Today's Read: Never Tell by Lisa Gardner

If you were a police detective and found a woman holding a literal smoking gun in the same room as her freshly shot and dead husband, who would you pin for the murder? Boston Sergeant Detective D. D. Warren makes the obvious connection. The book opens from the perspective of Evie, the woman with the gun:

By the time I pull my car into the garage, my hands are shaking on the wheel. I tell myself I have no reason to feel so nervous. I tell myself I’ve done nothing wrong. I still sit there an extra beat, staring straight ahead, as if some magic answer to the mess that is my life will appear in the windshield.

It doesn’t.

—Never Tell by Lisa Gardner (Dutton, Aug. 6, p. 1, paperback)

Quick Facts

• Setting: Boston, modern times
• Circumstances: Although police find pregnant schoolteacher Evelyn Carter holding a just-shot gun, she swears she's innocent of her husband's death. Detective Warren has cause to disbelieve Evie, especially because years ago Warren investigated her for the supposed accidental shooting of her father. On the other hand, one of Warren's informants, Flora Dane, disagrees. Dane, a kidnapping survivor, recognizes the late-Conrad Carter as being a friend of her captor. The two woman are on the same case but not necessarily on the same side. Yet each wants the answer to this question: Did Evie kill her husband?
• Genre & themes: police procedural murder mystery mixed with psychological thriller; themes of family, marriage, secrets, PTSD
• Why I want to read it: Gardner is a master of suspense, and this latest pairing of D. D. Warren and Flora Dane has gotten nothing but praise.
• Extra things to know: This is the tenth book in the Warren series and the third featuring victim-turned-vigilante Flora Dane. The paperback edition, along with a great new cover (shown here), comes out today. For more on Gardner be sure to visit her website.
• Acknowledgments: Thanks to Dutton for the digital review copy of Lisa Gardner's Never Tell.

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Today's Read: A Good Enough Mother by Bev Thomas

Is it possible for a therapist to help her patients when she herself is dealing with unresolved emotional issues? Ruth, head psychotherapist at the NHS Trauma Unit in London, always maintains the line between patient and doctor, until the day she doesn't. The consequences of her singular lapse in judgment are devastating.

Here's how the book opens:

On paper, Dan Griffin was nothing out of the ordinary. He was anxious, he was urgent, he was like any other patient we see at the Trauma Unit. “Unremarkable” was how I described him to the police. When they looked for answers in those early therapy sessions, they read about the bruise on his face, the terror in his voice, and the flashbacks that were so visceral they took his breath away, but there was nothing to hint at his capacity for violence. Nothing at all to suggest what he was capable of. It took awhile to understand that the question to ask wasn’t Why didn’t I see it coming? but Why didn’t I move out of the way?

—A Good Enough Mother by Bev Thomas (Pamela Dorman, April 30,, p. 1 [ARC])

Quick Facts

• Setting: modern times; London
• Circumstances: Ruth's life has been crumbling ever since her 17-year-old son disappeared. Not knowing whether her boy is alive or dead, she cannot properly grieve, though she can worry. Her marriage has suffered, and her relationship with Tom's twin sister has also been broken. Ruth, however, is keeping her personal problems a secret from her colleagues at the NHS; she doesn't want their pity or advice. Although she's always maintained a strong doctor-patient wall, she falters when she meets George, a new patient who bears a strong resemblance to Tom. Ruth's blindness to George's tamped-down anger will have far-reaching effects.
• Genre & themes: thriller, domestic thriller, motherhood, family drama, twins, surviving trauma
• Why I want to read it: Author Thomas was a clinical psychologist for the NHS and uses her personal experiences and expertise to add authenticity to her debut novel. I like thrillers, especially domestic thrillers, and I generally trust Pamela Dorman Books.
• Reviews: Publisher's Weekly gave A Good Enough Mother a starred review, and Kirkus was also very positive. The Goodreads rating is 3.91. Many reviewers thought the descriptions of psychotherapy were very well done, and others found the book to be emotionally powerful. On the other hand, some reader-reviewers had trouble getting into the story, and a few figured out the ending fairly early on.
• Acknowledgments: thanks to Pamela Dorman Books for a digital review copy of Bev Thomas's debut novel, A Good Enough Mother.

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Today's Read: The Last Woman in the Forest by Diane Les Becquets

What would you do if you were essentially widowed when you were still under the spell of a new love and your forever partner? For Marian, the tragedy deepens as she tries to prove her beloved Tate is innocent of a series of gruesome murders. Kind man who loved animals, nature, and Marian or monster who lured vulnerable women to their deaths? And if not Tate, then who? Here's how the book begins (skipping prologue):

It's a terrible thing to have loved someone and not know the extent to which you'd been deceived, and a more terrible thing still to love someone and not know if you'd been loved in return. There is something shameful in that prospect, the kind of shame that can reduce a person to someone she no longer recognizes.

—The Last Woman in the Forest by Diane Les Becquets (Berkley, March 5, 2019., p. 11 [ARC])

Quick Facts

• Setting: wilderness, mostly northern United States and southern Canada
• Circumstances: Marian loves the outdoors and has been part of wildlife research teams in a variety of settings. When she gets a chance to retrain rescue dogs to help with studies on animal behavior and habitat, she knows she found her dream job. But it's more than just working with the dogs, it's getting to know her mentor, a charming young man named Tate. As Marian makes friends in the research group and demonstrates her abilities to survive in the wild and to work with the dogs, she finds herself falling for Tate, who seems loving and supportive. When Tate dies in a terrible accident while doing fieldwork on his own, Marian wants to learn more of the man she loved, discovering that he didn't always tell her the truth. Could he have been the perpetrator of a series of murders, all involving trusting young women? Or is someone else on the team trying to scare Marian for other reasons?
• Genre: psychological thriller
• Themes: outdoor life, friendship, trust, self-discovery . . . and a little murder
• My thoughts about this book: I ate up the information about using dogs to help conduct research on endangered species and was impressed with the author's descriptions of life as a field biologist and of the wilderness settings. Les Becoquets built up a nice creep factor, and I wasn't always sure whom Marian should trust. The details about working with the dogs and coping with wilderness life were really well done. The plot contained a couple of unexpected twists, and I liked the relationship between Marian and an older criminal profiler she turns to for help. All in all a decent thriller.
• A warning: A couple of scenes were very graphic, and if you have trigger issues with violence against women, you should be prepared.
• Audiobook: The bulk of the unabridged auidobook (Penguin Audio; 11 hr, 29 min) is read by Emily Rankin, who performs the chapters told from Marian's point of view. Her pacing and intonations help create a foreboding atmosphere. Robert Fass's delivery of the criminal profiler, who is determined to find the person who murdered several women, captures both his professional and his private sides. Four other narrators have smaller parts. A recommended audiobook.
• Extra: Whether you read this in print or in audio, don't miss the author's note at the end.
• Acknowledgments: thanks to Berkley and Penguin Audio the review copies of Diane Les Becquets's The Last Woman in the Forest.

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5 Thrillers for Late Winter Nights

February's blue skies can't fool me; I know there are plenty of cold and snowy days ahead. I'm not complaining (too much) though, because indoor living means more time for reading. A blustery late-winter night provides just the right atmosphere for a spine-chilling thriller or mystery. Here are five of this month's thrillers that might have escaped your attention. It's never too late to give them try.

The Winter Sister by Megan Collins (Atria, Feb. 5): When Sylvie moves back home to tend to her sick mother, she is confronted with the past she's tried to forget. About 16 years earlier her sister went out on a forbidden date and was never seen alive again. The killer remains identified, but as Sylvie settles back into her childhood house, she discovers secrets and unearths new information. Among the suspects is the male nurse who is currently working at the cancer center where Sylvie's mother is being treated. Opening line: When they found my sister's body, the flyers we'd hung around town were still crisp against the telephone poles.

In the Dark by Cara Hunter (Penguin Books, Feb. 19): Detective Inspector Adam Fawley is called to an Oxford house where a woman and child are found locked in the basement and near death. The woman is too traumatized to offer any help. Fawley must figure out if the bad-tempered owner of the house, suffering from dementia, is responsible or if there was another way the victims could have been imprisoned. The case reopens an older missing persons investigation, a body is found buried in the back garden, and Fawley is dealing with his own family issues. Opening line: She opens her eyes to a darkness as close as a blindfold.

Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce (Grand Central, Feb. 19): Allison, a lawyer on the rise, is finally given a murder case. She is to defend a woman who is accused of killing her husband. One problem: the woman says she did it. Allison, though, thinks there's more the case than meets the eye. Another problem or two: Allison is drinking too much, is unfaithful to her husband, and is neglecting her young daughter. What's worse, someone is threatening to reveal all her secrets, which would dismantle her family and her career. Which of these women will be saved, and who will do the saving? Opening line: The October sky lies gray above me and my wheelie bag's heavy but I wait for the bus and count my blessings.

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley (William Morrow, Feb. 19): A group of nine college friends, now in their 30s, continue their tradition of getting together and staying close. This year, they agree to a New Year's Eve trip to a cabin in the Scottish Highlands. After all have arrived, winter descends with a vengeance, snowing them in for the duration. With plenty of food and drink, they're unconcerned, until one of the friends goes missing. This is a classic closed-room mystery in which all the suspects claim to like each other. But, wait! What about the gamekeeper and other locals, who may be very comfortable wandering outside despite the storm? Opening line: I see a man coming through the falling snow.

The Syndicate by Guy Bolton (Oneworld, Feb. 7): Erstwhile Hollywood fixer Jonathan Craine has given up big-city life, living peacefully with his son in rural California until he's given an offer he can't refuse from the LA mafia. In the summer of 1947, mob leader Bugsy Siegel is found murdered in his Beverly Hills home. Craine has five days to identify the killer or both he and his son will be swimming with the fishes. Without access to police records or crime scene data, Craine scrounges to find help, coming up with an elderly hit man and a dubious female reporter. Period details and the Mafia vibe add flavor to this thriller. Opening line: He parked the car half-way down Linden Drive and went the rest of the way on foot.

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7 New Thrillers Written by Women

Never mind that we’re on the other side of the winter solstice and that global warming is real, I still think of January as having long, cold evenings that were made for reading. Give me a good suspense or crime novel, a cozy afghan, and something warm to drink and I’ll be happy for hours. Here are seven thrillers that have caught my eye—all written by women and all out this month.

• An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (St. Martin’s Press, January 8): Set in New York City, this is the story of a young woman who worms her way into an ethics study, hoping to answer a quick survey and walk away with $500. As the female doctor’s probing questions become more and more disturbing, our protagonist finds it difficult to break free.
• The Au Pair by Emma Rous (Berkley, January 8): Set on the Norfolk coast, this is a thriller involving family secrets. When a young woman goes through her late-father’s belongings she finds a photograph that makes her question the circumstances of her mother’s suicide, just hours after giving birth, and the reasons for the au pair’s sudden departure on the very same day.
• Freefall by Jessica Barry (Harper, January 8): A woman survives a plane crash in the Colorado Rockies, knowing that conquering nature is the least of her concerns. Meanwhile in Maine, her estranged mother, desperate to learn her daughter's fate, discovers the younger woman's secret life and hopes to offer protection before it's too late.
• Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks (Gallery, January 8): Set in the English countryside, this is the story of what happens when a woman loses her best friend’s daughter at the local school fair. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Harriet, the grieving mother, withdraws from her husband and friends. When the police investigation fails to recover the girl, Harriet realizes she must face her darker self before she can have any hope of seeing her daughter again.

• She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge (Random House; January 8): Set in Hampshire, England, this start of a new series involves a cold-case murder and small-town secrets. Thirty years after a young teen disappeared after partying in the woods with friends, her body is found, and the local detective chief inspector is tasked with tracking down the witnesses and uncovering the truth of what happened the night the girl was killed.
• The Suspect by Fiona Barton (Berkley; January 22): Set mostly in Bangkok, this thriller asks, How far would a mother go to protect her child? When a British journalist is dispatched to Thailand to follow a story about two teens who went missing after a fire in a youth hostel, she is horrified to discover that her estranged son is a prime suspect.
• Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus (Delacorte Press, January 8): When teenage twins move to Vermont to live with their grandmother, one of them becomes obsessed with the small town’s infamous reputation for girls gone missing. A fairly recent murder, another disappearance, and personal threats can’t keep our hero from poking into the area's dark history.

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Today's Read: The Lies We Told by Camilla Way

What would you do if you realized the person you loved most was not at all the person you thought he or she was? For Beth, this is particularly painful, because that person is her young daughter, Hannah. For Clara, it's her live-in boyfriend, Luke.

Here's how the story starts (with Beth):

At first I mistook the severed head for something else. It wasn't until I was very close that I realized it was Lucy's. To begin with, I thought the splash of yellow against the white of my pillow was a discarded sock, a balled-up handkerchief perhaps. It was only when I drew nearer and saw the delicate crest of feathers, the tiny, silent beak, that I fully understood. And suddenly I understood so much more: everything in that moment became absolutely clear.

—The Lies We Told by Camilla Way (Berkley, October 9; paperback original, page 1)

Quick Facts

• Setting: modern times in London; 1980s in Cambridgeshire (UK)
• Circumstances: In the 1980s, Beth is becoming increasingly worried about of her daughter, Hannah, whose behavior is out of control. The five-year-old rarely shows emotion and already seems to have a bullying streak. In modern times, Clara wakes up in her London apartment to discover that her perfect boyfriend, Luke, has disappeared into thin air. This dual-time-period book follows Clara as she (with a little help from the police) searches for clues about Luke's fate and alternately follows Beth as she tries to cope with her fear of Hannah. How these two seemingly different plot lines come together is at the heart of the novel.
• Genre: psychological thriller, mystery
• Themes: secrets, lies, coming to terms with the truth
• Why I want to read this book: I want to know how Beth and Clara's lives intersect. What happened to Luke and is he as perfect as he seems? And what about Beth and her sociopathic daughter? I can't even imagine what it would be like for a parent to be afraid of her child. Sounds like a great October spooky read.
• More about the book and the author: Publishers Weekly says the novel has "palpable tension"; the Washington Times says the "twisted narratives [are] fueled by obsession . . . driving relentlessly on to disaster"; the Goodreads score is 4.3; Crime Fiction Lover blog had mixed feelings about the character development but still recommends it for light reading. At Female First, Camilla Way wrote "10 Things I'd Like My Readers to Know About Me."
• Acknowledgments: thanks to Berkley for a finished copy of Camilla Way's The Lies We Told.

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8 June Novels I Still Want to Read

*Blink* ← That’s how long the month of June lasted. And that means I’m—as always—behind in reading this month’s new releases. Good thing there’s no use-by date on books, because there’s still plenty of time for me to get to the following June novels.

Tell Me a Modern Story

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza (SJP for Hogarth, June 12): A contemporary Muslim American family is divided over balancing Western 21st-century culture with their ethnic and religious traditions. Why I want to read this novel: Only through understanding and empathy can we combat hate.

The Fall of Innocence by Jenny Torres Sanchez (Philomel Books, June 12): Eight years after surviving a childhood assault, 16-year-old Emilia is having trouble moving forward. Why I want to read this novel: Although the subject is difficult, it’s important to recognize that past trauma can resonate in the present.

Take Me Back to the Last Century

The Myth of Perpetual Summer by Susan Crandall (Gallery, June 19): A young women recalls her tumultuous childhood in a small Mississippi town and her dysfunctional family. Why I want to read this novel: I liked the author’s first novel and tend to like coming-of-age stories.

Visible Empire by Hannah Pittard (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, June 5): The far-reaching ways Atlanta, Georgia, was changed by the 1962 Orly plane crash that killed many of the city’s white elite . Why I want to read this novel: Because it is based on a true event with a foundation in the civil rights movement.

Give Me a Thrill

Bring Me Back by B. A. Paris (St. Martin’s Press, June 19): While on holiday in France, a man’s girlfriend goes missing, never to be seen again. Ten years later, he’s engaged and thinks his past is behind him . . . or is it? Why I want to read this novel: I really liked the author’s previous novels.

The Captives by Debra Jo Immergut (Ecco, June 5): A prison psychologist is surprised when his next patient is his high school crush, who’s been convicted of a brutal crime. How far will he go to help her? Why I want to read this novel: I trust the Ecco imprint and thought the premise was good.

Let Me Escape This World

The Book of M by Peng Shepherd (William Morrow, June 5): What would happen if humans were hit with a pandemic event that caused them to slowly lose their memories, until they no longer even remembered to eat? Why I want to read this novel: Even in the present political climate, I can’t resist a good adult dystopian/postapocalyptic story.

Bruja Born by Zoraida Cordova (Sourcebooks Fire, June 5): This is the second entry in an urban fantasy with Latinx underpinnings. Plus there are witches and walking dead. Why I want to read this novel: I liked the first book in this series and want to know what happens next.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: A Quartet of Reviews

June is usually a pretty easygoing month, but the last few weeks I've been juggling work deadlines with house and yard work. We're also in the final stages of planning my mother's 90th birthday celebration. I'm not complaining about being busy, but I haven't had much reading time.

The only exciting news is that my bird feeders were attacked by a bear. This is the third or fourth time this has happened over many years, but this time the bear totally destroyed the feeders. So we (actually, Mr. BFR), had to reset the poles and buy new feeders. We took the feeders in at night for a week, but the bear seems to have moved on. One of our neighbors saw a mother and cubs getting into his garbage; maybe they're the bears that were in our yard too.

Here's what I read and listened to over the past couple of weeks.

A Stash of One's Own edited by Clara Parkes (Abrams, 2017): You don't have to be a knitter to laugh, and cry, at the 21 essays collected in this book. Some of the knitting greats--teachers, designers, bloggers, and producers--reflect on their relationship to their yarn stash. If you're a hobbyist of any kind (or even an avid reader), you will be able to relate to the women and men who struggle with their yarn collection. Many ask themselves if they're borderline hoarders; some found joy in giving their stashes away. I nodded my head in agreement with many of the stories: "I have no idea what I'm going to do with that yarn, but I have to have it"; "I didn't bring yarn or needles on vacation but I really need to knit now" (and so go out and buy new supplies). Other essays brought tears, as knitters talked about the stashes they inherited from their mothers or when one man described how, when he was a kid, he had to hide his passion for "pretty string" from his parents. Whether you keep a stash of yarn (books, embroidery floss, tools, or fabrics) or buy only what you need when you need it, you'll be able to relate to many of these essays. I listened to the unabridged audiobook for a freelance assignment (Audible Studios, 5 hr, 1 min). The essays were read (in turn) by Kevin T. Collins, Kate Udall, and Eliza Foss. Each narrator captured the emotional heart of the essays: bringing out the humor or the poignancy, depending on the knitter's story. Recommended in either medium.

Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercombie (Orbit, 2015):  The second entry in the First Law Trilogy is in some ways stronger than the initial installment because the action has started. The first book introduced the characters and set up the various factions: the royal court, the magi, the Northmen, the southern peoples, and the Eaters, to name just some. And, of course, the factions are made up of citizens, rulers, wannabe rules, fighters, trackers, and so forth. In this book, the battle lines have been drawn, and some countries are better at warfare than others. Back in the cities merchant classes are maneuvering for power and wealth, while the Inquisition is determined to stop any potential rebellion. Finally, in the wilderness an unlikely band of four men and one woman are a quest to find the one thing that will help humans fight the Eaters. I'm not going to spoil anything by telling you what happens, but I can assure your there are deaths, betrayals, surprising alliances, twists, and bloody battles. The characters in the First Law Trilogy are flawed and can make mistakes, but they can also learn and grow. Abercombie is a master at creating believable characters that easily draw your interest (whether you like them or not). The action, as I mentioned, takes place on several fronts, and even in audio (Hachette Audio; 22 hr, 39 min) I had no problem remembering the characters or their specific story arcs. Steven Pacey nails this series: he never falters with the accents and his timing pulled me along. I'm trying to wait a week or so before I finish the trilogy so I can make my visit to this universe last. (personal collection)

Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbott (Little, Brown, July 17, 2018). Oh boy can Abbott tell a good tale. This is the story of two women with PhDs doing research in human biology. Their relationship began when they met as seniors in high school, becoming best friends on the one hand and fierce competitors for a coveted scholarship on the other. Their friendship takes a dark turn when Diane confesses that she's done "something really bad." Once Kit learns Diane's secret she is haunted by it, and disassociates herself from Diane as soon as she can. Years later, Kit has a fairly secure position in a famous lab, hoping her boss will tap her for a spot in a new project. Just days before the boss is about to announce her new team, who should walk into the lab but Diane. This psychological thriller takes place in two time periods: Kit and Diane as teens and Kit and Diane in the present. The tension  is delicious, and the manipulative characters (all with secrets) will make you cringe (or cheer or boo, depending). An underlying theme is women against the system, and running questions are, How far would a woman go to get respect and power? Is Diane horrible? Is Kit an innocent? What about their boss, the secretary, the other researchers? I loved Chloe Cannon's well-paced performance (Hachette Audio; 11 hr, 2 min). She didn't give anything away, so every new piece of information, every slight twist or reveal came as a surprise. She kept the women's dialogue distinct, and the male voices were fine. Put this thriller on your list (print or audio) for next month. (review copy provided by the audio publisher)

Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li (Henry Holt; June 19). This debut novel has two faces. On one level is the intergenerational drama of the Han family, owners of the Beijing Duck House in Rockville, Maryland, and the off-duty doings of two of their long-term staff. The two grown Han brothers have different ideas about the future of the restaurant founded by their late father; and their mother, newly widowed, is beginning to find her inner strength. The other level focuses on the personal issues faced by the characters, such as addiction, marriage, aging, and parenthood. Li does a good job contrasting life in the Duck House with life at home; for example, Jimmy Han competently oversees the restaurant with a paternal eye, but falls apart when it comes to romantic relationships. One of the plot lines revolves around a kind of Chinese godfather, with whom the Han family has a love-hate relationship. I was expecting a light, fun summer novel and so was surprised that Number One Chinese Restaurant offers more than a simple escape read. While this character-driven novel won't make my top-ten list for 2018, it shows Lillian Li's potential, and I've put her on my list of authors to watch. (review copy provided by the publisher)

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Sound Recommendations

This past week was a little busier than I was expecting but by Friday afternoon, I felt I was caught up and took the entire weekend off! I did some gardening and took a couple of walks, and generally relaxed.

I gave my eyes a break and turned to only audiobooks last week. I now feel ready to tackle print reading for fun instead of for work. I can't wait to attack my spring books . . . I have a lot of catching up to do.

On TV, I started the new Lost in Space, which I like so far. The new season of Westworld is here. It took me a while to remember what was going on, but by the end I was reinvested in the story.

Here's what I listened to last week.

Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao (Flatiron; March 6). I’m sure I’m in the minority here, especially because I think the themes of this book are important, but this much-praised novel wasn't for me, and I stopped reading fairly early on. I'll begin with the little I know about the plot: two young women of marriageable age in India face a future shaped by men who have all the power. I’m guessing they find a way out. Why did I stop reading? First, I was listening to the audiobook (Macmillan Audio; 11 hr, 38 min) and reached a breaking point with narrator Soneela Nankani. Let me be quick to say that I’ve listened to other books she’s read and, while she is a not favorite narrator, neither did I dislike her performances. For this book, though, I thought her voice was too young, too earnest, and too often on the verge of tears. I just had to turn the audiobook off. So why didn’t I read the novel in print instead? The primary reason was the author’s fondness for metaphors and similes, which were used in abundance and in groups. The other big reason occurred when one of the main characters had a sort of break down; while I understood the woman’s distress, I didn’t buy her symptoms. Then she behaved very shallowly, and I simply gave up at that point. You may have a better experience. Other people and reviewers have loved the book. Give it a try if you’re curious. (for a freelance assignment)

I cleansed my brain by turning to M. C. Beaton and a Hamish Macbeth mystery. Death of a Village (Blackstone Audio; 5 hr, 21 min) is the 19th book in the series and had all the elements I love about these cozies set in the Scottish Highlands. Village gossip, a couple of different scam artists, and a murder are at the heart of the story. Hamish, of course, solves all the crimes but has to downplay his role so he doesn’t get promoted out of his rural beat, where he has friends and plenty of time for himself and his dog. To get the most out of the books, it’s always good to start at the beginning of a series, but you might do okay to jump in anywhere. This is one of my favorite escape series: the audiobooks, read by Graeme Malcolm are short and entertaining, and I often turn to them in between heavier books. (personal copy)

A Shout in the Ruins by Kevin Powers (Little, Brown, May 15) won’t be out until next month, but I couldn’t wait to read it. It’s a dual-time-period story that reveals the long-reaching effects of slavery and the post–Civil War years. In the 1950s, ninety-year-old George returns to his North Carolina roots to see if he can discover anything about his past or the woman who took him in when he was orphaned as a toddler. In the 1860s we follow the love story of two slaves, their owners, and how they fared during and after the war. Powers gives us a lot to think about and a lot to account for in our country’s history and builds characters that are easy to love or hate. There are disturbing episodes of casual cruelty, which are barely balanced by acts of kindness. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 7 hr, 13 min) was read by Robert Petkoff, whose performance was strong and affecting. He created a deep emotional atmosphere but avoided melodrama and portrayed the characters in a way that lets listeners come to their own conclusions about events and behaviors. (audiobook provided by the publisher)

I finished The Girl I Used to Be by Mary Torjussen (Berkley; April 24) yesterday. First off, don’t read the Publishers Weekly review; it spoils the story in the first sentence. Torjussen’s newest psychological thriller involves Gemma, a real estate agent / business owner in Chester, England, who becomes the victim of a cyber-blackmailing scheme. She’s sure she knows who is trying to ruin her life, the question is why. The more she tries to keep things secret, the more it affects her business and her marriage, but Gemma is afraid to confide in anyone. When she finally turns to the police, she realizes that she doesn’t have solid proof of the villain’s identity and doesn’t want her name in the newspaper, which could destroy her reputation, her family, and her work. Although some of what Gemma’s hiding is easy to figure out, I was still surprised and wasn’t sure who her allies were, right up to the end. I don’t think this is the most intense thriller I’ve ever read, but I was invested enough to really want to know how she was going to protect herself, stop the blackmail, and save her marriage. The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 9 hr, 54 min) was read primarily by Katharine McEwan, who narrated the sections told from Gemma’s point of view. Fiona Hardingham took on the sections told by another woman (being vague so as not to spoil the book). Both infused their performances with tension and good pacing, and each picked up her character’s personality. (ARC and audiobook provided by the publisher)

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5 Books to Finish Out the Year

As I sat down to write this last round-up post of the year, I was, frankly, at a loss for a theme. I think my creative energies have been channeled to the holidays and my brain power has been engaged with work. In the end, I decided to help myself: What I needed to do was get a clear vision of the December books I still had on my reading list. How many of these I'll actually get to next week with all the holiday craziness is anyone's guess, but I'm going to give it my best shot. Which one would you start with?

I was quickly drawn in by the idea behind of Dark Winds Rising by Mark Noce (St. Martin's Press, Dec. 5). Set at the turn of the seventh century, the novel is based on a mix of contemporary records and Welsh mythology and tells the story of Queen Branwen who must save her kingdom from a double-headed threat: a Pict invasion from the sea and civil war within. Because this is the second book in the saga, I'll have to also commit to the first installment, Between Two Fires, in which the fictional queen Branwen protects Wales from the Saxons. Reviewers have commented on the good period details, though I'm a little concerned about the level of romance. At the same time, it's hard to resist a series touted as a combination of Mists of Avalon and Game of Thrones.

Three Daughters of Eve by Elif Shafak (Bloomsbury, Dec. 5) is set Istanbul on an evening when a wealthy woman, Peri, attends a dinner party during which terrorist outbreaks occur throughout the city. On that same night, she is serendipitously reminded of her university years at Oxford. From what I was told at BookExpo last summer, the novel contrasts the protagonist's younger, freer self in the West with the realities of life in Turkey and addresses feminism, Islam, spirituality, and politics. As well, Peri begins to come to terms with an unresolved issue that's haunted her since she was student. I'm curious how Peri's perceptions of her marriage and lifestyle in Turkey are colored by her experiences in the UK and wonder about her secret.

I can't resist a good domestic thriller, so I said yes to a review copy of Close to Me by Amanda Reynolds (Quercus, Dec. 5). Here's the setup: Jo falls down the stairs and sustains a head injury. When she regains consciousness at the hospital, she realizes she's lost her memory of the entire past year. That would be distressing enough, but her family is deflecting her questions and not helping her remember. Is her husband protecting her from herself or is he the one who has something to hide? I love the kind of story in which it's not always clear who is the good guy and who is the bad one. I'm well aware that the reviews have been mixed--some saying the ending falls apart, others saying the suspense is tight--but I plan to make up my own mind.

I'm totally on the Scandinavian crime bandwagon. Roslund and Hellstrom's Penn 33 (Quercus, Dec. 5) is an award-winning first-in-series set in Sweden. The story itself, focusing on Detective Superintendent Ewert Gren's attempt to recapture an escaped child molester and serial killer, looks rough yet gripping. Besides the cat and mouse chase, I'm also intersted in the authors themselves. Anders Roslund is a former television crime reporter and editor-in-chief of two Swedish new programs. Borge Hellstrom is an ex-convict, who became involved in rehabilitation efforts and crime prevention for "young offenders and drug addicts." With their backgrounds in the darker sides of Sweden, I'm not surprised the DCI Grens novels have won critical acclaim. Most American reviewers have sung the book's praises.

Sticking to the thriller theme, I still have The Truth Beneath the Lies by Amanda Searcy (Delacorte Press, Dec. 12) on my reading list. This young adult novel is told through the alternating voices of two teens. Betsy lives in Texas and is simply trying to stay alive. She knows she's being watched, and she knows she has a target on her back. One false move, and she's history. Meanwhile, Kayla lives in Washington, trying desperately to escape her dead-end job and her drug-addicted mother. Despite a feeling of unease, she begins to trust the cute guy who seems to offer her a way out. Pretty much every reviewer has commented on the tight plotting, intense buildup of tension, and grittiness of the story. I want to know how the girls' lives intersect and who is left standing at the end.

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8 Books by Women to Read This Month

March 2017 is shaping up to be a stellar month for new book releases. Although I'm still very much a print kind of reader, I like adding books to my eReader so I can carry a piece of my library with me wherever I go. Here are 8 new books by women you'll find on my tablet.

• The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco (Sourcebooks Fire): This start of a new fantasy series involves resurrection, witches, siblings, and self-discovery.
• The Cutaway by Christina Kovac (Atria / 37 Ink): In this psychological thriller set in DC, a TV producer gets caught up in the disappearance of a lawyer.
• The Fall of Lisa Bellow by Susan Perabo (Simon & Schuster): Billed as a coming-of-age story, this novel explores what happens when a teenager survives a crime that results in the abduction of another girl.
• Himself by Jess Kidd (Atria): A man returns to the Irish village of his youth to investigate why the mother he never knew abandoned him to an orphanage. A mix of humor, folklore, and mystery.

• It Happens All the Time by Amy Hatvany (Atria): Can best friends reunite and change the nature of their relationship? A contemporary look at love and gender roles.
• The Night Mark by Tiffany Reisz (Mira): In this time travel novel set on coastal South Carolina a grieving widow finds an unexpected second chance at happiness.
• Our Short History by Lauren Grodstein (Algonquin): A single mother facing her own mortality must find a way to do the right thing for her young son.
• The Wanderers by Meg Howrey (Putnam): When three people agree to live in an isolated simulated environment for the chance to be the first people to travel to Mars, they face unforeseen challenges.

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Today's Read: Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

Imagine you are a divorced women with a little boy, a possible drinking problem, a part-time job, and few friends. When a beautiful, rich woman decides to take you under her wing, would you return the friendship? Suppose the woman needed a respite from her controlling husband, who just happens to be your handsome new boss? Louise finds herself in just this situation: drawn to her boss and his wife, hiding their secrets and maybe a few of her own.

Pinch myself and say I AM AWAKE once an hour.
Look at my hands. Count my fingers.
Look at clock (or watch), look away, look back.
Stay calm and focused.
Think of a door.

—Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough (Flatiron, 2016, p. 3 [ARC])

Quick Facts

• Setting: Contemporary times; London (with flashbacks to Scotland)
• Circumstances: Louise, a single, divorced mother, meets a handsome man at a local pub. The next morning, she discovers he's her new (married) boss. The following day, she literary bumps into a woman on the street, who then suggests they have a coffee together. The two hit it off, but Louise knows this is her boss's wife. The more Louise gets enmeshed in the couple's lives, the harder it is for her to keep a grip on what's best for her, her son, and their future. 
• Genre: psychological thriller
• Characters: Louise, a secretary; Adele, her new friend; David, her new boss; Louise's son, ex-husband, and his girlfriend; a boy from Adele's past
• What I liked: Pinborough sure can draw a reader in. I may not have had much in common with the characters, but the women won my sympathies, and I wanted to know how their odd tangled relationships were going to play out. Louise is a little naive and lonely, and she finds both David and Adele hard to resist, though for different reasons. The more secrets Louise keeps, the deeper she's caught up in the couple's world. I kept thinking: something bad is going to happen . . . I just know it.
• Polarizing issue: So, I'm there, I'm fully invested, I can barely put the novel down. But then I come to the end. The last couple of chapters and . . . I want to throw the book across the room. The ending is love it or hate it. I don't think there's any gray area. I was in the "Argh,  you have to be kidding me" camp. You'll have to read the book to see where you belong. If you're a love it kind of person, you're in great company  (Harlan Coben, Joe Hill). I want to emphasize that I loved this book until the very end, so no matter how you react to the finale, it's worth your while to read.
• More thoughts: This is a Flatiron book, which means that editor/publisher Amy Einhorn had a hand in bringing the novel to print. I'm not sure I've ever had a miss with Einhorn, but I guess there is a first time for everything. It makes me sad to not love every bit of this book, but I have to be honest.
• Recommendation: Despite my reaction to the ending, I still say Behind Her Eyes is worth reading. The writing is good, and Sarah Pinborough knows how to build tension and create a foreboding atmosphere. Plus I'd love to know what you think. I agree with many others: this book will be talked about.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 9 Books to Read in December

Okay, what happened to 2016? Can I have some time back? A do-over? I'm kind of stunned we're less than a month from Christmas and that I'm going to a holiday party in just a few days. ARGH. I'm already fighting off the stress of the season. Deep breaths.

My work schedule remains crazy, which means very little print reading is getting done, although audiobooks still rule the roost around here. I started and finished two audiobooks since last week and I'm about a third of the way through another. I'm hoping to squeeze in some extra reading time in December, but we all know I'm just kidding myself.

What I Listened to Last Week

• The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid (Simon & Schuster Audio) involves cyborgs, artificial intelligence, and politics set in the distance future. The action was intense, though I began to question the continuous twisty plot ploys. Still, an enjoyable listen while I was cooking and cleaning for the holiday. Narrator Candace Thaxton was only okay for me, mostly because she had a regular cadence which became wearying.
• Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan (Listening Library) was as much fun as I expected it to be. Humor, action, and good characters. I loved seeing the Norse gods in a new light and am excited that the ending promises a cross-over with Percy Jackson and with the Apollo books. Narrator Kieran Culkin nails Magnus's personality, keeps the characterizations consistent, and has great pacing, which made me forget he didn't read the first audiobook in the series.
• The Fate of Tearling by Erika Johansen (HarperAudio) is the final installment in a popular fantasy series involving some magic, politics, human rights, and a tough female lead. In the last book we learned something of the Tearling's past, and I'm curious how everything will tie together. Polly Lee is the third narrator for this series, and although her performance is fine so far, she has yet reel me in.

Looking at December

December isn't a huge month for publishing and hot releases, but I still managed to add a few new books to my reading list. Here are a half dozen titles that crossed my threshold.

• Bad Boy by Elliot Wake (Atria): A transgender protagonist who must face the truths of gendered behavior, especially in relationships. Billed as romantic suspense.
• Eight Flavors by Sarah Lohman (Simon & Schuster): An examination of flavorings (such as spices, sauces, garlic) that have become American standards. I would describe it as food history meets ethnography.
• The Glass Universe by Dava Sobel (Viking): All about the women who were the photo and data analysts for the male astronomers at Harvard's observatory, starting in the mid-1800s. Celebrating forgotten women scientists.
• League of Archers by Eva Howard (Aladdin): A retelling of Robin Hood's fate starring a young girl caught up in a murder mystery. Familiar characters in a new action-packed adventure for middle grade readers.
• Mincemeat by Leonardo Lucarelli (Other Press): An anthropologist/cook's journey to becoming a professional chef outside the universe of television and celebrity status. Food memoir set mostly in Europe.
• The Twilight Wife by A. J. Banner (Touchstone): A marine biologist struggling to regain her memory after a diving accident begins to wonder whether she can trust her husband and friends. Psychological thriller.

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Sound Recommendations: 4 Summer Audiobooks

Catching up with some short reviews today, all in my current summer favorites of fantasy and thriller.

Parents, Watch Your Children

• What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan: I'm not sure why I held off on reading this much-buzzed book. It is a very well done thriller about a young boy who goes missing after getting permission from his mom to run ahead to a playground. The story is told from multiple viewpoints and different times. Macmillan did a good job with how both traditional media and social media can quickly move from sympathetic to vicious. I was particularly drawn to the male detective and how the case affected him. The audiobook was read by Penelope Rawlins and Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, who kept my attention throughout; I had a hard time turning off the book! (Harper Audio; 12 h, 2 min; print: William Morrow, December 2015)
• The Couple Next Door by Shari Lepena: I didn't realize when I started this audiobook that it was going to be another missing child story, although the circumstances here are different. When Anne and Marco's baby-sitter cancels last minute, the couple decides to have dinner with the neighbors anyway. They set up the baby monitor and take turns checking on the baby every half hour, but when they get home at 1:00 a.m., their daughter's crib is empty. This is a good twisty thriller with a small cast. I was completely caught up in working out exactly who did what and why. I didn't really like any of the characters (except maybe the detective), but I don't think we are meant to like them. The audiobook was read by Kirsten Potter, who set the mood and picked up on the characters' personalities. (Penguin Audio, 8 hr, 40 min; Pamela Dorman, August 23, 2016)

Visit a Fantasy World

• Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson: I loved Pearson's Jenna Fox dystopian books, so decided it was a safe bet to try her fantasy series (the third installment is out this fall). The story features Lia, a princess who doesn't want either the position or the arranged marriage that goes with it. She runs away to start a new life as a peasant girl, but two boys are tracking her. One an assassin and the other her intended husband. For the first two-thirds of the book, neither Lia nor we know which boy is which--very clever.  I give the book 4 stars for characters and world building, but the audiobook, read by Emily Rankin, was only so-so. I have no real complaints, I just wasn't wowed. (Listening Library, 13 hr, 31 min; Henry Holt, July 2014) 
• Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan: Why oh why haven't I read Sullivan before? I loved, loved, loved this book and its creatures, people, and politics. The story has many familiar epic fantasy elements, but there are enough twists so not everything is predictable. Excellent world building and relatable, flawed characters plus a terrific mix of fantasy and reality (including war and racial tensions). I can't wait for the next book, but in the meantime I'm going to read Sullivan's other books set in the same world but in a different time period. It took me a little bit to get into Tim Gerard Reynolds's performance of the audiobook, but then it clicked, and I devoured it, enjoying his pacing and expressive narration. (Recorded Books, 16 hr, 35 min; Del Rey, June 2016)

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6 Thrillers to Read in August

How can it be August already? Time to pack the bags and head off on vacation to escape the summer heat. Along with your bathing suit, sun block, and beach chair, don't forget a stash of books. Here are a half dozen new thrillers; look for them at a bookstore near you.

• The Darkness Knows by Cheryl Honigford: After the murder of a radio star, an up-and-coming actress helps a handsome private detective solve the crime. Set in 1930s Chicago, this debut sets the stage for a new series and introduces a likeable duo. (Landmark, August 2)
• The House between Tides by Sarah Maine: I'm just past halfway in this atmospheric Gothic mystery set in the Outer Hebrides. Alternating between the early 1900s and modern times, the story has pulled me in totally--crumbling mansion, a skeleton beneath the floor, and closed-mouthed islanders. (Atria, August 2)
• Watching Edie by Camilla Way: Set in England, this psychological thriller focuses on two childhood friends who are reunited in their thirties. One is a single mom; the other moves in, saying she can lend a hand, but what are her true motives? (New American Library, August 2)

• The Couple Next Door by Sheri Lapena: I just started to listening to this thriller about a parent's worse nightmare. After a night of celebrating with their neighbors, Anne and Marco discover their infant daughter has been taken from her crib. The police aren't buying the couple's story. (Pamela Dorman, August 23)
• Unknown Caller by Debra Spark: When Joel goes to the airport to pick up the teenage daughter he's never met, she fails to get off the plane. Is this a cruel joke played by his ex-wife, or has something really happened to the girl? (Louisiana State University Press, August 22)
• Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris: This sounds like a pretty creepy psychological thriller. Everyone wants to be Jack and Grace. But if they are really the perfect couple, how come Grace is never seen out and about on her own? (St. Martin's Press, August 9)

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Help Needed & 4 Quick Reviews

A Plea for Help!

How organized are you? I'm okay when it comes to my ebooks (thank you, Calibre!), and I have a sort of system for my print books (at least I more or less know where things are and what I own). I keep all my audiobooks in a single folder, so I can always find them.

But here's where I'm a big fail: I haven't yet discovered a way to integrate the data for all my books--print, audio, ebook--in one easy-to-use place. Although the very thought of combining my three catalogs is daunting, to say the least, I'd love to try.

So my big question for the week is this: Do you have one single database for all your books in all media? And if so, what do you use? Are you a LibraryThing fan or do you use GoodReads? Do you have your own database in Excel (or similar)? Do you use your bullet journal? Maybe just a Word file? I really want to know, cause I need some help.

What I've Been Reading

Kat Howard's Roses and Rot: Wow. This one pulled me in right from the start. It's about two sisters involved in the arts, one is a dancer and the other a writer. The plot focuses on love, family, competition, and a reminder that sometimes fairy tales are dark. I loved the writing (though a stronger copyeditor would have been nice), and I liked the way Howard tells the story -- poetic at times. The book is set in contemporary days, though there is definitely a magical  layer. I recommend it. (Saga Press, May 2016)

John Preston's The Dig: This is a pretty quick read and very interestingly set up. There is a mysterious feel to the way the story is told, making you ask, Who are these people? It is set in 1939 Britain and based on true events. On the eve of war, a rich and important archaeological site, later named Sutton Hoo (after the estate), was found on a widow's farm in Suffolk. The discovery stirred up trouble, creating tensions within the family and building competition among scholars and museums. I read it in two short sittings and then looked up more information about the site and the artifacts. (Other Press, April 2016)

Iris Smyles's Dating Tips for the Unemployed: This is next up on my list. I don't know if I'll get through it, but I'm intrigued. Set in contemporary New York, the book has been billed as part memoir, part novel and is supposed to focus on those between years when you're a full-fledged adult but not yet feeling settled. Apparently Smyles writes a lot about the difficulties of making true connections with others. The book is a collection of two dozen essays/short pieces; I'll let you know what I think. (Mariner, June 2016)

Iain Reid's I'm Thinking of Ending Things: Mr. BFR just finished this psychological thriller, which is getting a lot of buzz and starred reviews. He, however, was not quite taken with it. The good news is that he liked the writing style and thought a few parts were creepy. The bad news was that he wasn't as scared as the hype made him think he would be, and he thought the plot had pacing issues. In short, he was disappointed and felt let down by the ending. A glance at the reviews reveals this is one of those love it or hate books. Mr. BFR was more on the hate side. (Gallery/Scout, June 2016)

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Mysteries and Thrillers and Suspense: Oh My!

Help! Teach me how to read in my sleep. I clearly need more time. Here are 6 mystery/thrillers that were published this month that I still haven't gotten to. Have you read any of them? Which one should be at the top of my list? Any I should cross off?

Under the Harrow by Flynn Berry is a mystery set in England involving two sisters: one is found dead in the first chapter and the other must learn to cope with loss while trying to find out what happened. Many reviews mention the great tension. (Penguin Books) Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner is suspense set in contemporary Cambridge (UK) and is centered around a missing student and the female detective in charge of finding her. (Random House) One of the characters in 738 Days by Stacey Kade suffers PTSD after having been held captive by a kidnapper for two years. The story is about her meeting the TV star whose poster kept her company until she escaped. But is she really free? This novel has won starred reviews. (Forge)

With Malice by Eileen Cook is about two privileged friends who take a trip to Italy. Only one returns: what happened to the other girl? Was it accident, murder, or something else? This one has gotten mixed reviews (HMH Books for Young Readers) The House of Secrets by Brad Meltzer and Tod Goldberg is a spy thriller involving amnesia, a daughter and father, and a possible history of violence. This is the first in a new series. (Grand Central) Lost and Gone Forever by Alex Grecian is the latest in the really good Scotland Yard's Murder Squad mystery series set in the 1890s. Jack the Ripper may play a part in this one. I highly recommend the other novels in the series. (Putnam)

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5 Books for June: A Look at My eReader

June is more than halfway done, and the official first day of summer is fast approaching. Here are five books that are waiting patiently on my eReader, all good choices for a warm evening reading on the deck or a sunny day at the pool.

Sleeping with the Lights On

Security by Gina Wohlsdorf: The manager of a California luxury hotel is working hard to get everything in place for the grand opening, when her long-lost childhood foster brother comes for a visit. As they begin to explore the vast, empty resort, something sinister begins to make itself known: employees are being killed off in the plain sight of the numerous security cameras. Someone is watching . . . and setting up the murders in very particular ways. What's the message and who is behind the night of bloodshed? A clever design allows readers to feel as if they were in several places at once in this heart-thumping thriller. This debut has already earned several starred reviews. Out June 7 from Algonquin.

Since She Went Away by David Bell: Jenna shows up late for an appointment only to find that her best friend has disappeared with almost no trace--a single diamond earring is found in the park where the women were supposed to meet. No amount of searching digs up any clue to what has happened. As the media sensationalizes the case, Jenna is having trouble coping with her guilt. When her son's new girlfriend also disappears, the mystery begins to unravel, pointing to deep secrets and long-ago lies and proving that the past never truly stays in the past. Reviews promise a complex, fast-paced plot with well-wrought characters. This thriller is set in small-town Kentucky. Out June 21 from New American Library.

Take a Step Back in Time

The Gilded Years by Karin Tanabe: In 1897, a senior at Vassar college is on the brink of seeing all her dreams come come to light; if only she can keep her secrets to herself. She is no ordinary student; she's a descendant of slaves and the daughter of a janitor, passing for white among the rich and privileged. When she befriends her high-society roommate, she's pulled into a world she could have scarcely imagined. This sets off a series of events that threatens to expose her true background and force her to choose between living a lie or embracing her heritage. This novel is based on the true story of Anita Hemmings, the first black woman to graduate from Vassar. Out on June 7 from Washington Square Press.

A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams: This story transports us to the 1920s where we go from a Connecticut court room and "the trial of the century" to the streets of Manhattan, the playground of the rich and famous, with their scandals, romances, and Jazz Age partying. In the years after the Great War, everyone seems to be letting down their guard, shedding established conventions and ignoring Prohibition. Inappropriate affairs, new money vs. old, secrets, and betrayals are at the core of this retelling of Strauss's De Rosenkavalier, as lovers bungle their romances and set ill-fated schemes into action. This book looks like it's classic Williams, with excellent period details and easy to envision characters. Out June 28 from William Morrow.

Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford: In 1926 London a secretary at the newly formed British Broadcasting Company radio station gets caught up in office politics and government secrets as she climbs the corporate ladder. Conflicts of artistic vision and gender issues underlay the excitement of cutting-edge technology and new opportunities. Several aspects of this novel attract me, including the BBC's debates on where the future (and the money) of the new medium was headed: educational (talk shows), news, drama, music, or sports? In addition, I'm interested in the idea that radio offered a place for women to rise in the business world. Finally, this novel presents a view of the 1920s that we don't often see. Out June 14 by New American Library.

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