Now that we are well and settled into 2023 I hope that you have found some good books on your shelves to get you through the winter months. For a few reasons, this winter has flown by for me and I found myself busier than I’ve been in years. Something that proved to be very rewarding for me personally but definitely took a hit on my reading time. It’s been a slow start to my reading numbers but I’ve finally finished my first 10 stack of the year. I think another reason reading has gone slowly for me is that not all of these were page-turning wins. In fact more misses are in this stack that hits but alas…we keep going. I hope you find something in this mix to enjoy and I’ll be back with another 10 soon.

“Spare” by Prince Harry

You would have to live on another planet at this point to have not heard of Prince Harry and his new memoir “Spare”. Whether you are a fan of the Royals or not their mark on history is undeniable. The image of the two Princes walking behind their mother’s coffin, a woman who had the entire world’s focus, is an iconic one. Now imagine that being your life, your reality. You have heard the stories, the rumors, the gossip now Harry is telling his side of history, his perspective of growing up the spare to his brother the Heir and the son of the now King of England. The old saying there are two sides to every story unfortunately doesn’t really fit here it feels as it seems there are entirely way too many people involved in the lives and communication around this family. The lack of affection, connection and autonomy that’s described by Harry would do a number on anyone, let alone someone who has the entire world watching you grow through your awkward years, teenage rebellions and navigating young adulthood. I don’t envy any of them. The behaviors and treatment described is learned, repeated behavior from generations long before and one can only hope that by stepping aside Harry can learn to be his own man, find his own happiness and raise his family in his own way. Which is all any of us can ask/hope for our children. I found “Spare” to be a really sad story written by someone who is still struggling to manage a broken family dynamic who unfortunately has to deal with all of it in a very public way. If you haven’t yet joined the rest of the world in reading this give the audiobook a try as it’s very well narrated by Harry himself.

“The Memory Collectors” by Kim Neville

All her life Ev has had an unexplainable connection to objects, one that she shared with her father but after what it did to destroy him she has done everything in her power to learn to control her ability, to harness it. When Evelyn comes in contact with an object she can immediately sense the emotions attached to it, some good that can brighten its owner’s mood and the negative that need to be handled carefully and even at times destroyed. Never having come across another person who shares her gift, Ev believes she is the only one remaining, until she meets Harriet. When the two women have a chance encounter in an alley Ev’s first reaction is to run but Harriet knows that she has finally found the person who can help curate her collection, to finally help her sort her life in order. What’s soon to be revealed is that the women have more than their gift in common and its secrets are lying in wait for the past to be unearthed. Though the fantasy genre isn’t what I normally gravitate towards, I found “The Memory Collectors” holding my interest for the most part. Some of the scenes were difficult to picture, especially in Harriet’s house, and I’m not sure I missed it but not sure if Owen’s/Harriet’s ages were ever explained? I’m still not sure if I can be convinced to enjoy this genre more often but once in a while it’s fun to step outside of your norm and give something new a try. If fantasy/magical realism is your thing then I would recommend adding “The Memory Collectors” to your TBR list. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“A Lovely Girl: The Tragedy of Olga Duncan and the Trial of One of California’s Most Notorious Killers” by Deborah Holt Larkin

In 1958 a crime was committed that led to the execution of the last woman in California history. Olga Duncan was a pregnant newlywed when she went missing from her apartment one night. The twisted circumstances of this crime are something you would expect to see in the movies not play out in real life. Author Deborah Holt Larkin’s father was the top reporter on the Duncan case back in ’58 which consumed ten year old Deborah’s life at the time. The story spilts the narrative between the Duncan case and snippets from the author’s life during that time. Though I know those details felt pertinent to the author when the title is directed towards the Duncan case you expect a book strictly about the Duncan case. I think I would have rated this book higher if it had stuck to the case alone as it was researched and told very well. Also, the audiobook is narrated smoothly and makes for an interesting listen. If you are a fan of true crime, this might be an interesting add for your TBR list. I had never heard of this case before and some of the twists that unfolded were just mind-blowing. Thank you to Pegasus Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“The Twyford Code” by Janice Hallett

Something has bothered Steven Smith for decades. What happened to Miss Isles on their school trip all those years ago and why can’t he seem to remember that day? After finding a book on the bus on his way to school, Steven had handed it over to his reading teacher, having no idea what the strange markings in the margins meant. Miss Isles began reading the story to their class and fell deep into the belief that the author left behind a secret code in her words that unlocks a puzzle. Deciding a class trip to see the sites that are mentioned in the book was a good idea, Miss Isles piled the small group into a school van but when the class returned Miss Isles was nowhere to be found. Now years later, fresh out of prison from a lengthy stay, Steven is determined to figure out the question that has been nagging at his brain since he was a boy. What happened to Miss Isles? What would cause her to abandon her class? Was she running from something? Someone? Was Miss Isles actually on to something with the code or are there other factors at play? Convinced the answer lies somewhere in that book, Steven sets off to decipher a long ago mystery. This is the second creatively written book I’ve read by Janice Hallett. The first book, “The Appeal” was crafted out of emails and this one is primarily transcripts of voice memos. Placing you in the detective chair Hallett has written another great mystery that you won’t be able to put down. If you have yet to read Hallett’s work I highly recommend both titles for your TBR list. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

“The Lost Village” by Camilla Sten

Something truly terrible happened to the villagers of Silvertjarn in 1959. Over nine hundred citizens vanished without a trace leaving behind only two, a girl brutally murdered in the town square and a newborn baby left to fend for itself in the school’s nurses office. Documentary filmmaker Alice Lindstedt’s relatives were among the missing and she is determined to solve the mystery of what happened there. Having her grandmother’s letters to her sister and mother who both vanished all those decades ago to guide her, Alice pulls together a team to go to the abandoned town to research content for their film. But once they arrive they soon realize that someone…something…or maybe the village itself doesn’t want them there. Accidents start to plague the crew. Equipment is destroyed. People start to disappear. As fear and suspicion creeps over the group they soon begin to question if they are truly alone in Silvertjarn or if the dangers that plagued the village never really left. I have to be honest, I am not a fan of horror books, movies, whatever. The fact that this is plugged for fans of “Blair Witch” should have been my first indication to run but I kept on. “The Lost Village” was really such a page-turner…until the end. The is it/isn’t it paranormal vibes just didn’t quite hit the mark for me but the mystery aspect of it had me gripped. I love podcasts and documentaries so I could see this having a real market to get optioned into a series or movie at some point. Thriller/horror/mystery fans should give this one a try. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun” by Elle Cosimano

Finlay Donovan is back, again! After surviving her ordeal with mob boss Feliks, Finlay now finds herself in the back pocket of his gang. Now she owes him a favor and Feliks is cashing it in from behind bars…find the identity of the contract killer before the police and they will call it even. Finlay’s biggest problem is that the killer might actually be one of the police. Timing couldn’t be more perfect when Nick is assigned to run a citizens police academy giving Finlay and Vero the perfect excuse to investigate their prime suspects. With an ever ticking deadline, on both her new book draft and her safety, Finlay once again juggles work, motherhood and going undercover with her partner-in-crime. Another mad adventure for Finlay and Vero. I was so looking forward to this third installment of “Finlay Donovan” and what I assumed would be a resolution to this series but based on the way “…Jumps the Gun” ends you have to assume a fourth book is on the way from Cosimano. Though I feel like this series is dragging on a little bit too long I will be just as excited to read book four to hopefully see how Finlay comes out on top. If you have yet to start this series, it’s a great one for mystery readers who like a little comedy thrown in the mix. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press & Minotaur Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Without a Hitch” by Mary Holly Huddleston & Asher Fogle Paul

Lottie thought she had her life all figured out. Though her plans shifted in college her constant always stayed the same, upon graduation she would marry Brody and then set off to live in whatever part of the country he was signed to play football, always his biggest cheerleader. But when graduation day arrived she sat alone in front of the chapel she had reserved, drinking her sorrows away with her friends. What now? Seven years later, Lottie is moving on up the ladder at the elite event planning company she works for planning other peoples weddings, never her own. Lottie’s boss caters to the ultra rich where no expense is overlooked and no idea is too outlandish. So when a top secret client hires the firm to plan their happily ever after Lottie is ready to prove she is ready for that promotion but after the NDA’s are signed and the client’s name is revealed she realizes she’s in for her biggest challenge yet. Based on the writing duo’s real life experiences in the Southern wedding industry “Without a Hitch” is filled with insane weddings and their over the top mishaps that leave you grateful none of these disasters happened to you. This was a cute, quick read that would make for a nice addition to your next vacation pile.

“Agent Jack: The True Story of MI5’s Secret Nazi Hunter” by Robert Hutton

To those who knew him, Jack King was a Gestapo agent working deep undercover in Britain gaining trust among Nazi sympathizers, passing their intelligence information along to Germany. Many of whom believed they had been put on Germany’s payroll and in some cases even awarded medals for their devotion to the country. In reality Jack was bank clerk Eric Roberts, an MI5 agent and member of Operation Fifth Column, an operation so secret that its existence wasn’t shared with the public until 2014. In this book, author Robert Hutton, a UK political correspondent, shares the details of what Operation Fifth Column was able to accomplish during WW2, such as intercepting a tip-off that could have blown Bletchley Park’s cover or information regarding anti-radar technology. The audiobook has a great narration and was an enjoyable listen. I would recommend “Agent Jack” to any armchair historians out there who love to learn new details about this era.

“Cry of Murder on Broadway: A Woman’s Ruin and Revenge in Old New York” by Julie Miller

“On the evening of November 1, 1843, a young household servant named Amelia Norman attacked Henry Ballard, a prosperous merchant, on the steps of the new and luxurious Astor House hotel. Agitated and distraught, Norman followed Ballard down Broadway before confronting him at the door to the Astor House.” The trial of Amelia Norman was a spectacle as most were back in the 1800s, doubling as performative theater and entertainment for the crowds both inside and out. The sensational journalism used to sway sympathy for Norman, helping her gain support from politicians as well as legal and moral reformists who were determined to change the laws around crimes committed with “seduction”. Author Julie Miller delivers Norman’s story which hit at the same time as the women’s rights movement was gaining traction. Though I found “Cry of Murder…” somewhat interesting, the story didn’t fully hold my attention. Wasn’t the true crime book I was expecting though history buffs might find this one interesting.

“How to Be a Family: The Year I Dragged My Kids Around the World to Find A New Way to Be Together” by Dan Kois

“In this eye-opening, heartwarming, and very funny family memoir, the fractious, loving Kois’ go in search of other places on the map that might offer them the chance to live away from home-but closer together. Over a year the family lands in New Zealand, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, and small-town Kansas. The goal? To get out of their rut of busyness and distractedness and to see how other families live outside the East Coast parenting bubble.” I’m not sure who wrote this blurb for the book but “very funny” is a very big stretch to describe this memoir. I found the perspective of living in these four different locations interesting (I’d never make it living in three out of the four…mosquitos, bicycles and extremely small town) but the experiment that this family set out to accomplish was mostly a failed one. Instead Kois expected his children (mostly his teenager) to miraculously change who they were and the things they cared about just because their location changed. The harsh criticisms of his newly teenager daughter vs the portrayal of his younger daughter made it glaringly obvious who the author enjoyed spending time with more. (No teenager wants to give up their screen time completely, Dan. Especially if that is their only way of communicating with their friends that you forced her to leave behind for a year while you ran an experiment to write a book.) I’m not sure what I was expecting to get out of this, maybe more of a travel read but instead I was left feeling bad for the kids and completely certain I’m never moving to another country for three months on a whim.

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Til next time,

The Booked Mama