Starling - Kirsten Cram

 Starling - Kirsten Cram

She read

Ten year old Alice Quinn and her neglectful single mother have not had an easy life.  When the two of them move to a remote Canadian village called Starling in the 1970s, Alice encounters hostility and abuse by other children as well as the classroom teacher.  Her only salvation is the friendship she develops with Remy, a victim of an abusive single father and brother.  Through their relationship, along with an acquaintance with the exotic Madame Voisine, Alice perseveres, remaining upbeat and open to the wonder of the world around her.

The writing in this book is beautiful; lyrical and atmospheric.  Cram captures well the desolation of Starling in contrast with the glory of nature.  There is magic here…without the supernatural.  The novel is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Alice’s bouyancy and Remy’s loyalty are amazing.  

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.  I loved it.

*****

Her Last Words - Carolyn Arnold

 Her Last Words - Carolyn Arnold

Publication Date:  Nov. 17, 2023

She read

Mystery writer Felicity Kelley is murdered just as she is about to reach the pinnacle of her success; her most recent book is to be made into a film.  Her last phone call which went unanswered was to Detective Amanda Steele. The mystery deepens when it seems her death is a copy cat of the MO of the serial killer in her book.  Feeling guilty about not calling Felicity back, Amanda, along with partner Trent, relentlessly pursue the killer.  Was it a jilter lover, a jealous colleague, a stalker, a serial killer?  And what does it have to do with the murder of an intern in the publishing business fifteen years?  

This is yet another of Arnold’s fast paced, engrossing police procedurals. I read it in one day, long into the night, because I could not put it down.  Arnold knows how to capture and maintain her readers’ interest. I love the repeating characters, especially Amanda who, despite an earlier tragedy in her life, is a strong, capable, independent female and I find the camaraderie between her and Trent quite entertaining. 

This is the ninth in the Prince William County (VA) Detective Amanda Steele series.  Although I have read quite a few of them and have enjoyed seeing the repeating characters and relationships change and grow,  I think this would work well as a standalone.  The author does a nice job of filling in background information, including Amanda’s past history and references to some other cases she has worked.

A word about the author:  Carolyn Arnold has written more than thirty books featuring five series and spanning different genre including strong police procedurals, cozy mysteries, and adventure novels. 

Thanks to #netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC.

*****

This House of Grief - Helen Garner

 This House of Grief - Helen Garner

She read

This is the non fictional account of a father accused of drowning his three sons in 2005.  On Father’s Day, Robert Farquharson, separated from his wife, drove his car over a dam and into the water.  He escaped, but his sons, whom he was returning to their mother, did not.  Farquharson claimed he had a coughing spell that rendered him unconscious.  But he was upset by his estrangement, especially since his wife had taken up with a new man. Well known award winning Australian author, Helen Garner, recounts the incident and her first hand account having attended the trials as well as becoming acquainted with many of the family and friends of the Farquharsons.  

I enjoy true crime novels and this reads well as a story and legal thriller.  It was interesting learning about the Australian justice system.  Garner interjects some of her own feelings into the book and this added to the humanity of the case.  The jury, of course, rendered their opinion, and Australian citizens all had their own views,  but it is up to the reader to decide whether they feel justice was served or not.  I think even those who are not true crime enthusiasts but appreciate good writing and like a solid mystery or legal narrative will enjoy this book. 

Thanks to #netgalley and @aaknopf for the ARC.

****

All the Missing Girls - Megan Miranda

 All the Missing Girls - Megan Miranda

She read

This is another book that has been on my TBR for a while.  It is the first book that Megan Miranda wrote for adults.  I have read two subsequent books by her, but just now got around to reading this one.

Nicolette Farrell  escaped backwater Cooley Ridge ten years ago and is a counselor in Philadelphia, engaged to a wealthy, handsome attorney.  She is called back home by her brother to help prepare her childhood house for sale, as her mother is long deceased and her father now in a facility, afflicted with dementia and in need of the money.  Nicolette left home right after her good friend, Corinne went missing, never to be found.  Now that she is back home, another young woman has gone missing after contacting the local police saying she had information about Corinne’s disappearance.  

Suspicion falls on Nicolette, her brother, her father, and her high school boyfriend, Tyler, whom she can’t seem to stay away from.  The story is told in reverse, from day 15 to day 1 and then jumping back to the present for the resolution. 

There are twists, turns, red herrings throughout.  A slow burn, I didn’t really engage with the book until about the 70% point when it finally drew me in.  It certainly was a mind exercise following a story backwards; I really needed to be attentive! I didn’t find the ending all that satisfying. The book certainly raises the question: How far would you go to protect someone you love?

***

Church of Spilled Blood - Jesse Miles

 Church of Spilled Blood - Jess Miles

She read

Private Investigator Jack Salvo, who also teaches philosophy at a local community college, is hired as a body guard for a group of Russian ballerinas visiting Los Angeles.  One of them is kidnapped in front of him as he is immobilized by a taser.  When she is returned unharmed, he is determined to find the kidnappers.  During his investigation, he grows close to one of the other ballerinas, Yelina.  After he discovers the dead bodies of the kidnappers, he is even more curious. Yelina returns to  Russia where she is, in turn, kidnapped and Jack is hired to travel there to be the intermediary in paying the ransom.  The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, a well known church/museum in St. Petersburg, is the scene of the payoff which goes deadly wrong. 

The writing style in Church of Spilled Blood is noirish and what I like to describe as Dragnetesque…just the facts.  The plot is decent, fast paced, with some twists.  For action fans, there is some of that as well. Jack is an honorable man, but willing to work around the law to solve a case.  

This is actually the second novel featuring Jack Salvo, but it worked well as a stand alone.