I enjoyed I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh. It was a fast-paced thriller with unpredictable twists and turns. However, about 3/4 of the way through, I discovered that what I thought had been happening hadn’t really been happening. And, I can’t figure out if that was the author’s intent, or if I just didn’t read carefully enough. I think the former. Nevertheless, this was a good debut. I can’t really even describe the plot now that I know what I know. Amazon says: “On a rainy afternoon, a mother’s life is shattered as her son slips from her grip and runs into the street . . .” The story is told in alternating chapters by Jenna who runs away from the scene of the crime and the police trying to solve the case. Thank goodness for the alternation, because the police chapters allow for one’s heart to stop racing before heading back for more. Now I need to move out of the thriller, British crime realm!!

I have a love-like relationship with Curtis Sittenfeld’s books. I enjoyed reading Prep, particularly because Sittenfeld had been a writer-in-residence at St. Albans. I also have fond memories of holding nursing Will in the crook of one arm while holding Prep in my other hand. I also enjoyed An American Wife. Sisterland, though, I thought was a disappointment. So, when Eligible came along with mediocre reviews, I was a bit wary. However, while I would say there were flaws for sure, and it could never hold up to Pride and Prejudices, it was an entertaining eye into the lives of the Bennet sisters, and an enjoyable-enough read. It’s perfect for this summer at the beach.

Having read Beatrix Williams’ other books (A Hundred Summers, reviewed here, The Secret Life of Violet Grant, reviewed here, and Tiny Little Thing, reviewed here), I was excited to pick up another, Along the Infinite Sea. And, it did not disappoint. In the same way the the other three books were a bit predictable, you could see some of the action in Along the Infinite Sea coming, but it didn’t detract from an enjoyable, well-woven tale. Pepper Schuyler, the protagonist, has gotten herself into a bit of a pickle by getting pregnant with a married man. Fortunately for her, Annabelle Dommerich, takes Pepper under her wing. The story bounces back and forth from the 30s to the 60s so that you learn about both women’s complicated pasts. This was an interesting love story times two.

I love Anna Quindlen. I have loved all her books and essays. Her writing is both simple and lyrical. And, her stories are good. I was excited to read her latest, Miller’s Valley, and it didn’t disappoint. This is a quiet story of a family living in an area that the government wants to flood before nature does. The ups and downs of the main character, Mimi’s, life keep you reading and interested until the end. The story wasn’t too complex and I did have a little bit of an issue with the “revelation” told in the last few pages, but it was enjoyable overall and worth a read.

The Passenger by Lisa Lutz is a fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. A woman is running from the law after she finds her husband dead at the bottom of a flight of stairs. As you read, however, you discover that nothing is what it seems, including people she befriends along the way as she flees the scene. While I did finish this one, the story was shallow and not particularly well-developed. As with What She Knew (reviewed here), I would save this for a beach read. It’s good as a thriller, but nothing that is going to require much of your brain.

I became immediately engrossed in What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan. A mother goes for a walk with her son and he runs ahead of her to go to the rope swing and disappears without a trace. Every mom’s nightmare, right?! While this was an enjoyable and enthralling story, it was too long. Also, the title didn’t make much sense to me once I finished the story. I am not sure who the she is who is referred to. But, on the whole, this was a good read. It certainly would be a nice one to pick up for the beach.

While The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper reminded me of A Man Called Ove (reviewed here) at first, soon thereafter, it took a decidedly different turn. Arthur Pepper is a lovable guy, compared to Ove, and the story is vastly different. Arthur continues life as normal and regimented after the death of his wife until, a year later, when he is cleaning out her things and discovers a charm bracelet which he has never seen before. Uncharacteristically, he begins a journey to track down the background of each charm. And, in doing so, he learns about who his wife really was. It is a charming (sorry!) story that was a treat to read. Not Ove quality, but quite good.

I had been intrigued by The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney for a while. I read a number of reviews before getting it from the library (I cannot say enough how much I love the Montgomery County Public Library). However, it was a slow start for me and I put it down in favor of the last two which were due back at the library first. When I picked it up again, the pace increased, but I still never really loved it. The plight of the poor rich kids who made bad choices because they expected their inheritance to come through, didn’t really interest me and I didn’t find any of the characters appealing. This may have been the point, but it didn’t keep the story going for me and, in the end, I could have skipped this one.

The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain was about a young woman tasked with cleaning out her parents’ home after her father’s death, who discovers that her entire life is a lie. Her family was a mess as she grew up because of her sister’s suicide. Add to that her brother’s PTSD from the Iraq war, and you can understand why she didn’t want to come home to deal with everything. There were more plot twists than I would have expected and I devoured this rather large tome quickly. It had just the right combination of suspense and interest without any gory surprises.

Dark Corners by Ruth Rendell, was written up in Oprah’s monthly Must Read newsletter. I have never read any of Rendell’s books, so I thought I would give this one a try. It was certainly a quick read and the no-nonsense narration made the book move along at a quick pace. I couldn’t really get into the main character and his choices, but I can see why people enjoy Rendell’s books for their psychological suspense. I don’t know that I will seek out another one anytime soon – it was just so-so for me.