In the first book of a series, a ragtag group of criminals who have formed a family (yes, my favourite “found family” trope) try to overthrow their tyIn the first book of a series, a ragtag group of criminals who have formed a family (yes, my favourite “found family” trope) try to overthrow their tyrannical ruler.
Great well-drawn characters, with a strong and capable young heroine. It’s obvious that the author had a very clear vision for his world. There’s a detailed history and the magical system has clear rules, but I must admit I found that sometimes he dwelled on the way things worked a little too much. I think there could have been some editing there.
The plot was fun and action-packed, and there were a couple of big surprises. The book also has a strong ending, so if a reader chose not to continue it’s still a satisfying conclusion, while still leaving some open questions and mysteries yet to explore. I’ll definitely be continuing on. ...more
The zombie uprising was more of a whimper than a bang, which is a pretty common theme in the new generation of zombie fiction. I much prefer my zombieThe zombie uprising was more of a whimper than a bang, which is a pretty common theme in the new generation of zombie fiction. I much prefer my zombies tearing up the countryside, so I found this novella very slow-moving (heh). The author tries to inject some humour that mostly falls flat. It doesn’t help that probably 80% of the novel is the MC musing to himself, and his thoughts just aren’t that interesting. ...more
I was so excited for the latest installment of the Chet & Bernie Mysteries – CHET, HOW I HAVE MISSED YOU – but unfortunately this one was, as much as I was so excited for the latest installment of the Chet & Bernie Mysteries – CHET, HOW I HAVE MISSED YOU – but unfortunately this one was, as much as I hate to say it, a disappointment.
Chet is his adorable self, of course. His observations made me laugh out loud on a couple of occasions, and his love and adoration of All Things Bernie makes my heart melt.
Unfortunately, I felt like Chet was the only thing that really worked. Bernie was a bit too philosophical, briefly reverted back to Suzie-era Bernie, and wasn’t very relatable. Something happens with Weatherley and her job that Bernie gets involved in that felt very out of character, and I hated the way the author dealt with the aftermath.
Granted, having every event filtered through Chet’s perspective is a special challenge for these books. Sometimes it’s successful, but this time it just was not. Not only did the relationship drama feel unresolved, but so did some outside factors like the issue with the new DA – I have no idea what Mr. Quinn was going for there. And the mystery itself didn’t come together for me either. I admit I’m not entirely sure how everything fit together in the end.
Wisecracking defense attorney Andy Carpenter is supposed to be retired, but he takes on a new case when a childhood friend of his accountant is accuseWisecracking defense attorney Andy Carpenter is supposed to be retired, but he takes on a new case when a childhood friend of his accountant is accused of murdering her millionaire husband.
Andy reminds me a lot of John McClane mixed with ‘40s gumshoe – a sort of everyman with a dry sense of humour and a dose of sarcasm. It was also refreshing to just see a cast of mature, sensible characters who are all competent in their own right. AND Andy also runs a dog rescue so there’s a little bit of that too, which made me very happy.
The mystery is great, bouncing back and forth between Andy and the team's investigations and the bad guys’ movements across multiple states. It all comes together in the end for a satisfying conclusion.
I picked this up for a prompt to read a #11 in a series, and wanted something that I could ease into at that point without being confused. This ended up being a great choice, and now I want to go back to the beginning and read all of the books in the series… ALL 30 OF THEM! Ay-yi-yi. ...more
When seamstress Josie runs into successful podcaster Alix at a pub and realizes they have the same birthday, she becomes obsessed and conceives of a wWhen seamstress Josie runs into successful podcaster Alix at a pub and realizes they have the same birthday, she becomes obsessed and conceives of a way for the two to work together. As Josie begins to tell the story of her life, the truth and the lies twist around Alix and her family.
I loved this! Jewell may be a bit of an overwrought storyteller, but her tales are sooooo addictive and compelling. An unreliable narrator is always a thin line to walk as a writer, I think, because the story has to be believable from the outside perspective of the reader and to the inside-the-story point of view of the teller of the tale. Ms. Jewell really knocks this out of the park. There are many twisty turns to keep the reader guessing and even at the end there are hints that maybe the whole truth hasn’t been revealed.
I also enjoyed that it wasn’t just Josie who is unreliable here. We all have our little secrets, and Alix is not as put-together as she appears, nor is her seemingly perfect life as magazine-ready as it appears.
January, a perpetual romantic, finds it hard to churn out her next novel when she sours on romance. When her new neighbour turns out to be an old schoJanuary, a perpetual romantic, finds it hard to churn out her next novel when she sours on romance. When her new neighbour turns out to be an old school rival who writes literary fiction, they decide to switch genres as a way to challenge themselves.
I expected a non-mystery version of a cozy mystery, a light fluffy read with essentially one-dimensional characters. What I got was a surprisingly funny and much ‘deeper’ story than I expected, about the masks that we wear both in public and to ourselves, and the need to be true to who we are. The humour especially felt very natural and relaxed, as did the character progression. I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely seek out more from this author. ...more
Phoebe is in the middle of working on her dissertation on true crime books when she returns to Florida to clean out her childhood home after the deathPhoebe is in the middle of working on her dissertation on true crime books when she returns to Florida to clean out her childhood home after the death of her father. She’s startled by a neighbour, whom she immediately threatens with mace (as one does), and thus begins her relationship with Sam and the start of Phoebe coming to terms with her troubled childhood.
Phoebe starts out as prickly and aggressive, but the more I came to know her the more I loved her. I think this was partially because she was never completely over the top: she’s awkward and semi-aggressive with those she doesn’t know, but none of this comes through with her brother, who’s her exact opposite, even-tempered and positive. I could relate to Phoebe, and I was cheering her on in her two steps forward, one step backward progression. And her fascination with the relationship of true crime writers to their subjects was equally interesting. I’m glad I found this little gem. ...more
Another adorable entry in the “Shady Hollow” series. I’m simply enamored of squirrels who run charming little inns and chipmunk high school students aAnother adorable entry in the “Shady Hollow” series. I’m simply enamored of squirrels who run charming little inns and chipmunk high school students and of course, intrepid newshound… er, newsfox Vera Vixen, rooting out yet another murderer.
The action this time switches to nearby Summerhill, where Vera is one of the chaperones for kids on a summer trip to an archaeological dig… which is soon ruined (get it) by murder. This one has probably the best mystery yet, as there’s a plethora of new characters to suspect. But as always, the joy is in picturing Vera putting on her straw hat before heading out; or imagining a raven dipping into the cafe and somehow returning with 3 cups of coffee and a plate of muffins; and just watching all the creatures of the forest interact as a big family. I love this series! *happy sigh*
I only picked this up for a prompt in a challenge – do you have any idea how hard it is to find a readily available book with a flowerpot on the coverI only picked this up for a prompt in a challenge – do you have any idea how hard it is to find a readily available book with a flowerpot on the cover?
Anyway, the idea behind this is good: pet accessories store owner Darwin gets psychic flashes from animals, which she uses to solve the murder of a homeless man she befriended. But everything is so clunky, from the hints of her family magical background, the instalove with the local cop, and especially the interactions with the homeless community, which actively made me cringe. I mean, I know it’s a cozy mystery, but maybe make *some* effort at realism here.
It did gain an extra star by at least offering a pretty wide array of suspects for the murder, and while I figured quite a few things out, the actual murderer was a surprise to me. ...more
The opening book of a series, and I loved it. Readers got a glimpse of investigators Van Reed and Harry Steinbeck in her short story, Catch Her in a LThe opening book of a series, and I loved it. Readers got a glimpse of investigators Van Reed and Harry Steinbeck in her short story, Catch Her in a Lie, but this is their first full length book and it really fleshes out Van’s backstory. She was raised in a cult, which accounts for her determined messiness and the partially suppressed trauma that spurs her.
She works in cold cases, and here is looking to solve the mystery of two missing girls which ties into a current murder case. The list of suspects is long, the police work made sense, the barriers placed in her way are genuinely frustrating, and most of all I absolutely love both Van and Harry (who, it hints, has a dark secret of his own.) Bring on book two!...more
I checked this out of the library during a blistering June heatwave in search of something to cool me down, and this certainly did the trick.
When ClaI checked this out of the library during a blistering June heatwave in search of something to cool me down, and this certainly did the trick.
When Claude the French bulldog gets mistakenly left behind by his family just before Christmas, he plays a big part in bringing the neighbourhood together. The action switches between four different characters: mom Daisy, frazzled and overwhelmed; Jack and Holly, two lonely folks in the neighbourhood who bring the community together; and Claude himself, at first sure that his family will return soon, then beset by worries about abandonment or the pound, and having discovered a new love for gingerbread.
I really enjoyed all of the different points of view. The story never got too cutesy, at least IMO. Holly in particular had a nice arc as she grew more confident and stood up for herself. And I’m a sucker for an animal POV, so I loved all of Claude’s sections. He really did make me feel sorry for him when he was afraid and enthused about his love of treats.
This was just the pick-me-up I needed on those sweltering summer days....more
There are three short stories in this brief anthology. The third is a rather awkward analogy about fighting one’s demons. The first (Deal of a LifetimThere are three short stories in this brief anthology. The third is a rather awkward analogy about fighting one’s demons. The first (Deal of a Lifetime) is a lovely story of what one will sacrifice for love.
And the second, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, is a masterpiece of what it is like on the inside when dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia. It was so beautifully, perfectly, expertly written that it made me cry. I adored everything about it. What a master class in writing. ...more
This sequel to Bird Box takes place 12 years after Malorie and her children’s wild and reckless trip down the river to safety. The kids are now 16 wheThis sequel to Bird Box takes place 12 years after Malorie and her children’s wild and reckless trip down the river to safety. The kids are now 16 when Malorie again takes them from their home on a trek to somewhere new.
This book is just as suspenseful and frenetic as the first. Malorie is so well drawn, a woman who has spent 17 years living on the edge and is on the brink of ordinary madness just from the stress of trying to keep her two kids safe. And the kids are lovingly portrayed as well: Olympia, curious and smart, and Tom, like his namesake, always seeking for a way to improve their situation even though Malorie’s fear keeps him shackled.
The ending is a bit contrived, but I loved the journey so I’m not even bothered. ...more
Five years after the events of the first book, GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) once again steps into the breach, taking the kids (Grant, now 9 and Maisie, nowFive years after the events of the first book, GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) once again steps into the breach, taking the kids (Grant, now 9 and Maisie, now 14) on a European holiday before their dad remarries an Italian marchesa. Not quite a Baroness, but that doesn’t stop Patrick from embracing all things Sound of Music.
When the book focuses on Patrick and his life lessons, it’s a solid five stars. All of the humor feels natural and real, and once again Mr. Rowley nails the kids' voices, again particularly little Grant. But their visits to Paris, Venice, et cetera felt a bit like a travel magazine. I found myself picturing Mr. Rowley on his research trip for the book, taking notes on the history of hotels and hot chocolate. He’d be like the grown-up version of Grant with his notebook, ready to do that trip report for extra school credit. So alas, I had to drop it down a star, and the schmaltzy ending didn’t help matters. ...more
Robin and Marianne Loxleigh (I see what you did there, Ms. Charles) have come to London to snag rich spouses. Robin sets his sights on young Alice, buRobin and Marianne Loxleigh (I see what you did there, Ms. Charles) have come to London to snag rich spouses. Robin sets his sights on young Alice, but he’s really much more interesting in her uncle Hart. I loved watching Hart and Robin work through their issues (in a relationship that starts out transactional and soon becomes more) in a loving, mature fashion, learning and growing together. The historical details are, IMO, just right to set the scene without overwhelming the story. ...more
I’m sure by now everyone but me has seen the movie adaptation of this book starring Sandra Bullock. Literally all I knew going in was that people had I’m sure by now everyone but me has seen the movie adaptation of this book starring Sandra Bullock. Literally all I knew going in was that people had to blindfold themselves to avoid seeing something that drove them insane – I had high hopes that I’d enjoy the book, having quite liked a short story by Malerman that I’d recently read, and I have to say that I was blown away by how good this was.
The book is just filled to the brim with this quiet menace that left me on the edge of my seat, anxious about what was going to happen and trusting no one, nervously turning the virtual pages so I could find out what happened next. One chapter would take place in present time, with Malorie struggling to reach safety, and the next would take us back in time to how she got to that point. It was really cleverly done because it meant there was anxiety in each timeline, so the pacing was relentless and super engaging. I read the entire thing in one sitting. All the more impressive because this is Mr. Malerman’s first book! ...more
The premise here is interesting. First, set the stage: a bajillionaire, seeking to thwart his impending death, seeks immortality through vampirism. AfThe premise here is interesting. First, set the stage: a bajillionaire, seeking to thwart his impending death, seeks immortality through vampirism. After being “bitten”, he’s rushed to the hospital where he turns into a rampaging creature who quickly infects others.
Second: have each writer create and write for a different set of characters who are fighting off the vampiric horde. Third: attempt to combine these different scenarios and characters into one seamless novel.
You’ll note the word “attempt”. Yeah, unfortunately the many different styles of the authors just don’t mesh coherently here. Whoever wrote for Randall and Jenny went a more traditional route (and their storyline was my favourite.) Clay’s writer was more tongue-in-cheek, with a bit of dark humour. Then there were some characters who were just cheesy and schlocky, like a suicidal clown turned vampire.
Throw in the non-stop over-the-top gore and it’s just all too scattered, too disjointed, and too much. ...more
This series of 12 vaguely interconnected stories are a big miss. The connections are very often clunky and awkward. The timeframes are sometimes diffiThis series of 12 vaguely interconnected stories are a big miss. The connections are very often clunky and awkward. The timeframes are sometimes difficult to nail down, especially as the author tends to mark them by who was the American president at the time. And quite frankly, they’re boring.
There’s this link of supernatural-esque weirdness throughout many of the stories, but it’s just too vague. If you’re going to go that route, embrace it. And there is a sameness to the main character in every story – they all have a similar sounding cadence to their internal dialogue that makes them mesh together. All in all, what a mess. ...more
Yet another edge of your seat mystery from Mr. Barclay. This one I felt was particularly intricate, about a man under witness protection and his son, Yet another edge of your seat mystery from Mr. Barclay. This one I felt was particularly intricate, about a man under witness protection and his son, 20+ years later, drawn into the search for his now-missing dad. There were quite a few potential suspects in this one. I was quite proud of myself for figuring out that one person was not what they seemed pretty early on, and it was the first time that I came to a couple of conclusions before the protagonist did. Proud of myself. LOL
Loved all the twists and turns, and it certainly kept me entertained from start to finish. ...more
I love a good animal POV, but this one just did not hit the mark for me.
It’s the start of the apocalypse and good girl Riley and her clan, a Yorkie nI love a good animal POV, but this one just did not hit the mark for me.
It’s the start of the apocalypse and good girl Riley and her clan, a Yorkie named Ben-Ben and a cat named Patches, do their best to protect their humans from the rampaging zombie hordes. They can talk to each other but it just sounds like barking or meowing to the humans, so much of their interaction with the humans has the “what’s that, girl? Timmy fell down the well?” quality. It was just awkward and unrealistic.
I did really enjoy Ben-Ben, a tiny dog with a big heart and a love for wet food and Santa, and the interactions between him and Riley were sweet. The “banter” between Riley and his nemesis, Patches, was really laboured and went on for faaaar too long. There’s also soooo many punctuation errors, and that lack of attention to detail drives me out of a story quickly.
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