Book Talk for march 05 2024

Book Talk

The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah

France, 1939. Vianne Mauriac sends her husband off to war, while her younger sister Isabelle runs off to Paris, claiming an affair. Once there, Isabelle becomes involved in the Resistance. Vianne's home is occupied by the invading Nazis. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2015.
BR23299 DB81189

The Housekeeper
by Joy Fielding

"In the end, I have only myself to blame. I’m the one who let her in. Jodi Bishop knows success. She’s the breadwinner, a top-notch real estate agent. Her husband, Harrison . . . not so much. Once, he had big dreams. But now, he’s a middling writer who resents his wife’s success. Jodi’s father, Vic, now in his late seventies and retired, is a very controlling man. His wife, Audrey, was herself no shrinking violet. But things changed when Audrey developed Parkinson’s ten years ago and Vic retired to devote himself to her care. But while still reasonably spry and rakishly handsome, Vic is worn down by his wife’s deteriorating condition. Exhausted from trying to balance her career, her family, and her parents’ needs, Jodi starts interviewing housekeepers to help care for Audrey and Vic. She settles on Elyse Woodley, an energetic and attractive widow in her early sixties, who seems perfect for the job. While Vic is initially resistant, he soon warms to Elyse’s sunny personality and engaging ways. And Jodi is pleased to have an ally, someone she can talk to and occasionally even confide in. Until . . . She shuts Jodi out. And Audrey’s condition worsens—rapidly. Who is this woman suddenly wearing her mother’s jewelry? What is she after? And how far will she go to get it?" -- Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
DB111736

Ain't She Sweet
By Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Returning home to Mississippi after fifteen years, thrice-divorced Sugar Beth Carey is not welcomed by women she treated like dirt, hearts she broke, or schoolteacher Colin Byrne, whose career she destroyed. Initially Colin plots her humiliation but begins falling in love. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.
DB57702

Home front
Kristin Hannah

2005. Forty-one-year-old Jolene, a Washington state National Guard helicopter pilot, is deployed to Iraq. She leaves behind a troubled marriage, a difficult preteen daughter, and a preschooler. While Jolene experiences the horrors of war, her husband Michael raises their children alone. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller. 2012.
DB74311

The Grapes of Wrath
by John Steinbeck

Classic novel about the Joad family, who migrate to California in search of a brighter future after being driven from their dust-bowl Oklahoma farm. With introduction and notes by Steinbeck scholar Robert DeMott. Strong language. Pulitzer Prize. 1939.
BR22585 DB68308

Magic Hour
by Kristin Hannah

Police chief Ellen Barton summons her estranged sister, L.A. child psychiatrist Dr. Julia Cates, to their Pacific Northwest hometown to help a feral six-year-old child found wandering the streets. Julia becomes both therapist and foster parent while trying to uncover the child's past and secure her future. 2006.
DB63255

The Tiger’s Child
By Torrey Hayden

Special-education teacher continues her narrative of Sheila, the abused but highly gifted girl whose experiences she documented in One Child (RC 16782). This chronicle picks up seven years later as Hayden seeks out the now-thirteen-year-old Sheila to renew their bond and record events of the intervening time. Strong language. 1995.
DB59596

Back of Beyond
By C. J Box

Alcoholic cop Cody Hoyt finds his AA mentor, Hank Winters, dead in his burned-down Montana cabin and determines it's homicide. When clues lead to the wilderness outfitter tour Hoyt's son is on, he panics and rushes to Yellowstone National Park to stop the killer. Violence and strong language. 2011.
DB74134 BR22091

Mrs, Presumed dead
by Simon Brett

Mr. Pargeter's dubious pursuits prior to his death eighteen months ago have left his widow Melita well off. She has moved into Smithy's Loam, a cul-de-sac of six elegant executive homes. The former owners seem to be missing and, indeed, turn up dead. Mrs. Pargeter, together with her husband's former business "accomplices" track down the truth. 1988.
DB32477