TOMORROW THERE WILL BE APRICOTS by Jessica Soffer

Lorca, Victoria and Blot, three damaged people, populate this novel that touches on Iraq, cutting and drug addiction leavened by lies, secrets and poor parenting.  Ultimately hopeful, the book drags a bit after many chapters of discouraged, depressed people.  I was happy to see the end. 

The three main characters, Lorca’s mother and Victoria’s “best friend” Dottie are all clearly drawn. Each is likeable except for Lorca’s mother who is clearly the villain. Joseph, the only other character, is not so well developed and plays an important, though minor, role.

Cutting and food are also main characters.  I learned much about the whys of cutting, coming away with a very sympathetic and empathetic view of those who suffer from this scary disease.   Food offers the much needed lightness.  Iraqi dishes are presented and prepared by Lorca and Victoria. One recipe is given. I would have liked to have others – the descriptions had my mouth watering!

Because I feel the book is too long, only 3 of 5 stars.

ISLAND OF A THOUSAND MIRRORS by Nayomi Munaweera

I enjoyed the writing which was clear and moving. The descriptions of the island were wonderful, not just the physical beauty but the smells of food, people and nature.  I felt like I really knew the characters.  I hope the final edition has a “cast of characters” as it was difficult to keep the various families and generations straight, especially as they were seemingly unrelated as the narrative moved from generation to generation and Sinhala to Tamil and back again.  I learned a vast amount about the Sri Lankan history of civil violence. 

Book groups will find themselves discussing discrimination, arranged marriage, ethnic differences, education, parental desires for their children, the life of the immigrant in a new land, jealousy between siblings, soldier versus terrorist, the effect of violence on people and culture, and the sense of smell. Some groups may find the descriptions of sexuality (including violent rape) disturbing.   

4 of 5 stars

MERCY FALLS by William Kent Krueger

MERCY FALLS is the 5^th in the Cork O’Connor series of mystery/thrillers written by William Kent Krueger.  The author’s descriptions of the North Woods area of Minnesota are excellent and add greatly to the story giving it a sense of place usually lacking in this genre.  Krueger is also careful to detail his characters as real, living, breathing persons instead of the stereotypes and stock characters so often found in mysteries.  The tempo and pacing of the novel give the reader (and the characters) a chance to breathe after thrilling and terrorizing scenes.  I liked the way reservation life was detailed – accurate but not condescending or demeaning. In short, Krueger is an excellent writer with an engaging and compelling story.

So, why am I only giving this book 3 stars.  Because of the loose ends!  One of the main “mysteries” isn’t solved!  Is this the first of a series inside a series? Does the next book (Copper River) answer the questions that are left dangling?  Are we never to know the answers?  I am bummed!  If there had been a “read the next book” epilogue I would be happier. Instead I feel FORCED to buy and read the next book hoping to find answers that may or may not be there.

3 of 5 stars

12 YEARS A SLAVE by SOLOMON NORTHUP

I never thought I would say this but …. Go see the movie.   The story is important but the book is ponderous.  The writing is old fashioned enough to make it difficult for the modern reader.  I was glad I read this on my e-reader so I could easily look up all the many “archaic” words.  The punctuation also forces the reader to slow down and re-read portions to understand what is being said in this autobiography.

The book relates the experiences of a free black man who is kidnapped by slavers in Washington, DC and taken to Louisiana where he is sold into slavery. It takes 12 long years for him to be found, released from bondage and returned to wife and children.  He suffers under both cruel and mild masters as he shares life with other bound persons.  Northup also relates the stories of other persons he suffers with. You will feel Patsey’s pain as she is whipped into submission and suffer with Elisa as her small children are wrenched from her and sold away never to be seen again.

This biography needs to be told. Perhaps another writer will make the story come alive for the modern reader.

3 of 5 stars

TRICKSTERS POINT by William Kent Krueger

If you are looking for a literate mystery with well-developed characters and a convincing, challenging plot, this is the book for you.  Krueger’s latest chapter in the life of his Cork O’Conner character will have you guessing until the last pages. 

Several characters from Cork’s past have reason to kill off Cork’s childhood friend, rising politician Jubal Little.  When Little’s life is cut short in the middle of his gubernatorial campaign, Cork is the prime suspect until others reveal their animosity.  Cork’s family and friends, as well as a few enemies, all come under suspicion in this tightly plotted mystery leavened with near poetic descriptions of the area around Trickster’s Point.   The many layers to the mystery of Jubal’s death are only revealed in the final pages. 

An excellent way to spend some time with a fine author, Native American traditions and the northern reaches of Minnesota.

5 of 5 stars

THE WORKHOUSE GIRL by Dilly Court

Sarah, the workhouse girl of the title, is followed from age 6 to about age 20 in this young adult novel.  Poor Sarah rockets from one dismal situation after another, extricating herself (or being extricated) only to fall into another awful mess.  Along the way we meet several villains and a few heroes and heroines. The characters are stock characters with one “noble rascal” to relieve the standardization.

This is a quick read that moves from one unlikely situation to another, but does eventually reach a not quite foregone conclusion.  The writing is okay, the dialogue pedestrian, but the tempo is non-stop.  Tweens will love it. Teens will enjoy the action and like the very mild romance. Parents have nothing to fear beyond a few somewhat “bad” words, a few kisses along with some mild innuendo and lots of outright cruelty.

Adults will likely find the believable factor  too implausible to read past the middle of the book and may just skip to the conclusion. Then they will discover they have missed several plot points. 

3 of 5 stars