A Snapshot of Murder Review

                                                                         

 A Snapshot of Murder
By: Frances Brody
Crooked Lane Books
Mystery and Thrillers
Publish Date 19 April 2019
Pages 448
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This book is set in the year 1928 in London. The time is in April.
Characters are Harriet the niece of Kate Shackleton. She has been living there for about 7 months.
Kate Shackleton is a private investigator of sorts. Her husband Gerald is no longer around since the war.
Carine Murchison is a photographer friend.
Tobias Murchison is Carine Husband. He isn't well liked.
Edward Chester Carine's old flame
Carine's father
Derek another Photographer
Rita a friend of Carine's
This story is mostly about Carine and her family. When she was five her mother was going away but promised to come back and get her. Her mom never came back. She has had dreams off and on about a spot in the cellar in the studio that belongs in the family. Carine takes pictures just like her mother and Grandmother. Carine stopped going to school at the age of 13 because her Dad needed her to take pictures to make a living. Carine never did know her Grandma but is named after her. The Studio is name Carine Photo Studio. Her father is a drunk. Carine falls in love with a Poet named Edward Chester. Her father doesn't like and does everything in his power to stop this relationship which he does. Edward goes off to war and is killed. After the war she meets Tobias who happened to a friend of Edwards and tells her of his death. Carine's father likes Tobias and helps him to marry Carine.
As the story goes on Edward returns from the died but is disfigured from the war. The books tells why Carine thought was dead.

As the time has now changed to summer they go to an old farmhouse to see the parish hand over and old church for a museum for the Bronte Sisters. During this trip Tobias ends up dead. Who killed him or did he kill himself. Why him and someone else.
There were a lot of characters and each of them had a reason but who did it and why.  I did enjoy this book and recommend that you read it. There are some interesting turns. Since this is a thriller/ mystery it is hard to go into details because I don't want to spoil it for you.

Reading Week Of February 18th- February 24th

 I am going to change this up just a little. I am going to show you what books I started this week first. I started a lot of books but as you will see soon I also finished a lot of them. The first book I started was The Utah Story By: Seth Sorensen. This book is an illustrated book about Utah.  The next book isn't pictured because it is on my kindle and was an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). That book is A Snapshot of Murder By: Frances Brody I will be writing a review soon on this book. The Women In Cabin 10 By: Ruth Ware was my next book. It is about a cruise and what happens in this cabin. Doctrines of Salvation Volume 3 By: Joseph Fielding Smith. This the last book in a three book series. Summer Of Salt By: Katrina Leno is a young adult book about a small Island and a bird. Somewhere In Time By: Richard Matheson. I watch the movie to this book a couple of years ago. Warriors of The North: Union Leaders of the Civil War By: Philip Katcher (History Channel). Wyoming Fierce By: Diana Palmer. I need to read a book by an author who shares my initials.  The last book I started is The Masterpiece By: Fiona Davis. This is the library book club book that I need to finish by March 5th. I know that is a lot of books that I started but if you look below you will see that I also finished a lot of them.

 As I said earlier here are the books that I finished this week. The first book I finished was a book that I started last week and that book is The New World Book of Payne's By: Halbert's Family Heritage. This is just a little history about where the Payne family came from and little background about the areas. This next book was also started last week and that is The President Is Missing By: James Patterson and Bill Clinton. I wasn't even going to read this book but my daughter Tara said it was a pretty good book. She was right there was a little bite of politics but otherwise a good mystery book. Another book I started last week and finished this week is The Hating Game By: Sally Thorne. I heard a lot of people gave this book 5 stars because it was so good. Yes I will agree that book was good but not a 5 star for me. The last book that I started a while ago and finished this week was Doctrines of Salvation Volume 2 By: Joseph Fielding Smith. This is another book my religion and some of the doctrine that we believe. The last five books I started this week and finished this week. I mentioned them above so I will only give the title and author. The Women In Cabin 10 By: Ruth Ware. The Utah Story By: Seth Sorensen. Summer Of Salt By: Katrina Leno. A Snapshot of Murder By: Frances Brody and Somewhere In Time By: Richard Matheson. I know for some people that is a lot of reading in a week but for it is pretty normal if I have a slow week. Now onto the books that I acquired for the week.

 This stack of books I picked up at the library to read. Some of these books won't take me long because they are graphic novels. Also some of them are audio that I will listen to while I work around the house or in the car running errands. Every Breath By: Nicholas Sparks, yes I own the book but it was in audio so I can now listen to it in the car. War Cross and Wild Card both By: Marie Lu. Wyoming Fierce By: Diana Palmer. I am currently listening to this in the car. My Brother's Husband By: Gengoroh Tagame. This is a manga. Brazen By: Penelope Bagieu. This is a graphic novel about Rebel Ladies across the world. Aquicorn Cove By: Katie O'Neill. The last graphic novel that I picked up. I got this because it made it on the short list for Science Fiction/Fantasy. Finding Noel By: Richard Paul Evans was a book that I found on the give away shelf that the library has. I have already read this book years ago. I grabbed it for my collection. Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World By: Ashley Herring Blake is a middle grade that I heard a lot about so I want to read it. The Calculating Stars By: Mary Robinette Kowal was another book on the Science Fiction/Fantasy short list. Even though I am not into this genre very much I want to keep trying it. Maybe there is a book I will like.

These are the books that I picked up at the local thrift shop for cheap. They range from middle grade to young adult to adult. I hope that I like them when I get around to reading them. Some will be read right away and some will probably sit on my shelves for awhile. Who knows.
I hope you enjoyed this post and until next time keep reading.

Storm Runners Review

                                                         

Storm Runners

By: Roland Smith

Main Characters: Chase and John Masters

Side Characters: Tomas (employee of John Masters), Nicole (daughter of Marco and school friend), Momma Rossi (mother of Marco), Marco, Rashawn (school friend), Dr. Krupp (school principal),

Richard Krupp (TV anchor and principal's husband), Cindy Stewart (meteorologist), and Mark (cameraman)

Setting: Florida

The book starts out with John getting stroke by lightening as he gathers his tools from the backyard. As it is raining and Chase left them out after working a tree house.

One year later they are both traveling around the states with Tomas. they are helping people rebuild after hurricanes. Chase is never in one school long enough to make friends. His dad does make him carry a to go bag which has emergency supplies.

His dad changed after being stroke by lightening. He has an eternal clock that is extremely actarit. He no longer sleeps more than 4 hours a night. He is also very good at telling where a hurricane will hit.

John is dropping Chase off at a farm where Tomas' Brother works to go to school while they head to Saint Petersburg (Saint Pete). This is where John thinks that Hurricane Emily will hit.

On this farm he meets Marco, Nicole and Momma Rossi. Marco and Momma Rossi are little people and Nicole is normal size. This is no ordinary farm. This is a circus farm. There is a giraffe, loins, a pregnant elephant, monkey and leopard.

Chase goes to school with Nicole. He checks himself in because Dad is on his way to Saint Pete. This is unusual but he does it all the time. Dr. Krupp questions him but goes ahead and gives him a schedule. As the day goes on the weather in his area is getting worse. He realizes his Dad is wrong this time about where the Hurricane will hit. As school ends he try's to tell Dr. Krupp that they would safer at the school instead of on the bus heading home. She doesn't listen and sends them on their way. She wants to get home to her own children. 

This is where the adventures begins and where they meet Rashawn another girl from school who lives by the farm.

Meanwhile in Saint Pete. John is waiting with Tomas for Hurricane Emily to hit. He talks with the Cindy and actually films a segment on the news. Richard is actually arguing a little with Cindy about the Hurricane. Cindy doesn't think the Hurricane will hit Saint Pete. As they realize that Hurricane Emily is in fact not going to hit Saint Pete but where Chase is John wants to go back.

He offers to take Cindy and Mark with him to get updated information on the storm. They both agree to go.

What happens to John and his crew? Do Chase, Rashawn and Nicole make it home?

This book leaves off on a cliff hanger, which makes you wonder. 

I greatly enjoyed the book and have purchased the next book to read and see what happens.

I recommend that you read this book to your children or for yourself.

Weekly Reading (February 11th February 17th)

 I am back with another weekly reading update. Sorry I don't have all the books I read in this picture. I did write them on a sticky note. The first book I finished was Storm Runners by:Ronald Smith. I read this to David. I am hoping to get a review written soon on this. The next book finished was We Must Be Brave by: Frances Liardet. I have a review up already on this. I then finished Pamela by: Samuel Richardson. Then onto The Boys War: Confederate and Union by: Jim Murphy. The Wicked Ones by: Cassandra Clare. The Wedding Date by: Jasmine Guillory. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by: Benjamin Alire Saenz. The Land I Lost by: Cassandra Clare. Actually Cassandra Clare edited the two books I read. I can't remember the authors off the top of head. There is another book that I read but it isn't even printed yet, I beta read this book for an author so I can't give you much detail but it is good.

 These are the books that I started this week. The Hating Game by: Sally Thorne. I started this because I have so much about this book. Michael Vey's 5th book. Again I am reading this to David. Finally onto another short story collection. There are 101 short stories and I am reading about 2-3 a day depending on the length.

As usual I can't go a week without buying more books. Do I need more books not really but who cares I love books. Two of these books I have already read. I read them as ARCs and loved them and I want to support the authors so I bought them. The Proposal by: Jasmine Guillory I haven't read but have heard about this book. I did enjoy her book The Wedding Date so want to give this book a try. Once A King is the third book in a series and since I have already read the other I need to read this one. My library doesn't have this book yet and I couldn't wait any longer. The next two I have already read like I said before. I have reviews on them already up. The last book is Crown of Feathers by: Nicki Pau Preto, this is a fantasy book. I have been enjoying this genre lately so why not give it go. I haven't heard of this author before so I am willing to give her a try.
I hope you like this post and give these a book a try.
Until next time keep reading.

Weekly Reading (February 4th -February 10th)

 I know I am behind on this post. Things always get the way and I forget to post. These are the books that I finished  this week. The first book was the 4th book of Michael Vey. I have been reading this to my son David every night for about 20 minutes. The second book finished was the audio book Shadowhunter's and Downworlders. I listen to this in the car as I am driving around doing my errands.Blue Lily,Lily Blue is another audio book that I finished. I listen to this around the house as I worked. I also finished Bird Box. I still haven't watched the movie on Netflix. I need to because David is waiting for me to answer some of his questions. I am afraid because they always make the movie scarier than the book. I did enjoy the book and it wasn't scary. The next book finished was Bad Girls. This book is a short story about out laws in the past. The stories were quick and very informative. The last book I finished this week was called From Mining Town to Ghost Town. This book is about a small town in Utah that as you can guess is no longer around. This town is where my husband's father grew up. It was really good and written by a gentleman and his sister who also grew up there. This book will stay in the family.

 These are the books that I started this week but didn't get finished. "The new book that I am reading to David is called Storm Runners. The second book that I started is another audio book called Aristotle and Dante The Secret to The Universe. This I am listening to in the car. The third book I started is The President is Missing. My daughter Tara recommended that I read this. I am liking it so far. The only copy that my library had was Large Print. The last book I started is another kind of history book. It is called The New World Book of Paynes.

These are the books that I picked up this week. You have probably already seen them if you follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. The Masterpiece is an arc that the library received from the publishing company for our book club. We are able to keep this book.
I hope you enjoy this post and until next time keep reading.

We Must Be Brave Review

                                                           

We Must Be Brave

By: Frances Liardet

Penguin Group Putman

G.P Putman's Son

Historical Fiction

Pub. Date 26 February 2019

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I was so happy that I got approved for this book. The book started out great but then slowed down greatly. I was disappointed by the end. I did give this 2.5 stars.

The book is suppose to be about the World War Two and does have mention the war a little.

The book starts out as a little girl is found a sleep in a bus. This little girl is named Pamela and she was put on the bus some elderly ladies as Southhampton is being bombed. She thought her mom was on the other bus. Ellen is the one who finds her and is trying to find who she belongs too. Ellen is a young women who is helping these refugees on her first anniversary. They do try to find her family but keep her until they can be found.

Then this story talks about Ellen's life before her marriage. This is where the story slows way down. I did enjoy reading about Ellen's early life but it took up almost half the book. 

Then it goes back to the present but three years later. They still have Pamela but for how long. After somethings happen it goes into letters being written and then Ellen finds another girl, Penny, to take care of. 

I just found that this book was to slow paced for me. It was also based in England. I just had a hard time connecting. What happens to Pamela? Who is Penny? Why does Ellen feel like she needs to raise these girls? 

I was hoping for a good historical fiction book and this one just didn't do it me.

Weekly Reading ( January 28th- February 3rd)

 Trying something new or whether retrying something. I never know what to do on this blog so I am going to try this again. So here it goes. These are the books that I checked out from my local library. Science Verse is a children's book that is from a list of 100 best books for Children. Bird Box  I have heard a lot about and my David watched the Netflix show and had some questions about the show. I couldn't answer them because I haven't read the book or seen the show.  Shadowhunter's and Downworlders are actually essays about the mortal instrument series. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a book that I have also been hearing a lot about so when I saw it at the library I decided to pick it up.

 These are the two books that I bought and they came in the mail this week. The Little House Traveler is actually three stories in one. I have already read the first two stories but not the third. I bought this book because I have always liked anything about Laura Ingalls Wilder. Girls Burn Brighter I heard BooksandLala talk about on her channel so I decided to buy it.

 This picture and the next one are the books that I started to read this week. The big blue book is about a town in Utah which is longer there. The town is called Garfield, my Father in law grew up in this little town so I wanted to learn more about it. Doctrines of Salvation Volume two is about the beliefs of my church. Shadowhunter's and Downworlders I am listening to in the car as I run errands. Girl in the Blue Coat is about the 2nd world war in Amsterdam. Hailey in Bookland recommended this book.

 I know I have started a lot of books this week. I am a mood reader what can I say. Science Verse is a children's book and a fast read. Bird Box so I can watch the show and answer my son's questions. We Must Be Brave is a book that I need to do a review on. Pamela is from 1001 books you must read before you die. It is also a classic. Blue Lilly, Lilly Blue is the third book in a series that I started last year and would like to finish.

These are the books that I finished this week. As I said earlier Science Verse is a children's book and was a quick read. It is about a little boy falls asleep in science class and has a weird dream abut science. The Last Time I Lied I was reading for Buzzwordathon but didn't get finished. I liked this book and there were a few twist that you really don't see coming and one you can. It is a thriller so I won't go into much detail. Girl in The Blue Coat is a historical fiction about the 2nd world war. I enjoyed it and it is a tear jerkier. The Good Girl I am not to sure about. The book wasn't bad but I really didn't like. I ill go into more detail in my February wrap up.
For the most part I enjoyed all the books that I read this week. Until next time keep reading.

January Wrap Up

I know I haven't been very active on my blogging. I will try to do better in the future. So for the month of January I read 28 books. The status of the books are as follows: 13 male authors, 13 female authors and 2 more than one author. I read 5 middle grade books, 1 fantasy, 1 children's, 1 romance, 6 young adult, 1 memoir, 1 classic, 3 non fiction, 3 short stories, 3 mystery, 2 fiction, and 1 horror book. These books were read in the following formats: 2 e-books, 14 physical, 12 audio, 2 rereads, and 1 graphic novel. Total pages read were 9793 pages. Which means I read roughly 316 pages a day. My star ratings are as follows. 1 stars = 0   2 stars = 0   3 stars = 6  3.5 stars = 6  4 stars = 11  4.5 stars = 1   5 stars = 4. Not too bad in the books that I chose to read. Okay here are the books that I read for the month.

1. The Children's Blizzard, 1888 By: Lauren Tarshis (reread) 5 stars

2. The Keeping Quilt By: Patricia Polacco 4 stars

3. Fight or Flight By: Samantha Young 4 stars

4. Z for Zachariah By: Robert O'Brien 3.5 stars

5. Hey Kiddo By: Jarrett J. Krosoczka (graphic novel) 5 stars

6. The Last Life of Prince Alastor By: Alexandra Bracken ( e-book and review up) 4 stars

7. Joseph Andrews By: Henry Fielding (classic and audio) 3 stars

8. The Story of Mankind By: Hendrik W. VanLoon (Newbery award) 4 stars

9. Emergency Contact By: Mary H.K. Choy (Audio) 4 stars

10. A Dance With Dragons By: George RR Martin (audio) 3 stars

11.Little House In The Big Woods By: Laura Ingalls Wilder (reread) 5 stars

12. Unique Stories and Facts About LDS History By: Dan Barker  4 stars

13. Toil and Trouble By: Jessica Spotswood and Tess Sharpe (audio) 4 stars

14. Empress of All Seasons By: Emiko Jean 5 stars

15. The Owls have Come To Take Us Away By: Ronald L. Smith (e-book and review up) 4 stars

16. The Revolutionary War By: Bart McDowell 4.5 stars

17. Doctrines of Salvation Volume 1 By Joseph Fielding Smith 3 stars

18. Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit By: Amy Stewart 4 stars

19. The Husband's Secret By: Liane Moriarty (audio) 3 stars.

20.Everything Eventual By: Stephen King (audio) 3.5 stars

21. Doctor Sleep By: Stephen King (audio) 3 stars

22. Through Blood, Through Fire By: Cassandra Clare (audio) 3.5 stars

23. Blackberry Pie Murder By: Joanne Fluke 4 stars

24. Cast Long Shadows By: Cassandra Clare (audio) 3.5 stars

25. Every Exquisite Thing By: Cassandra Clare (audio) 3 stars

26. W.A.R.P The Reluctant Assassin By: Eoin Colfer 3.5 stars

27. The Last Time I Lied By: Riley Sager (audio) 4 stars

28. The Good Girl By: Mark Kubica (audio) 3.5 stars 

I hope you give these books a try. As you can see I had a wide variety and enjoyed them all. Until next time keep reading