Category Archives: Fiction

The Yellow Dog – Georges Simenon (translated by Linda Asher)

(Reviewed by JD Jung) Originally published in 1931, in English in 1939, and now re-released in English, The Yellow Dog offers readers a taste of Georges Simenon’s signature crime storytelling. Set in the small seaside town of Concarneau, France, a … Continue reading

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The Obsessions of Harvey Usher – David Putnam

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “ Eighty-three-year-old Harvey Usher is a recluse who still, after two years, mourns the death of his wife. When he finds a young woman inside his house who claims to be his wife, he’s sure that … Continue reading

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A Friend of Dorothy’s – Richard Willett

(Reviewed by John Heilman) A Friend of Dorothy’s manages to capture a young gay man’s search for belonging while simultaneously describing another young man’s decline during the early days of the AIDS epidemic. The book is a powerful reminder of … Continue reading

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Wordsworth in Bogotá – Scott E. Sundby

(Reviewed by JD Jung)   Colombian drug lord Diego Velasquez is facing financial ruin. It’s right after 9/11, and the U.S. borders are tightening, and corrupt officials are now refusing bribes. His two sons represent the family’s split identity: Carlos, … Continue reading

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The Silence of Flesh: A Novel of Conscience, Identity, and Holy Vows – Glenn Cooper

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “People who are different, even outcasts by some, are not outcasts to the Lord.” Cardinal Anthony Budd had no desire to become Pope. Also, it was unlikely since he was an outsider and would be only … Continue reading

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Damn English! – Gary Sherbell

(Reviewed by JD Jung) For those of you who are confused with the inconsistencies and nonsensical idioms and figures of speech in the English language, this book is for you. Gary Sherbell shares his irritation, but in a hilarious way … Continue reading

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Beautiful and Terrible Things- S.M. Stevens

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(Reviewed by Don Jung) Twenty-nine-year-old Charley Byrne is going through the motions of life without actually living it. Having lost her parents at age sixteen and her grandparents at age twenty-three, she works as a bookstore manager with few friends. … Continue reading

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So Happy Together – Olivia Worley

(Reviewed by JD Jung) Twenty-four-year-old aspiring playwright Jane Williams thinks she’s met her soul mate, Colin Hillgrove. The problem is that Colin doesn’t feel the same way. In fact, he broke up with her after six dates in less than … Continue reading

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Marguerite by the Lake – Mary Dixie Carter

(Reviewed by JD Jung) Phoenix Sullivan loves her work as a gardener. She has the experience of a landscape architect, but not the degree. She especially enjoys working on the gorgeous grounds of Rosecliff, the home and property of Marguerite … Continue reading

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Red Lily – Janice Graham

(Reviewed by JD Jung) If you’re a fan of novels where nothing is as it seems—where every character harbors a secret and the truth lies buried beneath layers of deception, then Red Lily is for you. What begins as an … Continue reading

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