Review of INTO THIN AIR by Ørjan Karlsson 3.5 Stars This is the first of a new series known as Arctic Mysteries set in northern Norway. A young woman, Iselin Hanssen, disappears d...

This is the first of a new series, known as Arctic Mysteries, set in northern Norway. Character development is strong. I'm off to read the next book. See my review of INTO THIN AIR by Ørjan Karlsson from @orendabooks.bsky.social: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/04/revi...

Review of THE NOVICE OF HOLLOWAY HALL by Wayne Johnston (New Release) 4 Stars  I’ve read and loved many of Wayne Johnston’s novels so I was pleased to receive a copy of his latest. It did not disappoint. Thi...

This book is a mix of drama, mystery and comedy and a great read. See my review of THE NOVICE OF HOLLOWAY HALL by Wayne Johnston: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/04/revi...

Review of THE LOST BOOK OF ELIZABETH BARTON by Jennifer N. Brown (New Release) 3.5 Stars This historical fiction/suspense novel has a dual timeline. One timeline is the mid-16th century. Elizabeth Barton is executed...

This novel features the 16th-century Holy/Mad Maid of Kent who claimed to have received divine revelations that predicted future events. See my review of THE LOST BOOK OF ELIZABETH BARTON by Jennifer N. Brown: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/04/revi...

Review of WHITE MOSS by Anna Nerkagi (New Release) 3.5 Stars This novel, written in Russian and first published 30 years ago, is now available in English. I had never heard of the Nenets, ...

This novel, written in Russian and first published 30 years ago, is now available in English. It focuses on the Nenets, Indigenous people living in Siberia in the Russian Arctic. See my review of WHITE MOSS by Anna Nerkagi: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/04/revi...

Review of GUILT by Keigo Higashino (New Release) 3.5 Stars I’ve read and enjoyed several of Higashino’s novels so I look forward to a new offering. This one is set in 2017. Detective G...

Higashino is known for complexity in his novels: convoluted plots, nuanced characters, and complex moral choices. See my review of GUILT by Keigo Higashino: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/04/revi...

Review of CATHERINE: A RETELLING OF WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Essie Fox 4 Stars  I hesitated to read this book because I read and studied Wuthering Heights , albeit many years ago, and really did not like this ta...

Catherine is the narrator in this retelling which I enjoyed much more than the original. See my review of CATHERINE: A RETELLING OF WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Essie Fox from @orendabooks.bsky.social: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/04/revi...

Review of SON OF NOBODY by Yann Martel (New Release) 4 Stars This is a very interesting read from the author best known for his Life of Pi . Harlow Donne, a Canadian doctoral candidate study...

A Canadian doctoral candidate studying Ancient Greek literature pieces together fragments of an unknown epic poem about the Trojan War from the point of view of an ordinary foot soldier. See my review of SON OF NOBODY by Yann Martel: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/03/revi...

Review of THE MAID'S SECRET by Nita Prose 2.5 Stars Had this book not been chosen for book club, I would not have finished it. I found it insipid and overly sentimental and cliché...

Dedicated fans of the series might enjoy the book, but I found it predictable and tedious, lacking the originality of the first book. See my review of THE MAID'S SECRET by Nita Prose: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/03/revi...

Review of DAUGHTER OF EGYPT by Marie Benedict (New Release) 3 Stars This feminist historical fiction focuses on two ambitious women defying expectations. There are two storylines. One begins in 14...

I enjoy fiction with strong female characters, but I don’t find the two women in this novel admirable. See my review of DAUGHTER OF EGYPT by Marie Benedict: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/03/revi...

Review of THE LONELINESS OF SONIA AND SUNNY by Kiran Desai 4 Stars This 670-page tome was shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize and I kept coming across rave reviews so thought I’d read it. It’s a...

I recommend the book with a caution: readers must be prepared to invest time, not only because the book is lengthy but because it is dense and so requires concentration. See my review of THE LONELINESS OF SONIA AND SUNNY by Kiran Desai: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/03/revi...

Review of THE CABIN by Jørn Lier Horst 3.5 Stars This is the second Norwegian police procedural in the Cold Case Quartet. A prominent politician dies and 80 million kroner is f...

This is the second Norwegian police procedural in the Cold Case Quartet. I was not as impressed as I was with The Katharina Code, but I will still continue reading the series. See my review of THE CABIN by Jørn Lier Horst: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/03/revi...

Review of THE KATHARINA CODE by Jørn Lier Horst 4 Stars My husband and I have streamed all seasons of Wisting , a Norwegian police procedural television series based on the William Wist...

This is not a fast-paced, action-packed, twisty thriller, but a cerebral, character-driven police procedural. It's the first of the Cold Case Quartet featuring the wonderful William Wisting. See my review of THE KATHARINA CODE by Jørn Lier Horst: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/03/revi...

Review of CROSSBONES YARD by Kate Rhodes 3 Stars I was recently introduced to the author’s Isles of Scilly series which I enjoyed so thought I’d listen to the first book in her ot...

I was recently introduced to the author’s Isles of Scilly series which I enjoyed so thought I’d listen to the first book in her series featuring Alice Quentin. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. See my review of CROSSBONES YARD by Kate Rhodes: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/03/revi...

Review of THE SPIRIT OF SCATARIE by Lesley Crewe 3 Stars This novel is set on Scatarie which I had never heard of but is a real island off the northeastern tip of Cape Breton Island. The...

This book, narrated by a ghost, will appeal to readers who like an emotional story with both heart-breaking and heartwarming moments. See my review of THE SPIRIT OF SCATARIE by Lesley Crewe: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/03/revi...

Review of MULE BOY by Andrew Krivák (New Release) 4.5 Stars  This is a rivetingly beautiful book which I think will haunt me for some time. Ondro Prach is an old man living a solitary life...

This is a rivetingly beautiful book which I think will haunt me for some time. See my review of MULE BOY by Andrew Krivak: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/03/revi...

Review of DANDELION by Jamie Chai Yun Liew 3.5 Stars  This was a 2025 Canada Reads selection chosen to be read by my book club. In 1988, Swee Hua leaves her husband Ah Loy and her d...

The book touches on some important issues; I just wish the execution were more polished. See my review of DANDELION by Jamie Chai Yun Liew: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/02/revi...

Review of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER by Rebecca Philipson (New Release) 3.5 Stars This book’s premise is singular but its execution not so. Samantha Hansen is a Scotland Yard detective. She has been on leave ...

This is not a bad book and it will certainly leave readers questioning, but there are some elements that feel contrived. See my review of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER by Rebecca Philipson: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/02/revi...

Review of LIBERTY STREET by Heather Marshall (New Release) 3.5 Stars This is the first book I’ve read by this Canadian author and I came away impressed by this historical fiction which alternates b...

This book is a worthwhile read. It sheds light on women’s rights (or lack thereof) in the 1960s, on the conditions in reformatories, and on the treatment (or lack thereof) of mental illness. See my review of LIBERTY STREET by Heather Marshall: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/02/revi...

Review of MORE THAN ENOUGH by Anna Quindlen (New Release) 3.5 Stars This novel didn’t resonate with me as much as did the author’s previous one, After Annie ( https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com...

The prose is engaging, but there are too many tangential stories. Though entertaining in parts, the plot’s arc is predictable and the ending too neat. See my review of MORE THAN ENOUGH by Anna Quindlen: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/02/revi...

Review of ADRIFT by Will Dean (New Release) 3.5 Stars This is an emotionally exhausting psychological drama about domestic abuse. In 1994 in the Illinois/Indiana/Kentucky area, Drew...

This is an emotionally exhausting psychological drama about domestic abuse. See my review of ADRIFT by Will Dean: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/02/revi...

Review of KIN by Tayari Jones (New Release) 4 Stars This novel focuses on the lives of two black women growing up in segregated America in the 1950s and 1960s. Vernice (Niecy) and ...

I very much enjoyed this book. It has beautiful prose, engaging characters, and thematic depth. See my review of KIN by Tayari Jones: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/02/revi...

Review of HARRIET HATES LEMONADE by Kim McCollum (New Release) 3.5 Stars This book examines emotional abuse. Harriet Henderson, 52, lives in Bozeman, Montana. After the death of her husband Les, she ...

The novel’s examination of emotional abuse is commendable. See my review of HARRIET HATES LEMONADE by Kim McCollum: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/02/revi...

Review of THE CUT LINE by Carolina Pihelgas (New Release) 3.5 Stars This novella is a translation from Estonian. Liine has left an emotionally abusive 14-year relationship with Tarmo, a man 15 ye...

This novella, a translation from Estonian, is an examination of the emotional aftermath of a woman’s escaping a toxic relationship. See my review of THE CUT LINE by Carolina Pihelgas: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/02/revi...

Review of THE HOPE by Paul E. Hardisty (New Release) 3.5 Stars  This is the last of The Forcing Trilogy which begins with The Forcing ( https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2023/02/review-of-...

The last of a very good trilogy. See my review of THE HOPE by Paul E. Hardisty from @orendabooks.bsky.social: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/01/revi...

Review of MISSING SAM by Thrity Umrigar (New Release) 4 Stars This novel, set between July 2019 and March 2020, focuses on Aliya (Ali) Mirza and Samantha (Sam) O’Malley, a gay couple living in...

The book highlights the effects of trauma, racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, and xenophobia. See my review of MISSING SAM by Thrity Umrigar: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/01/revi...

Review of DEPARTURE(S) by Julian Barnes (New Release) 4 Stars Julian Barnes turned 80 on January 19, the day before this book was published. And it is so very much a Julian Barnes book, one ...

The author claims this is his last book. I hope it's not, but if it is, it's a good one to mark the end of his career. See my review of DEPARTURE(S) by Julian Barnes: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/01/revi...

Review of GOOD GUYS by Sharon Bala (New Release) 4 Stars I read Sharon Bala’s debut novel, The Boat People ( https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2018/05/review-of-boat-people-by-sharon-...

The book is sometimes an uncomfortable read because the reader knows things cannot end well, but it is very thought-provoking and so I have to recommend it. See my review of GOOD GUYS by Sharon Bala: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/01/revi...

Review of EVELYN IN TRANSIT by David Guterson (New Release) 3 Stars David Guterson is best known for his debut novel, Snow Falling on Cedars , which, like most people, I loved. Over the years, I’ve...

I’m afraid this slow-paced novel about spiritual quests was not for me. See my review of EVELYN IN TRANSIT by David Guterson: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/01/revi...

Review of THE LAST OF EARTH by Deepa Anappara (New Release) 3.5 Stars This novel is set in 1869 on both sides of the India-Tibet border. At this time Tibet was closed to Europeans, this policy of i...

This novel, set in 1869 on both sides of the India-Tibet border, follows two explorers venturing into the Forbidden Kingdom. See my review of THE LAST OF EARTH by Deepa Anappara: schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/01/revi...

Review of SCARS OF SILENCE by Johana Gustawsson (New Release) 4 Stars I loved Yule Island , the first book in the Lidingö series, so was anxious to read this second one. It did not disappoint. At th...

I highly recommend this book. Its fluid writing style, complex characterization, thematic depth, and the tension maintained throughout ensure a great reading experience. See my review of #ScarsOfSilence by Jo Gustawsson from @orendabooks.bsky.social : schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2026/01/revi...