Penny for my thoughts
Random thoughts on books, quilts and life!
Sunday, August 07, 2022
Before She Disappeared
Saturday, July 16, 2022
The Last Letter from Your Lover
Friday, July 01, 2022
The Secret Witness
"This is Reaper speaking." Has the Reaper returned to continue his killing spree or has a copycat perfected his killing technique? Local Toole County, Utah, Sheriff Billie Gray realizes that she needs help stopping a killer. Solomon Shepard was an outstanding and dedicated homicide prosecutor until a defendant stabbed him in the back while in the courtroom. Solomon stopped practicing law and walks with a cane, however, his resolve at putting murderers behind bars has never left him. The two join forces to identify the Reaper, profiling him to find a missing teen.
I received this book as an Amazon Prime free book choice.
The Secret Witness is a quick, fast-paced read. Methos kept me guessing with just enough hints thrown in to keep me reading. I have many books in my TBR pile, however, I wanted engaging and entertaining without too much thought. A perfect book for beach/summertime reading!
At the age of thirteen, when his best friend was interrogated by the police for over eight hours and confessed to a crime he didn’t commit, Victor Methos knew he would one day become a lawyer. After graduating from law school at the University of Utah, Methos sharpened his teeth as a prosecutor for Salt Lake City before founding what would become the most successful criminal defense firm in Utah. In ten years Methos conducted more than one hundred trials. One particular case stuck with him, and it eventually became the basis for his first major bestseller, The Neon Lawyer. Since that time, Methos has focused his work on legal thrillers and mysteries, earning a Harper Lee Prize for The Hallows and an Edgar nomination for Best Novel for his title A Gambler’s Jury. He currently splits his time between southern Utah and Las Vegas. For more information - https://www.victormethos.com
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#mystery #psychological thriller #serialkiller
2022 Monthly Color Challenge - July
July - Purple Sumac
Purple Sumac
What is sumac?
https://www.taste.com.au/quick-easy/articles/sumac/2eha8mcm
Patterns by Jen provides the pattern each month and helpful techniques for completing it.
Matching this color is a little more difficult than some of the others. I chose the purple on the left.
The purple fabric definitely photographs darker than the fabric looks.
Check out the other bloggers this month!
Follow me on IG at kathy.nester
#2022monthlycolorchallenge #purplesumac #patternsbyjen #2022monthlycolorchallengejuly
Saturday, June 25, 2022
The Mill River Recluse
Miller River, a sleepy Vermont town, represents hometown America. Everyone knows everyone, no one locks their doors and crime is thought nonexistent. Upon closer inspection, all is not as it seems. Beautiful, sheltered Mary Hayes grows up in Mill River with her father, training and breeding horses. Her life changes the day Patrick McAllister arrives at the farm to purchase his graduation gift, a Thoroughbred Morgan. Patrick, the future heir of McAllister Marbleworks is used to getting what he wants and one look at Mary and she is what he wants. Experiencing trauma in high school, Mary suffers from anxiety and marrying Patrick only adds to her fears. Mary retreats into a world of her own in her marble house on the hill. Kyle Hansen starts over with his daughter in Miller River as a police officer following the death of his wife. Kyle sees what others don't -- threats, jealousy, arson, and greed. From a pilfering priest to a town benefactor, Miller River has many secrets to hide.
This is June's Colony of Readers Book Club choice, and I am so glad it is, I probably would not have picked it up on my own. Mary's story is one of sadness, acceptance, and finally, love. Chan is very adept at drawing the reader in and holding fast. There are two other books in this series, and I immediately reserved both at the library. (The Mill River Redemption and The Promise of Home) This is an easy read and will be perfect for vacation.
Darcie Chan is the New York Times bestseller author. For fourteen years, Chan worked as an attorney drafting environmental and natural resource legislation for the U. S. Senate. She now writes fiction full-time and lives north of New York City with her husband and son.
Monday, May 16, 2022
The Lost Apothecary
The Lost Apothecary: a novel by Sarah Penner. Park Row, 2021. 319 pages. ****
"Rule #1 The poison must never be used to harm another woman." Nella is a woman in 1791 London, who runs an Apothecary catering to women who want to poison the oppressive men in their lives. She sells well-disguised natural poisons in a shop hidden from prying eyes. When 12-year-old Eliza Fanning comes to pick up a poison ordered by her mistress, Nella has a foreboding that this transaction may be her undoing. Meanwhile, in present-day London, Caroline Parcewell has traveled on a vacation that was supposed to celebrate her 10th wedding anniversary until she found out right before she left that her husband was having an affair. Invited by a gentleman on the street to join a group of people who were mudlarking along the river, Caroline finds glass vial with a bear etched on it. Trying to find the origin of the vial leads Caroline to meet Gaynor at the Maps desk in the British Library. Becoming fast friends, the two embark on a journey to discover the mystery surrounding the vial and the dark secrets of a hidden Apothecary.
This book is my Book Club's May choice.
I found this book utterly fascinating and somewhat ironic in the face of current events, men wanting to enact laws controlling women's bodies. What a diabolical concept, using natural ingredients to concoct a poison undetected by a coroner performing an autopsy in the 18th century. The fact that Nella recorded in her book what formula was provided and who ordered it and who the intended victim was added to the drama and fear of being caught. Women could murder the men who controlled them and never be held accountable for their actions, did anyone immediately regret what they did? I'm still not clear on the purpose of recording the transaction, was it to cement the loyalty of those she helped? Verify the identity of those who died an untimely death? Cleanse her hands of the crime committed, was she merely the facilitator? I still want to know what was in the tincture created by Eliza. I can't wait until the discussion at Book Club, I'm sure it will be a lively one.
This debut novel with its multi-faceted moral dilemma is a perfect choice for a book club.
Sarah and her husband live in St. Petersburg, Florida with their miniature dachshund, Zoe. Penner offers a Book Club Kit filled with questions, Sarah's experiences mudlarking, and cocktails. To discover more about Sarah Penner, https://www.sarahpenner.com.
For more information on mudlarking:
https://www.frommers.com/slideshows/848024-mudlarking-in-the-thames-might-be-the-best-thing-i-ve-done-in-london
https://britishheritage.com/history/mudlarking-thames-treasures-london
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#bookstagram #historicalfiction #mudlarking
Wednesday, May 04, 2022
2022 Monthly Color Challenge - April - Nigella Seeds
April - Nigella Seeds - Black
Lissa - Lovingly Lissa
Karen - Karen Bolan
Gail - Quilting Gail
Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting
Andi - True Blue Quilts
Follow me on IG at kathy_nester
#2022monthlycolorchallenge #aprilnigellaseeds