Book Review #73: "Shadow Man"

Hey Everyone,

     I am going to review the book "Shadow Man: A Novel," by Alan Drew. This book is hot off the press as it was published on May 23, 2017 by Random House Publishing Group. For those of you who would like to purchase a copy of this book CLICK HERE. This is Alan Drew's second book, his debut novel was "Gardens of Water." This book is about a police detective investigating a serial killer. During his investigation the death of a 17 year old boy brings his past back to life. This is about how he copes with his past and his failing marriage while capturing the serial killer.

     Overall I rated this book four stars out of five. This book caught me off guard, in that I was surprised in how much I liked it. Reading the back cover of  this book was not a typical book I would have picked out to read. But boy I am glad I did. The character development was extremely enriching. This book captured my attention from the very beginning all the way to the end. The only thing I would eliminate would be the pages written from the serial killer's point of view as I thought it took away from the book instead of adding to it. I enjoyed the mystery as well as the personal growth of the characters. I would highly recommend reading this book.

     I would like to thank Netgalley, Alan Drew, and Random House Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Until the next page,

Jill 

Book Review #29: "He Wanted the Moon"

Hey Everyone,

     I am going to review the book "He Wanted the Moon: The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird, and his Daughter's Quest to Know Him," by Mimi Baird with Eve Claxton. This book was published on February 17, 2015. A heads up: Now is a great time to read this book as Brad Pitt is optioned this book for the big screen coming soon. To read more about it CLICK HERE. So I am hoping that this upcoming movie will be as good as the book is, and I have high hopes since the one and only Brad Pitt will be producing it. To get a head start to read this book, you can purchase this book by CLICKING HERE. This book is the true story of Dr. Perry Baird. It is about his daughter trying to know her father through his manuscripts, letters, and his medical records. Her father was one of the most successful doctors of his time. He was a brilliant man, an outstanding member of his community. He was able to succeed for most of the time despite fighting a mental illness of Manic Depression. Little did anyone know that he himself attempted to research and find a cure to his own illness, but sadly the depth of his illness stopped him. It is about Dr. Perry Baird's barbaric experience in numerous institutions for the insane. He suffered during a point in history of where no one knew what to do or how to handle people with mental disorders. It was a time of where all this was swept under the rug, and is why one day in Mimi Baird's life her father seemed to disappear for no known reason. It is about her search to know the father she never got to know. 

     Overall I rated this book four stars out of five. This was a well told, heartbreaking but inspiring story to read. I was amazed at Dr. Baird's own insight he had throughout his life. Especially the insight he had on his own illness that many others in Dr. Baird's life failed to have. It was as if Mimi Baird allowed the reader to view her father's life through a telescope. This story was raw, transparent, real, and genuine. It brought all the hidden stuff we have swept under the rug, it brought it all to life.

This book was a very intimate glimpse into the life of a man battling his inner demons that have haunted him his entire life. This book is one for all to read, and we all need to take the chance and grab it now before the movie comes out.

     I would like to thank Blogging For Books, Mimi Baird, and Penguin Random House for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Until the next page,

Jill