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...
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Book Review: Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave (Finlay Donovan, #5) by Elle Cosimano

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NetGalley ARC Book Review of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave (Finlay Donovan, #5) by Elle Cosimano
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave (Finlay Donovan, #5) by Elle Cosimano opens where the last installment ended. Mrs. Haggerty has been arrested after the body of a man was found buried in her back yard but is cleared by the police. Finlay is roped into letting Mrs. Haggerty stay at her house until the utilities are turned back on at Mrs. Haggerty's house. Finlay and Vero are on their best behavior and in no hurry to be involved in another murder but ends up helping to solve who buried the man in Mrs. Haggerty's yard so she can be rid of the old woman.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for approving my request to read Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave (Finlay Donovan, #5) by Elle Cosimano. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) for free in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved the fifth installment in this series. The thing I enjoyed the character development of Mrs. Haggerty along with some of her backstory. It gave me a new found respect for this character, and I found myself actually liking her. Yes, I am baffled by this too after disliking the character for so long. Additionally, the relationship between Nick and Finlay is finally growing, and I enjoyed this development. I also enjoyed the fact that Finlay and Steven are getting to a better place in their co-parenting relationship. Delia and Zach are more present in this edition, and some of their hijinks are funny.

The mystery portion is a bit subdued this time around, which is actually nice for a change of pace. The motive behind it was a bit far fetched though. And, yet again, we are left with a bit of a cliffhanger.

All in all, this was a fun read that let me escape from reality for a few hours. I gave Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave (Finlay Donovan, #5) by Elle Cosimano five out of five stars.

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