First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The It Girl; Ruth Ware

                                                    

Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews. Each week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book we are reading or plan to read soon.  

It It Girl; Ruth Ware

Gallery/Scout Press - 2022

(20 Books of Summer List)

BEFORE

Afterwards, it was the door she would remember.  It was open, she kept saying to the police.  I should have known something was wrong.

She could have retraced every step of the walk back from the hall: the gravel crunching beneath her feet of the path across the Old Quad, under the Cherwell Arch, then the illegal shortcut through the darkness of Fellows' Garden, her feet light on the soaked forbidden lawn.  Oxford didn't need KEEP OFF THE GRASS signs; that lawn had been the preserve of dons and fellows for more than two hundred years without needing to remind undergraduates of the fact.

What do you think, read more or pass.  I've have pretty good luck with this author and, I do like a good mystery set in academia, so I'm hoping this will be a winner.

Book Review - One By One; Ruth Ware

 

One By One; Ruth Ware

Gallery/Scout Press - 2020

A company retreat for 5 employees and 5 stockholders of Snoop, a London start up company, is taking place at a luxury chalet in the French Alps. Between meetings, a skiing bonding outing and a surprise twist initiated on whether or not to sell the start up company, havoc has begun.  When an avalanche has left the chalet without power and phone/cell service and one skier has gone missing, later presumed dead, tensions rise, panic sets in and food becomes scarce as well. Suddenly, "one by one," a few more from the group end up dead.  Of the guests and the (2) chalet staff members, there is a killer in the mix.

I've read everything this author has written and, for me, this one was a miss.  Although I liked the snowy remote locale and luxury chalet, cozy fire etc, the atmosphere just wasn't enough. This mystery took me way longer to get through than expected. It was easy to put down and harder to pick up and never really picked up until the last 30% for me. I felt there were too many forgettable, undeveloped characters and, the (2) characters, Liz and Erin, who were more fully explored felt forced at times.  The story is told from the POV of Liz (former employee) and Erin's (chalet hostess). I'm not sorry I tried this one but, overall, I was disappointed. I was able to predict the killer early on as well.

Rating - 3/5

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - One By One, Ruth Ware

Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, now hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews. . Each week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book they are reading or that they plan to read soon.

One By One; Ruth Ware

Gallery/Scout Press - 2020

Taken from BBC news website

Thursday, 16th January

4 BRITONS DEAD IN SKI RESORT TRAGEDY

The exclusive French ski resort of St Antoine was rocked by news of a second tragedy this week, only days after an avalanche that killed six and left much of the region without power for days. 

Now, reports are emerging that in one remote ski chalet, cut off by the avalanche, a "house of horrors" situation was unfolding, leaving four Britons dead and two hospitalised.

What do you think, read more or pass?  I just started this and am really enjoying it so far.

The Turn of the Key; Ruth Ware

TITLE: The Turn of the Key   

AUTHOR:  Ruth Ware

PUBLISHER: Gallery/Scout Press

PUB. YEAR: 2019

SETTING: Scottish Highlands
FORMAT:  eGalley (print 352 pp.)

RATING - 4/5

When Rowan Caine, a child care worker, learns of a job as a live-in nanny that seems too good to be true she decides to apply. Even though it's not the kind of job she wanted, the salary is too good to pass up.  Heatherbrae House is a secluded Victorian located in the Scottish Highlands. After an interview with Sandra and brief encounter with husband Bill, she's pretty much hired on the spot to care for their 3 young children (1, 5 and 8)  and one daughter, 15, who is away at school.

Almost immediately after being hired the couple who run an architectural firm, is off on a business trip. Rowan is left with the care of the small children and relatively no direction other than a thick binder of instructions and a smart-technology home prone to malfunction.  It isn't long before creepy happening begin, some due to technology and other incidents not o easy to explain. The tension increases with odd noises during the night. There's also an unfriendly housekeeper and a handyman who lives on the property whose motives seem unclear.  Rowan also learns that several nannies have come and gone abruptly before her and, she is constantly feeling as if she is being watched.

The story begins with Rowan in jail for murder. She is writing a letter to Mr. Wrexham,  her solicitor, proclaiming her innocence. Rowan is far from the perfect nanny; she has her share of secrets that are revealed as the story progresses.  Ware does a great job structuring this story, leaving clues and creating an eerie atmosphere throughout. Something bad happens in this mystery and you know it early on but, the details are only revealed at the end.  I read this book before bed every night for about a week and let me tell you, it does have a very creepy feel at times.  I really liked this one even though the ending left me a bit confused at first but, I now think I've finally figured it out.

A few quick reviews - A Noise Downstairs; Linwood Barclay - The Death of Mrs Westaway; Ruth Ware and Eight Hundred Grapes; Laura Dave

I can't believe it's been almost 3 weeks since I last posted here, just where do the days go? Hope everyone has been doing well.  I've still been reading quite a bit, a few really great reads and a few just okay ones.    Here's a recap:

A Noise Downstairs; Linwood Barclay

William Morrow - 2018

The set up for this psychological thriller is pretty simple, Paul Davis thinks his colleague, Ken, just might be a murderer.

Paul is a college professor who is driving home one night and notices that his colleague, Ken is driving erratically and a tail light is out, when Paul follows him,  he discovers he has two dead bodies in his car. Ken beats Paul up and nearly kills him but Paul recovers, suffering from PTSD as a result of the attack. He feels like he is losing his mind and when his therapist suggests he write about the incident that has caused him so much anguish, his wife and son buy him an antique typewriter to chronicle his thoughts.  Unfortunately, the typewriter seems to have a life of its own at night, typing sounds that only Paul seems to hear. Has Paul lost it or, is something or someone more sinister at play here?

The story is told primarily from the POV of Paul, his wife Charlotte and his therapist, Anna.  An addictive read that reels you in and keeps you guessing.  I loved how the story played out and, I felt the author did an awesome job. This is a must read for psychological fiction fans.


Rating - 5/5 stars
.

The Death of Mrs Westaway; Ruth Ware

Gallery/Scout Press - 2018

Hal (Harriet Westaway) is a young woman who is struggling to make ends meet.  Her mother died three months earlier, a victim or a hit and run accident. Hal has followed in her footsteps as a boardwalk, physic reading tarot cards for tourists.  She's flat broke and has even borrowed money from a loan shark who is now threatening her.  

One day she receives a letter in the mail stating that a relative has died and that she's in line for an inheritance.  Although she is pretty certain that the letter was sent to her in error and mean for someone else, she's desperate and decides to travel to Cornwall for the funeral of the deceased, a woman who is supposedly her grandmother.  A reading of the will is to follow the services.

An atmospheric, creepy, Gothic type mystery with cranky, suspicious characters. The setting, Trepassen House, a creepy old mansion was ideal for the story to play out. I enjoyed the characters and the way that the story unraveled.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

Eight Hundred Grapes; Laura Dave

Simon & Schuster - 2015

I wanted a lighter story to listen to on my walks and this story was delightful.  Set in Sonoma Valley's wine country, 30 year old, Georgia Ford has learned quite a bit about making wine, her family owns a vineyard there.  Now, living away from home in LA, Georgia's wedding is just one week away when she learns that her husband to be has been hiding a secret.  Unsure what she should do, she returns home to her family for comfort and to sort things out, only to find that her family has been hiding something from her as well. Will Georgia sort things out, marry and move to London as she had planned or will her life take a new path?

This was a nice story about family, dreams and bumps in the road of life. Likable characters and s beautiful setting as well. This audio book was would be a nice summer reading choice.

Rating - 4/5 stars

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Death of Mrs Westaway; Ruth Ware

On Tuesdays First Chapter, First Paragraph/Intros is hosted by Vickie/ I’d Rather Be at the Beach.  Readers are asked to share the first paragraph of a book they are reading or plans to read soon.  This week's selection hooked me right away (I'm about 1/3 into it and enjoying it). Tell me how you like the intro.

The Death of Mrs Westaway; Ruth Ware

Gallery - Simon & Schuster - 2018

29th November, 1994

"The magpies are back. It's strange to think how much I used to hate them, when I first came to the house.  I remember coming up the drive in the taxi from the station, seeing them lined up along the garden wall like that, preening their feathers.

Today there was one perched on the frost-rimed branch of yew right outside my window, and I remembered what my mother used to say when I was little and whispered Hello, Mr. Magpie under my breath, to turn away the bad luck."

Catching Up - 3 mini book reviews and Movies too

With Thanksgiving festivities coming up this week and my book reviews being placed on the back burner, I thought I'd try and play catch up!

Television and going to the movies has kept us busy. We've been binge watching The Good Doctor on ABC (love this new series - all caught up) and Curb Your Enthusiasm -(on season 5) Larry David is a genius!  (It feels so good to laugh hysterically again) I can't believe we are just watching this now.

First we saw (2) new movies this week - Wonder (OMG - it's wonderful - 9/10 stars) and Murder on the Orient Express (have never read the book so the ending was a huge surprise - 6.5/10 stars).

As far as reading, it's still happening, just at a slower pace.  2017 will be my lowest # of books read in about 10 years, but I'm still hoping to come close to 90 books by the end of the year. I'm actually much happier that this year wasn't all about books and blogging - life is good.

Here's what I finished recently:

 Ties; Domenico Starnone
Europa Editions (2017)


Ties,  was a powerful story of what was "once" a happy marriage. It's a story that's compelling yet familiar.  Aldo leaves his wife and two children for a much younger woman.  At home, Vanda, the wife he left, begins to fall apart but, eventually manages to pick up the pieces and move on.

The story is more of a novella, approximately, 150 pages but, it packs a punch.  The writing is excellent: the story of a fractured family told in parts, and, how a destructive relationship affected each of them. First we hear Vanda's POV after Aldo leaves her, then Aldo's POV, many years later and the the POV of the two children (now adults).

The story reminded my of Elena Ferrante's Days of Abandonment, and, I later read that this author is Ferrante's (AKA Anita Raja) husband. Powerful themes, love, betrayal and guilt and, a wonderful intro and translation from the Italian by author Jhumpa Lahari.

5/5 stars - try it!

Unraveling Oliver; Liz Nugent
Gallery/Scout Press - 2017

From the shocking first paragraph of this book --

"I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her.  She just lay on the floor, holding her jaw. Staring at me. Silent.  She didn't even seem surprised."

While some readers might have closed this book, never to return, after reading that opening paragraph, I was immediately pulled into this story, curious to learn what made this sociopath/wife beater tick.  As it turns out this was not the first time that Oliver hit his wife but, it was the first time to cause brain damage. What happened in Oliver's past to make him act the way he did?

The story is mostly about Oliver, told through various voices and POVs - relative, former friends and acquaintances throughout his life, leading up to the brutal attack.  I found the story engaging but, was left a bit disappointed by the fact that Alice's story, before the assault, is never really told.  I was still happy that I gave this debut novel a try.

4/5 stars

Midwinter Break; Bernard MacLaverty
W.W. Norton - 2017

I don't think there are enough books written these days about older married couples, perhaps because it doesn't always make for as exciting of a story when we read about affairs and relationships that are falling apart.  This story, while not exciting had many tender moments and even occasional humor that made me happy I gave it a try.

Stella is a retired English teacher who likes to people and doing crosswords to keep her mind sharp..  Gerry, her husband, likes architecture, music and looks forward to a nightcap, sometimes drinking a bit more than he should.  Having to guess their ages, I'd have to say late 60s to early 70s.

The couple is on a 4-day holiday to Amsterdam and during their time there the reader not only gets to enjoy some armchair travel but, they also get a bird's eye view of the fissures within their long term relationship, and an examination if the marriage is worth saving. Not terribly exciting reading but, a tender story that many couples might be able to relate to.

4/5 stars

I also had (2) DNF in the past few months: 

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me; Sherman Alexie - a memoir that started out rather depressing and had an incident of animal abuse that made me stop reading.

 Forest Dark; Nicole Krause - Start out strong but quickly lost my interest - confusing story and just felt frustrated after the 15% point on my Kindle.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!

Tuesday Nights in 1980, Molly Prentiss

Tuesday Nights in 1980; Molly Prentiss

Gallery/Scout Press - 2016

Tuesday Nights in 1980s was very different kind of story for me, it felt kind of edgy.  It's a story about the SoHo art scene from 12/31/79 through the end of 1980.

James Bennett is an unusual art critic with synesthesia, a condition that allows him to see, hear, smell and feel the world in an usual way. Raul Engages is an orphaned, Argentinian exile whose art is on the verge of being discovered.  Lucy Ollison is their muse, a high school girl from Idaho who escapes to New York looking for something more than Idaho has to offer.

The story shifts in POV between the characters who have come to the New York art scene to escape their past, each having experienced loss of some kind. Each character is flawed, selfish and not very likable yet their story felt real.  The author did a great job making these disconnected characters come together. I thought the writing was very good but, very different  At times I found this book a bit challenging yet, I loved the reading about the NY art scene before gentrification.

Readers looking for something different should try this debut. The writing and character development was well done.

4/5 stars
(review copy)

In a Dark Dark Wood; Ruth Ware

In a Dark Dark Wood; Ruth Ware

Gallery/Scout Press - 2015

I recently finished Ruth Ware's, The Girl in Cabin 10 and enjoyed it so, I decided to read her debut mystery as well which is also reminiscent of Agatha Christie's books.

In this story, Nora, A.K.A. Lee is a 26 year old reclusive writer living in London. One day she receives an unexpected email inviting her to a "hen party" weekend at a remote cabin.  She hasn't seen Clare, her former school mate in over 10 years and is surprised she is being invited.  The two used to be very good friends until some happened between them and they haven't seen each other since.

Even though Nora only knows one of the other guest besides Clare she decides to venture outside of her comfort zone to attend.  When all the guests arrive things go very bad very soon after arriving.

The novel begins with Nora waking up in a hospital trying to recall what happened at the party. The story held my interest and is very atmospheric, that glass house out in the middle of the woods and the snow has fallen. A good deal of tension fills the pages as I tried to piece together what had happened and why.  The story is told in flashbacks both past and more recent.  I found this to be a satisfying mystery overall.

4/5 stars

(library)