Journal of Books This suspenseful and emotionally riveting novel is the second edition to the Paradise series but the first installment, Winter in Paradise, should be read prior to this, otherwise it will prove to be confusing. The characters and the location are described in vivid detail, but the reader is left wondering if the conflict will ever be settled.
Stephen King
Positive The New York Journal of Books At the beginning of the novel when we meet Tim Jamieson we are then suddenly segued to Luke when he is abducted making one wonder what Tim\'s role is in this tale. It is not until about two-thirds of the way through where Tim reappears. Though the basis of this story is somewhat improbable, King has a way of subliminally drawing in his reader to believe a horrific and chilling premise as quite possible.
Kristan Higgins
Positive New York Journal of Books The mixture of generations with differing problems, consequences, and thoughts blend to make this an interesting read ... A moving tale of despair, heartache, and trying to mend fences offers mystery, surprise, and an unexpected togetherness among an unlikely group.
Emilie Richards
Rave New York Journal of Books Emilie Richards is well known for...in-depth characterization including subplots filled with mystery and suspense and descriptive detail sure to captivate her readers. A Family of Strangers falls into this category ... This highly engaging tale delves into mysteries as well as kept confidentialities, heartaches, and deep emotions that turn Ryan\'s whole upside down. Why do loved ones withhold things? Is it because of fear of hurting one or guilt over past misdeeds? Those we should be closest to are not always the ones we are most intimate with as this aptly novel demonstrates.
J.P. Delaney
Positive The New York Journal of Books At the onset, this book is a bit difficult to comprehend, as the cobot Abbie speaks in the third person, referring herself to \'her\' not \'I\' or \'she\' as one would normally see in a novel. Once that hurdle is passed, it becomes easier to visualize her as a piece of equipment, though she encompasses almost all human traits ... With a narcissistic A-driven scientist protagonist along with excellent information on autism and its many differing treatments provides the reader not only with some salient facts, but also a cause for reflection on both on the illness and the mind of a crazed man ... A provocative read. One cannot help but wonder if this is a sign of the future.
Alison Gaylin
Positive The New York Journal of Books ... insightful ... Well-fleshed-out characters each share their own separate agendas and back stories. Many viewpoints express their stance on the matter of Liam\'s death along with a troubled young man who is thwarted by hurtful social media that convicts without all the facts. A true taste of how enmeshed in social media we have become.
Molly Dektar
Positive The New York Journal of Books This debut novel is nothing short of compelling with its vivid details of sustaining a crude mountain life, with no aspects, however gruesome, omitted, making this a captivating and haunting tale.
Michele W. Miller
Positive New York Journal of Books Offering insight into the workings of the judicial system, the FBI, and the underworld, this fast-paced and explosive novel is filled with intrigue. The three females live in terror and fight not only for their lives but for their due, unaware of the horror awaiting them from a man they once loved and who wronged them all for the sake of greed. In addition to the circumstances they face, the bombshell ending is completely unexpected.
Tom Hunt
Positive New York Journal of Books \"Though this novel begins with a bang, leaving the reader speculating what happens and the identity of the other person with Joshua. The situation with thieves slows down the plot where the circumstances revealed become somewhat implausible, and one wonders if the shady characters involved are really as obtuse as presented. This quick and easy read offers suspense with its multifaceted themes that are breathtaking as well as frightening.\
Heidi Perks
Positive New York Journal of Books \"The narrative is full of twists and turns with simultaneously occurring revelations, yet some aspects of the plot appear evident from the onset. The past and present are intertwined, which is a bit disconcerting as it offers the voices of both protagonists, yet in the scheme of things, everything blends well together ... The ending is shocking and totally unexpected.\
N D Galland
Positive New York Journal of Books The freezing, gray, and neverending blustery winters on the Vineyard add appeal to this novel, for it is not usual to read about a locale usually depicted as warm, vibrant, and bustling. The flowery metaphorical prose portrays the hard-scrabble and frugal island inhabitants whose characters offer credence and panache, making the plot and storyline right on for an engaging tale.
Susan Bernhard
Positive New York Journal of Books \"Winter Loon, a debut novel, is both emotional and skillfully written. Though it may be considered depressing, an inspirational facet is revealed through the eloquent and dynamic prose.\
Keith Scribner
Positive New York Journal of Books \"Old Newgate Road is a complex and introspective account of one family\'s plight of abuse and heartbreak that plagues each member for decades ... Highly emotional, this novel offers much food for thought.\
Greer Hendricks
Positive New York Journal of Books \"An Anonymous Girl is penned in two points of view, and it is easy to differentiate one author from another. The blending of two voices makes this psychological thriller a hair-raising tale.\
Nicole Baart
Positive The New York Journal of Books An emotional and heart-rending tale, You Were Always Mine provides a look into each character\'s head. Riveting and compelling, we learn how a mother\'s love holds no bounds when it comes to her children.
Algonquin Books
Mixed New York Journal of Books While on assignment in the remote area of Tamil Nadu, Claire gets bitten by a mosquito causing her to suffer from high fevers, seizures, and damage to her central nervous system. Diagnosed as having Japanese encephalitis and lucky to be alive Claire is transported to a Florida hospital ... Charlie rushes to her side and though very ill, she retains no memory of her recent past—her childhood and the time before Vermont are attainable, but with her and Charlie\'s lives together, she is blocked. The doctors report this is not unusual, but Claire must be kept quiet and on medication with the hope she will regain her lost months and years ... Rachel leaves her editing position to help Claire recover in Vermont. Tension abounds as well as mistrust and resentment as the three try to find some sort of semblance of normalcy to their lives ... The ever-changing twists and turns with the juxtaposition of three lives seeped in history, secrets, and frustrations blend together to create a story of how easily life can change. Emotion runs rampant, yet the enjoyment of this novel is slowed down by a lot of in-depth backstory offering inconsequential information.
Darcey Bell
Positive New York Journal of Books Penned in the first person voices of both Stephanie, Emily, with input from Sean, as well as the blog posts establishes Darcy Bell\'s debut novel of psychological suspense as an intense, captivating, and astonishing thriller ending in an unforeseen and surprise ending.
Linda Castillo
Positive The New York Journal of Books Kate, who narrates her tale in the first person is tied to her roots while somehow needing to prove Joseph is not a killer. Fast-paced and filled with tension, Down a Dark Road delves into Amish teachings and tradition and how they deal with the 'English' world and its legal system ...back story is interplayed revealing Kate's formative years and her life as it is now outside the Amish populace ... Down a Dark Road is the ninth addition to the Kate Burkholder series. It is well-written and fleshed out to stand alone; however, the plot, locale, and characters warrant reading the previous novels.