The nitty-gritty: There are plenty of surprises in store for readers in Nghi Vo’s latest, another sparkling entry in her popular series. Confession time: I haven’t read the first four books of The Singing Hills Cycle, but since each one is marketed as a stand-alone, and because I’ve been wanting to read the series, I […]
The nitty-gritty: An emotionally charged tale of sorcerers and possession, Evocation is a glimpse into a fascinating fantasy world. Evocation is an evocative, magical series opener that follows a group of occultists living and working in Boston. If you’ve ever read an S.T. Gibson book before, then you’ll know that her stories focus heavily on […]
The nitty-gritty: Southern charm and graphic violence collide in this funny and heartwarming story. “Put me in pink lipstick or blue hair if you want when I go,” the old woman was saying, “but bury me with my brassiere on and I’ll haunt you.” Bless Your Heart was a fun horror story with unforgettable characters, […]
The nitty-gritty: Murder, ghosts and a controlling husband are just some of the ingredients in this thrilling, historically accurate treat of a story. There’s been quite a bit of buzz surrounding The Devil and Mrs. Davenport, which led me to buy a copy as soon as it was released. And I’m so glad I took […]
The nitty-gritty: Police procedural meets vampires in this exciting horror thriller, another winner from C.J. Tudor. C.J. Tudor never disappoints, and her latest is a great combination of murder mystery, thriller and thoughtful examination of racial prejudice, all set in a remote town in Alaska during one of the darkest times of winter. In Tudor’s […]
The nitty-gritty: A (mostly) gentle character study about a motley crew of hotel staff and patrons, Floating Hotel is light on plot but succeeds with its lively characters and emotional connections. Floating Hotel is a delightful found family, slice-of-life story revolving around a group of people aboard the Grand Abeona Hotel, a spaceship that ping-pongs […]
The nitty-gritty: A fast-paced series opener with a great hook, Three Kinds of Lucky excels with fascinating world-building and a lovable heroine. Have I ever read a Kim Harrison book before? I’m not sure, but I’m so glad I read Three Kinds of Lucky, which is such a fun opening book in her new series. […]
The nitty-gritty: A newlywed couple out of their element try to solve a murder involving an angry ghost in this fast-paced, emotional thriller. Simone St. James is back with another twisty supernatural mystery, and while I didn’t like this quite as much as her last book, The Book of Cold Cases, there is plenty here […]
The nitty-gritty: A family slowly loses control of their extremely disturbed daughter in this scary, creepy domestic thriller. “Her happiness and high energy were abnormal. Mommy had turned into a balloon, and she wanted to pop her with a pin and watch her fizzle-fuzzle into nothingness.” I have finally read Zoja Stage’s debut, Baby Teeth, […]
The nitty-gritty: Short but powerful, The Tusks of Extinction is an emotional journey through time and memory. “Damira was there again, listening to uncle Timur read to her. This was the gift of the mammoth mind, the elephant mind; to be where she was and elsewhere as well. To be in this present and yet […]