“Lessons in Chemistry” is a heartwarming and inspiring story about a young woman’s journey to becoming a chemist during the 1960s. The novel is set in a time when women were often relegated to traditional roles and men dominated the sciences, making the protagonist’s journey all the more compelling. The story follows Elizabeth Zott, a…
Category: Reviews
In Senior Gap Years, you have the time to catch up on all the books you missed. These are independent reviews of books that I am enjoying in retirement (yes, I used the “R” word!). Please free to comment on the reviews.
The Forgetting (by Hannah Beckerman)
Amazon First Reads: Publish Date: April 2023 An intriguing, gripping tale of coercive control, and the social impact of such behaviour on families. OK, does not sound that original but believe me, this is not a standard relationship story. It is a refreshingly different read! The Forgetting” is a domestic drama dealing with controlling and…
The Fall (by Gilly Macmillan)
Preview copy from Netgalley – Release date: 25 May 2023 Would you ever consider murder? Are there circumstances that could trigger thoughts of murder? But could you actually do the deed? This suspense thriller embraces this conundrum and the outcomes do not surprise! This is the proverbial page-turner with so many twists on the way….
I Will Find You (by Harlan Coben)
Do you have go to Authors? For example, if you are looking for a legal thriller then you might choose a John Grisham novel, or looking for Crime Detective genre with Michael Connelly (Bosch series). Maybe you feel like a Social Commentary blast and opt for Zadie Smith or an investigation into a historic character…
The Guest List (by Lucy Foley)
“The Guest List” by Lucy Foley is a gripping and suspenseful novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With its well-crafted plot and richly-drawn characters, it is no surprise that the book has become a bestseller and generated a lot of buzz in the literary world. The story is set on…
This Isn’t Just a Souvenir (by Ki Hyun Park)
This is a novella from the pen of Ki Hyun inspired by an extended trip to Southeast Asia. The author summarises the book as follows. Sam’s girlfriend disappears in a tsunami. While searching for her in Southeast Asia, he uncovers a plot to assassinate the Dalai Lama. In order to stop the revolutionary group known…
Cold People (by Tom Rob Smith)
Preview copy supplied by Netgalley. Publish date 1st March 2023 Tom Rob Smith what have you done? Readers may be familiar with his previous books. For example, his first novel, Child 44, published in early 2008, was inspired by the true-life case of Andrei Chikatilo, who committed a series of child murders in Soviet Russia….
Never (by Ken Follett)
The story is so captivating and relevant to present events. The characters are well-developed, and you feel like you know them personally. Ken Follett is a masterful storyteller, and I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling story with an ending that is thoroughly plausible and a wake-up call to presidents and…
Hitler’s Secret (by Rory Clements)
I do love a good “what-if” novel, and Hitler’s Secret is a prime example! What if Hitler had a secret lover who was murdered by Martin Bormann? Bormann was Hitler’s right-hand man with considerable influence. Hitler was supposedly madly in love with Geli Raubal. Yet, in a fit of madness, Bormann murders Geli. He covers…
The Other Guest (by Heidi Perks)
The Other Guest is a sublime mystery set on a sun-soaked luxury resort Greek island. Is it the perfect read to take on holiday? You might be looking over your shoulder at your fellow guests!