Brooklyn Crime Novel - Jonathan Lethem

 Brooklyn Crime Novel - Jonathan Lethem

Publication Date: October 3, 2023

She read

Through a series of interrelated vignettes, this takes the reader back to 1970s Brooklyn and the beginning of its gentrification.  Focusing primarily on the young boys from the Dean Street neighborhood, it introduces the mixed cultures and ethnicities, their interconnections and the territories at a time when mostly petty crime was prevalent.   It follows some of the characters into more contemporary times, charting their lives as well as the displacement of the displacers in the neighborhood.  

I loved the momentous, not so momentous, and infamous history that was interspersed in the story telling, along with the iconic events/objects from the 70s.  Coming from the perspective of being a New Yorker at heart and someone who actually remembers the 70s, I do wonder if others might be lost by some of the references and want to “Google”  them.  

The writing is a bit different from a typical narrative; it might be off putting to some.  For those willing to tackle something with an atypical structure, it will be a satisfying read.

 

Thanks to #netgalley and @eccobooks for the ARC.

****

Wedding Bells Brew Murder - Carolyn Arnold

 Wedding Bells Brew Murder - Carolyn Arnold

She read 

I am a fan of Arnold’s writing, particularly the Madison Knight, Amanda Steele, and Brandon Fisher books. I was pleased to learn that she has branched out a bit in genre, starting a new cozy mystery series.  This is the second in the Sara and Sean mystery series.  I missed the first one.  Although there are references to the case solved in that one, Wedding Bells Brew Murder works well as a standalone. 

Sara and Sean, former police detectives, gave up their jobs when they fell into a fairytale life of an inherited fortune.  Now, on their wedding day, the local baker, Darlene, who made their cake, is murdered just before their ceremony.  When she makes her way to the bridal suite and says “icing” just before she dies,  Sara and Sean are desperate to investigate.  There are a few people who might have a motive to eliminate Darlene. 

While I tend to choose the more hard boiled mysteries that Arnold usually pens, I enjoyed this story.  With  some quirky and interesting characters, it was a quick, engrossing read.   I loved Magnum, the helpful Beagle with the great nose.  I will certainly add this series to my other must reads of Arnold’s. 

Thanks to #netgalley  #hibbertstilespublishinginc for the ARC. 

****

Stolen Darlings - Helen Phifer

 Stolen Darlings - Helen Phifer

Publication Date:  Sept. 29, 2023

She read

A dead body is discovered at Castlerigg Stone Circle on Ostara, the Spring Equinox.  The young woman, whose throat was slit, is wearing a white dress, crown of pink roses, and garland of greens.  She is also one of a number of local women who consider themselves witches and is the proprietor of a magical shop.  It is up to Detective Morgan Brookes and her colleagues to figure out the significance of the posed body and adornments and find the killer. When they track down the florist who made the crown, they learn that three were ordered; will there be more victims?  

This was a fast, engrossing read.  I enjoyed the main characters and the convivial relationships within the investigative team.  The story is a perfect combination for lovers of British police procedurals and witches! There are a number of suspects and red herrings to keep readers guessing.  

This is the tenth in the Detective Morgan Brookes series.  Although it does work as a standalone, there are quite a few characters introduced immediately, mostly just by their first names.  Since I have only read one other book in this series and it was a while ago, I would have appreciated knowing a little more about their positions, ranks, relationships, histories.  Some series authors are very careful to help new readers catch up; that did not occur in this book.  I also felt that there was one major question left unanswered about the case.  Despite these concerns, it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #bookouture for the ARC.

****

Baumgartner - Paul Auster

 Baumgartner - Paul Auster

Publication Date: Nov. 7, 2023

She read

Sy Baumgartner, 71, is about to retire from Princeton University.   A  phenomenologist and author, he most of all was husband to the love of his life, Anna, who died unexpectedly 10 years ago. As he looks back on his life we learn of his parents and early history, his coming of age and career development, and the ravages of loss and aging.

Do not expect a lot of action or intricate plot, but rather revel in the memories of a learned man as he comes to terms with the losses he has experienced in life, including the invincibility of youth.  In this, the autumn of his life, he finds something to pull him out of reminisces of the past; something in which he looks forward to investing his time and energy.

I thought the explanation of the book he is writing, “Mysteries of the Wheel”, which will probably be his final piece, to be brilliant as an allegory of life in which “ (it is) a free-for-all of careening, out-of-control cars speeding down highways of loneliness and potential death.”  Auster’s poignant portrayal of the physical and mental changes experienced in aging are painfully astute.  And, oh, that ending!

This is not a book for everyone. It is a contemplative, character driven fictional memoir. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #groveatlantic #Atlanticmonthlypress for the ARC

****

When I'm Dead - Hannah Morrissey

 When I'm Dead - Hannah Morrissey

Publication Date:  October 31, 2023

She read

When one of Chloe’s, their daughter’s,  classmates is murdered, police detective Alex and medical examiner Rowan are called to the grisly scene.  When they return home, they realize that Chloe is missing.  As the investigation unfolds, they learn that Chloe had been the victim of social media shaming by the deceased; could Chloe be involved in the crime.?  Meanwhile, a secret from Rowan’s past haunts her into thinking it may karma.  

The third in the Black Harbor series; each book has independent characters, so this works as a standalone.

Morrissey paints a gritty picture of Black Harbor, a town that most people want to leave. The approach of Halloween, a haunted house and falling leaves from the giant red sugar maple add to the atmosphere.   Told from different POVs, there are twists and turns in this macabre story.  There are quite a few red herrings here and although I identified the culprit as soon as (s)he was introduced, the twist at the end was unexpected. There are a few sub themes here that ignite third rail emotions. Some police procedures were questionable, but that didn’t take away from the overall story.

Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress #Minotaur for the ARC.

TW: Gruesome details, child murders

****

Dirty Thirty - Janet Evanovich

 Dirty Thirty - Janet Evanovich

Pub Date: October 31, 2023

She read

As the title indicates, this is number 30 in the adventures of hapless recovery agent, Stephanie Plum of Trenton, NJ. It starts with a simple jewelry store robbery, but when is anything ever simple for Stephanie?  Whatever you think can go wrong in Stephanie’s pursuits, does, and things you can’t even imagine go awry.  All of the familiar characters are here; Lula, Connie, hunky Ranger, and my favorite, Grandma Mazur.  Morelli, Plum’s on and off boyfriend, is mostly MIA, literally, for he is in Miami for a trial.  Bob, his dog, has a major role in this story and is responsible for an incident near the end that made me literally LOL.  All I will say is it involves a baptismal font. 

Yes, the Stephanie Plum novels can be silly, but I really enjoy them. The ridiculous situations and the colorful characters are all very entertaining.  Maybe it's the Jersey (I’m a Jersey girl at heart) setting/jokes/lifestyle that gets to me.  This series is just plain fun.   These books are always good for a quick, amusing read.  I almost don't care about the plot...its the characters I enjoy. I don’t want to spoil anything, but the book ends with a dilemma for Plum.

Although I have probably read all of the books in the series, this can work as a standalone…but it would be so much more fun to go back and read some of the priors and gain a fuller picture of these classic characters.  

Thanks to #netgalley and @atriabooks for the ARC

Bright Young Women - Jessica Knoll

 Bright Young Women - Jessica Knoll

Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2023

She read

It is 1978; two young women are murdered and another two brutally attacked in their sorority house at Florida State University.The sorority president, dubbed “Perfect Pamela” by one of the deceased due to her fastidiousness, saw the attacker and is the lone witness. She receives a visit from Tina who says she knows who did it because he has killed women in the west and northwest and is responsible for the disappearance of her friend, Ruth.Unfortunately, the police take neither Tina nor Pamela seriously. 

Flashback to 1974 and the story of Tina and Ruth.Flash forward to the present and a letter that Pamela receives results in her traveling back to Florida and the final resolution of loose threads. 

The timelines alternate throughout, with that of 1978 continuing on to the trial of the killer. He is not called by name in the narrative, only referred to as “The Defendant”. While he is on trial, the press and public fawn over him; the judge calls him a “bright young man”, ignoring the stories of the bright young women who were murdered.

Does this sound a bit familiar? Yes, it was influenced by real life serial killer Ted Bundy. 

This is a good story although sometimes the jumping around in timelines is wrenching.It throws light on the homophobia and misogyny of the 1970’s (perhaps not much different from today) and the failings of the justice system.  It appears to have been well researched, is well written, and astute.I liked how Pamela evolved into a self actualized independent woman. 

However, I just wasn’t comfortable with this book. I appreciate true crime non fiction and all the research that goes into it to present real information. While this story parallels the Bundy case, it is fictionalized and I didn’t like the blurring of the lines between fact and fiction. I kept wondering what was really true regarding the characters and, in particular, the victims. Perhaps if it didn’t follow the case so closely, I might have been more comfortable with it. That is my personal preference; others will respond differently.

Thanks to #netgalley and @simonandschuster @marysuericcibooks for the arc. 

***

The Bridge - Matt Brolly

 The Bridge - Matt Brolly

She read

This is the sixth in the DI Louise Blackwell series.  A desiccated female body is found confined in a shipping container.  Is it immigration smuggling or human trafficking?  The presence of a live feed video camera suggests some other heinous crime.  It is up to Louise and her associates to uncover the perpetrator before other lives are lost. All this while balancing the morning sickness of and worry about the first trimester of her pregnancy and personal issues involving building a life with her partner, Tom and providing a nurturing, supportive environment for her parentless niece, Emily.   

Without revealing any spoilers, the crime/deviancy at the center of this book is dark and, despite the many mysteries and thrillers I have read, a new one for me.  This book is a fast, engrossing read with a well crafted plot.  Brolly’s descriptive writing is quite evocative; I could feel the discomfort and pain of the victims as I read.  

I like the character of Louise, a strong female leader, with a capable, supportive team behind her.   Although this would work as a standalone, there are frequent references to the case at the center of the prior book, The Pier.  While Brolly does a good job of filling in some of the background information, it might be more satisfying to read that one as well.  

Fans of British police procedurals will enjoy this book, as well as the entire series. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #amazonpublishingUK #ThomasandMercerPublishers for the ARC. 

****

My Child is Missing - Lisa Regan

 My Child is Missing - Lisa Regan

Publication Date: Sept. 8, 2023

She read

Every place has its legends…stories that are told over and over of some person/creature out to kidnap or harm people.  In Denton, PA, the legend is of The Woodsman. Children disappear into the woods and never see their mothers again, taken by The Woodsman. Legend becomes reality when two sisters head into the woods and only one is found.  It is up to Detective Josie Quinn and her team to solve the case. Still missing an integral part of the team, Mettner, who was killed in the last book of this series, Josie, Noah, Gretchen, and even the Chief exhaust themselves investigating. 

This is number eighteen in the Josie Quinn series. It is one of my top must read series. This is yet another exciting, page turning read; I read it in one day because I did not want to put it down.  Regan always grabs my attention and won’t let go. What I like best about these thrillers is that they are quite accurate and believable.  I enjoy Josie.  Despite all the travails she has met with in her life, she remains a strong, intelligent, though vulnerable, character. I also like all the repeating characters who surround her both in her personal and professional life.  

This can work as a stand alone, but do yourself a favor and read at least some of the prior ones. There is a lot of history to Josie and the other players. Regan does a good job of trying to fill in the background stories, but it would be more satisfying to actually read those past histories. 

If you like well written police procedurals/thrillers, and are not familiar with Lisa Regan’s writing, I highly recommend this series.I cannot wait for the next one.

Thanks to #netgalley and @bookoutre for the ARC.

*****

Paper Targets: Art Can Be Murder - Steve S. Saroff

 Paper Targets: Art Can Be Murder - Steve S. Saroff

She read

Advanced by a publisher specializing in what they call “new noir”, this book is different and may be for a select audience.  It tells the story of the evolution of a tortured young man into a criminal as he falls for an unstable artist.  Set in Big Sky Country, which Saroff captures well, the writing is beautifully lyrical with observations of life that are painfully astute.  

For those who enjoy literary fiction and want to read something unique while also learning a bit about how financial crimes are committed in our computerized world, this will be a satisfying read. There is a lot of food for thought here. 

Thanks to Flooding Island Press for a copy of the book for review.

****

All Hair Best - Elizabeth Stoops

 All Hair Best - Elizabeth Stoops

She read

Who among us hasn’t wished for different hair?  My mother had straight hair; she always wanted curly.  I have curly hair and always wanted straight!

This colorful children’s book celebrates the diversity of hair textures and styles.  Beautifully illustrated,  I loved the rhythm of the rhymes.  But, most of all, I loved the message. There is a wide variety of hair pictured, including shaved hair, for all hair is best!!!!  After reading it aloud together with children and appreciating the rhymes, go back through the book as there is much there for discussion.  Hopefully this book will help build stronger females and males, accepting of them selves no matter what kind of hair!

Thank you to @elizabethstoops for a copy of the book for review. 

*****

Christmas Presents - Lisa Unger

 Christmas Presents - Lisa Unger

Publication Date:  October 24, 2023

She read

Madeline lives a quiet life as the proprietor of a bookstore in her home town while taking care of her retired sheriff father who has had a stroke and maintaining a close relationship with Badger, her childhood best friend and his brother, Chet. She is haunted by the memory of being a survivor of an attack 10 years ago by a monster who killed her best friend and may also be responsible for the disappearance of two other friends.  He has been locked away all this time but, as the anniversary of the attack and disappearances approaches,  a writer has come to town to investigate these incidents for his true crime podcast.  To add to Madeline’s discomfort, another local girl suddenly goes missing.  

Don’t let the title or the bookstore locale mislead you…no cozy mystery or rom com this.  That is not a criticism as I couldn’t put this dark thriller down. It is engrossing and very fast paced.  A novella rather than a full length novel, it can easily be a one day read. I think, though, it may leave many readers yearning for more. Quite atmospheric,  I could feel those icy, slushy conditions as the days lead up the Christmas. Told in alternating POVs and timelines, there are no real surprises; despite some violence, it is a very entertaining read.

Regarding the title…you will just have to read the book to discover its significance.  

Thanks to #netgalley and #penzlerpublishers #mysteriouspress for the arc.

****

West Heart Kill - Dann McDorman

 West Heart Kill --- Dann McDorman

Publication Date:  Oct. 17, 2023

She read

West Heart Kill - Dann McDorman

Publication Date: October 13, 2023

She read

Private Detective Adam McAnnis contacts a college friend he hasn’t seen in quite a while and finagles an invitation to join him during The Bicentennial Fourth of July weekend at a private upstate New York hunting club.  Why is he really there?  The corpses pile up among the moneyed, adulterous residents in this creative, unconventional mystery.

This is a very unique approach to a mystery story.  The narrative styles vacillate.  The reader’s role changes from that of voyeur to that of sleuth; the writing style devolves from narrative into play script. Along the way, through multiple digressions, the reader is schooled in the nature of mysteries and techniques of their writers through the ages.

I’m not quite sure what to make of this book.  I give the author credit for his clever reimagining of a traditional mystery and I enjoyed the references to classic stories and tropes of this genre.

However, I was disappointed in the way it concluded, having felt that it deteriorated near the end leaving this reader less than satisfied.

Those looking for creativity or who enjoy metafiction will like this book.  Just don’t go into it expecting a customary whodoneit. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #knopf for the ARC

***

The Exchange - John Grisham

 The Exchange - John Grisham

Publication Date: October 17, 2023

She and he read

After Mitch and Abby McDeere were caught up in exposing mob related crimes at Mitch’s law firm in Memphis (in Grisham’s The Firm), they went on the run, escaping to Europe.  Now, 15 years later (2005), they are resettled, living in New York with their twin sons. Mitch is a successful partner in a high powered international law firm.  When Mitch’s trip to Libya with an associate goes awry and the associate is kidnapped by assumed terrorists, the couple once again find they are being watched and may be in danger. It is up to Mitch to coordinate raising the exorbitant ransom and Abby to be the go between with the kidnappers.  

While this may not have been my favorite Grisham plot line, he is a skilled writer and excellent story teller.  

I was looking forward to a legal thriller…this is a thriller with some ancillary legal machinations. No matter.  It is faced paced; I found it amazing how Mitch flew from country to country so quickly; private jets help! 

I would have liked a bit more substance to the denouement, but that didn’t take away from this being an enjoyable read and sure to be another best seller.

TW: There is some descriptive violence.

Thanks to #netgalley and @doubledaybooks for the ARC.

*****

October in the Earth - Olivia Hawker

 October in the Earth - Olivia Hawker

Publication Date:  October 10, 2023

She read

It is The Great Depression in the United States, a time of devastating poverty;  families torn apart, starvation, crops ruined, no work. Del Wensley, wife of an up and coming End Times preacher knows what is expected of a wife in God fearing Kentucky. When she catches him being unfaithful and learns of repeated indiscretions, she has had enough and takes to the rails, joining the hobo life of those times. Fortunately for her, she meets Luisa who is well schooled in the way of hobo society as she works her way back to the son and uncle she has left behind while she tries to earn money.  They form a strong bond, demonstrating that they are more benevolent and charitable than the moneyed class or the pious, hypocritical self proclaimed do gooders.  

This is a heart wrenching but hopeful story.  Beautifully descriptive, I felt as if I were on those railroad cars, looking out into the changing terrain as the women crisscrossed the America of the 1930s.  It was fascinating learning about the hobo culture, poor individuals living a dangerous life, traveling from place to place looking for work and guided by a strict moral code. I loved the evolution of Del from someone who inherently knows there is something wrong with the position in life to which has been prescribed to an independent, clever, self sufficient woman in control of her destiny.  

Although reflective of the time in which it was set, I saw this also as an allegory for our times, especially regarding the perceived role of women among religious zealots as well as the gap between the rich and the poor that lives on and the insensitive treatment of those struggling just to make a living. 

I wasn’t sure about this book when I read the synopsis, but I am so glad I chose to read it and highly recommend it. Olivia Hawker (pen name) is a captivating story teller.

Thank you to #netgalley, @hawker.books and #lakeunionpub for the ARC.

*****