Hoo-doggy! This one is a page-turner. True, captivating, and chilling.

Educational? Check. Historical? Check. Tragic? Timely? Cautionary? Check, check and check. Enjoyable? Not so much. Somehow, although The Shipping News had kind of a grey overtone, it managed to sidestep the depression that pervaded this story. Boy, can Annie write, but it was a long haul to get to a disappointing destination. Tons of sad history. Unfortunately, probably accurate. If you want to feel justification for being overwhelmingly discouraged, here's your vehicle.

Pure, Prohibition-era Chicago in all its glory is celebrated here, presided over by Al Capone and courtesy of the U.S. government. As we all know now, the ban on alcohol only made opportunists rich, and the booze never stopped flowing. Lots of period photos spice up the narrative. Like People magazine, it wouldn't impress your snobby in-laws, but it's a fun and easy romp through decadent times.

You'll whiz right through this easy-to-read but kinda predictable book, not liking the characters much, and when it's over you'll forget it was ever there.

Lots of history drily delivered; I ended up not really caring what either of these women did. There is some titillating speculation about Dorothy and her famous brother.

Two suspenseful stories meld smoothly. Chilling and eerie.

Makes me hum the tune in my head. This is right up there with the other elevating classroom stories that bureaucracy has made sure can never happen again.

What a character (aka sociopath). Becky came to mind while watching "The Favourite". Glad to have read it, but also glad there was an abridged version.

I think Henry is amazing for taking on dance (and I don't mean flailing around the house while cleaning, we're talking serious Dance, here) so passionately at his age. That being said, this book would probably be enjoyed more thoroughly by someone living in the dance world. It goes a tad smug.

Sarah Waters is a talented writer, no doubt. If it was writing alone I was rating, I'd give 3 hos. However, there's the plot. Or the lack thereof. 1 ho for that. So I guess that's an average of 2. Or maybe 1 1/2 since I'm bad at math. I wouldn't bother.

I was in my Mitford phase, and this book seemed destined to be. Alas. It was written like a gossip at the kitchen table. All over the place and one wondered how credible anything was. If you can't say anything nice . . . at least be organized. Or something like that.

Okay, first of all, Neil gets lots of points for being a rose-colored glasses, Pollyanna, glass half-full sort. Kudos to you, Neil! Now on to the actual book. This would have been an easy book to write. Shame on the rest of us for not figuring that out. I have to say I got really tired of the "AWESOME!" at the end of each entry. Some things are just pleasant. Or relaxing. Or refreshing. Or middling. And that's okay. Not everything that's remotely likable is awesome. Reminds me of the overuse of the word "amazing". Hmmm . . . maybe it's time to write a book . . .