Book Review: The Turnbull Murders

The Turnbull Murders

A Historic Homes Mystery

By R. J. Koreto

Renovations are difficult in the best circumstances, but architect Wren Fontaine thrives by personalizing each home she restores. So, when movie star Nicky Tallon hires her to turn the famous Turnbull House back into the mansion it once was, she was very excited but a bit apprehensive. The historic home is situated on a private island in New York Harbor. Wren knew she could bring the home back to life after years of neglect, but dealing with the entourage of movie star Nicky Tallon’s is a problem.

While Wren begins working on the house, there is an entire film crew working in and about the home and the island. Not to mention temperamental actors and two women that both seem to be very close to Nicky. It is hard to determine the relationships, could he be dating both Saffron (who is very needy and young) and Thalia who seems much more worldly that Saffron.

Out of her element with the movie cast and crew, Wren buckles down to what she is comfortable with, bringing the broken-down house back into a home that will become a showplace. At least Wren’s girlfriend Hadley is there for moral support as well as working as the chef for all of the crew and actors.  

But there is a mystery brewing on the island. It seems the original owner of the island, Captain Turnbull mysteriously left the island and never returned. Did he find happiness someplace along his sea travels or was his disappearance something more sinister? Digging into the history might be more than everyone bargained for…who will die before the home and film are finished?

The Turnbull Murders is full of architecture, intrigue and skullduggery. The characters are interesting and more than once I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns in the plot. The author kept me guessing until the final pages. And the ending was very satisfying with every loose end tied up. This historical fiction is not to be missed, I loved it.

This is the first book I have read by R. J. Koreto. He has led a life as interesting as his characters. He has been a website manager, a textbook editor, a novelist and my personal favorite occupation, he was a merchant seaman. He has published short stories in some of my favorite magazines, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Wren Fontaine Historic Homes Mysteries, as well as his other books.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2024 Laura Hartman

Book Review: On The Rails

The Adventures of Boxcar Bertie

By Rosemary and Larry Mild

Times are tough for everyone in the United States in 1936. Bertie Patchet is no exception. She recently graduated earning her teaching certificate and is excited to have a possible job as soon as the next school year starts. She has contacted the school in her hometown and was thrilled to find out that possibly a teacher would be needed in September. Her homecoming was tainted by the fact that her mother is an alcoholic and her stepfather attempts to sexually assault her the day she arrives.

Bertie realizes she has to get away from the unhealthy environment she has come home to. Without much cash or a plan other than arriving back to her hometown to begin work in the fall, she must face the reality of her position. Where will she go and what can she do? Wandering aimlessly, she comes upon the railroad tracks. Slipping near an open boxcar, she realizes this may be her ticket out of her situation.

Riding the rails is not easy, especially for a woman. She realizes this and for her safety she tucks her hair up under a cap and becomes Bert. So begins her adventure and danger on the rails. She soon learns that it is difficult to be safe, warm or fed. There are many roadblocks and surprisingly many new friends and adventures to be lived while riding the rails. But Bertie always has the plan in the back of her mind to return to her home town in the fall and fulfill her dreams of becoming a teacher.

I loved this book. The characters are interesting and realistic. The idea of riding the rails as stowaways is not romanticized. Life is hard for the characters, bringing the ring of truth to their struggles that many before have made. Conversely, there are good times and generous people they meet along their journey easing their load with the acts of kindness.

Rosemary and Larry Mild are the dynamic duo of writing. I have read several of their books, enjoying each and every one. It would be hard for me to choose a favorite of theirs, but Boxcar Bertie is vying for first place in my head. Each of these amazing authors have published solo books as well as together.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist, Maryglenn M. Warnock and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman

Book Review: My Father the Panda Killer

By Jamie Jo Hoang

Jane, a first generation American, works hard to learn everything she can, and be the top of her class all the while working at her father’s store and caring for her younger brother, Paul. Her mother left the family without a trace when Paul was an infant, so Jane, as a young teen grew up fast. Vietnamese traditions are followed to the letter in the household. Sadly, this includes regular beatings from Jane’s father. If she did anything her father disliked or didn’t do exactly what he wanted her to do when he wanted her to do it, she was beaten. Soon Jane will be in college, but worries endlessly that Paul will soon be the victim of her father’s foul moods and beatings while she is gone.

Phuc, father of Jane and Paul, is a hard drinking, controlling man. As a child refuge, he made the long and tortuous trip in more than one boat to what he hoped was freedom. His family was still in Vietnam, so he was on his own to find his way in the world. Life for him was more than often painful both physically and mentally. Food was in short supply and fights would erupt at any time resulting in maiming and often death among the passengers.

The small family holds tight to each other throughout the long hard days of work, school and the day-to-day chores that have to be done at both home and the store. When Phuc tells his children they are all going to Vietnam to see his family, the children are shocked. When they arrive, they are greeted with kindness and love. This reunion also ignites the flame in Phuc’s heart to spend more time with his family, allowing Jane and Paul to not only learn about their ancestry, but also embrace it.

This tale of family, love and loss is tempered by the long, difficult road they have traveled. The chapters alternate between Jan and Phuc, reading about their lives first person. This enables each character to have their own voice, making the narrative much more powerful and contrasting the lives of each of the characters.

Written by the daughter of Vietnamese parents, author Jamie Jo Hoang brings the ring of truth about so many immigrants to her fiction. This is the first book I have read from Ms. Hoang, but I will seek out her adult novel, Blue Sun, Yellow Sky. I highly recommend My Father the Panda Killer to young adults as well as adults.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the Netgalley and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman

Book Review: Hot Pot Murders

Thanksgiving dinner takes on a different tone when the celebrants are part of the Asian restaurant business community. More of a meeting of minds, the attendees are not enjoying a traditional turkey dinner. The menu includes a traditional hot pot luncheon and a meeting of the Asian American Restaurant Owners Association, or AAROA. When a deadly accident occurs during the hot pot feast, it soon becomes clear that it was murder.

Yale and her visiting cousin Celine, who happens to be a social influencer, decide to add a bit sleuthing to their food stall business. They need to make sure Ai Ho, a family friend, and Yale’s father are cleared after becoming the prime suspects of the crime. Unfortunately, Celine’s parents arrive from Hong Kong in time for the fallout from the murder. Because Yale’s father is a suspect, they quickly want to swoop in to acquire his share of the family restaurant. This helps spur on the two cousins to find the real murderer.

The Hot Pot Murders is an interesting foray into the workings of family restaurants and a deeper dive into Asian Americans. The plot is solid, revealing the killer in the final chapters. The characters are fully developed and likable (and others hate worthy). But, it made me rather crazy that the main character, Yale, only has a land line, and does not have a cell phone. It may be the character’s quirkiness, but it absolutely is unrealistic. I don’t know anyone under the age of 90 (yes, my 90-year-old aunt texts and calls via cell phone) who doesn’t have a cell phone. This is the first book I have read by Jennifer J. Chow. I recommend it to anyone who loves cozy mysteries.

Jennifer J. Chow is currently serving as Vice President on the national board of Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of the Crime Writers of Color and Mystery Writers of America. Mimi Lee Gets A Clue, the first book in her Sassy Cat series, was selected as an Overdrive Recommended Read, a PopSugar Best Summer Beach Read and one of BuzzFeed’s Top 5 books by AAPI authors.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman

Book Review: Bad, Bad Seymore Brown – Fabulous Book!!

By Susan Isaacs

In the early 1990`s, Seymore Brown and his wife Kim, met their demise when their house was burnt to the ground. The only survivor is their young daughter, April. Even though Brown was a bad guy, law enforcement worked day and night to find the killer or killers to no avail. One of these cops, former Detective Daniel Schottland, is the father of former FBI agent Corie Geller. Since covid raised its ugly head, Corie’s parents moved into the house with her family.

When someone tries to kill April, she immediately tries to get in touch with the man she trusted, now Ex Detective Schottland. Because the case has haunted him, he still has the original case files. Soon he is knee deep in the cold case. He pulls Corie into the unofficial investigation when she expresses interest.  

Corie has been toying with the idea of getting her private PI license, and this case finally pushes her to follow through. Corie joins forces with her father to find the person or persons that are trying to kill the daughter of the long dead hardened criminal who was the money launderer for the Russian mob. Is it revenge or is there information that April has or knows that someone is willing to kill to find out?

This fast-paced book is deliciously full of twists and turns. The characters are interesting and fully developed. Both the good guys and bad guys aren’t all good, nor are they all bad – maybe with the exception of the mobsters. ­

I loved Isaacs’ style of writing that is full of depth, yet easy to read. The fast-paced plot kept me reading “just one more chapter” late into the night. I highly recommend Bad, Bad Seymour Brown.

Ms. Isaacs is an award-winning novelist, with a long list of accomplishments that have led her to interview and report about some very influential people of the world as well as being a positive influence on children with her long list of children’s books. She has written fourteen novels, including the first book in this series, It Takes One to Know One. It is on my list to read sooner, rather than later. Honestly, I am putting all of her books on my “to be read list”. She is destined to be on my list of favorite authors.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman

Book Review: My Maril

Marilyn Monroe, Ronald Reagan, Hollywood, and Me

By Terry Karger with Jay Margolis and Forward by Michael Reagan

Marilyn Monroe didn’t have a family to call her own. She didn’t know her father and her mother was institutionalized when Marilyn was seven. Author Terry Karger first met Marilyn in 1948 when the 21-year-old actress arrived at Terry’s house with her father, Frederick Karger Jr. From that day on, Marilyn was a part of Terry’s family and remained that way until Marilyn’s tragic death.

Terry’s grandmother also lived in the household and welcomed Marilyn into the family she longed for. Fred Karger became her singing coach as Maril (she was fondly referred to by Fred and Terry) had just been signed by Columbia Picture’s Harry Cohn. While Fred admitted he loved Maril and she loved him, he knew a romantic relationship would not work. That being said, they remained friends until her life tragically ended.

This memoir is a love story. Terry loved Maril, Maril loved Terry. They kept in touch, even when things got rough for Marilyn. She did take pills and she also drank. But on the night she died, there were many theories, but no conclusions. From the information from those who knew her intimately and as well as some damning information from the coroner’s report makes her death by suicide highly unlikely.

This book is so interesting, no matter which side of the fence you are concerning Marilyn’s death. It is interesting to read about the actors and actresses, affairs and weddings, and subsequent divorces. Accompanying the biography are fabulous pictures from the author’s personal collection as well as others.

I highly recommend My Maril, if you are a film buff it is a must read. It is well written and very interesting on many levels. The inside peek into the lives of the rich and famous is always intriguing. The addition of the personal pictures adds icing to the cake of the who’s who in Hollywood during the 1950s and 1960s.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from publicist Scott Lorenz and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman

Book Review: In Search of the Animalcule

Interesting Historical Fiction Spotlighting Medical Advances

In Search of the Animalcule

By Steven L. Berk, M. D.

At a Vienna hospital in 1847, Jacob Pfleger became an orphan within hours of his birth. His mother, a rarity in that she was a female obstetrician, knew she was going to die of postpartum fever due to her symptoms. Before her last breath, she demanded her son be sent to the local orphanage. There he spent the next twelve years learning as much as he could while trying to survive the brutality of the staff and older children.

Jacob is a gifted and inquisitive boy. He reads everything he can get his hands on and is a keen observer. When Jacob learns from a friend of his late mother that his father is alive and living in France as a winemaker, he is determined to find him. Once he arrives, he is welcomed, but his family has been experiencing hard times due to something that is making their wine bad after the fermenting process. Louis Pasteur arrives to investigate the problem, wakening the love of scientific procedures that Jacob always suspected were at the root of his mother’s death and many other medical problems. Thus begins his journey around the world seeking answers and learning from the most famous doctors and scientists throughout his life, including Joseph Lister and Robert Koch.

I really enjoyed following Jacob’s story and meeting the list of Who’s Who of medicine pioneers. Their work was the stepping stones to the medical procedures we have today. Just think of everyone that has had a medical procedure with their healthcare providers wearing gloves and masks or had an infection that required an antibiotic. We have come much further than the workings of the late 1800s and early 1900s, but it is very interesting to learn of the great men and women of yesteryear.

Author Steven Berk MD is a board-certified expert in infectious diseases, is the Executive VP of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and the Dean of School of Medicine. He has written five medical books and an award-winning work of fiction, Anatomy of Kidnapping, which I plan to add to my to-be-read list. I highly recommend In Search of the Animalcule. It is a fast and interesting work of historical fiction.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from publicist Maryglen Warnock and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman

Book Review: Dragon’s Eye – Who is Watching You?

Dragon’s Eye

Who’s Watching You?

By Gregor Pratt

Right out of the gate, a mystery is brewing. A woman having an illicit affair sees what seems like an obduction. Thus begins the page turning action and intrigue involving Jack and Maddie Gamble. The couple were instrumental in resolving a matter on Ebola Island a few years ago. Now they live a quiet life in New Zealand, with their children J.J. and Allison. Until Mattie goes missing. What they don’t know is all the routine traffic and safety cameras mounted throughout the country hold a secret. The dragon’s eye is watching.

She was supposed to arrive home for dinner. She teaches English to non-English speakers. The current group she is working with are Chinese. After several hours, Jack calls the police. Even though it has not been twenty-four hours, he knows something is wrong, The police are hesitant to start an investigation so soon, but Jack convinces them that something bad has happened. Their search will lead them to places they never imagined. Also, the police discover that the traffic cameras purchased from China are not just for safety, but are tracking every move of people of interest, including Maddie and her students. Thus, begins that cat and mouse chase to get Maddie home to her family.

She has the skills to take out criminals, but will she get the opportunity to use them? She is locked in a cargo container on a ship in the ocean with one of her students, Li Wei. It is him the bad guys are after, but they are not above killing or torturing Maddie as well. She has to figure out a way to save herself and Li Wei, but how can They escape from a moving ship?

This fast-paced novel pulled me in from the first pages. The characters are realistic and add to the richness of the story. Readers will feel Jack’s pain as he tries to reassure his young children. Maddie is a force to be reckoned with, but lack of food and exhaustion are taking their toll.

I could not put Dragon’s Eye down. The fast-paced action never stopped until the final pages. Pratt skillfully flips from the peril Mattie is in to the anxiety Jack is experiencing in his attempts to get her back. I loved this book.

This is the second book in the Jack and Maddy Gamble Series. The first is Ebola Island, which I cannot wait to read. Pratt is a new author. Lucky for readers, he decided to write after his successful career as a lawyer. He is currently working on the third book in the series, so keep an eye out for the publication date. But in the meantime, get both of his current books at your favorite bookseller.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a complimentary review copy from publicist Maryglenn M. Warnock and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman

Book Review: Never Coming Home

By Kate Williams

Ten social influencers, one remote tropical Island and one killer – will any of them survive? It all starts with an invitation from an anonymous source. What self-respecting influencer wouldn’t jump on board for an all-expenses-paid trip to Unknown Island, which is purported to be a new kind of travel. They claimed that there would be no crowds, just a few curated strangers. Unfortunately, someone else must be on the island because very bad things begin to happen soon after their arrival.

Normally all of these influencers work alone, amassing thousands and sometimes millions of followers on their social media pages. They each have a “specialty”. There is a CEO, DJ, Politician, Athlete, Chef, Rich Girl, Beauty Blogger, Environmentalist, a Superstar and lastly a Gamer. All vastly different, but each has something in common. Someone is trying to kill them.

Will they be able to band together on this sham of a vacation to survive? Each one of them has a secret. Each secret would be the end of their social media followers if found out, and someone is sending messages to the group exposing the thing that will ruin their social influencing livelihood. Can they trust each other? Is the killer a stranger or one of them?

This fast-paced whodunit is deliciously full of twists and turns. It kept me guessing to the very last pages. The characters are plucked right out of the social media scene today, making it relevant to these times of “regular” people becoming superstars with their cell phones and computers. I recommend it to anyone who loves a solid mystery with quirky characters that could be the teenager living next door.

This is the first book I have read by Kate Williams. She has written for several magazines, including Cosmopolitan and Bustle, as well as brands such as Urban Outfitters and Vans. She is the author of the Babysitters Coven series.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the Author and Netgalley and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2022 Laura Hartman

Book Review: Chevy at the Levee

By Lou Gallio

Lou Gallio writes this beautiful memoir of Pat, his late wife. His love for her and the life they lived together is heartwarming and interesting. In the pages of Chevy at the Levee he shares memories of their life together, that ended too soon. Her untimely death haunts the husband she left behind, with bittersweet memories and an emptiness in his heart that will never be filled. His memories are sharp and his willingness to share their life together in the pages of this book allows readers to enjoy Lou and Pat’s story.

Pat was born in Scotland. As a young woman, she finds work at the American Embassy in London as a switchboard operator. Lou meets his future wife while stationed in London in the United States Marine Corp. They soon became friends. Their journey quickly evolves into  becoming a couple and then a happy marriage with two children. It is an interesting journey traversing countries and continents.

Chevy at the Levee starts out strong. The first chapter foreshadows a problem with Pat. It seems she has something wrong, but isn’t willing to share with her husband or grown children. The suspense tugged at my mind while reading the book, knowing that something bad was going on with Pat, urging me to read one more chapter to see what would be revealed regarding her health.

By all accounts, Pat was an interesting, kind and loving person, tragically leaving this earth too soon. Closure is difficult to find when you love someone as deeply as Lou loved Pat. His life goes on, along with his two children, now adults, and the countless relatives they have in the States as well as in Scotland and other countries. But the space that Pat filled in his life will always be empty, with the exception of all of his happy memories he now holds closer to his heart.

I highly recommend this beautiful work of love and loss. Parts of the story are heart wrenching, but many more passages are full of love and laughter. Lou’s love for his wife shines through his words.

Please note that this is the second time I have reviewed this book. Originally I did not like it very much. The author rewrote much of it, turning it into the beautiful story I reviewed today.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Reedsy Discovery in exchange for a fair and honest review. You can find it here: Copyright © 2022 Laura Hartman