Elkie Trojak
elkietrojak.bsky.social
Elkie Trojak
@elkietrojak.bsky.social
Voracious reader of fiction, because who wants to live in the real world... Casual knitter. Dabbles in visual arts, both hands-on tactile and computer generated AI.
This one is deeper and less gentle than it first appears. I loved the characters, particularly the grandmother and her granddaughter, who are the central figures. Through telling their stories, both women help each other heal from past injustices.
#booksky
#historicalfiction
#TheTurtleHouse
April 24, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Brain Damage just became one of my favorite McFadden books. This is my 8th book of hers, and I just loved it! It is more a meet-cute romance than a thriller, but it has some "who done it" moments. Perfect casual or beach read. 5 Stars from me.
#booksky
#BrainDamage
#romance
#thriller
#mystery
April 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Erudite speculative fiction that delves into unique models of time travel and parallel worlds, while also touching on the ethical power of the state to decide what is best for people. Startling and impactful, with a very satisfying ending.
#booksky
#theothervalley
#speculativefiction
April 22, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Unorthodox locked-room style mystery. Primarily plot-driven. I vacillated on whether I liked this book, as the writing style was rather eccentric. However, it all came clear once I listened to the author's afterward. Nice job, Boo Walker!
#booksky
#mystery
#thesecretsofgoodpeople
April 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
If you enjoy detailed forensics, convincing investigations, cold-case murders that suddenly turn very hot, plus realistic, sympathetic characters, this may be the book for you! I found the book riveting. 4.5 Stars
#booksky
#longtimegone
#mystery
#kindleunlimited
April 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
While there is some new material, a lot of the book just recaps information from previous novels. However, there is something to be said for getting cozy among familiar characters and surroundings, and lovely descriptions of quilts!

#TheWorldsFairQuilt
#ElmCreekQuilts
#series
#audio
#booksky
April 17, 2025 at 12:31 PM
#booksky
#TheGirlsOfGoodFortune
#NetGalley
Well-researched, atmospheric historical fiction inspired by little-known true events. A young woman fights for justice against discrimination after the murder of her Chinese father in Oregon in the late 1800s.

Thanks for the ARC Sourcebooks Landmark!
April 17, 2025 at 12:05 PM
#booksky, #eMortal

Hold on and enjoy the ride! Fast-moving, alternative reality speculative fiction that is as fun to read as it is thought-provoking. This is a real zippy page-turner. Loved it!
April 15, 2025 at 8:02 PM
#booksky, #wilddarkshore
This powerful novel is about isolation, tragedy, family, nature, and obsession. Above all, it is about love in its purest forms: compassion and selflessness. I found it moving and memorable. It will go on my list of top books for 2025.
April 15, 2025 at 7:53 PM
#booksky, #Rainwater
Usually the author's genre doesn't appeal to me, but this stood out because it was different. While it has some obligatory romance, it isn't central to the story, which is more about the lives of people struggling with the aftermath of The Depression in rural Texas. 4 stars
April 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
#booksky #tableforfive
Charming, uplifting character-driven novel. I honestly wasn't sure about this one in the beginning, but it blossomed as the author dug deeper into the characters. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a bit of happiness in their reading life.
April 11, 2025 at 12:31 PM
#booksky, #NetGalley, #deathontheisland
Atmospheric, deftly crafted, literate mystery novel. Locked room style mystery with some marvelous twists, one of which I definitely did not see coming. 4.5 stars

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read/review this ARC.
April 11, 2025 at 11:50 AM
#booksky, #KristenPainter, #EllisMcfadden, #scifi

Light romance, mystery, murder, rare jewels, and superstar galas in outer space. What's not to love? I am a huge fan of Kristen Painter's books and this one doesn't disappoint.
April 9, 2025 at 11:25 AM
#booksksy #Thesentence #Literaryfiction
Despite its various themes like crime, death, hauntings, child abuse, and COVID, ultimately, this is a fairly cheerful book with a positive outlook. Topics are handled intelligently and deftly, a sign of an author at the top of her craft.

4.5 Stars
April 9, 2025 at 11:15 AM
#booksky, #mystery, #ARC

This delightful mystery hit my humor “sweet spot”. Smart, witty dialogue and an assortment of intelligent quirky characters kept me turning pages. It was so entertaining, it made me want to grab the popcorn.

5 Shiny, Chuckling Stars
April 4, 2025 at 7:29 PM
#booksky, #ARC, #mystery

The Ghostwriter is a delightful “slow-burn page turner”. It is murder mystery, family drama and psychological suspense rolled into a very deftly wrapped package. I absolutely devoured this book.

5 STARS
April 2, 2025 at 12:57 PM
#booksky #deathoftheauthor #literarysciencefiction
Wow. Just wow. Literary Science Fiction! Well crafted, very well written. Exceedingly well drawn characters - both human and robot. Unique blend of culture, literature, science and imagination that explores the very essence of humanity.
March 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM
#booksky #mystery #series

I'm currently binging this series (Audio). Every book is different and highly detailed. It's definitely not cookie cutter!

I really liked this one because it provided a lot of insight into the background of the main character, DCI Craig Gillard.
February 28, 2025 at 6:18 PM
#booksky #historicalfiction #review
While, I didn't particularly care for the occasional shallowness of the main character and some of the more cartoonish supporting characters, I thought that the horrors of war and fanaticism came through loud and clear. I found the book engrossing and riveting.
February 20, 2025 at 2:49 PM
#booksky #paranormal #magic #SpellboundEverAfter
4.5 stars. It takes just the right amount of magic to create an absolutely charming paranormal series. Annabel Chase has found the right spells. Absolutely delightful.
February 17, 2025 at 12:45 PM
#booksky #historicalfiction #audio
Enthralling post civil war account of the effects of separation and slavery on a family and town in Louisiana. 4 solid stars.
February 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
#booksky #Native #fiction
Powerful.
Poetic.
Emotionally draining.
Truth.
February 15, 2025 at 12:32 PM
#booksky #series #mystery
Generally Love this series but thought this book was just okay. Disappointed.
February 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
#booksky #mystery #thriller #read #series
Creepy and fast paced page turner. 4 stars
February 14, 2025 at 1:21 PM
#booksky #LongIsland #bestseller #read #goodreads
4 stars While I didn't love this one, I do respect it for its craftsmanship. Compared with the brightness of Brooklyn, the book is dull, listless, but this reflects the lives of the characters 20 years beyond the brightness of Brooklyn.
February 11, 2025 at 1:16 PM