The Rabbit's Paw Book Reviews

This is an entertaining mystery set in Kaua’i, during the worst days of the pandemic, when small businesses and schools were all closed.  Viewing the pandemic’s effects on a vastly different place and culture than my own was the most intriguing aspect about this story. Actually, I feel that this novel is just as much drama as mystery. There are many characters involved, and their stories do not necessarily have much to do with the mystery, but do show the reader the everyday struggles of life on a remote island during an economic downturn.  All the background stories also highlight how important the main character, Leilani Santiago, is to so many p eople in her community. Naomi Hirahara has certainly invented a strong and likable female protagonist. I found this to be a light a nd enjoyable read.  Thank you to Turner Publishing Company and Edelweiss+ for this enjoyable experience.   Note: This is the first time I've participated over at Edelweiss+.

This fascinating thriller takes its name from a forest featured in Shakespeare’s play McBeth. Like that famous play, this novel is populated with flawed individuals whose ambitions prove hard to balance with their morals. Accidents, deceptions, and cross purposes make for a complex, exciting plot. In Eleanor Catton’s new novel, Birnam Wood is the name of a small nonprofit organization that seeks to plant crops in unused spaces, sometimes with permission, and sometimes not. There is certainly some lawlessness and trespassing going on, but the group’s members see it as a necessary evil in their mission to help those in need and to work for a more fair society. Before I read this, I was not aware of guerilla gardening. There are four main characters in this book, plus two important supporting roles. Mira and Shelley are prominent members of Birnam Wood, and their relationship is complicated. They’ve been close for a long time, but at this juncture, Shelley is beginning to feel that it’s t...