Reviews and Comments

I picked this up because I like historical novels and was looking for something involving Giordano Bruno. Overall I found these novellas disappointing and set it aside for months. The final novella was a bit better but not sure I'll be reading more by this author. I have one more that I may try but I won't expect much from it. I certainly wouldn't describe these as "exhilarating".

Intriguing concept that started slow but picked up some speed. Ending was a bit weak.

The beginning of this book is dark and very distopian and I had to set it aside for awhile. Picked it back up and the story picked up speed and I finished it the same day. I can see why this is so highly recommended. I'll definitely be reading more from Octavia Butler after finishing this one.

Intriguing concept that started slow but picked up some speed. Ending was a bit weak.

A fairly light and entertaining read. I especially enjoyed the historical setting of Victorian San Francisco. It started off a bit slow and I was pleasantly surprised how well the ending gathered speed and wrapped things up, even if the culprit wasn't much of a surprise. Good enough that I'll probably read more in this series when I'm in the mood for a light and entertaining story.

I got this book because the title grabbed me. While I did find myself highlighting multiple passages over all I found the book to be far more religious than I expected.

I got this as it's essentially a good introduction into a much larger series of novels about Giordano Bruno and I wanted to test them out before buying more. A series on PBS about Queen Elizabeth I and her spies had me looking into what was available in the genre of Elizabethan spy novels. I have to say after reading this little gem I'm really looking forward to reading many more full length novels by SJ Parris.

Edit: Do NOT buy this book along with Dead of Winter. I did not know that this one was the first novella in that publication so now I've got a new book that I've already read one third of. Not happy at all with the marketing of these publications.

I've read a variety of book on the topic of habit building and this is hands down the best. Straight forward and practical.

I haven't been reading many mysteries lately and I enjoyed this one. Full of vivid imagery and of course some unexpected twists and turns at the end.

a few interesting insights but overall I wouldn't recommend it.

Thoroughly delightful and entertaining. The best thing I can say is that it makes me want to read more by the same author.

A wildly funny and irreverent romp through a small town in coastal California during Christmas. Not your typical Christmas fare that's for sure. I won't say more to avoid spoilers but if you have a dark sense of humor and need a break from typical Hallmark movie Christmas fare this is the book for you!