I read my typical eleven books in April. One audiobook, four in print, and six books on my Kindle. I am either a high grader or am getting really good at picking out books, because honestly, there wasn't a bad one in the bunch. I think many of you will really enjoy this selection of books.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy is getting a lot of hype these days. It is a recent release, so the waitlist at the library or purchasing the hardback are your options. I would classify this book as climate fiction. Set sometime in the future, our story begins on a remote island off the coast of Antarctica. Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of the world's largest seedbank, keeping them safe for a time when the Earth is once again conducive to growing plants. The island used to be full of researchers, but they have all left as the ocean water is rising and the island must be evacuated. In a terrible storm one night, a woman washes up on the shore of the island. Dominic and his children are able to nurse her back to health and the group becomes close, feeling almost like a family. However, everyone is keeping secrets, which are unveiled one by one with catastrophic results. This book took a while to get going, but once it did, it had my full attention. It is quite a unique story and has exceedingly high ratings by reviewers. Some are even saying it changed their lives. I can't claim that, but I did enjoy it. 4 stars

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This was my audiobook. It was published last year, so it should be easy to find. The book is set in 1950s Hollywood, with two actresses dueling over the part of Salome in a big blockbuster movie. The book is about these two women, but also tells the imagined story of the biblical figure of Salome. All three women live in a world dominated by men, and there will be plenty of drama happening before the final curtain. 3.75 stars

Retreat by Krysten Ritter. Our main character, Liz Dawson, is beautiful, confident, smooth, and very clever- qualities that make her an excellent con artist. She is accidentally mistaken for socialite Isabelle Beresford, owner of Casa Esmeralda, a villa in an exclusive Mexican gated community. Liz assumes Isabelle's identity, but with this con she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Where is the real Isabelle anyway, and why has she abandoned her amazing life and property? With more twists than a pretzel, this book had me guessing and almost wishing Liz would get away with her con. I sure did not see the ending coming, which is always fun. 3.75 stars

Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell is what I bought when I was in the mood for a romance. Compared to the movie You've Got Mail, I couldn't resist picking it up. Our main character, twenty-something Sawyer, is living in New York in the 1990s, working in publishing, and hoping to become a writer. She is engaged to be married, but her fiancé is making a gazillion excuses about why he has to work all the time with his colleague, Kendra, and can't spend time with Sawyer.  Facing a lonely summer, she befriends Kendra's boyfriend Nick. They begin a unique platonic friendship, getting together every Friday to explore New York. Both she and Nick begin living for their Friday time together, but what will happen when summer ends? This was a cute (but predictable) romance that I did enjoy. Not spicy at all. 4 stars

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh. This was a twisty psychological thriller I really enjoyed. Described as “unputdownable” and for fans of Lisa Jewell, it is part of the Eddie Flynn series by the author. I don’t think you need to read the series in order to enjoy the book. Here’s the setup: Growing up as a wealthy Manhattanite, Ruby now works as a house cleaner in the neighborhood she once lived in. To say Ruby is bitter is an understatement, and when she witnesses a murder, she hatches a diabolical plan for revenge. Eddie Flynn, our defense attorney, is a former con man, which adds a very clever element to the story. Let’s just say, it isn’t easy to put one over on our Eddie. He is hired to defend the innocent man that Ruby claims to have seen commit the murder. Things get complicated in a significant subplot when Eddie gets into trouble with corrupt local cops, and a bounty is put on his head. A colorful cast of assassins is introduced, along with Mr. Christmas, the most dapper, devious, and deadly villain I have ever read! This book was a wild ride and a total page-turner. 4.5 stars

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez. This is another romance by one of my favorite authors of that genre. I have to say that this book is rather different than her others, but was still good. Xavier and Samantha meet when she brings a sick kitten to his veterinary office. They do not get off to a great start, but get a second chance to try again. This time, they do hit it off spectacularly, but Samantha neglects to mention that she is moving back to California in two days. Her family is in crisis, with her mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis, and Samantha is committed to participating in her mom's care. Xavier just opened his long-time dream veterinary practice in Minnesota and can't possibly follow Samantha to California. They embark upon a long-distance relationship that is full of heartbreak and challenges. There are some family issues that some readers will find distasteful, which I won't spoil here. Also, I was frustrated that there seemed to be some simple solutions to the issues keeping our couple apart, which frustrated me. Not the author's best book, but I read it lightning fast. After all, it's Abby Jimenez. She gets a pass this time. 3.25 stars

The Housekeeper's Secret by Iona Grey. For all you Downton Abbey/Upstairs Downstairs fans! Kate Furniss has managed to create a new persona for herself as the housekeeper of Coldwell Hall. She almost believes she is the respectable character she has manifested. The story is set from 1911 to 1919, a time of great social change in England. Will our characters be able to let go of the secrets of their pasts and move on to the future? The publisher's description says the book is one where "duty, desire, and deception reside under one roof". This was an enjoyable work of historical fiction and was just the right book for me when I read it. It's free on Kindle Unlimited, so don't miss it if you love this genre. A bit slow at times, so I knocked my rating down to 4.25

Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor. You can definitely get this book at the library or on your Kindle without a wait! It has even been made into a movie starring Joan Plowright, which you can watch on TV. I would classify this book as literary fiction; in fact, it was both comedy and tragedy. The plot is based on an elderly lady named Laura Palfrey who moves into the Claremont Hotel in London.

This hotel is not a vacation spot by any means, but a residence/boarding hotel where the elderly go to finish out their lives. The guests are offered cleaning services, meals, and laundry, sort of like a nursing home without the nurses. As in many of these places, every day seems the same, and life is lonely and boring, with meal times being the highlight of the day. The author has an uncanny ability to bring her characters to life, and I felt as if I knew everyone in this ensemble cast intimately. The residents of Claremont have truly been “put out to pasture”, with their families only visiting out of duty, their former friends having forgotten them, and their only interactions with one another. As bleak as this sounds, the author manages to find humor in the situation, and I found myself laughing more than once.

One day, as Mrs Palfrey takes a walk in the neighborhood, she falls and a young man comes to her rescue. A friendship develops between them, which is mutually beneficial. The author tells the story in a wry, humorous manner that is at the same time heartbreaking. She captures the disdain felt for older people’s emotional needs and the despair felt by the aging when they are alone and only just tolerated by others. This was a marvelously written book that may well end up one of the best I have read this year. 5 stars

The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez. This is a novella by one of my favorite romance writers. Abby Jimenez is in top form with this short book, and I highly recommend it, especially as an introduction to her typical style. Our two main characters, neighbors Seth and Charlotte, find themselves marooned together on the second floor of their apartment building when the exit stairs are demolished in a construction mishap. Seth is a handsome arborist just coming off a divorce, and Charlotte is a reclusive woman trying to lie undercover from her stalker. They set up deck chairs on their shared outside breezeway and begin to get to know each other in their enforced togetherness. It turns out I love the "forced proximity" trope! This was a super sweet story, and I know you will love it too. It's free on Kindle Unlimited, so take advantage! 5 stars

A Map To Paradise by Susan Meissner. This author is what I call "auto-buy" because I have loved everything she has written. That being said, I have to say that this is not my favorite book of hers, but still worth reading. Here's the setup: Actress Melanie Cole is on the Hollywood Blacklist in 1956, when she is associated with an actor suspected of having Communist contacts. She has been set up in a rental home in an exclusive neighborhood by her kind of/sort of boyfriend, who is away performing in a theater production. Melanie's life is on hold, and she has little choice in companions. She has her housekeeper Eva, a refugee from war-torn Europe, and her agoraphobic neighbor Ellwood, with whom she chats through their open windows. One day, she and Eva spot June, Ellwood’s sister in law and caretaker, digging in the rose garden. Then they never see Elwood again. Where could a man who never leaves his house have gone? The three women begin to share a bond and become close supporters of one another in an effort to solve some deep secrets. This book had a great premise, but was a bit too slow in its execution. I still recommend it if you enjoy this author as I do, but it isn't my favorite work of hers. 3.25 stars

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman. This is the author of the hugely popular Thursday Murder Club series, and with this book, Richard Osman has come out with a new series. I think I may like this series even more than his Thursday Murder Club books! Here’s the setup: Steve Wheeler is a retired cop, living in the UK. He loves his routine, his pub trivia night, and his cat. Amy Wheeler is his daughter-in-law, with whom he is very close. Amy is an elite bodyguard, hired to protect important and well-known people. Fate brings them together to join forces to outsmart a dangerous and very cagey money smuggler who has framed Amy for a series of murders. Amy is now being hunted by assassins and enlists Steve’s reluctant help. The two of them go on the run along with the eighty year old famous writer Amy has been hired to protect. There are lots of characters in this book, as well as lots of twists and turns. The plot moves swiftly, but there is plenty of witty banter to keep you entertained. I was totally onboard for the story and can’t wait for more in the series.
4.25 stars

Let me know if you read any of these books and how you liked them!