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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