The Not So Happy Couple

 

The Not So Happy Couple by Emily Shiner
10/30/26; 300 pages
Bookouture 

The Not So Happy Couple by Emily Shiner is a recommended domestic drama for the right reader. 

Marissa and Bradley are taking out his 50 ft. yacht "Surprise of the Seas" for a long weekend to celebrate their first anniversary even though she hates being on the water. Once they are far out to sea (because Bradley's trying to out run a storm he neglected to mention to her) she discovers a dead body in the master bedroom. She screams, Bradley comes running and when he uncovers the face, he claims to Marissa he doesn't recognize the dead woman, but she can tell he does. The thing is, she also recognizes her. The body is of Evelyn Borth. Bradley contacts the Coast Guard, they have problems with the boat, but eventually get back to land. Now the game of secrets and deception begins in earnest.

The narrative alternates between the point-of-view of Marissa, Bradley, and Cami. Early on there are also love letters written to Bradley from a former girl friend. Readers will know from the start that Cami, Marissa's friend, is not trustworthy as she made Marissa promise to never tell Bradley about her, claiming they were estranged siblings. (Yeah, right, I have a bridge I could sell you too, Marissa.) Set disbelief aside. The short chapters do keep the pace steady at first, but after the body was found, Marissa freaks out, and they are back on land, the plot lags. 

It's at this point it becomes a slow moving plot that loops continually on a chorus of "Oh, we don't trust each other; oh, we all have secrets; distrust; suspicious; secrets" - on repeat, but nothing really happens until the twisty, explosive ending. There is no doubt that a bunch of people who are purposefully keeping secrets from each other while planning and scheming can be compelling and keep you reading to see what they do next. This is the reason I kept reading because every single character is has some sort of subterfuge underway. However, this is also a plot that requires you to set a huge dose of disbelief aside. None of the characters are even remotely believable or likable, which made any deep investment in the plot difficult. I've enjoyed other books by Emily Shiner much more and look forward to her next book.

The Not So Happy Couple is recommended for readers who like domestic dramas with deceptive characters. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Monsters of Ohio

 

Monsters of Ohio by John Scalzi
11/3/26; 272 pages
Tor Publishing Group 

Monsters of Ohio by John Scalzi is a very highly recommended quirky monster story. Chose your own adventure: this can be an entertaining farcical science fiction story about an amicable, but bloody monster outbreak in a small town, or it could be allegorical tale about contemporary politics. I chose the hilarious, entertaining sci fi option.

The appealing prologue featuring the story of a rabbit, provided a quote (censored and abbreviated) that left me laughing, in tears: "Rabbits absolutely ___ swear. You're a prey animal for ___'s sake, and everything.... is trying to eat you every single moment you exist. You aren't made for any existential crisis." Following this we are introduced to Richland, Ohio, a small town, population 2800, in Darke County. With the impending loss of jobs from the closing of the local meat processing plant Bradson Foods, what the town doesn't need, but finds itself facing, is something strange and explosive happening to animals and people while some other underhanded fraud is underway.

Mike Boyd, a furloughed government USDA employee, is returning to stay with his Dad, Harv, and Harv's wife, Barb in Richland while he looks for a new job in Ohio. Even though he graduated from high school 20 years ago, Mike's immediately recognized by Bill at the gas station and his old friend, Dave Prost, now the Police Chief, has fun pulling him over. Dave and Mike make plans to meet later at Club 713. It is there they run into the new Mayo Caleb Huber, Bret Lawrence, who is there representing Leyton Capital as they prepare to close the Bradson Foods Plant, and Andi Sunders who was brought in to plan the fall festival, the Monster Mash. While there Caleb is call out to the Keller's farm. Something awful has happened to young Jeremy's favorite cow and best friend, Cassie. This portends the messy, but congenial monster outbreak.

I was entertained throughout this well written, fast-paced science fiction story about a bloody, explosive monster outbreak, with tentacles and all, that actually results in everything improving in Richland. There is a plethora of characters introduced, but in a small town everyone pretty much knows everyone else and all their business. The actual narrative focuses on several main characters and it is easy to remember who's who as they are all portrayed as unique individuals with their own distinct voices. The dialogue between characters is natural and flows smoothly. There is a reason for the outbreak that is clearly introduced early in the narrative. The ending ties everything up nicely.

Scalzi's gonna Scalzi (sigh) but I've given Scalzi a hall pass. I have a fluid rule that authors need to keep their editorializing on personal social/political views on contemporary topics to themselves and out of books to extend the longevity of the novel. Most readers will know his opinions will be present in some form, but at least he's talented enough to integrate his allegorical and satirical take on contemporary societal ills into the story and keep it entertaining. Adding the storyline involving executive theft and corporate greed gets a pass too. He should count himself as lucky because I haven't given out many of these special exceptions at all. 

Monsters of Ohio is an excellent choice for fans of quirky monster and science fiction stories along with those who enjoy Scalzi's oeuvre. Thanks to Tor Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.