Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner

Gardner may not have intended to have Frankie Elkin be a poster child for recovering alcoholics but that is the beauty of literature, personal interpretation. Sadly, I’ve seen alcoholism and resultant death due to an inability to stay sober. Consequently, Frankie Elkin is an inspiration that the disease can be managed effectively. My first reaction to this action-adventure is satisfaction on hearing a success story, even if it is fiction.

Now the story itself, without my underpinning interpretation. Frankie finds people. That is her calling, and she roams the country finding those who are missing. Frankie admits that all too often, those she finds are deceased. She still feels that she can, at least, give closure to loved ones. Frankie is introspective and soul-driven.

Frankie’s search in this is for Sabera. Sabera is an Afghan refugee with a secret. That secret puts all who know her in danger. Frankie acquires a cast of entertaining individuals with grossly checkered pasts. In addition, there is a menagerie of terrifying, to Frankie, reptiles.

This is an excellent mystery with lots of action and some serious messages.

I enjoyed it and recommend it.  

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The List by Steve Berry

 The List by Steve Berry

Berry’s life experience played a major part in this book. A mill town is a different place. Having grown up in a mill town, my experiences are a bit similar to Berry’s which led to a lot of empathy for this book. Southern Republic Pulp and Paper, located in rural Georgia is keeping deadly secrets. The paternalistic facade hides ugly truths. Brent Walker, formerly working for the union, comes home to Concord to work for Southern. Hank Reed, his old best friend, is now a union opponent. Together the two find themselves embroiled in Southern Republic’s despicable secrets.

Berry does a good job on character development. Brent and Hank have depth and color. The major players on the other side demonstrate deplorable ethics which gives the plot a clear black and white perspective. There is no mixed emotions in this book, the bad guys are simply BAD!

I enjoyed the book and recommend it.  

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The Blue Horse by Bruce Borgos

Borgos writes an excellent book. I find books that engage my emotions are my favorites. Books that engage my emotions and stimulate my intellect are tops. Add to those features action and pathos and you have a winner! Borgos does all of that and more with this book.

A setting in the Covid crisis is something that resonates with all of us. Everyone was impacted by that plague. Add to the setting the controversial round up of wild horses and environmental impact issues beyond that of rancher rancor and you have a county sheriff on edge. Porter Beck is struggling with decreased sight and facing major life changes in his professional career as well.

Brinley and Mercy both figure in the plot if you have read the two prior books, their presence will be well received.

Borgos shows how effective leading by example, seeing pain in others and tackling that pain in the face of daunting odds makes utterly compelling reading. If you love a book that brings you to tears, that ramps up your empathy, that endears you to the characters, that compels you to read well beyond bedtime, you must read this book.

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James by Percival Everett

James (Pulitzer Prize Winner): A Novel Hardcover – March 19, 2024

by Percival Everett (Author)

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (77,811) 4.5 on Goodreads 366,822 ratings

#1 Best Seller in Black & African American Historical Fiction

Pulitzer PrizeWinner, 2025--National Book AwardWinner, 2024

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • N

 I liked the book but didn't love it.  It was frightening to get a glimpse into a life of servitude. The idea that there was a hidden society that was still oppressed was equally dismaying.  The humor of the minstrel group was a welcome surprise.  The inhumanity to your fellow man that was illustrated caused me considerable distress.  If history didn't prove slavery existed, it would be hard to believe that such ignorance and brutality existed.  It is an eye-opening book, and if I hadn't taught American History at one point in my life, I would tend to think the setting fictional, sadly, it was not.   

ATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and darkly humorous, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view

NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST • ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'S 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR • SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE • KIRKUS PRIZE WINNER • A LOS ANGELES TIMES BEST FICTION BOOK OF THE LAST 30 YEARS

In development as a feature film to be produced by Steven Spielberg • A Best Book of the Year: The New York Times Book Review, LA Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Economist, TIME, and more.

"Genius"—The Atlantic • "A masterpiece that will help redefine one of the classics of American literature, while also being a major achievement on its own."—Chicago Tribune • "A provocative, enlightening literary work of art."—The Boston Globe • "Everett’s most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful."—The New York Times

When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond. 

Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a literary icon, this brilliant and tender novel radically illuminates Jim’s agency, intelligence, and compassion as never before. James is destined to be a major publishing event and a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.

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Nobody's Fool by Harlen Coben

Sami Kierce is many things. He is a frightened college boy, a drunk, a former cop, a grifter, husband, father, crusader and a teacher. Some of these roles are simultaneous. Down on his already questionable luck, Sami gets an ice cold blast of a frighteningly frigid encounter from his past. Someone Sami loved and someone who is dead fuel the mystery of this thriller.

Coben, once again, runs multiple intriguing plots to tantalize, tease, and torture you until you can reach the climaxes. This book has a plethora of bit players who add depth and color to the story. The Pink Panthers, Golf Gary, the Three Dead Hots, Wacky Raymond and more bring a wealth of mutability which is entertaining.

The idea of closure, secrets, vengeance and the settling issues whiffs through book. Integrity and wealthy seek a balance through Sami’s work. This had an intricate plot with wonderful characters and I highly recommend it.

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This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned