Welcome to some bookish fun today as we share Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader; and as we showcase The Friday 56 with Freda’s Voice.
To join in, just grab a book and share the opening lines…along with any thoughts you wish to give us; then turn to page 56 and excerpt anything on the page.
Then give us the title of the book, so others can add it to their lists!
If you have been wanting to participate, but haven’t yet tried, now is the time!
What better way to spend a Friday?
Fridays are our time to reflect on what’s ahead, like books we’ll be reading soon.
I’ve already planned out next week’s reads, and the book I’ve chosen is from that pile.
So I’m sharing from a book on my stacks called There Was an Old Woman, by Hallie Ephron (an ARC).
Beginning: Mina Yetner sat in her living room, inspecting the death notices in the Daily News. She got through two full columns before she found someone older than herself. Mina blew on her tea, took a sip, and settled into her comfortable wing chair.
Wow! I love it….and I see my future in just a few years (lol).
***
56: Boxes were clustered near some old car batteries on the floor by the car door. One box contained cigarette cartons. Another was nearly full of liquor bottles.
***
Amazon Description: There Was An Old Woman by Hallie Ephron is a compelling novel of psychological suspense in which a young woman becomes entangled in a terrifying web of deception and madness involving an elderly neighbor.
When Evie Ferrante learns that her mother has been hospitalized, she finds her mother’s house in chaos. Sorting through her mother’s belongings, Evie discovers objects that don’t quite belong there, and begins to raise questions.
Evie renews a friendship with Mina, an elderly neighbor who might know more about her mother’s recent activities, but Mina is having her own set of problems: Her nephew Brian is trying to persuade her to move to a senior care community. As Evie investigates her mother’s actions, a darker story of deception and madness involving Mina emerges.
In There Was an Old Woman, award-winning mystery author Hallie Ephron delivers another work of domestic noir with truly unforgettable characters that will keep you riveted.
***
Now I’m off to see what the rest of you are sharing!
POTPOURRI 
That one does sound fascinating. I’m at an age where I have started to glance at the obituaries to see if I know anyone. Happy reading!
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Me, too, although I must admit that my habit of checking obits started when I was young, because my clients were elderly people. Old habits die hard….
Thanks for visiting, Kathy, and enjoy your books!
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That beginning is slightly morbid…I like it.
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I am now at an age where it doesn’t seem that morbid…lol. Thanks for visiting, Amber.
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First thing that comes to my mind when I read the book title, is the Bonnie Raitt song. Having gone through my mom’s things, I am now at a stage in my life where I’m going through my mother-in-laws hand written letters that she gave me. This sounds like an interesting read. Wishing you JOY, this new year!
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Yes, I’ve been there. It makes me consider the state of my closets and drawers, imagining others going through them! lol
Thanks for visiting, Lady D.
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You in a few years? That’s funny! My book started out with finding hands but no bodies attached to them…yikes!
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Thanks, I think, Patty…lol. Oh, your book sounds creepy, but one you can’t put down, I’ll bet.
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I always found scanning the obits to be rather macabre. Even when I worked on the copy desk of our local paper, I hated going through the obits. That being said, it is an interesting beginning. Thanks for sharing!
Here’s my book beginning:
http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2013/01/book-beginnings.html
sinn @ sinnful books
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Yes, it’s much better now, since I no longer take the newspaper! But I used to scan the obits because of clients…and lately because I would occasionally see a name I recognized.
Thanks for visiting, Sinn.
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Sounds like a very interesting story. Thanks for sharing the beginning on BBOF!
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Glad you could stop by, Gilion…I can’t wait to read this book!
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Sounds like a really good time, or really bad time is about to happen.
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Yes, and I can’t wait to find out which one….thanks for visiting, Freda.
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I like it! i like to title too! Not sure if I should tho….since I am getting older.
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I think it’s going to be a fascinating story, and not just for us “oldies,” lol.
Thanks for stopping by, Linda, and enjoy your reading.
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This sounds really intriguing.
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I think so, too, Yvonne…can’t wait to dive in!
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I don’t remember seeing this book before, but because of your beginning and 56, I’m adding it to my list.
Here’s My 56
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When I saw it in the Amazon Vine newsletter, I hadn’t heard of it either, but the blurb and the author’s name did it for me. Thanks for stopping by, Vicki.
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This one had me at the cover and the title! The beginning was an eye opener for me though- what an awful feeling to be checking that there are at least some people still older than yourself who have passed on that week! That is really sad 😦
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Yes, that would be sad….and I know that, at some point, older people feel all alone because many of their friends have passed on.
But I also think the story will be full of intrigue and excitement, as a mystery lies ahead. Thanks for visiting, Pamela.
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the reality of death becomes more real to me as the years pass by. it’s inevitable for all of us…
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Definitely….sometimes we don’t even realize it until the time is upon us. Thanks for visiting, AO Biblophile….
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