A Land More Kind Than Home

 

A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash
4/17/12; 309 pages
William Morrow 

A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash is an excellent, very highly recommended Southern literary drama following two brothers who in 1986, face evil disguised as good.

In the small North Carolina town of Marshall, in Madison County, Adelaide Lyle, 81, a long-time midwife recognizes that Pastor Carson Chambliss and his new River Road Church of Christ in Signs and Wonders is not a safe place for children after she witnesses the death of a parishioner, so she takes and cares for the children in her own personal Sunday School during the service. Chambliss, who is relatively new to the area believes in snake handling among other things. 

The sons of Ben and Julie Hall, Jess, 9, and his brother Stump (Christopher), 13, who is mute and likely autistic, witness something they shouldn't have. Now Pastor Chambliss is making sure Stump pays a price for it, sending someone to get him for church because "it is his special day." Stump's fate ends up attracting the attention of Clem Barefield, Sheriff of Madison County since 1961, who can no longer ignore what is happening in the church. He has an old tragedy tied to the Hall family but now must face a new one.

The exceptionally well-written narrative is told through the personal stories of Adelaide, Jess, and Clem, covering events both in the present and the past. Their individual points-of-view propel the plot forward and provide all the information and background needed. They are all facing an evil trying to portray itself as good, but our narrators, including young Jess, understand and recognize the darkness. The very different perception and experience of the narrators helps set this novel above the ordinary. The plot is compelling and once you start reading it is impossible to put this novel down. 

The characters are all portrayed as unique, complex individuals with both strengths and weaknesses. Both Adelaide and Clem have a life time of experience and history to work through while dealing with the current tragedy. Young Jess is the most sympathetic character because of his immaturity. His exposure to the evil events portrayed will effect his entire life, but one can hope that it will also give him the insight to see evil when it presents itself. 

A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash is an excellent literary Southern drama and deserves all the accolades from readers it has received over the years. This is another winner as I continue to take a break between advanced readers copies and read some novels I own and have been planning to read for years. 

Ordinary Grace

 

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
307 pages; 3/26/13
Atria Books

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger is an exceptional, very highly recommended domestic drama/historical fiction set in 1961 when several deaths leave characters questioning the terrible price of wisdom and the nature of God's grace. 

“That was it. That was all of it. A grace so ordinary there was no reason at all to remember it. Yet I have never across the forty years since it was spoken forgotten a single word.”   

Frank Drum is looking back on the summer of 1961 in New Bremen, Minnesota, when he was 13. Bobby Cole, a young contemporary of theirs was killed on the train tracks. This started a summer where four more deaths would occur. Frank's father Nathan Drum was going to be a lawyer, but WWII changed him and now he is a minister for three local Methodist churches. His mother Ruth has a beautiful voice and handles the church music, sister Ariel, 18, is a gifted pianist and musician who is headed to Julliard in the fall, and his younger brother and almost constant companion, Jake is 11 and has a stutter. 

This is a beautifully written novel that covers a myriad of topics as an adult looks back at the boy he was when he encountered some very adult lessons, and everyone's faith is tested as tragedy strikes. This is not a murder mystery as it is much more concerned with the in-depth character development of everyone, but especially that of Frank and Jake as they are being suddenly thrust into maturity while noticing adult failings, lies, and secrets all around them, some of which are still beyond their complete understanding. And all of the characters have to deal with the question of the awful grace of God and what that means.

The setting is also part of the novel and a small town in rural Minnesota during the early 1960s is perfectly captured. The kids in the neighborhood are walking to the train tracks, down to the river, and walking all over town. They can freely overhear discussions between adults that they are perhaps not ready for and watch adults do some questionable actions. Some of what Frank believes is true based on his limited knowledge and experience is later proven false. He also has to watch the adults around him struggle with their own faith during the challenges they face. 

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger is an excellent, must-read novel and it is clear why it is so very highly recommended.  This is another winner as I continue to take a break between advanced readers copies and read some novels I own and have been planning to read for years. 

Eleanor & Park

 

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
2/26/13; 336 pages
St. Martin's Press 

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell is a very highly recommended story of a first love between two misfits set over the course of a school year in Omaha during 1986. 

Eleanor and Park, both 16, meet when, as the new kid, Eleanor, is looking for a seat on the bus where every seat is claimed by someone else. Park, sitting toward the back of the bus, just happens to not have a seat mate. The driver is yelling at her to sit and she ends up next to Park. Park is a half-Korean fan of comic books and alternative music. Eleanor is tall, big girl with a mane of curly red hair and a unique style of dressing. They don't talk for a long time, until Park notices that Eleanor is surreptitiously also reading his comic books. He begins to turn the pages slower, to make sure she's able to follow. Soon he's sharing his comic books with her, then music, and eventually they begin to talk.

The two have a very different background and home life. Park has a relatively normal home life, a few friends, and wears mostly black t-shirts featuring bands. Eleanor's home life is a struggle and she doesn't share this information. Her mother remarried an abusive, drunkard jerk of a stepfather, Richie, who kicked her out of the house last year. Now she and her five siblings all share one bedroom, eat right after school, and avoid him at all costs. Now, being the new, very different girl also makes her a target at her new high school. 

The narrative is told through the alternating points-of-view of Park and Eleanor in this is a well-written, emotionally wrenching story of a very awkward first love set during one socially anxious year of high school. Even while they know they are falling in love, they are both cautious of what they say to each other, afraid it is the wrong thing or said in the wrong way. Park does not know the truth of Eleanor's home life. The time period is perfectly captured and the dialogue between the two is pitch perfect. Yeah, I cried.

Generally classified as a YA novel, it easily crosses over into an adult novel, especially toward the end. I bought this years ago on a strong recommendation and, as I've hit a place where I'm trying to do a little catch-up reading on novels I never got to, it was on my short list to finally read. I am so glad I did and now I understand why it was so highly recommended. It covers a myriad of emotional topics with characters already experiencing one of the most emotional periods of their lives. 

Mammoth

 

Mammoth by John Varley
6/7/05; 353 pages
Ace 

Mammoth by John Varley is a very highly recommended thriller with science fiction and time travel plot elements. Seriously, why did I wait so long to read this fun, engaging science fiction story? I bought a copy years ago and finally read it now...

Multimillionaire Howard Christian's head of mammoth recovery has just found a frozen, perfectly persevered specimen of a mammoth in Nunavut. The only problem is the two bodies by it. One body is of a man wearing a wristwatch with a metal suitcase who is over, protecting another the body of a woman. While trying to keep everything secret, Christian's troubleshooter Warburton is sent to bring in professor Matthew (Matt) Wright, the top man concerning the physics of time, to see if he can get the time machine working again. He also brings in Susan Morgan DVM and elephant specialist because he plans to start a mammoth cloning project. What he plans and ends up getting results in a seriously entertaining adventure.

Included in between the chapters of the novel is a children's story about a family of mammoths, including Big Mama and Little Fuzzy. The children's story will be important to the upcoming plot. Also, readers need to note that the novel starts with chapter five. Don't look for the missing chapters. They will be there at the end of the novel where they intentionally belong. 

This is a well-written, entertaining, engrossing story. The plot was attention grabbing right away and kept me immersed in the action from start to finish. It was quite easy to suspend all disbelief and simply be entertained while enjoying the narrative. I liked the wide variety of characters, who were all portrayed realistically as individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Mammoth is a great choice for those who enjoy science fiction thrillers that include some time travel (and some discussion of what UFOs are.)

Murder of a Beekeeper

 

Murder of a Beekeeper by P.F. Ford
12/1/26; 270 pages (est.)
Joffe Books 

Murder of a Beekeeper by P.F. Ford is a highly recommended cozy mystery featuring retired detective Norman Norman and his wife Faye.

Norman and Faye moved 2 months ago to Pontefelin, Wales, where he is working on establishing a garden for the first time and walking their dog, Trudy. Faye, who was a journalist, is now a part time secretary at the Woman's Institute (WI) area office. The benefit of Faye's part time job is that she is there for all the rumors and gossip that flies through a small village. Apparently, Evan Griffths, a local beekeeper, has had bees dying and he very vocally blamed Elin Thomas, a local herbalist. Megan Jones, the niece of Evan, is living with him after a business failure and bought a whole lot of cleaning supplies. Norman also uncovers information when walking Trudy, for example Gwenllian's dog Betsy was poisoned and she blames Sian Powell and his iffy compost.

Then Trudy alert him to something wrong and Norman finds Evan dead, by his beehives. As a retired DS, he also notices several other clues such as the funny looking compost on the ground by the hives and the wet clay on Evan's boots. He points out what he notices to Detective Llewellyn, who is sure the death is from natural causes and is dismissive of Norman's observations and experience. This sets both Norman and Faye into action as they carefully conduct their own investigation, working their way through the many feuds and rumors in the village. 

This is a rather charming cozy mystery that I found quite appealing. It doesn't have the tension, gruesome crime scenes, frantic pace, and numerous twists often found in more gritty police procedurals, but what it does have is a steady, gentle pace, and a low key, careful investigation by Norman and Faye. Much of the sleuthing is done while dog walking, attending WI or Garden Club meetings, at the pub, or church. This is my first Norman Norman book, so I have no idea if his current pace reflects his previous police work. It does fit a certain reading niche when you need something more gentle, but still very engaging to read. 

Norman's concern and worry over starting his garden was quite humorous, especially if you've been gardening for years without a second thought. Trudy's digging in the garden or by the fence was also a nice touch and felt like a realistic touch that kept the mystery grounded in people simply living their lives while simultaneously solving a murder mystery. This is the start of a new series.

Murder of a Beekeeper is a wonderful choice for those who like cozy mysteries set in Wales. Thanks to Joffe Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Woman in Car 13

 

The Woman in Car 13 by D E White
12/3/26; 288 pages
Boldwood Books 

The Woman in Car 13 by D E White is a highly recommended thriller, part physical, part psychological. In the prologue, Hannah is working late at night at Jex Diagnostics, a research and healthcare company when she receives a text warning her: "Be careful Hannah. They know what you are doing." 

The next day, Kayla, a single mom who cleans homes and also works part time for the fair is waiting for her ice cream freezer to be repaired so she takes a ride on the Big Wheel. Suddenly the wheel stops and she finds herself in car 13, fifteen meters above the ground. Her first thought is for her daughter Millie, then she texts Alun, her boss, and asks how long before the fix. He's sent his brother Danny for the part and says 20 minutes, so Kayla looks around at her lofty view and pulls out her phone to film. When she sees her employer and friend, Hannah, out jogging being suddenly escorted into a black car by three men, she is shocked. Does she recognize the driver? Has she just witnessed a kidnapping?

Kayla's neighbor Mr. Avers, who works at the Medical Regulation Authority, can hear the screams from the park. He is in a moral dilemma. Close to retirement, he's allowed himself to be paid, and now physically threatened, to ignore anomalies in the data. At this time, Kayla, and the other riders on the wheel, after experiencing some starts and stops, they are still trapped long past the 20 minutes. Now, when Kayla's about four meters above the ground, the whole Big Wheel begins to fall sideways, injuring and trapping the riders. Kayla is trapped, unable to contact Hannah to see if she is okay, she finds a friend to pick up Millie from school and awaits rescue with the others.

Having Kayla trapped on the Big Wheel is a successfully used plot device to grab your attention. It also serves to allow her to witness something that looks nefarious while she's unable to act and introduces some minor characters. The real plot/point of the novel is something entirely different and involves a global conspiracy involving Jex Diagnostics. Each chapter is through a different character's point-of-view, allowing the reader to piece together the greater conspiracy going on and how several characters are involved, even peripherally, in the larger picture. 

The tension over the conspiracy, although ultimately this is a bigger, more dangerous and far reaching element, never quite meets the sense of danger and tension that readers will experience from the opening and subsequent Big Wheel stopping and then falling. A fear of heights is real and used effectively within the novel. The action does pick up again, the sense of danger takes a new form, all the various plot points come together at the end, and there are several surprising twists. The conclusion was very satisfying.

Kayla is a fully realized character with strengths and weaknesses. She's intelligent and you will wish her the best as you learn about her background as she struggles just to get by and care for her daughter. This helps hold your attention. The other minor characters also receive some further development to portray them as individuals and hold your attention while the bigger conspiracy is revealed. 

The Woman in Car 13 is a great choice for those who enjoy thrillers involving conspiracies. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Pact

 

The Pact by Teri Terry
12/1/26; 304 pages
Boldwood Books 

The Pact by Teri Terry is a recommended psychological thriller. Get the popcorn ready, grab a seltzer, set disbelief aside, and prepared for an entertaining, soapy drama.

Isobel is found dead at the foot of the cliff where seventeen years ago her boarding school mate Maggie died after a fall from a cliff. Both deaths were ruled a suicide. Four former friends from the same boarding school, Clem, Bex, Katya, and Jules, are preparing to attend Isobel's funeral and also remembering the pact they made to never speak about what happened  to Maggie all those years ago. Now they have all received the same anonymous  text, "One is for sorrow," after Isobels death, and the vaguely sinister messages continues. Does someone know what happened years ago?

The narrative is told through chapters from the point-of-view of Clem and Bex. All of these women are very different characters. Bex has two kids, Olly, 5, and Nora, 1 1/2, is heading toward a contentious divorce, and trying to work full time. This is in stark contrast to the other women. Clem is wealthy, the wife of an MP, and has 3 children and a nanny to watch them. Jules is a wealthy designer, and Katya coaches athletes for Olympic competition. Clem, Jules and Isobel were the fast friends from their boarding school days, with Bex, and Katya on the sideline. Bex really had little contact with these woman after school beyond some with her former roommate Katya.  

You have to set disbelief aside while reading. Personally, I struggled with Bex suddenly starting a relationship with Liam. It seemed very unrealistic considering her situation, so it is clearly a plot device to add suspense. It did the job, but at a cost. It also stretched credulity for me that these women would all group together like school girls again for the funeral and later to scatter Isobel's ashes. They weren't all that close as friends and that fact is pointed out several times.

Obviously, based on the title alone, you know there was a pact made between them. As the plot unfolds, the women continue to receive text messages based on the traditional magpie nursery rhyme (which is helpfully shared at the opening of the novel) with some modifications of the words. You can read through the chapters pretty quickly. While you may suspect what the pact was, all the information is not shared until later in the novel. The ending was a surprise. 3.5 rounded down when needed.

The Pact is a good choice for readers who enjoy soapy popcorn thrillers. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.