Thanksgiving weekend has come to a close. Such lovely weather, being outside has been the best place to sit and read!

The following reviews are from books I have borrowed from the Hamilton Public Library. Of course mine are e-format but these all are available in hard copy. These 3 Best Sellers were all published in 2015.

BADLANDS by C J Box
This is not a Joe Pickett novel.
Box has created a new character to inhabit the cold and wilds of North Dakota – Cassie Dewell.  Cassie’s previous contact with a serial killer opens the novel when the FBI call her into interview a suspect. Meanwhile Cassie’s job in Helena under a woman-hating boss is ending when a job offer from Jon Kirkbride of Grimstad, Bakken County, North Dakota arrives. With the oil boom expanding Grimstad faster than the town can keep up, having a female deputy sheriff isn’t to everyone’s liking. Add a biker gang vs. a violent drug cartel taking over the heroin supply to the camps, and a young newspaper delivery boy an unwitting witness to corruption and death, Cassie finds this job may be more dangerous than she expected. Rather violent at times but a very moving plot.
I am looking forward to the next installment in Cassie Dewell series.

SUMMER SECRETS by Jane Green
Cat has to be aware of H A L T – when she’s hungry, angry, lonely, or tired – reaching for alcohol is her normal reaction. Drinking since her teens, Cat’s life has been a constant battle with alcohol. After hitting rock bottom she tackles AA for herself and begins to regain her family. Step 9 is making amends and the last people are her list are her half sisters in Nantucket USA. Leaving England with her teen daughter Annie, her BFF gay Sam, the family drama that ensues forces Cat to face the truth about herself and to choose to stay sober. Very strong emotions and struggles are beautifully handled in this novel.  Happy ending leaves you feeling triumphant for Cat.

IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT by Judy Blume
Historic events are featured throughout this novel.  Set in 1951-52, three plane crashes in Elizabeth NJ change the lives of teenagers who witness the disasters for the rest of their lives. The story flows from character to character as Miri Ammerman ancors the telling of life in Plane Crash City and the early days of Las Vegas. Beautifully written, strong emotions surface as each person deals with the ‘unlikely events’ in life. Some light moments include a Mob Museum in LV (it really exists!) and Jewish Gangsters in NJ & L.V. Initially the book is flooded with characters. I had to make a chart to sort them all out but the story was worth the effort.

Hope one of these novels is of interest to you.