"Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but wanting to control it"
 - Kahlil Gibran


​Yes, we are still here, and thankfully we are doing fine as we ride out the pandemic in our homes. I just needed a break from my world, and although I didn’t stop reading, I just couldn’t make myself write. It is time to re-join the world though, and I can easily do this from the confines of my home. Hope this finds all of you well and doing what you can to help rid us of this medical mess.

I have spent the last week looking for flour. I kid you not, there is no flour in any stores in my area, and I read yesterday that there is little flour or yeast anywhere in the country. What is wrong with people? Why are they hoarding sacks of flour and yeast? Is it the great bread famine of 2020? For that matter, why in the world are they hoarding anything?

In the worst of shelter-in-place times, we are permitted to go out for groceries. It was advised that we stock up on two week’s worth of food in the advent that we feel too ill to shop, so I bought a few extra cans of tuna, a few cans of beans and a few bags of frozen veggies. I already had two packs of toilet paper, so I passed that by rather than face the screaming throng of shoppers. I actually needed some Clorox Wipes, but they were gone before I could near that aisle.

I would really love to know what is in the minds of these people who are actually adding twice the angst to themselves and everyone else by buying things in bulk. You are causing a shortage of food and necessary supplies where there never had to be one. Health care providers can’t find protective equipment because people are stockpiling dozens of boxes in their closets. Without healthy health care providers none of us stands a chance.

Speaking of chances...stop taking them. Kids...spring break really isn’t worth it. Young people are getting deathly sick from this too. Baby Boomers...you aren’t invincible. Stop getting together with “just a few” friends because you “trust” them. Coronavirus doesn’t bypass trustworthy people. Parents...your children will survive no play dates for a bit (so will you), and your teenagers need to be grounded.

It is frustrating to know that we can lick this if everyone takes the proper precautions, but we have no control, and so it is licking us. Our governor has decided to begin reopening our state even though Florida still has high numbers of cases every day. In fact, some of the North Florida beaches are re-opening . Unfortunately, politics seems to be playing into decisions around the country, and that is never good.

Well, I think I have let off enough steam for one day. The optimistic side of me does believe that this will end, and we will be stronger for it. Our environment will definitely benefit from the break it is getting, and people might come out of it just a little bit kinder after facing our own vulnerabilities. We can’t forget those who lost their lives or those who are faced with long recoveries. We must be generous in thought and deed to those who have lost their jobs and must start over. We must also be generous to ourselves as we venture through the twilight zone that is our current existence. We must take that deep breath and realize that we can not control everything, but we can control our reactions to what happens. It is normal to feel anxious. It is normal to feel unsettled. It is normal not to sleep. This too shall pass.

It is important to stay occupied, and reading is a great way to fill the time at home.  This weeks book, Cheater’s Game by Paul Levine, is just the thing to take your mine off of world wide chaos. Have fun.

As always a complete review of this book follows my blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly

Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog

Genre: Legal Thriller

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Truth be told, I have not read every book in Levine’s series featuring attorney Jake Lassiter. I am not sure why, and I just might go back and catch up on those I missed. Jake is an interesting character, and like Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter and Coben’s Myron Bolitar, he surrounds himself with equally interesting people. His fiancé, Melissa, and his nephew, Kip, feature heavily in Cheater’s Game as Jake tries to save Kip from himself.

The plot of this latest book is so timely that it is almost uncomfortable. Twenty year old Kip, who was raised by Jake since Jake's sister deposited the very young child on his doorstep, is exceptionally intelligent and seemingly equally naive. Kip gets involved with a wealthy con man who acts as a mentor and convinces him to join his business. He has Kip help him in conning millions of dollars out of parents who want to insure that their children will be accepted into the finest colleges in the country. In fact, with Kip's expertise in taking the SAT’s, which he does for the clients' sons and daughters, the young people are accepted into the schools of their choice. Everyone is happy...except for the government.

When his “mentor” cuts a deal with the government and throws Kip under the bus, Uncle Jake takes on his most difficult challenge yet. He must convince a jury to find Kip not guilty, even though the government has a rock solid case. Adding to the stress is Jake’s health issues, which cause him migraines, memory lapses and dizzy spells. Jake is suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition that many former football players are dealing with now. Jake, a former Miami Dolphin, is taking part in medical trials headed up by his fiancé.

This “ripped from the headlines” legal thriller is easy to read as a stand alone even though it is the fourteen book of his series.

-Beverly


​Publisher - Herald Square Publishing
Date of Publication - April 20, 2020

“Sing of good things, not bad; Sing of happy, not sad”
—-The Carpenters


This is indeed a scary time. The news is so disturbing that I stopped reading it, and staying in the house except for our twice daily walks is getting old. We can concentrate on the fears and discomfort, or we can look for the several silver linings in this darkest of clouds.

First of all, the environment is getting a much needed break. With most people staying home, there are comparatively few cars on the road. Many businesses have closed their doors or lessened their work force. There is less exhaust spewing into our air, which gives Mother Nature a breather. I read in Time today that “One of the deadliest epidemics in decades has dented energy demand and industrial output in China, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 million metric tons—close to what Chile emits in a year.” I saw a before/after photo of the Wuhan region and the latter’s lack of air pollution was startling.

Secondly, we are watching companies and individuals take care of each other in remarkable ways. Many restaurants in our area are opening for take-out and delivery only. The staffs come to work every day to cook and deliver to people who can’t or won’t cook for themselves. In return, people are buying gift cards for their neighborhood restaurants so workers will be paid today even if they won’t be used for months.

Comcast is trying to work out a way to give those who can’t afford it free internet for several months, so their children can attend virtual classes. Universal is hoping to put current movies on streaming, so those who can’t go out will be able to watch them. Whole Foods and several other big chain stores are allowing seniors and those who are health compromised to shop before the stores are open to the public.

It is equally heartwarming watching neighbors helping neighbors through this frightening experience. No one seems to care about their neighbor’s political affiliation anymore. People are doing what they can for those around them.  Yes , there are the people who saw this as a business opportunity and bought up all the hand sanitizer, etc, to sell at insane mark-ups, but I have to believe Karma will take care of that. That guy In Kentucky with 18,000 bottles of sanitizer that no one will allow him to sell on the Internet can’t be feeling so smart now.

I am not minimizing this calamity that we are facing economically as well as health wise. I believe that we will probably never be the same after facing this crisis, but I also believe that our very sanity depends on our ability to hang on to the good. It is there if we look for it. Most importantly, we must stay healthy...as a country and as individuals. Please continue your social distancing, hand washing and caring for each other. This too shall pass if we all do our part.

AND READ PEOPLE...READ!

The book I am sharing with you this week is The Big Lie by James Grippando. Grippando has a way of capturing the politics of the day and wrapping it into an exciting legal thriller, and this one definitely fills that bill.

As always a complete review of this book follows my blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly

Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog

Genre: Legal Thriller

​Click book cover for Amazon.com

Wow! The Big Lie is so topical it is scary. Criminal attorney Jack Swyteck is asked to represent Charlotte Holmes, gun lobbyist and one of Florida’s 29 electors who is bound by oath and law to cast her vote for President MacLeod, because he won Florida by the thinnest of margins. Once again the country will have a president who did not win the popular vote.

When Charlotte announces that she intends to cast her vote with her conscience and throw the electoral college to Florida Senator Evan Stahl, the president's opponent, President MacLeod, doesn’t take it well. His hand-picked prosecutor intends to prove Charlotte is unfit to cast her vote.

Whenever Jack Swyteck is in the picture, you can be sure that his client will have the best representation possible and that we, the readers, will be reading a story to remember. With help from Theo, his “friend/investigator/former client/bodyguard”, Jack is determined to prove Charlotte fit to cast her vote, even while he is loathe to get involved in politics.

Grippando has been one of my go to authors for many years, and his stories always do seemed “ripped from the headlines.” Although there were one or two slow moments in this book, it was certainly worth reading. For the most part it kept me turning pages and rooting for Charlotte to have the right to represent all of the people of her state.

-Beverly

​
Publisher - Harper
Date of Publication - February 25, 2020

“I hoard books. Books feel like home!”
― Avijeet Das


Well aren’t we in a fine mess? Just when you think things couldn’t get worse...they do. The novel coronavirus is definitely scary, but the media isn’t helping when they continually refer to it as the “deadly coronavirus.” I understand that they are in business to sell their wares...and panic sells...but no one will benefit from world wide panic.

The problem is that most of the information that is being disseminated is far from factual and therefor far from helpful. Today I read one source that told me 88% of people with this virus have a fever. Another source stated that 40% of people with the virus have fever. One source said it lingers on countertops for three days, while yet another said it lingers a full week. I believe that the media is now just quoting random doctors instead of waiting for legitimate experts.

I can’t figure out the hoarding either. Art needed distilled water for his CPAP machine, and we went from one empty shelf to another for days. We finally found the last two bottles in CVS. Why hoard water? Can’t we just turn on the faucet? Don’t even get me started on the toilet paper shortage. Really? Are we expecting a massive case of a stomach virus too, because that is not a major symptom of the coronavirus.

The biggest danger of this virus is our inability to act responsibly as a society. Why do we have to beg people to wash their hands? Weren’t we taught that as kids? Shouldn’t it be a natural instinct? Why is it so difficult to give up social activities. I live in a community where hundreds of women play cards at the clubhouse every Tuesday. One unknowing carrier can spread it through the group. Just Stop! Social activities can resume when this passes.

We can all live a month or two without movies, shows, restaurants and social gatherings. Stay at home. Experiment on new recipes and watch Netflix. If you think you are invincible and panicking is ridiculous, then think of the elderly man or woman you might infect along the way. Act responsibly and there is no need for panic. Controlling the panic might control the destruction that this is doing to our economy. Unless you have stock in Purell, you know what I am talking about. By the way, those of you who have your guest closet stacked with hand sanitizer bottles...Really? You will never use half of them, but those who need them have none.

I do have an idea about what you can hoard though, so you will have an easier time going through these next few months. Books! The first to get might be The Holdout by Graham Moore, the book I reviewed this week. It is a winner.

As always a complete review of this book follows my blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly

Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog

Genre: Legal Thriller

Click book cover for Amazon.com

In The Holdout, Graham Moore gives us a legal thriller different than any I have read before, and I hated to turn that last page. Protagonist Maya is part of a jury convened to decide on the guilt or innocence of Bobby Nock, a twenty-five year old teacher accused of murdering Jessica Silver, one of his students. Jessica vanished on her way home from school one day and hasn’t been seen since.

The story alternates between the trial itself and a meeting of the jurors ten years later as they participate in the making of a docuseries about the case. The flashbacks of the trial are told from the viewpoint of each of the jurors as the novel progresses, and when one of the jurors is murdered while making the docuseries, everyone becomes a suspect.

Moore does a masterful job keeping the reader guessing about the original murder as well as the newest one, and each of the jurors pull the reader in with their own life stories told along with their experiences during the trial. When their individual secrets threaten to be revealed during the present day murder investigation, the consequences for all involved could be disastrous.

Moore’s strength in his characterization coupled with his ability to weave together a mesmerizing story make this a book you don’t want to miss.

- Beverly


Publisher - Random House
Date of Publication - February 18, 2020

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
—-Dr. Seuss


Today my gift to you is information. People keep asking me where they can find all the books that I review, and I did some exploring. Of course the new books are in all of your favorite bookstores, but there are so many older books that are not to be missed. Reading can become an expensive hobby, because if you are like me libraries aren’t always the best solution. I tend to collect late fees like teens collect “likes,” so I am always searching for alternatives.

If you google the following sites and register, you will be surprised at the number of books that are offered free or at a very low cost, every day. Enjoy!

BookBub

Book Sends

Robin Reads Team

Freebooksy

Readers Alley

Ereader News Today

Of course I also work with publishers and get current books to review. When I started this blog five years ago, I asked if any of you would like to contribute reviews to this site.  Several people did that for the first year or so, and of course the offer is still up. I will gladly post your reviews, and you will be able to work with some publishers too.  Just drop me a line at madderlyreveiw@gmail.com and I can get you started.  I have loved my relationship with books (and you all) for many years and would enjoy sharing it with you.

The review I will share this week is A Gambler’s Jury by Victor Methos. This book is two years old but definitely worth reading today. Methos has a current book that comes out March 1. I will be reviewing that soon.

As always a complete review of this book follows my blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly

​Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog

Genre: Legal Thriller

Click book cover for Amazon.com

Victor Methos is an attorney, so it doesn’t surprise me that he can tell the legal stories that he does so well. His frame of reference is his own practice, and his obvious talent with the written word draws his readers into a world in which he is quite familiar. What does surprise me in A Gambler’s Jury is how successful he is in inhabiting the persona of a female protagonist.

Most men who write legal thrillers do so through the voice of male protagonists. Methos introduces us to Attorney Dani Rollins, a woman fighting her own demons as she fights for her clients. His ability to capture her emotions and speak through her voice is a testament to a truly talented author.

Dani’s latest client is a mentally challenged teenage boy who supposedly masterminded a drug deal that was way beyond his abilities. Someone is setting him up, and the system just might be a part of it. With  help from Will, her investigator, Dani does all she can to set Teddy Thorne free from a justice system that is using him to make a point. It is a solid story that keeps the reader rooting for Teddy as the deck is stacked against him.

My only complaint about the book is a general one. Why do authors feel the need to paint all defense attorneys as barely functioning alcoholics? I don’t like to spend a great deal of time around people who are inebriated at parties, so why would I want to spend time with them when I am enjoying a good book? I realize it adds a dimension to a character, but I believe a good author can add a dimension in a more creative way. Methos surely qualifies as a talented author, and I hope he brings a sober Dani back to help fight the bad guys in another book.

- Beverly
​

​​Publisher - Thomas & Mercer
Date of Publication - February 27, 2018

“Kindness makes a fellow feel good whether it’s being done to him or by him.”
—-Frank A. Clark


I have a positive story today, rather than the depressing news that has been filling our various forms of media.  One of the many horrible aspects of our political arena and the coronavirus is our feeling of helplessness. What can we do after all, to make a difference? Well there is always voting...for the love of our country PLEASE VOTE...and we can stock up on hand sanitizers, but in the end we can’t do much.

There is a bigger problem than those two things though, and we can make a difference there.  Our society has become so self involved, that being nice seems to be too much trouble.  Offering your seat to an elderly person, holding the door for someone with a hand filled with packages, just offering a smile to a stranger seems to be as antiquated as a rotary phone.  We need to teach our future generations that kindness is a necessary component to a life well spent.


I always believed that my job as a teacher didn’t end with gerunds and adjectives. Yes, my students needed to learn how to construct sentences and read the classics, but they also needed to learn how to appreciate nature and the people they encountered daily.  They needed to learn the joy of giving. Several times a year my students brought in towels/blankets and class would take place on the grass around our campus.  What better way to study Thoreau and Emerson than surrounded by the nature that they loved.

Then there was the year that my final exam for my speech class required no studying at all. Instead the students were told to perform a random act of kindness for a friend, relative or stranger during the weeks preceding exam day. They then presented speeches describing what they did, the reaction of the recipient of this act and how it made them feel while they performed this act. The results were astounding. They each put their heart into the assignment and made me proud.

I recalled this today,when I read about a school in Ireland that did a similar thing.  They had no formal homework for the month of December.  Instead they were asked to carry out acts of kindness and record these acts in a journal of sorts to be signed by their parents. They were given general suggestions but were on their own when spreading sunshine through their neighborhoods.  These children were being schooled on the true meaning of the holiday spirit.  Families got involved, and the project was a major success.

No matter how old we might be, it is always the perfect time to show kindness.  Sometimes a phone call to a lonely relative means more than any material gift you might send.  How about spending an entire “family day” untethered to your electronics.  Leave the phones at home and go on a picnic with your kids, parents or friends.  Take your elderly relative out for the day.  Shovel snow for your housebound neighbor.  Lead by example.  Make the world a kinder place.

Well, speaking of kinder, I am being kind to myself next week.  My birthday is coming up soon, and my son, Michael, is coming in on Monday to spend the week with me.  I intend to take full advantage of some “me” time, so I will not clean, work or write all week.  I will spend quality mother/son time, eat great food and read a lot, but it will all be on my own time.  I will be back to reality in two weeks. See you then.

As for this week’s book, I read A Reasonable Doubt by Phillip Margolin. It is a really captivating book, as most of his books are, and I highly recommend it as your March read.

As always a complete review of this book follows my blog,

Happy reading,

- Beverly

Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog

Genre: Legal Thriller

​Click book cover for Amazon.com

I have been a Margolin fan since I first picked up Gone But Not Forgotten many years ago.  He pulls you in on the first page and never lets you go.  Most of his books are stand alone, and his plots are always fascinating. He does have one series that I thoroughly enjoy, and A Reasonable Doubt is the third in the series that follows the exploits of attorney Robin Lockwood.

Margolin created such an interesting character in Lockwood that I understand why he doesn’t want to let her go.  Aside from being an extremely bright defense attorney, she is a former MMA fighter which adds depth to her character.  She is surrounded by several interesting secondary characters, but there is never a doubt as to who is the star of this series.

In A Reasonable Doubt magician Robert Chesterfield requests her help in obtaining patent protection for an illusion that he is about to present.  As a criminal attorney Robin explains that she would not be the right choice, but Chesterfield insists.  He had been defended in a murder trial several years before by Regina Barrister, former partner of the firm and a legal legend. Regina, suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s, retired from the firm after mentoring Robin to follow in her footsteps.  Chesterfield is somewhat mysterious as he gives her a retainer and asks her to please look into his patent protection.

Shortly after the meeting, Robin is invited to the unveiling of his illusion.  Chesterfield disappears, as expected, but he never reappears.  Robin isn’t sure whether he is in hiding from his many enemies or whether one of those enemies actually harmed him.  Following her, as she tries to track him, makes for some very exciting reading.

Margolin does such a good job with his characterization of the despicable magician, that you can easily see any number of people wishing to make him disappear.  His characters are always multifaceted though, and the reader continues wondering if perhaps Chesterfield is more than just a con man.

A Reasonable Doubt is a wonderfully plot driven story that will have the reader wondering until the very end.

- Beverly


​Publisher - Minotaur Books
Date of Publication - March 10, 2020