Don't Know Jack by Diane Capri

 I started reading this new to me author and series in May although this  first novel was published in 2012.  A new author to me and one I will continue to read.  I was attracted by the mention of Jack Reacher my favorite character by Lee Child who endorses Diane Capri's work and mentions how he especially admires one of the main characters, Kim Otto.  There are many books already in this series and as of today, September 26 I have read  only 4, all purchased new on Amazon.  I plan to review the others here soon and will be buying more although I took a spending break currently.  Below I have copied the list of all in this series, a few  such as Jack In A Box which I have also read are short stories  (novellas).  I was unaware of that when I purchased it but now that I know about these I will likely download those to my kindle instead of purchasing a hardcopy.    The author has other series too that sound like books I would like to read, so many books, so little time!  She also has a site to sell these directly.  

One nice feature was the list of primary characters at the beginning.  I really appreciate that and  she may be the only one I've read lately who does so.,  Kim Otto and Carlos Gasper are the two FBI detectives assigned to find Jack Reacher, previously unknown to them, this secret project by Charles Cooper.  There is something so secretive agouti their mission that even they are kept in the dark and told there will be no admittance of any FBI involvement should they stumble.  Otto and Gasper are totally different personalities, previously unknown to each other   and are picked by Cooper so undisclosed reasons.  .Pg. 14., "The FBI operated in tyhe glare of every possible spotlight.  Keeping something under the radar added layers of complication.  Under the radar meant no official recognition,.  No help, either. Off the books.  She didn't have to hide but she'd need to be careful what she revealed and to whom.  Agents died during operations under the radar."  

And so their partnership begins with Otto as lead agent.  She is ambitious.  Gasper is a survivor and a family man and wants to maintain his job for another 20 years.  Different life experiences too.  

From the author's website:  "It’s been a while since we first met Lee Child’s Jack Reacher in Killing Floor. Fifteen years and sixteen novels later, Reacher still lives off the grid, until trouble finds him, and then he does whatever it takes, much to the delight of readers and the dismay of villains. Now someone big is looking for him. Who? And why? Hunting Jack Reacher is a dangerous business, as FBI Special Agents Kim Otto and Carlos Gaspar are about to find out. Otto and Gaspar are by-the-book hunters who know when to break the rules; they’ve been told Reacher is a stone cold killer. Reacher is a wanted man, but is he their friend or their enemy? Otto and Gaspar don’t know what they don’t know about Jack. Only the secrets hidden in Margrave, Georgia will tell them."  

I so enjoyed this first novel that when I finished it on June 2,  I wrote this note to myself:  "OMG more twists than a coiled snake.  Who was/is the villain, thought perhaps even Cooper, but no???"       The writing is good, clear and the twists are well tangled.  I give it 5 *****

Back Cover of  Don't Know Jack

Limestone Legacy of a Curse by Tess Kincaid

 

Published 2024, this is a prequel to the author's first novel Pechewah which I read and reviewed here in May.    purchased this  on Amazon in July and read it shortly after first of August over days.  .  It is almost a horror mystery at times,  yet the intrigue kept me reading, wondering what next, how will it end.  The author weaves a magnificent tapestry uniting the years and the family sagas and tragedies. 

We learn toward the end  187-195) the identity of the woman whose car plunges into the riverbed in Pechewa while she is returning home to Ohio from visiting her grandfather in Indiana.  It is Tree Kingston who lived at Limestone with her husband Ramsey.  It is Tree who will continue haunting we learn in the closing pages. 

In  200 pages this novel twista the mystery of this home through it's history beginning in 1810 with the Wyandot Indians who come for their chief known as Leatherlips to the settlers.  They abduct him, accuse him of witchcraft, kill him beginning the Limestone curse.  (Pgs  3-5)  There is a long list of inhabitants of the  home that will be built  along the limestone on   the riverbanks of the Scioto .  At times I set this aside and read something else, because it was agonizing to read of  the constant tragedies.  Yet I kept coming back to it in a day or so because I wanted to know what would happen next.  A good read,  better than not being able to  put it down.  Taking longer allowed me to savor the writing.  Definitely well written, poetic at times.  a 5 *****

Limestone  Back cover

Below are two photos the author shared on Facebook of her former home in Dublin Ohio that was the inspiration for Limestone..  One of the house and one of the living room.  

The Granddaughters by Margaret Belle

    Published 2021 by the Author.  I purchased thru Amazon and read this end of July 2024.  Margaret Belle was a new author to me. 

 This is a light mystery with comical parts and a nicely written story about three cousins, Franny, Ellie and Sandy  who get together to reminisce and enjoy themselves near the lake cottage where they spent summers years ago, Orange Lake  Newburg, New York. They are all of vintage years   After their grandmother died an Aunt by marriage into the family inherits the cottage though it had been promised to all the surviving aunts as a family legacy.  The prologue in 1971  describes the plotting of Verna Ferguson and how she did achieve sole possession of the cottage denying access to the rest of the family.  These women were younger girls then and knew little of what had happened other than what their families had shared.    Sandy is now 60 years old and has just finally gotten the courage to leave her abusive husband Robert after a long marriage.  No one knew about the abuse she tolerated all those years.  Franny has a farm she has worked hard to keep and now with the help of a farmhand , who is an excon to whom she gave a chance . and who has been very helpful and devoted, she  can get a way with the others.  Ellie is a writer who has decided to go the  Orange Lake to research information for her next book and decides to invite the  cousins for a mini reunion.    

Backcover

The author shares the inspiration for the book  at the back, a 1953 newspaper story 

Their not so idyllic haven provides intrigue as they begin to research what might have happened to change their grandmother's mind and will. Along this investigation they learn about missing bank funds.   Not expecting the turn of events they will uncover nor the danger they can face through the innocence of the local realtor who rented the cottage to Ellie.  Robert has tracked Sandy down and is dangerous.  The local law enforcement is contacted and is watching but things get out of hand.,  It is an all's well that ends well finale with dear disaster. 

Page 296, copied below reflects the  feelings of local Detective Sam Summers who gets involved watching out for the women at the request of a friend.  "Had three over-the-hill women ever caused this much chaos anywhere?  Ever?"  This is at the news conference and ceremony feting the  women who solve a long closed col case about missing bank funds.  

This is a very easy read, enjoyable and wistful in parts.  a **** 4 star

The Tall Pine Polka by Lorna Landvik

Cover

 Published  in 1999, 410 pages and a Readers Guide at the end for thoughts and discussions.  I acquired it at a book sale and read it March 2024.  Just catching up on postings.  .  A very charming fiction tale set in a fictitious small town of Tall Pine in northernmost MN.  Many different personalities in the characters ranging  from comical to stoic to hysterical to the pitiful, etc.  Reminds me a bit of Virgil Wander by Leif Enger which I likely have not reviewed here but read last year or so and enjoyed.  

An aspiring film maker from Hollywood finds in the unsuspecting Fenny Ness the perfect personification of Inge, a main character in a film, to be made " Ike and Inga "

The brief prologue opens wit h 4 words Fenny wished she had never spoken, "One burrito supreme please."   The Cup O'Delight Cafe, run by Lee O'Leary,  is where all the locals gather daily to eat and stay in touch.  Lee O'Leary  has a mysterious ingredient she keeps secret that makes her coffee legendary.  Tall Pine is on the Rainy River in the farthest northern part of MN bordering on Ontario Canada.  

Prologue 

 The story opens with Fenny ice skating on Tall Pine Lake with Craig Asper who falls more than he skates.  She is barely tolerating him but he finally gives up and returns to the lodge.  She continues skating.  Her parents Sig and Wally had both passed leaving their Wally's Bait and Camp shop which Fenny their only daughter now runs.  

This review from Amazon:"In the small town of Tall Pine, Minnesota, at the Cup O’Delight Cafe, the townsfolk gather for what they call the Tall Pine Polka, an event in which heavenly coffee, good food, and that feeling of being alive among friends inspires both body and soul to dance. There’s the cafe owner, the robust and beautiful Lee O’Leary, who escaped to the northwoods from an abusive husband; Miss Penk and Frau Katt, the town’s only lesbian couple (“Well, we’re za only ones who admit it.”); Pete, proprietor of the Shoe Shack, who spends nights crafting beautiful shoes to present to Lee, along with his declarations of love; Mary, whose bad poetry can clear out the cafe in seconds flat; and, most important of all, Lee’s best friend, Fenny Ness, a smart and sassy twenty-two-year-old going on eighty.  When Hollywood rolls into Tall Pine to shoot a movie, and a handsome musician known as Big Bill appears on the scene, Lee and Fenny find their friendship put to the test, as events push their hearts in unexplored directions—where endings can turn into new beginnings."

Lee and Fenny are close friends and many try to encourage Fenny  to spread her wings beyond Tall Pine but she is just not interested.  Other characters, the pastor's wife, Gloria Murch; Mayor Lambordeaux,  Slim Knutson a Vietnam war veteran who barks and howls when emotions get to him or when he feels like it is employed at the cafe by Lee. All the simplicity is challenged when the Hollywood crew arrives looking to film.  And right about the same time a stranger Big Bill rolls into town.  He is the nephew of the recluse Indian .woman who sells vests through Fenny's shop but who wants her nephew to become more Indian than he seems.    He begins to play the piano at Tall Pine and Lee has her eyes on him but the twist is he falls for Fenny and there goes the longtime friendship.  Lee will ultimately leave for unknown parts without anyone knowing where she is.  Bill's aunt watches unhappily as he is with Fenny and when she has the chance she tries to ensure they will not be together.  

Pages 262--263   Slim tells Bill about lying and how it leads to trouble.  

A delightful tale that twists and all comes happily together at the end though not without some sorrow and twists.  We never do learn the secret of Lee's coffee.    A nice pleasant read, 4 ****

 

Pechewa An American Odyssey by Tess Kincaid

I read this novel in April.  Very good writing and a true glimpse of the author's family roots.  

I left this review on Amazon:  " Absolutely enjoyed this novel. Good solid writing throughout. I had long forgotten some of the things from midwest childhood days back ago such as minnows in the creeks , tadpoles, words that were common to me as a child and so long forgotten about. I chuckled reading about those lawn jockeys! Memories surfaced immediately . A good book can do that. I learned somethings too, such as the origin of the term "Hoosier." There were some descriptives I found amusing and original such as "Walmart Picasso" and "brunetteitude. " Nostalgic to read about someone visiting her elderly grandfather as I had similar experiences with my elderlies relatives in PA. Reading along I was rooting for Peachy and was convinced all would be right. As a good read, it has a double twist at the end which I did not expect. I do not want to give away any of the intrigue with spoilers.  

One thing I found odd was no page numbers in the book, fortunately it is not massive but I like to make notes and usually just reference the page numbers. So with this I tore pink postits and staggered them in the book.

 And what was her name?"   I realized at the end  of the novel that I did not know the name of the woman  visiting her grandfather in Indiana and through whom the story unfolded. I was reading along enjoying the memories from so long ago in my life and didn't think about her name.  

Published 2024 by the  author who now lives in England.  I became acquainted with Tess years ago through online blogs.  We are still connected often through Facebook posts.  Besides the things I mentioned on my  Amazon review there is  a wondrous description of a feral hog in Chapter 5.  

Peachy has acquired a copy of Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" that will accompany him through his war journey.  This book has several references to" Leaves ...."and opens with a quote from it.  Tess, the author is a poet too so it is not unusual that she would find a way to include poetic.  

Pechewa finds a friend in Ras who is killed in battle.  

The novel has history and an ending I could not have predicted.  Truly a 5 *****.  Well done, Tess Kincaid!

Single by K>L>Slater

Found this great twister novel, mystery, thriller at the Friends of Library book sale.  Have never before  read this author, K.L.Slater, British but what a great read.  I will look for more of her books.  It was published in 2019, 338 pages.  I was in suspense until the end and truly was surprised at the outcome.  I have no quotes from the book but hated to put it down without  finding out what would happen next, 

Very briefly Darcy is a young widow with two small boys, Kane and Harrison.  When Joel dies she learns that her beloved husband, Joel,  had been cheating on her, living with another woman Daniela Frost  part of the week while she thought he was away on business.  Darcy suffers a clinical mental  breakdown  and Joel's  parents Leonard and Brenda and his sister, Steph are lifesavers for her,  taking custody of the boys while she recovers and returning them to her after she is discharged.  Darcy is a yoga instructor. Her in-laws are her support system, Steph is like a sister to her.  The other woman, Daniella stays in touch with Joel's parents as well.  Darcy doesn't like that but there is nothing she can do.  

Then she learns that Daniella will be moving back to their town. Kane the youngest boy suffers an almost fatal  asthma attack at a park and a handsome off duty surgeon George Mortimer steps in and saves his life.  Darcy is grateful.

 

Back Cover

 The next day she takes a thank you card to him at the hospital where he works with an invitation to coffee trying to thank him somehow.  He calls her and accepts and then begins what will be for Darcy the answer to what she could not have imagined.  They fall in love .  Darcy is smitten, swept off her feet.  George is a widower wit h a young daughter, Romy  and a housekeeper, Maria.  Daniela is not only moving back to the town but is buying the townhouse where Darcy has been living.  She knows she has to move and of course the in-laws would be thrilled to have her and the boys move in with them.  But the relationship with George has continued and he asks her and the boys to move in with him after all 5 of them spend Christmas Days away at a lodge.  This does not go over well wit  the in-laws where they have always spent Christmas and where Brenda goes all out.  Darcy breaks the news that she and the boys will be living with George to the in-laws next.  George seems to have a stalker, Opal whom he says is an ex girlfriend.  Opal begins  to shadow Darcy and the boys and send flowers of condolence. Darcy wants George to call the police but he tells her the police can do nothing, without proof.  Darcy learns that is true when she tries to get police help herself.  m  Meanwhile Darcy has been following Daniella on social media using a fake identity, stalking of her own.  Things escalate when Harrison is kidnapped after school football practice.  The way things turn out was very unpredictable to me.  I did not know  who was telling the truth.  Turns out George was twisted and planning to kill Harrison, blame Opal and then have Darcy done away with. He is involved with Daniella.    Maria the housekeeper whom he fired after she had harsh words with Darcy turns out to be Opal's mother.  That is why she was so attached to Romy. Opal is Romy's mother not his dead wife.  In a confrontation to get Harrison back  Opal kills George in self defense.  The novel closes, George is dead, the child Romy inherits his property and is restored to her mother and Maria. Opal and Maria invite Darcy and the boys to live with them.  And the in-laws arrive at the end, bereft of all that has happened and deeply regretful of their part in the saga.  Fences are mended with them and it appears Darcy will now have a better life a normal one with the boys and her new true friends.  

A real 5 ***** fast paced thriller.  

A Widow for One Year by John Irving

Front Cover

Picked this up at our local library book sale along with a bag of others.  The title "Widow" caught my eye and I have read other novels by this author .  But this was beyond disappointing, in fact it resembles something a late aunt used to say, "don't even waste your eyeballs on that."  I suffered along, trying, hoping for better up to page 110 of its 537 pages.  It was published in 1998.

I truly have not had anything this bad to read since I do not know when.  The storyline according to the inner book flap didn't sound bad, but I never got past the four year old Ruth.  Poor child is daughter  of an irresponsible father and a mother who never got over the grief of losing their two older boys, Ruth's brothers born long before her.  Very tiresome as the mother has an affair, if it can be called that it is blatant seductions of Eddie,  an Exeter high school boy whom the father hired as his writer's s assistant for the summer.  Ted, the father is unable to drive from too many DUI's so all he wanted was a chauffeur. Marion, Ted's wife, Ruth's mother uses Eddie as she plans to leave Ted and Ruth.  Though the flap describes erotic parts, I found the eroticism tiresome and quite annoying, verging on pornographic as 4 year old Ruth enters her mother's bedroom to see her mounted by Eddie.  Yuck.

Spare me any further agony trying to read this drivel.     I have so many more books waiting to be read on my shelf.     .  Therefore no rating from me.  It will go into my Goodwill Donation bag.  I am surprised I gave it space on this blog as I've read other books I'm waiting to review and share.