Book Review: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

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The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is a historical fiction novel that spans many years and tells of the friendship between former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. I don't know if I would have picked up this book if it hadn't been the August selection for one of the book clubs I belong to in my area because I don't read a lot of historical fiction. However, I am so glad that I read it and was able to learn many things I hadn't learned about in any of my history classes.  I don't recall learning anything about Mary McLeod Bethune, and she is an important part of American history. The things she helped spearhead to provide African American people equal rights is quite impressive. One of the things I was horrified to learn about is Franklin D. Roosevelt's resistance to stop lynchings because he was afraid of losing the Southern Democrats backing for his New Deal Bill. Another thing that I fo...

Book Review: Sentenced To Murder (The Bookstore Mystery, #5) by Sue Minix

Sentenced To Murder (The Bookstore Mystery,  #5) by Sue Minix opens with Jen trying to solve another mystery where a young man named Jaylon is in jail for murdering his brother Ewon, but the body has never been found. Additionally, Jaylon needs a kidney transplant, but he can't receive it while in jail. Can Jen find new evidence to exonerate Jaylon?

So far, I'd have to say that this installment is my absolute favorite in the series. There were lots of red herrings throughout the story. One of the people I suspected was Madame Crystal and thought she might be the biological mother of Ewon. Other people I suspected were Ewon's adoptive parents, Detective Conway, Penelope, and even possibly Ewon's third friend. At one point, I even wondered if Ewon was still alive. I finally narrowed it down to one of two people but wasn't sure who was the murderer. You'll have to read the book to find out if one of my suspicions was correct!

There was one scene in the book that had to do with cars and being followed, and it reminded me of a young adult book that I read called April Fools by Richie Tankersley Cusick. If you've read both then I think you'll see where I'm coming from.

In the two prior books, a body that was found in the underground tunnels was a part of the storyline. That storyline continued into this novel. I was super pleased that the identity of that person was finally revealed, and it isn't who you might think it is.

I just loved this particular installment and hope that this series has many more books. Five out of five stars is what I gave Sentenced To Murder (The Bookstore Mystery, #5) by Sue Minix.

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