I tend to read books from several different genres—mystery, romance, contemporary/literary fiction, and historical fiction. One thing most of my favorites have in common is the character development in the story. And, I’m not afraid to admit that sometimes I like a tough chick story. No shrinking violets allowed!
One of my favorite characters is Paddy Meehan. Paddy is a tough Scottish lass and a memorable and realistic character who stars in a series by mystery author Denise Mina. All three of the books in this series so far (Field of Blood, The Dead Hour, and Slip of the Knife) are set in the gritty newspaper world of Glasgow in the 90s. This series is filled with nonstop action and intricate plotting and each book makes for a compelling read. Paddy’s character develops and grows over the course of the books—the reader feels part of her reflections on her past choices and her complicated love life. This series is for mystery lovers who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty and it just gets better and better with each book!
For something a little different but equally enjoyable, I recently read The Sister by Poppy Adams. I picked this one up and hardly could put it down. The tough chicks in this story are sisters Ginny and Vivien Stone. Vivien, the younger of the two, returns to their family estate in England after an estrangement of almost 50 years. Ginny, now an eccentric 70-year-old living in the crumbling gothic-style mansion has lived alone with her family’s secrets all these years and it is her riveting narrative that will drawn in the reader. Ginny and Vivien’s versions of the truth of their histories greatly differ. What has brought Vivi home? Which sister is tougher? You’ll have to check out this haunting gothic novel to find out.
~Carol
Read it or Weep 