Amagansett

"Amagansett" was written by Mark Mills, a screenwriter, and this is his first novel. It is a mix of historical fiction, romance, and mystery. It focuses on several families or individuals and their private lives then how those lives become intertwined when what appears to be the drowning of a young woman turns out to be a homicide. However, there are only two men who have a gut feeling that it is a homicide--one a law officer and the other one of the fishermen who found the body. Both men set out to solve this murder in their own unique ways until their paths cross in an explosive climax. Although it is almost 400 pages in hardback, it was a quick read for me and held my interest all the way through. It is one of my "must read" best picks!

pazt

"Sinister Sprinkles"

"Sinister Sprinkles" by Jessica Beck is another in the Donut Shop Mystery series. Suzanne Hart, owner of Donut Hearts, finds another murder to solve when the woman her ex-husband dallied with before their divorce is found dead. Suzanne sets out to solve the murder (with a little help from her ex-husband, Max) and puts herself in danger again. In the meantime, her current boyfriend, Jake, is unavailable and her best friend, Grace, is contemplating a move. Is Suzanne's life about to change forever?

Another fun read by Jessica Beck .....pazt

"Sizzling Sixteen"

"Sizzling Sixteen" by Janet Evanovich is her latest Stephanie Plum novel and, as usual, Stephanie has her hands full but this time she's trying to help her cousin, Vinnie, owner of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds (where she's employed), out of a gambling debt jam so he can keep his business and she can keep on working there! As usual, Stephanie and her sidekick, Lula, along with cousin Vinnie's clerical staff (Connie) have their hands full and aren't managing to stay out of trouble. Stephanie is forced to call on the man who can help her out of a jam - Ranger -- but it won't set well with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, cop Joe Morelli. Can she get herself out of this jam and save the agency? You'll have to read it to find out -- another fun Stephanie Plum novel by Evanovich!

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"Hello Goodbye"

"hello goodbye" is a novel by Emily Chenoweth -- the story of the Hansen family. The summer after Abby Hansen's freshman year of college she goes on vacation with her parents, Elliott and Helen, to a historic resort -- The Presidential Hotel in northern New Hampshire. This is to be a celebration of her parent's marriage and a chance to reconnect with old friends who will help them celebrate. What Elliott has told none of them -- including his wife, Helen -- is that she is dying. It's obvious to everyone that her health is fragile and the truth must come out but not before secrets are revealed and confessions are made. In the midst of this family/friends scenario Abby tests new boundaries and forges new friendships and makes a reconnection of her own among the young people who staff the hotel.

Although this book is not a biography, the author's own mother was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor during her first year of college and her father arranged a similar trip. The author has no notes or diary from that period but is able to draw on her own memories as well as her own experiences of grief and loss to craft a believable fictional story.

I found this book very readable and it certainly is one that would prompt a lot of discussion for groups. In fact, the copy I checked out from the library has book group discussion questions at the back of the book.

Although some might see grief as a depressing topic, I found this book uplifting. Despite the loss this family will experience when Helen dies, they are living life now!

pazt

"Fatally Frosted"

"Fatally Frosted" by Jessica Beck is another book in Beck's Donut Shop Mystery series starring Suzanne Hart. When a donut from Suzanne's shop proves to be the weapon that murdered a local busy body, she has to figure out who did it to clear her name. This time her police inspector boyfriend, Jake Bishop, is out of town because his niece is in the hospital and that family emergency has him out of the picture. However, Suzanne's ex-husband, Max, wants to be part of her detective team. There are enough suspects to cloud the sleuthing trail but in the end Suzanne successfully solves the case but not without almost becoming a victim herself. This is another fun, quick read by Jessica Beck.

Enjoy!

pazt

Failure to Launch

"Failure to Launch" stars Matthew McConaughey as 35 year old Tripp - a man who still lives with his parents. Kathy Bates as his mom and Terry Bradshaw as his father are perfect casting in my opinion! Tripp has it made living at home with his parents because his mother cleans his room, does his laundry, and cooks his meals. When a woman starts to get serious about him, Tripp (who appears to have an aversion to a serious relationship) solves the problem by bringing them home for the night and, when they discover he still lives at home with his parents, the women end the romance and he doesn't have to do a thing.

Tripp's parents learn from some of their friends that they can hire Paula (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) to get Tripp to leave the nest because she is a pro at it. Paula seems to have relationship issues of her own -- doesn't want one!

Paula and Tripp each have a best friend to advise them -- although not always dishing out the best advice as far as I'm concerned! They add their own humor to what is billed as "a bright and breezy romantic comedy" by Gene Shalit of Today. However, this film does have its serious moments when the reasons Tripp and Paula don't want committed relationships comes to light and Paula wants to back out of her deal with Tripp's parents. This is a film well worth watching for the comedy as well as the serious, thought-provoking moments.

pazt

"The Information Officer"

"The Information Officer" by Mark Mills is a well written historical whodunnit set in 1942 on the island of Malta. Max Chadwick is a British officer in charge of spinning the news on the island to keep the spirits of the locals high. It's about living life to its fullest in the middle of a war zone where one never knows if they'll survive to the next day.

When a doctor friend shares with Max that a young local woman has been murdered and she's not the first, he sets out to find out who is behind the murders. However, he's warned off by some higher ups and encouraged by others but he's really tested when a woman he works with and has feelings for appears to be about to become the latest victim. This is a novel with twists and turns but it is written in a style that is so real that I felt the conversations were just what you'd expect in a similar situation. It has its humorous moments, too. I liked it so well that I'm going to see if Mills has any other novels out there to read.

pazt