The River Is Waiting

The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb
6/10/25; 480 pages
Simon & Schuster/Marysue Rucci Books

The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb is a recommended prison drama - highly for the right reader. 3.5 stars rounded down.

Corby Ledbetter lost his job and is now the parent who cares for their two-year-old twins Maisie and Niko while Emily works. He has given up on any job search and turns to alcohol and Ativan first thing in the morning. Then one morning the unthinkable happens. He gets Maisie into the car, is distracted by a neighbor and backs up over Niko, who was laying on the ground looking at ants. (This happens in the opening pages of the novel.) He was clearly impaired when the incident happens, is convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to three years in prison. 

The bulk of the novel is Corby struggling to survive life in prison and the dangers inherent in the system. Since Lamb has experience holding writing workshops in correctional institutions, life inside the prison is portrayed in a realistic manner, capturing the cruelty and inequity, but also the small acts of humanity that can help. The narrative can be engaging, while it can also be a bit prolonged and assumptive as it covers in depth Corby's prison experience.

This is not an easy book to read and it was almost set aside after the opening horrifying incident. Corby admits he caused the tragedy that tears the family apart, but he can also be full of anguish and denial in prison. He seeks redemption and hopes for a reconciliation with Emily. He is a deeply flawed character, but no matter how hard he tried and despite all the brutalty he had his character experience, Lamb could not make Corby into a completely sympathetic character for this reader.

There is no question that Lamb is a talented writer and he gets points for that but in the final assessment the narrative felt blotted and the ending of The River Is Waiting is infuriating. Fans will want to read it and will love it in spite of the flaws. Thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Turning to Birds

Turning to Birds by Lili Taylor
4/29/25; 208 pages
Crown Publishing

Turning to Birds by Lili Taylor is a very highly recommended collection of twelve essays about her passion for birds and discovering a world of meaning in paying attention everywhere you go. Actress Lili Taylor is an avid birder and a board member of the National Audubon Society, the American Birding Association, and the New York City Bird Alliance. This short book was a pleasure to read.

Chapters/stories include an intro, Bird Festival, Bins (binoculars), Bedouin (birding while on location), Cedar waxwing, Swifts, Tribute in Light (9/11 memorial), Finches, Catbird, Sparrow (house sparrow vs. bluebirds), Cranes, Woodcock, and Godspeed (mass bird migration). Included are black-and-white illustrations by Anna Koska. Opening with the story of the circumstances that awakened her love of birds fifteen years ago in the introduction, Taylor goes on to list and then explains that the skills actors used are also valuable skills for birding. These include: listening, attention, investigation, observation, perception, and specificity.

The essays are delightfully personal while also being educational and interesting, especially for those who enjoy birds. Having experienced the migration of the Sandhill cranes many times while growing up, her wonder watching it is understood. I never knew that the 9/11 memorial lights in NYC are turned off for 20 minutes to help protect migrating birds when enough birds are captured in their light and found this comforting. Although perhaps an essay addressing raptors and other birds versus wind turbines would also be educational for people. Taylor's battle to protect her bluebirds was almost personal. My battle was keeping a neighbor's cat away from them.

Turning to Birds is for those who enjoy birds and beautifully crafted essays. Thanks to Crown Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Julie Chan Is Dead

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang
4/29/25; 320 pages
Atria Books 

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang is a highly recommended thriller that takes an entertaining trek into the world of influencers but, and this is a warning, later turns down a dark road.

Julie Chan and twin sister Chloe VanHuusen were separated at age 4 when their parents died in a car crash. Chloe was adopted by a wealthy couple while Julie was raised by her grumpy, pilfering aunt. Now Julie, 24, works as a supermarket cashier while her twin is a very successful influencer. a few years earlier Chloe reached out to Julie, gave her a rundown house, and filmed the whole event to boost her online engagement, which subsequently went viral. Then she ghosted her. 

When Julie receives a garbled message from Chloe saying she was sorry, she tries to call back but can't get through so she decides to go to her apartment in NY. She finds Chloe dead and calls the police. When they arrive, they mistake Julie for Chloe, which inspires Julie to take on her sister's identity and influencer lifestyle. It seems to be working out well since Chloe was organized, had sponsorships in place, and a large following. The only question is how will Julie fit in at the secretive, annual “Belladonna” friends’ getaway hosted by wealthy socialite mega-influencer Bella Marie.

The first part of the novel had me totally immersed and deliciously entertained as Julie entered into the, vapid, self focused influencer culture. Sure, Julie is a grifter taking on Chloe's identity, but it soon becomes quite clear that all the big influencers are also grifters. I actually like Julie despite her obvious character flaws. It was humorous to read about the influencers claiming how hard they worked compared to those who worked in fast food, etc. It can be exhausting filming yourself telling people what to think and do while promoting products.

The second part of the book when she goes to the Belladonna friends getaway veers off into unexpected horror/cult novel territory and was disturbing. The whole novel requires setting disbelief aside, but this part of the plot requires a huge commitment to accepting the preposterous. This turn in the plot dropped my rating. I really enjoyed it until the getaway. I initially stuck with it, with some trepidation, and then said, nope, not enjoying this. 

In the final analysis, the first part of the novel was definitely a five star read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The last part was maybe a two as it became increasingly absurd and horrific. Adding to my dilemma is the fact that the writing is excellent throughout, even in the part I thoroughly disliked, so I'm going with a cautious four star.

Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Cold Burn

Cold Burn by A. J. Landau
4/29/25; 336 pages
St. Martin's
A National Parks Series #2

Cold Burn by A. J. Landau (aka Jon Land, Jeff Ayers) is a highly recommended investigative thriller and climate science fiction novel. Cold Burn, following 2024's Leave No Trace, is the second book in their National Park Series.

National Park Service investigator Michael Walker is investigating the theft of artifacts when the case takes a fatal turn and becomes more mysterious. Then he is called to Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska to look for a team of missing U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists. FBI investigator Gina Delgado works on the case of a body found in Florida’s Everglades National Park. The body is discovered to be a USGS intern, but before she can wrap up the case, she is called to the scene of a sunken U.S. nuclear submarine where the entire crew has inexplicably been killed. Eventually all the action leads back to one man.

Chapters in the novel switch between multiple locations and characters with no connections in sight, which can feel disconcerting at first. Readers may be tempted to set the novel aside, but keep with it and everything will sort itself out. The mystery deepens as the action accelerates, connections begin to appear, and the tension increases up to a global scale. As in the first book in the series the antagonists are identified early on but this time all the various story lines are intriguing.

This is the second book in the series but it can be read as a standalone. Reading Leave No Trace, however, will provide more background information about the characters which helps with their development and portrayal as individuals. The focus is on the action rather than the parks. Expect to have to suspend disbelief along the way, with some lecturing on social/political topics included. 3.5 rounded up

Cold Burn will be appreciate by readers who like action-packed novels. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Such a Good Mom

Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro
4/29/25; 304 pages
St. Martin's Press

Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro is a recommended domestic drama. It is a highly recommended, detailed account of postpartum depression which marginally includes a so-so murder mystery. Read it if you are interested in the deep dive into postpartum depression.

Romance author and Martha’s Vineyard resident Brynn Nelson and her husband Ross have a newborn son, Lucas. After having a c-section, Brynn is exhausted, sleep deprived, and struggling with the demands of constantly nursing and caring for a newborn, while at the same time Ross seems more distant and distracted.  When Brynn learns that Cecilia, a well liked waitress at the club the Nelsons frequent, is found dead she is shocked. Then Ross is arrested for the crime and she needs to uncover the truth, including a clue from Ross told her to look for "the orange sun."

First, Such a Good Mom is not really a summer beach read. It is at its heart and core is an emotional, realistic, and brutally honest description of postpartum depression. It must be said that Spiro did an excellent job describing the struggles of new mothers and postpartum depression. It's been awhile, but all those feelings and struggles came crashing back. Some of the emotional, descriptive passages capture experiences many will  understand and they may help others. Expect some social commentary along the way.

The murder mystery really feels like an afterthought in the plot and takes a backseat to Brynn's struggles with a newborn and her depression. It's not entirely believable that she would start any investigation. In summary, the mystery is rather simplistic, basic, and predictable.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

If Two Are Dead

If Two Are Dead by Rick Mofina
4/29/25; 416 pages
MIRA Books 

If Two Are Dead by Rick Mofina is a very highly recommended suspenseful, twisty thriller.

Luke Conway and his wife Carrie with their one-year-old daughter Emily have moved back to Texas to spend time with her terminally ill father, Vernon Hamilton, during his final days. Luke has already obtained a position as a deputy with the county where his father-in-law was a sheriff. The decision was a difficult one. Carrie left years earlier after she was the sole survivor of an attack that left two girls dead in the woods. Carrie was hospitalized with brain injuries at the time and still has no memory of what happened. Luke was involved with a shooting as an LAPD officer and is ready to make a new start.

In the opening of the novel, just as Carrie and Emily are ready to move to Texas, Luke is driving home in a storm and hits something or someone. He gets out of his car and looks for what he hit but finds nothing so he decides to not call it in after his experience in LA. He ends up investigating on his own. This decision torments and distracts him. At the same time, after Carrie arrives some fleeting memories begin to return to her. She is still receiving support from her therapist, Dr. Bernay. Adding to the stress is the fact that residents of small towns never forget and take vehement sides on all manner of events.

The uneasiness, secrets, and stress remain high throughout this well-written, fast-paced, un-put-downable thriller. Honestly, much of the tension is due to the fact that you don't know if any of the characters are trustworthy. At one time or another it seems any or all of them have done some nefarious deed in their past. Both Luke, Carrie, and Vern are searching for answers, from the present and the past. You don't know if you should be sympathetic for their positions or hope they are caught.

The secrets, twists, and information just keeps coming strong right to the surprising, shocking, and unpredictable ending. Honestly, Mofina plotted and paced this novel like the skillful writer he is, which kept me glued to the pages waiting for the next revelation or crumb of information. The ending, though, was masterfully played and is what made the rating so high. Thanks to MIRA Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

 

Play, Rewind

Play, Rewind by John Vurro
4/29/25; 338 pages
Tortoise Books

Play, Rewind by John Vurro is a highly recommended literary family drama set in Queens, New York, during the year 2000.

Wes, 26, is caring for his mother who has Alzheimer’s and still working as a clerk at Video Planet. He had planned to go to film school for a future career in the movies. Now that dream is gone and he's struggling but committed to caring for his mother. His father walked out on them years ago. The home health care nurse, Gloria, helps with his mom when he's at work. His days are like a video tape, play and rewind.

Then some changes happen to Wes's world. Vito takes over the store from Dom and begins to make changes, including giving Wes a raise, cleaning up the store, and expecting Dom to actually work too. An even more welcomed change is Lola. They knew each other in high school and she returns to the neighborhood and seeks out Wes. The two begin a relationship.

This is in many ways a difficult novel to read as readers see Wes dealing with his mother's dementia, but even amidst the struggles there are moments of hope. Gloria has been a great support for Wes, but she is also realistically telling him it is time to get his mother into a home with full time care. Lola is a wonderful addition to his life. Wes is a young man who should have friends and be connecting with other people. 

In some ways this is also a tribute to movies and video stores. There is a plethora of movies mentioned throughout the novel. Readers who love movies are going to relish this. For those who remember video stores, the lists of movies will also bring back memories of going in and searching the aisles to pick out a movie or two.

Wes is a sympathetic character in a difficult situation. He is portrayed as a realistic individual with strengths and weaknesses. His mother's dementia is realistically portrayed and heartbreaking. Lola is an interesting character whose character is developed and secrets are revealed over the course of the novel.

Play, Rewind is a well-written literary novel that will be appreciated by those who enjoy family dramas and movies. Thanks to Tortoise Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.