Simon Latch personifies the phrase, “Down on your luck”. He is a struggling sole practitioner lawyer in a small town in Virginia with virtually no chance of making it big. His marriage is in shambles, his three children sense the problem, he is chronically short of money, he has a budding drinking problem and he gambles on sports beyond his means. The apparent solution to his money problems walks into his office one day in the form of a wealthy widow who needs a new will and an estate plan. As the book progresses we learn all is not as it seems with regard to the widow and it appears Simon is in for another major disappointment. Then the widow suddenly dies. It is determined she was poisoned and Simon is the logical murder suspect.It is at this point the book differs from most Grisham novels in that the trial is not the focal point of the story. Rather Simon’s search for the real killer is. This search involves Simon seeking help from old friends in the FBI, hiring “consultants” familiar with the underworld and computer hackers who delve into the deepest parts of the dark web.Like most Grisham novels the book moves along at a good pace, the story is interesting and the supporting cast of characters is well drawn. The story is intriguing and believable. My only negative is Simon is a depressing character to the max as we see him dig himself deeper and deeper into one problem after another until he finally hits rock bottom. It was hard for me to read about someone who makes so many obvious bad decisions.

I enjoyed every minute of this book. The only thing I did not like was how quickly i finished it knowing it would be a wait for the next one. He is a master storyteller. This story was different in scope than the others which I also enjoyed. Maybe there will be a follow up of Simon’s story. Enjoy. I did not want to say anything about the story so you are not alerted to any of the great twists and turns.

I don’t know what the big acclaim is all about for this novel. NOTHING happens for the first half. Simon goes to lunch with Eleanor. One of her step-sons shows up. Simon & his wife are getting a divorce. The kids are typical teenagers and adolescents. Yawn. I almost quit at the 50% mark. Started skimming for the next 25%. (I hate giving up on a book!) Finally, at the 75% mark, the trial started and the pace picked up and it gained some traction. Yes – a story at last! The verdict was unexpected, after all the red herrings regarding how the prosecution was not proving its case from Simon’s lawyers point of view.Then the real plot began, IMO. Hunting down the real killer was actually the best part of the book. New characters were introduced and they were actually interesting (unlike Paula and his kids).Finally, the denouement, and my opinion of The Widow rose from 2 stars to 3.5 (not rounding up, however, as it was too much effort to get to the last 25%). But the overall pace and storyline was dull and uninteresting.

John Grisham is one of the best writers of all times. I have every one of his books. I started reading his books a very long time ago starting with A Time To Kill. My husband went to school and got a Masters. I told him he should read some of his books he told me I’ve read enough while I was in school I’m done reading. I begged him to read The Reckoning I was sure he’d love it but it was a no go for him. He has watched all of his movies and absolutely loved them. I’ve tried to get The Reckoning on tape but not have been able to it’s alway gone. One day I know I’ll find it. I can’t wait for him to hear it. I started reading it and was done on the second day. John don’t ever quit writing. I’ve had so many people ask if I will leave my books to them when I pass away. I just tell them get in line. Thank you for such wonderful memories from each and everyone of your books. Thank you. Barbara

John Grisham’s newest novel. I just finished it, and it’s a great read. It keeps you in suspense till the very end. It’s about a small town lawyer who takes on an estate case of an 85 year old woman. As is usually the case with his books, it’s filled with references about what lawyers do in court, so if you are a lawyer, you’ll really love this book.

I am retired from working for probate attorneys so this book is right up my alley. I was a little suspicious of Eleanor because she seemed so secretive. With only 2 step-sons she didn’t like or trust, who could really blame her? Simon, her new attorney, well — Eleanor has kept him in the dark about a lot of things. Simon is left to guess about her estate. An attorney really has to have all the facts before a will can be drafted. There are lots of different things to consider — mostly to minimize taxes. Simon never dreamed he would end up being charged with Eleanor’s murder. So, if it wasn’t Simon who poisoned her, then who could it be and how did they do it? And will Simon be left holding the bag? A great read!! Thanks John Grisham!!

This novel is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I absolutely adore Virginia Evans’ gorgeous and thoughtful writing. The entire story unfolds through letters and emails, which makes it feel deeply personal and intimate, and as if I were getting a glimpse into someone’s most innermost thoughts, joys, and struggles.The main character, Sybil, completely captivated me. She’s thoughtful, stubborn, and so honest. Even though I am in my late twenties, I saw a great deal of myself in her. The other characters were just as memorable. I especially loved Theodore and her correspondence with Basam.This book will stay with me and is a reminder that it is never too late to change your life.

???????? Amazing. I picked this book up this morning and could not put it down the rest of the day. A great read and listen as I went back and forth with both. I absolutely loved it.This book was different from what I have been reading all year and I loved deviating from my norm with this one. The entire book tells a story through letters back and forth between the main character, Sybil Van Antwerp, and various people making for a quick and entertaining read. I loved Sybil and the author does such a great job creating her character, I felt like she was a real person. This is such a beautiful story and so well written. highly recommend! I had no idea I was going to pick this book up and love it as much as I did.

The Correspondent is a captivating novel that draws you in from the very first page. The story is well-paced and layered, combining suspense, drama, and emotional depth in a way that keeps you hooked throughout.The characters are richly developed, with motivations and personalities that feel realistic and relatable. The author’s writing style is elegant yet accessible, making it a pleasure to read. I found myself completely immersed in the story and eager to see how everything would unfold.Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction with a strong narrative and engaging, complex characters.

Charming, wise, and thoughtful. That’s how I’d describe this epistolary novel that took me by surprise by living up to its hype. I vacillated between giving it four or five stars and settled on five because it delivered a great story about an interesting character in a difficult fashion.Sybil Van Antwerp, the protagonist, is a writer of letters, her preferred method of correspondence. Each note—whether a physical letter or text—reveals more about who this woman is and how she thinks. Her mistakes, regrets, joys, and hopes become evident, and the reader is rewarded with honest insights into what makes a life worth living.Themes of motherhood, the impact of career, friendship, forgiveness, and redemption weave together to deliver a heartrending story about a remarkable, intelligent, good-hearted, and flawed human.

A beautifully written book that tells the story through the correspondence of the lead character. Thought provoking and heart wrenching.

This book surprised me in that it’s story is told in letters… but pretty amazing how the lost art of letter writing can capture an entire life. So clever, creative and I literally did NOT want this book to ever end, ever!!

????✨ Book Review ✨????The Correspondent by Virginia Evans⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Told entirely through letters, this moving debut follows Sybil, a seventy-something retired lawyer reflecting on her life—love, loss, motherhood, and the ache of things left unsaid. Sybil clings to the written word as both lifeline and legacy. As new letters arrive, old wounds resurface and healing begins in unexpected ways.The entire story unfolds through letters and emails—a truly engaging, intimate way to unravel a lifetime of secrets, regrets, and unexpected joy. It’s a touching, yet funny, look at aging, the power of communication, and finding redemption when you thought change was impossible. If you enjoy character-driven literary fiction and appreciate the art of letters, this is a book you will want to read. Sybil is a character you won’t easily forget.

Her beautifully written letters, and the responses she received, tell the story of Sybil Van Antwerp’ s life. At first one may be a bit aggravated by the fact the whole book is conveyed only through letters. It is slow going at first. As I read I couldn’t help but wonder why this book had so many good reviews.But it won’t be long until one starts turning pages with eager anticipation.Its about a very accomplished woman lawyer who has had a wonderfully successful career and loved her work, and clung to it like a lifeboat.It is after she retires and has slow and uneventful days upon days when she begins thinking more deeply about her life, her choices, and the secret she is carrying.Just because the story is told in letters don’t think it doesn’t move along well. I enjoyed this book immensely and since the protagonist is around my age when the book begins, it was easy to identify and become caught up in The Correspondent to the point I read it in two long evenings. I had been told it was sad, and I didn’t read it for a while after I first heard of it because I fight depression enough without reading sad books. It is a retelling, in a way, but her life is not sad. Reading this book lead me to ruminate on my own life,and I doubt it’s possible for it not to have that effect. The woman is carrying a dark, heavy burden, but it will eventually be lifted in time to add a forgiving and beautiful chapter.

A very sad book to read and horrifying. The fact that she was sexually abused her whole life and still managed to be a decent human being is a miracle. The book is easy to read, draws you in right away and will tear your heart out. No one should be able to get away with trafficking children and abusing them, no matter how rich. The total lack of caring or compassion shown by Epstein and Maxwell is appalling. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.

Everyone should read this book. I don’t know where to start. I read this in one day. It is riveting and took me on an emotional ride. I cried, felt angry, sad, hopeful, and more. Ms. Giuffre writes eloquently about her horrific life story of suffering with the hope of making a difference for other women. It was especially disturbing to realize at the end that she took her own life after writing this and that she, once again, suffered (spousal) abuse at home. To have to tell her story of sexual abuse over and over again must have been torturous. She tells it gently and obviously is avoiding the worst sordid details but what we do learn is devastating. She was a brave soul and a good person. The book shows how sexual abuse at home by parents and their associates can have lifelong horrific consequences. With respect to the sick man, Epstein, the other perpetrators (his friends and clients who had sex with “his girls”) who are many have yet to pay and we all should be outraged at this. This is not political with respect to political parties but it is indeed all about Power! For this reason alone, the full Epstein files, including tapes, must be released. Why have they not been? I beg you to ask your legislators this question. Powerful men who have sex with trafficked women should be revealed to us and face justice even if only in public opinion. For Virginia’s sake, I sincerely hope that this book has an impact. Read it and recommend it to your friends. It’s not easy reading emotionally but it’s the most important book I have read in a long, long time. In Virginia’s memory, we can continue to work for change. It starts with stopping the sexual abuse of children in their own homes and in the places that are supposed to be safe.

Most touching book I have read in years. Virginia explains how when she was just eight years old her father suddenly became interested in giving her a bath at night. The mother did nothing to stop the abuse. She ran away from home and was passed from old man to old man and was finally discovered by Jeffrey Epstein. The book did not go into depth about the sex, thank goodness. I think what made it so sad and compelling was that it was told from the point of view of a child. I won’t spoil the book by telling you more except to say that Virginia Guifrey committed suicide a few months ago.

This is a difficult story to take in and–if even half of it is vividly true–Epstein and Maxwell were monstrous perverts who surely do not deserve to walk among us. There were two women giving this account: Gena Roberts, who was horribly abused as a child (allegedly by her father and his buddy) and who built her self-esteem on this role throughout most of her life. Then there was Virginia Giuffre, who came to recognize the torture she endured and set out to change her life, build a new life, and bravely seek justice for all victims of sexual abuse. Anyone with a normal upbringing has a dual response to these words: 1) How horrific this life was and how tragic it is to use young women as “throw-aways” and playthings for perverse, sexual pleasure of dirty old men and women, and 2) Why on earth did she not walk away from this horrific humiliation that was linked to sordid prestige and money? This torturous dichotomy of Giuffre’s life–in my opinion–ultimately caused her demise. When one is so damaged in the first decade of life, any true healing is elusive and, at best, partial. For example, the continuing [SPOILER] efforts of Giuffre to mend fences with her father despite the objections of her husband seemed unfathomable and irrational, but one has to remind oneself that it is Gena Roberts (not Virginia Giuffre) who is compelled to fix that relationship. This book is a lifeline for those who are drawn into abuse and who are in abusive relationships. A note about the audiobook version: The unnecessarily sing-song narration style of Thérèse Plummer is unsuitable and annoying. In addition, the narration needed a less youthful tone, which would add a bit more gravitas to this account–an account given by a nearly middle-aged woman.

A heartbreaking, brave, beautifully written book about extreme suffering at the hands of many grownups and powerful people. Beginning at age seven, Jenna was first abused by her father which continued until she was eleven, who then lent her to a friend of his for further abuse. Her story evolves from that, finding solace and strength from animals , and especially her horse, Alice, she rises above the reality of her young life to have dreams of a different life, only to be toppled again and again, by what at first seems like salvation but repeatedly hurls her into a world of subjugation. That Jenna miraculously survives to live an almost normal life for almost twenty years before having to relive the often times glamorous, confusing, dangerous nightmare of life with Maxwell and Epstein, but go on to want to save other girls from her fate, courageously telling her tale with painful depth repeatedly to Judges, journalists, lawyers, the FBI, law enforcement officials, until the story rose to be listened to and actions were taken against those who perpetrated what she and other girls had endured. She began writing journals at a young age, to at least know where she was, if not who she was, and that habit brought her to want to then write this memoir to hopefully help all the girls and women who had become prey as she had, to escape, reclaim their souls and lives and begin life anew. A harrowing book. It is said she committed suicide after she had approved the book. But I wonder if she wasn’t just truly worn out from feeling so much pain of and wanted to close her eyes and rest.

I’m not sure if I have words to describe the emotional impact this book and series have had on me. I couldn’t put this book down and while I wanted to know what happened…I also didn’t want it to end. And then it did and it was everything I wanted and more. Was I wrong about what was going to happen most of the time? Mot definitely, but I had fun guessing along the way and I will continue to have fun guessing as I do re-reads. This book is what a midpoint book should be – we got some answers but have a heck of a lot more as the stakes get higher and the world gets bigger.There is a lot of world and character building in this book – way more than in the previous two books. I definitely need a re-read in order to better understand it all, but I believe it’s setting the foundation for the next two final books in the series. While there are parts that confused me, I think that’s ok. I think all questions will be answered in the end and I’m here for the adventure!I will recommend this book and series until I am blue in the face. I love the adventure, romance, friendship, family, lessons, learning, magic, and overall immersive writing that makes me feel like I’m there. The book hangover is real and that’s when I know something magical has happened and a book has wormed its way into my soul.Onyx Storm (and the rest of the series) also contain some very real world reminders and lessons for us all. Even though this is a fantasy series, I think it would do us all well to learn from our history, to remember who can change our history (and not in a good way), how to stand up for what’s right even when it’s hard, to show empathy, to fight against wrongs, to embrace those that need help, and to be better than those that came before us. Lessons especially impactful in today’s climate and I applaud Rebecca for her reminders.This book was most definitely worth the wait! And I will continue to wait (and encourage Rebecca’s mental and physical health as a priority) for the next one. I’m a full supporter of her taking the time she needs since we’ll be here when she’s ready whenever that is – and then we can once again dive back into the Empyrean with her.

I dont want to give anything away. I dont write reviews to rehash what I read. I skip reviews that give too much synopsis or delves into book report style. Just going to gloss over.These books get a wide expanse of reviews. Great to terribad. Like it or dont, writers have a magical ability to weave worlds and create people like they are real. I’m thankful for writers, and if a story can make me feel something, can make me imagine something, then I am forever grateful.I am a fan of this series, and a book or story doesnt have to be perfect for me to enjoy it. No, this is not perfect, but I love hanging out in this world. If I’ feeling it, then I read the book, if it isnt working for me, then I give myself permission to stop and turn to something else. I frankly found these books entertaining, and I look forward to the next installment.I think book 3 story line has gelled a lot, with much of that having to do with main characters having gone through some stuff. Some new names left it hard for me to keep track of, but not off putting. Some characters I would like to have seen more of, again not off putting. I definitely got the feels in this one, and I definitely wont say from what. But I will say I was blowing my nose as I read in bed. Not a devastating thing, just a bittersweet thing.Lots of humor, lots of WTF, and plenty of new areas explored. Of course, lots of low level (to me) spice.I like the diversity of characters. I love the dragons. I really got a greater understanding of degree of bond. It isnt that it was explicitly explained, I think something just clicked further.I like when I need to take a breather when I finish a book. That is when I have to read something entirely different, and with this one it is like that. Leaves me with feels and thoughts, and I dont want to jump into anything of same genre right away.

Iron Flame, the second book in the Empyrean series, absolutely blew me away. Rebecca Yarros has created a world so immersive and electrifying that I couldn’t put this book down. The pacing is intense, the stakes are higher than ever, and every twist had me gasping for my next breath.What makes this series so special is not just the action and the dragons (though those are phenomenal), but the depth of the characters and the way their relationships evolve under unimaginable pressure. Violet’s journey in this book is powerful, emotional, and inspiring. I felt every victory, every heartbreak, and every moment of growth right alongside her and Xaden.This sequel doesn’t fall into the trap of “middle book syndrome.” Instead, it elevates the entire series with a thrilling plot, sharp dialogue, and such a unique concept that it truly stands apart from anything I’ve read before. It’s an unforgettable story filled with heart-pounding battles, shocking revelations, and the kind of world-building that stays with you long after you finish.If Fourth Wing hooked me, Iron Flame completely sealed the deal. This series is nothing short of phenomenal, and I cannot wait to see where Rebecca Yarros takes us next in Onyx Storm!!

Iron Flame (The Empyrean Book 2) Kindle Editionby Rebecca Yarros (Author) I blame Anne McCaffrey for my love of dragons and their riders. Rebecca Yarros, Violet, Xaden, and their dragons had a lot to live up to, in fact, the entirety of Pern! And Ms. Yarros does live up to Ms. McCaffrey.Where, at times, the first book in the Empyrean felt like a young adult book that had spice added in to move it from the young adult shelf, Iron Flame is fully rooted in adult fantasy, with just the right amount of spice and the perfect measure of angst and pathos.The relationship between Violet and Xaden sits in the center of the story, but there is so much more. We have siblings with a reason for vengeance, a hidden royal heir, jealous love rivals, and a race for a magical solution. It’s all in there. All of the feels and all of the tension. The only issue I had was that about ¼ of the book could have been shaved. In the realm of fantasy and fantasy romance, many authors seem to be in a race to see who can write the longest book. Yes, SJM, JLA, and now Ms. Yarros, I am looking at all of you. Apparently, they are all racing to take the tile of the biggest book away from the Giga Codex.That said, I am in love with the world that Ms. Yarros has created. It feels very concrete, as if I could smell the dust on the trails that the dragons and the griffins climb, the sweat under the flight leathers, and the spice of the lust that seems to be in the air. It is a real world, tangible, and fascinating.Ms. Yarros is the new queen of the Shadow Daddy (if you don’t know, go look it up). Xaden is not morally grey, so much as he is morally flexible. He is willing to burn the world… heck, he’d burn the universe for Violet, but he is also full of honor and strength.Violet is not the paragon of virtue or the slightly insane fantasy heroine we are used to. She is very clearly, a fighter – not only of her very real enemies, but also the illness that she must overcome every day to be a rider.One of the stand out part of Iron Flame is the dialogue. Ms. Yarros is a master of using dialogue to move the story along and to further character development effortlessly. Unless the reader takes a step back from the story (which is as difficult as climbing Everest barefoot!), it isn’t easy to see the masterful techniques she utitlizes.The plot,which at times (as I said before), is a bit overloaded, moves along as fast is possible in this height of book!To be completely honest, I received this book as a gift (the hardback) from the husband, and also borrowed it from KU when it was available, because I needed them both to finish.If Fourth Wing lived up to the hype, Iron Flame went beyond the hype into a completely different universe!Complete with a masterful use of technique, a beautifully built world, and an intricate woven plot, Iron Flame, in fact the entire Empyrean series, is a modern classic that will go down in literary history with the Lord of the Rings, the Dragon Riders of Pern, and the Witchworld stories.4.75 stars out of 5 (a .25 deduction because some of the book could have been shaved) rounded up to 4 stars out of 5

{“clickstreamNexusMetricsConfig”:{“actionType”:”DISCOVERY”,”producerId”:”vsemetrics_playercards”,”eventType”:”IVEVideoView”,”productId”:””,”eventOwner”:”vsemetrics_playercards”,”schemaId”:”clickstream.CustomerEvent.4″},”clientPrefix”:”vse_reviews_desktop_r2tbulsn56e2z0_1764117356869″,”ccvDisclosure”:””,”closedCaptionsConfig”:{“captionsOnTexts”:{“de”:”German (Automated)”,”en”:”English (Automated)”,”fr”:”French (Automated)”,”es”:”Spanish (Automated)”},”captionsOffText”:”Captions off”,”languageToLabelTexts”:{“English”:”English”,”German”:”German”,”Spanish”:”Spanish”,”French”:”French”}},”sushiMetricsConfig”:{“isRobot”:false,”clientId”:”VSE-US”,”videoAsinList”:””,”weblabIds”:””,”eventSource”:”Player”,”sessionId”:”142-9236287-8054746″,”refMarkers”:”vse_reviews_desktop_R2TBULSN56E2Z0_1764117356869_ref”,”placementContext”:”cr_inline_review”,”marketplaceId”:”ATVPDKIKX0DER”,”isInternal”:false,”endpoint”:”https://unagi-na.amazon.com/1/events/com.amazon.eel.vse.metrics.prod.events.test”,”requestId”:”34SEHGEJ1Q5DC618SQ7G”,”customerId”:”A274QLC7UU1KFO”,”sessionType”:1},”mimeType”:”application/x-mpegURL”,”reportUrl”:””,”nexusMetricsConfig”:{“isInternal”:false,”widgetMetricsSchemaId”:”vse.VSECardsEvents.9″,”clientId”:”VSE-US”,”videoAsinList”:””,”weblabIds”:””,”eventSource”:”Player”,”videoAsin”:”R2TBULSN56E2Z0″,”customerId”:”A274QLC7UU1KFO”,”producerId”:”vsemetrics_playercards”,”refMarkers”:”vse_reviews_desktop_R2TBULSN56E2Z0_1764117356869_ref”,”placementContext”:”cr_inline_review”,”playerTSMMetricsSchemaId”:”vse.VSECardsPlayerEvents.9″},”videoHeight”:0,”videoWidth”:0,”initialClosedCaptions”:”en,https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/vse-vms-closed-captions-artifact-us-east-1-prod/closedCaptions/bb33119b-863a-4843-a934-45cc437647dc.vtt”,”eligibleToTriggerCCWeblab”:false,”videoUrl”:”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/vse-vms-transcoding-artifact-us-east-1-prod/1501e492-60cb-49bf-8dad-0c751bc06d0a/embedded.cc.default.vertical.jobtemplate.hls.m3u8″,”metricsEmissionMethod”:”nexus”,”imageUrl”:”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61kYA4KwOyL._SY256.jpg”,”awaConfig”:{“useUpNextComponent”:false,”clickstreamNexusMetricsConfig”:{“actionType”:”DISCOVERY”,”producerId”:”vsemetrics_playercards”,”eventType”:”IVEVideoView”,”productId”:””,”eventOwner”:”vsemetrics_playercards”,”schemaId”:”clickstream.CustomerEvent.4″},”initialVideo”:”R2TBULSN56E2Z0″,”shouldPreload”:true,”enableClickBasedAttribution”:false,”isChromelessPlayer”:false,”closedCaptionsConfig”:{“captionsOnTexts”:{“de”:”German (Automated)”,”en”:”English (Automated)”,”fr”:”French (Automated)”,”es”:”Spanish (Automated)”},”captionsOffText”:”Captions off”,”languageToLabelTexts”:{“English”:”English”,”German”:”German”,”Spanish”:”Spanish”,”French”:”French”}},”enableDynamicBlur”:false,”showPlayerPlayButton”:false,”isVideoImmersivePlayer”:false,”metricsEmissionMethod”:”nexus”,”skipInitialFocus”:false,”playerSkin”:”none”,”disabledViewIds”:[“replayHint”],”includeEarnsComissionDisclosure”:false,”customerId”:”A274QLC7UU1KFO”,”containerId”:”vse_reviews_desktop_r2tbulsn56e2z0_1764117356869-player-6af6d2f2-5022-4c07-9939-b6108326cea0″,”allowCrossOrigin”:false,”requestMetadata”:{“marketplaceId”:”ATVPDKIKX0DER”,”clientId”:”VSE-US”,”sessionId”:”142-9236287-8054746″,”method”:”cr_inline_review”,”requestId”:”34SEHGEJ1Q5DC618SQ7G”,”pageAsin”:””},”shouldLoop”:false,”shouldDisableControls”:false,”alwaysSetInitialVideo”:true,”showPlayerCloseButton”:false,”clientPrefix”:””,”useAutoplayFallback”:false,”sushiMetricsConfig”:{“isRobot”:false,”clientId”:”VSE-US”,”videoAsinList”:””,”weblabIds”:””,”eventSource”:”Player”,”sessionId”:”142-9236287-8054746″,”refMarkers”:”vse_reviews_desktop_R2TBULSN56E2Z0_1764117356869_ref”,”placementContext”:”cr_inline_review”,”marketplaceId”:”ATVPDKIKX0DER”,”isInternal”:false,”endpoint”:”https://unagi-na.amazon.com/1/events/com.amazon.eel.vse.metrics.prod.events.test”,”requestId”:”34SEHGEJ1Q5DC618SQ7G”,”customerId”:”A274QLC7UU1KFO”,”sessionType”:1},”ospLinkCode”:””,”showPosterImage”:true,”languageCode”:”en”,”languageLocalization”:{“play”:”Play”,”volumeLevel”:”Volume Level”,”subtitles”:”Subtitles”,”volumeSlider”:”Volume Slider”,”playVideo”:”Click to play video”,”fullscreen”:”Fullscreen”,”scrubberBar”:”Scrubber bar”,”mute”:”Mute”,”unmute”:”Unmute”,”pause”:”Pause”,”captions”:”Captions”,”nonfullscreen”:”Non-Fullscreen”},”version”:””,”isMoreVideosButtonEnabled”:false,”nexusMetricsConfig”:{“isInternal”:false,”widgetMetricsSchemaId”:”vse.VSECardsEvents.9″,”clientId”:”VSE-US”,”videoAsinList”:””,”weblabIds”:””,”eventSource”:”Player”,”videoAsin”:”R2TBULSN56E2Z0″,”customerId”:”A274QLC7UU1KFO”,”producerId”:”vsemetrics_playercards”,”refMarkers”:”vse_reviews_desktop_R2TBULSN56E2Z0_1764117356869_ref”,”placementContext”:”cr_inline_review”,”playerTSMMetricsSchemaId”:”vse.VSECardsPlayerEvents.9″},”shouldStartMuted”:false,”airyVersion”:”VideoJS”,”languagePreferenceStrings”:{},”enableInactiveFocus”:true,”isReactFactory”:false,”enableDelphiAttribution”:false,”includeReportWidget”:false,”shouldAutoplay”:false},”needPlayerFactory”:false,”isMobile”:false}The video showcases the product in use.The video guides you through product setup.The video compares multiple products.The video shows the product being unpacked.Video Player is loading.Click to play videoPlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:17Loaded: 35.33%0:00Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently behind liveLIVERemaining Time -0:17 1xPlayback RateChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionsCaptions off, selectedEnglishAudio Trackdefault, selectedFullscreenThis is a modal window. Iron Flame picks up right where Fourth Wing left off, and it wastes no time putting you right back in. The pacing is slower in some sections, but there is a lot more world-building and political maneuvering compared to Fourth Wing. We get to see the characters deeper and their loyalty. I liked the fact that we get to see more of Violet’s mental strength as she deals with everything she has been through.The romance is still there, but there are more war, betrayal, and strategy scenes instead. When I was reading the action parts, it was intense and worth the buildup. I also appreciated that more side characters got page time, adding layers to the story outside of just Violet and Xaden.This book feels darker and heavier than the first, but it kept me engaged and left me eager to see where the series goes next. If you like Fourth Wing, you will want to read Iron Flame.

This is a stunner, perhaps the best DB book since The Da Vinci Code.My philosophy of reviewing is that it involves three questions. What did the author set out to do? Did the author accomplish that? Was it worth doing? In the case of DB we have a specific kind of book. It has a pile-driver plot. It has interesting characters but it is not really character-driven. It is popular fiction. In addition to plot its long suits are setting and subject matter. Here we are largely in Prague, with momentary side trips to New York City.The title refers to consciousness (Langdon’s girlfriend Katherine has written a book on the subject). Consciousness is indeed the most challenging element of brain science and it includes both scientific and spiritual dimensions of immense importance. In the novel the plot is advanced by the principal fact that Katherine Solomon’s book on the subject keeps disappearing; someone does not want this book to hit the booksellers’ shelves. Who? Why?DB writes this story with a hand tied behind his back. He requires that the science all be right (this may make it somewhat fanciful, but not science fiction) and that the setting (also something strange and almost mystical) be rendered faithfully and honestly.Bottom line: this is the kind of writing which requires enormous planning and research. At the same time it must be intelligible to a broad range of readers and it must be plausible.The book succeeds on all counts. It is both the ultimate popular read and something with fascinating and important scientific/spiritual content.It is, unmistakably, a ‘Dan Brown book’. It is not Dostoevsky; nor was it meant to be. Those who write condescending reviews of it should themselves attempt to write such a book and they should be reminded that readers can enjoy and admire a wide range of genres and styles. (Yes, I wrote this review after reading a snooty review by an individual who probably longs for an audience as wide as DB’s. And, yes, there is also some puritanism at work there. Great 18thc readers like Addison and Samuel Johnson knew that ‘honest pleasure’—the kind that will neither send you to prison nor to hell—was a great desideratum in our culture, a lesson that is often lost on those who consider such pleasure beneath them.)

“For years, Dr. Brigita Gessner had derided her patients’ claims of returning from the brink of death. Now she found herself praying that she could join the ranks of those rare souls who had danced to the edge of oblivion, peered into the abyss, and somehow stepped back from the precipice.‘I can’t die… I have to warn the others.’But she knew it was too late.’So ends the Prologue, which makes you eager to read more.Robert Langdon is in Prague for a lecture series. He’s gotten close to another speaker, Dr. Katherine Solomon, a “noetic scientist,” the study of human consciousness. As in, for one thing, you can’t have an after-life experience if you don’t have consciousness outside of your body. At least that’s one theory.This book also gives you a golem, lots of chase scenes, and a very bad bad guy.I would not recommend reading a second Dan Brown title right after reading a first one. The plot set-ups are so similar you’d think you were reading the same novel. But with sufficient time between books (and assuming you’re reading other books in between), Dan Brown delivers a fast-paced story and, the best part for me, he is chock-full of interesting information.For example, “Secret of Secrets” brings in muscle memory, sudden savant syndrome, precognition, halos, and desert mirages. But the main arguments are for and about non-local consciousness. The YOU that makes you YOU, is not just beyond your body. It is everywhere.You’ll need to read the book for the details. But, as Brown writes in a blurb before the Prologue (see picture), the science described in the book is real. More chillingly, the experiments are real.4 stars. I knocked one off as there was occasionally a bit of drag in the action, and the protagonist (in a monk’s habit of course) seemed a bit of caricature. Though not perfect, this was a fun read.Happy Reader

The long awaited new Robert Langdon is here and this was the wildest ride yet. Full of action and adventure, plot twists and turns, it took me a while to read — my life kept interrupting — but baby, it was worth it.The confirmed bachelor, Robert Langdon, has begun a romance with Dr. Katherine Solomon, an old friend and colleague who’s been a teasing “will they or won’t they” relationship. The two have finally jumped into the will they category, with Langdon coming with her to Prague to cheer her on with a speaking engagement about “Noetic Science” and “NonLocal Consciousness”. And that’s when it all goes to hell. Solomon’s new manuscript is on the edge of blowing the lid off what we think our reality is. But someone doesn’t want it published. And they’re not afraid to kill to keep that from happening.I truly got swept up in this book. Once again, Dan Brown proves he’s the man when it comes to potboilers and thrillers. These characters are vivid and sometimes scary. And if the subject is anywhere near reality of our modern world, we are well and truly screwed by the whole discussion and debate of AI and….well, I won’t finish the sentence because that would be giving too much away. You want to find out? You’ll have to read the book.I give Dan Brown’s latest Robert Langdon novel, The Secret of Secrets a solid 5 starts. Personally, I’d give it a full 10 out of 5 if I could. It’s brilliant, tense, and a great read.

For fans of Pillars of the Earth, and for fans of women, especially, this latest historical tome about how Stonehenge may have come to be, from Mr Follett is both engaging and edifying. While he has never been reticent to feature strong women in his stories, it is timely and satisfying to have the main character a complicated and strong female, whose life Is interesting as well as regular! We are so often subjected to the notion that our ancient ancestors were simple or even stupid, the fact is that yes, their lives may have been simpler in many ways but they were in no way less subjected to the same challenges and triumphs that we are in the modern day, something the author is well aware of and deft at relaying. I found it a wonderful, thoughtful novel to get lost in, easy to read, and a perfect distraction.

‘”The wood circle is vulnerable. Timber can rot, or fall down in a gale, or be carried away by thieves. The whole Monument ought to be made of stone, not wood.” …[She] seemed to stand more upright, and speak with regal authority. “Then we must rebuild in stone.”’ (p103)This is a fascinating and reasonably plausible fictional account of the origins of Stonehenge. Nobody will come away from this novel thinking it’s a definitive history, but Follet helps us appreciate that Stonehenge is the work of real people – to see the humanity behind the monument. As soon as I put down the novel, I went scurrying to dig into the history of Stonehenge.Follet paints a fascinating picture of what life might have been like 4,500 years ago. Despite all that’s changed since then, the novel makes a compelling statement regarding how much we share with those who lived so long ago. It’s especially strong in its depiction of society’s intellectual growth and cultural evolution – a snapshot in the tale of how we got from there to here.Of course Follet’s masterpiece is “Pillars of the Earth”, and his burden now is seeing us all measure everything else he writes against “Pillars”. I admit that I don’t think “Circle” is as deep, rich, or sharp as “Pillars”. But it’s a great book in its own right – satisfying, edifying, and lots of fun.

Almost all prior Ken Follett books have been based on factual events. Even the futuristic Never is firmly rooted in known trends and facts. Circle of Days is an exception. In this novel, Follett is pretty much on his own. Here he’s had to invent four different cultural groups with their own unique quirks and habits, as well as shortcomings. The goal: offer a plausible world that existed nearly five thousand years ago, and a people that tasked themselves with the building of an everlasting monument, that we today call Stonehenge.Many reviewers have panned Follett for offering an overly simplistic view of the world, and of the people of the Neolithic era. This was a time before written history, and much is not known of the people that existed at that point in time.Follett created four distinct cultural groups, complete with languages, mores, roles, and shortcomings. Into this, he created individuals that fit certain roles with specific attributes that allowed them to achieve their goals. The result was a sort of simple story of good versus evil, right versus wrong that many readers found wanting.

Circle of Days is the first Ken Follett I have read. I was sorely disappointed. Hopefully this book is not representative of his other books. I gave this book 3 stars mainly hoping that potential purchasers will read this. The characters are 2 dimensional with very little development. I never had any emotional or intellectual connection to the characters. They are as flat as the pages of this book. There are more than a few sex “scenes”. which seemed to check off woke sexual orientations. Some are extremely graphic and do nothing to forward the story. I was looking forward to this book be more centered on Stonehenge – unfortunately it was not. The last maybe 75 pages (out of 704 total pages) was focused on how the stones were moved and set up. that was fairly interesting even though it seemed to be secondary to the “story”. I did finish this book basically because it was simple and extremely easy to read.

What a writer…simple words and stories but just fascinating. Similar toPillars of the Earth – the book has everything. Love, deceit, revenge, sex, politics, war, family, famine, spirituality, long but well written. Weird character names yet you don’t forget any of them and grow to just love the main ones…or dislike if they are the villains. Enjoyed this book – highly recommend and it had a happy ending which is usually a must for me. CH

Circle of Days was a most enjoyable tale of the predecessor of Stonehenge, its design, the its maintenance, its use and value…overall, the vital role it played in the lives of the communities around it. Though long, the novel moved briskly and offered fascinating ideas of how people lived in this very distant age. The only complaint I have about the novel is the near perfect English (with often surprising vocabulary) that the characters spoke. Aside from the language level, as I said, I found Circle of Days (the meaning of the title becomes clear) very enjoyable.

I really liked this one and I’m surprised there so many negative reviews. I was expecting Kira to be a raving “B” from what people said about her. And honestly, an unlikable heroine is one of my biggest turnoffs, but I loved her. This is a reverse grumpy/sunshine, and she was just truly grumpy. But like I said, I loved her and Bennett balanced her out so well. I truly cared about these characters and was totally invested in their story.They had amazing chemistry. The build up of their relationship was tension filled and well paced. There was lots of Christmasy stuff going on, but nothing too cheesy. It was spicier than I was expecting that’s for sure.My only complaint was that Kira’s gloom and doom about Bennett leaving annoyed me a little because all she had to do was tell him how she felt. She was definitely her own worst enemy.Anyway, the ending was emotional and fulfilling and it made me so happy.

I thought the book was a great one. It is the 3rd in the series. It is set in December and around Christmas. I loved it. I think that I like the 2nd one better. The vibes are cozy and have a hot chocolate read. I have the Paperback and the audio book. I listened to the audio book while I followed along with the paperback. I love the setting of the small town during Christmas.Kira picked up her life in Georgia to buy a Christmas Tree Farm even though she doesn’t like Christmas. She was determined to be independent and prove to herself she can do it. At first, she was really annoyed when Bennet Ellis, Jeanie’s brother, visiting from San Francisco for the holidays. Bennet swoops in to be her small town fix-it hero. That is until she realizes she may want to keep Ben around for other things. Bennet is Jeanie’s brother so it was important to have read the first two books to get the full story. Another thing that I liked about this book was the dogs. The dogs were adorable. I am glad that she picked a pitbull breed in the book.This book is not a standalone holiday romance. It is worth picking up if you are in the mood for something festive with likable characters and a bit of humor.The book was in great condition when I got it.

I enjoyed The Christmas Tree Farm much more than The Pumpkin Spice Café. While I may have been a little harsh on my review of the latter, this book redeemed itself with smoother writing, a more entertaining flow, and characters I actually enjoyed spending time with.Kira was such a relatable protagonist for me. Her struggles on the ice rink hit close to home because, like her, I can’t skate to save my life either! Those little moments added a personal connection that I really appreciated.Another highlight for me was the humor, especially the digs and witty remarks sprinkled throughout the story. They kept things light and fun without going over the top. The holiday vibes and charm of the Christmas tree farm setting were also a nice touch, making it a cozy seasonal read.While this wasn’t a standout holiday romance for me, it’s definitely worth picking up if you’re in the mood for something festive with likable characters and a bit of humor.

The Christmas Tree Farm blends the grumpy‑sunshine trope with witty banter and festive charm. The characters feel genuine, with the grumpy lead softening in believable ways, and the holiday setting adds warmth without being overly sweet. The pacing keeps the story engaging, and the mix of romance and humor makes it a fun seasonal read.

Loved the dogs in this one; I loved that both main characters loved dogs! I enjoyed seeing Kira come around to the town and accepting help from people. I liked that both main characters were trying to work on themselves for the same(but on opposite side) thing. The way the book ended was cute. I do wish the POV was written in so you know who it is right off the bat.

It Is laugh out loud funny in parts. A very enjoyable read. When reading a description of the landscape, a house, etc. It is done in a way that while you are reading the disruption and you feel that you can actually see what the writers is describing……..

This is the story of Kira, who has moved to our favorite small town and now owns a Christmas Tree farm, but hates Christmas. Why would she do that? She is throwing a toddler-sized fit because her sister got married and moved far away. She soon meets a very sweet man named Bennet, and these two people quickly form an extremely strong bond.The Good: There are so many dogs in this book! Also, somewhere around 90% of the book takes place on the farm so you will get your Christmas vibes in.

I liked the story and the characters. But…. for a Christmas book there were way to many explicit sex scenarios, described in detail. If anything important was said during these episodes I missed it because I skipped over all the pages until things returned back to normal. I know this author has 2 other books in this series but I’m reluctant to read them if they also contain vivid sex encounters. I can definitely say that Hallmark would have a hard time making a movie from this book.

Very excited to read this book! There is a reversible cover, but there is a spelling error on the spine on the reversed side. “Hierarchy” is spelt “Heirarchy”. Silly! Love the option to flip the cover, though.

It is the first time, in years, that I’ve read such a great book. Complex, imaginative, so different from anything I’ve experienced before. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. Highly recommended!Too bad that we’ll need to wait another year for the sequel…

I am only 40 pages into it but the sequel is as inventive and insightful as the original. These are top tier books comparable to the Kingkiller Chronicles and the Red Rising series.

I have one of the older hardcovers of The Will of the Many before the redesign. I was happy to see The Strength of the Few would have a reversible cover to match the first. Unfortunately, it does not match well. The print quality is lacking (it’s not evenly colored, and there are parts that look damaged due to poor printing) and because of the embossing on the primary side, it’s a visible indentation on the other side. There is also a typo in the word “Hierarchy”!For anyone hoping this will perfectly match their blue TWotM hardcovers, this will not, which is a shame since I adored the original cover and much prefer it to whatever this redesign is.I’m sure the book is fabulous (just like book 1), but I’m really disappointed in the physical copy I received.

Will edit when finished reading but I thought I would let y’all know now, the dust cover is reversible! The other side looks like this (see photo)

Really enjoyed this book. Maybe more than the first. Has a slightly different feel to it, but it was in no way inferior to me

I usually don’t have great experiences with second books in a series, but The Strength Of The Few is the exception!Not only is Vis one of my top favorite characters of all time, Islington was about to give the reader MORE of him! Iykyk.It was brilliant.

What a second book. My mind if officially blow. I feel like I am going to be still digesting everything that I just read for weeks to come. I am not sure how all of us are going to make it until the next book is released. What a wild ride.

I was not a great fan of MC’s NIGHTSHADE, but I was delighted to see this comeback. THE PROVING GROUND is not just one of MC’s best Lincoln Lawyer novels, it is one of his best novels. Period. Full Stop.The subject could not be more current and relevant to our cultural challenges. (A similar court case was being reported on the national news just as I was returning to read the novel.) A lonely and lost teenager engages with an AI chatbot who encourages him to commit murder. His victim’s mother and his own parents hire Mickey to sue the tech company in civil court, where he faces two legal adversaries, a set of obnoxious brothers.The story basically consists of the entire trial process, with a small subplot concerning Mickey’s attempt to have a dying, innocent man released from prison so that he can end his days with his beloved daughter.The usual elements are all in place: MC’s total command of the California setting, an array of interesting characters, occupying all points on the loveable-to-evil spectrum and a riveting plot with twists and turns aplenty. The dazzling element, however, is the ‘knowledge’ segment—the author’s ability to know and depict the details of a complex subject (in this case, two subjects, the world of AI and the world of the modern courtroom). MC enjoys a large and highly-skilled research team but the bottom line is that he must put the whole shebang together and utilize the numerous factual elements to help shape a complex but fully intelligible plot, without the convoluted, opaque story lines which are, unfortunately, all too common in today’s fiction and films/tv series.Parenthetically, it is a common complaint that we have a supply/demand problem with courtroom drama. We want more of it but there is very little on offer. Thank the Lord for MC and Mickey Haller. The amazing thing is that MC was originally a crime reporter, not a lawyer. His knowledge of courtroom maneuvering and, of course, the law itself, is stunning.I sometimes refer to my favorite books as ‘carry around’ books, describing them as so compelling that they never leave your hands and you seize a minute or two of reading time wherever you are and wherever you can. This is such a book.Five stars; a MC masterpiece.

What an excellent book! I’ve read all Mr Connelly’s books and amazingly they just get better and better. Plenty of courtroom drama and big personalities in this one. I love his legal staff and talented character development. This book addresses some interesting AI issues that we will all be facing in the near future. This is a “can’t miss” read.

Michael Connelly is to me, the gold standard of mystery/thriller writers. While I have enjoyed the Lincoln Lawyer books, I felt they fell a little short of the Bosch series. Not this one.The Proving Ground is excellent on all levels; story, character development, pace and intrigue. But it really stands out in two areas: the depth of understandable communication about A/I, and the detailed narrative of trial prep and procedure. To me, this book was brilliant, maybe Connelly’s best yet.

Connelley, along with Amor Towles, is my favorite current author. I started with The Lincoln Lawyer which remains in my Tommy personal Top Ten of books. So…..I was really looking forward to this one. And I really did enjoy it.The book read very well. Plus it was informative in its discussion of AI which is all the rage in investment circles these days. I must say, however, that it seemed like something was missing. After thinking about it, I think my issue was that almost the entire book was courtroom drama.Nevertheless, a Connelley with something missing is better than most other authors’ best effort.

I think this is one of Connelly’s better books. I enjoy them all, but I liked the details and twists in a topical legal case that was nicely scripted. The characters were exaggerated and could have been a bit more nuanced. The outcome arrived joltingly quickly. The reader wanted to hear the next day’s testimony. Nonetheless I binged this book in a day and a half, and regret that there wasn’t more to read.

I read this book in 24 hours because it was so riveting. It is a manual for us AI learners. The plot and story were so well written and the background material so knowledgeable and up to date, it is priceless. It will make either a great series for streaming or a super movie. The only downside is, it is all over. Think I will read it again. One of the best!

I seldom give 5 stars to anythinjg but the most excellent of works. I rate Connelly’s novels highly but his one, even though not as edgy as the previous works in the Lincoln lawyer series, is both excellently written and highly informative. In my effort to understand AI and my increasing discomfort with it, I have read several articles on it. I remained confused. Perhaps because Connelly is also a journalist who realizes his audience needs to understand what he is saying, the sections about the technology of AI are both simply written and highly informagtive. He has made me understand far better than I had in the past.As for the plot? Believable, nuanced, and, as always, highly readable.

After a depressingly flat outing earlier this year, I had begun to think that Connelly was burned out. But Mickey Haller seems to bring out both the passionate lawyer and the devious trickster in him. The new Lincoln Lawyer book is up-to-the-minute as it deals, compellingly, with the dangers of artificial intelligence. A tragic subplot adds resonance to the story. Altogether, a satisfying read and a welcome return to form from one of our finest crime fiction authors.