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cwinslett7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tygress's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for the early review ebook.
This is the first book by Beatriz Williams I have read, and it certainly will not be the last. This novel was inspired by Amelia Earhart and other early aviators who pushed the boundaries of what airflight was at the time.
Janey Everett is a photojournalist working on a biography of famed pilot Sam Mallory in 1947. She tracks down another pilot and close associate of Sam's, Irene Foster, who had disappeared in flight ten years earlier. Not only does Janey attempt to unravel Irene's secrets, but her own past is hurtling into the present.
I enjoy novels with back-and-forth timelines and those with a book-in-a-book, and this novel combined those in a way that kept me turning the pages. I will be recommending this to who enjoy twists and turns.
This is the first book by Beatriz Williams I have read, and it certainly will not be the last. This novel was inspired by Amelia Earhart and other early aviators who pushed the boundaries of what airflight was at the time.
Janey Everett is a photojournalist working on a biography of famed pilot Sam Mallory in 1947. She tracks down another pilot and close associate of Sam's, Irene Foster, who had disappeared in flight ten years earlier. Not only does Janey attempt to unravel Irene's secrets, but her own past is hurtling into the present.
I enjoy novels with back-and-forth timelines and those with a book-in-a-book, and this novel combined those in a way that kept me turning the pages. I will be recommending this to who enjoy twists and turns.
rainyrachel2024's review against another edition
5.0
Easily a 5 star book!! So so good. Always been a fan of aviation and woman pilots so a great read
cathy61r's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
memull17's review against another edition
4.25
Anyone else fascinated with Amelia Earhart and her disappearance? If so, then this book is for you! This isn’t a biography about her life but it is the creation of the author’s fascination with her and lead to this creation of an adventurous tale.
There are two female MCs in this book. The first is photojournalist Janey Everett on the quest to find answers about forgotten aviation pioneer Sam Mallory in hopes of writing a biography. The other is Irene Lindquist, the owner of a local island-hopping airline and hopeful missing piece to Janey’s quest for answers because she believes she is known other than Irene Foster the Aviatrix and Sam’s old flying partner. Told in dual timelines, a lot is revealed about both FMCs and what they had to endure in order to preserve and live the lives they had now.
There are two female MCs in this book. The first is photojournalist Janey Everett on the quest to find answers about forgotten aviation pioneer Sam Mallory in hopes of writing a biography. The other is Irene Lindquist, the owner of a local island-hopping airline and hopeful missing piece to Janey’s quest for answers because she believes she is known other than Irene Foster the Aviatrix and Sam’s old flying partner. Told in dual timelines, a lot is revealed about both FMCs and what they had to endure in order to preserve and live the lives they had now.
shelleydavis's review against another edition
5.0
I won this book as a publisher giveaway and was extremely ecstatic because I’m such a fan of Beatriz Williams. This book sucks you in from the beginning as you travel between the late 1920s- early 1930s to the late 1940s post WW II. I am typically not a fan of dual timelines but in this case it definitely works for the story line as we follow Janey’s story and Irene’s story. The author is very descriptive so it feels like you are right there on the beaches of Hawaii or the airfields of California - sometimes though it does get to be a little bit too much and you kind of want her to get to the point. The plot twists! I definitely was caught off guard and actually found my self gasp at the book
ablondebooknerd's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cindy_f's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this story of passionate love and the passion for flying. This historical fiction is told by Janey Everett, a war photojournalist who is obsessed with the mystery surrounding the life and death of Sam Mallory and the disappearance of his presumed lover Irene Foster, both legendary aviators. Janey finds Irene in Hanalei, HI with the intention of writing a Biography of Sam. The story takes us to past and present and many discoveries unfold during this working relationship between Janey and Irene. This story is about love, betrayal, loss, and told very well. This is only the second book by Beatriz Williams that I’ve read, but will surely seek out her other books.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD performed by Cassandra Campbell
3.5***
Adapted from the book jacket: In 1947, photojournalist Janey Everett arrives at a surfing village on Kauai, Hawaii to research a planned biography of aviation pioneer Sam Mallory, who never returned from the Spanish Civil War. Janey has tracked down Irene Lindquist, owner of a local island-hopping airline, whom she believes might actually be the legendary Irene Foster, Mallory’s onetime student and flying partner. Foster’s disappearance during a round-the-world flight in 1937 remains one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries.
My reactions:
For some reason I thought this book was going to actually be a fictionalized story of Amelia Earhart. (Obviously, I never read the book jacket or reviews before opening the book.) Well, it isn’t that, but Earhart’s own story (and disappearance) certainly influence this novel.
Once again, the author uses the now typical dual timeline for this work of historical fiction. Of course, both timelines are historical: 1947 and 1937. As Janey wiggles her way into Lindquist’s world and tries to earn her trust, Irene reflects on her own memories of meeting Sam Mallory, flying with him, and both their disappearances. As the stories unfold, the reader comes to learn more about both these women: their hopes, dreams, joys and sorrows.
There are more than a few surprises in store – for Janey, and for the reader.
Although I’ve come to dislike the dual timeline so popular in historical fiction, Williams handles it very well in this case. And it did serve to heighten interest and intrigue. I couldn’t help but try to fit the puzzle together, but I was as surprised as Janey to learn the full truth of the story.
Cassandra Campbell has become one of my favorite audiobook narrators. She does a stellar job of performing the audio version.
3.5***
Adapted from the book jacket: In 1947, photojournalist Janey Everett arrives at a surfing village on Kauai, Hawaii to research a planned biography of aviation pioneer Sam Mallory, who never returned from the Spanish Civil War. Janey has tracked down Irene Lindquist, owner of a local island-hopping airline, whom she believes might actually be the legendary Irene Foster, Mallory’s onetime student and flying partner. Foster’s disappearance during a round-the-world flight in 1937 remains one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries.
My reactions:
For some reason I thought this book was going to actually be a fictionalized story of Amelia Earhart. (Obviously, I never read the book jacket or reviews before opening the book.) Well, it isn’t that, but Earhart’s own story (and disappearance) certainly influence this novel.
Once again, the author uses the now typical dual timeline for this work of historical fiction. Of course, both timelines are historical: 1947 and 1937. As Janey wiggles her way into Lindquist’s world and tries to earn her trust, Irene reflects on her own memories of meeting Sam Mallory, flying with him, and both their disappearances. As the stories unfold, the reader comes to learn more about both these women: their hopes, dreams, joys and sorrows.
There are more than a few surprises in store – for Janey, and for the reader.
Although I’ve come to dislike the dual timeline so popular in historical fiction, Williams handles it very well in this case. And it did serve to heighten interest and intrigue. I couldn’t help but try to fit the puzzle together, but I was as surprised as Janey to learn the full truth of the story.
Cassandra Campbell has become one of my favorite audiobook narrators. She does a stellar job of performing the audio version.