Happy Reading

Toni's bookshelf: read

The Godfather of Kathmandu (Sonchai Jitpleecheep, #4)
Ape House
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Operation Napoleon
Walking Dead
The Sentimentalists
The Heretic Queen
The Midnight House
Cross Fire
Peony in Love
Absurdistan
Nefertiti
Finding Nouf: A Novel
City of Veils: A Novel
First Daughter
A Place of Hiding
Amagansett
Peter Pan


Toni Osborne's favorite books »
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Thursday, May 22, 2025

"London", by Ty Patterson

Zeb Carter #15

If you want never ending action just pick up a book written by Ty Patterson his Zeb Carter series is sure to please you.

In this 15th edition Zeb and his team are in London for a training session when armed thugs are rioting in the streets. The police having little effect on the violence and needing help, Zeb and the team get involved……and the fun begins.

Although “London” is the 15th it stands well on its own. The team blends with the local crew. With the excellent tactic and with the help of the twin sisters they saved the day…Not one moment of idle action the team encounters multiple barriers and jump hops and bounds to reach their objectives. In meantime as readers, we are highly entertained by how they are managing to do what they do. Farfetched is not the world over the top better. This gang is a target, at every corner someone shoots at them and lo and behold they manage to get out without a scratch…really?

This story is a Ty Patterson with the eternal same beat….

Thank you, Ty Once again for the hours of entertainment.

Monday, May 19, 2025

"Forsaken Souls", by Melinda Woodhall


Bailey Flynn FBI book # 6

The story in a few words:

Special Agent Baily Flynn is on the hunt for a sadistic predator, an internet troll, with a violent past. While digging deeper into past homicides she worked on, Baily sees connection to mysterious cold cases she was involved with three years earlier. Bailey is on the move.

My thoughts:

I like how each books keep us guessing who the culprit may be till the last moment. She teases us with suspense in a plot filled with action peppered with twist and turns. Not only the story keeps the interest at bay it is also exciting to read with the many surprises Melinda spins on us.

The writing style is easy to keep up with and the words flow smoothly. What is spookier that a story around the discovery of a skull found at old railroad station and an agent on the predator’s tail hell- bent to catch him before he strikes again. To top it all and add more suspense, Bailey is also targeted by her long-time nemesis who still wants her out of the way. Of course all ends well. So many characters, so many well-rounded ones.

Nicely done as always.

I received this ARC for free with no obligations to write a review.

Saturday, May 17, 2025

"The Eagle's Shadow" by Michael Reit

Covert War Chronicles, book #1

This page-turner historical fiction focusses on the lesser-known events and people in World War 11

March 1938, Vienna, Austria

The story brings us to Leopoldstadt Austria at the time its residents were being rounded and sent to unknown destinations. Felix Wolff’s plays a pivotal role in this story.

Known for his ruthless efficiency Karl Vogt of the Sicherheitsdienst will unknowingly lay the groundwork for one of history’s greatest atrocities.

While in Prague we follow Adela Beran, a translator, aiding the resistance…failure is a certain death but success will mean freedom….

My thoughts:

The author’s chilling words paint beautifully the treacherous game of survival in a world consumed by fear. Rich and graphic it is easy to visualize each moment. Imagine seeing cities destroyed, friends and family killed or seeing yourself in a concentration camp …. your world as you know it gone for ever. Through the eyes and voices of the characters you will feel this in “The Eagle’s Shadow”

The pacing is smooth, steady and perfectly done, everything is natural. Integrating local flavour, foreign words, streets names and food as examples adds authenticity to the account.

I love historical fiction and when it is well done as this story is you not only are captivated by it, you may even learn something new.

Excellent as always Mr. Reit keep the interesting account of past events coming.

I received this ARC from the publisher for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

"The Banned Books of Berlin", by Daisy Wood

The story in a few words:

Berlin 1933


Horrified, Freya sees her beloved city fall to fascism. Berlin is no longer a safe place; she is now forced to make choices as the night skies are burning bright with huge bonfires of banned books. Will she stay on the sideline or sacrifice herself to help others…..

New York present day:

In New York, Maddie comes across a pre-war diary amongst her grandfather’s things. Shocked by what was written Maddie digs deeper thus begins a journey across time…..

My thoughts:

This story is atmospheric and the words immerse the reader in the mystery smoothly. It is easy to let ourself go with the flow and picture the coming and going as the story progresses. Eventually it all comes together seamlessly as we reach the last words. I like Freya and Maggie’s characters they are warm and intriguing and as each take turns describing what they are seeing and feeling it is easy to imagine being with them.

Ms. Wood style is engaging and the story is well-said and well-done. But for those who are historical fiction buff as I am this story is far from being original. It has been said many times. On a positive note, I agree revising horrors of war should always be remember and what better way then to express what happened in words.

My thanks to the publisher Avon Books UK and NetGalley for this ARC

Friday, May 2, 2025

"Silent Mistresses", by John I. Rigoli

The Vatican chronicles book#3

What a gripping tale this chocking story turned out to be, although it may not please individuals with extreme religious beliefs I think this fiction may have a tad of reality not to be ignored.

Sister Maria Caruso is sent to the Eternal City to modernize the Bank’s books. She is the first woman to hold this esteem position- until the day she discovers an anomaly in the eight-figure fund. A secret account has not been funding charities rather individuals…..slush money given to clerics’ mistresses…..oh lala what a hot topic. Uncovering secrets the Vatican never wanted the world to know. With Maria’s perception of the Vatican shattered…..what will come next. One of those exciting reads. Enjoy.

This story is about a Vatican scandal, a nun who knows too much and a church willing to go to no end to keep their secrets silent…

I simply loved how the story develops in a rather unexpected manner opening our eyes to what is and what could be in an entertaining way. It is said the inspiration of this series is taken from real women who have been working hard alongside men their labour or knowledge ignored. But not anymore. Sister Maria is smart and is a great protagonist an asset in giving this story some truth. She faced Monseigneur, the head sister and eventually kidnappers, but Maria even with all her challenges knew what to do and held her own. All characters have great roles and played them not only to entertain us but make us wonder if something like this possibly could exist.

I found this story to be captivating, well-said and well paced and a topic not often tackled.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher the Book Whisperer for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.