Book Review | UNBALANCE by D.P. Lyle

UNBALANCED
BY D.P. LYLE | PUBLICATION: AUGUST 6, 2024
OCEANVIEW PUBLISHING | GENRE: MYSTERY
RATING: ★★★✬

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Jake Longly is never saying yes to his father again.

It was a simple task. Five minutes tops.

Ex-pro baseball player Jake Longly and hisgirlfriend, Nicole, are asked by Jake’s father, Ray, a private investigator, topick up some papers from a realtor for his business. Jake would rather be lyingon the beach outside of his Gulf Shores restaurant, but he begrudgingly agrees.It’ll only take a few minutes.

But somehow, things are never simple in Ray’s world. When Jake and Nicole reach the office, they find it empty—except for the dead body of the realtor lying on the floor, a single gunshot wound to his head. Who could’ve wanted him dead? The long suspect list and the numerous possible motives make untying the knot difficult.

Working with the police department, Jake, Nicole, Ray, and their friend Pancake dive into the deceivingly simple investigation, which grows more complex by the minute. With millions of dollars at stake, weeding through the realtor’s entanglements requires all hands on deck, and yet again, Jake is dragged into the PI business he can’t seem to escape.

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D.P. Lyle's The Jake Longley series takes readers on a journey through the life of a former Major League Baseball pitcher whose days are anything but dull. The novel is a thrilling blend of humor, action, and Southern charm, set against the backdrop of the Gulf Coast's Redneck Riviera.

Jake's life, filled with sports glory and bar-hopping adventures, is frequently disrupted by his father Ray—a tough-as-nails former federal agent turned private investigator—and Jake's childhood friend, Pancake. This tech-savvy giant of a man earned his nickname not from a love of breakfast foods, but from his ability to flatten football opponents with ease.

The story unfolds with Jake's reluctance to get involved in his father's investigative escapades, a sentiment not shared by his action-loving girlfriend, Nicole. Despite Jake's best efforts to maintain a peaceful life, he's often roped into Ray and Pancake's world, where minor tasks quickly escalate into life-threatening situations.

Lyle's writing shines in the dialogue, capturing the essence of each character through witty banter that keeps the pages turning. For fans of fast-paced narratives and sharp humor, UNBALANCE promises to entertain and engage from start to finish.

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About the Author:

   

D.P. Lyle is the Edgar, Macavity, and Benjamin Franklin Award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction books. Unbalanced is the seventh in his best-selling Jake Longly Thriller Series. Earlier books in the series were finalists for the Shamus Award, Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award, and the USA Best Book Award, and were included on Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year list. Lyle has authored 20 books, been a consultant to numerous novelists and screenwriters of popular TV shows, served as co-host of Crime and Science Radio, and currently hosts the Criminal Mischief podcast series. He lives in Orange County, California.

*Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and Edelweiss for the egalley
in exchange for this unbiased review.

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Book Review | CULTURED by D.P. Lyle

CULTURED
BY D.P. LYLE | PUBLICATION: MAY 2, 2023
OCEANVIEW PUBLISHING | GENRE: MYSTERY
RATING: ★★★✬

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Money, sex, power. Jonathon Lindemann offers it all—just don’t mind the missing girls.

Jake Longly, ex-pro baseball player turned restauranteur, is back where he belongs: relaxing on the beach in front of his restaurant in Gulf Shores, Alabama. His peace is interrupted, however, when he receives a call from his private investigator father—April Wilkerson has gone missing from Lindemann Farms, the rustic, yet posh, resort built by self-help and financial guru Jonathon Lindemann.

Lindemann, founder of The Lindemann Method (TLM), recruits wealthy people to join his program, charging a hefty entry fee but in return promising huge financial gains and self-enlightenment. Jake’s celebrity status makes him the best person for the case.

When Jake and his girlfriend, Nicole, go on an undercover visit to Lindemann Farms, some suspicious activity makes them wonder about the legitimacy of TLM. Soon, a private conversation with one of the girls hired to work at the resort reveals their unorthodox, and immoral, recruitment methods.

As the layers peel away, darker edges appear. Does Jonathon truly make money for his investors, or is he a scam artist? Is April merely the latest in a series of missing young women? Jake and Nicole need to find her, and soon, before TLM catches wind of their true reasons for visiting the farm.

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The Jake Longley series has been captivating readers with its blend of mystery and humor. For those new to the series, me included, CULTURED offers a seamless entry point, providing just enough backstory to acquaint readers with the world of Jake Longley without overwhelming them with past narratives.

At the heart of CULTURED is Jake Longley himself, a former Major League Baseball pitcher turned bar and restaurant owner. His peaceful retirement in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is interrupted when his father, Ray, enlists his help to find a missing young woman, April Wilkerson. The search leads Jake and his girlfriend, Nicole, to the Lindemann Farm, home to The Lindemann Method (TLM) and its charismatic founder, Jonathan Lindemann.

The farm, with its serene facade, hides more than it reveals. As Jake and Nicole delve deeper, they uncover a web of secrets and questionable practices, suggesting that April's disappearance might be part of a larger, more sinister puzzle. The narrative is skillfully told from Jake's perspective, with strategic shifts that offer glimpses into the hidden layers of the story.

CULTURED has a light-hearted approach to the detective genre. The novel doesn't take itself too seriously, allowing for a reading experience that is predominantly entertaining. The ease with which Jake and his team unravel the mystery makes for a smooth and pleasant read, with just enough suspense to keep the pages turning.

While CULTURED may not delve into profound thematic depths, its strength lies in its vivid descriptions and the fun, almost playful nature of the investigation. It's a novel that doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is: a delightful escape into a world of intrigue and charm.

For those who have followed Jake Longley's adventures from the beginning, CULTURED is a satisfying continuation of the series. For newcomers, it's an invitation to explore the earlier books, promising more of the wit and mystery that makes the series appealing.

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About the Author:

   

D.P. Lyle is the Edgar, Macavity, and Benjamin Franklin Award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction books. Cultured is the sixth in his best-selling Jake Longly Thriller Series. Earlier books in the series were finalists for the Shamus Award, Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award, and the USA Best Book Award, and were included on Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year list. Lyle has authored 20 books, been a consultant to numerous novelists and screenwriters of popular TV shows, served as co-host of Crime and Science Radio, and currently hosts the Criminal Mischief podcast series. He lives in Orange County, California.

*Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and Edelweiss for the ebook

in exchange for this unbiased review.

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Book Review | TILL DEATH DO US PART by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

TILL DEATH DO US PART
BY LAURIE ELIZABETH FLYNN | PUBLICATION: AUGUST 13, 2024
SIMON & SCHUSTER | GENRE: WOMEN FICTION
RATING: ★★★✬

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The author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here returns with a thriller set in the vineyards of Napa Valley that asks: what happens when the husband you thought died years ago shows up alive?

Ten years ago, June’s beloved husband drowned on their honeymoon, his body never found. Now, a decade later, June is finally ready to move on. She owns a natural wine bar in Brooklyn and is engaged to a patient, supportive man named Kyle. She’s excited to finally begin a new chapter in her life and start a family.

But out of the blue, she sees him—Josh, her first husband. Is this just a hallucination from the guilt June carries about finally moving on, or is it possible that her husband never died in the first place?

June tries to forget about this vision, chalking it up to grief and nerves, but soon enough, she stumbles across a website for a winery in Napa, and the owner in the photo is identical to her dead husband. With her upcoming wedding looming and a fiancé who’s already worried she hasn’t quite left her past behind, June secretly flies to Napa for answers. But she’s not prepared for all the secrets she’s about to unlock because everything she thought she knew about her first love is a lie.

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Relentless Pursuit of Truth

In the novel,TILL DEATH DO US PART, June's life is a tapestry of love, loss, and mystery, woven with threads of deep emotion and suspense. Her story begins with a passionate romance and a secret elopement, only to be struck by tragedy during her honeymoon. A decade later, as she prepares to move on with her life, the sudden appearance of her presumed-dead husband, Josh, on a winery's website throws her world into chaos. The narrative, rich with alternating timelines, offers a multi-dimensional view of June's struggle and the haunting questions surrounding Josh's disappearance. As the plot thickens, the reader is drawn into a whirlwind of family secrets and scandals, each revelation adding complexity to the already intricate storyline. While the novel promises a stunning twist, it risks overwhelming the reader with its ambitious plot turns and unresolved subplots. The story's strength lies in its ability to capture the relentless pursuit of truth and the emotional turmoil of its characters, making it a gripping read despite its narrative challenges. Ultimately, June's journey is a story of love and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth.

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About the Author:

   

Laurie Elizabeth Flynn is a former model who lives in London, Ontario, with her husband and four children. She is the author of three young adult novels—Firsts, Last Girl Lied To, and All Eyes on Her—under the name L. E. Flynn. Her nationally bestselling adult fiction debut, The Girls Are All So Nice Here, was named a USA TODAY Best Book of 2021 and has sold in eleven territories around the world. Photograph © Sandra Dufton

*Thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for the printed ARC
in exchange for this unbiased review.

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Blog Tour | The Templar Sword by Sam Clarke

About the Book:

THE TEMPLAR SWORD
BY SAM CLARKE | PUBLICATION: 07 JUNE 2022
GENRE: YA MYSTERY

An ancient sword has been missing for centuries. Recovering it would prove Noah's worth to his father and earn him a place at the Clearview Templar Academy.

When he stumbles across a Renaissance painting that holds a clue to the sword’s location, Noah’s dream seems within reach. As the death toll quickly mounts, it becomes apparent that others are hunting the sword – for far more evil ends. The future of the Templars, very much like Noah’s, is at stake.

Together with his friend Viggo and mischievously attractive Isabelle, Noah embarks on the deadliest quest of his life. The sword’s dangerous trail will take them from the canals of Venice, to the spires of Seville, to a gripping showdown in the underwater caves of the Caribbean.

A fresh, original adventure story. Can be read as a standalone novel or as the sequel to The Twelfth Ring.

Buy the Book:

Amazon
Goodreads
The StoryGraph

"I enjoyed Noah’s character and narration straight away. I like how the humour and his observations add to the tale and although it’s a great, interesting and exciting adventure story, there’s a lot of good humour that adds to the story and makes it even better."
-THE STRAWBERRY POST
"This writing was very good and the fast paced, action packed plot was both thoroughly entertaining and easy to read."
-Worlds Unlike Our Own

[BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.]

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About the Author:

    

Sam Clarke is addicted to rock music, coffee, and Japanese manga. Her gardening skills are abysmal and she is rumoured to have killed a potted cactus. She currently lives in London with two cats, two kids, and a husband. Her first book, The Twelfth Ring (a Page Turner Awards finalist and a BBNYA semi-finalist) reached #1 in the Amazon Young Adult Thrillers charts. Her second book, The Templar Sword (a Page Turner Awards finalist and Ink and Insights Judges' Favourite) was released on 7 June 2022 and hit the #1 New Release spot on Amazon US a week later.

*Content sent by @TheWriteReads for this blog's publication. This is a free ad.

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Book Review | THE ANTIQUE HUNTER'S GUIDE TO MURDER by C.L. Miller

THE ANTIQUE HUNTER'S GUIDE TO MURDER
BY C.L. MILLER | PUBLICATION: FEBRUARY 6, 2024
ATRIA | GENRE: MYSTERY
RATING: ★★★★

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In this irresistible and thrilling debut novel, a former antique hunter investigates a suspicious death at an isolated English manor, embroiling her back in the dangerous world of tracking stolen artifacts.

What antique would you kill for?

Freya Lockwood is shocked when she learns that Arthur Crockleford, antiques dealer and her estranged mentor, has died under mysterious circumstances. She has spent the last twenty years avoiding her quaint English hometown, but when she receives a letter from Arthur asking her to investigate—sent just days before his death—Freya has no choice but to return to a life she had sworn to leave behind.

Joining forces with her eccentric Aunt Carole, Freya follows clues and her instincts to an old manor house for an advertised antiques enthusiast’s weekend. But not all is as it seems. It’s clear to Freya that the antiques are all just poor reproductions and her fellow guests are secretive and menacing. What is going on at this estate and how was Arthur involved? More importantly, can Freya and Carole discover the truth before the killer strikes again?

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Are you a fan of whodunnit cozy mysteries with a twist of adventure? Then you might want to read THE ANTIQUE HUNTER'S GUIDE TO MURDER by C.L. Miller. It's a new book that introduces Freya Lockwood, a former antique hunter who gets tangled in a deadly mystery.

Twenty years ago, Freya was forced to give up her antique hunting career after a terrible incident, but when her mentor, Arthur Crockleford, who was also her auntie's best friend, passes away, she must pay her respects. When she arrives, Freya finds out that Arthur died under suspicious circumstances, and that he left her a mysterious message: "Freya, it's down to you to finish what I started."

Freya soon discovers that Arthur was working on a secret project. What it was is part of the big mystery. All the clues lead Freya to attend a weekend antique party at Copthorn Manor. And everyone at this weekend event is a suspect, including the housekeeper, and the mysterious gardener. With the help of her eccentric Aunt Carole, Freya must use her hunter’s instinct, follow the clues, and catch Arthur’s killer.

I loved this book. It was well-written, fast-paced, and full of surprises. C.L. Miller does a great job of creating tension and fun. The book is easy to read, with short chapters that keep the story moving at a fast pace. I liked the main character, Freya, who was clever, courageous, and realistic. I also liked the setting, which was both spooky and charming. I look forward to every chapter’s quotes. They were often a clue, but it made reading and guessing more fun. The book was a captivating read that kept me on my toes until the end. I hope there will be a sequel!

You should read THE ANTIQUE HUNTER'S GUIDE TO MURDER. It's coming out on February 6 at your local bookstores and online retailers.

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Aboth the Author:

C. L. Miller started working life as an editorial assistant for her mother, Judith Miller, on The Miller’s Antique Price Guide and other antiquing guides. After she had children, she decided to follow her long-held dream of becoming an author and began concentrating on her writing full-time. She was an Undiscovered Voices 2022 and in the UV 2022 anthology. She lives in a medieval cottage in Dedham Vale, Suffolk, with her family. Photograph © Dan Kennedy

*Thanks to Simon & Schuster CA / Atria for the printed ARC in exchange for this unbiased review.

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Book Review | QUEEN OF THE TILES by Hanna Alkaf

QUEEN OF TILES by Hanna Alkaf
Publication: April 19th 2022
Publisher: Salaam Reads;
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
Rating: ★★★★★

CATALYST
13 points
noun: a person or thing that precipitates an event or change

When Najwa Bakri walks into her first Scrabble competition since her best friend’s death, it’s with the intention to heal and move on with her life. Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to choose the very same competition where said best friend, Trina Low, died. It might be even though Najwa’s trying to change, she’s not ready to give up Trina just yet.

But the same can’t be said for all the other competitors. With Trina, the Scrabble Queen herself, gone, the throne is empty, and her friends are eager to be the next reigning champion. All’s fair in love and Scrabble, but all bets are off when Trina’s formerly inactive Instagram starts posting again, with cryptic messages suggesting that maybe Trina’s death wasn’t as straightforward as everyone thought. And maybe someone at the competition had something to do with it.

As secrets are revealed and the true colors of her friends are shown, it’s up to Najwa to find out who’s behind these mysterious posts—not just to save Trina’s memory, but to save herself.

We all know that Scrabble is incredibly fun. I can recall many great family nights playing this board game. However, I’m still surprised how this book picked me up from my overextended reading rut.

QUEEN OF TILES is filled with both excitement and mystery. The story follows Najwa while she reestablishes herself into the Scrabble world again, a year after her best friend’s shocking death. And this year, she is more than just eager to win the tournament. She is doing it for Trina. And when mysterious posts appear from Trina’s supposedly idle Instagram page, Najwa realizes that there’s more to Trina’s death than the authorities had assumed.

Wordy, nerdy, and well-thought, set in a fast-paced narrative, this book has all the elements to engage. Hanna Alkaf managed to write a crisp understanding of grief, of passion and determination, and of self-love tucked in a twisty mystery. I cannot wait for you to read this too.

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About the Author:

Photograph (c) Azalia Suhaimi

Hanna Alkaf is the author of The Weight of Our Sky, The Girl and the Ghost, and Queen of the Tiles. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Northwestern University and has spent most of her life working with words, both in fiction and nonfiction. She lives in Kuala Lumpur with her family.

*Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for the printed ARC in exchange for this unbiased review.
*This post is a part of the monthly linkups organized by Lovely Audiobooks! You can click here to check it out and be a part of it.

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THE RULE OF FOUR by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason

   

Princeton. Good Friday, 1999. On the eve of graduation, two friends are a hairsbreadth from solving the mysteries of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, a Renaissance text that has baffled scholars for centuries. Famous for its hypnotic power over those who study it, the five-hundred-year-old Hypnerotomachia may finally reveal its secrets—to Tom Sullivan, whose father was obsessed with the book, and Paul Harris, whose future depends on it.

As the deadline looms, research has stalled—until a vital clue is unearthed: a long-lost diary that may prove to be the key to deciphering the ancient text. But when a longtime student of the book is murdered just hours later, a chilling cycle of deaths and revelations begins—one that will force Tom and Paul into a fiery drama, spun from a book whose power and meaning have long been misunderstood.

Four Princeton boys on their Senior year are struggling with their thesis, love life, and their future. But THE RULE OF FOUR is not exactly about them. It’s about Hypnerotomachia Poliphili -Poliphili’s Struggle for Love in a Dream- a book that is more than a book. Although it was published around 1499, it was only a decade after that the true author of the book was accidentally discovered by a Renaissance scholar. “Brother Francesco Colonna loved Polia tremendously” was revealed by stringing together the first letter of each chapter. Thus, naming the true author, Polian Frater Franciscus Columna Peramavit, a Roman scion. Yet, naming the author is barely scraping the surface, there are riddles to solve to unlock the secrets hidden in the book. Is the “Rule of Four” the key?

I don’t know which struck me more, Dr. Sullivan’s “The strong take from the weak, but the smart take from the strong”; or Agostino Carracci’s “Love conquers all”. Both describe the story of how the main characters struggle to fight off strong influences and their deep love for uncovering the secrets of the book. This one was a (very) slow read for me, like the Hypnerotomachia itself is slower than a tortoise crawl. Those who don’t have the patience might already drop the book in the first chapter, which is a mistake. You’ll learn from it, more than you’ll learn from the Da Vinci Code.

A book more than a book…

I have to say I like it more than I expected.

Book Details:

Title: THE RULE OF FOUR

Author: Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason

Publication: The Dial Press; May 11, 2004

Genre: Mystery

Rating: ★★★

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Book Review | SURRENDER, NEW YORK by Caleb Carr

August 23, 2016
Random House

Ambitious and brave.
I expect nothing less from a Caleb Carr novel.

Reminiscent of his Kreizler series, Carr’s new novel carries the 19th-century jargon and avid crime investigation techniques he employed; however, it now embodies the present-day tragedies. And a very apt debut for a series, if I may insinuate.

Surrender, an upstate town where Trajan Jones, a criminal psychologist, and his colleague Michael Li found themselves in exile, after having aggravated the “powers that be” in New York City. At present, both are teaching a criminology class online. Still, this present situation does not limit them from being invited as consultants by the local sheriff office, every now and then. And this brings the present dilemma at hand, “abandoned children” and their bizarre death rate in the county, wherein local authorities and the bigger players have a difference of opinion.

This being a Carr novel, it is chock-full of wide-ranging explanations and historical facts. It took some time for the plot to unfold itself, and readers who are used to fast-moving pace action/crime will usually find this slow. But the wisdom of the narrative is in that slowness -not that it lacks car chase scenes and shocking twists- wherein every unfolding is deliberate and effectual.

As per usual, Carr’s characters are very successful; they are all remarkably hard to forget. I distinctly remember when they were first mentioned and how they were mentioned every time. And this is not a short novel, by the way. In my experience with crime novels, the reader has to have a good connection with either the protagonist or the antagonist for it to work well. So, whatever strategy Carr is doing, it works really damn well.

What we see depends mainly on what we look for.

The best thing I like about Carr is that he does not simply conform to what (and how) the readers want. He offers them something significant to want instead and conveys them proficiently through it.

I highly recommend SURRENDER, NEW YORK.

Book details:

Title:  Surrender, New York

Author:  Caleb Carr

Publication: August 23, 2016; Random House

Genre: Mystery & Suspense | Literary Fiction

Rating: ★★★★★

*Thank you Random House for the uncorrected proof.

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Book Review | INK AND BONE by Lisa Unger

June 7, 2016
Touchstone

INK AND BONE lead us to a world beyond strange… and yes, beyond death.

More than anything else, Finley Montgomery wants control of her own life. But first, she needs to understand who she is.  Finley grew up misunderstood and misguided; she is perpetually haunted by people and things that only she could see. Confused, she sought her maternal grandmother, Eloise, a renowned psychic, for guidance in controlling her bizarre abilities.

We don’t always choose who we are, or what we experience.
We just choose what we do with it all.

The Hollows is a very intriguing and inviting place. Visitors are always enthralled by its quiet woodlands and accommodating populace. Ten months ago, a girl was abducted by strange men, while her father and brother were left bleeding from gunshot wounds, down on the trek trail leading to The Hollows Wood.

This is my first Lisa Unger book and I am not disappointed. Ink and Bone is an attention-grabbing mystery that holds many twists and leading plots. It is very engaging to witness this bifurcated narrative merge and form an edge-of-the-seat thrill.

Some of the viewpoints may be unnecessary for the development of the story. Strange is, I do get Ms. Unger in giving them ample attention. This book is more than the mystery or the thrill. It is also about moral principles and choices and taking the right steps to give it importance.

I LIKE IT VERY MUCH.

Book details:

Title:  Ink and Bone

Author:  Lisa Unger

Publication:  June 7, 2016; Touchstone

Genre:  Psychological Thriller

Rating:  ★★★★

*Copy received from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for this unbiased review.

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Book Review | SLADE HOUSE by David Mitchell

     

October 27, 2015;
Random House

From “one of the most electric writers alive” (The Boston Globe) comes a taut, intricately woven, spine-chilling, reality-warping short novel.

Set across five decades, beginning in 1979 and coming to its electrifying conclusion on October 31, 2015.

Slade House is the perfect book to curl up with on a dark and stormy night. ~Goodreads

If you are David Mitchell’s follower on Twitter, then you have a good inkling of what this book is about. Last year, from July 14-18, DM posted a short story through a series of tweets. A friend actually pointed me towards them, and my initial reaction was that it had a Black Swan Green feel to it, because of the boy character. Then, I thought maybe DM is going to write a short story collection. [I believe] DM likes conquering genres and styles, so, maybe, a collection is likely possible.

As it turned out, I’m not far off. The book is a series of five stories spanning from 1979 to 2015. A small black gate appears every nine years, on Halloween, in Slade Alley; it was peculiarly small that it was so easy to miss. It may take people two sweeps of the alley before they can spot it. The gate, however, opens to a narrow neat garden that leads to the back of an imposing house. Every nine years, guests mysteriously disappear from this house.

Most people think this is an accompaniment for The Bone Clocks because the premise resides in the same world of the atemporal. As far as I can tell, this book can hold itself together without reference to its predecessor. Hence, it can be read independently. The stories were told almost playfully with much thrill and excitement, which was (for me) too different from the dense and tight narrative of The Bone Clocks.

The characters are "oh wow". We know DM's talent in picking characters, giving them traits that linger with the readers, hence, making us invest in them wholeheartedly. Similarly, the characters here were chosen significantly fitted for these stories. It’s not only their purposes that are intriguing but their entire nature, which was succinctly fleshed out. In a way, this is a character-driven plot; which means, if the plot tires you, the characters will surely not. In fact, I cannot help asking “who's next” at the end of each story.

What do you do when you're visiting someone's house and their garden starts vanishing?

SLADE HOUSE is a short read but brilliantly plotted. DM’s talent for playing with different timelines is evident here, albeit in a stricter linear pattern. The stories revolved around (only) one location, but uses a succession of lifetimes, the next being more curious than the one before it. As much as I don’t want the stories to end, I want to know how the mystery will be solved after 36 years. And I am not disappointed. It saddens me, though, knowing that David Mitchell doesn’t write sequels.

I highly recommend this. You’ll love the thrill!


Book details:
Title: Slade House
Author: David Mitchell
Publication: October 27, 2015; Random House
Genre: Mystery, Fiction
Rating: ★★★★★


*Thank you, Random House, for the copy in exchange for this unbiased review.

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THE GOOD GIRL by Mary Kubica

This novel wowed me. And I don’t believe that just because it was a debut novel it shouldn’t be praised for its merits. Mary Kubica did a great job with this book, and I believe that a lesser hand wouldn’t be able to accomplish what she did here.

     THE GOOD GIRL is alternately narrated by the characters, in a non-constricted timeline, and in spite of that, the book maintained its fast-paced thrill. It was never confusing, nor difficult. In fact, I believe it’s this style that kept me at the edge of my seat all the time. I was pretty hooked from the beginning.

I liked all the characters; they are developed according to their purpose for the story. Sure, there is a weak link, but every story has one, and for me, it did not deter this story in the least. Colin was the most developed character in the story, which was pretty interesting since he is the appointed antagonist. Having said that, Stockholm Syndrome is employed curiously here, because the antagonist is our hero too, and our victim is no ordinary victim.

There is danger in staying here. I know it. She knows it.

But my biggest concern now is not having her with me.

As I said, this is a fast-paced thriller. I admire Kubica for pacing that thrill and withholding the twist until the epilogue. As I get to the end, my anxiety grew stronger. And her simple and unswerving prose made this all the more gripping. I rarely bawled over reading, the last time was The Time Traveler’s Wife, six years ago, until now. This is heartbreaking but complexly satisfying. I listened to the audiobook as well, and it just swept me. It was beautifully done.

The problem with this novel is not its plot, or characters, nor its writing. The problem lies in its promotion. I don’t know where it started, but comparing this with Gone Girl, or quoting this as the “next Gone Girl” is pretty unfair and made the wrong impression/expectation in the reading community. As far as I can tell the similarity of the two books begins and ends with having a missing person in the story. This novel conveys a very different structure and message. As I said from the beginning, this book should be praised for its own merits. 

If you have a taste for suspense, you shouldn’t skip this one.

Book details:

Title:  The Good Girl

Author:  Mary Kubica

Publication:  Blackstone Audio; July 29, 2014 

Genre:  Suspense/Thriller, Fiction

Rating:  ★★★★★

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Book Review | PRETTY BABY by Mary Kubica

July 28, 2015; Mira

A chance encounter sparks an unrelenting web of lies in this stunning new psychological thriller from national bestselling author Mary Kubica.

Instantly, I fell in love with The Good Girl when I read it. Bawled over it when I was done. I was so affected that I soon requested an e-galley of PRETTY BABY just a few days after.

Heidi was consumed by the image of a teenage girl with a baby tucked within her jacket, in the pouring rain, at the L, of all places. When the opportunity struck, she reached out and asked the girl to join her for dinner. Willow was reluctant with strangers and their offer of help, but present circumstances pushed her to accept Heidi’s help, at least for the baby’s sake. From there on, their story spins into a spiral of revelations and bewilderment.

It didn’t take long to figure out I had nowhere to go. People stared at me, and it wasn’t a stare that was kind or concerned, but mean judgmental, uncaring.

Mary Kubica has a proper understanding of psychological tragedies, and it is her strongest point. Second is her confidence in putting them into words. It took me a while longer to finish this, maybe because of the pacing. If you’re like me, then it will probably affect your reading rhythm too. But we have to take into consideration the weight of the book’s premise, which is no simple matter to tackle. So, it is relevant that information was given slowly.

PRETTY BABY may not be as fast-moving as we want, but the shocking revelations are as dynamic as we expect from a Mary Kubica novel. You can avail of your copies by July 28.

Book details:

Title:  Pretty Baby   

Author: Mary Kubica          

Publication: July 28, 2015; Mira

Genre:  Psychological & Suspense

Rating:  ★★★

*Thank you Mira and Netgalley for lending me a copy.

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THE INTUITIONIST by Colson Whitehead

  

The story began in an unnamed noir metropolis; it was simply referred to as the most famous city in the world, but the reader will notice that Whitehead used an allegorical New York. The time setting was never identified too, although we can infer through the mention of black people as colored and that certain car models populate the metro.

THE INTUITIONIST, in general, is about the achievement of vertical expansion through elevators. Passenger elevator was invented by Elisha Graves Otis in the 1850s, who was one of the primary people (then) that helped civilization advance to the modern age. Elevators, after all, made it possible for the erection of high rise buildings and undeniably the dominant symbol of victory in these present times.

At the center of the story is Lila Mae Watson, the first black female Elevator Inspector. She is something of an outsider among her co-workers in the department –she is female, black and an Intuitionist. The Intuitionists practice an intuiting method of inspection, by merely feeling the elevator ride and listening to its movements.  Meanwhile, the opposing Empiricist school graduates use the traditional technical verification of the elevators with instruments and such. In spite of the prejudices, Lila was able to perform professionally and managed to maintain a spotless record.

However, a day after Lila’s inspection of the Fanny Briggs Memorial Building, elevator no.11 went into a complete free fall. Politicians and people from the Elevator Guild were quick enough to jump in and blame Intuitionism. Lila sensed that this incident is more than a mere accident, and it may very well end her career as an inspector. So, she began her own investigation. It didn't take long ‘til Lila was sucked into complicated political squabbles.

In the last few days she has learned how to read, like a slave does, one forbidden word at a time.

As much as the book is about elevators and the discovery of the black box, the perfect elevator, it is Lila Mae Watson that captured my attention. Her willpower and resilience are her best traits, and it was fascinating to follow her investigation. She was a small fry from the beginning of the story with little friends to aide her, but her stubborn resolve to fight both racism and sexism will not budge.

We do not need cities and buildings; it is the fear of the dark that compels us to erect them instinctively, like insects. Perspective is the foot-soldier of relativity. –James Fulton

With its nostalgic sense of the past, Whitehead submerged the readers into a fictional history blended seamlessly that it was easy to suspend which is fact and what is created. It was easy to visualize a civilization that could have been our own. Change and modernization are visible in every direction nowadays, it is not so difficult to be intrigued by Whitehead’s what-if scenarios and thematic elements. This is an enjoyable read; detailed, yet easy on the palate. 

Book details:

Title:  The Intuitionist

Author:  Colson Whitehead

Publication:  Doubleday; 1st edition (December 29, 1998)

Genre:  Speculative Fiction

Rating:   ★★★★

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