Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear

This one was a little harder to get through.  It did not seem to flow as well as the others in the series.  There were a few different story lines that all worked well together and Maisie Dobbs is a very interesting character.  I enjoyed learning more about that time period and how it affected people.  The ending was a good twist that I truly was not expecting.  I do look forward to continuing the series as I find it all intriguing between what Maisie Dobbs does and the time period.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

What an amazing collection of letters from so many people covering such an interesting time.  It is basically friends and people who become friends over a short period of time.  This society was discovered which lead to much correspondence, both positive and negative.  These letters lead to traveling, new friends, stories of the war and what it left behind.  I laughed and cried and just thought the whole thing was wonderful and wondered why we don't write letters anymore!!

The Chocolate Bear Burglary by JoAnna Carl

The second book in a mystery series taking place in the small town of Warner Pier.  It took a while to get to the action, but how Carl led up to it was very well written.  What started as a burglary of an antique chocolate mold turned into murder.  A lot was left to think about until the very end.  She did a great job of  making you think other people committed the crime.  You learned more about the town and its residents and I look forward to learning more and seeing what else she can come up with.

East of the Mountains by David Guterson

I really like the way Guterson told this story through flash backs.  A man is dying of cancer and has decided to end his life instead of suffering and putting his family through it all.  He plans everything and then goes hunting, something he has done his whole life.  A series of events changes things for him along the way.  We learn a lot about who he is as a person now and how he was when he was younger and growing up.  It was very well told and very touching and heartfelt.  Truly a very good novel.

Cold Comfort by Don Bredes

This book takes place in northern Vermont in a quiet little town.  They are never as they seem.  A couple is murdered and many secrets are unleashed.  There were many layers to the townsfolk, companies and goings on in the area.  Bredes had good character development and the story line was good, but it was not a driving force.  I felt the book was okay, but not really memorable.  Truthfully it just felt like another crime mystery in the world of them all, not much set this apart.

The Hollow by Agatha Christie

I thought that I would give her a try.  She is known as a great mystery writer and I love mysteries.  This was okay and I won't write her off just yet.  There is a gathering at the Hollow and a murder occurs.  The characters are quite interesting, from the eccentric to artsy to way out there.  The character development was good and how everyone was woven together was quite seamless.  There was a good twist that I did not see coming and it amazed me how well it slipped by.  I am looking forward to reading some more of her books over time and see what else she can trick me with.

When in Doubt, add Butter by Beth Harbison

This was just one of those fun books.  I listened to it while I walked and I am sure some people thought I was crazy since I laughed out loud so much.  Gemma is a personal cook for several families and does catering.  All of these families have very different personalities and can be quite funny.  For the most part Gemma is happy with her life and how things are going.  She of course runs into some problems.  She handles them like a trooper, but it can be quite funny and painful.  Of course, in the end all works out well and you feel pretty good about it all.  It was just a fun book.