Book Club: Book Review of To Disguise the Truth

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

Running away, hiding, seeking a new life... The main character of To Disguise the Truth has done these things and must now face the consequences. In the third book in The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency series, Jen Turano explores the story of Eunice Holbrooke and Arthur Livingston. 

About the Book 

At the beginning of To Disguise the Truth, we see Arthur Livingston sitting in the office at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency across from the woman who had once shot him. The catch? Arthur does not know it is actually the person he is looking for sitting across from him. He is looking for Eugenia Howland has changed her name to Eunice Holbrooke and changed her life entirely. To help disguise herself, Eunice has taken to wearing widow's veils to hide her face. Eunice is, of course, not too keen on taking on Arthur's case as she does not want to be found.

As Arthur presses his case for why the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency should take his case, readers are taken through a whirlwind of activity. From learning the details of what has been happening in Montana since Eunice left so many years ago to joining her on an undercover mission at an asylum for women, we see characters develop and learn more about the relationship between Eunice and Arthur. 

What Do I Think? 

I am torn in regards to my opinion of To Disguise the Truth. I really liked some of the characters – in particular Arthur's grandfather, Lloyd – while others (including Eunice) got on my nerves a bit too much. I wanted a happy ending for Eunice and Arthur, but she seemed so determined to stop it from coming. And while I understand why Eunice didn't share her secret with Daphne or Judith, I know my feelings would be hurt if I was in their position. I wonder how easily I would have been able to forgive her. 

Personally, I could have done without Eunice going undercover at Blackwell's Island Insane Asylum. I am not sure how Turano could have developed the plot without these chapters, but I think I would have enjoyed the book more with a maybe a different undercover adventure. 

Maybe I have been watching too many drama TV series, but I could easily see parts of To Disguise the Truth as a TV series or movie – especially the end chapters set in Montana. All of Eunice's relatives seemed to jump off the page.

If you enjoy historical fiction, period novels, mysteries, and/or Christian fiction, I would recommend you check out To Disguise the Truth. And don't forget there are two other books in the series you can read, too. (affiliate links below) 

To Steal a Heart 

To Write a Wrong 

Be sure to read my other book reviews, including my review of The Barrister and the Letter of Marque.

Documenting Memories with your Homeschooled Children: A Review of Me: A Compendium

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of these books at a discount from Timberdoodle in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

One of my favorite ways to spend time is to look back at photographs and memories of our children. I love seeing how they have grown and matured over the short years, as well as re-reading the silly things they said when they were younger. To help document those memories, we purchased (at half price in return for this review) Me: A Compendium from Timberdoodle. 

About the Books 

Me: A Compendium is part of the 2021 Second-Grade Curriculum Kit from Timberdoodle. And while it is part of this particular kit, I choose to use it with our six- and eight-year-olds.  So, we are currently using it with our first grader and our third grader. At just under 100 pages, this hardcover book (with a book jacket) allows our children to document a number of feelings, thoughts, and ideas using simple writing prompts. 

There are spaces within the book to document in writing or illustrate answers to the following prompts: 

• The funniest joke they know. 
• Their opinion on different types of weather.
• The name of their shop, if they owned one, and what they would sell in it. 
• Their favorite and least favorite dinners. 
• What they hope to do when they grow up. 
• And more! 

What Do I Think? 

I was very excited to have the opportunity to review Me: A Compendium with our children. While they enjoy writing and drawing down their thoughts and opinions – and have even started a variety of small journals – I wanted them to be able to collect their ideas in one place that would last. As a hardcover book, I think they will stand the test of time. And with the thickness of the pages, the writing does not bleed through to the other side (although they have only used pencil so far in the books to document their memories, thoughts, and ideas). 

I am very glad that we were able to get two books – one for each of our younger children – so they can document and record their own opinions separately. It is also fun to listen to them as they complete the books at the same time. They sit next to each other on the floor or at the dining room table and work on their own Me: A Compendium book. Sometimes, they complete the same pages, and other times they work on different ones comparing the writing prompts. 

I love the softness of the colors used to illustrate the book. By not being overly bold, the colors allow our children's writing and drawings to stand out on each page. So it doesn't matter if they use pencils, pens, markers, crayons, or colored pencils. All their artwork and writing looks great. 

While working on the book one day together, they both chose a page that asked about what type of shop they would have, what they would sell there, and what the shop would look like. As they were writing and drawing, they discussed memories of our trip to the pet store, books they have read about how to take care of pets, and more. I love the fact that they can work on the same page at the same time and compare ideas, or they can work on different pages independently. 

I like that I can ask our children to complete a few pages for homeschooling, and they can work on their handwriting, spelling, and drawing while having fun. It is wonderful to add a piece into our homeschool schedule that allows them to be creative and document their memories of their homeschool days. 

What Do Our Homeschooled Children Think? 

They were both so excited when they received their copies of the book! When I asked both of them if they would recommend the book, our daughter gave a firm nod of her head while our son said, "I would recommend this book to people of many ages." 

Our daughter said, "I like that you can write anything you like about stuff." She also said, "If you don't like ice cream, you can leave it blank." She really enjoyed the fact that she could give her opinion  on things like the weather. "You can choose how much you love (the) sun, rain, clouds, and freezing weather." 

When I asked what was our son's favorite part of Me: A Compendium, he took off the book jacket and showed me what was written on the inside of it. This is where the author of the Me: A Compendium can write their super-secret stuff. He has not completed this part yet, so I can't wait to see what he thinks needs to be super secret.

I would recommend Me: A Compendium for homeschooling families who wish to guide their children in documenting their memories, daily lives, and ideas in an organized fashion. This book will be a great keepsake for the future! 

More From Timberdoodle 

We have used a variety of products in our homeschool from Timberdoodle, including the following: 

Building Reading Comprehension and Fluency Skills: A Review of Mosdos Press Literature - Opal 

Building Spelling Confidence: A Review of Spelling You See - Level D

Critical Thinking and Supporting History: A Review of U.S. History Detective® Book Two