Over the course of the summer months I will be sharing the recommended authors who feature in the Smorgasbord Bookshelf along with their books and a selected review.
The first book today is Going Home.. a family, murder mystery by Sharon Marchisello along with my five star review.
About the book
Michelle DePalma expected to jet into Two Wells, Texas, check on her elderly mother, and hurry back to her orderly life in Atlanta, where she has a happy marriage and satisfying career. Instead, she finds her mother, Lola Hanson, hovered over the bludgeoned body of her caregiver, Brittany Landers.
Since the events of 9/11, one month earlier, Lola’s memory loss has amplified, and the family suspects Alzheimer’s. Now Lola can’t tell anyone what happened to Brittany.
The agency that provides home care for Lola promptly withdraws its services. Michelle is stuck in her home town longer than planned as she cares for a mother with whom she has never been close and tries to prove her innocence. The police officers who investigate the crime are old antagonists from grade school. A secret thought to be long buried–that Michelle bore a son out of wedlock and gave him up for adoption–surfaces when a surprise daughter-in-law and granddaughter show up, distracting Michelle from her quest to solve the murder. And then she stumbles upon a motive which makes Lola look even more guilty.
Going Home was inspired by the author’s mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s and explores the challenge of solving a murder mystery when a potential witness cannot rely on her memory. Written from the perspective of a baby boomer forced to reverse roles with her parents, it crosses into the mainstream genre of women’s fiction
My review for the book 30th September 2021
This is a well written and thought provoking story that combines a care crisis that many of us face with elderly parents who have developed dementia, and the unravelling of the mystery surrounding a murder in a family home.
It is clear the author has experience of the challenge of communicating with someone who has short term memory loss, and brings in a cleverly crafted murder plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader interested.
There are flashbacks to the past and events which have a bearing on the present, and the reader is witness to the fallout that revelations result in as the search begins for a viable suspect amongst the outsiders who have access to the family home. It would seem that the authorities have only one suspect in mind, and without the ability to communicate coherently, an elderly woman must rely on her extended family to prove her innocence.
The author does a great job in keeping all the various strands of the plot running smoothly in parallel and brings the story to a satisfactory climax.
I recommend to those who enjoy well written murder mysteries and family sagas.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK
Also by Sharon Marchisello
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – and: Amazon UK – follow Sharon: Goodreads – blog: Sharon Blogspot – Twitter: @SLMarchisello
About Sharon Marchisello
Sharon Marchisello is the author of two mysteries published by Sunbury Press, Going Home (2014) and Secrets of the Galapagos (2019). She is an active member of Sisters in Crime.
She contributed short stories to anthologies Shhhh…Murder! (Darkhouse Books, 2018) and Finally Home (Bienvenue Press, 2019). Her personal finance book Live Well, Grow Wealth was originally published as Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy, an e-book on Smashwords. Sharon has published travel articles, book reviews, and corporate training manuals, and she writes a personal finance blog called Countdown to Financial Fitness.
She grew up in Tyler, Texas, and earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Houston in French and English. She studied for a year in Tours, France, on a Rotary scholarship and then moved to Los Angeles to pursue her Masters in Professional Writing at the University of Southern California.
Retired from a 27-year career with Delta Air Lines, she lives in Peachtree City, Georgia, doing volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society and the Fayette County Master Gardeners UGA Extension.
The second book today is another mystery The Vanished Boy by Harmony Kent... a parent’s worse nightmare.
About the book
It’s so remote out here. Anything could happen …
A missed phone call in the night is all it takes.
When Carole’s 18-year-old son goes missing, she breaks into Jayden’s laptop to try to understand his life.
All too soon, Carole discovers just how little she knew her boy.
And when one lead after another dead-ends, the distraught mother has to face the unthinkable.
Sucked into a sticky web of deceit and lies, nothing is as it seems.
When your life turns inside out and upside down, who would you trust?
One of the reviews for the book
The Vanished Boy by Harmony Kent is a gripping novel that had me on the edge of my seat and I could not read it quickly enough.
Carole is a widow and raising her son, Jayden, alone. When she wakes up after a night of alcohol and sleeping pills to discover his bed not slept in and a text message from him the night before telling her he is stuck, she fears the worst and panics.
The police are called and the detective assigned to the case doesn’t seem overly concerned and considers Jayden to be a typical teenager who has run away from home.
As Carole searches through her son’s social media to try and locate him, she discovers that his disappearance may be more sinister than the police think.
The events in this novel take place over a week and the author, very cleverly, keeps the narrative running at a fast pace so the momentum is never lost and the reader is so engaged with Carole’s plight that they have to keep turning page after page.
The twist, when it came, was brilliant and it wasn’t totally unexpected as Kent left a very subtle trail of clues that a discerning reader will pick up, although she did leave me wondering exactly what the motive was.
This is a fantastic novel but I suspect any parent reading it will add it to their list of worst nightmares!
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US
A small selection of other books by Harmony Kent
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK – And : Amazon US – Follow Harmony:Goodreads – Website:Harmony Kent – Twitter: @Harmony_Kent
About Harmony Kent
Harmony Kent is an award winning multi-genre author. Her publications include:
- The Battle for Brisingamen (Fantasy Fiction) AIA approved
- The Glade (Mystery/Thriller) AIA Approved/BRAG Medallion Honouree/New Apple Literary Awards Official Selection Honours 2015
- Polish Your Prose: Essential Editing Tips for Authors (Writing/Editing) New Apple Literary Awards Top Medallist Honours 2015
- Finding Katie (Women’s Fiction)
- Slices of Soul (Contemporary Poetry)
- Interludes 1 & Interludes 2 (Erotic Short Stories)
- Moments (Short Stories and Poetry)
- Jewel in the Mud (Zen Musings)
- Backstage (Erotic Romance)
- FALLOUT (Apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic Dystopia) BRAG Medallion Honouree
- The Vanished Boy (Psychological Thriller)
As well as being an avid reader and writer, Harmony also offers reviews and supports her fellow authors. Harmony works hard to promote and protect high standards within the publishing arena. She is always on the look out for talent and excellence, and will freely promote any authors or books who she feels have these attributes. Harmony lives in Cornwall, England.
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.. thanks Sally.
Thanks, Sally and congratulations to both authors. I’ll make sure they both are on my list!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful thanks Olga.. hugsx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Olga!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up – July 11th – 17th – Hits 1999, Nina Simone, Ireland 1930s, Book Reviews, Summer Book Fair, Poetry, Podcast, Health and Humour | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Congratulations to Harmony and Sharon on these great reviews – two brilliant writers. Toni x
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Toni!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Toni ♥
LikeLiked by 2 people
These sound like great books, Sally! Thanks for the reviews!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Noelle.. ♥
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for your kind words, Noelle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Big congratulations to Sharon and Harmony – both talented writers! Thank you for sharing, Sally!
LikeLiked by 2 people
thanks Jan enjoy your weekend…♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoy a good mystery! Congrats to Sharon and Harmony on the excellent reviews! Thanks for hosting, Sally! As usual, your support for the writing community is outstanding.💖
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much Vashti…have a good weekend..hugsx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! Enjoy the new week, Sally!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Vashti! Hope you’ll check them out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will add them to my TBR, Sharon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is why I love your blog, Sally. Another wonderful post. Congratulations to these authors.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Beem. I agree that Sally’s blog is a great way to learn about new books and authors.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Sharon ♥
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Beem! Sally’s is a fantastic place to learn about new books and authors 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Harmony ♥
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks very much Beem delighted you enjoy xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful review of The Vanished Boy, Sally. A lovely birthday surprise!
Congrats to Sharon on her fantastic review!
Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Delighted to share Harmony. Happy Birthday and have a lovely weekend.. ♥
LikeLiked by 2 people
💖💖💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Harmony. The Vanished Boy sounds intriguing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It sounds both are very emotional reads, and so great for the upcoming spare time. Thanks to th authors for providing with such great stuff, and to you Sally for great reviews! Have a nice weekend! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks very much Michael and enjoy your weekend too..hugsx
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Sally! hugsx Michael
LikeLiked by 3 people
Michael, thanks for your kind words and also for the reblog.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you as well, Sharon! Enjoy a good weekend! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Michael! Have a wonderful weekend 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for sharing Michael.. appreciated as always..hugsx
LikeLiked by 3 people
You are welcome, Sally! I am participating by getting always best information. :-)) xx Michael
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for sharing, Michael 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
The Vanished Boy was poignant but well-written. I enjoyed it very much. Sharon’s book reminds me of visiting my mom in assisted living and the mystery of how she’d been doing as her dementia progressed. Sounds like a suspenseful read.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Pete. I’m sorry you had to deal with a mother suffering from dementia as well.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for adding your recommendation for Harmony’s book Pete.. and as well as being a murder mystery I found a great deal of aspects of the mother’s dementia to relate to. There does seem to be a pattern of some kind as to how it progresses and what is remembered and forgotten.. xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much, Pete! So pleased you enjoyed it 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Some great presentations today.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Craig x
LikeLiked by 3 people
Two books for reads on my list. Just not now. Congrats to Harmony and Sharon for great reviews! ❤ xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Debby!
LikeLiked by 3 people
❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Debby, something to look forward to ♥♥
LikeLiked by 3 people
❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reading to look forward to! Thanks, Debby 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
For sure! ❤ xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
Congratulations to Sharon and Harmony for having their books featured here! Thanks for sharing, Sally! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Yvette!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks very much Yvette.. have a lovely weekend. ♥
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Yvi 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for featuring Harmony and Sharon today, Sally. Great choices.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks very much John…have a good weekend hugsx
LikeLiked by 3 people
You as well, Sally.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, John!
LikeLiked by 3 people
😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, John 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
😁
LikeLiked by 3 people
So lovely to see Harmony and Sharon featured. They are both incredible writers. Thank you, Sally!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Gwen, thanks so much for your kind words!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much Gwen for adding your boost for them both…♥
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much,Gwen! 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
No one could go wrong trying either of these books. Thanks, Sally.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree Jacqui…hugsxx
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Jacqui!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Jacqui 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing Sharon’s and Harmony’s books, Sally. As well as a couple of excellent reviews. As someone who cares for elderly parents, I was intrigued by Sharon’s murder mystery. And I thoroughly enjoyed Harmony’s book (what a thriller!). Congrats to both authors!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks very much Diana.. and so much to relate to with Sharon’s book… and yes Harmony’s was gripping.. ♥
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Diana. Best of luck with your caregiving.
LikeLiked by 3 people
❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much, Diana! I feel for you with the caregiving. 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
It makes for a hectic week, but I’m happy to do it (most of the time). 😀
LikeLiked by 3 people
I really admire people who can do that. It takes a lot of love and selfless dedication.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Going Home sounds like an emotional read. I lost my dad to Alzheimer’s, but I think enough time has passed that I can handle the book. I haven’t read The Vanished Boy, but I am amazed at Kent’s ability to write in so many different genres, and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by her.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Priscilla. So many of my readers have said they can relate to the mother character in Going Home because they, too, lost a family member to Alzheimer’s. When I wrote the book, I didn’t realize how common the disease is. If you pick it up, I hope you’ll enjoy it. As you know from dealing with someone with dementia, there can be some humorous moments as well as heartbreaking ones.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Priscilla.. my mother had dementia towards the end in her 90s and I could relate to Sharon’s book in many ways. You lose a person you love twice, once to the disease and then again when they die. And I enjoyed The Vanished Boy and Harmony’s poetry too.. xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Priscilla! 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Sharon Marchisello and commented:
Thank you to Sally Cronin for featuring Going Home on her blog today!
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure Sharon.. xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much for featuring my book today and for your lovely review!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Delighted to showcase Sharon..hugsx
LikeLiked by 2 people