Murder up to Bat by Elizabeth McKenna

Synopsis | My Review | Buy Now | About the Author

Series: Book 2, A Front Page Mystery
Category: Adult fiction; Genre: Cozy mystery
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Pages: 186 pages
Published: August 2022

Mystery with a whiff of romance … After falling in love with the quiet lake life and a certain police detective, former Chicago Tribune reporter Emma Moore trades interviewing jocks for chasing champion cows at the county fair. As a small-town newspaper reporter, she covers local topics both big and small, but when her friend Luke is arrested for the murder of the head coach of his club softball team, she’ll need to hone her investigative skills to clear his name. Emma calls up best friend Grace for help, and together the women go up against cutthroat parents willing to kill for a chance to get their daughters onto a premier college sports team.

Murder up to Bat is my third read written by author Elizabeth McKenna. In all three novels, I have found McKenna to be a talented writer with an attention-grabbing story. In her latest novel, which is the second in the Front Page Mystery series, we again meet friends Emma and Grace. Emma, who is now living in the town where she last investigated and reported on a robbery, and plans on spending a weekend with Grace, while she's in town, along with her police detective boyfriend Ryan. However, just before the festivities begin, one of their close friends, Luke, is arrested after the head coach of the softball team he sponsors is found dead in his fitness center. The fast-paced book covers the effect this homicide has on the friend group and Emma's relentless pursuit to find the truth and save their friend from decades in prison. 

As in her previous books, it took me little to no time to get into and be captured by the story. McKenna does a great job of creating suspense while also making the story easy to follow. With a total page count of just under 200, this is a quick read that covers a weekend in plot timeline and also could easily be completed in one. But don't mistake the shorter page count for lack of depth. McKenna explores themes of competition in student sports as well as overly-aggressive parents of those athletes. While the story if fiction, I am sure readers can relate (in some way) to the seemingly unrealistic (read: they're not) behaviors of sideline parenting. 

I was glad for the opportunity to revisit some previously-read characters and get involved in their lives again. My only critique of this book is the believability that Emma's character would be able to get so involved in an investigation and her brazen questioning of police tactics. However, I would say this is a minor fault when reviewing the book as a whole. 

Recommendation: I would definitely recommend this book for cozy mystery fans. It would be a great read to get baseball lovers ready for the season as well. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Amazon.com | BarnesandNoble
Add to Goodreads.com

Elizabeth McKenna’s love of books reaches back to her childhood, where her tastes ranged from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to Stephen King’s horror stories. She had never read a romance novel until her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene).

Her novels reflect her mercurial temperament and include historical romances, contemporary romances, cozy mysteries, and dark mysteries. With some being “clean” and some being “naughty,” she has a book for your every mood.

Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband and Sidney, the rescue dog from Tennessee. When she isn’t writing, reading, editing, or walking the dog that never tires, she’s sleeping.

Connect with Elizabeth: 

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Read More

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 336 pages
Published: July 2021

In July 2021, S.A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears was published. Sometime near its publication, the book must have been added to Book of the Month’s monthly selection. However, something else must have caught my eye that month because I did not choose this book. Then, in July of 2022, President Obama listed the book on his annual reading list, and I still did not snag a copy from any of my favorite places. Then, at the end of the month Amazon offered a $5 discount on digital books, and I guess that five bucks was the push that motivated me to grab a copy. But still, I didn’t start reading the novel until the end of August. Upon completing it, I am wondering: Why did I wait so long?! 

So, let me tell you about it. Razorblade Tears is a fictional story about a very real emotion - revenge. A black father’s, Ike, son and a white father’s, Buddy Lee, son fall in love and marry each other and then are mysteriously and gruesomely murdered. These two tough-enough fathers who also happen to be ex-convicts team up to solve the crime that the police are moving too slow on. Their love for their sons, regret for judging their sexual identity and experience on the other side of the law fuel their passion to seek, find and create justice for their loved ones. 

Tears ran from his eyes and stung his cheeks. Tears for his son. Tears for his wife. Tears for the little girl they had to raise. Tears for who they were and what they all had lost. Each drop felt like it was slicing his face open like a razorblade.

“Get that what’s normal ain’t up to me. That it don’t f*cking matter who he wanted to wake up next to as long as he was waking up,” Buddy Lee said.”

“No, hate. Folks like to talk about revenge like it’s a righteous thing but it’s just hate in a nicer suit,” Ike said.

A good father, a good man, loves the people that love his children.

This time they didn’t feel so much like razor blades. They felt like the long-awaited answer to a mournful prayer for rain. 

I honestly didn’t think I would enjoy this book because I felt I couldn’t really relate to the plot. However, I was completely wrong. This book evoked a myriad of emotions for me as we all have at least one person in our life we love like this. Additionally, Cosby wrote the story in such a way that the plot moved quickly and the descriptions came to life. I truly felt like I was reading an action movie. There really is no need for this to go to the big screen because the author did such a good job writing it, but I wouldn’t be mad if it was turned into a movie and Denzel Washington played Ike. I’m just sayin!  

Recommendation: This book is dark, but it is good. It is vivid. It is engaging. If you enjoyed The Equalizer movies, you might enjoy this book. It’s a quick read too. Don’t be like me. Don’t delay. Grab a copy for your favorite bookseller or library today! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More

The Shadows by Alex North

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 336 pages
Published: July 2020

The Shadows by Alex North was my second indulgence from my July Book of the Month subscription service. The synopsis is what prompted me to purchase this mystery thriller. Paul Adams, the protagonist, has returned to his hometown to take care of his ailing mother. Twenty-five years prior Paul's classmate, Charlie Crabtree disappeared after an unsolved murder. Everyone believes that Charlie must be the killer because he disappeared without a trace after the crime. Upon high school graduation, Paul left town and never looked back until he was forced to return and when he does he finds himself drawn right back into the mysterious case again. 

This is the first book I've read by this author. I think he does a good job creating suspense and giving the reader a reason to continue the journey with the narrator. I found the pace of the book to be just right; not too fast, not too slow, and the conclusion a satisfying one. My only critique would be about the issue with Paul and his high school love interest. I don't think the author did a good job of fully developing that twist in the plot. I won't write anymore so as not to spoil this relatively new release. 

I think North is a good writer, and this was a compelling story. It prompted me to purchase The Whisper Man for my August subscription. Review soon to come! 

Recommendation: If you're looking for a mystery with dark tones and intrigue, I'd highly recommend this as your next read. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 288 pages
Published: June 2020

The Last Flight by Julie Clark was my June selection from Book of the Month. Book of the Month is a wonderful little subscription service if you enjoy reading physical copies of books, what's more is you often get access to books before they're officially released to the public at large. This was the case with The Last Flight. I am really glad I snagged a copy of this psychological thriller about two women looking to escape their dangerous lives and swap plane tickets at the airport. The premise might seem far-fetched, but after reading the book, people could certainly do this and get away with it. So, you have Claire who is married to a super aggressive and abusive aspiring political giant, and Eva, who is in a seemingly inescapable situation of her own. Their chance meeting at an airport restaurant results in their mutual decision to take on each other's identity for the purpose of a flight. This life-altering event is the nexus of a series of events.

I found this book to be entertaining, insightful, fast-paced and ... simply thrilling. I had to stop myself from wanting to read faster and faster to find out what happens in the lives of these women but also not wanting it to end because I enjoyed the character development and got invested in both of them as well as the overall plot. The story, like a lot of thrillers, is told in alternating perspectives and timelines. I suspect most mystery and thriller authors choose this tactic to create more suspense, and it worked well in this instance. I enjoyed this book so much when I shared what I was reading with my mother she asked if she could borrow my copy when I was finished.

Recommendation: This is a quick, short book that can be read over a nice summer weekend. I promise it will keep you guessing till the very end. The official release date was June 23rd so you should be able to find a copy at your local library now, or purchase your own wherever books are sold.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More

A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pages: 400 pages
Published: May 2020

What constitutes a good marriage? If you're looking for the answer, you're not going to find it in this book. However, the novel, A Good Marriage, is a legal mystery full of twists and revelations that keep you turning the page until you learn who the killer is. This Book of the Month Club selection features Lizzie, a former federal prosector who is now working as an attorney in the private sector. She gets a late-night call from her former college mate, Zach, who has been arrested and is the main suspect in his wife's murder. Lizzie reluctantly takes his case and becomes an amateur sleuth in trying to find out what happened to his wife, Amanda. On top of that, Lizzie is having some pretty serious marital problems of her own.

The book is told through the alternating perspectives of Lizzie and Amanda and also includes grand jury testimony and other correspondence to give the reader clues for solving the mystery. Having said that, I was unable to discern the killer until the very end. The author, Kimberly McCreight, included several red herrings in the story that threw me off.

I enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be very engaging, and I think McCreight is a masterful storyteller. There were a couple of elements she introduced that added more suspense to the plot, but I don't think she closed the loop on. These are very minor and don't affect the story greatly. There was also foul language that I don't think added value to the story, and at times, seemed forced. Overall, this was an entertaining read, especially during this time of quarantine.

Recommendation: I give this novel 5 stars. I highly recommend it. Fans of Law & Order might enjoy this book.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Pages: 320 pages
Published: June 2020 (expected)

The Guest List by Lucy Foley was my April Book of the Month Club section. The book is a mystery thriller set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. Mystery. Thriller. Ireland. Sign me up! The book is about the wedding of a high profile couple and features an ensemble cast. It is told in alternating perspectives of The Bride, The Best Man, The Plus One, The Wedding Planner and The Bridesmaid. It is reminiscent of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express in that someone gets murdered while on the island for the weekend wedding and everyone is a suspect. 

The book was a little slow to start, but overall it was a fun read. I quickly guessed the murder victim, but it took till nearly the end of the book for me to figure out who did the deed. I like reading books told from multiple perspectives. I think it works really well for mysteries. What I did not care for was the back in forth in the timeline. It made the storyline more confusing and added little value. There were some minor plot holes but nothing major that took away from the central story.  

Recommendation: I enjoy reading books set in Ireland, and I hope to make it there one day. Dublin is definitely on my bucket list. Until then, I'll continue to rely on books to take me places I can't go because of COVID-19. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More

The Witch Elm by Tana French

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Length: 464 pages
Published: October 2018

With the completion of The Witch Elm, I have now read all of Tana French's novels. Her first six books comprise a series that features the Dublin Detective Murder Squad. I enjoyed each of those books at varying levels. The Witch Elm is French's latest novel that features a murder mystery. However, the new book is standalone and is told from the perspective of a civilian - Toby - rather than from the perspective of a detective. Because the point of view is different, the writing style and story is vastly different. In perusing some online reviews, the book doesn't appear to have been well received by many of the author's dedicated fans. I think this is because those of us who enjoyed the Murder Squad series were expecting more of the same. If you go into this newest story without expectation, I think your result will be more positive. I rate this novel a 3.5, leaning strong toward a 4. 

The story opens with the protagonist, Toby, experiencing a traumatic event. This leads him to a family home where he spent much of his childhood to help care for his dying uncle. Then, a skull is discovered in a witch elm tree. From there, we learn more about Toby's cousins, who are more like his siblings, and his relationship with them. As the author peels back the layers, we tend to care less about the mystery as she focuses more on Toby figuring out who he was, who he is, and who he has become. We, as the reader, get an intimate look at Toby as the central character. Unfortunately, he's not a very likable one. But that's the thing about this author's novels, we get to meet characters who are real and flawed, making her stories resonate with the audience long after the book has been read.  

While the way The Witch Elm is told is different from French's previous novels, there are some elements that remain the same. As always, this is a well-written story full of well-constructed prose, imagery, foreshadowing, and character development - among many other literary devices. Because I received an advance reader's copy, I cannot quote directly from the novel, but you will not be disappointed in the strong writing. At nearly 500-pages, there's plenty of opportunity to enjoy French's style. She takes her time developing the plot. It takes about 30% of the book (or about chapter 5) before the reader realizes the crux of the plot. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I like the mystery genre, but this book was more of a study of the human condition. I would recommend this book for a long-term read. You'll want to take your time with it to fully appreciate what it has to offer. I will note, the content is dark and somewhat depressing, so you might consider where you are emotionally before embarking on this book. 

Recommendation: So, will you enjoy this book? My answer. It depends. It depends on what kind of reader you are and what type of books you enjoy. I do believe it is worth a look. Grab an ecopy or the audio version - the print copy is much too heavy to lug around. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Thanks to Viking Press Publishing - Penguin Random House for an advanced reader's copy of The Witch Elm by Tana French. Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More

Two Girls Down by Louisa Luna

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Length: 311 pages
Published: January 2018

After several weeks on the waiting list, I finally got to borrow Two Girls Down by Louisa Luna from the Fort Worth Library last week. The mystery novel is set in Philadelphia, and the plot revolves around two young girls, Kylie and Bailey (aged 10 and 8), who are kidnapped from a retail parking lot while their single mom, Jamie, makes a quick run in the local Kmart for a birthday gift. After several days with little-to-no progress from the police department, Jamie's aunt hires California native and private investigator - Alice Vega - who has a high recovery success rate to aid in the search for the girls. In turn, Vega partners with former, disgraced police detective Max "Cap" Caplan to help her get inside, local information. The remainder of the relatively short book is Vega and Cap on a fast-paced search for the girls before it's too late!  

I can certainly understand why there was a wait list for this suspense-filled book. I found myself pushing through to the next chapter eagerly yearning to learn the fate of the girls. While the story was fast-paced, there was also some beautiful, thought-provoking prose in a story that told carried such a dark topic. Some of my favorites: 

Cap truly believed there was nothing harder than being a kid. You were always an alien trying to learn the earth rules. 

"You said every day we make a million little choices, and we should try to make the right ones as much as we can. And you said rarely in life do the big choices present themselves, so when they do, we have to take advantage of the opportunity. We have to do the right thing." -Nell, Cap's teenage daughter

And my absolute favorite. (Please forgive the language.) It truly illustrated what a strong, no-nonsense character Vega was. 

 And then she (Vega) said what Perry had taught her — someone asks who you are, you tell them the only thing they need to know. "I'm the motherfucker who gets. Shit. Done." 

I seriously wanted to high-five someone after reading that line, but alas, I was home alone. 

I really don't have any critiques for this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It made for a great summer weekend read. The end was satisfying, but the author left it open. I am hoping for a sequel because I'd like her to delve into what happened to one of the secondary characters. 

Recommendation: Go get this book. Borrow it from your library or buy a copy today! You won't be disappointed. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful. 

Read More

Covey Jencks by Shelton L. Williams

Genre: Mystery / Social Thriller

Publisher: Southern Owl Publications, LLC

Date of Publication: February 10, 2018

Pages: 229

Synopsis | My Review | Buy Now | About the Author | More Blogs

Covey Jencks is a murder mystery with a social conscience. Set in West Texas with a cast of colorful and humorous characters, it follows a young lawyer from Washington, D.C. back to his hometown of Odessa, Texas. He wants and needs to solve a murder case from 1979 in 1993. The problem is that the Odessa Police Department has already found its man, and no one wants to re-visit the case of a black prostitute whose life was seemingly of no consequence to anyone. But Freddie Mae Johnson’s death matters to Covey and eventually he discovers an old flame, JayJay Qualls, who also knew and loved Freddie. Together they undertake an investigation that uncovers not only the truth about Freddie but also the secrets of Odessa’s south side, Mexican gangs, a Boston mobster, and the fallacy of unexamined assumptions. Finding out who killed Freddie is one thing, but preventing their own demise is quite another! 

Rating: 4 of 5 stars 

I fell in love with this book before I started reading the actual story. The foreword by author Shelton "Shelly" Williams warmed my heart. I knew I was about to partake in the creative genius of one who was not only a talented writer but also socially-aware and compassionate. 

I will start here: Covey Jencks is the title of the book and also the protagonist. I read a paperback copy, and, as per usual, I read everywhere I can: on solo lunch and dinner breaks, in the grocery story line, at Starbucks. Everywhere I read this book, strangers were drawn in by the cover and wanted to know what Covey Jencks meant. (You're welcome, Shelly, I've been selling this book for weeks for you!)    

Covey Jencks is about an attorney who leaves Washington D.C. to return to his hometown of Odessa in west Texas to help correctly solve the murder of Freddie, a working girl, from the late 70s. The story takes place in the mid-90s. This might seem odd because the story could have easily been set in present-day; however, I appreciated the return to that time period. The AOL references made me chuckle. (Come on, if you were born before the mid-80s, you know you had an aol email address at one time. No judgment here if you still have one. Ha!) Anyhow, Freddie's husband had confessed to her murder and served time due to the inequities of the legal (read: not justice system). This created years of dissonance for Covey, so he returns on a quest to set things right. The book opens with his return to Texas and from there we meet a myriad of diverse characters who help and hinder his path to the truth. Most memorably is his love interest, JayJay. I'd have to say her quick wit and spunk made her my favorite character of the book. Some might argue that she is just as much the protagonist of the novel as Covey. 

At a little over 200 pages and with very generous margins in the print copy, this book is a quick read. The content and storyline propels the reader a few decades into the past and encourages one to continue turning the pages until the mystery is solved. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. The large cast of characters made it a little confusing at times, but thankfully, the author smartly added a listing of each character with short description at the beginning. I found myself referring to this dog-earred (Yes, I'm one of those readers!) page often. Additionally, the unexpected perspective changes and dialogue without speaker identifiers (e.g., Covey said, JayJay questioned, etc.) added to my confusion. However, with careful reading and some re-reading, I was very pleased with the pace and final outcome. 

Recommendation: Treat yourself to a fast-paced murder mystery set deep in the heart of Texas. But don't jump right into the story, be sure to read that foreword as well as the Williams' ending afterword notes. I can't wait for his next work of fiction to be published! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Buy Now

Add to Goodreads Shelf

I just love Covey Jencks and JayJay Qualls! They are a modern couple who remind me of Nick and Nora in West Texas. Characters, crimes, and social commentary leap off the page. Shelly can tell a story! ~Deborah Crombie, author of the award-winning mysteries of Gemma James/Duncan Kincaid

I loved the story, the writing, and the prospects for future Covey Jencks adventures, but what I love the most, as an African- American author and documenter of human experience, is the proof that this work presents of the inextricability of Black and White lives in America. ~Sharon T. Freeman, CEO of Gems of Wisdom Consulting, author of 24 books, and global development expert

A dead body and a miscarriage of justice? What is a West Texas boy to do? Well, Covey Jencks, an Odessa native who knows some secrets, spurns his job with a Washington, DC law firm, and heads back to his hometown to solve the crime. ~Prudence Mackintosh, Contributing Editor, Texas Monthly, author of Thundering Sneakers and more

"I have unfinished business in Odessa, by God, Texas." And with that, we are off on a wild ride with Covey Jencks as he tries to find out who killed Freddie Mae Johnson, a black prostitute, when Covey was a junior in high school. If you like your detectives to be misfits who chafe at the social rules, idealists who try to find the order behind apparent chaos, attractors of a cast of characters as contradictory as the detective is, you will grab hold of Covey and hang on until the end of the ride. When you get there, you'll know for sure that you've been somewhere. ~Carol Daeley, Professor Emerita of English, Austin College

Shelton L. Williams (Shelly) is founder and president of the Osgood Center for International Studies in Washington, DC. He holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and he taught for nearly 40 years at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. He has served in the US Government on 4 occasions and he has written books and articles on nuclear proliferation. In 2004 he began a new career of writing books on crime and society. Those books are Washed in the Blood, Summer of 66, and now Covey Jencks. All firmly prove that he is still a Texan at heart.
Connect with Shelly: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

10-Apr	Character Interview	Hall Ways Blog
11-Apr	Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
12-Apr	Excerpt	Texas Book Lover
13-Apr	Review	The Clueless Gent
14-Apr	Author Interview	The Librarian Talks
15-Apr	Top 11 List	StoreyBook Reviews
16-Apr	Review	Reading by Moonlight
17-Apr	Scrapbook Page	Missus Gonzo
18-Apr	Notable Quotable	Forgotten Winds
19-Apr	Review	A Page Before Bedtime (You are here)

Read More

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Length: 337 pages
Published: June 2017

I consider myself a bookish person, so somewhere at some point of time between June 2017 and April 2018 I read good things about Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan. As a result, I put a hold on the ebook at my local library. (Support your local libraries, people. Please!) By the time it became available, I honestly had forgotten what I heard or even what the story was about. I had some time to spare, and I just jumped in and started reading. And once I started, I could. not. stop. I finished this book in three week days, which is a record for me! 

I would consider this work of adult fiction a fast-paced thriller that begins with the suicide of a young man, Joey, in a bookstore. In death, he leaves his meager belongs to the main character, Lydia, as well as cryptic clues about his life in the books he'd purchased from the bookstore at which she worked. From there Lydia's past meets Joey's death, and we're taken on a wild ride to solve the mystery with her.  

I found this book to be entertaining, moving, and suspenseful. I enjoy a good mystery, and it was really fun that this one had a bookstore as its central setting. I was not able to figure it out till nearly the end, which always makes this mystery genre enjoyable to me. 

Recommendation: This was a great, quick read to supplement my April reading choices. I'm glad I put the book on hold and very glad that it became available at a time in which I was able to thoroughly enjoy it! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Read More

The Downfall of Galveston's May Walker Burleson by T. Felder Dorn

The Downfall of Galveston's May Walker Burleson: Texas Society Marriage Carolina Murder Scandal

Genre: True Crime

Publisher: Arcadia Publishing / The History Press
on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Date of Publication: April 2, 2018

Pages: 192 with black & white images

Synopsis | My Review | Buy Now | About the Author | More Blogs

Jennie May Walker Burleson was envied for having everything a woman of her time could want—the privileged upbringing, the dazzling good looks, the dashing war hero husband. She was admired for demonstrating that a woman could want more, from the front of the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession to the bottom of a Mesoamerican archaeological dig. But as she stood over the body of her husband’s second wife, gun in hand, society’s envy and admiration quickly hardened into pity and scorn. T. Felder Dorn examines the complicated trajectory of her life as socialite, suffragist and shooter.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars 

The Downfall of Galveston's May Walker Burleson: Texas Society Marriage Carolina Murder Scandal is the re-telling of the very tragic life of May Walker Burleson including her high profile marriage to U.S. Army Colonel Richard Burleson, their resulting divorce, and her murder of the Colonel's second wife, Isabel Knowlton Burleson. 

In the opening of the book we learn about May, who is quite an intriguing woman. Considering she lived during a time when women did not have careers or equal rights to men, she was very active in politics. She also traveled quite a bit including participating in archaeological digs in Mexico. May advocated for women's rights, even participating in a march for women's suffrage in 1913. Her life began with such promise, but as the title of the book indicates, quickly dissipated.   

Any reader can easily discern that the author, T. Felder Dorn, put quite a bit of research in the compilation of this book. It is written academically with many citations expressing the veracity of the accounts that are shared in chronological order. The book is in the 200-page range, but can be a little slow at times, especially the scenes that describe the Burleson's divorce proceedings as they included much legalese. However, I do find this to be an asset and testament to the work that Dorn put into the research and writing of this book. The result is, essentially, a very detailed biography of May Walker Burleson. It also includes several photos that enhance the story. All of the images are black and white, although, that's all the reader can expect from this time period. Even so, they are engaging thus illustrating May's very colorful life story. 

My only (and very minor) complaint about this thoroughly-researched book is that it took a little more than half the book to get to the actual murder. I think this is probably because Dorn was trying to paint a clear picture of how May got to the point of murder as well as put the reader in her mindset. Dorn takes us through the murder, trial, and what May's life was like post-trial. The next bit may include what some would deem a spoiler, so I've hidden it here. 

Recommendation: While the events of May's life happened many decades ago, I think many women can relate to her, even today. These events could quite easily occur today. Readers of this book will also learn about the divorce process and how it was conducted in the early 1900s compared to today. I would definitely recommend this book for history and drama buffs. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Arcadia Publishing / The History Press
| Also available locally wherever books are sold |
Add to Goodreads Shelf

T. Felder Dorn graduated from Duke University in 1954 with a BS in chemistry and was awarded a PhD in that discipline in 1958 by the University of Washington. He was a member of the chemistry faculty at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, in 1958–69 and then served four years on the program staff of the College Board in New York. From 1973 to 1991, he held administrative positions at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, serving as associate dean, dean and vice-president for academic affairs. His last ten years at Kean were spent as professor of chemistry. He retired in 2001. Felder Dorn and his wife, Sara Ruth, have resided in Millburn, New Jersey, since 1973. They have three children and three grandchildren. Dorn has previously published four books: Challenges on the Emmaus Road: Episcopal Bishops Confront Slavery, Civil War, and Emancipation (University of South Carolina Press, 2013); Death of a Policeman, Birth of a Baby: A Crime and Its Aftermath (Xlibris, 2012); The Guns of Meeting Street: A Southern Tragedy (University of South Carolina Press, 2001); and The Tompkins School, 1925–1953: A Community Institution (Attic Press, 1994).

02-Apr	Promo	Missus Gonzo
02-Apr	Bonus Post	Hall Ways Blog
03-Apr	Promo	The Love of a Bibliophile
04-Apr	Review	Dressed to Read
05-Apr	Excerpt	StoreyBook Reviews
06-Apr	Review	Forgotten Winds
07-Apr	Promo	The Clueless Gent
08-Apr	Author Interview	Syd Savvy
09-Apr	Review	A Page Before Bedtime (You are here)
10-Apr	Promo	The Page Unbound
11-Apr	Review	Reading by Moonlight

Read More