The Alphabet Books, U and V

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 The Alphabet Books U and V

The U Books:

Book 1: Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger

 Selena is on her way home from work when the train is delayed. Rather than get off, she stays and strikes up a conversation with a woman named Martha. Selena confesses that her husband is having an affair with the nanny. Martha shares that she is having an affair with her boss. The next morning, the nanny goes missing. What follows is described as a fast-paced thriller. 

The book was okay. I had a few issues with it. One being the setting. When it started, I thought the setting was England. The second issue was Martha. She seemed like a cardboard character of a femme fatale. The backstory was interesting when it finally came out, but even then, I couldn't get into it. I was bored. But I did finish it. 

I give it three stars.

Book 2:  The Butcher and The Wren by Alaina Urquhart

This was a better-written thriller. The characters were original. The setting was made clear, and the story was a page turner. 

A forensic pathologist is pitted against a serial killer in a thrilling race against time, where the autopsy table holds the key to the unraveling of a chilling investigation. Case after case is piling up on Doctor Wren's autopsy table. The methodical killer is taunting the authorities with each death. Can Wren and the police stop the killer? 

Of the two, read this one. 

I give it 4.5 stars



The V books:

The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere

A holiday book. Short, sweet, and sugary. It's based on the song, which I confess I haven't heard.  It was well written, though. The author has written a slew of Christmas books. Honestly, I picked this one because it was about shoes. If you are looking for Christmas themed books, read her.

I give it 4.5 stars. :)

Still Here by Lara Vapnyar

This is a story about four friends from Russia who live in New York City. Maybe it was the holidays, but I could not get into it. The characters were well written. The setting was great. But I was bored stiff.  I gave up halfway through. Where were the characters going? What was the point of the story? 

2 stars.






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