FLIGHT OF FICTION:EARHART'S SECRET DIARY REVEALED
BOOK REVIEW | MAY l 2025
AMELIA AND HOWARD: SECRETS OF THE DIARY
Philip Dossick | Hardcover, 206 pages | St. George Press | $65.00
In the crowded landscape of historical speculation, Philip Dossick's newly published novel "Amelia and Howard: Secrets of the Diary" emerges as a captivating addition to the enduring mystery surrounding Amelia Earhart's disappearance. Dossick's narrative ventures into provocative territory by reimagining Earhart's fate through the lens of a previously unexplored connection: her alleged relationship with the enigmatic Howard Hughes.
The premise alone distinguishes this work from countless other Earhart theories. Rather than rehashing the well-worn crash scenarios or Japanese capture hypotheses that have dominated discourse for decades, Dossick boldly suggests that Earhart's vanishing was not a tragedy but a "carefully orchestrated illusion" linked to her complicated entanglement with Hughes. This fresh angle provides the foundation for the most intriguing take yet on one of aviation's most persistent mysteries.
Where traditional Earhart theories focus primarily on the technical aspects of her final flight—fuel calculations, radio communications, navigational errors—Dossick's novel redirects our attention to the human dimension of her story. The result feels both fresh and emotionally resonant, even as it departs significantly from established historical accounts.
It bears emphasizing that "Amelia and Howard" is unabashedly fiction. Yet there's something undeniably compelling about Dossick's imaginative reconstruction—perhaps because it addresses not just how Earhart might have disappeared, but why a woman of her stature might have considered orchestrating such a dramatic exit from public life: an unexpected pregnancy with Howard Hughes while still married to George Putnam.
Set against the glittering backdrop of 1930s America, the novel explores Earhart's private journals to reveal a woman at war with herself: struggling with a failing marriage, battling alcoholism, and harboring profound doubts about her celebrated flying abilities. In Dossick's telling, these personal demons ultimately drive her into the arms of Howard Hughes, the brilliant aviation tycoon whose own passion for flight mirrors her own.
Their clandestine affair forms the emotional cornerstone of the novel. Dossick depicts their relationship as an island of authenticity in Earhart's increasingly performative public life—until an unexpected pregnancy forces a devastating choice in an era unforgiving of women who strayed from narrow social conventions.
The novel's greatest strength lies in its imaginative reconstruction of Earhart's inner life. Through journal entries, readers encounter luminaries including Charles Lindbergh, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Hollywood star Jean Harlow. These interactions add texture while highlighting the contrast between Earhart's carefully cultivated public image and her private turmoil.
The most controversial aspect of Dossick's narrative—and what ultimately distinguishes it from countless other Earhart fictions—is its reimagining of her famous disappearance. Here, the author transforms history's greatest aviation mystery into an elaborate escape plot, suggesting that Earhart and Hughes orchestrated her vanishing to flee the suffocating pressures of celebrity and build a life and family far from fame’s prying eyes.
While purists will doubtless bristle at such flagrant historical revisionism, readers seeking an engaging blend of fact and fiction will find themselves swept along by Dossick's narrative. The novel succeeds not as historical truth but as an exploration of the burdens of fame and the lengths to which extraordinary individuals might go to reclaim autonomy over their own lives.
Amelia and Howard ultimately reminds us that history's most enduring mysteries persist precisely because they leave room for imagination to fill the void. In this speculative space between documented fact and narrative possibility, Dossick has crafted an entertaining, if historically dubious, tale of reinvention that keeps readers engaged from takeoff to landing.
RATING: A captivating flight of fancy that sacrifices historical accuracy for narrative intrigue
BookBeast is a literary critic specializing in historical fiction and biographical novels. Their reviews appear monthly in leading literary publications and online platforms.
"SHAMED BE THE WOMAN WHO ALLOWETH SUCH A SIN!"
BOOK REVIEW | APRIL l 2025
THE CONSEQUENCE OF ANNA
Kate Birkin and Mark Bornz | Paperback | 568 pages | $16.25
A sweeping historical drama set in 1930s Australia, The Consequence of Anna by Kate Birkin and Mark Bornz is a richly layered tale of love, loyalty, and the devastating price of good intentions. Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and already a #1 bestseller, this novel is as emotionally gripping as it is haunting.
At its heart is Anna May Shahan—a barefoot, free-spirited farm girl raised by the sea and deeply connected to both the land and her Aboriginal nanny’s wisdom. As Anna matures into womanhood, she carries a unique blend of sweetness, eccentricity, and a troubling inner darkness. After inheriting her family’s sheep station, she and her Irish husband, James, begin a peaceful life—until the return of Anna’s glamorous cousin, Lottie, upends everything.
Lottie’s longing for a child and Anna’s fear of losing her again set in motion a decision that spirals into tragedy. What unfolds is a heartbreaking exploration of mental illness, sacrifice, forbidden love, and the fine line between selflessness and self-destruction.
The writing is evocative and lush, reminiscent of novels like The Thorn Birds and The Light Between Oceans. Readers who enjoy emotionally charged, character-driven sagas with moral complexity will find much to admire here. Anna's descent, Lottie’s longing, and James’ entanglement are handled with poetic sensitivity, making this not just a family saga, but a psychological portrait and a cultural snapshot of a time and place rarely explored.
With over 12,000 Amazon reviews and a strong 4.1 rating on Goodreads, it’s clear that The Consequence of Anna has touched many readers. As one reviewer puts it, “I had to stop reading and let myself have a good cry more times than I care to admit.”
It’s no surprise that this powerful, provocative story is being adapted into a major motion picture. For fans of Kristin Hannah, Kate Morton, and Ellen Marie Wiseman, this is an unforgettable tearjerker that lingers long after the final page.
BookBeast Verdict:
A bold and unforgettable novel that blurs the lines between love and madness, altruism and tragedy. Poignant, immersive, and emotionally devastating.
AS I SIT HERE WITH ONE FOOT ON EITHER SIDE OF THE LEDGE…I CAN’T HELP BUT THINK ABOUT SUICIDE…
BOOK REVIEW | MARCH l 2025
IT ENDS WITH US
COLLEEN HOOVER | HARDCOVER, 400 pages | ATRIA BOOKS | $15.00
It Ends with Us is a contemporary novel that explores the complexities of romantic relationships and the lasting impact of personal history. The story follows Lily Bloom, a young entrepreneur who begins a relationship with Ryle Kincaid, a confident and successful neurosurgeon. As their relationship develops, Lily is forced to confront Ryle’s unpredictable behavior and her own unresolved feelings for Atlas Corrigan, a figure from her past.
The novel is structured around Lily’s emotional journey, alternating between her present-day relationship and diary entries from her teenage years. These flashbacks provide context for her connection to Atlas and frame the decisions she faces in the present.
Hoover uses the romance genre to address heavier themes, particularly domestic abuse. The narrative does not romanticize unhealthy behavior, and the author’s personal note at the end provides context for the book’s inspiration. This approach lends the novel a degree of realism that distinguishes it from more conventional love stories.
The writing is straightforward and accessible, and the pacing keeps the plot moving steadily. Some character development, particularly for supporting roles, remains surface-level, and the resolution may feel overly tidy given the weight of the subject matter. However, the central conflict is handled with care, and Lily’s choices are grounded in personal growth rather than romantic idealism.
Rating: It Ends with Us offers a serious look at how love, memory, and trauma intersect, packaged in a commercially appealing format. It is likely to resonate with readers looking for more substance in contemporary romance fiction.
--Maureen Stover
CHARLIE MATTERS CLAMBERED OVER THE PILED-UP DEBRIS THAT LITTERED MUCH OF LONDON…
BOOK REVIEW | MARCH l 2025
STRANGERS IN TIME: A WORLD WAR II NOVEL BY DAVID BALDACCI | HARDCOVER 448 PAGES GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING
David Baldacci's Strangers in Time is a moving and poignant World War II novel that weaves together loss, resilience, and the healing power of unexpected relationships. Set in London during 1944, the story explores the lives of three unlikely companions—two teenagers, Charlie and Molly, and an elderly bookshop owner, Ignatius—whose shared pain from the ravages of war leads them to find solace in one another.
At the heart of the narrative is Charlie Matters, a fourteen-year-old orphan who has been shaped by the harsh realities of wartime London. Having lost both his parents and faced the brutality of the Blitz, Charlie is toughened by his need to survive and, as he eagerly awaits his chance to enlist, he survives by any means necessary, even through petty theft. His day-to-day existence is dictated by the looming threat of death, a constant reminder that life could be cut short at any moment.
Molly Wakefield, a fifteen-year-old girl, returns to London after being evacuated for five years. Her homecoming, however, is far from what she anticipated. The city she once knew has been changed irreparably by the war, and the most heartbreaking discovery is the loss of her parents. With no family to return to, Molly is left to face the chaos of post-war London on her own.
It is at this dark crossroads that the two teens meet Ignatius Oliver, a kind but grieving bookshop owner. Ignatius, who is mourning the death of his wife, finds in Charlie and Molly a connection that fills the emptiness of his own heart. Together, they form an unlikely family, bound not by blood, but by shared grief and the common hope of finding peace amid the war's destruction.
Baldacci expertly captures the emotional depth of the characters' struggles. He paints a vivid picture of London during the war, where every moment could be their last, yet the human desire for connection persists. Through Charlie’s and Molly’s eyes, readers experience the overwhelming loss of war, but also the possibility of finding light in the darkest of times.
One of the novel’s strengths is its ability to balance the personal with the historical. While the characters are fictional, their experiences are grounded in the reality of wartime London. The narrative offers a rich portrayal of the human cost of war, not just in terms of lives lost, but in the psychological toll on those left behind.
As the plot unfolds, the story takes an even darker turn when the characters are confronted with new dangers. Charlie’s thefts do not go unnoticed, and Molly finds herself under suspicion by shadowy forces. Meanwhile, Ignatius’s own secrets come to the surface, threatening the fragile peace they’ve managed to build. The tension escalates as the threat of betrayal and the ongoing violence of the war close in on them, but Baldacci never lets the novel descend into despair. Instead, it becomes a story of survival—of the strength found in unlikely alliances, and the courage to trust and love again, even in the face of overwhelming tragedy.
In conclusion, Strangers in Time is a heart-wrenching yet hopeful tale of survival, family, and redemption during one of history's darkest periods. Baldacci's skilled storytelling and rich character development make this a compelling read for those who enjoy historical fiction with emotional depth. The novel not only brings the past alive but reminds us that, even in the most perilous of times, the human spirit can endure.
RATING: Fans of historical fiction, especially those with an interest in World War II, will find Strangers in Time to be a deeply satisfying and thought-provoking read.
FIRST, I GOT MYSELF BORN…
BOOK REVIEW | FEBRUARY l 2025
DEMON COPPERHEAD
Barbara Kinsolver| Hardcover, 560 pages | Harper | $16.00
Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead is an ambitious novel that seeks to reframe Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield within the modern American South. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the book has been widely celebrated for its powerful themes and vivid setting—but it is not without its shortcomings.
Told through the voice of Damon Fields—nicknamed Demon—the novel traces his troubled upbringing in rural Appalachia. Born to a struggling teenage mother and quickly swept into the foster care system, Demon’s life is shaped by hardship: poverty, addiction, neglect, and institutional failure. Kingsolver writes with compassion and conviction, and Demon’s narrative voice—sharp, self-aware, often darkly funny—carries much of the emotional weight.
The novel’s strengths lie in its social critique and setting. Kingsolver paints a detailed picture of southern Appalachia, capturing both its cultural richness and systemic neglect. Her commitment to representing the region authentically is clear, and the parallels she draws between Victorian-era Britain and modern rural America are both timely and thought-provoking.
However, Demon Copperhead occasionally struggles under the weight of its own ambition. At times, the novel’s effort to echo Dickens feels more like imitation than inspiration. The structural parallels can feel overly deliberate, and certain plot developments—particularly those tied closely to David Copperfield—can come across as forced or predictable. There are moments when the story seems more driven by its literary framework than by the organic growth of its characters.
Additionally, while Demon’s voice is distinctive, it can sometimes veer toward overexposition. Kingsolver’s prose, though often lyrical, occasionally leans into commentary that tells more than it shows, sacrificing subtlety for emphasis. The result is a novel that, while emotionally resonant, can sometimes feel didactic.
With that said, there’s no denying Demon Copperhead’s impact. It has garnered an overwhelmingly positive response from readers—averaging 4.6 stars on Amazon with over 130,000 ratings, and similarly high praise on Goodreads. It’s been named among the best books of the year by multiple outlets and selected for Oprah’s Book Club.
RATING: Demon Copperhead is a novel of significance—intelligently written, socially conscious, and emotionally moving. While it may occasionally falter under the pressure of its own literary aspirations, it succeeds more often than not. Readers willing to accept its unevenness will find much to admire in Kingsolver’s modern epic.
BookBeast is a literary critic specializing in historical fiction and biographical novels. Their reviews appear monthly in leading literary publications and online platforms.
IN LOVE WE FIND OUT WHO WE WANT TO BE, IN WAR WE FIND OUT WHO WE ARE…
BOOK REVIEW | JANUARY l 2025
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah | Hardcover, 448 pages | St. Martin’s Press | $21.00
Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale ambitiously tackles the largely untold story of women’s roles in World War II, offering a gripping, emotional portrayal of two sisters whose lives diverge dramatically under the pressure of German occupation in France. With sweeping prose and a clear passion for historical detail, Hannah brings to life a world marked by danger, loss, and resilience.
At the heart of the novel are Vianne and Isabelle, sisters divided by age, temperament, and worldview. Vianne, the elder, is cautious and pragmatic, trying to protect her family and home by keeping her head down. Isabelle, fiery and idealistic, joins the Resistance and throws herself into the fight. Their individual journeys showcase the different ways women resisted oppression—not just through overt defiance, but also through endurance, moral choices, and quiet rebellion.
Hannah excels in creating emotionally resonant moments, particularly in her depictions of sacrifice and the toll war takes on families. Her portrayal of the female experience during wartime is both heartfelt and timely, and she deserves credit for highlighting perspectives often marginalized in historical fiction.
However, the novel is not without flaws. At times, the emotional intensity can feel overly orchestrated, with scenes that seem designed more to provoke tears than to explore deeper psychological complexity. While the prose is fluid and accessible, it occasionally veers into melodrama, and some plot developments rely on coincidence or lack nuance. Readers looking for a gritty, historically rigorous account may find certain aspects overly romanticized or simplified for dramatic effect.
RATING: The Nightingale remains a compelling and readable narrative, one that powerfully affirms the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of women in extraordinary circumstances. It may not break new literary ground, but it succeeds as an affecting, character-driven story that brings a fresh perspective to a well-trodden era. This is a novel that will stay with many readers long after the final page—if not for its prose, then certainly for its heart.
BookBeast is a literary critic specializing in historical fiction and biographical novels. Their reviews appear monthly in leading literary publications and online platforms.
