I wasn't sure I was going to like this book when I started it but I ended up getting caught up in the narrative and finding it to be a quick read. There is a lot in play in this novel with the main character having flashbacks about growing up in the town she returns to after her mother's death. There are themes of abandonment, mental illness, alcoholism and relationship problems that make the book a little overwhelming at times and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat at other times. Worth the read...

It was hard to put down. I’m really enjoying this series and can’t wait to start the 3rd book.

Normally, I'm a big fan of Picoult. This one was more fantasy fiction - a story character coming to life - and it was hard to connect to. Some others may love it, but the abstract impossibility of it made it undesirable for me.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is very helpful if you are going through similar health issues.

I would recommend this series. I really liked it, except when the characters made me made??

I rate this book a solid 4 stars. The cover classes it as a thriller, but I thought it was more of a mystery than a thriller. A woman named Mima is killed one night on Whalsay Island, part of the Shetland Islands, Scotland. At first it is thought to be an accident, because a neighbor was out shooting rabbits at midnight in fog and accidentally shot her. But DI Jimmie Perez suspects that there is more to this and keeps digging. A second person is found dead, possibly suicide. Perez does solve the case,but the killer is not revealed until near the end, and the author left enough false clues, that I wasn't sure of the who or why until it all came together at the end. Anne Cleeves writes descriptive books. This series, set in the Shetlands, is best read in order, as I have been doing. Perez is identified as a "Black Shetlander,"i.e. descended form a shipwrecked Spanish Armada sailor in 1588. Some quotes: Mima's house: "Her house was tucked into the hill and you came on it very suddenly." Evelyn Wilson, describing university students working on an archaeological dig: "The two lasses from the university were there. What nice wee girls they are, although I think that Hattie could do with a bit of feeding up.. She's a skinny little thing. All eyes and bone." Perez thinking about his boss, the Procurator Fiscal: "He found it hard to explain the role of the Fiscal to English colleagues. Even Fran couldn't grasp it. 'But what does she do?' Perez always said that she was a cross between a magistrate and a prosecuting lawyer, but Fran didn't even get that." Jimmie is in a relationship with Fran, an English woman. I read this library book in 4 days.

Update- July 24, 2020- If you do one thing, after readingThe One and Only Ivan, of course it should be to immediately listen to the audiobook version of Bob’s story narrated by the incomparable Danny DeVito! What an absolute treat! I’m changing my stars on this one! April,2020-mid pandemic- I recently attended a virtual workshop sponsored by School Library Journal and received an electronic ARC from Harper Collins for an honest review. I appreciated being able to read this early, but I will have to read a real copy, so that I can see the illustrations of Bob, and his crew. Just a truly enjoyable adventure story about Bob, Ruby, and Ivan, and a whole new cast of characters.

The author tackles this topic with grace, knowledge and maturity. Difficult topics are handled with care and each chapter presents tactical advice. She also has a blog, podcast and other books.

Loved this book! It has humor, anxiety and surprises. I even went back and re-read it because it was so enjoyable. The characters fleshed out nicely and would grab you by the heart. I would recommend it to everyone.

A short, fun book with the Paw Patrol about the Pups and a trip to the city in a hot air balloon. Phonics book that focuses on short i words (big, city, rip, will, etc)