You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen McManus

You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by Rachel L. Jacobs, Anthony Rey Perez, Max Meyers, Malik Rashad, this stand alone mystery is an excellent audiobook and mystery teens will love! As middle school students Ivy, Mateo, and Cal used to be close. But now in high school they no longer hang out, much less speak to one another. But there comes a day when they run into one another and for separate reasons do not want to be in school that day. That decision turns their world upside down when they arrive right after a student (they all know) has been murdered. With her superior writing McManus twists and turns the plots and characters as they try to figure out what is going on all the while keeping secrets to themselves. Sinister and suspenseful, this is a must read!

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Golden Gate (City Spies, #2) by James Ponti

Golden Gate by James Ponti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 2nd book in the City Spies series is a page turner as Brooklyn and Sydney save the day when their latest assignment involves the hijack of their boat and expands as they search for a mole, Mother's children and all sorts of mayhem! I can't wait for the 3rd book, the junior spy team and their individual fortes are beyond exciting!!! Highly recommended!

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Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Narrated by: Ell Potter, this is historical fiction about William Shakespeare's life and family. It was a little difficult with the back and forth of characters and time, trying to establish the story. The basic premise is about the death of Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes' twin son, Hamnet. But there is so much background and characters to cover and while the narration is stellar, I was not as engrossed in this story as I wanted to be.

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Criminal (Will Trent, #6) by Karen Slaughter

Criminal by Karin Slaughter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is my first Will Trent book, so I do not really know what he is like--that said, I did not like him (even though he has ghosts and a past) and his boss, Amanda, throughout the whole story. Even more, I have read other Karin Slaughter books --but the way she depicts the abhorrent sexism in the police force at the time, really turned me off. Also, the way these girls were killed sickened me time and time again as they discover/uncover the murders. Even the end did not do much for me.

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Recitatif by Toni Morrison

Recitatif by Toni Morrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Narrated by: Zadie Smith and Bahni Turpin this short story written by Toni Morrison explores/lays out the story of 2 girls as youngsters meeting in an orphanage and they are bonded in their months together. After they leave, the reader meets them interacting as they run into each other. I love Bahni Turpin and she did not disappoint as the narrator but I was confused about Twyla and Roberta--their race and their experiences. I will be reading the story again for my Albright College Zoom Book Club and can't wait to discuss this story!

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The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, I loved this audiobook (and I am sure the book is just as GOOD) so much---if I could have sat and listened to the whole 12 hours and 51 minutes, I would have---the plot and Saskia's narration were riveting, pulse pounding and thrilling! I will be reading the book because I intend to have this title read by my Albright College Zoom Book Club and I know I will just love it even more then. The story of a Russian history major, Mila Pavlichenko, becoming the most deadly sniper in Russian history, during Hitler's invasion of Russia, was captivating due to so many things in her life---she was 15 when she meets Pavlichenko and he seduces her, she gets pregnant and must marry him. He is a thoroughly despicable person who is only out for himself and he tortures Mila every time they meet - he also never appears the 2 time she spends money she does not have to divorce him! Luckily Mila has wonderful parents who she lives with after the end of her marriage. She loves her son so much and only wants to complete her dissertation and raise him to the most wonderful son she knows he is. But that is interrupted when she is drafted and becomes the famous sniper. I could go on and on about this book---but this is a MUST READ! Mila, her life, and her place in history are in my heart forever due to Kate Quinn's compelling research and her power to craft the best STORY! Highly reocmmended.

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Trapped! (Frames #3) by James Pnoti

Trapped! by James Ponti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hope this is not the final book in this awesome series---I have grown to love Florian, Margaret, Marcus, Kayla, the commander of the FBI, both sets of parents---Margaret and Florian are so happy Marcus is receiving a distinguished Medal of Honor and they revisit his first case as a memory. There was some kind of rare book spy case that he never totally resolved. Presently this case becomes center stage with Margaret and Florian using TOAST and I can't remember what Kayla introduced but they use both when they need guidance, help and direction! Florian's mom did some awesome sleuthing with them and Margaret's parents, the lawyers, get involved with Marcus (because he is the accused NOW) ---all really great additions to an already awesome, thrilling plot. Nic the Knife appears again and oh do I enjoy him! A must read and really great middle grade mystery series!

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