Review: The Guests

The Guests by Margot Hunt
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.

Ebook
Jan. 2024. 304p. Amazon/Thomas & Mercer, paper, $16.99 (9781662514302); e-book (9781662513145).
REVIEW. First published January 1, 2024 (Booklist).

When Category 5 Hurricane Celeste hits the Florida coast, Marlowe and Lee Davies decide to stay put with their children instead of evacuating; their grand house has been fortified against storms. Moments before they secure themselves inside though, a boat carrying three strangers appears. Against their better judgment, the Davieses invite the strangers to wait out the storm with them. While initially everything seems fine, the atmosphere soon turns hostile, and the real intention of the strangers is revealed. Out of options, the Davies family must fight for their lives, both inside and outside their home. Hunt (Lovely Girls, 2023) spins a phenomenal thriller that will keep readers on their toes. Changing points of view keep the plot moving at a brisk pace and allow for backstory to filter in, adding context. The tension is palpable throughout, perpetuated by the unknown consequences that the hurricane’s eventual end will bring. Recommended for readers who enjoy thrillers with family elements, such as books by Sally Hepworth, Lisa Jewell, and Stacy Willingham.

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Review: Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks you to Booklist and Minotaur Books for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.

Finlay and her live-in nanny, Vero, are off to Atlantic City. Not for the girls’ weekend they desperately need, but to rescue Vero’s childhood love, Javi, and steal back their Aston Martin, both taken by someone from Vero’s past. Finlay is overwhelmed enough when her ex-husband, Steven, and her mother insist on tagging along, but when hot cop Nick shows up with Finlay’s detective sister, Georgia, and the FBI, the entire mission becomes ridiculously more complicated. That’s not including Finlay’s agent calling incessantly and the surprise of two dead bodies in a hotel bathroom. The usual amount of chaos ensues, including but not limited to an explosion, a man in chaps, a weiner dog named Kevin Bacon, and a $14 million flash drive. Finlay will need her trademark suspense-author intuition to solve another crime while staying under the radar. Cosimano’s fourth Finlay Donovan novel (Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, 2022) is brilliantly plotted, bringing the witty humor and thrilling, nail-biting action the series is known for while also tackling emotional family dynamics. Cosimano knocks this one out of the park. Highly recommended for all fans of the series.

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Review: Where the Dead Wait

Where the Dead Wait by Ally Wilkes
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.

Victorian explorer Captain William Day will forever remember the polar expedition of the Reckoning, in which the last of his crew only survived by succumbing to cannibalism. Many years later, Day’s closest confidante from the Reckoning has gone missing on his own expedition, and Day is tasked with finding him. The rescue mission is fraught with uncertainty and animosity, and, haunted by the ghosts of his past, Day struggles with flashbacks and hallucinations that threaten to send him down the same disastrous path he followed before. Wilkes’ (All the White Spaces, 2022) interest in polar expeditions is evident in her intricate descriptions; the sense of place is remarkable, and the survival scenes stomach churning. Past and present accounts are often blurred by the slowness of the plot, making it difficult to keep details straight, and the conclusion inevitably falls short. Still, Wilkes provides strong examples of managing inner turmoil and past regrets. Recommended for fans of survival horror and sea voyage tales, such as books by Julia Armfield and Ian McGuire.

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Review: The Nurse Murders: A Gene Hammons Novel

The Nurse Murders: A Gene Hammons Novel by Jon Talton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review another Gene Hammons novel!

There’s another murderer on the loose in Phoenix, and former police officer Gene Hammons is on the case. The Angel of Death is killing red-haired nurses and taunting Gene with middle-of-the-night phone calls, prompting Gene’s former captain to ask for his help. Gene teams up with fellow PI Pamela Bradbury, and together, they scour the city for clues. Meanwhile, a wealthy family requests Gene’s help with a blackmailer, and J. Edgar Hoover covertly asks Gene about joining the newly established FBI. With so much crime ravaging Phoenix, can Gene continue to keep his city safe without a badge? Talton’s (City of Dark Corners, 2021) skillful weaving of cultural references, such as rumblings of a second world war, Reg Manning’s cartoons, and FDR’s campaign for a second term, along with his succinct writing style, lift this historical mystery to the next level. Gene and Pamela’s dynamic is endearing and cleverly offsets the gritty, dark atmosphere behind the murders. Another great addition to the genre! Recommended for all enthusiasts of noir and detective fiction, especially series fans.

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Review: Sweetness in the Skin: A Novel

Sweetness in the Skin: A Novel by Ishi Robinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Library Journal and Harper for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.

DEBUT Thirteen-year-old Pumpkin Patterson lives in a small house in Kingston, Jamaica, with her grandmother, her mother, and Aunt Sophie. Pumpkin has always been close to her aunt, with whom she shares a dream of moving to Paris and starting a bakery. When Sophie gets the chance to move to France, she takes it but leaves Pumpkin behind, promising to come for her soon. Determined to join her aunt and leave her impoverished life behind, Pumpkin uses her baking skills to earn money for the trip. Despite being thwarted time and again by her selfish mother, teachers at school, and her absentee father, Pumpkin learns that those who truly care will always be there for her. Pumpkin is a resilient protagonist who handles the discovery of her own identity, while dealing with issues of race, wealth, and social status, with more grace than is expected of a teenager. Her “never give up” spirit will endear her to readers from the first page.VERDICT This triumphant and emotional debut from Robinson is recommended for readers who enjoyed Charmaine Wilkerson’s Black Cake or Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing.Reviewed by Carmen Clark , Nov 01, 2023

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Review: Family Family

Family Family by Laurie Frankel
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Thank you so much to Henry Holt & Co. and Library Journal for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title!

Frankel (One Two Three) has written a funny, heart-wrenching, deeply personal story about the meaning of family and holding fast to one’s beliefs. India Allwood has been a talented, determined actress from a young age. She works her way from stage plays in college to Broadway and finally to a TV role in Hollywood. After starring in a melodramatic movie about adoption, India tells a reporter that she believes the film misrepresents adoption; as an adoptive mother herself, India knows firsthand that not every such story is tragic. The media feedback to India’s interview is ruthless, and soon secrets from her past come to light. Suddenly her career is at risk, and India must decide if she wants to save face or continue defending her choices. India is the star of Frankel’s novel, but the supporting characters are warm and vibrant, each getting their own opportunity to shine. VERDICT Highly recommended for fans of Frankel and those who enjoy literary fiction featuring witty dialogue and thought-provoking topics. Reviewed by Carmen Clark , Nov 01, 2023

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Review: Blood Betrayal

Blood Betrayal by Ausma Zehanat Khan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review Ausma Zehanat Khan's second installment in the Blackwater Falls series.

Detective Inaya Rahman’s past in the Chicago Police Department comes back to haunt her in the second book in Khan's Colorado-set Blackwater Falls series. John Broda, the man who abused and humiliated Inaya because of her Islamic faith, has come to town seeking her help. Broda’s son, a Denver street officer, has been accused of shooting an unarmed man, but Broda is convinced his son is innocent and offers Inaya a deal she can't resist. Meanwhile, a young artist is gunned down by a veteran officer, and the hostility between the sheriff and the Community Response Unit continues. Like Blackwater Falls (2022), this is a compelling and deeply emotional thriller. Khan tackles the heartbreak of losing a child as well as the internal struggle faced by officers of color when forced to choose between a call to service and their communities. As always, she addresses these issues with straightforward honesty and grace. Highly recommended for those who enjoy complex procedurals with a human touch, such as Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

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Review: The Beautiful and the Wild

The Beautiful and the Wild by Peggy Townsend
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.

Liv Russo is being held captive by a man she believed to be dead—her husband, who disappeared and left Liv to care for their son alone. Visible through the single window in the shipping container where she's being held are his small cabin and the vast Alaskan forest. As Liv reconciles her feelings and prepares for escape, she must wrestle with the choices from her past that brought her to this terrifying present. Facing starvation and the harsh winter will push Liv past her own physical and mental limits. Townsend (The Thin Edge, 2019) constructs a lush and dangerous Alaskan landscape, using it to build tension and suspense. Liv is a strong and flawed protagonist whom readers will admire for her determination and feral need to protect her son. The shifting perspectives and fast-paced plot will keep even the most avid suspense readers on the edge of their seats. Recommended for fans of scrappy female leads facing the most dire circumstances, such as those in titles by A. J. Finn, Greer Hendricks, and Ruth Ware. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

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Review: The Black Moth

The Black Moth by Carolyne Topdjian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC! I was so excited to review for Carolyne Topdjian again!

Mave Michael Francis returns to Château du Ciel, not as a shopgirl but as the historic hotel's new owner. As she strives to fit into her new role, Mave receives a sinister message via the dark web: her father, jailed hit man Cain Francis, is in danger. Mave must find Holden, the Spirit of Dead Poets, or her father will pay the price. Mave has been searching for Holden ever since he saved her life, but now the clock is ticking. She must harness her clairvoyant and sleuthing abilities, digging deep into the history of the Château and its surrounding village. The chilling sense of place of the Château features predominantly: it could be considered a character. This follow-up to The Hitman’s Daughter (2022) is another thrilling ride from Topdjian. The juxtaposition between Mave’s high-tech dive into the dark web and her physical search through the decaying grounds will disorient readers in the most delicious way. Mave is tough and brave as usual; readers will continue to root for her. Highly recommended for mystery horror fans. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

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Review: Normal Women

Normal Women by Ainslie Hogarth
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC.

Dani Silver has recently moved back to her hometown and commits to her new role as a stay-at-home mom to daughter Lotte. But she soon starts to feel idle and worry about her husband, Clark—what if Clark died? What would Dani and Lotte do? Restless and uncertain, Dani searches for new meaning in her life. She rekindles relationships with the Normal Women, her childhood friends who are now all mothers too. She also meets Renata, the owner of a yoga studio called The Temple. Renata convinces Dani that her calling is to help people, which might include providing therapy through sex work. Dani is intrigued, but when Renata suddenly disappears, Dani’s fears of abandonment become reality. Hogarth (Motherthing, 2022) has a talent for writing depth and invoking lavish mental pictures, but in this instance, the anecdotes become repetitive, and the promised mystery is short lived. Dani can be unlikeable—wishy-washy, judgmental, and paranoid—but there are some positive nuggets too, such as the importance of self-care and much-needed support for mothers.— Carmen Clark Booklist 2023

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Review: Suddenly

Suddenly by Isabelle Autissier
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC.

Married Parisian couple Louise and Ludovic take a sabbatical from their everyday lives to sail around the tip of Cape Horn. Despite warnings from others, they decide to anchor their ship near an island with a protected nature preserve and sneak in for a closer look. But when the unexpected happens, and the couple’s ship disappears, they are left stranded in the Antarctic. With few supplies in a harsh landscape, Louise and Ludovic must depend on each other to make it off the island. French sailor and writer Autissier’s (Jane Austen, 2020) real-world expertise is evident throughout the book, and the descriptions of the landscape and the trials Ludovic and Louise experience are extraordinarily vivid. The emotional and physical turmoil these characters experience will pull at the reader’s heartstrings. This tragic and thrilling story is recommended for readers who enjoy harrowing tales of people surviving in extraordinary circumstances, such as Robinson Crusoe or Aron Ralston’s Between a Rock and a Hard Place.

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Review: Her Father's Daughter

Her Father's Daughter by T.M. Dunn
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC.

Linda Donovan has spent her whole adult life working for her father's exterminating business. Raised by Anthony, a single parent, she thinks she knows everything about him. On the anniversary of her mother’s death, Anthony tells Linda she must take a job on her own. When she arrives, she finds the client dead. Linda panics and calls the police. Suddenly, Anthony is nowhere to be found, and the police think his disappearance is not coincidental. Linda investigates to prove her father's innocence, but every bit of evidence leads only to more questions: does she know her father at all? Told from Linda’s POV and in letters Anthony writes to her, the book reveals details of Anthony’s upbringing, his relationship with Linda’s mother, and how the events of the present came to be. Debut author Dunn's writing style is straightforward, and the plot can be gruesome at times, but readers will want to see this through. Recommended for fans of thriller authors who use multiple perspectives to build the plot, like Mary Kubica and Paula Hawkins. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

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Review: The Bookbinder of Jericho

The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Library Journal for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title!

Williams (The Dictionary of Lost Words) brilliantly weaves a new thread into her world of words at Oxford University. Peggy Jones has been told her whole life to bind the books, not read them, but as a child her love of words grew despite her limited access. Now, as the Great War looms and steals Britain’s men and boys, the women of the Oxford University bindery must step into new roles to keep their small town running. Between volunteering to read to wounded soldiers, welcoming Belgian refugees, and taking on the tasks of the men who have left for battle, Peggy loses hope that her own desire for a higher education will ever come to be. Relentless in her pursuit of knowledge, she pushes past her own fears into a new, unknown world. With heartfelt characters, a bit of romance, and a bleak and deeply sad place in time, Williams’s novel is a deft story about the meaning of words, who is allowed access, and how they’re inevitably interpreted. VERDICT Highly recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction about strong women, like the works of Kate Quinn, Beatriz Williams, and Laura Willig.

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