At the time I’m writing this, I’m reading Jason Pinter’s Hide Away, but it’s so good that I’m sure I’ll have finished it before you read this post. That means you’ll see the review here on Friday. In the meantime, here’s just the elevator pitch summary – “a page-turning thriller about a vigilante who’s desperate to protect her secrets—and bring a killer to justice.
On the surface, Rachel Marin is an ordinary single mother; on the inside, she’s a fierce, brilliant vigilante. After an unspeakable crime shatters her life, she changes her identity and moves to a small town in Illinois, hoping to spare her children from further trauma…or worse. But crime follows her everywhere.”
Every word above is true. It is a page-turner, and I’m loving the characters in this.
I am also reading a book called Cursed, an anthology edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane. “Twenty curses, old and new, from bestselling fantasy authors such as Neil Gaiman, Karen Joy Fowler, Christina Henry, M.R. Carey and Charlie Jane Anders.
ALL THE BETTER TO READ YOU WITH
It’s a prick of blood, the bite of an apple, the evil eye, a wedding ring or a pair of red shoes. Curses come in all shapes and sizes, and they can happen to anyone, not just those of us with unpopular stepparents…
Here you’ll find unique twists on curses, from fairy tale classics to brand-new hexes of the modern world – expect new monsters and mythologies as well as twists on well-loved fables. Stories to shock and stories of warning, stories of monsters and stories of magic.”
ALL THE BETTER TO READ YOU WITH
It’s a prick of blood, the bite of an apple, the evil eye, a wedding ring or a pair of red shoes. Curses come in all shapes and sizes, and they can happen to anyone, not just those of us with unpopular stepparents…
Here you’ll find unique twists on curses, from fairy tale classics to brand-new hexes of the modern world – expect new monsters and mythologies as well as twists on well-loved fables. Stories to shock and stories of warning, stories of monsters and stories of magic.”
I’ve only read three stories in Cursed so far, but that second one, with a twist on Snow White? Wow! This is a book to pick up, read a story, and put it down again.
What are you reading this week? Or, are you doing something else with your time? I know it’s not easy to get into reading right now. If you like a fast-paced, exciting book, you might want to try Hide Away. Maybe you’d prefer to just tell us what you’re doing. What’s important is you take care of yourself, and find some time to just breathe.
Good morning. I didn’t plan it that way but both of the books I read this week featured ghosts.
IT’S A WONDERFUL MIDLIFE CRISIS by Robyn Peterman is about a woman who starts seeing ghosts when she turns 40. Of course she’s totally unprepared for it and thinks she’s going crazy, only to find out it runs in the family.
MURDER IN PINK by Rodney Strong. A mystery writer has ghosts that “hitchhike” in his body until he helps them with their problem. In this case the ghost wants him to prove his descendant didn’t commit murder. I didn’t realize that this was in the middle of a series so I was missing too much of the back story to really enjoy this book.
HIDE AWAY does sound good.
I finished WITCHMARK by C. L. Polk, mentioned last time. Good book and I will read the second as soon as it comes in.
Over the weekend I took a friend's advice and read two short, fast books by the late French writer Pascal Garnier, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER and TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE. Yes, they are dark, but you keep turning the pages to see what happens next. I preferred the second. Our protagonist is a widow in her early 60s (that alone would be unusual in an American book, right?) who moved to their summer house two years after her husband's death, and somewhat bloomed. She gives a ride to a man whose car broke down and brings him home, but from that point on things get very interesting. When the library reopens I will be reading others of his that were not available as ebooks.
As you know, I am a big fan of James Sallis and have read most of his novels, but I am finding his short story collection, TIME'S HAMMERS, not much to my taste. "Innovative and creative," perhaps, but weird fantasy just doesn't interest me.
I've never read Joe Hill (Stephen King's oldest son) as his books are too long and the one I tried didn't grab me, but I am enjoying his collection of short stories, FULL THROTTLE, very much. Dark, as one would expect, but I like his writing and plots.
On the Cloud, I am reading the latest Nick Petrie book about Jack Reacher-like Peter Ash, THE WILD ONE. I just started this one, so I don't know what mission has taken him to Iceland in December, but I am anxious to find out.
Hi Lesa
This morning I finished Bob Gilbert's Ghost Trees, which remained absolutely wonderful all the way through. So much to think about, so many interesting stories.
I decided I needed to read something light before starting another review book, so I picked up GM Malliet's In Prior's Wood. Unfortunately it didn't take long for me to remember what I hadn't liked about the last two. Although this series is ostensibly set in an English village, and my edition is published by a UK publisher, it is full of American spellings, and – worse – American expressions that an English person – much less a rather upper class English man – would NEVER use. I know these might sound like small points, but I soon felt I was noticing only all the wrong things about the writing. Plus, I really cannot bear Max Tudor's wife Awena – she is just so sickeningly perfect that i want to scream – and now they have a toddler who is equally faultless, can be handily left with numeorus willing friends and neighbours whenever Awena wants to potter off somewhere, and will go to bed no trouble at all when they have anyone round to their perfect cottage for dinner – AND before that, while givibg him his tea with one hand, Awena inevitably cooks upan amazing three course dinner – on the Aga OF COURSE – with the other. A meal in which every single thing is not only made with her own perfect hands, but is also based on terribly fashionable foraged food and all frightfully wholemeal. Who on earth has a life like that?
Max himself is also far too perfect for my liking – I don't know a single priest who has such a cushy number and is so Good and True (and in my job I meet a lot of priests). Father Brown he is not.
I have almost finished the book, and I will persevere because some of the other characters are more interesting, but I can already see that Max is going to solve the entire thing because – fundamentally – one of the victim's children is going to tell him the answer
I am really surprised that this author has won so many awards.
has anyone else read this?
Hope everyone else is having a good day, (as I am, despite Max Tudor and Awena!)
Rosemary
Sandy, I like books with ghosts. Don't you hate it, though, when you plunge into the middle of a series, and there's too much backstory that you don't know? I either learn too much, and don't want to go back and read earlier books, or I don't know enough to care about the current one.
Over a couple years, Jeff, I received all kinds of Pascal Garnier books, and they just seemed too dark for me so I never read them. You're right though – a widow in her late 60s? Who would have thought in the U.S. that she's interesting enough to write about (snicker)? Little do they know. We all have our shades of darkness that we'll read, don't we?
Rosemary, Your comments about Max Tudor and Awena just made me laugh. I never liked her from the very first book. And, I went back to check, and I never read In Prior's Wood because I didn't like the last book I read in the series.I read the earlier books. Although I liked them, I never really fell for the characters. Of course, I didn't have the problem you had with the Americanisms. I loved your summary of the books, though.
Last night, I told my sister to go back and read your posts on "Distractions". I told her they just make me feel comforted for some reason.
It was quite interesting, Lesa. Her husband died shortly after he retired. Her grown children didn't want her to do anything. But when she moved south (apparently to the area of France where Garnier lived, the Southeast) she blossomed somewhat, planting veg, even buying a Smart Car. She is clearly ready for something when the action starts, though maybe not what happens. Still (SPOILER ALERT, POSSIBLY), she is a survivor.
This week I finished A MURDEROUS RELATION by Deanna Raybourn. This wasn't my favorite of the series but I do enjoy the characters of Victoria and Stoker.
Next I finished WHEN IT ALL WENT TO CUSTARD by Danielle Hawkins. She is a New Zealand author I discovered on the new book shelf at my library with DINNER AT ROSE'S. I enjoy her writing.
Now I am reading THE BRIGHT SIDE OF GOING DARK by Kelly Harms. It is about the social media culture. Not very far into it to have an opinion.
I gave up on the Max Tudor books when he married Arwena.
Happy Reading!
So glad it's not just me who can't stand Awena! And apologies for the typos in my post – I was rushing to catch a live online reading (see below) and I clearly didn't take the time to check it.
And I am so flattered that you find my wittering comforting Lesa. I find popping in here immensely so, it is like meeting up with old friends (and one day I really do hope you are still able to come to Scotland so we can meet in person.)
I just watched one of my favourite nature writers, Jim Crumley, read from his new book – The Nature of Summer – on his publisher, Saraband's, Facebook page. He read a small (9 minute) section about sitting silently beside a tree in the Highlands, waiting for nature to come to him – which it did in the shape of a roe deer and her faun. His voice and his words really take you there. Wonderful little interlude – and I have the book to review, so as soon as I get rid of Max Tudor and Awena I had better get on with it.
Reading The Pardon by James Grippando – I have read almost all of the Jack Swyteck books – but had missed this one. Very good. And sets the stage for a lot of references in succeeding books.
I quit reading GM Malliet's books after book three. I did not like how the series veered from the original premise. It is kind of amazing that it keeps on going and other well written series by other authors are axed.
Have a good Memorial Day weekend.
I am among those of you who gave up on Malliett's books. I liked most of her early "seasons" books, but then they became so different (and boring to me) that I gave up on them. Too bad.
THE ASTONISHING LIFE OF AUGUST MARCH by Aaron Jackson, about a baby whose actress mom leaves him in a laundry basket at the theater, sounded promising and it has a high rating on Amazon. August is raised in the theater by the elderly laundress who finds him, and although he doesn't go to school, he often speaks as a Shakespeare character would, having heard mostly the theater's fare during his formative years. When the only mother he has ever had dies and the theater is demolished, August is on his own in the outside world for the first time, and his experience jumps from street urchin to privileged actor's foster son to student at a boarding school for gifted boys. And then the story really goes off the rails, in my opinion. I found August unlikable and the story empty of real feeling. I had to force myself to read to the end, which was quite abrupt and unsatisfying.
Lesa recently reviewed THE TOURIST ATTRACTION by Sarah Morgenthaler. When Zoey visits remote Alaska with her much more affluent friend after saving her money for two years, she meets Graham, proprietor of the Tourist Trap diner. Graham doesn't like tourists, but he is attracted to Zoey, who is different in every way from the usual visitors. The two go through a variety of mishaps, which only bring them closer. But Zoey is scheduled to return home in just two weeks. A pleasant palate-cleanser after the previous book.
Francesca Serritella is best known as co-author of a series of humorous essay books with her mother, Lisa Scottoline. But her fiction debut, GHOSTS OF HARVARD, is something quite different. Cady enters Harvard as a freshmen the year after her beloved older brother jumped from a window on the same campus, an event which has played havoc with his parents and sister. Cady is determined to find some meaning in the loss of her schizophrenic brother by talking to his friends, fellow students, and faculty members, including his advisor in the pursuit of a prominent physics prize. While trying to navigate her stressful journey as a Harvard student, she also starts worrying that she may also be mentally ill after she starts hearing the voices of three individuals formerly associated with the university–a budding scientist who will ultimately make his (infamous) mark on the world, a winsome young man determined to follow his late father into a military career (war is brewing), and a slave who fears for the life of her 4-year-old son. Although Cady isn't always likable in her single-minded pursuit of the truth, the gripping, intelligent, original story more than makes up for it. An outstanding debut, with authentic touches from the author, a Harvard graduate herself.
What Rose Forgot by Nevada Barr
This may be the most I've enjoyed a book in a long time, and I read a lot!
Rose is in her early 60's. At first, she's in a secure Alzheimer's unit in a nursing home. She is in a fog, but manages to hold herself together enough to fake taking her pills. The longer she goes without the drugs, the more lucid she becomes. She realizes that she has to escape from the home to save herself.
The plot was well done, but my favorite part was the characters. Rose may be a "senior", and a bit eccentric, but she's a strong, intelligent woman. As a woman of a certain age myself, I really enjoy reading about characters who don't need taken care of, who can still run their own lives and think for themselves.
Rose makes her escape, enlists the help of her 13-year-old granddaughter, and sets out to solve the mystery, save herself and another patient. She even eludes and injures a hitman, then tracks him down to get information.
Rose may be an older woman, but don't count her out. She's still got what it takes.
I should be finishing up NEXT UP, MURDER by Erin Huss today. This is the second in her Podcasting Sisters series, and I'm really enjoying it.
That means I'll be starting SPRINKLED WITH SUSPICION by Kim Davis later today.
Both of those sound excellent!!
What I've been reading:
Beach Read by Emily Henry (LOVED IT!)
Seven Days in Summer by Marcia Willett (LIKED IT A LOT)
What You Don't See by Tracy Clark (ARC) (LOVED IT – LOVE THIS SERIES)
and
The new collection of poetry ARC from Billy Collins – Whale Songs. He never disappoints.
and
The Gargoyles of Notre Dame by Michael Camille. A beautiful and wonderfully interesting book.
xxoo
I thought I read more:
Strange Situation by Bethany Saltman; About the science of attachment between parents and children, but also about the author's hero worship and guilt.
Vagabonds by by Hao Jingfang;A sic fi novel about the coming war between Earth and Mars. Very Chinese.
Longshot by Dick Francis; A writer who is hired to ghost an autobiography winds up enmeshed in murder and horse racing.
Morocco Jones and the Hands of the Mafia; Tough guy comes to town, takes out the gang dominating it. Reminded me of a jack Reacher novel.
Well, well. Looks like a lot of us gave up on Max Tudor. Thanks for bringing it up, Rosemary!
Margie, Good to hear about the Serritella. And, I'm glad you enjoyed Tourist Attraction!
Well, that's a different book for Nevada Barr, Audrey. Thanks for the comments. That one sounds good!
Mark, I always find your titles interesting because I've seldom heard of them.
Sharon and Netteanne, Not skipping your titles, just commenting on Max Tudor and Awena in general. Thank you for adding to my growing list of titles and authors.
Kaye, I'm so glad you loved Beach Read! Not at all what you expected, was it? I thought it was terrific.
Yes, both of my books are good. I'm happy to hear that you liked What You Don't See!
Nothing wrong with Jack Reacher novels, Glen. I enjoy your eclectic selections.
Audrey, I haven't read WHAT ROSE FORGOT yet, but I hope to soon. It sounded quite intriguing to me, and I managed to buy a signed first edition. Thanks for telling us more about it.
I've been having trouble concentrating on reading, as have many of you. It's comforting to know I'm not alone.
Hi, I am reading the Split by Sharon Bolton. About halfway through and it is ok, good premise but not compelling. I am glad I got it from the library. Wouldn’t want to have spent money on it. Not hardback money anyway. Reserving final judgment until I finish it.
What Rose Forgot has been on my radar. Glad to hear it is good. I too have quit Max Tudor.
I have my ups and downs, Sandie. The first two weeks after we closed were a disaster. I don't think I read a thing. Too much news. Too much uncertainty. I've had some good books lately and that helped. Take care of yourself!
And, it's hard to just read so-so books right now, DJ.
Maybe Awena could be murdered by someone who doesn't like "perfect" white witches, and Max Tudor could solve that one. (sigh) Sounds as if a lot of us have given up on Max.
On audio, i am listening to Trouble on the Books by Essie Lang. In print, I am reading Lost Boy Found by Kirsten Alexander.