Hum

Hum by Helen Phillips
8/6/24; 272 pages
Simon & Schuster/Marysue Rucci Books

Hum by Helen Phillips is a highly recommended speculative thriller which focuses on the potential effect of artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change in a dystopian future.

May Webb and her husband Jem have two elementary school aged children, Lu and Sy, and are struggling to make ends meet after May lost her job to AI. May undergoes an operation that alters her face so she is not immediately recognizable by AI surveillance software and is paid the equivalent of 10 months of her previous salary. 

She decides to splurge on 3 day passes inside the Botanical Garden for her whole family. It is an extravagant vacation into a lush, green paradise. She tells her children that they must all leave their devices/phones behind, including the children's devices called bunnies. When her children go missing and cannot be tracked by their bunnies she is forced to turn to a hum, an AI robot, for help, which only makes things worse.

May's fight for her family in this world full of AI and constant commercials/ads is a frightening portrait and caution of a dystopian future. Already many are at the mercy of their devices and are unable to set them aside. This novel multiplies that current trend. The writing is precise without a lot of extra adornment, but it captures May's internal plight with compassion and sensitivity. It also portrays motherhood and a loving family realistically as they navigate life in this future.

Hum would actually make a better movie than novel, something I never thought I'd say as books are generally better, however, there are moments in the novel that would make a huge impact visually. It is impactful as a novel, but much more could be done with it as a movie. Thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Only the Guilty Survive

Only the Guilty Survive by Kate Robards
8/6/24; 288 pages
Crooked Lane Books

Only the Guilty Survive by Kate Robards is a recommended psychological thriller focused on a cult.

In the small town of Iola, Michigan, a cult known as the Flock is tied to the murder of a local beauty queen and the mass suicide of the members. The leader disappeared after the tragic events and one of the members, Claire Kettler, was the sole survivor. Claire is still suffering from what she experienced at the hands of cult leader Dominic Bragg. Claire was also best friends with Lollie (Laurel Tai), a local beauty queen who was trying to leave the cult and was later found dead. Now a podcaster is in town stirring up secrets while looking into the cult and the crime.

The narrative is told through the perspective of Claire in the present day and Lollie from a decade ago. This dual point-of-view allows readers to experience through Lollie's eyes what Claire was going through in contrast to what Claire remembers and what she is now experiencing. Although this plot device allows suspense and tension to slowly build, the pacing actually felt a bit slow and uneven. 

Lollie was the more compelling character in contrast to Claire. I never fully believed any competent therapist would allow her to not confront her past and what happened. The character of the podcaster, Arlo Stone, could have been used more effectively to enhance the tension and a create a greater sense of urgency in Claire much sooner.

Ultimately this is a good novel. It is entertaining and follows some benchmark traits of cults and their leaders, however, it never set itself apart as anything special. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

A World of Hurt

A World of Hurt by Mindy Mejia
8/6/24; 352 pages
Grove/Atlantic

A World of Hurt by Mindy Mejia is a recommended thriller and the sequel to her novel To Catch a Storm.

Kara Johnson is a former dealer who turned to an DEA informant to end a drug trafficking empire. Kara is still grieving and wants revenge since her girlfriend Celina died protecting her. Max Summerlin is a cop who accepts an invitation to work with the DEA task force. He’ll be the liaison for Kara Johnson as they try to take down drug kingpin Sam Olson. The two aren't thrilled with their partnership but in their situation they are forced to rely on each other.

I would recommend reading To Catch a Storm before A World of Hurt as it will provide you with a whole lot more background information and insight into the characters. I could feel the lack of important background information as I scrambled to pick up some of the essential knowledge. Also it is set during the pandemic so there are all sorts of references to social distancing, masks, and lock downs. Generally I avoid any and all novels set during this time. Moving the timeline out of 2020 could have easily been done and would have been preferable.

The narrative alternates between the point-of-view of Kara and Max. The two are fully realized characters but are very different people, which is clearly shown in the insight into their private lives. The plot moves at a fast pace and will hold your attention. There is plenty of action, drama, and a few twists along the way in this suspenseful crime thriller. Thanks to Grove/Atlantic for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

House of Glass

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen
8/6/24; 352 pages
St. Martin's Press 

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen is a highly recommended novel of psychological suspense.

Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney (BIA) in Washington D.C. who is appointed to serve as counsel for children in custody cases. Normally she doesn't accept clients under thirteen, but it is believed that Stella is the best choice to help nine-year-old Rose Barclay. After witnessing the death or murder of her nanny Tina de la Cruz, Rose immediately stopped talking. Stella also experienced traumatic mutism as a child after the death of her mother. The police are investigating the case, the parents are in the midst of divorcing, and Stella's job is to interview the family and observe how they interact with each other to determine what would be best for Rose.

The Barclay family seems far more troubled and secretive than Stella expected. They all have motives and are suspects in Tina's death. Ian, Rose’s dad, was having an affair with Tina, who was pregnant with his child when she died. Beth, Rose’s mom, is very guarded and claims to have a glass phobia now so all glass in the house has been replaced with plastic. Harriett, Rose’s grandmother and Ian's mother, has been staying with them while recovering from knee surgery. Even Rose herself is a suspect as she is secretly collecting sharp objects that could be used as weapons.

House of Glass is very well written. The suspense, tension, and sense of dread slowly build as characters are introduced.  I appreciated following Stella's actual investigation which further increased the tension as no one is trustworthy, everyone is a suspect. It really is an unpredictable, excellent plot that held my complete attention.

This was a five star rating until the end when a totally unnecessary relationship that added nothing to the plot was introduced. It felt completely out of place, like it was added after the novel was already written to fulfill some requirement. I'll be looking forward to Pekkanen's next novel. 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.

Unbalanced

Unbalanced by D. P. Lyle
8/6/24; 354 pages
Oceanview Publishing
Jake Longly #7

Unbalanced by D. P. Lyle is a highly recommended murder mystery and the seventh novel in the Jake Longly series.

"Ex-pro baseball player Jake Longly and his girlfriend, Nicole, are asked by Jake’s father, Ray, a private investigator, to pick up some papers from a realtor for his business." It's an easy errand that should have taken a few minutes but when Jake and Nicole arrive at the office they find the realtor dead by a single gunshot to the head. This thrusts Jake and Nicole into the investigation, along with Pancake, Jake's friend and Ray's associate.

As expected, the writing is great, the pace quick, and the investigation is detailed and interesting. The banter between the characters can be funny, lighthearted, and quick witted, which is entertaining, but it can also turn serious when required. The suggestive banter between Jake and Nicole is present in every book, but isn't too distracting and over-the-top in Unbalanced. The final denouement is a bit predictable but the investigation is an intricate, fun, and fast-paced journey.

Jake and Nicole are fully realized characters (from the previous novels I've read) and this time Pancake receives further character development. The books in the series can be read as stand alone mysteries  I've read several books in the series but this was my favorite to date. Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Strange Sally Diamond

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent 
7/30/24; 320 pages
Gallery/Scout Press

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent is a very highly recommended psychological thriller following flawed characters and dysfunctional families.

Sally Diamond was caring for her dying father who always told her when he was gone she should put him out with the trash. Sally, who is in her early forties and takes everything very literally, does just that, and since they burn their trash she tried to burn her father's body. This thrust her into the limelight, with the police and the media because it also brought forth her background and the reason why she can't remember events before she was seven years old.

After a very traumatic early childhood, Sally was adopted by her father, Thomas, a psychiatrist, and her physician mother who passed away years ago. Sally often tells others that she knows she is socially deficient, but she does have a few friends through her father that she trusts. She learns that her father left her three letters to read after his death, so Sally follows the advice to slowly read them one week at a time. They are supposed to help explain why she is the way she is, someone who doesn't like to talk to people, never cries, and loves playing the piano, however someone from her past is also contacting her, calling her "Mary," and sends her a toy bear she immediately recognizes.

Strange Sally Diamond starts out feeling like a familiar novel, but everything dramatically changes after part one. The narrative moves back and forth in time between two different perspectives that provide incredible insight into her background but also expands the story into an even darker, traumatic tale. As Sally tries to talk to people and make her way in the world, she learns that people don't always say what they mean and you can't always say everything to them.

The writing is excellent and Sally is a fully realized, complicated, and sympathetic character. The supporting cast of characters are realistic and add a depth to the plot as they help Sally navigate her way through increasing her social interactions. There is another character who is also fully realized, although not sympathetic. It isn't always easy novel to read as the topics handled are horrific and show how evil people can be. It also shows that there are good people who care and can be trusted in the world.

The big change in the narrative transformed Strange Sally Diamond from an expected plot projection to something entirely different that showed the darker side of human nature. Strange Sally Diamond held my complete attention to the end. This might be a good choice for book clubs who appreciate deep discussions about human nature and evil in the world. Thanks to Gallery/Scout Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Festival

The Festival by Louise Mumford
7/30/24; 336 pages
HarperCollins/HQ

The Festival by Louise Mumford is a highly recommended thriller/mystery.

Libby who is till dealing with her complicated feelings after her mother's death agrees to go out to a club with her best friend, Dawn. Unbelievably, Libby wins two tickets to the Solstice, a music festival on Midsummer’s Eve in Wales at the Blakes family farm. This is a huge event for those who like to go to these sorts of music festivals. It was started by Abel Blake along with his mother Ma Blake, and brother Silas. Dawn is thrilled about the tickets and talks Libby, who is hesitant, into going. It turns out to be a huge mistake.

The narrative unfolds in dual time narratives and includes mixed media stories. After a strong start, the plot becomes uneven and heads down a bumpy road. I wasn't thrilled with the folklore/superstition/mysticism parts of the story which were off-putting. In the mix is a twenty-year-old mystery that becomes very important. The reveals are huge and drama is over-the-top at the height of the final scenes. I had to suspend disbelief several times. 

This is a fast-paced summer read, although it did confirm a music/solstice festival will never interest me. The final denouement raised my opinion of the whole plot as it is actually uplifting and positive. Thanks to HarperCollins/HQ for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.