A Murder Mystery Extravaganza

A month or so ago I decided it was time for me to become the detective I had always aspired to be. Not just any detective, that is, but a book detective, I wanted to figure out the killer before the main character did. As I embarked on this “Murder Mystery Extravaganza” of mine, I realized that particular method of reading and appreciating a murder mystery is not much fun (it happened once, and I’m not sure I would like it to happen again). So when I received my article deadline, I began thinking about what I had recently read that would receive the honor of a review for all to read, and realized that I had three options. One, write a glowing review about one of my favorite murder mysteries yet, two, write a scathing review about a particular book I highly disliked, or, three, go a bit wild and write them both! As evidenced by the following article, I favored the latter. So let’s get started, shall we?

Neighborhood News Arts & Culture

June 27, 2024 Beatrice Cosgrove

“The War That Saved My Life” is heart wrenching, masterful

A few weeks ago I found myself in a reading slump, and although Goodreads still has me many books behind on my reading schedule (don’t ask, it stresses me out as well), I found myself devouring a certain book I would like to recommend. As I was perusing the historical fiction section at my library, a librarian approached me and noted my interest in the genre. The librarian pulled out a hardcover titled “The War That Saved My Life” by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and, while acknowledging that it would be below my reading level, suggested I give it a try.

Neighborhood News Family & Education

March 27, 2024 Beatrice Cosgrove

Year of Wonders is an enthralling story of death and happiness in during the Plague

This book encapsulates what it meant to be a woman during the Plague and explores themes of death, self-discovery and what it means to be truly happy. This one took me a while to read, especially because of the flowery language and sometimes slow-developing storyline, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was sad to finish it.

Neighborhood News Arts & Culture

January 23, 2024 Beatrice Cosgrove

“Once and Future” is a hard to put down sci-fi, fantasy, romantic aventure

Sci-fi? Check.

Fantasy? Check.

Romance? Check.

Action and adventure? Check.

“Once and Future” by A.R. Capetta and Cory McCarthy somehow combines all of those in a well-written, hard to put down story with characters so easy to love, hate and feel something in between the two.