VA Barnhill - Author

Filing in for a failed public education

Reviewed: 10-22-23

Rachel Maddow is a masterful teacher. A trustworthy news source, and brilliant writer. Prequel should become required reading in every American institution of learning. Thank you, Rachel for your tenacious commitment to our Democracy and the truth of our history.

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Twists and turns—with results

Reviewed: 01-16-23

I’m new to reading Penny. So happy I found her. Am reading all her books in order. So far all are great reads.

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A wonderful story masterfully told.

Reviewed: 12-09-21

Balanced is a word that comes to mind when I think of one word to express my experience reading The Final Flight. James Blatch is a skilled and insightful writer who has talent when creating characters that evoke emotion and commitment from his readers.

Once I started the book, I could not put it down. Blatch’s characters come to life through the talented performance of Matt Addis. Addis did not overwhelm the story with his acting. He brought it to life—part of the balance.

The story contains sufficient description and dialogue to confirm for the reader that the author knows his subject matter, without bludgeoning the reader with self aggrandizing minutiae.

I could easily conjure the moments and images portrayed throughout the story.

I hope James Blatch keeps writing

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1 person found this helpful

Mark J Dawson Books Won’t Disappoint

Reviewed: 07-04-21

Up front, I admit I’m a Dawson fan. I’ve read everything he’s published.

Dawson’s ability to portray diverse personalities is amazing. I love that his series books effectively intertwine characters without too much backstory, but enough to make me want to read everything he writes. Dawson’s talents are vast.

Beatrix Rose and Isabella Rose are stellar representations of strong female protagonists. I suggest you read them in the order Dawson suggests.

BUT, if I were to wager, if you haven’t already, if you start with Beatrix you’ll soon enough become a John Milton fan.

Dawson’s books are truly unputdownable.

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Another John Milton Thriller

Reviewed: 10-09-20

I’ve read each of Mark Dawson’s different series and enjoyed them all. The Ninth Step, from Dawson’s John Milton series, is one of my top ten Dawson books. The twists and turns kept me engaged and left me disappointed that it was over. Well done Mr. Dawson

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Another enjoyable DCI Ryan read from LJ Ross

Reviewed: 07-07-20

It’s all been said before. LJ Ross is a gifted writer/storyteller. Ryan’s Christmas is a purely entertaining story to read.

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Pure reading enjoyment

Reviewed: 06-10-20

I began my Mark Dawson fan girl status reading The Black Mile. I loved that story, so I searched for more Dawson books. That’s when I discovered John Milton, Beatrix and Isabella Rose, and his Other well developed supporting characters. This was five years ago.

Now that I’ve read The House in the Woods, I discover that I’ve waited five years for this story, which I didn’t realize until I finished reading it. As wonderful and engaging as all of Mark’s books are, I have to admit that there’s just that something in this style of writing that takes him one tiny notch above the rest of his excellent stories. It seems to me that this genre surfaces from somewhere deep inside his vastly creative self.

Atticus Priest is a layered and relatable main character, flawed in all the ways we humans are flawed. Just when I thought I’d figured it out, the story turns another corner.

Thank you for writing this book, and I hope I don’t have to wait five more years for the next one in this style!

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68 people found this helpful

Another Storytelling Triumph from LJ Ross

Reviewed: 11-05-19

I’ve read everything LJ Ross has written. Her stories and style are compelling reads for me. However, now that I’ve just completed reading Impostor, I have to add riveting to the adjectives I associate with Louise’s books.(For me, riveting is a degree beyond compelling.)

This story is intense and vivid in imagery. As with the DCI Ryan series, she’s done another exemplary level of research, but of more significance for me, Louise has again translated her research into this story in a way that moves the story at a pace with only one negative outcome—I can’t put it down and it’s ending too soon, which now it has.

This book is unlike her DCI Ryan stories, an amazing feat, because the Ryan catalog is, on its own, so worth reading. And yet, one of the benefits of Ross’s Alex Gregory series is that it differs significantly in style from Ryan. Nothing lighthearted about Gregory, which has led me to add riveting to my Ross lexicon.

Thank you LJ Louise Ross. Looking forward to new releases in December.

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9 people found this helpful

Brilliant

Reviewed: 09-20-19

Just completed reading LJ Ross’s Penshaw. Brilliant writing, as expected. Brilliant performance by Jonathan Keeble, as always. Brilliant well researched historically centered story. Always sad to reach The End of a Ross book. Can’t wait for her new series, and more DCI Ryan!

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Another John Milton Triumph - by Mark Dawson

Reviewed: 04-16-19

Mark Dawson tells his stories brilliantly and David Thorpe interprets them perfectly.

The Cleaner, Dawson’s first story with Sharon Warriner and her son, Elijah, is a must read ahead of Twelve Days. You won’t be sorry reading all of Dawson’s books in their appropriate order. They do not disappoint.

Nonetheless, Twelve Days is a satisfying story, considering the backdrop of the days leading up to Christmas. No spoilers here, but more of John Milton’s character and heart emerge, in juxtaposition to the details of the tale.

AGAIN, do yourself the great favor of reading The Cleaner first.

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