Our Greatest Work

 

Our Greatest Work: A Novel by Twins  

by Sam and Joe Eicher
11/10/26; 296 pages
Akashic Books 

Our Greatest Work: A Novel by Twins by Sam and Joe Eicher is a recommended literary bro drama, with some comedic scenes, featuring twin brothers and written by twin brothers. 

Joe and Sam are 28-year-old Jewish twin brothers who have been estranged and are about to see each other at their ten-year high school reunion in Chicago. Both twins tell their story in alternating first-person chapters. Joe, an actor, is flying from Paris seated next to Broadway actor Anthony Rapp, the original star of Rent, and he tells his story to Rapp in his chapters. Sam, a writer, has been living in Aix-en-Provence, France, for several years where he works as a guide for Ramble. He reflects on the past after meeting with Isaac, an old high school friend who offers him a book deal. The problem between the brothers began back with their high schools production of the musical Rent, and with Chloe, who was Sam’s first love, but also had a history with Joe.

Part of the goal of the novel, beyond telling an entertaining story, is to show readers the dichotomy identical twins face, along with all the various ways twins are portrayed as they struggle to differentiate themselves as individuals. Even siblings who grow up together can feel a close bond, but twins know each other intimately. Along with the obvious looking like each other, they know each others background, triggers, shortcomings, dreams, and insecurities. This alone could explain the desire for some distance and autonomy from each other as they get older. As brother is pitted against brother, there is no good side/choice.

I classified this as a bro drama because, well, it feels like a bro book with partying, lots of talking smack, relationship talk, humor, and cultural references all from a young(er) male point-of view.  As I was reading it became abundantly clear that I was not the target reader and this novel wasn't a good fit for me. I'm, honestly, an older woman, which placed some of the topics and cultural references out of my purview, however, it was worth reading even if at times it was challenging to tell the brother's voices apart and at other points it seemed to meander through topics and events. I'm likely an outlier on this one.

Our Greatest Work: A Novel by Twins is a good choice for those who enjoy very contemporary literary novels. Thanks to Akashic Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Hit

 

The Hit by Paul Heatley 
11/1/26; 300 pages
Inkubator Books
Zeke Greene #1 

The Hit by Paul Heatley is a very highly recommended thriller and the first book in the Zeke (Ezekiel) Greene series. 

After working black ops along with Tom Rollins for the CIA put his family in danger, Zeke Greene has left the agency. The CIA was not pleased with his decision made it difficult for him to find a job. Finally he is hired for the position of Constable of Lavigne County in Louisiana and he and his wife Naomi along with their children, Tre, 8, and Tamika, 6, move to the small town of Moreau. His first day in town introduces two local bullies, brothers, Lance and Howie Erskine who harass Naomi and then think they'll beat up Zeke when he tells them to apologize. This is also his introduction to two deputies on the local police force, the third Erskine brother, Damien, and young Joseph Dufont, 22.

Zeke meets Sheriff Lawrence Fontaine the next day. Clueless about his background and thinking Zeke was just a security guard before this, Fontaine makes it clear that Zeke is beneath him and not worthy of any consideration. The county is his to run, his way, and Zeke is just a constable. The previous Constable, Laslo Colbert disappeared. Then Zeke happens to see a meth lab blow up, has people shooting at him, and finds a body. He calls the police, who want him to leave it alone and ignore the area, with the exception of Joseph. Zeke takes the body to the coroner, Samuel Fox, who warns Zeke to watch his back and be mindful of who he trusts. This includes the sheriff. Zeke is keenly aware that there is  a lot of criminal behavior being ignored in Lavigne County.

This is an excellent start for the new series featuring Zeke Greene. The plot is interesting, complex, and will hold your complete attention. The action takes off right away and keeps a lightning-fast pace straight through the whole un-put-downable novel. It is clear that the corruption in the county is widespread and Zeke's investigation into it is portrayed in a believable manner. As if there wasn't enough going on already, there is a subplot where Arthur Shackleton, with the CIA, hires hitman Dean Valchek to eliminate Zeke and his family if necessary. This novel takes place after the events in the Tom Rollins book #10, Search and Destroy, which first introduced Zeke and his family. It can be read as a standalone thriller.

Zeke is a great character and he is easy to support throughout the novel. He is intelligent, observant, skilled, and, if needed, very dangerous. Joseph Dufont is there for Zeke as the one deputy he can trust and it seems he will be helping Zeke in future outings. It also needs to be mentioned that Naomi can hold her own too as she has an incredible scene in the novel. From the end of the novel readers will know that there is still a whole lot of corruption in the county that needs to be dealt with and that Zeke and his family are still going to be in danger. I'm looking forward to the next one. 

The Hit is a great choice for those who enjoy action-packed thrillers and want to get in at the start of a new series. Thanks to Inkubator Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

All In

 

All In by David Baldacci
11/10/26; 448 pages
Grand Central Publishing
6:20 Man series #4 

All In by David Baldacci is an excellent, very highly recommended, action-packed thriller and the fourth novel in the 6:20 Man/Travis Devine series. 

Travis Devine, current Department of Homeland Security agent and former Army Ranger is called to investigate after investigative reporter Theresa Lee is shot and Five Eyes associate Bill Walker is kidnapped and later his body turns in the Sydney Harbor. Walker was married to Australian billionaire Charlotte Woolwine, although he had recently filed for divorce. The Woolwine family is a wealthy, powerful Australian dynasty with worldwide connections. The U.S. is involved because of Walker’s work with Five Eyes, the intelligence-gathering alliance of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. 

Devine begins his investigation in NYC and then is sent to Australia, where he teams up with DS Anais Jones of the NSW Police Force. As Devine and Jones investigate, the danger is ever present and increases throughout the narrative. It becomes clear that Walker's death is tied to the Woolwine family, but the question is in what capacity. In the investigation they encounter rogue intelligence operations, Russian mobsters, compromised prisons, AI data centers, and a quiet campaign to redraw the global balance of power. Devine must use all his intelligence and special skills to survive this investigation.

All In is another compelling, well-written, fast-paced, well-plotted, riveting, action packed thriller in the 6:20 Man series that will hold your complete attention throughout. Even though it is part of a series it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone novel. The plot is intricate and complex, but it is so well written that the complications are easy to follow. You will find yourself racing through the pages to see what could possibly happen next, understanding that danger is around every corner. Quickly it becomes apparent that you can't trust anyone and everything may not be as it seems.

Devine and Jones are both strong characters and are portrayed as intelligent, fully realized individuals. You will be rooting for these two to uncover the truth and remain healthy and alive while doing so. There is a subplot following the hospitalization and failing health of Devine's father along with their complicated relationship. This adds another undercurrent of stress to an already challenging and dangerous situation.

All In is an excellent choice for everyone who enjoys high octane, action packed thrillers. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Price of Silence

 

Price of Silence by Elise Hart Kipness
1/1/27; 317 pages
Thomas & Mercer
Sydney Price #1 

Price of Silence by Elise Hart Kipness is a highly recommended investigative domestic drama following a wealthy, influential media family.

Sydney Price is a reporter at WNEX in NYC. Even though she is part of the Glenmont Media family after her father married her stepmother, Judith Glenmont,  Sydney wants to make her own way on her own merit in the business. The plot opens strong with an explosion at the Glenmont Media Headquarters across the street from WNEX, Sydney immediately makes sure her family is okay, while colleagues are hoping she can uncover inside information. Veteran reporter Randy Fields uncovers intel that small pipe bombs were responsible and this delayed an important vote in the boardroom.  A huge storm moves in, and Sydney needs to go to a swanky engagement party for her stepbrother James and Dalia, where her ex, Oliver, is also attending. Randy suddenly, suspiciously, becomes violently ill, is hospitalized, and dies.

The narrative starts with a lot going on, including bombs, a storm, a plethora of secrets, intrigue, lies, and plenty of interpersonal and family drama. Since the author was a reporter, the newsroom scenes are realistically portrayed. Parts of the drama are predictable because there have been clues clearly shared in the narrative, which does lessen some of the big twists/reveals in the plot. There is, naturally, much attention of the ultra-wealthy Glenmont family and plenty of infighting. It's not always easy to feel a connection with an entitled wealthy family behaving badly. 

After a fast-paced start with an abundance of excitement and intrigue, the plot slowed down in the middle, but it does recover to a satisfying ending.  There is also a romance subplot that was annoying, unrealistic, and unnecessary as it distracted from the actual plot. Really, a conspiracy is being uncovered, family drama is escalating, there are ties to other powerful people, a co-worker dies suspiciously, a huge storm is causing havoc, you might be in danger personally, and you suddenly feel romantic? Yeah, not likely. 

Price of Silence is a good choice for those who enjoy following an investigation by a reporter and the ensuing drama in her very wealthy family. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGally. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Sensualist

 

The Sensualist by Gary Shteyngart
11/17/26; 304 pages
Random House 

The Sensualist by Gary Shteyngart is a highly recommended collection of personal essays. This is Shteyngart's first essay collection and everyone should find something to enjoy in these exceptionally well-written essays. All of them reaffirm his keen observational skills, complete honesty, and diverse interests.

The opening introduction is not to be missed, especially for the ode to the pleasure of eating garlic. The collection is presented in three parts: Pure Pleasure, The Happy Traveler, and How to Survive in Hell. Pure Pleasure is found in capybaras, collecting wristwatches, a martini tour, and 10 days of Oblomov. In the Happy Traveler Shteyngart travels across the USA on a Greyhound bus, to Bombay/Mumbai, ponders neighboring visitors in motels, visits Cuba, journeys to Beijing, China, and recounts adventures in Canada. In the final survivor section we endure through him his experiencing the miseries of a cruise ship, a very personal medical ordeal, watching Putin-sanctioned/Russian controlled state TV for a week, loving your parents in spite of their politics, and asking if your smart phone make you a dumber dad.

As with any collection not every essay will resonate with everyone. He is very open and honest sharing his personal medical ordeal, along with his other thoughts, which might be too much for some readers. Admittedly I found it humorous that he encourages readers to never strive to be richer than upper middle class, and then goes on to extol the pleasures of collecting wristwatches, getting a bespoke suit, and searching for the best martini. Perhaps upper middle class changes based on your location. All of his adventures are entertaining and interesting. Although I have never wanted to go on a cruise, he reaffirmed my decision. 

The Sensualist is an excellent choice for those who enjoy personal essays on a wide variety of topics. Thanks to Random House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

No Such Thing as Monday

 

No Such Thing as Monday by Siân Hughes
11/10/26; 224 pages
Henry Holt & Company  

No Such Thing as Monday by Siân Hughes is a highly recommended literary domestic drama in which a woman looks back at her past

Stephanie (Steffie) Cartwright's father Stan has died which is the impetus for Steffie to find her long missing sister Caroline. The two grew up in the 1970s in working class Birmingham, UK, where Steffie was the favorite and Caroline experienced their father's cruel emotional and physical abuse, as did their submissive mother who died young. Caroline left home, disappeared, at 16. Stan was a bully, ran dog fights, and used others for his benefit. As Steffie looks back on her past, she clearly noted Stan's preferential treatment toward her in stark contrast with how he treated his wife and other daughter. As the story of Steffie's life is slowly revealed, it is clear she is her own worst enemy and feels guilty about her favored status by Stan.

This is a hard novel to read. Steffie is not a sympathetic character, but you will hope she gets to a good place. She is an irascible, complicated working class character who has had a hard life, made mistakes, and misjudged situations. She continually pays the price for her misdeeds while struggling to press on through the novel. In the narrative she looks back at her childhood memories and past while also struggling in the present. She also, always, wonders where is Caroline. All of her background and history has made Steffie the woman she is today, with all of her flaws, guilt, trauma, and determination. 

It is a beautifully written novel even with the subject matter. It is also a short novel, so it is a quick read. At the author's note at the end Hughes explains that the theme of laundry/cleaning which runs through the plot was inspired by a 14th-century poem known as Purity or Cleanness which is concerned with keeping up the laundry and the old, dirty, tattered clothes are a spiritual metaphor for washing your soul clean. The final denouement does bring some closure.

No Such Thing as Monday is a excellent choice for those who enjoy literary novels focused on domestic drama. Thanks to Henry Holt & Company  for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Everything Happens So Much

 

Everything Happens So Much by Andrew H. Murray
11/10/26; 336 pages
Little, Brown and Company 

Everything Happens So Much by Andrew H. Murray is a quirky, comedic science fiction adventure. It is highly recommended. Set expectations aside and meet Esme Good, who always has a look of constant, but slight panic, like she's forgot something. It is set in a different universe from you and me, it's basically the same but, as the narrator who breaks the fourth wall throughout the novel informs us, you'll notice the differences.

Esme works for the GMCL, General Municipal Complaint Line, where she takes calls and listens to complaints all day. Her supportive work friend, Talmeck, is nearby. She knows she is not living her best life ever. Her only escape, and one Esme has been exploiting for years, is Elsewhere, a drug that offers her 15 minutes out of her life and into an alternate version of herself. From these escapes she knows there are better versions of her out there. On the day she plans to quit, she ends up extending her work contract for decades. After this, on her break, she hides in the bathroom to take a dose of Elsewhere, which triggers cosmic chaos. Esme accidentally becomes the most important person in the universe. She is arrested, and eventually has a government agency called the Fabric of Reality Authority after her and her companions.

This is a creative, darkly hilarious, chaotic novel packed full of absurd, impossible situations, funny characters, and non-stop action, which does, indeed, result in everything happening so much. Included in the novel are footnotes and comments from the author, breaking the fourth wall and adding mirth and an additional reality. It can definitely be ridiculous and vexing at times, while simultaneously entertaining, delightful and wonderfully imaginative. It also tangentially explores the concept that a different life may not have made you happier. 

Esme is a messy character and won't be appealing to everyone. Her identity crisis and discontent with her life can be frustrating, especially after she becomes the most important person in the universe, along with all the chaos that entails. She does reach a place of acceptance and contentment as she understands that she does have a meaningful role to play in the life. This won't be a good fit for everyone, but those who can set any preconceived expectations aside and appreciate the journey will probably also enjoy the novel.

Everything Happens So Much is a wonderful choice for everyone who can appreciate a fanciful, quirky science fiction adventure. Thanks to Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.