Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler
Penguin Random House; 4/7/20
review copy; 192 pages
Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler is a
very highly recommended, compassionate novel about misconception and the
importance of relationships. This may be my new favorite Anne Tyler
novel.
Micah
Mortimer, 44, is a creature of habit who has his whole life carefully
organized. He is superintendent of his Baltimore
apartment building and self-employed in his business called Tech Hermit.
Micah has a schedule he follows for every day and week. He is
comfortable with his quiet, defined life, so it comes as quite a shock
when his careful routines are challenged. First Cassia (Cass) Slade,
his woman friend, is worried that she is facing eviction and will have
nowhere to live. Then 18-year-old Brink, the son of an old college
girlfriend, shows up and asks if Micah is his father (he's not). In a
mishap of epic proportions, Micah allows Brink to stay overnight in his
spare room, which results in Cass breaking up with him. This incident
leaves Micah to reexamine his life, his routines, his interpersonal
connections, and his choices.
I love everything about Redhead by the Side of the Road - the
writing, Micah, the story, the ending, the meaning of the title -
everything. The writing is absolutely exceptional. This is a character
study of a man and the character of Micah is perfectly captured and
described. I was instantly empathetic to Micah's plight and his caution
in approaching life. I felt such compassion and sympathy for Micah when
the misunderstandings and sudden upheaval in his routine caused the
introspection and self-examination on his approach to life and
relationships.
The novel is short, but tender and poignant. We all deserve second
chances and Tyler flawlessly captures this realization and desire in
Micah. It ends on a perfectly hopeful note. As I said, this may be my new favorite Anne Tyler Novel. Certainly this is one of the best novels I've read this year.
Roanoke Ridge by J.J. Dupuis
Dundurn Press; 3/7/20
review copy; 224 pages
A Creature X Mystery #1
Roanoke Ridge by J.J. Dupuis is a recommended mystery and the first book in the start of a new series.
Laura Reagan is the owner
of a popular website called Science Is Awesome. Science IA strives to
cover news worthy science topics with reality and facts, including cryptozoological investigations.
This is in contrast to Laura's upbringing by her father who famously
filmed a distant shot of a Sasquatch and child in the woods at Roanoke
Ridge, Oregon. Now Laura's mentor, relative, and Bigfoot researcher
Professor Berton Sorel has gone missing right as the annual Roanoke
Valley
Bigfoot Festival is about to start. Laura and her friend Saad Javed (who
knows the difference between hard science and pseudoscience) are going
to Roanoke Ridge to help search for Professor Sorel and maybe uncover
the facts behind the recent Bigfoot sightings. When the search and
rescue operation results in the body of a notorious Bigfoot hoaxer being
found, and not the Professor's, the investigation expands.
The mystery is straightforward so don't expect heart-stopping action or a tension filled plot. The pace is slow and sometimes meandering, but the book is short so it is a quick read. While there are sentences and descriptions that shine, other parts of the narrative are pedestrian, which left me feeling that the writing in Roanoke Ridge is competent, but not exceptional. Be prepared for several long lectures included in the novel, some of
which may be insulting to readers. Those lectures actually are a big
impairment to the narrative. Chapters open with quotes over the years
from various sources about Bigfoot or Sasquatch sightings, which add an
interesting touch. The ending does feel rushed.
Admittedly any mystery involving Bigfoot would immediately draw my
attention if simply for the novelty and kitsch factor. The idea of this
being part of a series of creature mysteries is intriguing, but I'm
uncertain if I will read another novel in the series. Laura is the only
character who receives sufficient development but I'm
not sure she is appealing enough to carry a whole series. The other
characters are all
caricatures representing different stereotypical types of people. Laura
simply
wasn't an interesting or appealing enough character to subject myself to
wading through more thought lectures embedded in the plot, however
reading another book in the series might be based more on what creature
is sought.
The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel
Penguin Random House; 3/31/20
review copy; 256 pages
The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel is a very highly recommended
thriller about a mother's quest for justice - or revenge - after her
daughter is murdered.
Twelve-year-old best friends Izzy Logan and
Junie Taggert are both murdered on playground in Barren Springs, a
impoverished small town located in the Missouri Ozarks. Eve Taggert,
Junie's single mother, is inconsolable and enraged that anyone would
harm her beloved daughter. Eve is determined to find out who did it and
extract justice for her daughter, and after growing up with her mother,
she has the life lessons to do so. Eve and her brother Cal, who is now a
police officer, grew up in a trailer way back in a holler, with a
tough, volatile, hard-edged, drug-addicted mother who ran a meth house.
Her mother's lessons were cruel, but instilled toughness, fierce loyalty
for family, and an eye-for-an-eye outlook - something Eve might need
even though she hasn't talked to her mother for years.
Engel brings it all together in this memorable, well-written, dark thriller. The Familiar Dark
has everything you want in a great novel. The story is heart-wrenching
and dark while the plot grabs your attention and holds it fast. The murder is just in the first chapter, and then it is Eve's story.
It's a slow-burner that builds on facts and observations. Eve's
revelations about her past and her search for the killer are riveting.
Eve's grief is raw and realistic.
Eve is a well-developed character set in an unimaginable situation
where she needs to figure out how she is going to respond. This is a
great character study of a mother at her most elemental core. It is
understandable decision that she eventually turns to what she was taught
as a child at the hands of her mother, that no one takes what is yours.
Even when Cal insists that she needs to leave the investigation to the
professionals, she can't and won't stop her search for Junie's killer
because she knows it is someone local.
The writing is stark and descriptive, capturing both Eve's character and
the setting. As a mother, I understood Eve's deep grief and desire for
vengeance. As a woman, I understood, the lesson her mother felt kids,
especially Eve, needed - toughen up or you're going to get hurt. You will not be able to set this novel down. The ending was a shocking surprise.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Penguin Random House.
Let the Willows Weep by Sherry Parnell
Sherry Parnell: 10/29/19
eBook review copy; 270 pages
Let the Willows Weep by Sherry Parnell is a very highly
recommended, beautifully written, heartbreaking novel written in the
tradition of rural Southern fiction.
"Sometimes life is just like paper wings. Fragile, easily torn apart, and often there are too many pieces to pick up."
Birddog
Harlin lives in the rural South by a small town with her parents and two
brothers. Her father makes a hardscrabble existence by working in a
coal mine while her mother is ever full of disappointment and bitterness
over their poverty. Denny, her older brother is her idol and protector.
Caul, the brother closest to her in age, is her tormentor. She is her
verbally abusive mother's greatest disappointment. But Birddog (a
nickname given to her by Denny) is her daddy's girl, and her father
loves and cherishes her. After her father dies in a cave-in, the
dysfunctional family spirals into self-destruction.
The opening chapter and the concluding chapter are set in the
future, through the eyes of Birddog's daughter. After the opening where
the mother is harsh to her daughter, then we jump back in time to
Birddog's childhood, and her mother treating her even worse. Truly,
children learn to parent from their parents, good or bad. This is
Birddog's story. Although a time period is not mentioned, I found it
relatively easy to place it during a basic time in history based on the
story. (There were many period clues, for example segregated housing, the brothers leaving school to work, girls wore dresses all the time, etc..)
Let the Willows Weep is an excellent novel. Parnell's
writing is simple gorgeous, descriptive, poetic, and sublime. Even while
describing difficult, hurtful, abusive situations, the sentences are
perfectly crafted and the reflections are unflinchingly told. Birddog is
a memorable, very well-developed character. This novel is through her
point-of-view, and her self-examination about her mother and her
resulting attitude. Additionally, Let the Willows Weep is an emotional novel and I teared up, or cried during
scenes throughout the novel. Yes, it explores the line between
destruction and redemption, but the journey covers a myriad of emotions
that exist between those two points.
The Last Odyssey by James Rollins
HarperCollins: 3/24/20
review copy; 448 pages
Sigma Force Series #15
The Last Odyssey by James Rollins is a very highly recommended thriller combining "cutting-edge
science, historical mystery, mythology, and pulse-pounding action."It
is always a celebration when Rollins releases a new novel!
In Greenland, researchers find a medieval ship trapped in the ice
whose hold contains
Bronze Age artifacts. A clockwork gold atlas embedded with an intricate
silver astrolabe is found inside the captain's cabin, along with the
remains of the captain. The intricate clockwork treasure was crafted by
a group of Muslim inventor the Banū Mūsā brothers whose work later
inspired Leonardo Da Vinci. When activated, "the moving map traces the
path of
Odysseus’s famous ship as it sailed away from Troy. But the route
detours as the map opens to reveal a fiery river leading to a hidden
realm underneath the Mediterranean Sea. It is the subterranean world of
Tartarus, the Greek name for Hell. In mythology, Tartarus was where the
wicked were punished and the monstrous Titans of old, imprisoned."
There are other, frightening inventions/protectors set in place on
the ship and they are released by the discovery. The research group is
attacked by a modern group related to the Banū Mūsā brothers and
hostages are taken. When news of the attack on the researchers and their
discovery reaches Sigma Force, they are called to help. They must now
protect the world by figuring out how to follow the path laid out by
Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey.
Those who love mythology can rejoice as that knowledge will pay off
and make following the action easier because you'll know what they need
to search for along the path of Odysseus. Again, just like previous Sigma Force novels, The Last Odyssey is another exciting addition to the series.
Rollins always delivers pulse-pounding, nail-biting action and bases his
story on historical facts and current scientific research resulting in a
great mix of action, history, and science. The story itself is full of
twists and surprise along with the trade-mark action you expect. As
usual, do not skip Rollins author's notes at the end about his research
for the novel.
I've said it before, and I'm going to repeat myself here,
but I appreciate the fact that Rollins treats his readers with respect
and a nod to their intelligence and ability to comprehend a complex
plot.
We know all the Sigma Force characters and Rollins adds some new,
interesting characters to the mix. I think you can read this as a
standalone novel, but having read all the Sigma Force novels I might not
be the best judge of that. I do think that there is enough background
information provided for the characters that a new reader could enjoy
the novel. And everyone will be reading this for the non-stop action,
twists, and surprises along the way. If you love action/adventure
thrillers and have never read a Rollins novel, now would be a great time
to start working your way through all of his novels.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins.
The Last Tourist by Olen Steinhauer
Macmillian:
3/24/20
review copy; 384 pages
Milo Weaver Series #4
The Last Tourist by Olen Steinhauer is a highly
recommended, complex espionage thriller and the fourth novel featuring Milo Weaver.
It is a decade since ex-CIA agent Milo Weaver thought the corps
of CIA-trained assassins called "Tourists" had finally ended.
Milo is the head of the Library, a secret espionage operation
buried within the UN’s bureaucracy. He has his own concerns with
the Library, but a series of violent assaults point to a group of
assassins back at work and they seem to be operating outside the
reach of any country's control. Milo is driven into hiding in the
Western Sahara when a young inexperienced CIA analyst arrives to
question him, which results in both of them running for their
lives.
This is a tension pack, complex novel set in the underworld of
espionage, with danger at every turn as both sides engage
maneuvers, parries, deflections, and double-crossing. It is a
demanding plot that does require you to pay close attention as you
read to characters, the backstories, their actions and loyalties.
Everyone is suspect. Everyone has their own agenda. It must be
noted that this novel is not a mindless way to pass the time. You
are going to have to actively follow the myriad of characters and
the complicated plot.
I have not read the previous Milo Weaver novels. It may have
helped me with some of the backstory if I had, but I did manage to
follow what was happening and unpack the history. Of course,
you'll have to pick all of this up while you are racing along with
the breakneck pace and trying to tamp down your level of tension
as the plot threads unfold. It's a wild, convoluted ride with a
plot that contains layers upon layers of information. Milo Weaver
is a great character and surviving depends upon his acumen and
intelligence.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Macmillian.
Too Close to Home by Andrew Grant
Penguin Random House: 1/7/20
hardcover: 336 pages
Paul McGrath #2
Too Close to Home by Andrew Grant is a highly recommended
investigative novel of suspense. This is the second book in the Paul
McGrath series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel.
Paul McGrath is a former intelligence agent who is currently working
as a courthouse janitor. He is doing this, working undercover, in order
to find who took a file that had missing evidence about Alex
Pardew. Pardew is the man who defrauded and likely murdered McGrath’s
father but he avoided conviction because the file was missing. McGrath
discovers one person who had their hands on the file, but he needs to
dig deeper and find out why and who else is involved.
While running his secret investigation in the courthouse, he
encounters Len Hendrie, a man who is charged with arson. Hendrie admits
he is guilty, but he did it because
a venture capitalist he shared some inside information with, took the
information and ruined Hendrie in a short-selling
scheme. Hendrie wants to defend himself in court so he can tell the
world why he burned down the one home owned by the man. McGrath decides
to help Hendrie and investigate this too.
The complex plot moves quickly between the major plot thread and the
minor plot involving Hendrie. There is a surprising twist at the end
that I certainly didn't see coming. I haven't read the first novel, but
felt that Too Close to Home can be read as a stand-alone novel.
Grant provides enough background information to follow what happened in
the first book and why he is looking into the file and the missing
information. He also explains any information you need to understand the
short-selling scheme in the subplot.
It's a smart move having McGrath work as a janitor. Much like any
other person in retail or a service job wearing a uniform, they all
certainly are an invisible person to many or looked down on as less
intelligent. It's also nice to have McGrath like his job as cleaning is
relaxing and helps him think. He's an interesting character, taciturn,
but friendly to people to elicit information in a less than obvious way.
He's helped by his friend Robson, who lives with him, and a few other
contacts he has made over the years. I could see having McGrath pick up
more cases in the future through his janitorial job.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Penguin Random House via Library Thing.
The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben
Grand Central Publishing: 3/17/20
review copy; 384 pages
The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben is a very highly recommended thriller with an unconventional investigator named Wilde.
Thirty years ago, Wilde was found as a six to eight year-old boy
living feral in the
woods near Westville, N.J. He had no memory of his past and still
doesn't know where he came from. He uses his exceptional detective
skills and insight working as a private investigator with his foster
sister - when he wants to. When Hester Crimstein, a well-known attorney
with a television show, is asked by her grandson Matthew to look into
the disappearance of a classmate, Naomi Pine, Hester immediately talks
to Wilde. Wilde has a connection to her family and Matthew is his
godson.
Wilde uses his unique skills to find Naomi the first time she
disappears. When she disappears a second time, it seems that there is
more going on under the surface in the community of Westville and
Naomi's disappearance may be connected to some powerful people. Wilde
knows that Crash Maynard, teenage son of TV producer, Dash
Maynard, relentlessly bullied Naomi. When Crash disappears too
and a ransom note is sent to his parents, Wilde needs to find out if the
disappearance of Naomi and Crash is connected or if there is something
else at play.
Wilde is an interesting, unique, well-developed character. His
backstory may seem a bit incredible, but it was believable in the plot
and setting Coben sets up for us in The Boy from the Woods.
Hester Crimstein always makes a splash as a memorable character, and
that is still the case here. There is also a romantic subplot starting
for her. Most of the teenagers were just standard teenage characters -
bullies, good kids, outcasts - but then standard characters are so
because it is the reality.
The plot and subplots are plentiful as the investigations are
underway and they are all fun to follow. Wilde is probably a bit more
interesting to follow if only to experience his powers of observation as
his investigation is underway, but Hester has her own strengths. There
were several surprises in the plot, with one being a complete surprise.
Politics rears its ugly head in the plot and novel, which I hope is just
a fluke and not going to become a ongoing occurrence. All in all The Boy from the Woods is a compelling novel. It may start out a bit slow, but once it picks up the pace you won't want to put it down.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Grand Central Publishing
A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs
Scribner: 3/17/20
review copy; 352 pages
Temperance Brennan Series #19
A Conspiracy of Bones by Kathy Reichs is a highly recommended 19th novel in the series featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance (Tempe) Brennan.
In Charlotte, North Carolina,
Tempe is recovering from neurosurgery following an
aneurysm when she receives a series of texts, each containing a picture
of a faceless, hand-less corpse. Her interest is immediately piqued. She
doesn't know who the sender is, but she wants to discovery the identity
of the man and why the pictures were sent to her. A corpse turns up,
but Tempe's new boss, Medical Examiner
Margot Heavner, doesn't like her and has not called her in to assist.
Tempe manages to collect clues from the corpse and moves forward with
her clandestine investigation, with help from ex-homicide investigator
Skinny
Slidell. As Tempe uses all her skills to try and uncover the twisted
trails leading to the truth, she uncovers the name of the dead man. That
leads to even more follows trails that include crimes against children,
a spiritual retreat, and into a site on the dark web. She is also
questioning herself because she experiences migraines, nightmares, and
thinks she might be hallucinating.
Fans of the long running series will be pleased to see Tempe's
return, but especially to see Reichs back writing the series. The focus
of this installment is more about Tempe's ability to still puzzle
through clues and solve a case, while recovering and overcoming health
concerns. While I haven't read all the novels in the series, this was a
well-written investigative novel and Tempe is a fascinating character.
Her health is a concern, but she still is compelled to investigate.
The development of Tempe's character moves forward and evolves, as
she is the main focus of the novel. She does interact with other known
characters from the series. While you could read this as a stand-alone
novel, it might be more beneficial to read some of the earlier novels in
order to establish more background information about the characters and
the series.
Woman on the Edge by Samantha M. Bailey
Simon & Schuster: 3/3/20
review copy; 272 pages
Woman on the Edge by Samantha M. Bailey is a recommended debut psychological thriller.
Morgan Kincaid is standing on a subway platform when a distraught
stranger begs her to take her baby. She actually calls Morgan by her
name, thrusts her baby into Morgan's arms, and then jumps to her death.
Morgan, who is still recovering from her husband Ryan's suicide after he
was convicted of embezzlement, doesn't recognize the woman but wonders
if she was one of Ryan's victims. Detective Karina Martinez, who was one
of those who investigated Ryan’s crimes, is called in to investigate
this death. She believes Morgan was involved with Ryan’s embezzlement,
so she suspects Morgan was involved in this death.
It is learned that the woman who jumped was Nicole
Markham, prominent CEO of the athletic brand Breathe. She was out on
maternity leave after having her baby six weeks earlier. After she had
the baby, she was experiencing postpartum depression as well as guilt
from years ago when she was a nanny and the baby she was caring for died
from
sudden infant death syndrome. Nicole seemed to be suffering from
paranoia since the birth of her daughter, but was it imagined or real?
The narrative is told in alternating timelines, following Morgan in
the present day investigation versus Nicole's life leading up to her
giving Morgan her baby. Bailey keeps the suspense taut in both timelines
as Morgan investigates on her own why this happened, which stands in
contrast to what Nicole was experiencing before her death.
While this was a good novel, I had several problems with it. The good
points included it is a tense, action packed plot with main characters
that are well-developed. Both Morgan and Nicole appear to be realistic
characters, although not necessarily believable with everything that
happens to them. My issues started when I kept thinking as I was reading
that I knew this plot, that it was in some other novel I've read,
although no name came to mind. (I read a lot.) I also knew almost at the
start who was responsible, even before the baby was born.
In the end, yes, Woman on the Edge is suspenseful, and a quick read, but with an over-the-top melodramatic
story that stretches credibility. The writing could have used a bit
more editing, although with an advanced reading copy I don't usually
mention editing, but it was evident work was needed.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Simon & Schuster.
Revolver Road by Christi Daugherty
Macmillian: 3/10/20
review copy; 304 pages
Harper McClain Mystery #3
Revolver Road by Christi Daugherty is a highly recommended mystery and the third book in the Harper McClain series.
Crime reporter Harper McClain is investigating the disappearance of a
musician
Xavier Rayne from Tybee Island. Harper happens to be living on the
island after receiving a credible warning that she needed to move out of
Savannah because someone wanted her dead. She never thought that the
quiet island where she has been living for months would be the scene of a
major story.
Apparently Rayne went out to the beach late at night to write music
and
never returned. He had just released an album and was about to go on
tour. His bandmates and girlfriend are living in his house on the island
and seem to be grief stricken, but something doesn't quite feel right
to Harper. She manages to befriend Rayne's friends for a source of
inside information into his disappearance.
To make matters worse, Harper has uncovered more information that
might lead her to the identity of her mother's killer. The killer has
ties to Harper's family from years ago but he is about to be released
from prison and is coming for Harper. Now Harper is investigating a
death while looking out for a killer who is coming for her. Her on-again, off-again love interest, homicide detective Luke Walker, is back helping her.
Harper is an interesting, complex, well-developed character and
readers new to the series will like her. In fact all the characters are
well-developed, even the minor ones, which makes this even more
interesting. It was a bit surprising that Rayne's housemates accepted
Harper's overtures for friendship so easily. Under the circumstances, I would expect a whole lot more skepticism and some solid standoffish behavior from them toward any reporter.
The well-written novel features an intricate plot in both of the duel
storylines. The investigations into Rayne's death and into her mother's
killer are equally compelling plots and will hold your attention. I
haven't read the first two Harper McClain novels and had no problem
following the plot, so can be read as a stand-alone novel and doesn't
require reading the first two to understand the backstory. It is a good
enough novel that you will seriously want to read the first two in the
series.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Macmillian.
Gone by Midnight by Candice Fox
Tor/Forge: 3/10/20
eBook review copy; 352 pages
Queensland Series #3
Gone by Midnight by Candice Fox is a highly recommended investigative thriller and the third book in the Queensland series.
When Sara Farrow’s son, eight-year-old Richie, goes missing from
the motel where they are staying while
on vacation in Crimson Lake, Queensland, in Australian, she asks for
help from private investigators Ted Conkaffey and Amanda
Pharrell. Ted and Amanda are an unlikely pair of investigators as Ted is
a disgraced cop and Amanda is a convicted killer. Both are pariahs in
Crimson Lake, but together they are successful investigators. Amanda is
immediately intrigued and begins using her unique perspective to gain
insight on the case. Ted is also looking into the case, but has other
complications. This is the first time his daughter, two-year-old
Lillian, is staying with him for a week. He wants to find Richie, but he
needs to establish a relationship with Lillian.
Ted and Amanda are simply put, great characters. They are wildly
unique, flawed, astute, quirky, and complement each other's style
perfectly. They are both damaged in different ways, but wonderfully
human. Their relationship and the varied animosity from the police
toward them create a hostility right at the start and it doesn't ease
up. All the other characters are portrayed as unique individuals too.
The writing was excellent. Fox does a skillful job with the pacing of
the plot and keeping the tension mounting in the narrative. There are
twists and unexpected complications along the way. Between Ted's
personal juggling of his life, the personal vendetta against Amanda, the
search for the missing boy, and the strained interactions with the
local
police, the stress and intrigue keep increasing incrementally throughout
this compelling novel.
I was unsure about starting the series with book three, but I had no
problem following along and am anxious to read the first two books now.
Now that I have discovered them, I'll be looking for future Ted Conkaffey and Amanda
Pharrell novels.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Macmillian.
The Operator by Gretchen Berg
HarperCollins: 3/10/20
eBook review copy; 352 pages
The Operator by Gretchen Berg is a recommended debut novel about small town secrets set in the early 1950's.
Vivian Dalton is a switchboard operator in Wooster, Ohio, when she
overhears a secret bit of gossip about her that sets the whole novel
into motion. Sure, Vivian isn't supposed to be listening in on calls,
but all the operators do it at times. When Vivian listens into a call
from an unknown woman to town snob Betty Miller, she is shocked by the
secret that is told because it is about her and her husband. Not being
one to take things sitting down, Vivian puts her plan into action,
finding out the truth behind it and then dealing with it head on. The
only problem is that one secret often leads to another.
Chapters alternate between several characters but the story is
mainly told through Vivian's point-of-view. Characters are true to their
upbringing and the societal norms of the 1950's. Vivian is a
well-developed character and her personality is clearly depicted. There
are class and economic distinctions precisely detailed between
characters and in the town. Berg captures the language and concerns of
the times, which establishes the time and setting in the plot.
The writing is very good. I liked the dictionary definitions of
words sprinkled throughout the novel. Berg also has a way of describing
events in a witty, humorous way, like Vivian's misunderstanding over the
meaning of a word in a book title or Betty's self-importance setting up
her Christmas party and ladies tea. The recipes added to the novel also
helps set the tone. I had a struggle keeping my interest in The Operator,
however, and all the homey descriptions, period details, funny
incidents, and clever wording weren't enough to keep my yawns at bay. I
was glad I finished it, but ultimately it won't be memorable. I did appreciate the unraveling that resulted from all the secrets being exposed.
Part of the struggle I had with The Operator is it is
required to believe the premise that all the women placed so much
importance in the opinions of others, and in listening to gossip.
Certainly my mother, who was a product of the 50's can still be
concerned with what other people think, but she was also taught by her
mother to not participate in the spreading of gossip. You were careful
what you said on the party-line, knowing it was open for eavesdropping.
Yes, everyone knows everyone else's business in a small town, but not
all women participated in this, which makes this novel a little less
humorous or clever for me.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins.
The Silent House by Nell Pattison
HarperCollins: 3/1/20
eBook review copy; 400 pages
The Silent House by Nell Pattison is a recommended debut mystery.
Paige Northwood, a signer and interpreter for the deaf, is called by the police in
Scunthorpe, England,
to assist in a case where they need a BSL interpreter. The father,
Alan, and his girlfriend, Elisha, woke up to find Alan's visiting 18
month old daughter, Lexi, dead. It is clear she was fatally injured, but
the two other children in the room were left unharmed. The mother,
Laura, father, and girlfriend are all deaf and heard nothing. The police
will need Paige's services in order to take statements and question the
family.
Paige grew up with normal hearing in a deaf household so BSL is a
second language for her, which made her career working as an interpreter
a natural choice. She is also involved in the deaf community so she
knows the people involved from the local Deaf Club. Her sister Anna was
even Lexi's godparent. Her involvement with the deaf community leads
Paige and Anna to undertake an investigation of their own.
The Silent House is an intriguing, but uneven novel. The
concept is unique, and there is also a lot of information about the deaf
community which does help hold your attention and will keep you
reading. The synopsis, however, makes the plot sound much more
interesting than is the case in this slow moving novel. It starts out
strong and then slows down to a crawl. In the end though, the final
denouement is very predictable and the twists leading up to it aren't
always very plausible.
Character development is uneven and no one feels like a real person.
Paige's repetitious "oh woe is me" laments over dealing with the
horrific case became a bit too much at times. I was tired of her
repeatedly feeling like throwing up. Perhaps a new descriptive word for
Paige's nausea or a new way to describe her discomfort dealing with the
case would have helped - or maybe not. Anyway, Paige's behavior is
annoying and baffling for much of the novel. One wonders why she is
working as an interpreter for the police on a murder case besides the
fact that she needs the money.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins.
Please See Us by Caitlin Mullen
Simon & Schuster: 3/3/20
eBook review copy; 352 pages
ISBN-13:
9781982127480
Please See Us by Caitlin Mullen is a highly recommended debut psychological thriller set during a summer dangerous to women in Atlantic City.
There is a serial killer on the loose in Atlantic City. We know this
as we are introduced to the Jane Does numbers 1 through 6; some of the
women we meet in the story before they are killed and left in the
marshland behind the Sunset Motel. Two young women meet in Atlantic City
during this uneasy time. One, Lily, is just there for the summer,
working at a casino spa, hoping to make some money and recover from a
bad experience in NYC where she worked at an art gallery. The other is a
teenager who goes by Clara Voyant. Clara is living with her aunt and
working as a boardwalk psychic reading tarot cards. Neither woman knows
that there is a killer loose, but, after a reading for a prostitutes
nicknamed Peaches, Clara begins to have visions and suspects it. She
hopes Lily could help her, but Lily is struggling with her own problems.
Atlantic City is as much a character as the people in this dark,
gritty, heartbreaking story. Both Clara and Lily are well-developed
characters while victims and other minor characters are also well
defined. The narrative is told through different first person
points-of-view, including Clara, Lily, Luis (a janitor), and the
victims. I will admit being very angry at Des, Clara's aunt, throughout
the novel. Truth be told, I could rant about all the residual anger I
have at her for stealing from Clara while expecting Clara to use her sex
to earn rent their money from older men. Clearly, violence against
women and the fates of women living on the edge of society and becoming
victims is at the forefront of this plot - but, then, Luis is also a
victim at the hands of violent men.
The fact that I became emotionally involved in Please See Us,
makes it evident that Mullen did an excellent job writing her debut
novel. There are so many wounded, hurting people in this novel. They all
have secrets, but feel they have no one they can trust, and Mullen does
a good job describing these people living on the edge. The novel is
atmospheric and sets the time and place at the beginning. This makes it a
little slow to start and takes a while to get the plot rolling along,
but once it reaches about the half-way point it takes off. Clearly,
Mullen is an author to watch.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Simon & Schuster.
Actress by Anne Enright
W.W. Norton & Company: 3/3/20
eBook review copy; 272 pages
ISBN-13:
9781324005629
Actress by Anne Enright is a highly recommended treatise displaying the love of a daughter for her legendary mother.
Norah, the daughter of renowned Irish actress Katherine O’Dell, tells
the story of her mother's life and, thus, her own life. As the novel
turns to a biographical style, Norah begins to recount her mother's
upbringing and career while she examines the secrets both women have
held. Her mother was not Irish at all, as she was born in London, and
the apostrophe in her name was originally a typo. Norah retraces the
complexities of her mother's life and her own life. Readers know the end
result: Katherine's slipping grip on reality and a well-publicized,
sense-less criminal act when she shoots a producer in the foot.
Ever present and at the forefront is Norah's love and support for her
mother, even as she reveals the secrets both women have held. Norah's
chronicle of Katherine's life also highlights her own search for love
and family. The end result is a revealed commonality of experiences
between mother and daughter that almost all women can share, one of
sexual violations and abuses. But the biggest well-kept secret is the
identity of Nora's father. At the same time Norah is writing about her
husband and how close but precarious their relationship seems at times.
The writing is beautifully done in a stream-of-consciousness style,
which makes sense because this is Norah reminiscing. The reader is in
her head and she is narrating the story of her mother and her life to a
changing third person - the reader, or a writer who came around, or her
husband. It accurately depicts a person's thought patterns when telling
their story in their head; the recipient differs based on where you are
at in the recollections. The emotional impact is in the insights Norah
shares and the observations she makes.
If you are looking for a linear plot to follow, disappointment will occur with Actress.
The plot meanders and jumps around in time and subject matter due to
the style in which Enright has chosen to write the novel. If you can
embrace the idea of being inside a daughter's head as she tells the
story, following along will be easier. Lives aren't usually a
culmination of a huge event, but rather the many small events of varying
consequence. We know almost from the start that Katherine's life will
have a big event, and the journey is in finding out her backstory via
her daughter's point-of-view. The result is a tender, honest, exquisite
depiction of both a mother and daughter that is complex yet unfinished.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of W.W. Norton & Company.
Deprivation by Roy Freirich
Meerkat Press: 3/3/20
eBook review copy; 275 pages
ISBN-13:
9781946154217
Deprivation by Roy Freirich is a recommended thriller about mass hysteria and sleep deprivation.
On New York’s Carratuck Island a traumatized, silent child is found
alone, abandoned on a beach, holding his handheld video game. Physician
Sam Carlson checks the boy out. He is dirty, but silent and won't tell
anyone who he is. Police Chief Mays wants to wait before calling social
services as he is sure the boy's parents will appear. Both Carlson and
Mays are battling insomnia. At the same time
teenage tourist Cort is playing a dangerous game on social media with
her friends, competing to see who can stay awake the longest.
The plague of insomnia spreads as residents and tourists on the town
find themselves unable to sleep and turn to Carlson to help. As the
small clinic is overwhelmed with patients, he suspects some bio-hazard
or external cause is affecting the island, but tests indicate there is
no identifiable reason for the mass insomnia. Soon it becomes clear that
mass hysteria and mob violence is taking over, making the island a very
dangerous place to be, especially for the silent child.
The narrative is told through three different characters, Carlson,
Mays, and Cort. Carlson is the best developed character and depicted
more realistically than the other two, however he's not a wholly
sympathetic character. He is very cerebral, but a bit distant. Chief
Mays always felt unbelievable to me. Cort's character doesn't resemble
any teen girl or younger person I know. First, her character didn't read
like a teen. Second, she and her friends would not be using the social
media platform Freirich chose. (They have moved on to something new and
once we all catch up there will be something different.)
After I finished reading I was left feeling that this is a rather odd
book. At times the writing was beautiful, but at other times it felt
odd and over-written. The plot starts out strong, capturing your
attention and interest, but then the narrative slows down and is drawn
out too long. When things do take off, they explode and move almost too
quickly. While I appreciate the underlying commentary on how social
media and devices (phones and games) are slowly eroding our quality of
life and values as a society in many ways, untoward mass hysteria is not
something new to humankind nor does it require cell phones to
propagate.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Meerkat Press.
The Companions by Katie M. Flynn
Simon & Schuster: 3/3/20
eBook review copy; 272 pages
ISBN-13:
9781982122157
The Companions by Katie M. Flynn is a recommended dystopian science fiction debut novel.
When a highly contagious virus results in people being placed under
quarantine in their sealed high rise towers, the Metis Corporation
creates "Companions." Companions are the consciousness of a dead person
uploaded into a robot and kept in service to the living. Companions
range from the early, simple can-like robots to a body-like machine
covered in skin. Usually families pay for custody of the Companions of
their dead loved ones, but less fortunate are rented out to strangers
upon their death. All
companions are the intellectual property of the Metis Corporation.
Essentially they have created a new class of people who exist without
legal rights or true free will.
Lilac is a very simple robot, one of the early models, leased to a
family to be the companion to an adolescent girl, Dahlia. As the
narrative begins, Lilac is telling Dahlia her story, the events leading
up to her death, while being careful of Dahlia's mother, who hates
Lilac. This is when Lilac discovers that not only can she remember her
life, she can defy commands, so she runs away to search for the woman
who killed her and find out what happened to her best friend. This sets
off a chain of events and introduces us to several different characters
which will be followed for decades as the plot unfolds.
The character-driven narrative is told through the point-of-view of
these eight different figures - some human, some companion. The
connection between the characters is Lilac. Her movements link them
together as she is part of every story at some point. One of the better
developed characters is Gabe, who we meet as a nine-year-old orphan who
is street smart and able to hide out in the streets. There is a lot of
personal growth and emotional depth to her characterization. However,
not all eight of the main characters are that interesting or, really,
add a significant layer of depth to the plot.
Part of the problem with the plot is a lack of a specific focus and
it feels unfinished. If the focus of the novel is to tell Lilac's story,
as it sets out to do at the beginning, and bring closure to her
questions about what really happened to her friend and to the girl who
killed her, then it does that, but hardly requires the whole novel for
the revenge/redemption story. If the purpose of the plot is an
introspective look at what makes us human and how human rights are
granted, then the focus of the narrative should have been better
focused. And it must be said that the world building is not quite as
developed as I was hoping for at the start.
I was hooked at the start and had high hopes for The Companions,
but, after I finished the novel, I thought it needed some more work.
While the writing is good and it presented an interesting idea, the
follow-through with each character and the final denouement was a
letdown.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Simon & Schuster.
