Hi all. How’s your week been? I arrived home from California on Tuesday evening and have been trying to get back into things here though the weather has been pretty rainy. You can see in the photo it’s making everything green on our street, which is great, especially for the drought. We will start planting our vegetable garden this coming week once the sun peeps out again. Leaving California was a bit bittersweet, but my Dad’s work friends put on a nice life celebration for him and there was a good-sized gathering. I’m not sure I will be visiting the Golden State as much anymore, though I still have two siblings who live there so I’m sure I will visit sometime.
It so happens that Memorial Day weekend is coming up and that means summer is around the corner. I noticed I put out my Summer Reading List last year on May 23, so I’ll be thinking this week about which books I want to read this summer and if I want to make my 2025 list 10 or 15 books. I usually sneak in several other books during the summer, so I don’t want to load my list up too much. Last year I read 11 out of 15 on my list, so I’m leaning towards a list of 10. What about you — do you like summer reading lists? And do you plan to make one? This year Emma at the blog Words and Peace and Annabel at AnnaBookBel are hosting the Summer Challenge, so see their blogs if you want to sign up. Many are going for a 20 book list! It’s always fun to see what others have on their lists and to make one’s own. Stay tuned next weekend when I reveal mine.
And now I’ll leave you with a couple reviews of what I finished lately.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon / Doubleday / 448 pages / 2023
4.3 stars. This historical novel was on my summer reading list last year and I’m glad I finally got to it. Some call it biographical fiction since it’s about the real life of midwife Martha Ballard in 1789 Maine and how she gets caught up in a murder trial and investigation. The storytelling captured my imagination and was as easy to get into as ice cream on a hot summer day. It didn’t take long before I was a part of its small town and saw the river that was frozen the day Joshua Burgess’s body was pulled from it.
Midwife Martha, age 54, hasn’t lost a mother in all of her days delivering babies but now she’s dealing with a pompous new male doctor in town who’s wrong about his diagnoses and circumstances that tell her that Joshua Burgess, accused of a recent rape, was hanged before he was thrown into the water. Burgess and his friend Judge North were accused of rape by Rachel Foster months earlier, whose injuries Martha saw and tended to. But these crimes still need to be figured out and their perpetrators brought to justice.
You’ll need to settle in for this enjoyable slow-burn read as Martha goes about life with her family, her job delivering babies around town, and trying to connect the dots about who the guilty are. Martha is a likable character, a mother of five (and sadly more deceased), and is a strong lady for those times. Her horse Brutus gets where she needs to be, while husband Ephraim is a supportive partner, and her own kids might know more about the accused than she wishes.
Also a bit of Martha’s backstory is revealed intermittently in chapters, while chapters in the present deal with the ongoing murder case and the tough lives of women back then. You might not want to birth a baby for a while after this story, lol … but the storytelling delivers a compelling tale surrounding midwife Mary’s life. The Author’s Note at the back is interesting too to note how she came across this historical figure and which parts she wrote were real and which fiction. I look forward to seeing what the author writes next. Her books are mostly biographical/historical fiction and I’ve been digging those lately.
Trust Her by Flynn Berry / Viking / 304 pages / 2024
4+ stars. This suspense novel takes place three years after what happened in Flynn Berry’s earlier book Northern Spy … in which the two Northern Irish sisters Tessa and Marian Daly barely escape the IRA for informing. Now they’re living secret lives in Dublin until one day they’re discovered and an IRA member comes knocking and wants info from Tessa and for her to turn her previous MI-5 handler, or lose everything. Uh-oh. All the while, Tessa’s a divorced single mom trying her best to keep her four-year-old son Finn’s life out of this and safe. Then her sister goes missing on a hike and things turn topsy-turvy.
I liked this one considerably better than Northern Spy. It has more action and more twists and turns. It’s downright scary near the end. Trouble certainly finds these two sisters! You’ll want to shake them and second-guess their decisions. It’s squirm-worthy whether they can get out of the mess they find themselves in… caught between the IRA, Tessa’s former handler, and a police detective determined to uncover something. It didn’t feel certain whether lies or the truth would help Tessa better keep them out of danger …. and death always seems imminent. Kudos to the author for this lively dilemma and plot, which I listened to as an audiobook. I gather this will not be part of a trilogy with the Irish sisters but just a sequel. Still I’d be curious what happens to the sisters next … should the author change her mind for Part 3.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read these and if so, what did you think?
I’m glad your dad had nice celebration of life and that a lot of people showed up for him.
I’m participating in the 20 Books of Summer for the first time this year.
Hi Jinjer, thanks. The party for my Dad went well.
And I’m glad you’ll be doing the 20 Books of Summer. It’s pretty good … and it pushes me a bit. I hope you like your book picks. Have a great week.
I had The Frozen River on my winter reading list, but didn’t get to it. I still want to read it, especially after hearing your thoughts. I did so badly on my winter reading list that I hesitate to come up with one for summer.
Hi Joy, funny you should say that about Frozen River. It was on my list too since last summer! I finally read it. So not to be worried. I might make a winter list next year … I think these lists help me a bit. Have a great week.
I read “Northern Spy” in 2021 and liked it a lot, awarding is 4 of 5 stars, so I’ll be looking for Flynn Berry’s new book. I haven’t read anything by Ariel Lawhon but her book sounds interesting.
Hi Dorothy, Yeah if you liked Northern Spy, you must get to Trust Her … which turns things up a notch! I hadn’t read Ariel Lawhon before either but she seems a good storyteller. I had Frozen River on my list since last summer!
Hope you are enjoying your garden & birds.
Hi Susan, That was nice that your father’s work friends held a tribute to him. It shows how much how much they cared.
The Frozen River sounds very good. It’s a mystery set in 1789 and Martha Ballard a strong real life character. And your 4.3 stars is all the encouragement I need.
Thanks Kathy, yeah it was nice talking with my Dad’s co-workers & friends. It’s helpful in the whole grieving process.
The Frozen River is a pretty good read and the storytelling is well done. It surprised me a bit … in that I found myself wanting to get back to it. Interesting that they know quite a bit about this lady from 1789! Enjoy your week.
I’ve read all of Flynn Berry’s work and love the style. Did you read Under the Harrow and A Double Life? They don’t relate to the Northern Spy book but she’s good. I can’t wait to get The Frozen River. I am waaay down the list at the library but that’s cool because i don’t have time for it now anyway. Something to look forward to.
Must be good to be home again. I’m glad your father’s friends made for a good turnout. Looking forward to your veggie garden progress.
Hi Tina, I have listened to the audio of Under the Harrow but not A Double Life. The theme of sisters comes up in all her books right? She must have one, lol. I’m glad I finally got to The Frozen River — it was on my summer list from last year! It was popular at the library, but I think the wait is starting to come down now.
If it stops raining here, we could do our planting. I need to mow front & back yards … as the grass is crazy now. Have a great week. talk soon.
First of all, I’m very sorry about your dad. I’ve lost both of my parents so I know how painful it can be. So nice of his co-workers to do that. He must have been very loved.
I love the photo of the road and I’m adding The Frozen River to my “next” list which is very long.
“was as easy to get into as ice cream on a hot summer day” I love it!
Thanks Vicki, I appreciate your words. Losing both parents is very painful so I’m still going through the loss process of this. My Dad was very loved, thanks!
The Frozen River took me quite a while to get through … as it is a bit long, but it is a good read. I hope you enjoy it. The storytelling felt easy, like ice cream, lol.
Cheers. Have a great week.
I’ve not yet read Frozen River, but it’s been on my TBR for a quite a while. Maybe this summer. With my whole ‘read cold books in summer’ theory. Ha! I’ve read Northern Spy, but not tried Trust Me yet. I remember being a bit frustrated with the characters in Northern Spy. I did enjoy Under The Harrow, an earlier book of the author. As to summer reading, I don’t usually make lists so we’ll see what appeals this year. Have a good week!
Hi Kay, I too was frustrated by the characters in Northern Spy & a bit of the storytelling in the head … but I think you might like Trust Her better. I thought it had better pacing too. I have listened to Under the Harrow, other crazy sisters, ha. The Frozen River had been on my TBR forever too, so I’m glad to finally get to it. See what you think if you pick it up. Cheers. Have a great week.
Welcome back! Glad the trip went smoothly and there was a nice gathering for your parents’ celebration of life. I haven’t read Ariel Lawhon but after your review I want to. I have an ARC of I was Anastasia in my Kindle library which I never got into. Trust Her sounds good too, and kind of scary. Those people were not to be messed with! Glad you had a good reading haul! May the next one be equally good or better!
Thanks Carmen, things are a bit done in Calif but a bit sad, still the party went well and it was nice to stay at the beach.
I finally got to The Frozen River, ha. I hadn’t read the author before either. The Anastasia title did intrigue me when it came out. And Trust Her surprised me a bit — it was better than I thought from Northern Spy. Still the sisters are not always so sharp, lol but you still root for them. I will start working on my summer list. Hope you are reading something interesting? Anything I should read? Cheers, have a good week.
I just finished Casualties of Truth last night. Very good (4*). Some graphic violence but very well executed and topical. I’m starting The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian tonight. I’ve had my eye on it since its March release and I just got a library card and got it through Libby to read on Kindle. After that, hopefully, will accommodate The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. I wasn’t keen on it but Oprah selected it for her Book Club. I have read quite a few of her selections—not because of her but incidentally— so I said “why not?” I have like five reviews to write; never accumulated more than two at a time…!
Oh good report. You’re always reading good ones. I had to look Casualties of Truth up … but I think I remember it coming out. Glad to know you liked it. I will add it to my TBR. The Jackal’s Mistress is worth checking out. I read that one. And I’m a bit on the fence about the Vuong book but if you like it — I’ll add it to my TBR … and look for your reviews as they come. I’m not on GR too much but I should be more. Keep up the reads!
The rain does make things so beautifully green! I need to yank out some of my colder weather veggies, but my other plantings are doing well. Both Frozen River and Trust Her sound really good!
Happy to hear your father’s celebration of life went well.
Thanks Rachel, it is nice to see the green. And thanks about my Dad’s celebration. It seems a total end of an era in California, sadly.
I wish we’d get enough rain later this summer so everything doesn’t die. Your yard is always great to see. So green now too.
I think you’d like these books. Pretty good storytelling & plots in both. Hope you have a great week.
Wow. That photo looks like a watercolor painting. Beautiful!
I’m putting together my stack of books for the summer reading challenge, although I typically don’t officially join. I just like to have 20 books on which to focus during the summer months. I’ve been pretty good about sticking to my selections over the years. I read 18 last year, so I’m pretty sure I can do it again this year. I’m eager to read The Frozen River, which happens to be on that list! My mom enjoyed it, and said it might be a good one to recommend to our book group for 2026. I did try I Was Anastasia, but gave up early on.
I’m glad your dad’s memorial turned out so well. It sounds like he worked with a great group of people.
Hi Lesley, thanks, it’s fun to take photos when it’s this green outside.
You post your 20 summer books right? I like seeing your picks. I think the Frozen River would be a good book club kind of read. I have not tried the author before this — but now I’m a bit curious. She’s not too heavy but seems to be able to spin a yarn so to speak. It’s hard to believe they knew quite a bit this midwife from 1789!
And thanks my dad did work with a great group. He retired like at 80 so he worked with many of them for a long time! It was good to talk with them.
Hope you are having nice weather at the Cove. Cheers.
The Frozen River sounds very good! I’ve added it to my list on Storygraph.
I’m going to join the challenge for the first time this year and I think I’ll go with 15 but I will probably only finish 10.
I’m sorry for your loss but I’m glad the memorial turned out well and you’re home in time to see everything turn green.
Thanks Lisa for your words about my Dad and for stopping by here.
15 is a good number for the summer challenge even if you get to 10. I need to wheedle down my TBR list and see which ones I want to pick for summer. I will check out your choices.
The Frozen River has been pretty popular. The wait list for it at the library was pretty crazy for a long while .. and it took forever for me to finally pick it up, lol. But it was worth it when I did. Hope you enjoy it.
Good luck with the summer challenge.
Welcome back! I am glad that you got a chance to say farewell to your dad in such a lovely style.
I I have had The Frozen River on my TBR list for the longest time but still haven’t read it! Maybe I should add it to a winter reading list.
Have a great week!
Hi Marg, I know what you mean. I had The Frozen River on my 2024 summer list and I finally just got to it. For some reason I kept putting it off, but in reality it was a pretty easy read (the pages turned quickly) though it’s a tad long.
And thanks it was a good celebration for my dad and helps me with the whole grieving process. Enjoy your week too.
I really enjoyed Frozen River so am glad to see others like it as well.
I am adding Trust Her to my TBR list right now, thank you for the recommendation!
Hi Helen, yeah you gave me good incentive to read The Frozen River and I’m glad I finally got to it.
I think you’ll like Trust Her if you liked Northern Spy. Whoa you’re in for a ride, ha. Enjoy your week.
So glad that you liked Frozen River–I enjoyed revisiting the story and Martha via your excellent review. Nicely done. I have another Ariel Lawhon on my nightstand (Flight of Dreams) that I plan to read this summer.
Speaking of summer books, the only challenge I ever do in the summer is The Big Book Challenge, which is pretty easy as I do read a lot of big books 🙂
Love the picture of your rain-soaked street. Looks so homey. Good luck getting the veggies in the ground. I am mostly done, except I have to wait for the corn (planted yesterday) to get 6 inches high before I can plant its sisters (the pole beans and the squash).
Summer is coming!
Hi Jane, thanks, Martha Ballard is quite a character … midwife heroine from 1789, lol. I enjoyed the book though the villains are quite evil eh? I will look to see what you think of Flight of Dreams. I have not read her other books but I am curious.
And yeah the Big Book Challenge. You read a lot of those! I usually do one or two of those a year. Of Human Bondage was a big book last fall, lol. I’m still recovering ha ha. I should join in though. One or two big ones are good enough to join, right?
The rain finally stopped here so this week looks good for planting. Just got all the mowing of the yard/fields done. You should take a picture of your veggie garden for us when it gets going. You are an expert and it’s good to see the plants. Much to do right? Have a great week.
I do like that photo of the emerging green landscape.
I have done my list of 20 Books of Summer and I am looking forward to reading books from it. I had so many I wanted to include on the list, I am now reading some that did not make it to the list.
For some reason, The Frozen River does not appeal to me but maybe sometime I will change my mind. I don’t know why I haven’t heard of Flynn Berry. Trust Her and the preceding book seem interesting.
Hi Tracy, thx, I think I will take some more photos of the green landscape as we continue to get some good rain this week.
And I’m glad to hear you’ve done a Summer List. I look forward to seeing it. I have made a list of 15 books … which I’ll post this coming weekend. I agree, there are so many I wanted to put on it!
You might like the Flynn Berry books: both Northern Spy and Trust Her. She’s a younger author but seems to be getting better with each one. Cheers!
Both of these books sound good, though I’m more drawn to The Frozen River. I just might have to put that one on my own summer reading list. 😀
Hi Lark, I had The Frozen River on my list for a year — it was on my summer list last summer ha! Glad to finally get to it. It was a good read.
Look forward to seeing your summer list! Cheers.