Review: Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey

5 stars for Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey.

Hauntingly charming, this outstanding debut novel is filled with bitter-sweet memories of old and at the same time, packed with a poignant longing for truth.

It is hard to imagine how I will think and feel and talk when the one day comes where memory fails, time crawls to a standstill and all that remains is a series of mysteries muddled up between the present and fragments of the past. That is why I think the author does a remarkable job of putting herself in Maud's shoes and seeing the world through her eyes.

Second to none of its kind, Elizabeth is Missing has my full attention right from the start and leaves me reeling from the sheer force of the story upon completion; an old lady who finally gets what she wants, to be heard and understood. Why wait? Pick up this book today and get ready to be blown away.

Review: The Second Husband by Louise Candlish

3 stars for The Second Husband by Louise Candlish.

A well executed story but a painful one at that, of a woman who plays multiple roles.

This story is perhaps a reality check on relationships where people throw caution to the wind and simply follow where their hearts lead them regardless of consequences. I'm not sure what intention the author has in mind but the message that glides across from reading this novel is that people in the UK do live with their families but it is either with the stepmother or stepfather, not exactly a rosy family picture.

Much as I enjoy the story setting and polished prose, it is equally exhausting and frustrating to be reading about a woman who constantly mourns after an ex-husband, has endless fights with a seventeen-year old adolescent and is oblivious to the fact that she has lost ground even before the battle has started.

Read it if you think you have the stomach for it.

Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

5 stars for The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

This remarkable debut comes recommended by a booklover buddy of mine. The title alone is enough to intrigue me such that I have it up on top priority to be read right after Towers of Silence which I am halfway through then.

As dictated by the book title, yes, this is a story about Henrietta Lacks, her immortal cells and her descendents.

Born in 1920, Henrietta Lacks died from a vicious case of cervical cancer in 1951. Since then, her (cancer) cells have been living outside her body far longer than they ever lived inside of her. The term immortal human cells refer a continously dividing line of cells all descended from one original sample, cells that would constantly replenish themselves and never die.

Considering the evolution of medical science and with it, the ethical debates relating to human-subject research and inevitably, the legal issues regarding the ownership and commercial use of biological materials and products derived from humans, it is amazing how the author manages to condense years of her research materials and hundreds of hours of interviews into a single book.

Review: Towers of Silence (Sal Kilkenny #5) by Cath Staincliffe

4 stars for Towers of Silence (Sal Kilkenny book 5) by Cath Staincliffe.

From a professional point of view, each mystery solved is a job well done. And Sal, as a private investigator, has succeeded in getting to the root of the towers of silence. However, the outcome has been devastating rather than satisfying. So, it comes to pass that sometimes "ignorance is bliss".

On a separate note..
I find myself keeping a lookout for the next book in line the moment I hit the halfway mark in this book 5. Sadly, I sense the series turning into a cul-de-sac as neither book 6 nor 7 can be found in the library I often frequent.

Not for lack of trying but I will have to put aside the detective in me for the time being. Because it is so not my style to miss two running books in the series and skip to the whichever one available next. So much for now.

Review: The Better Part of Darkness (Charlie Madigan #1) by Kelly Gay

2.5 stars for The Better Part of Darkness (Charlie Madigan book 1) by Kelly Gay.

It has been quite some time since I last read an urban fantasy tale. This book is supposed to be a welcome change for me as it is packed with off-worlders characters, sirens included!

The protagonist is in her thirties instead of the usual early to mid twenties age bracket written in most if not all urban fantasy novels. This alone appeals to me to continue reading beyond the first couple of pages.

The story starts out really great. But, it becomes not that great anymore after the first half of the book and I find myself skimming through the pages in a bid to get it over and done with.

Review: Stone Cold Red Hot (Sal Kilkenny #4) by Cath Staincliffe

4.5 stars for Stone Cold Red Hot (Sal Kilkenny book 4) by Cath Staincliffe.

No two cases are ever the same. I marvel at the brilliancy of the author to continue spinning cases that have me on my toes.

In this fourth instalment, the missing person case is like the Pandora's box of secrets. As the story unfolds, the skeletons in the closet take on their queue numbers and tumble out one after the other, leaving me breathless and stone cold. Needless to say, red hot is another story (case) altogether.

A well paced and definitely mind absorbing great read.

Review: My American Duchess by Eloisa James

3 stars for My American Duchess by Eloisa James.

This is author Eloisa's first American heroine. The fact that it is a stand-alone novel attracted me to read the book though I am no great fan of the historical romance genre.

Much to my surprise, I find myself enjoying the story, especially the part on the rented pineapple; totally unforgettable!

Publisher: Avon
Publication date: 26 Jan 2016

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The arrogant Duke of Trent intends to marry a well-bred Englishwoman. He wouldn’t even consider Merry Pelford, a madcap heiress who has made herself infamous by jilting two fiancés.

Besides, Merry is in love with his dissolute younger brother—and this time, the former runaway bride has vowed to make it all the way to the altar.

But as Trent and Merry discover, love has a way of complicating their perfect plans . . .

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: A Look Inside Alzheimer's by Marjorie N. Allen, Susan Dublin and Patricia J. Kimmerly

4 stars for A Look Inside Alzheimer's by Marjorie N. Allen, Susan Dublin and Patricia J. Kimmerly.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) has been a topic of interest to me of late. Perhaps it is the increasing awareness of this disease through the various media or simply the inevitable process of aging that sets me thinking, I find myself drawn, like a moth to a flame, to books written on the different forms of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease and even more so, early onset Alzheimer's.

If you ask around, it will seem that almost everyone knows someone with Alzheimer's disease, but the sad reality is, only a handful of people truly understand the disease itself.

A Look Inside Alzheimer's is an excellent guide to everyone and anyone. It is written - in layman's terms - from the bottom of the hearts of those who have been diagnosed with AD and how they have to learn to overcome the day-to-day challenges of memory loss, confusion and difficulty in understanding questions. Here, the caregivers also share their pains in seeing their loved ones succumb to the disease day by day and how they learn to cope as the disease progresses.

The following statement, taken verbatim from the book, is indeed well said. "If people were demented, they were considered insane, but AD is a form of dementia and dementia is not insanity. It is a neurological disease."

I think this book should be read by all.

Publisher: Demos Health; 1 edition
Publication date: 18 Sep 2012

*** Favourite quote 1 ***

At present, it's a matter of accepting the inevitable and finding the routine that will allow appreciation of what life offers.

*** Favourite quote 2 ***

It is important to educate people that AD is not a loss of self. It is a gradual change in self that eventually affects the physical and cognitive abilities but retains the inner emotional connection.

~ A Look Inside Alzheimer's
Marjorie N. Allen, Susan Dublin and Patricia J. Kimmerly

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A Look Inside Alzheimer’s is a captivating read for friends, families and loved ones affected by this mind-robbing disease. Individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease will take comfort in the voice of a fellow traveler experiencing similar challenges, frustrations, and triumphs. Family and professional caregivers will be enlightened by this book and gain a better understanding of this unfathomable world and how best to care for someone living in it.

Susan and Patricia share their accounts of their own transformation and deterioration with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease and Marjorie shares her perspective as the wife of a person living with Alzheimer’s Disease. The book addresses the complexity and emotions surrounding issues such as the loss of independence, unwanted personality shifts, struggle to communicate, and more. The three life-stories intertwined along with boxed quotes from professionals in the field make this book special.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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