reecaspieces

Overview

Every book tells a story. This one tells a secret.

A young bookbinder begins a hunt for the truth when a confession hidden beneath the binding of a burned book reveals a story of forbidden love, lost fortune, and murder.

Lilian (“Lily”) Delaney, apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford in 1901, chafes at the confines of her life. She is trapped between the oppressiveness of her father’s failing bookshop and still being an apprentice in a man’s profession. But when she’s given a burned book during a visit to a collector, she finds, hidden beneath the binding, a fifty-year-old letter speaking of love, fortune, and murder.

Lily is pulled into the mystery of the young lovers, a story of forbidden love, and discovers there are more books and more hidden pages telling their story. Lilian becomes obsessed with the story but she is not the only one looking for the remaining books and what began as a diverting intrigue quickly becomes a very dangerous pursuit.

Lily’s search leads her from the eccentric booksellers of London to the private libraries of unscrupulous collectors and the dusty archives of society papers, deep into the heart of the mystery. But with sinister forces closing in, willing to do anything for the books, Lilian’s world begins to fall apart and she must decide if uncovering the truth is worth the risk to her own life.

Review

I love this cover and this title! Always a big draw to me!

A young bookbinder begins a hunt for the truth when a confession hidden beneath the binding of a burned book reveals a story of forbidden love, lost fortune, and murder.

I am in the minority on this one. I loved the premise and the setting. However, I found the pacing a bit off and this is a bit too descriptive. And as much as I enjoyed Lily, some of her actions do not seem to fit the time period.

Now that that is out of the way! I did enjoy the premise. A 50 year old letter hidden in a book! This definitely draws you in. The murder and love story create an intriguing tale. Plus, the bookbinding information helps endear the reader to this story.

Olivia Vinall is the narrator. She did a good job. I am not sure I have ever listened to her before.

Need a unique mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

A transportive work of historical fiction chronicling the life, loves, and iconic successes of Rafael Guastavino, the influential yet largely forgotten Spanish architect of New York’s Gilded Era

Iconoclast. Genius. Womanizer. Architect Rafael Guastavino’s signature vaulted tile ceilings revolutionized Gilded Age New York City. The Oyster Bar in Grand Central, the Prospect Park Boathouse, and the iconic Old City Hall subway station number among his masterpieces. But while his works continue to imbue the city with the glamour of a bygone era, the man himself has been largely forgotten.

Told through the eyes of Guastavino’s son and business partner, Rafael Jr., Javier Moro’s magnetic prose brings to life the remarkable rags-to-riches journey of this influential immigrant family. Guastavino was a stubborn man, enamored of his own sense of destiny, but he was also a deeply compassionate father, as committed to his family as he was to his work, and equally defined by his successes in the latter realm as by his failures in the former.

Set against historical events including the Chicago World’s Fair and the sinking of the Titanic, The Architect of New Yorkis a moving and entertaining father-son story filled with finely developed and deeply researched real-life characters (including such figures as Stanford White and Daniel Burnham) that captures the romance and drama while offering a timeless glimpse into the human heart.

Review

Iconoclast. Genius. Womanizer. Architect Rafael Guastavino’s signature vaulted tile ceilings revolutionized Gilded Age New York City. The Oyster Bar in Grand Central, the Prospect Park Boathouse, and the iconic Old City Hall subway station number among his masterpieces. But while his works continue to imbue the city with the glamour of a bygone era, the man himself has been largely forgotten.

This is a bit slow and drawn out. I did enjoy learning about the history surrounding the architecture and the creations by Rafael Guastavino. He was truly a genius. Plus, he was a bit of a scoundrel as well, especially where women were concerned. I had a hard time keeping up with all his women and children. He was also terrible with his money. I bet he lost multiple fortunes due to mismanagement.

This is told through the voice of one his sons. This made this a unique narration. It shows their relationship and how it changed through the years.

This is narrated by Robert Fass. He did a good job with the Spanish accents.

Need a good history of architecture in NYC…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

Inspired by the indomitable spirit of Audrey Hepburn, this gripping story follows two extraordinary sisters as they reunite after World War II, embarking on a journey of justice, survival, and secrets amid the backdrop of the Red Scare in Hollywood.

A new name, a new country, and a coveted title as Hollywood’s newest rising star: by 1946, actress Ada Worthington-Fox has discarded the life she left in war-torn Arnhem, where she worked for the Dutch resistance before Gestapo imprisonment prompted her to flee after release. But that life is thrust back into the spotlight when Ingrid–the sister she believed dead–shows up on her doorstep.

Politically-minded Ingrid escaped the Nazi invasion of Arnhem and fled to Washington, DC, where she became a private investigator. Now, she has been sent to root out Communist influences in Hollywood. Her target: Ada Worthington-Fox, the sister she long thought lost to her. Ingrid must hide her true purpose as she shields Ada from sneaky reporters, damaging rumors, and increasing threats, all while fighting to uncover which side her sister is truly on before Ingrid’s efforts to help her are too late.

Yet, Ada has her own mission: locating the Gestapo agent who terrorized her hometown and bringing him to justice. But delving into her past would risk alerting the press to a life too personal to expose. As the rising fear of Communism threatens everyone, she turns to her sister, believing Ingrid’s ties to Washington may be her only hope for success.

But the connections between Ada’s elusive Nazi and Ingrid’s Communist witch hunt might be stronger than they realize. Both sisters share the darkest secret of all, one that risks their very lives if ever exposed. As they come closer to identifying Ada’s target and as Ingrid’s investigation intensifies, they will need to decide what is more important: justice or safety, keeping silent or taking a stand, and, above all, if their loyalty to one another is worth risking the post-war lives they’ve fought to build.

A thrilling historical novel that transports readers from the shadows of the Dutch resistance to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

Review

A new name, a new country, and a coveted title as Hollywood’s newest rising star: by 1946, actress Ada Worthington-Fox has discarded the life she left in war-torn Arnhem, where she worked for the Dutch resistance before Gestapo imprisonment prompted her to flee after release. But that life is thrust back into the spotlight when Ingrid–the sister she believed dead–shows up on her doorstep.

This story starts a bit slow but stick with it. It turns into a family drama, a war tale, a romance, a red scare and more!

I enjoyed how this played out. You cannot help but love Ada and Ingrid. Both have different issues going on. And trust me! The drama between these two will keep the reader on their toes. Throw in their mother…oh boy!

The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, has become one of my favorites narrators over the past year. She does a great job.

Need a twisted, Hollywood tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

HURRICANE SEASON CAN BE MURDER • A January 2026 Indie Next Pick • “Sexy and full of surprises, The Storm is an ideal curl-up-by-the-fire read.” —Real Simple

St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.

When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.

As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive—and as deadly—as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping…

Review

Now, this is not my favorite book by this author. It is still a good read. My favorite is The Heiress. But you cannot go wrong with any of her books!

St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.

Let me start with saying, the setting of this book is great. It is the Alabama gulf coast. I have spent quite a lot of time down there so this book has me wanting to go back!

The mystery slowly builds around great characters. I enjoyed Lo and her story. Then there is August. He is definitely an enigma and one you won’t soon forget!And the final twist…I did see that coming!

This is narrated by whole team, Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, Stephanie Németh-Parker. This just made the whole story so much better. I love a good tag team.

Need a good southern mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

An Instant USA TODAY Bestseller!

In this laugh-out-loud murder mystery, three women dating the same man band together to get revenge, but when they discover his body, they’ll need to solve his murder before they go down for it.

The body in the closet was going to be a problem. Kathryn Hu knew it. Yes, Tucker Jones was a cheating scumbag, and yes, she’d agreed to meet Olivia and Elle—Tucker’s other girlfriends—to exact revenge for all he’d put them through… But then they found him. Dead. 

Do they look guilty? Yes.

Do they feel guilty for having wished him dead just hours before? Maybe a little.

But—solid motive and a crime scene covered in their DNA aside—they’re innocent. They swear.

To clear their names, Kat, Olivia, and Elle team up to find the real killer. But as they go undercover and lie to everyone, including the hot detective working the case, they realize that every person in their ex’s life had a reason to want him dead. Will they uncover the truth before they go down for a murder they didn’t commit?

Filled with humor and shenanigans, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is a romp of an adventure by award-winning author Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It and John Tucker Must Die.

Review

Three women dating the same man band together to get revenge, but when they discover his body, they’ll need to solve his murder before they go down for it.

This is not as “laugh out loud” funny as it says in the blurb. But it is cute and adorable. I found myself smiling on more than one occasion.

I loved these characters, especially Kathryn Hu. She is a woman after my own heart. And her mother….she is a hot mess! Add in Olivia and Elle and you have a great “Get out of jail free” card.

This is more than just a murder mystery with revenge. It is all that…but it is also about friendship and having each other’s backs!

This is narrated by Carolyn Kang. I loved her!! Excellent job!

Need a quick, fun read…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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