The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon

I own the first seven books of the Outlander series, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. This was actually the first book I have read by Diana Gabaldon. It felt like I was jumping into the middle of a story - which, in essence, I was! This book involved both Lord John Gray and Jamie Fraser. Not knowing the characters, if was confusing to me at first. I had no idea who either character (named above) was - or why they found themselves in the predicament they were each in at the start of the book. Fortunately, the author does a nice job of explaining the past as the story moves forward.

I really liked both Lord John and Jamie. I still don't know the story of how little William (the imp!) came to be, but regardless, I love how attached Jamie is to him. Now that John is William's named guardian, I guess John & Jamie will always be attached too. I am glad that John figured out that is was William that Jamie wanted to see at Helwater, and not Betty! John & Jamie could easily be best friends, they get along so well together, but it is odd that John is in love with Jamie. Kind of puts some awkwardness into their time together. ;) I am glad they worked through it.

You would think that I would know more about the Jacobites by this point in my life, especially since Susanna Kearsley writes about them often and I have read a lot of her books, but I still don't know that much. Or maybe I just don't care enough to know more! I gathered that Jamie was considered a traitor by the English, since he was part of the Irish uprising to put Charles Stuart on the throne rather than George II, (right?) But I really didn't get what the deal was about the Cupan Druid riogh. And I didn't understand the scene towards the end when Jamie is burying Quinn in the peat bog. I definitely didn't understand who Esus, Taranis and Teutates were - and what their significance was in relation to Quinn, the Cupan or the Irish! In the end I guess it doesn't matter. I followed the rest of the story, which I really liked.

It's odd that Jamie's wife, Claire, is living in a different time with their child. The last sentence of the book: "Then turned his check to her reaching hand and touched her through the veils of time." Not sure what to make of that either. Is he touching her figuratively? In his dream? What aren't they living together in the same time? I am sure some of the other books explains that fully! 

The other people in my book club, who have read the Outlander series, didn't care for this one. Since I really liked this book, I have a feeling I will love Outlander!

Wendy's Rating: ****

Missing Persons by Stephen White

This was my first novel by Stephen White. I love when lawyers, psychologists and other professionals write about their own fields because it brings more legitimacy to the story. Being a psychologist, Stephen White understand the constraints of patient confidentiality.

I think it was interesting that the death of Hannah Grant was not directly connected to the disappearance of Mallory. Hannah's death triggered the investigation of Mallory's disappearance, simply because Hannah had seen Mallory as a patient, but Hannah wasn't really connected to the events. This is an interesting twist, since the story begins with her mysterious death.

I couldn't believe that Mallory's dad, Bill, would be involved in anything illegal since he was such a compassionate man who was so committed to his mentally ill wife Rachel - a true "until death do us part" kind of husband. It goes to show you how things can go SO wrong after making one impulsive decision. 

I can say the same thing about Bob. Based on Alan's sessions with Bob, I couldn't believe that he would have harmed - or taken - a young girl out of her home to do her harm. It absolutely made sense that he would take her to save her. Mallory was so frightened about the same thing happening to her that happened to JonBenet Ramsey. I remember being frightened about a similar thing when I was young. A family who went to our church moved to a different state due to a job. Within the year, the wife had killed her two daughters and herself due to depression. My parents did not share this with me (to protect me), but a friend of mine did. I was so horrified that I spent years laying in bed wondering if my mother would ever do the same to my brother and I. Young impressionable minds should not be exposed to horrible things like that. Since JonBenet was Mallory's classmate and friend, I can so relate to this fear of hers.

I was definitely thrown off by Bill's neighbor. Digging the tunnel, discovering Bill's secret, stealing identities. Didn't see that coming!  His dead body found in a ditch - and then he is alive at Bill's house. That's called covering your tracks! Then there is Canada, who I couldn't decide if he was "good" or "bad". I guess a little bit of both - as many people are. I love that Canada protected Rachel - but it was a weird arrangement with Bill, for sure.

I love books with twists and turns, and this book certainly had them.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White

This is the Karen White that I know and love! I loved the characters, the mysterious histories of Merilee and Sugar, the connection between two women that suffered tremendous sadness in their lives. Sugar was the "grumpy old lady" that either people loved or hated. She had great instincts regarding people. Merilee would have been better served trusting Sugar's opinion of Heather, that's for sure!

There were a ton of clues that Heather was setting Merilee up - although I wasn't really sure what her exact plan was initially. Heather and Dan's phones were always mixed up, Heather borrowing Merilee's lipstick and not giving it back, Heather buying Merilee's dress, Heather finding Dan's wallet "accidentally" in her purse, her daughter getting "sick" and her bailing on Merilee at the last minute for the weekend at their house in Tybee. The clues go on and on - and Merilee was clueless! Part of the suspense was waiting for the moment that Merilee would finally realize that Heather was Daisy. That moment was a long time coming!

I like how Merilee's and Sugar's stories unfold a little at a time. They each had some incredibly tragic things happen to them. Both of them lost their siblings, their mothers (in different ways than death, but they were still losses), their husbands. Merilee being arrested for murder. Sugar being raped. Once they connected and shared their secrets, they both came to realize how strong they were. Rather than being defeated, they regained their sense of self.

It was incredibly sad that Dan was murdered. I really didn't want that to happen! I was also sad that Merilee's parents abandoned her, that Rufus died because of Curtis, Jimmy was paralyzed because of Curtis, the dog died, Sugar and her mother were raped, etc, etc. Honestly, Curtis was evil. Merilee's father should have protected his own and got rid of him early on. Not sure if he was that naive or what! I was surprised by who killed Curtis in the end. Oh, and I loved the friendship between Sugar and Willa Faye! Love this line, "...when I told her I needed help burying a body, the first thing she said was, "Let me go get my shovel."" That's what you call friendship!!

I don't remember Sugar explaining what happened to her daughter Mary, other than she died when she was one day old. Oh, and how wonderful was Tom, who wanted to raise Sugar's child as his own, even though the baby was a product of rape. Really sad that Tom died too. There was a lot of sadness in this book. :(

Despite that, I continue to be a huge fan of this author!

Wendy's Rating: ****