REVIEW - Betrayal at Blackthorn Park (ebook)

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is the fourth book by Julia Kelly that I have read and the second book in the "Parisian Orphan" series. This was a juicy, fun romp of a WWII mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. This series and author are one of the few exceptions I make to reading more WWII historical fiction or mysteries!!

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

The author writes really beautifully, period. These mystery novels are "non-bloody" mysteries without long descriptions of the death and the aftermath. That is why I really like them so very much!

Additionally, there is great character development throughout this novel. I loved learning more about the two main characters and am excited to read more! My favorite part is that I am learning more about England and WWII England - it is all so fascinating to this American!

Character development: 4.5 stars

The two main characters are Evelyne Redfern and David Poole. Since this is the second novel with these two characters, we find much more about their backstories and work in the SIU (Special Investigation Unit). Evelyne has just completed her SIU training in Yorkshire while David is a much more experienced operative. 

The secondary characters are the coworkers in the SIU, family, friends, the suspects of the theft at Blackthorn Park, and all the assorted characters in a small village. 

The tertiary character is Blackthorn Park. It plays a big role in the story. 

Storyline:  4.5 stars

The storyline begins with Evelyne returning from SIU training and then being summoned to headquarters for her first assignment while David is her handler. Evelyne is to investigate a report of theft at Blackthorn Park - a secret munitions development, research, and manufacturing location in Sussex. The manor home of Blackthorn Park was requisitioned to allow for secrecy. Unfortunately, a death by suicide occurs and the investigation rapidly changes tack. 

This mystery is told in first-person which I always enjoy as you have so much insight into the characters' secrets, thoughts, and perceptions. It is also helpful for the reader to try and solve the mystery.    

The main locations were England - mainly Sussex and London. 

Memorable/Informative:  4.5 stars

I continue to learn much about the English resolve and passion to protect and save their country. This is exactly why they defeated Hitler. 

Book cover: 4.5 stars

Pretty.

Book title: 4.5 stars 

Lovely.  

STRONG recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

NetGalley ARC (ebook)

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly

320 pages 

Minotaur Books

Release date of 10/1/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Julia Kelly

My Goodreads review

Minotaur Books

NetGalley

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

May 2024 - Monthly Wrap-up

Hi, everyone!

Well, May was another low-reading month, but it is all good!! I read for enjoyment and pleasure rather than the number of books read, right?!?

I have found some interesting audiobooks, but I am waiting for them to be available from the library. So I should have audiobooks to review in June or July!

May's overall scores improved over April with a score of 4.38 stars. I did not have a 5.0-starred book, but I did have a standout book!

 

2^nd ANNUAL “booksbydorothea” BEST BOOKS OF 2024:

All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore (January) 5 stars

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles (February) 5 stars

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer (March) 5 stars

How To Read A Book by Monica Wood (April) 5 stars

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarity (May) 4.5 stars

 

GOODREADS READING GOAL:

For 2024, will be 100 from the very start!!! As of 05/31/2024, I have read 42 books, or 42% of my goal.

 

MAY 2024 STATISTICS:

4 total books

4 e-books; 0 audiobook; 0 physical books

3 books were an ARC (Advance Reader Copy)

0 books were library books

0 books were purchased

1 book was an Amazon First Reads

0 books were a Book Club Girl

 

Audio listening time in May:  0 hours, 0 minutes

Pages read in May:  1,410 pages

Average review rating: 4.38 stars

 

MAY BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS: 

5.0-star book (0)

4.5-star book (3)

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston (ebook) LINK

Jackie by Dawn Tripp (ebook) LINK

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (ebook) LINK

4.0-star book (1)

 Tiger Chair by Max Brooks (ebook) LINK

3.5-star book (0)

3.0-star book (0)

If you want to read my full review of any of these books, there are individual review posts for each ebook or audiobook next to the name and author of the book. Click on the specific book link to get to that book review!! 

 

Happy reading!

Dorothea 💜

 

P.S. For more information about my book ratings, you can find out more HERE.

 

 

My next ebook is...

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly (ebook)

 

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Here One Moment (ebook)

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (ebook)

Please note this review has been edited since it was originally published on 5/31/2024. This book was rated higher from 4.5 stars to 5.0 stars. I reviewed this book too harshly initially. 

OVERVIEW

I have read all, but one of Liane Moriarty's books and this is my absolute favorite. It was a unique premise for a book and had an amazing ending. I thoroughly enjoyed it!! 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

The author writes really well, period. This book was so funny as it was written in first-person with the main character adding hilarious asides. As always, Liane writes descriptively, efficiently, and well. Plus, I always enjoy that her books are set in Australia. 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The primary character is Cherry. We learn much about Cherry as the book goes back in time to explain her life story and what may have caused her to give the odd predictions on the flight. 

The secondary characters are some individuals from the flight, Cherry's friends and family at various life points, and her life partners. We learn quite a bit about Cherry and her life which was so fascinating. 

The tertiary character is fortune telling. It plays a big role in the story. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline begins with the flight, the predictions, and the aftermath. To explain what had happened on the plane, we have flashbacks to Cherry's life which explains so much and fully fleshes out her character. 

I liked how the author had only the main or secondary characters as the focal point of each chapter. The only issue I have with the chapters was that you had to read a bit to figure out which character was the focus - it would have been nice to have the character's name included along with the chapter number. 

I enjoy first-person books as you gain more insight into the character's minds and thought processes. 

The main locations were Hobart and Sydney, Australia.  

Memorable/Informative:  5.0 stars

I loved how the subject was the difficult topic of death, but left such a hope for the future. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous.

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Excellent.  

HIGHLY recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

NetGalley ARC (ebook)

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

512 pages 

Macmillian Australia

Release date of 08/29/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Liane Moriarty

My Goodreads review

Macmillan Australia

NetGalley

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

NEXT BOOK POST and REVIEW - Tiger Chair (ebook)

 Tiger Chair by Max Brooks (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This was a VERY short novelette or short story about the invasion of the western United States by China, specifically Los Angeles. Normally, the type of horror, science fiction doesn't work for me. But, it caught my attention as it was totally based in Southern California. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

The author writes well and has a nice style way of writing that makes this short story a very easy read. 

Character development: 3.0 stars

There is one main character - a platoon leader stationed in Los Angeles who is disillusioned by the Chinese invasion of the western United States. We learn a little bit of his back story, but not enough about the others in his life at all including his family, wife, friends, and soldiers. 

Storyline:  3.5 stars

This short story is a letter that a platoon leader writes to his dear friend back in China about the Chinese invasion. This is a negative letter which basically is a suicide letter if it is discovered by his superiors. It seems like a long letter to write in one setting - it would have been more authentic if it had been written in bits and pieces like a diary. 

I would have enjoyed this much more if this was a full-on novel. There is a lot of good material in this short story that could be elaborated on and expanded upon. 

The main location is Los Angeles and southern California.  

Memorable/Informative:  3.5 stars

This book will probably give me nightmares tonight as this invasion could be a real possibility. But, the worst part is that it is about my beloved Los Angeles as an occupied city by the Chinese. This is a truly scary, horror story!

Book cover: 3.0 stars

Meh.

Book title: 3.0 stars 

This "tiger chair" is mentioned, but not fully explained.  

DEFINITE recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

Amazon First Reads Kindle short-story ebook

Tiger Chair by Max Brooks

50 pages 

Amazon Original Stories

Release date of 06/01/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Max Brooks

My Goodreads review

Amazon Original Stories

Amazon First Reads - May 2024

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

P.S. There is no next book post and then a review as it was a very fast read!

REVIEW - Jackie (ebook)

 

Jackie by Dawn Tripp (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is the first book that I have read by Dawn Tripp. Jackie is her fifth novel and I am very eager to read her novel Georgia about Georgia O'Keefe!  

This is the story of Jackie Kennedy told in the first person which makes it such an interesting and fascinating read. She lived a good life as Jackie was much more than a wife. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

The author has a beautiful style of writing. It is detailed and specific, but not so dense that it is difficult to read. Dawn makes you feel like a fly on the wall for some of these world events. I knew little about this time, but I have learned a lot and want to know more.

Character development: 4.5 stars

The primary character, of course, is Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis AKA Jackie. We all know who she was - married twice, First Lady, mother to Caroline and John, and Contributing Editor in publishing.  

The secondary characters are JFK, his family, her family, their friends, plus the people in his administration. Her time with JFK is the majority of the book including before their marriage, while he was in the Senate, and during his presidency. 

The tertiary characters are Aristotle Onassis; her authors and coworkers in publishing, and her friends and family.

Storyline:  4.5 stars

The storyline begins with Jackie just as she formally meets JFK for the first time and ends with her death. 

I liked how the author had the chapters interspersed throughout the novel with JFK's viewpoint of the same time or event. It made it a much richer book. Additionally, telling the story in first person made it really strong!

Finally, the novel is three stories - her life with JFK, Aristotle Onassis, and her working life in publishing. 

The main locations were New York, Washington DC, and Massachusetts. 

Memorable/Informative:  4.5 stars

This novel does get into JFK's alleged affairs. My only comment is that we do not know what happens in anyone else's marriage. Period. 

I was just saddened at how difficult life was for her after the deaths of her two husbands. But, I loved that she found her voice in publishing. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous.

Book title: 4.5 stars 

Perfect.  

STRONG recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

NetGalley ARC (ebook)

Jackie by Dawn Tripp

496 pages 

Random House

Release date of 06/18/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Dawn Tripp

My Goodreads review

Random House

NetGalley

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 Jackie by Dawn Tripp

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish (ebook)

 The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is the first book that I have read by Paula Brackston. Most of her earlier books are about witches which makes the comparison to Alice Hoffman. But I don't see the comparison at all.  

This book is a gothic mystery set in Victorian England. It is a hard book to qualify as it has mysterious beasts, paranormal activity, Greek mythology, and some romance. Due to the paranormal subject matter, it may be a book that only some enjoy or are interested in reading.

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The novel has dense, deep, and detailed writing which goes along with the Victorian period. It was a meaty novel with unfamiliar British terms and it took me a few chapters to get into it. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to more books in this series. 

Character development: 4.5 stars

The primary character is Hecate (assistant librarian at the Hereford Cathedral).  Hecate is a very unusual woman who works outside the home during the rigid Victorian social class time. I adore the Hecate character and cannot wait to see what she will do in the rest of this series!

The secondary characters are Edward (Hecate's father and former archaeologist), Beatrice (Hecate's mother), Charlie (Hecate's brother), and other friends of the family and people working at the cathedral. 

The tertiary characters are paranormal activity characters. They play a huge role in the storyline and the mystery. 

Storyline:  4.5 stars

The storyline begins with Hecate working as the assistant librarian when paranormal activity begins and she confides in her father for guidance and advice. An other-worldly event occurs at the cathedral and then the mystery needs solving (I have to be careful not to give anything away).

The main location was Herefordshire, England.

Memorable/Informative:  4.5 stars

This novel is about preserving our memories through books and how almost anything can be learned through libraries.

This novel was also the book that broke my reading slump. It was my first book read in almost a month.

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous.

Book title: 4.5 stars 

Excellent. 

STRONG recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

NetGalley ARC (ebook)

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston

352 pages 

St. Martin's Press

Release date of 07/23/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Paula Brackston

My Goodreads review

St. Martin's Press

NetGalley

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVISED Review Ratings

 

Hi, everyone:

With this update (05/17/2024), this is the new rating system terminology I will use to review books in the future. There are some wording differences, but the star ratings are the same.

I have said this before, but I wish Goodreads had ½ stars, but unfortunately, they do not. In my reviews on Goodreads, NetGalley, and Books by Dorothea; I will continue to review with ½ stars.

Here is the breakdown of my ratings and reviews:

 

5-stars "HIGHLY RECOMMEND"

These are the best of the best! These are the books that I cannot and will not stop recommending! They have moved me deeply and are books that I will think about and remember forever. Also, these are the books that I normally buy for my library and are books that I will reread.  

4.5-stars "STRONG RECOMMEND"

They are excellent books. They are enjoyable, but these books didn't reach into my soul like the 5-star books. These are outstanding books! 

 

4-stars "DEFINITE RECOMMEND”

These are great books. Please, don't get me wrong, they are worth reading! I recommend them as I thoroughly enjoyed them.

 

3.5-stars "RECOMMEND”

They are good books. I enjoyed them, but many of these books are more "fast food" reading. Interestingly, many of them are books in very long series.

3-stars "LUKEWARM RECOMMEND”

These books are okay but just okay. I enjoyed the book, but it wasn't memorable to me. Something missed the mark - plot line, character development, or writing.

 

2-stars or 1-star "DNF" (Did Not Finish)

I do not review these books, period. These are books that I “DNF” or books that were not good at all. I do not believe in leaving strictly negative reviews. Instead, I don't review the book. 

 

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜