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Marsha L. Woerner

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Evil that lurks in the heart of Man...

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-19-25

(As posted in Goodreads)
I first read this in 1976, shortly after it came out. I was in Israel for the year, and my room might on the kibbutz recommended it, but she warned me that I had to avoid spoilers. She was definitely right.
Now, 50 years later, I've reread it, and I still think it's worthwhile. It was indicated as a “ horror story”, as well as science fiction and historical fiction, but I don't think it's a horror story- although it has horrific ideas! But I won't tell you very much about it come on because it's definitely true that spoilers should be avoided! But its thought provoking and makes the consider how far is too far to go.
For me, it was a great revisiting, and for others, it's a worthwhile book.

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Life is never what you expect

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-15-25

(As posted in Goodreads)
Full of Intrigue and twists- I was rapt from the beginning. The whole situation was interesting and engrossing; the different lives of the characters were as full as they could be in a book whose overall point was not the lives of the characters, but it all fits so well!
It was engrossing to see the different sides of individuals. And the fights they all had to continually fight just to maintain sanity and the feeling of completeness.
A surprisingly enjoyable book.

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Never trust anyone

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-16-25

(As posted in Goodreads)
I love the characters and the camaraderie displayed! I'm unclear on the original murderer, but I may have to go back and revisit the end.
The number of moving parts was invigorating, and I love that it me on the edge of my seat; nothing was lead pass.
Invigorating

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The queen always stands out

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-10-25

(As posted in Goodreads)
What a fun and beguiling start to a new series to enjoy! The Queen is depicted in a wonderful, relatable way and all the other characters are highly enjoyable! I'm glad I found this series.

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Physics is for truth and knowledge, not for war an

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-05-25

(As posted in Goodreads)
This was a book club book, and although it's nominally a children's book, and took the effort not to talk down to the reader and actually discuss the science in an informative way that I really appreciated! The book club gave it 4 out of 5 atoms (stars) [we use a unit relative to the individual book when rating it: in this case, we use atoms to correspond to the topic and title]
Several of us that on the science in the book intimidating and over our heads, but on the other hand, the rest of us were quite comfortable with it. The writing itself Was simplistic and the overall structure- aimed at a preteen- was almost stilted and definitely choppy for at least one reader, but when she changed to the audio (which is what I always use) it was definitely better; she then went back to the written book for the cartoons (of which I was totally unaware...)
It, of course, pointed out the early discriminations against women in science; then, it got into the discrimination against Jews in Germany in the 1930s. The trials of Lise Meitner's life were on full display. She was denied the Nobel Prize, but she was decreed to be “Queen of the atom bomb”, a title she always detested. Physics was for Knowledge and truth, not for bombs and death!
I really like this book, despite the fact that it's nominally our children's book. And my middle name is after her first one :)

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Engrossing and thought for voting

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-24-25

(As posted in Goodreads)
I hadn't realized that it was marketed as a young adult book, but upon reading it, I'm not surprised by it But it is a rather complete and varied world and story. It caused me to go through a whole range of emotions and alliances. Satisfying ending, so I'm not sure whether I want to read the next in the series or just be satisfied with the current ending. There clearly is room for a continuation, but I'm not sure it's necessary...

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Keep searching - it's not what you think

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-14-25

(as posted in Goodreads)
V.I. Warshawski
I had forgotten how much I liked Sara Paretsky. Her main character (V.I. Warshawski) Is definitely many sided but ultimately and undeniably likable, relatable, and more than a little acceptable. her run-ins With the undesirables start out inconceivable, but it's all answered in the end. And the good guys always win! I had read all of her books through 15 or 16, I think, as they came out, but I've missed the last few. Now I need to go back and read the ones that I've missed.
She is definitely a joy.

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Not horror novel; per se

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-17-24

(As posted on Goodreads)
Given that it's a Stephen King book, I expected a horror novel. In fact, it was a mystery thriller novel - Well, more thriller than mystery. It was really good in that it was up to Stephen King's usual quality.

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More than a World War ii book

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-03-24

(As posted in Goodreads)
I started this book and I thought,“ Ugh: ANOTHER world War Two book!” Since it was a book club book, I continued reading anyway. What a fortunate decision- I LOVED the book!
Yes, it was a World War Two book, but it was about people and relationships, both to each other and the world and the war. There was forgiveness- and lack of forgiveness; growth of relationships, change- both physical and emotional; acceptance and lack of acceptance; And overall a multifaceted Group of feelings and personal associations.
The writing was wonderful so that the reader could actually feel and understand the failings and feelings. The overall connection between the four main characters was intense and varied and often changing. And seeing the motivations end results was priceless.
And I absolutely loved the ending!!
As I said, this was a book club choice, and absolutely everyone in the group really liked it.

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Even after you figure the criminal, there's more..

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-09-24

(As posted in Goodreads)
How refreshing! A totally engaging mystery about a child abduction involving many possible suspects and surprising turns and detours!
It's the first book of a series by an author with whom I have no familiarity, but I have high hopes for her. She adds a new voice and new ideas.

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