"Anxious People"

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman 

Desperate people often do very foolish things.

Take the case of the bungling bank robber, who 

half-heartedly brandishes a pistol while demanding 

money from a cashless Swedish bank, while the social 

media-obsessed girl at the counter, thinks it's all a silly

joke. The would-be thief simply wants enough cash to

pay the rent, but the futile attempt has now turned into

a clumsy escape from the authorities. 

So the amateur perpetrator runs to an apartment building

open house, where a mismatched group of eight possible 

buyers mistakenly think they are being held hostage. 

What ensues, is a comical, yet heartwarming story, of total

strangers finding friendship in a most unlikely place.

Everyday lives change dramatically during the crazy, chaotic

hours they spend together. 

 

You'll meet a cold-hearted banker, an elderly lady, wise and 

mischievous with a contagious, positive attitude, a gay couple 

fearful of bringing a child into an uncertain world, and a man

of mystery with an unusual occupation. Add to this motley 

crew of needy individuals, is the father/son police duo who

reconnect with one another while enduring endless interviews

with a slew of frustrating witnesses. They all unite with one

purpose, and begin to execute their clever and ingenious plan

to end their unusual predicament. 

Readers will feel a wide gamut of emotions as they turn the

pages of this book, written by an author with the remarkable talent 

of intertwining his memorable characters in a most disarming way. 

 

The End of Her

The End of Her by Shari Lapena

Stephanie Kilgour's life is close to perfection, even with the
sleepless nights, and stressful days of caring for colicky twin
girls with her devoted husband, Patrick. She wouldn't have it
any other way.

But her idyllic existence shatters into a million pieces, when
Erica Voss, an unwelcome relic from Patrick's past, arrives in town
with an outrageous claim that Patrick's first wife did not die in a
tragic accident; rather she was murdered by a man with a gift for
covering up the truth, a man they both know so well.

Patrick insists it's all about blackmail from a disturbed woman, but
Stephanie has doubts when Erica reveals intimate details about her
husband that a mere acquaintance couldn't possibly know. Hoping
she'll simply fade from their lives, proves to be wishful thinking, when
Erica makes unannounced appearances everywhere, including Patrick's
workplace, and casual outings at the park with the babies. Strange
occurrences at the house, and the feeling of intrusive eyes always
watching, are driving Stephanie and Patrick to the point of no return.
Their lack of trust in one another is threatening a once solid marriage.

So who's the liar? The steadfast love of Stephanie's life, father of her
precious children, or the master manipulator, a cunning woman with a cruel
vendetta?

Whenever a reader feels compelled to finish a psychological thriller in one
sitting, you know it has to be good. This is one of those books. Suspense
enthusiasts will devour the cleverly written plot, deliciously devious
characters, and an unsettling conclusion.

The Book of Lost Names

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

Eighty-six-year old, Eva Traube, is on a transatlantic flight to
Berlin, traveling alone, lost in thought, and trembling with
anticipation about what she might find once she arrives at her
destination. She's in search of  a precious book, presumed lost
forever, a testimony to a life few could ever imagine.

Eva vividly remembers fleeing occupied Paris with her
mother in 1942, during World War II. As the child of Polish
Jews, her father wants his family safely in the Free Zone,
while he stays behind, fully aware of the danger that lurks around
every corner. So they run to safety, as Eva prays that one day
they will meet again, while a bitter, angry mother blames her
daughter for leaving their loved one to confront the enemy.

Once settled, Eva finds contentment in a peaceful, little village
where the Resistance movement is busy at work. It's here, where a
compassionate priest recognizes Eva's unique talent for forgery. She
artistically creates fake documents for innocent Jewish children
who are in harm's way from the atrocities of the Nazis, giving them
optimism for  a new life in neutral Switzerland. Soon, the network
is helping anyone who dares to escape from the suffocating oppression in
the War zone.

Along with a charming man named Remy, who shares her passion,
and steals her heart, the team works diligently to devise a puzzling
code, hidden in an eighteenth century religious book. Perhaps someday,
the true identities of the most vulnerable affected by the War, will discover
who they really are, created so painstakingly by weary hands and loving
hearts.

But when Remy disappears, clearly something has gone terribly wrong
in their meticulous plans, putting them all in grave danger with only a short
period of time to run away to freedom. The harrowing days that enfold will be
a test of strength and sheer determination.

Along with the main, memorable characters, there are a host of
many more personalities that shape this true story into a moving
depiction of the fear, and trepidation the blameless endured during some
of the darkest days in world history.

At the center of this lovely, emotional, historical fiction novel, is a brave heroine
who faced evil with resilience and fortitude, a woman worthy of our admiration.

The Daughters of Foxcote Manor

The Daughters of Foxcote Manor by Eve Chase

They call her Big Rita, the stern, but lovable nanny to Hera and
Teddy, the feisty children of the elite Harrington family.

When their lovely London home is destroyed in a raging fire,
patriarch Walter sends them all to recuperate at Foxcote Manor, a
remote, English, country estate. This includes his wife, Jeannie, a woman
teetering on the edge of a total breakdown as a result of a recent
tragedy. What the family doesn't know, is daughter Hera's memory of
that horrific night, and how she finds it impossible to erase from it
her mind.

The crumbling Manor is nestled in the midst of an eerie, impenetrable forest.
Rita is increasingly wary of the daily isolation, uneasy with the feeling that prying
eyes always seem to be watching. A crotchety, old housekeeper seems to delight
in nosing into family affairs, and a kind man, who knows every inch of the
deep, dark wilderness, offers Rita a hint that she is worthy of respect, love,
and romance.

A miraculous discovery in the woods suddenly changes Jeannie's
outlook on life, reawakening her desire to live in the present, rather than dwell
in the sorrow of the past. But the immense secret they all share weighs heavily
on Rita, and when a body they all know too well, is later discovered, and
the village people react with disbelief and horror, the Harrington family finds that lies and more lies are necessary to survive.

Thirty years later in London, a woman by the name of Sylvie, examines her life after
years of tolerating an unhappy marriage. Sylvie's determined to right the rift with her daughter in light of some unexpected news, which leads to an astonishing discovery about the gaps and holes in her life that her mother is determined to take to her grave. With unmitigated perseverance, and a burning desire to finally know the story of her birth, Sylvie finds that the truth is closer than she ever imagined.

Two intertwining stories are incredibly woven into one absorbing mystery
by an author who does it so seamlessly, with her beautiful prose, and vividly
descriptive imagery. A satisfying page-turner not to be missed.

His & Hers

His & Hers by Alice Feeney

As an aspiring BBC anchorwoman, Anna Andrews knows how much
luck plays a part in landing a plum role in front of an adoring television
audience. And her luck has just run out.

Anna has been the replacement anchor for the dynamic and beautiful Cat Jones.
Unfortunately, Cat's back unexpectedly, and Anna is relegated to
being a run-of-the-mill investigative reporter once again. That means
heading to Blackdown, the sleepy, little English village where she grew up,
to cover a brutal murder which has the town in turmoil.

Jack Harper is the Chief  Detective of the Crime Unit in Blackdown, his
hometown, too. When his marriage and life literally fell apart, he left London
for a simpler life. Being back where he spent his youth has been uneventful,
and dull, so perhaps a killer on the loose will resurrect his dying career.

Imagine their surprise, when both Anna and Jack recognize the victim
as someone they know so well, a fact they'd like to keep hidden for as
long as possible, because they just might be suspects in their own investigations.

There's a third narrator in this tale, most likely the killer's. It's difficult to give
away any more of the plot without giving away the ending. Suffice it to say, this
is a psychological thriller so full of lies, secrets, painful memories (some sordid
and dark), twists and turns, and a multitude of incriminating details, you'll find
it helpful to reread some passages. Sweetly addictive, and hard to put down.

Alice Feeney is a master at creating suspense, and figuring out who committed
murder (maybe more than one?) is simply fun.

Surviving Savannah

Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan

Here it is!

I am so excited to share the cover for SURVIVING SAVANNAH  by New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan, on sale March 9, 2021 (Berkley hardcover).

It's inspired by the true and forgotten story of the sinking of the "Titanic of the South", a luxury steamship that sank in 1838 with Savannah's elite on board.
Through time, no one thought of their fates-until the wreck was found. Now the story is finally being told.

#survivingsavannah #patticallahan #historicalfiction (tag @berkleypub and @pattichenry)

Pre-order it here: https://bit.ly/3i9VQ4Y

Visit Patti online https://www.patticallahanhenry.com/surviving-savannah

You can enter for a chance to win an advanced digital review copy of the book here:

https://sweeps.penguinrandomhouse.com/enter/surviving-savannah-cover-reveal-sweeps
(NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. US Residents, 18+. Ends August 17, 2020
See official rules at official website.)

Good Luck! And be sure to mark March 9, 2021 on your calendar for my review,
and your opportunity to read what promises to be another fascinating story by the
author who writes historical fiction so well.

The Pull of the Stars

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

The year is 1918. The place, a cramped and stifling
maternity/fever ward in Dublin, Ireland where Julia Power,
a weary nurse, cares almost single-handedly, for pregnant
women quarantined with the Great Flu and the effects
 of a debilitating war.

On Halloween night, Julia trudges to work as usual, leaving her
mute brother at home, only to find one patient has succumbed
overnight to the deadly virus, while three others are in the
throes of fever and the misery of difficult labors. Overwhelmed
with responsibility, Julia welcomes the presence of capable
Dr. Kathleen Lynn, a rebel wanted by the police, and Bridie Sweeney,
an inquisitive redhead, whose naivety brightens the gloomy days
and nights.

This is their story, three unlikely comrades doing all they can to
bring new life into a world of chaos and despair. The strong
and remarkable characters face adversity and preconceived
notions with dignity and grace, daring to dream of a brighter
future.

The author's historical research is flawless, her details extraordinary.
She writes of shunned children, like Bridie, born out-of-wedlock, and
sent to Catholic convents where they are subjected to hard labor, ridicule, and
pity. She speaks of the shame and rejection disgraced mothers endure
in society, the sins of the past never forgotten.

I suggest reading the author's notes at the end, which tell of the
real Dr. Lynn and her contributions to the cause. Emma Donoghue
couldn't know how eerily close this haunting, complex story, brimming
with emotion, would mirror the global pandemic of 2020.