Book Review

Book Review : Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge

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Loretta Plansky is a 71-year-old widow leading the comfortable life of a retiree in Florida. For her, that includes playing weekly tennis games at the country club, now that she is post-hip replacement of course. While she doesn’t often splurge on herself, Mrs. Plansky is generous to a fault with her two adult children, and is also currently footing the bill for her 98-year-old father at his upscale assisted living facility. She is, in fact, about to make substantial contributions to both her children’s latest investment “opportunities,” when she gets scammed out of her life savings of nearly $4 Million by a caller pretending to be her grandson. Unconvinced that law enforcement will track down the perpetrators or her money, Mrs. Plansky takes matters in her own hands, setting off on a journey that takes her to Romania.

Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge by Spencer Quinn is a charming and lively cozy mystery that stars a capable, likable, and sometimes nostalgic protagonist who will stop at nothing to reclaim her money and her dignity. And, getting to know the sympathetic bad guys along the way is fun, too.

Looking to take things a little less seriously? Pick up this light and humorous read by the author of the long-running, hilarious Chet and Bernie mystery series, and get ready to smile.

-Carol

Book Review: A Haunting on the Hill

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A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand is the first authorized return to the world of Shirley Jackson’s iconic The Haunting of Hill House.

When struggling playwright Holly decides to rent a spooky manor in order to workshop her piece with the actors, she thinks it’s a great use of her grant money. Her partner, Nisa has written music for the production, her longtime friend Stevie is set to serve as audio engineer, and iconic actress Amanda has agreed to lend her talents on stage. Hill House has called to Holly since the day she stumbled across it, and what could be better than a looming mansion to inspire and rehearse a play about witches?

Hill House isn’t as enthused about Holly, however. A reluctant landlord, grumpy personal chef, and cheery but cautious house cleaner all try to warn her away. Not even a neighbor wielding a hunting knife or the odd illusions of black hares will turn her away from this once in a lifetime opportunity. That is, until Hill House begins its cycle of horror all over again.

As a fan of Shirley Jackson’s creeping, gothic style, I was excited about the publication of this book. The plot was all set for a pseudo-locked room mystery that would be just the right hint of creepy. For most of the book, the slow pacing kept me on edge. But with an ending that was wrapped all too tidily, this book left me a bit disappointed.

Request it here.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Book Review: The Quiet Tenant

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“Rachel” has lived a life of captivity for years. Abducted by a serial killer, she has been held in a shed on his property…until one day when he is forced to move, taking her with him.

Aidan is a widower who always lends a hand in his community. He’s an upstanding citizen who is mourning the loss of his wife while raising a teenage daughter. He catches the eye of local restauranter Emily, all to eager to lend her support. Too bad he’s hiding a secret- he’s murdered eight women and is holding a ninth captive.

Moving into the new house doesn’t mean the end of Aidan’s abuse. Although Rachel now has a bed to sleep on, she is still handcuffed and assaulted daily, despite the fact that she now sleeps down the hall from Aidan’s daughter, Cecilia. As Rachel gets to know Aidan and Cecilia on a deeper level, she starts to wonder about the women who have come before…and the ones who will come after.

Told through the voices of Rachel, Cecilia, and Emily, with each character experiencing a very different version of one man. Small town life, passing time, and grief all play a part in this page-turner. This was a disturbing, brooding read, similar in style to Gillian Flynn or Room by Emma Donoghue.

Request it here.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Fall Into a Twisty Thriller

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David Burroughs is serving a life sentence for an unthinkable crime – the brutal murder of his three-year-old son Matthew. David doesn’t believe he did it, but has no memory of that night. And, evidence was mounted against David at the trial, including testimony from an eyewitness who saw him bury the murder weapon. Broken by loss, David has resigned himself to serve out his life sentence at a maximum security prison.

Now, five years into that sentence, David gets his first visitor, his ex-wife’s sister Rachel. Rachel shows him a photograph of a group of strangers. Among them is a young boy who looks too much like Matthew to be a coincidence. How can Matthew still be alive? Hoping there’s a chance, David decides to break out of prison in search of the truth.

On the run, David relies on his wits and the few friends he has left to try and track down what could be a ghost – all the while the police and FBI remain hot on his trail. Can he find this boy, who might be his, before the law throws him back behind bars –or worse.

With non-stop, gripping action, and plenty of twists, I Will Find You by Harlan Coben takes readers on a wild ride to its satisfying and surprising ending. This fast-paced thriller is perfect escape reading for fans of the author, suspenseful thrillers, and the 1993 film The Fugitive. Get a copy and then, hang on tight!

-Carol

Book Review: Chenneville by Paulette Jiles

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Union soldier John Chenneville is a changed man when the Civil War ends. Nearly killed and suffering from a traumatic head injury, upon his return home to Missouri, he learns about the vicious killing of his sister, her husband and their infant child. Determined to seek justice and track down the killer, John must first recover his memory and strength to do so.

After a year of rebuilding, John is even more obsessed with finding this cold-blooded monster, and sets out after him on a journey deep into the lawless country of Texas. Along the way, he meets some decent folks who assist him in his quest, including Belle, a mysterious female telegrapher. Though John is drawn to Belle and longs for normalcy and a future, he cannot veer from his path until he satisfies his need for justice. Whether or not John will be punished for dispensing that justice, or even survive the eventual confrontation with his sister’s killer, bears little relevance to him.   

Chenneville by Paulette Jiles is indeed a “novel of murder, loss, and vengeance,” but it is also a lovingly rendered work of historical fiction about a desperate, honorable man. With picture perfect descriptions of the Texas landscape, impeccably researched historical details of the era, and fascinating information on the lost art of telegraphers, you’ll want to resist devouring this slim novel in a single sitting. As with Jiles’ bestseller News of the World, this reader would have liked to spend a bit more time in this book’s world. Place your hold today!

-Carol

Book Review: Alchemy of a Blackbird

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Remedios Varo is an accomplished artist, although many would be unable to name her. Known for her skilled attention to detail, Remedios makes her living copying the work of more famous artists while lurking in the shadows of her romantic partner Benjamin’s genius. When WWII forces them to leave their beloved Paris and take refuge in the Rivieria, this change brings about new discovery and inspiration for Remedios, who is now surrounded by artists and benefactors. As Remedios gets used to her new life, she comes across a beautifully illustrated deck of tarot cards and dives into the world of cups and swords.

Fully immersed in the cards, she finds hope, inspiration, and solace in the mystical nature of the tarot. When she travels to Mexico, the cards bring her to an old friend- artist Leonora Carrington. Together, the women get used to their new surroundings, enjoying the company of each other and other artisans.

This literary historical fiction novel tells the story of the life of an artist, the rediscovery of self, and the importance of friendship. Each chapter highlights a different tarot card, and McMillan uses these interludes to shape the story through alternate points of view. Make sure to read the historical notes for a fascinating look at the real lives of Remedios and Leonora.

Add this mystical book by local author Claire McMillan to your reading list today!

Place a hold on Alchemy of a Blackbird here.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Mystery Book Review: Augusta Hawke

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A young widow residing in the well-off “Old Town” section of Washington, D. C., Augusta Hawke is also the successful author of a long running mystery series. While she isn’t a recluse exactly, Augusta likes to spend most days writing and doesn’t socialize much. She prefers the comforts of her home, where she (is a little embarrassed to admit it) lives vicariously by watching the comings and goings of her busy neighbors. Her prime entertainment comes from Niko and Zora Norman, new parents to an infant who live across the courtyard and don’t draw their blinds. Overall, the Normans are pretty boring usually—until they go missing without a trace, leaving their child alone.

After Augusta is questioned by handsome Detective Steve Narduzzi about what she might have seen, she starts thinking like one of her characters – was the couple kidnapped? are they both dead? Augusta can’t resist an unfinished mystery, and so she gets into disguise and starts asking questions! When her investigations put her own life in danger, will Augusta regret sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong, or has she just found a new favorite hobby?

Augusta Hawke by G. M. Malliet is the witty, compelling and satisfying first entry in a cozy mystery series. Augusta is a fantastic heroine who is funny and likable and self-deprecating, with an interesting backstory that is enticingly revealed in snippets to the reader as Augusta contemplates each crime-solving move.

Book two in the series, Invitation to a Killer, is already out! Talk about instant gratification.

Until next time, keep reading.

-Carol

Book Review: Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club

MelindaLeave a comment

Full of midwestern charm and traditions of a bygone era, this novel chronicles the lives, losses, and loves of the folks who haunted the tables of the Lakeside Supper Club. Mariel grew up at the club and has spent her whole life serving up prime rib dinners and old fashioned to her regulars. The familiarity and routine of her life in Bear Lake, Minnesota is a comfort to her, especially in times of tragedy. Meanwhile her husband, Ned, is also part of a restauranteur family. His family is set to take their chain diner concept Jorby’s and take over the Midwest, including adding a location in Bear Lake, in direct competition with the supper club.

Mariel’s story is woven alongside the stories of her mother Florence and her grandmother Betty. Although Mariel and Ned are both main characters, it’s the matriarchal figures in Mariel’s family that tell the story of the supper club through the decades.

This is a book full of everyday moments, not splashy or over the top. For me it was a good break from my usual thrillers and suspense novels and I enjoyed the slice-of-life Midwestern storytelling. While the pace was slower, the author packed a LOT of plot points into these pages. Alternating characters and timelines made it a bit confusing to follow at times as an audiobook, so if possible I would read it in print. If you enjoy books about family sagas, the Midwest, or food, you should consider this one.

Place a hold on it here.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Listen Up! To Crook Manifesto

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Furniture store owner Ray Carney moved stolen goods on the side to get ahead on the often-dangerous streets of Harlem all throughout the 1960s. A decade later, Ray is now a landlord who has put fencing behind him, is living the clean life and is proud of himself and family’s accomplishments. When his teenage daughter May asks him to score Jackson 5 tickets, Ray makes a big mistake and nonchalantly attempts to call in favor to get them. He calls Munson, a dirty cop who agrees to help Ray, but instead draws him into a deadly night filled with stolen diamonds, a poker game robbery and murder. As Ray slips back into the criminal lifestyle, he partners up with longtime family friend Pepper. A violent career criminal, Pepper, like Ray, has lines he won’t cross, and others he is happy to rationalize stepping over. As the rules of the City begin to change around them, the two men question what keeps them in the game, as their misadventures continue in this series of vignettes, from 1971 through 1976.

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead is his second book in a planned “Harlem” trilogy featuring Ray Carney. Like it’s prequel, Harlem Shuffle, Crook Manifesto is a darkly humorous crime caper with emotion and heart. This series drips with New York City atmosphere and the vernacular of the era, and buzzes with foreboding that Ray and Pepper have started down very dark paths indeed. This reader can’t wait to see how it all wraps up. Treat yourself and listen to the audio versions of Harlem Shuffle and Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead, both read by the magnificent Dion Graham. You can find digital versions to place on hold and download, as well as other books by Whitehead here.

Keep reading.

-Carol

Book Review: None of This is True

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Josie Fair is a part-time seamstress. She is married to Walter, a much, much older man and the two lead a very private, eccentric life and have little contact with outsiders. On a rare night out in celebration of her 45th birthday, Josie meets Alix, a successful podcast host who was born on the exact same day and hospital as her. Josie has decided it is time for a change and believes that fate has brought the two women together so that Alix can help her do just that. She attempts to befriend Alix and asks her to interview her as the subject of her next podcast.

Meanwhile, Alix is intrigued by this quirky stranger and believes she has quite a tale to tell. She quickly agrees to hosting an interview at her home studio. But after a few interviews, Josie begins to insert herself into Alix’s life, by stopping over unannounced and commenting on Alix’s marriage. It is not long before Alix begins to regret her choice. And, as she begins to uncover Josie’s dark secrets and what she is capable of, Alix is about to find out how big of a mistake that choice really was.

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell is a page turning, addictive psychological fiction told from Josie’s and Alix’s alternating points of view, as well as excerpts from Alix’s “Hi I’m Your Birthday Twin” podcast and documentary. If you are a fan of very dark and chilling, suspenseful fiction with unreliable narrators, this book is for you. Place your hold today.

-Carol