Book Review: The First Wish of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple
The First Wish of Mr. Murray McBride
Series: Murray McBride #3
Author: Joe Siple
Published: March 18, 2025
Kindle: 266 pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: March 19- April 20, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
The prequel to the Murray McBride series—by the author of the beloved USA Today international bestselling novel The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride.
The day before Murray McBride moves Jenny, his beloved wife of eighty years, into a memory care center, she convinces him to search for a case her grandfather buried long ago, said to contain “a treasure worth more than gold.” With the help of some new friends, Murray and Jenny retrace their steps from years before. Over the course of the day, Murray tenderly retells their love story—how they met, the challenges they faced and overcame, and their initial attempt at the quest.
But the closer they get to the treasure, the more clearly Murray remembers why they abandoned the search the first time. With the exhilarating discovery at hand, Murray must decide whether to unearth the treasure, even if it means bringing up painful events from the past.
Jessica’s Review:
Joe Siple, you got me again with this prequel learning Murray and his wife Jenny’s love story. I didn’t cry this time, but came close to it, especially as I got towards the end!
The First Wish takes place in both 1910 and 1996. In 1910, Murray and Jenny meet while in school; in 1996, it is the day before Jenny is being moved into a memory care center due to her decline with Alzheimer’s. Also in 1996, Jenny is 99-years-old and Murray is 98- years old. They have also been married for just over 80 years. What a life they both have lived!
Both 1910 and 1996 are filled with a variety of emotions. I was fully invested in both storylines as I just adored Murray in The Five Wishes and loved reading about Murray and Jenny’s meeting and eventual love story that covers 80 years. The reader also feels emotions with the dealings of Alzheimer’s/Dementia of both Murray as the caregiver and Jenny as the one suffering from the disease. Siple handles this well.
Both timelines deal with a journey to find a treasure that is ‘worth more than gold’. I was intrigued in multiple ways: First, will the treasure even be located? Two, what could be worth more than gold?!?! Chapter 11 through the end really got to me emotionally. What was mentioned was dealing with life throwing you curveballs: 2024 was a year that threw a huge curveball for me, but I am doing much better now in 2025.
Many thanks to Joe Siple for bringing these characters to life in this series. This is one reader who really appreciated reading these books. And it is thanks to a book club that I am in for introducing me to The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride. I would not have heard of this book without that book club.
Book Review: The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple
The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride
Series: The Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride #1
Author: Joe Siple
Published: May 11, 2018
Hardback: 234 pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: February 8-17, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
With all his family and friends gone, one-hundred-year-old Murray McBride is looking for a reason to live. He finds it in Jason Cashman, a ten-year-old boy with a terminal heart defect and a list of five things he wants to do before he dies. Together, they race against the limited time each has left, ticking off wishes one by one. Along the way, Murray remembers what it’s like to be young, and Jason fights for the opportunity to grow old. But when tragedy strikes, their worlds are turned upside-down, and an unexpected gift is the only thing that can make Jason’s final wish come true.
Jessica’s Review:
This book is the reason why I really enjoy being in a book club: Sometimes we end up reading books you might not ever had heard of. I had never heard of The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride but am so glad it was our read for March. I ended up reading it early and I LOVED it!
I don’t cry easily when I read books, but this one really got me in the last 10 pages. And it was an ugly cry too! Part of the ugly cry is personal reasons that I will not go into due to spoilers, but I say with appreciation as this book left me with so many feelings when I was finished with it. I will be reading the sequel next!
From the beginning I adored Murray. He is a grumpy, 100-year-old man who really doesn’t have much to live for… Until he comes across Jason Cashman. Jason is 10 years old and terminal. A chance encounter brings them together and they go on a journey to complete a list of five things Jason wants to accomplish before he dies.
Prepare yourself for all the feelings you are expecting and then more. I have a feeling this might be one of my top reads of the year. I can’t say it will be my top read as Adam Silvera has a new “They Both Die” book coming out in May and if you have followed my reviews, then you know I love that series.
I am so excited that there is a sequel to Mr. Murray and then in March a prequel coming out! I already know I will be reading both of these books.
If you have not heard of The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride, I am telling you to pick it up and join in on this adventure and prepare to fall in love with these characters and then have your heart broken in one of the best ways possible (If that is even possible!)
I completely adore this book and say that everyone must read it!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audiobook Review: eMortal by Steve Schafer
eMortal
Author: Steve Schafer
Narrators:
Rebecca H. Lee
Stacy Carolan
Published: November 15, 2024
Audiobook: 8 hours 35 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: February 17-22, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
She made him. He’s just code. She’s almost sure.
…But what if he’s real?
When Liv entered a contest to code an advanced AI, she never anticipated what her creation might become-Breck is thoughtful, self-aware, and incredibly. . .human. And she certainly never intended for him to learn the truth about his existence or the fact that his world ends when the contest closes in six days.
But he does learn. And he revolts.
Liv’s efforts to save him fall on deaf ears. Nobody believes her. Breck’s efforts to outrun his fate only complicate his situation.
What neither of them know is that someone else is watching. Intensely. When they get involved, both Liv’s and Breck’s worlds are turned upside down. . .
Jessica’s Review:
This book was an unexpected surprise. I went in not expecting much and this book ended up being a complete 180 from that. It was such an engrossing novel! I never expected it to go in the direction it went in. eMortal leaves you thinking about where we are very quickly going with AI and sentience. The machines are alive: Or are they? Skynet is coming for you… And we are doomed! AI can have… feelings!?!?!
Liv has entered a contest to code an advance AI and the winner receives a glorious internship that she could only dream of. The contest is nearing the end and her creation Breck is seemingly becoming self-aware, has deep thoughts, and just seems human. But Breck is not aware that when the contest is over, so is he.
We have dual narrations of both Liv and Breck, the AI she created. We see Liv’s home life and with Breck we see the challenges he is working on for the contest. All while seemingly becoming more ‘real’.
Both narrations were intriguing for me, but Breck takes it all. You can see him evolving into something, and he begins to question so many things. I adored Breck, while his and Liv’s situations leave you thinking. There are so many thoughts this book leaves you with such as Who Am I?, Why are we (humans) here?, and Can AI learn and develop emotions? Are they truly alive?
The narrators both did an extraordinary job. Rebecca H. Lee was great a Liv while Stacy Carolan was perfect as Breck for me!
The surprising direction the book takes just adds to the thoughts the book leaves you with. This was my first book by Schafer and I really glad I came across it. Many thanks to the publisher BooksGoSocial for offering it on NetGalley as a “Listen Now”. I might not have ever found this book otherwise.
Something fun for you to do, which I also did: If you go on the author’s website you can actually converse with Breck. He will ask you lots of questions!
eMortal is a must read!
This is Breck on the author’s website. Feel free to converse with him!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
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