What is a “Heartfelt” Driven Mystery Thriller?

A “Heartfelt” Mystery Thriller is my way of describing what happens when a mystery-suspense thriller is written by a family counselor, not a cop, journalist, lawyer, politician, medical doctor, or retired spy. Nor is it simply a “psychological thriller” with a new plot twist to keep you turning the pages. The closest I can come to that idea (for those who read it) is Ordinary Grace, by William Kent Krueger) … Continue reading

Thoughts On “The Likeness” by Tana French

SPOILER ALERT THROUGHOUT – SORRY. I did not enjoy this book personally, and although it was thoroughly enjoyed by other members of the Mystery Book Club – all of whom I respect and appreciate – I would not recommend this book to others. Basically, what follows are the reasons I disliked it. It was hard to get into it in the first 3 chapters (96 pages). Very slow beginning. By … Continue reading

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax – In So Many Ways

The Unexpected Mrs Pollifax Did Not Satisfy Us

What do you see in the famous illustration on the right: The vase or the two faces? It depends, right? So it was today as I reflected on The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, the book by Dorothy Gilman that our mystery book club read for February and that we met to discuss today. While I am a mystery book fan and a lover of thrillers and police procedurals, my wife is … Continue reading