The German Suitcase by Greg Dinallo

3 Stars

An old suitcase is pulled from the trash by a young, female marketing agent. Wanting to use the suitcase to launch a new ad campaign, she sets out to find the owner. What she finds is that the owner and the luggage are Holocaust survivors. Giving permission to open the suitcase, the owner relives some of his harshest memories. With a shocking twist at the end, the story makes us question what it means to really be a war criminal and what one person would do to save another.

I thought the idea behind this story was really good. I enjoyed the storyline itself, however...the editing left much to be desired. There were many grammatical errors and punctuation errors that drove me bananas. If the writing and editing had been a little better, I may have given this 4 stars.

The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

Set in Paris during World War 2, the story explores how far one human will go to save another human. Lucien is an architect who is offered a nice commission by the German's to design factories for them. At the same time, Lucien is approached by a well-to-do Frenchman requesting hiding places to be designed for Jews. This offer also comes with a lot of money. Lucien accepts both jobs and is now hiding his secret from the German officer that he is quickly becoming a friend. The story reveals unexpected plots and unlikely friendships and shows how far the human spirit will go to do the right thing.

I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was well written and the plot kept moving really well. It was a nice look at the war from a different country's view.

Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich

Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich

4 Stars 

Stephanie has finally had enough of the bounty hunter business and decides to quit her job. She takes up odd jobs at the local button factory, the dry cleaners and Cluck in a Bucket. But Stephanie just can't seem to get away from the hunt and finds herself searching for someone who is stalking her and blowing up everything around her. 

Another good one from Evanovich. She always knows how to mix humor with the right amount of suspense. Stephanie as always, was a hoot, and there was plenty of Lula and Grandma Mazur to help with the humor. 

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
4 Stars

Rachel is the girl on the train. Riding to and from every day, passing the same houses, making up stories about their owners. One house that  Rachel watches has her idea of the perfect couple. But one day she sees something that changes everything. Offering up her discovery to the police, Rachel soon finds herself in the middle of a mystery she never imagined. Told from various viewpoints, the author weaves together a story of love, betrayal, and obsession.

Once I figured out who the characters were I enjoyed finding out how they related to one another and how all of their lives intertwined. The ending was a bit disappointing and I was actually hoping for a big twist, which there wasn't. But overall it was still a good, engaging read.

Death By Chick Lit by Lynn Harris

Death by Chick Lit By Lynn Harris
3 Stars

A killer is on the loose and is targeting chick lit authors. Mimi is the first to go. Struggling author, Lola Sommerville, is at the center of it all, finding all of the bodies. But who is offing these writers? Is it the strange "reading guy" who turns up at all the readings? Or is it Quentin, Mimi's boyfriend? Lola spends her time sleuthing around, hoping that she's not next.

I was disappointed in this cozy mystery. It was a quick read, but the storyline was just blah for me.

The Murderer's Daughters

The Murderer's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers
4 Stars

Right before Lulu's 10th birthday, her world is turned upside down. Her mother has recently thrown out their dad. Having been obsessed with their mother, their dad returns and begs to be let in. Lulu allows him and he proceeds to kill their mother and stab her sister, Merry. The children are shipped off to live with their grandmother, until she too, passes away. Being disgusted at the thought of having the children of a murderer live with them, their aunt turns them out and they end up in a home for girls.
Over the next 30 years the girls try to make sense of what happened. The story shows you how strong or weak the bonds of blood can be.

I thought this was a pretty good read. The story moved quickly and I wanted to read further each time I picked it up. I may have to see if she has any other books to check out.

Alphabet Challenge

Alphabet Soup Challenge

One book starting with each letter of the alphabet

A-

B-Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti by Bailey Cates

C-

D-Death by Chick Lit by Lynn Harris

E- Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich 

F-

G- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

H-Highly Illogical Behavior by John Whaley

I-

J-

K-

L- Last Known Victim by Erica Spindler 

M- The Murderer's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers

N-

O- Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson

P-The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

Q-

R-

S- Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella 

T-Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle

U-

V-

W-The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

X-

Y-

Z-