Book Review: Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's 1955 in post-war London and Vivien Lowry is a movie script writer. After a scathing review of the play she wrote, a friend convinces her to move to Rome and work for the famous Cinecitta Studio. Rome in 1955 is an absolutely beautiful setting. We get a peek into the film industry, the Vatican's attempt to censor the films made there, the glamour of the lifestyle, the Italian food and nightlife, and the close friendships that Vivian develops. We also get to see the long-term lingering effects of the war.

We know Vivien from Natalie Jenner’s previous novel The Bloomsbury Girls, which I absolutely loved, along with her first novel The Jane Austen Society. I really wanted to love this book as well, but it just didn’t live up to her other two.

There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but it helped that she included a comprehensive Cast of Characters along with a brief synopsis of each one. In her author's note she mentions a map, but apparently it was missing from my advanced reader copy. It would have helped to know all the Rome locations she mentioned in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: Stories from the sidewalk: a walk through 137 years that shaped dearborn by The Museum Guild of Dearborn

Stories from the sidewalk: a walk through 137 years that shaped dearborn by Christopher Merlo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a beautiful coffee table book which describes many of the original historical houses in Dearborn, Michigan.  The houses are primarily those in West Dearborn, just north of Michigan Avenue and beyond the Rouge River.  Each page contains a current glossy photo of the house with information about when it was built, the architect, the year it was built and background information on the original and subsequent homeowners.  Fascinating reading for any Dearborn resident!!

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Book Review: Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson (#32 Alex Cross)

Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm very disappointed in this latest entry in the Alex Cross series (#32). There is WAY too much going on with four different story lines -- two for Alex and John Sampson, and two for Bree. There's a serial killer on the loose, a plane has been shot out of the sky, there's a missing CEO, and a missing college friend of Jannie's.

The chapters alternate between the various mysteries, and we all know that the Patterson chapters are extremely short. We only get a brief glimpse deeper into one of the story line when ...WHOOPS....we are thrown into another brief update on a different story line. It is so jumbled together that after the first 50 pages, I was ready to give up. I ended up skimming the rest of the book but it was so unsatisfying compared to many of his others.

I will seriously think twice (or three times!) before I attempt to read #33 in the Alex Cross series! I am shocked that this book received a Goodreads score of 4.31 (out of 5) with 11,143 ratings!!

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Book Review: The Home Edit: Stay Organized: The Ultimate Guide to Making Systems Stick by Clea Shearer

The Home Edit: Stay Organized: The Ultimate Guide to Making Systems Stick by Clea Shearer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

HELP!  I got pulled in to another The Home Edit ROYGBIV organizational porn book!  This book is focused on staying organized and decluttered after the initial effort.  Once again it's page after glossy page of items organized by COLOR!  It was interesting that they included "Before" and "After" pictures, but to be honest the "Before" pictures looked better than 99% of the drawers, closets and pantries that I've ever seen!

I found some of their decisions so shocking that they were funny:  pickles and wine are considered an "unholy marriage" in the refrigerator, so throw away the pickles; throw away your potato masher ("who mashes their own potatoes?"); kids' snacks lying loose on their sides made them feel "sad."  Also, make sure that your kids don't choose activities that require bulky equipment that need to be stored in your garage.  

There is definitely not much substance in their books, and they rely on pretty pictures to sell their books.  Must resist!

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Book Review: How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin (Castle Knoll Files #1)

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is apparently the first book in a series -- Castle Knoll Files.  It is set in a small town in rural England and has dual narrators along with dual time frames.  Frances is 17 years old in 1965 and has her fortune told at a local country fair -- "...All signs point to your murder."  Her story is told through her diary.  Annie is 25 years old in present day and is summoned to a meeting with Great Aunt Frances to discuss her role as sole benefactor.  She arrives only to discover that Great Aunt Frances has recently been killed.  The details of her will require that either Annie or nephew-by-marriage Saxon to solve her murder within one week in order to inherit the estate. 

The plot itself is intriguing and had potential, but didn't live up to my expectations.  The story was not as fast-paced as I would like.  There are too many characters, especially multiple generations of families to keep track of.  Red herrings abound, along with dangling plot lines and unresolved situations.  For those readers who may have gotten bogged down by the many characters and muddled details, everything is pretty much explained in one of the final chapters.  

It was an entertaining cozy mystery, but readers must pay close attention to the various characters and situations in order to follow along with the plot.  I'm not sure that I can recommend this book, and will probably not be reading the sequels.  

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy and an honest review. The book is due to be published March 26, 2024

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

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