Review: Notorious Nineteen (Audio)

Summary: After a slow summer of chasing low-level skips for her cousin Vinnie’s bail bonds agency, Stephanie Plum finally lands an assignment that could put her checkbook back in the black. Geoffrey Cubbin, facing trial for embezzling millions from Trenton’s premier assisted-living facility, has mysteriously vanished from the hospital after an emergency appendectomy. Now it’s on Stephanie to track down the con man. Unfortunately, Cubbin has disappeared without a trace, a witness, or his money-hungry wife. Rumors are stirring that he must have had help with the daring escape . . . or that maybe he never made it out of his room alive. Since the hospital staff’s lips seem to be tighter than the security, and it’s hard for Stephanie to blend in to assisted living, Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur goes in undercover. But when a second felon goes missing from the same hospital, Stephanie is forced into working side by side with Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, in order to crack the case.

The real problem is, no Cubbin also means no way to pay the rent. Desperate for money—or maybe just desperate—Stephanie accepts a secondary job guarding her secretive and mouthwatering mentor Ranger from a deadly Special Forces adversary. While Stephanie is notorious for finding trouble, she may have found a little more than she bargained for this time around. Then again—a little food poisoning, some threatening notes, and a bridesmaid’s dress with an excess of taffeta never killed anyone . . . or did they? If Stephanie Plum wants to bring in a paycheck, she’ll have to remember: No guts, no glory. . . . -- Random House Audio

It used to be that I couldn't wait to read the next installment in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. I depended on these fun mysteries to entertain me while I spent a few hours at the pool, and I looked forward to seeing what messes Stephanie got herself into (and out of!) However, I stopped around book sixteen or so (I'm not entirely sure) because they became kind of "'old" for me. I found that I wasn't laughing as much at Stephanie's antics, and all of the stories seemed the same.

When I heard that Ms. Evanovich was up to book #19, I could hardly believe it -- and I admit I was almost ready to try again. But what pushed me over the edge was the opportunity to review the audio version of NOTORIOUS NINETEEN. My neighbor told me that she always listens to these books and absolutely loves them, so I figured maybe this was the answer for me.

It might be because I haven't read one of these books for awhile or that the narrator was a hoot, but I really enjoyed NOTORIOUS NINETEEN. Keep in mind that I am training for a half marathon and listen to audio books while I run, so a cute action-packed story was just what I needed to get through some cold five mile runs during the holiday season. I can't really say that anything was especially different about this novel than the other ones I've read, but I enjoyed revisiting some of the zany characters and Stephanie's crime-solving abilities.

In NOTORIOUS NINETEEN, Stephanie finds herself searching for Geoffrey Cubbin, a man accused of embezzling millions from a retirement community. When he mysteriously disappears from a hospital and misses his court appearance, no one is even sure if he is alive, including his wife. In the meantime, Stephanie is working for Ranger once again. This time moonlighting as a bodyguard to help him find an adversary from his days in the Special Forces. Naturally, Stephanie gets some help along the way from her family and friends including Lulu, Grandma Mazur, and Joe Morelli, as she attempts to solve the crimes and keep herself out of trouble.

Honestly, I don't have a lot to say about NOTORIOUS NINETEEN besides it was a fun story that made me chuckle quite a bit. It was very similar to the other Stephanie Plum books, so I think fans of Janet Evanovich's books will enjoy it. There is some romance, some tension, some mystery, and lots of silly scenes; and overall, I thought it was pretty good. The mysteries were somewhat predictable, but honestly, I don't read these books because the mysteries are so intriguing. Rather, I turn to these books because I like to laugh at Stephanie, Lulu and Grandma Mazur.

One reason that I enjoyed NOTORIOUS NINETEEN as much as I did was because I listened to the audio version read by Lorelei King. She was extremely entertaining, especially when she did the various voices. Her Lulu and Grandma Mazur are hilarious -- of course, she gets some pretty good material from Ms. Evanovich! Take a quick listen to get an idea of how much fun she is:


I am very glad that I decided to try NOTORIOUS NINETEEN after a few years off from Ms. Evanovich's books. What I'm even more glad about is that I chose to listen to the audio book rather than just reading the hard copy!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Kid Konnection: Peanut

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you a young adult graphic novel that deals with an issue that's very near and dear to my heart.

Summary: "Before you write me off as a delusional psycho, think about what it's like to be thrown into a situation where everyone knows everyone . . . and no one knows you." Sadie has the perfect plan to snag some friends when she transfers to Plainfield High—pretend to have a peanut allergy. But what happens when you have to hand in that student health form your unsuspecting mom was supposed to fill out? And what if your new friends want to come over and your mom serves them snacks? (Peanut butter sandwich, anyone?) And then there's the bake sale, when your teacher thinks you ate a brownie with peanuts. Graphic coming-of-age novels have huge cross-over potential, and Peanut is sure to appeal to adults and teens alike. -- Schwartz& Wade

When I opened the envelope and saw this book with just a peanut on the cover, my initial thought was that it might be a graphic novel about peanut allergies. How cool would that be for those kids who are dealing with food allergies? And then, I quickly realized that it was highly unlikely. Just because I see a peanut and immediately think of my son's peanut allergy, doesn't mean that it's a normal reaction. I figured the book was about a small kid or something along those lines.

However, much to my surprise, PEANUT by Ayun Halliday and Paul Hoppe actually is about a peanut allergy of sorts -- albeit a fabricated one!

When Sadie moves to a new town and starts a new high school, she has those normal feelings of insecurity about meeting new people and making new friends. So Sadie decides that if she pretends to have a severe peanut allergy, she might be able to garner some attention and make some friends in the process. She even goes to far as to order a medical bracelet identifying her as having this allergy. Initially, everything is working to plan for Sadie. She adjusts well to the school and even manages to find a boyfriend; however, she finds that keeping a secret this big isn't always easy.

I really enjoyed PEANUT! The graphic novel was very cute and funny to boot, and I think that kids will adore Sadie and her escapades. Sadie is a great character, despite her little lie, and she seemed very authentic to me. As a kid who moved a great deal and started a lot of new schools, I could understand Sadie's insecurities and her desire to stand out. I also appreciated that it wasn't easy for Sadie to be dishonest and that she was in constant turmoil about lying to her teachers, her mother, and her friends. While I doubt that most kids will go so far as to make up a health emergency, I do think that many readers will like and be able to relate to Sadie.

In addition to being entertaining, I liked that there were some really valuable messages in PEANUT about food allergies. Naturally, I don't condone that Sadie faked a food allergy. I can attest that life-threatening food allergies are very scary and they are no joking matter, and I really appreciated that Sadie the error of her ways. In addition, I liked that there was some useful information about food allergies in the story that helped show just how serious they can be. For example, the author included some specifics about epi-pens, anaphylaxis, and warning signs for reactions.

But what I think I liked most about PEANUT was how much Sadie matured by the end of the novel. In some ways, PEANUT was a coming-of-age story for Sadie because she learned such a valuable lesson about honesty and forgiveness. Not only did Sadie lie to the school, but she also lied to her friends, her mom, and her boyfriend. She felt horrible about losing their trust and, more importantly, she realized that trust is something that she will have to earn in the future. What a great message!

PEANUT had adorable illustrations and was very fun to read. In all honestly, I think the graphic novel format was perfect for this story and will attract even reluctant readers. Personally, I though the black and white graphics were adorable, and I especially liked how Sadie was always featured in red.

Overall, PEANUT is a cute read that teens and parents alike will enjoy. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Guest Review: Desperate Sons

Summary: A groundbreaking narrative—a historical political thriller—that explores the role of the Sons of Liberty in the American Revolution. 

More than two hundred years ago, a group of British colonists in America decided that the conditions under which they were governed had become intolerable. Angry and frustrated that King George III and the British Parliament had ignored their lawful complaints and petitions, they decided to take action. 

Knowing that their deeds—often directed at individuals and property—were illegal, and punishable by imprisonment and even death, these agitators plotted and conducted their missions in secret to protect their identities as well as the identities of those who supported them. Calling themselves the Sons of Liberty, they gathered together in a radical society committed to imposing forcible change. Those determined men—including second cousins Samuel and John Adams, Paul Revere, Patrick Henry, and John Hancock—saw themselves as patriots. Yet to the Crown, and to many of the Sons' fellow colonists, the revolutionaries were terrorists who deserved death for their treason. 

In this gripping narrative, Les Standiford reveals how this group of intelligent, committed men, motivated by economics and political belief, began a careful campaign of interlocking events that would channel feelings of vague injustice into an armed rebellion of common cause, which would defeat an empire and give birth to a radical political experiment—a new nation known as the United States. -- Harper

My father has always been very interested in American History and especially the American Revolution. So when I first learned about the new book DESPERATE SONS: SAMUEL ADAMS, PATRICK HENRY, JOHN HANCOCK, AND THE SECRET BANDS OF RADICALS WHO LED THE COLONIES TO WAR by Les Standiford, I knew he'd want to read it. Here are his thoughts:

When I was taught about the start of the Revolutionary War, I was introduced to things like the Stamp Act, the battles of Lexington and Concord and the Boston Tea Party. I heard about Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and Patrick Henry. But the slant author Les Standiford puts on this familiar story in DESPERATE SONS brings a whole new perspective to the start of the Revolutionary War.

In the 1760s the British economy was suffering greatly from the financial burden of protecting its global empire. As a result they enacted the Stamp Act in an effort to get the colonies to help pay the cost of defending them in the French and Indian War. This action precipitated the formation in 1766 of the Sons of Liberty, a secret society of colonial radicals moved to action by the political and economic crisis that permeated the colonies. The Sons of Liberty were led primarily by Samuel Adams and John Hancock although other famous patriots participated. Adams saw that chapters of the Sons of Liberty were installed across the thirteen colonies. These chapters ultimately led to the formation of the Continental Congress and initiated the spark that led to the American Revolution.

It appeared that the British misread the signals from the colonies at every turn. Britain played into the hands of the radicals when after repealing the Stamp Act they later introduced the Townsend Acts, added British troops to Boston and greatly reduced colonial self-government. Even when the British backed down by removing troops and rescinding the Townsend Acts, Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty continued to instigate and agitate the situation.

The Sons of Liberty were both radical and violent. Standiford gives examples of instances of tar and feathering, destruction of property and physical harm. In 1770, a confrontation later called the Boston Massacre resulted in the death of six colonists. Only the calm of Samuel Adams prevented this from escalating further. The author compares the Boston Massacre that rallied the last of the undecided colonists to independence to the Kent State Massacre that convinced the last of the undecided populace to call for an end of the Vietnam War. An interesting aside is the story that John Adams served as defense attorney for the British troops involved in the skirmish. Sons of Liberty activities were also responsible for the famous Boston Tea Party.

It’s interesting to note that while Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Patrick Henry were effective leaders in the pursuit of independence, they had a difficult time transitioning from radicals to players in the new national government.

Les Standiford’s thorough research is evident in this account of how the Revolution began and who led it. DESPERATE SONS is an excellent work of history that brings to life the role the Sons of Liberty played in developing a new nation. If I had any issues with the book it is that at times it was difficult to read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history or has an interest in the American Revolution.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book and to Booking Pap Pap for his review.

Review: The Lost Art of Mixing

Summary: Lillian and her restaurant have a way of drawing people together. There’s Al, the accountant who finds meaning in numbers and ritual; Chloe, a budding chef who hasn’t learned to trust after heartbreak; Finnegan, quiet and steady as a tree, who can disappear into the background despite his massive height; Louise, Al’s wife, whose anger simmers just below the boiling point; and Isabelle, whose memories are slowly slipping from her grasp. And there’s Lillian herself, whose life has taken a turn she didn’t expect. . . .

Their lives collide and mix with those around them, sometimes joining in effortless connections, at other times sifting together and separating again, creating a family that is chosen, not given. A beautifully imagined novel about the ties that bind—and links that break—The Lost Art of Mixing is a captivating meditation on the power of love, food, and companionship. -- Putnam

Do you ever just crave good old comfort food like macaroni and cheese or chicken and dumplings? I know I do! But I also crave books that make me feel the same way. Ones that just make me feel good about the strength and resilience of individuals. And that's when I read for an Erica Bauermeister novel. Her books just make me happy and content with life!

Her latest novel THE LOST ART OF MIXING, which is available later this month, provided a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. I planned on reading it closer to its publication date, but I just need a dose of feel-good reading and figured, "Why wait?" (So that's why you're getting a review a little early!)

THE LOST ART OF MIXING is a sequel to Ms. Bauermeister's best-selling novel THE SCHOOL OF ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS (which I loved -- my review); and if you enjoyed that one, then you will definitely want to read this one. THE LOST ART OF MIXING has the same look and feel as THE SCHOOL OF ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS, and once again, Ms. Bauermeister has managed to create memorable characters who learn some very valuable life lessons.

In THE LOST ART OF MIXING, Lillian is back with a new bunch of students and a big surprise of her own. She is still in a relationship with Tom, the widower from the last book, yet she's not entirely sure she's ready to share her exciting news. In addition to these characters, there is Al, an accountant who longs for structure and ritual and his angry wife Louise. There is also Chloe, a chef in training who is afraid to try again after a devastating heartbreak, and Isabelle, an elderly woman who discovers that she is losing her memory. Finally, there is Finnegan, who seems to blend into the background despite his huge physical presence. Naturally, all of these characters' lives are interwoven in this novel through their connection to food as well as their relationships with each other.

As I read my review for THE SCHOOL OF ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS, I quickly realized that I presently have many of the same thoughts and feelings as I did after I read the first book. Once again, I loved how Ms. Bauermeister told this story, using a different chapter to tell each character's story. In addition, I enjoyed all of her references and gorgeous descriptions of food, although I'm not quite sure these were as vivid as they were in the last book. And finally, I loved the various lessons that each character learned about him or herself.

In THE LOST ART OF MIXING, many different types of relationships were explored, and most of these relationships were having problems in some form or another. Through these difficult times, the characters in this novel were able to learn some important life lessons like how to trust and how to forgive, how to grieve and then move on, and even the importance of memories and rituals. I have a feeling that these characters and their struggles will resonate with many readers.

One thing that did stand out to me about THE LOST ART OF MIXING was the symbolism of the title-- or at least how I interpreted it. At its heart, this novel was about how people come together (and apart) throughout the course of their lives -- thus the term "mixing." There are times when we will be have disagreements or complications with those we love, and other times when everything seems to be great. It's almost as if our lives are constantly in motion, blending together all of our encounters, relationships, etc. to make us who we are!

There is no doubt that THE LOST ART OF MIXING would make a fantastic book club selection. I found this reading guide on Ms. Bauermeister's blog, and I think it's fantastic. There are twelve questions concerning such topics as honesty, family, love, grief, stereotypes, and conflict. Because each character is so unique, yet experiencing some pretty universal feelings, I think there will be a great deal to discuss.

Overall, I enjoyed THE LOST ART OF MIXING as much as THE SCHOOL OF ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS. Recommend to fans of women's fiction as well as foodies!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: Baker Towers

Summary: Bakerton is a community of company houses and church festivals, of union squabbles and firemen's parades. Its neighborhoods include Little Italy, Swedetown, and Polish Hill. For its tight-knit citizens -- and the five children of the Novak family -- the 1940s will be a decade of excitement, tragedy, and stunning change. Baker Towers is a family saga and a love story, a hymn to a time and place long gone, to America's industrial past, and to the men and women we now call the Greatest Generation. It is a feat of imagination from an extraordinary voice in American fiction, a writer of enormous power and skill. -- Harper Perennial

I rarely read books more than once... except for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. My opinion is that there are so many books out there that I want to read and have never experienced that I should keep reading new books rather than revisiting old ones. However, I made an exception for BAKER TOWERS by Jennifer Haigh . The main reason is that Ms. Haigh has a new collection of short stories coming out shortly called NEWS FROM HEAVEN (1/29/13) which features the same coal-mining town that was the setting for BAKER TOWERS. I thought it might be a good idea to refresh myself with the characters and their stories. And secondly, I remember absolutely adoring BAKER TOWERS (and pretty much anything that Jennifer Haigh writes), and I wanted to see if I still felt the same way.

BAKER TOWERS tells the story of a small coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania and specifically the Novak family. The patriarch of the Novak family dies in a mining accident and the story follows the path of his wife and five children. It is a family saga about the struggles these individuals face, the love they share, and the hope they have for future generations.

It's probably no surprise that I did love BAKER TOWERS as much the second time around. As far as I'm concerned, Ms. Haigh is one of the best authors out there and I treasure each and every word she writes. BAKER TOWERS holds an especially near-and-dear place to my heart because the story takes place in the fictionalized coal-mining town called Bakerton. My paternal grandfather was a coal miner from Western PA (actually just a few miles from where Ms. Haigh grew up), and this story just resonates with me. I have been to these small coal mining towns many times, and I feel as if Ms. Haigh is writing about my relatives.

I have put off writing this review for weeks now because I know I can't express how special this novel is to me. There are few books that truly get in my heart and soul like BAKER TOWERS did and I know that's because it's so personal to me. Ms. Haigh's descriptions of the mines, the miners, and the small town life are exactly as my grandparents have described them to me. There are even small references that made me shake my head with the similarities. For instance, my Polish grandfather married an Italian woman (neither family was thrilled with the match!) and my grandmother quit school at a very early age to work for a Jewish family in Altoona -- just like the characters in the novel. Furthermore, my family still keeps a marriage tradition that if a younger sibling gets married before their older brother or sister, they have to dance in a pig trough at the wedding... just the like characters in the novel. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Ms. Haigh definitely captured the essence of the people, the town and the time period!

But putting aside just how much this book meant to me, I can honestly say that BAKER TOWERS is an exquisitely written novel. If you've ever read a book by Ms. Haigh, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. She is amazing! Her characters are so well-developed and her descriptions are spot-on. But it's more than that. Ms. Haigh somehow creates scenes and exchanges between her characters that seem ordinary, yet the meanings they convey are extraordinary. At the same time, it seems like she accomplishes this in an almost effortless way. It really is a talent and I'm pretty sure that a HUGE effort goes into writing this way!

Naturally, BAKER TOWERS would make an outstanding book club selection. I was a little disappointed that I wasn't able to find a reading guide, but I don't think one is necessary. There are many themes to explore in this novel including love, family dynamics, sacrifice, happiness, marriage, friendship, faith, adultery, and community. I suspect that reading BAKER TOWERS along with the short story collection NEWS FROM HEAVEN would make for a great discussion!

BAKER TOWERS is still one of my very favorite books and I can't wait to read more about Bakerton and its people in NEWS FROM HEAVEN. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Giveaway: An Uncommon Education

Summary: Afraid of losing her parents at a young age, Naomi Feinstein prepares single-mindedly for a prestigious future as a doctor. But when her only friend and confidant abruptly departs from her life, Naomi isn't sure she will ever recover, even after a long-awaited acceptance letter to Wellesley arrives. 

Yet Naomi soon learns that college isn't the bastion of solidarity and security she had imagined. Amid hundreds of other young women, she is consumed by loneliness—until the day she sees a girl fall into the freezing waters of a lake. 

The event marks Naomi's introduction to Wellesley's oldest honor society, the mysterious Shakespeare Society, defined by secret rituals and filled with unconventional, passionate students. As Naomi immerses herself in this exciting and liberating world, her happiness is soon compromised by a scandal that brings devastating consequences. Naomi has always tried to save the ones she loves, but sometimes saving others is a matter of saving yourself. 

An Uncommon Education is a compelling portrait of a quest for greatness and the grace of human limitations. Poignant and wise, it artfully captures the complicated ties of family, the bittersweet inevitability of loss, and the importance of learning to let go. -- Harper Perennial

Last year, I had the pleasure of reading AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION by Elizabeth Percer. I thoroughly enjoyed this coming-of-age story about Naomi Feinstein, a young girl whose life is full of struggles because she is always trying to save those she loves. The novel was beautifully written by an award-winning author, and I think it's perfect for book clubs who enjoy discussing literary fiction.

Thanks to the publisher, I have a copy of the newly released trade paperback edition of AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION to share with one lucky reader. To enter, fill out the form below before January 21st at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada addresses only. Good luck!

Review: Kinsey and Me

Summary: In 1982, Sue Grafton introduced us to Kinsey Millhone. Thirty years later, Kinsey is an established international icon and Sue, a number-one bestselling author. To mark this anniversary year, Sue has given us stories that reveal Kinsey’s origins and Sue’s past.

“I've come to believe that Grafton is not only the most talented woman writing crime fiction today but also that, regardless of gender, her Millhone books are among the five or six best series any American has ever written.”—Patrick Anderson, The Washington Post

Kinsey and Me has two parts: The nine Kinsey stories (1986-93), each a gem of detection; and the And Me stories, written in the decade after Grafton's mother died. Together, they show just how much of Kinsey is a distillation of her creator’s past even as they reveal a child who, free of parental interventions, read everything and roamed everywhere. But the dark side of such freedom was that very parental distance.

The same feisty voice and witty apercus readers fell in love with in A Is for Alibi permeate the Kinsey stories. Those in the And Me section trace a remarkable voyage, from anger to understanding, from pain to forgiveness. They take us into a troubled family, dysfunctional as most families are, each in their own way, but Grafton’s telling is sensitive, delicate, and ultimately, loving. Enriching the way we see Kinsey and know Sue, these stories are deeply affecting. -- Marion Wood Books/Putnam

When I read the description for KINSEY AND ME STORIES by Sue Grafton , I was shocked to learn that this series is thirty years old! I started reading these books from the beginning and I can't possibly be that old! But all kidding aside, I have always had a deep appreciation for Ms. Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series. And when I read her latest two novels last year, I was reminded of her talents. She not only weaves a fantastic mystery, but she's also created one heck of a memorable sleuth.

It was absolutely a given that I wanted to read her new book called KINSEY AND ME which is actually a collection of short stories and somewhat different from her previous novels. KINSEY AND ME is made up of nine stories starring her amateur sleuth Kinsey Millhone and thirteen shorter stories featuring a character called Kit Blue. Naturally, the Kinsey ones are mysteries and have the look and feel of Ms. Grafton's best-selling series; however, the Kit stories are much darker and were written in the decade following the author's loss of her mother. Ms. Grafton states in this book that writing these stories were her way of handling her grief.

Overall, I though KINSEY AND ME was fabulous. I absolutely love Kinsey so it wasn't a surprise that I found the short story mysteries to be fantastic. Ms. Grafton did an outstanding job of converting her typical novel format of storytelling to a much shorter format. She still created intriguing crimes with interesting characters, and she even managed to keep her trademark humor in these stories.

The second half (although a much shorter half!) of KINSEY AND ME was made up of some pretty dark stories about Kit. These stories delved into Kit's relationship with her alcoholic parents as well as the dysfunction she experienced as a child. In addition, the stories showcased the various emotions that Kit (which I took to mean Ms. Grafton) experienced through her mother's various illnesses and eventual death. The character went through stages of anger, grief, sadness, acceptance and eventually forgiveness, and I found these stories to be very honest, heartfelt and emotional.

One thing that made this book extra special to me were the sections that Ms. Grafton wrote directly to the reader. She explained the challenges she faced in writing short stories -- having to create a mystery, introduce a few viable suspects, and solve it in just a few pages while also making the stories "feel" like her series. She also gave a great deal of background on the art of writing mysteries.

However, it was her honesty in discussing the last part of the book, the stories she wrote after the death of her mother, that really affected me. There is absolutely no doubt that we are defined by many of our childhood experiences, and Ms. Grafton is no different. Living with dysfunctional parents most likely created a lot of bitterness and resentment; however, through the years, Ms. Grafton was able to come to terms with the relationship she had with her parents. I have a feeling that these stories were extremely therapeutic for Ms. Grafton to write, but I also suspect that others might find comfort in her words.

While I definitely liked KINSEY AND ME a great deal, I have to say that I most "enjoyed" the Kinsey stories. I adore Kinsey and mysteries and these nine stories were a treat. Having said that, I think I most "appreciated" the Kit stories. I knew Ms. Grafton was a skilled author, but I had no idea that she could write like this! The writing of these stories was excellent and they most definitely packed a powerful punch.

KINSEY AND ME is a unique collection of Ms. Grafton's short stories combined in one book. It's honestly like nothing I've ever read and I highly recommend it!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.