Final Cut - SJ Watson

I've enjoyed SJ Watson's previous books - especially Before I Go to Sleep, which was also made into a movie starring Nicole Kidman. Final Cut is his latest novel.

Alex makes documentary films. Her latest assignment is in the village of Blackwood Bay. With her latest undertaking, anyone can submit a film clip of village life, scenes, activities and more. Alex will curate the clips and decide what can be made public. And her boss thinks that she also needs to ask about the disappearance of more than one girl from this community. And....Alex has a connection to Blackwood Bay - one that she's hiding.

I thought the film clip premise was a great idea - clues, suspicions and leads can be brought to light through this vehicle.

I just couldn't connect with Alex though. She's all over the map - and yes, that is part of the plot. But some of her actions are just plain ridiculous. She's been there a day or two and has decided that she can solve the case of the missing girls - one of which is ten years ago.

She meets village residents and feels like she knows them and how they will react, what they will do. Which of course does not serve her well. And here's the thing. Knowing she's a filmmaker, some local residents bring her into their circle. Or rather she invites herself. Her worry for local teens just feels awkward. Much of it just didn't ring true.

There's some obligatory attraction between a three month resident named Gavin and Alex. "His eyes are wide, expectant, and for a moment I think he's going to try to kiss me, and know that if he does, I'll let him." Puleez. This was one example - there are many more. Knowing Alex's background, this 'romantic' thread just didn't fit at all.

Alex is a bit of an enigma - she has a history in Blackwood Bay that she doesn't disclose. Mostly because she can't remember it. As a teen she was found on a beach with traumatic memory disorder. So, she reinvented herself.

There was so much potential in this story. But the endless rounds of questions and enigmatic clues seemed to just repeat themselves. Along with cryptic responses - I just can't tell you...you wouldn't understand and more. I like cryptic, but this response only works for so long. Oh, and don't forget the creepy guy in the creepy house.

And you may be asking - where are the police in all this? Well, they're not part of this book. Their one appearance provides such a break of protocol it's ridiculous.

And yes, I like a good twist. The one that's telegraphed is a good one. But the turn after that was too much of a reach. Yes, I finished the book - I was so very curious as to how things would end. Well, it felt like the final ta-da went on forever, with curveball after curveball. And without providing a spoiler, the final bad person's's accomplice didn't think they were doing anything wrong? C'mon.

I had high hopes going in, but this was most definitely not a book for me. Others quite liked Final Cut - you can find their reviews on Goodreads.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #329

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

But you can like one cover version better than another...

US cover

UK cover

Love Your Life is a new stand-alone from Sophie Kinsella, arriving in October on both sides of the pond. The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. Okay....well blue is the background on both covers. It's raining in the US. A dog seems to feature into the story. The author's name takes precedence on the UK cover.  But on the US cover, they are apart or perhaps thinking of each other. Although he is holding a bone for the dog. On the UK cover they're holding hands, but pulling apart. The tagline also gives the potential reader an idea of what they'll find inside. The style of both seems to follow previous titles. Hmm, I think I'll go with the UK cover this week. What about you?

 Which cover do you prefer? Any plans to ead Love Your Life?

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

The Silent Wife - Karin Slaughter

I eagerly await every new book that Karin Slaughter writes. It doesn't matter - stand alones or series. Her newest book, The Silent Wife is the tenth entry in the Will Trent series.

(Side note - this could absolutely be read as a stand alone, but you're missing out on some great reads if you've not read the previous books)

Will is an agent with the GBI. While investigating a riot at the prison, one inmate demands to talk to an agent. He insists that he is innocent, the killer is still out there and that he was railroaded by Sheriff Jeffrey Tolliver. Tolliver is the now deceased husband of Will's girlfriend (and coroner) Sara Linton. Whew, that is just the bare bones - there is so much more to this plot - did I forget to mention the serial killer?

Long time characters return - Will's partner Faith, Will's boss Amanda and....oh yes, the character I've loved to hate - Lena. Lena is a detective now, but her background, her actions and her time working under Tolliver (and now) are sketchy. And....there are chapters from the past through Jeffrey's point of view.

Slaughter's writing is amazing, her plotting is stellar and the characters are ones I've come to know and care about. (most of them.) The relationship between Will and Sara is also explored in The Silent Wife. Will is a wounded soul and Sara is carrying her own baggage. No sappy stuff here - but an exploration that suits the characters. (And I admit it - I'm a little infatuated with Will myself.)

An absolutely brilliant read! And - there's more to come - I can't wait for the next in this series!

Over the Counter #467

What book caught my eye this week? Oh, I want one....

Skoolie!: How to Convert a School Bus or Van into a Tiny Home or Recreational Vehicle by  Will Sutherland.

From Workman Publishing:

"School buses that have been converted into mobile living spaces — known as skoolies — are a natural extension of the tiny house craze. Buses are not only easier and safer to drive than an RV, they provide a jump-start on the conversion process with frame, roof, and floor already in place. Experienced builder Will Sutherland, whose creative school bus conversions have been featured in Road and Track and Popular Mechanics, is behind the wheel of this alluring look at life on the road. In addition to profiles of eight fellow skoolie fans and stunning photos of bus interiors designed for simple living, Skoolie! does what no other book on the subject has — it offers a complete, step-by-step guide to the conversion process, from seat removal to planning layout and installing insulation, flooring, and furnishings that meet your needs."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over the counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Giveaway - Chaos - Iris Johansen

Iris Johansen's latest book, Chaos, has just released - and I have a copy to give away to one lucky reader! And....this is the first book in a new series!

What's it about? From Grand Central Publishing:

"The #1 New York Times bestselling author introduces CIA agent Alisa Flynn, who is willing to go rogue if it means catching the most heartless band of criminals she's ever encountered.

When CIA agent Alisa Flynn flaunts the rules by breaking into a mansion in the middle of the night, she skillfully circumvents alarms and outwits guards only to find herself standing in billionaire Gabe Korgan's study . . . busted by Korgan himself. This could cost her her job unless, in a split second, she can turn the tables and try to convince him to join her on the most important mission of her life.

In a ripped-from-the-headlines plot, schoolgirls in Africa have been kidnapped, and Alisa knows that Korgan has the courage, financial means, and high-tech weaponry to help rescue them. With so many innocent lives hanging in the balance, what she doesn't reveal is that one of those schoolgirls is like a little sister to her. But when the truth gets out, the stakes grow even higher.

Calling in additional assistance from renowned horse whisperer Margaret Douglas, Alisa and Gabe lay their plans, only to see them descend into chaos as the line between right and wrong wavers before them like a mirage. Every path is strewn with pitfalls, each likely to get them -- or the hostages -- killed. But with the help of a brave team and a horse with the heart of a warrior, they might just get out of this alive." Read an excerpt of Chaos.

"Iris Johansen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 consecutive bestsellers. Her series featuring forensic sculptor Eve Duncan has sold over 20 million copies and counting and was the subject of the acclaimed Lifetime movie, The Killing Game. Along with her son Roy, Iris has also co-authored the New York Times bestselling series featuring investigator Kendra Michaels. Johansen lives near Atlanta, Georgia." You can connect with Iris Johansen on her website, like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

And if you'd like to read Chaos, enter for a chance to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US and Canada, no PO boxes please. Ends Sept 19/20. Good luck!

   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway - Dawson's Fall - Roxana Robinson

Roxana Robinson's novel Dawson's Fall is fictional, but has much of the author's own history woven through it. It's a timely read - and I have a copy to give away to one lucky reader.

What's it about? From Picador Books:

"A cinematic Reconstruction-era drama of violence and fraught moral reckoning.

In Dawson’s Fall, a novel based on the lives of Roxana Robinson’s great-grandparents, we see America at its most fragile, fraught, and malleable. Set in 1889, in Charleston, South Carolina, Robinson’s tale weaves her family’s journal entries and letters with a novelist’s narrative grace, and spans the life of her tragic hero, Frank Dawson, as he attempts to navigate the country’s new political, social, and moral landscape.

Dawson, a man of fierce opinions, came to this country as a young Englishman to fight for the Confederacy in a war he understood as a conflict over states’ rights. He later became the editor of the Charleston News and Courier, finding a platform of real influence in the editorial column and emerging as a voice of the New South. With his wife and two children, he tried to lead a life that adhered to his staunch principles: equal rights, rule of law, and nonviolence, unswayed by the caprices of popular opinion. But he couldn’t control the political whims of his readers. As he wrangled diligently in his columns with questions of citizenship, equality, justice, and slavery, his newspaper rapidly lost readership, and he was plagued by financial worries. Nor could Dawson control the whims of the heart: his Swiss governess became embroiled in a tense affair with a drunkard doctor, which threatened to stain his family’s reputation. In the end, Dawson—a man in many ways representative of the country at this time—was felled by the very violence he vehemently opposed." Read an excerpt of Dawson's Fall.

"Roxana Robinson is the author of ten books: six novels, three story collections, and the biography of Georgia O'Keeffe. Four of these were New York Times Notable Books. Robinson was born in Kentucky, but grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She attended Bennington College and graduated from the University of Michigan. She worked in the art world, specializing in the field of American painting, before she began writing full-time. Her novel, Cost, was named one of the five best novels of the year by the Washington Post, and received the Fiction Award from the Maine Publishers and Writers Association. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Harper's, Tin House, Best American Short Stories, and elsewhere." You can connect with Roxana Robinson on her website and follow her on Facebook.

Enter for a chance to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US only. Ends Sept 19/20.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One By One - Ruth Ware

I read Ruth Ware's In a Dark, Dark Wood back in 2015. It was a 'closed room' mystery. A group of friends gathers at a remote cabin. And you guessed it - there are deaths....I loved it and have eagerly awaited each of Ware's new releases.

That 'closed room' format is one of my favorite premises. Ware takes us there again in her latest release, One By One. Ten employees are sent on a corporate retreat to an isolated chalet high in the French Alps. With the two chalet employes on site, that makes twelve. (Yes, there are comparisons) Tensions are running high within the corporate group. When an avalanche snows them in, things turn deadly - and the body count begins.

Oh, One by One was such an excellent read for me! Each and every one of the characters has a secret, an agenda, a scheme. They're all very disparate personalities with the corporate crew decidedly unlikable. The reader won't have a problem remembering who is who, even with such a large cast. The about us page at the beginning of the book lays the groundwork on who's who.

The group of ten are all employees of Snoop - a music app that lets the user see in real time what others they follow are listening to. Very current and very real. (Watch the Snoop stats at the beginning of every chapter.)

Ware drops lots of clues along the way to the final whodunit. The book is told from the viewpoint of two of the characters in a back and forth narrative. I did have my suspicions (and was right), but this in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book. Honestly, I couldn't put the book down. We find out who the killer is, but there's a good eighty pages after that. The tension. does. not. stop. Those last pages detail a delicious cat and mouse game.

Ware's writing is so easy to get caught up in. Either way - if you've read Ware before or this is a new to you author - you're going to enjoy One By One.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #328

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

But you can like one cover version better than another...

US cover

UK cover

Tana French is a brilliant writer. I've enjoyed all of her books and am looking forward to the Oct./Nov. release of The Searcher. The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. The title alone says there's someone or something missing. Both covers seem to suggest a where. The heavy clouds and seemingly endless field are a place to get lost in. I like the overall green tone - for me it says a storm is brewing. The stark black and white of the UK cover is very effective. Again there is an endless forest behind the isolated cabin. I do wish there wasn't the one lit window - that's been overdone. They're both really great looks, but I'm going to go with the US cover this week. What about you?
Any plans to read The Searcher? Which cover do you prefer?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

Cry Baby - Mark Billingham

This is the 17th book in Mark Billingham's long running and much loved DI Tom Thorne series. Now, although it is technically number 17, it's actually a prequel to the first book in the series  - Sleepyhead. So.....faithful fans like myself will be thrilled to explore an early Thorne in Cry Baby. And new readers can make this their first book and discover this addictive series.

Cry Baby opens with Thorne dreaming of a past case - one where he didn't arrive in time. He's determined to not have the same outcome with this latest crime.

1996. Two young boys are playing hide and go seek in the wooded area of a park. The mom charged with watching the pair takes her eyes off them 'for just a second'. And only one boy comes out of the woods. A witness swears he saw the boy getting into a car with a man. And as anyone knows, the clock is ticking for Kieron's safety.

The two moms come from different worlds, but they each seem to have secrets and pasts they don't share. Billingham gives us lots of red herrings and possible whodunits along the way to the final pages. I was sure I knew who it was, but was happily proven wrong. Very well plotted. It was interesting to see Thorne try to solve the case using only technology and tools available in 1996.

We meet coroner Phil Hendricks (also a long running character) and witness the beginning of the friendship between Phil and Tom. Thorne's personal life is also part of Cry Baby - his marriage is over, but he's having trouble accepting it.

This has long been one of my favorite series and I loved seeing the beginning. Can't wait for number 18!  Read an excerpt of Cry Baby.

Over the Counter # 466

What book caught my eye this week?

Friendshipping: The Art of Finding Friends, Being Friends, and Keeping Friends by Jenn Bane and Trin Garritano.

From Workman Publishing:

"It used to be so simple, back when we were kids. But now, in an age of loneliness, ghosting, and toxic relationships, making and keeping friends is anything but simple. Jenn Bane and Trin Garritano know this better than anyone. Their podcast, Friendshipping, gets 30,000 downloads a month because their listeners are craving real guidance—along with entertainment. Now they’ve distilled the lessons and wit into an essential book for anyone who’s feeling a little friendless or is trying navigate the challenging world of grown-up friendships.

Illustrated throughout with Jean Wei’s dynamic art, here are the tips and tools readers need to make new friends and improve the quality of existing friendships. The tone is relatable and irreverent; the advice stresses gender inclusivity, empathy, and practicality, with scripts and step-by step guides to achieving friendship goals. Readers will learn how to master the art of small talk (no matter who you are, you are not too boring, and you do have good stories to tell!). How to get to know an acquaintance better—and why “Let’s get coffee sometime” is not an effective way to move a relationship forward. Plus the four levels of friendship in the workplace; the soft no vs. the hard no; making real (non-creepy) friends online; how to unfollow someone on Twitter (and remain friends); and the eternal question: Can dudes and ladies ever really be friends? The answer is yes!"

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over the counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Dead Man Dancing - John Galligan

Dead Man Dancing is John Galligan's follow up to last year's intro to Bad Axe County - and Sheriff Heidi Kick. If you're a 'grit-lit' fan, you're going to enjoy this series.

The underbelly of Bad Axe County is a scary place. Kick is determined to clean up the town, but she's got her work cut out. White supremacists think the town is just ripe for their attention - as do a number of the residents. Beatings of migrant workers and the murder of a local author have Heidi working twenty four seven. And then her husband Harley goes missing...

Galligan's prose are definitely dark and gritty. The book hums with undercurrents of hate and danger that are not just an author's imaginings. Instead they are real and present day events.

Heidi doesn't hesitate to wade into the fray. I think bad a** when I think of Sheriff Kick. Her calm approach is much more effective as she tries to deal with the corruption in the department and the lack of support from the town council in addition to the crime. Now, that's not to say she's a pushover. Far from it.

Neon, a young Black man is in Bad Axe County tracing his ancestry. He is given a voice in the book as well. His timeline runs parallel to Heidi's investigation - and the listener can only hope what might happen - doesn't.

The plotting is very good. There's a lot going on and I wondered how things would tie in together by the end. The reader is privy to more information than the Sheriff and can only hope she puts the pieces together before it's too late.

Bad Axe County isn't somewhere I'd stop - to me, it says keep on driving. But.....I'll be back for the next entry in this series for sure!

I chose to listen to Dead Man Dancing. Much of that is down to the reader.  Samantha Desz read the first book and this follow up. I appreciate the continuity. Desz's voice is perfect for this character. It has a nice gravelly tone, is clear and is easy to understand. Her tone completely matched the mental image I've created for Heidi. She rarely raises her voice which is right for this character. The calm way of speaking belies her determination. It's well paced, never rushed and perfectly modulated. The voices employed for other characters are really good as well, especially the 'baddies'. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Dead Man Dancing.

Gentle listeners - this one may not be for you - there are a number of trigger situations.

Bunker - Bradley Garrett

Well, this is one for the times isn't it? Bradley Garrett actually started writing Bunker: Building For The End Times before Covid 19 hit, but finished it during the pandemic.

Pandemic. Apocalypse. Social breakdown. Political anarchy. What will you do or think you can do, to keep you and your loved ones safe? Are you prepped for any emergency? Many are - in many different ways. Here's a fact for you - in the US alone, 3.7 million Americans call themselves preppers.

Garrett takes us across the world exploring bunkers, bunker communities, preppers, bug out plans, kits and vehicles, conventions, and so much more. I was quite frankly astounded at the number of people and the lengths they are going to feel ready. The level of preparedness runs the gamut from extra groceries to full on in the ground communities.

Garrett meets with those who are selling safety, recounts the history of prepping, explores sites, and so much more. Garrett has an impressive background and it shows - the book is thoroughly researched and very well written.

There's lots of food for thought here - especially in these times. I do know one person who identifies as a prepper. They have goods for at least a year and a bug out plan. Who's to say what's going to be needed? Those that can afford it will certainly be at the head of the line. I was astounded by the dollar figures being floated. And based solely on some of the interviews included, there are many in the bunker community that I would say have some mental health issues.

Bunker was really interesting to listen to - informative and thought provoking.

I chose to listen to Bunker. Initially I thought the author would be the reader, but it was instead award winning narrator Adam Sims. His voice has a nice edge to it and I thought it suited the subject of the book really well. He captures the emotions and nuances of the work. His voice is clear, easy to understand and pleasant to listen to. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of Bunker.

In the Clearing - J.P. Pomare

In The Clearing is J.P. Pomare's new release.

What's it about? From Mulholland Books:

"Set against a ticking clock, this "taut and unpredictable" thriller pits a ruthless cult against a mother's love, revealing that our darkest secrets are the hardest ones to leave behind (Chris Hammer).

Four days to go
Amy has only ever known life in the Clearing, amidst her brothers and sisters–until a newcomer, a younger girl, joins the "family" and offers a glimpse of the outside world.

Three days to go
Freya is going to great lengths to seem like an "everyday mum," even as she maintains her isolated lifestyle, hoping to protect her young son and her dog.

Two days to go
When news breaks of a missing girl–a child the same age as Freya's son, Billy–Amy and Freya find themselves headed for a shocking collision.

One day to go."

My Thoughts:

Pomare's cult preys on children with a sadistic and thoroughly mad leader. Interestingly, in this case, it's a woman.  She simply needs twelve children to complete her family.  If they're blond that's perfect - otherwise she'll have their hair dyed. Food is scarce, correction is harsh, and the adults are horrible in so many ways. But things start to escalate and Amy begins to question everything she has ever known. I initially thought Freya was older than I thought. She's quite enigmatic about why she lives where she does, her past etc. This is a great way to hook a reader. But it went on a bit too long for me. She tries very hard to appear normal and fit in. But she knows she doesn't. A piece of her past arrives - and her carefully structured life begins to crumble.

I had my suspicions about the connection between these two lead characters. Pomare did a good job of eking out the connections by alternating Amy and Freya's narratives, as well as journal entries. The ending was a nice gotcha.

It was only on finishing the book that I discovered Pomare took inspiration for In the Clearing from an actual Australian cult from the 1960's. Many of Pomare's cult's details are taken directly from The Family.

And that could be the thing with this book for me. It felt like any other cultish novel I've previously read and ended up being an okay, not great, read for me. Other folks really loved this novel - you can check out their reviews on Goodreads. Or here's an excerpt of In the Clearing.

Gentle readers, this one may not be for you - there are some triggering situations.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #327

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

But you can like one cover version better than another...

US cover

Australian cover

A new Michael Connelly book is on the way! The Law of
Innocence releases in November. It's the seventh book in the Lincoln Lawyer series. And it's most definitely on my must read list. The US cover is on the left and the Australian cover is on the right. Okay...there's a dirty, gritty looking underpass on the US cover. Looking closer the dark items on the left hand side are a shopping cart and one or two homeless individuals. The light is blinding coming in the other end. The cover does indeed have to do with driving. The Australian cover gives us a night view - this time of a lit up city. It looks prosperous compared to the US cover. But the best part? Yeah, it's that black, '80's-vintage Cartier edition Lincoln Town Car that stands out. I love the idea of a mobile office. And I can only imagine cruising around in this beauty. Okay, so guess which cover I like? Uh huh, the Australian cover for me this week. What about you?
Any plans to read The Law of Innocence? Which cover do you prefer?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World

Estelle - Linda Stewart Henley

Linda Stewart Henley has just released her debut novel - Estelle. This novel is about Degas' sojourn with family in New Orleans in the late 1800's. It's historical fiction blended with family saga, romance, and mystery--and art!

Here's a bit more from She Writes Press:

"When Edgar Degas visits his French Creole relatives in New Orleans from 1872 to ’73, Estelle, his cousin and sister-in-law, encourages the artist―who has not yet achieved recognition and struggles to find inspiration―to paint portraits of their family members.

In 1970, Anne Gautier, a young artist, finds connections between her ancestors and Degas while renovating the New Orleans house she has inherited. When Anne finds two identical portraits of Estelle, she discovers disturbing truths that change her life as she searches for meaningful artistic expression―just as Degas did one hundred years earlier.

A gripping historical novel told by two women living a century apart, Estelle combines mystery, family saga, art, and romance in its exploration of the man Degas was before he became the artist famous around the world today." Check it out - here's an excerpt of Estelle.

Cr: Mark Gardner

"Linda Stewart Henley is an English-born American who moved to the United States at sixteen. She is a graduate of Newcomb College of Tulane University in New Orleans. She currently lives with her husband in Anacortes, Washington. This is her first novel. You can connect with Linda on her website and like her on FaceBook.

"...a promising debut....Henley brings New Orleans to life as she braids two intriguing stories – Edgar Degas’ art and dalliance with Marguerite, and Anne’s treasure hunt into Degas’s poorly-known early history."—Historical Novels Review

"Interweaving a contemporary story with a rich and detailed glimpse into a little-known segment of famed French painter Edgar Degas’s life, Linda Stewart Henley invites readers into the intriguing art world of New Orleans through interlocking storylines set a century apart. An admirable debut!"
―Ashley E. Sweeney, award-winning author of Eliza Waite and Answer Creek

Over the Counter #465

What book caught my eye this week?

Proof that old television series never die - they just come out with new cookbooks. May 1992 was the last episode of the Golden Girls....and the Golden Girls Cookbook: More than 90 Delectable Recipes from Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia (ABC) by Christopher Styler releases September 29/20 - a mere 28 years later!

From Kingswell Books:

"Filled with innovative recipes by renowned chef Christopher Styler, and beautiful photos by NYT food photographer Andrew Scrivani, plus fun quotes, info, and photos from the show.

There will be Italian meals like Clams Fra Diavlo in Sophia's chapter, and Southern food like honey-bourbon glazed carrots in Blanche's, and of course some amazing cheesecakes. And what Golden Girls cookbook would be complete without Rose's favorite Scandinavian dishes, like St. Olaf Friendship cake, a simple, buttery treat.

From drinks and appetizers, to salads and mains, there is something to delight every fan in this witty and approachable cookbook."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over the counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Blacktop Wasteland - S.A. Cosby

Wow, just wow. My review isn't going to do justice to S.A. Cosby's recently released Blacktop Wasteland - but just know it's an absolutely fantastic read.

Cosby opens Blacktop Wasteland with a night race on a road in rural Virginia. Bug's driving a Duster that his father left behind when he walked away. The description of time and place is so vivid - I could smell the gas, the rubber, hear the revving of engines, the squeal of tires and the buzz of the night. The settings are also characters in this book.

"Progress had left this part of town behind. A blacktop wasteland haunted by the phantoms of the past."

Beauregard "Bug" Montage is known as the best wheelman on the East Coast. Was. Bug's left the Life - he's gone straight - owns a garage, has a wife and a family. But his debts are mounting, despite his best efforts. He needs money.....and he knows one way to get it. He goes looking for a job - one that needs a wheelman - and he finds one.

There are so many layers to Cosby's story. First off the characters are wonderfully drawn. Bug is an intricate character, one the reader can't help be onside with. The supporting cast - good and bad - are just as well drawn. (I had a soft spot for cousin Kelvin) All of them jump off the page, with detailed lives.

And then there's' the heist. I must say, I can't get enough heist stories. This one is brilliantly imagined and planned. But there's always a snag somewhere. And again, Cosby's plotting is a standout. The danger, action and yes, unforseen twists and turns had me committing a crime. I couldn't help myself....I peeked ahead a few chapters. I know, I know, but the tension was unbearable! I truly couldn't put the book down.

But there's more to this story than just the heist. It's a study of a man whose life has been a struggle and his desire to have a better life for his family. Memories provide a look at Bug's early and formative years.

And that ending? Not what I wanted, but instead what is real. If I had to put a genre label on Blacktop Wasteland, it would be grit lit.

Blacktop Wasteland is one of my favorite reads for 2020. A pedal to the metal, non stop read. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Blacktop Wasteland.

Bear Necessity - James Gould-Bourn

Do you ever feel like it's just the right time to listen or read a feel good book? I like to regularly slot one into the mix, giving me a change from my regular murder and mayhem reads. James Gould-Bourn's debut novel, Bear Necessity, is one of those feel good books.

Danny's wife died in a tragic auto accident a year ago. Their eleven year old son Will has not spoken a word since. They're both struggling with her loss. And adding to the mix, Danny has lost his job and he's desperately behind in his debts.

What to do? Well, a walk through the park provides him with an idea - he'll become a street performer! Strapped for cash, he ends up with a worn out panda costume. And The Dancing Panda is born! Well.....kinda....sorta....

Danny is a great lead character, one you just can't help but like. Will, without a word, had me in his corner and in my heart. The supporting cast is just as delightful - Will's best friend Mo (who often speaks for him) is quite funny. Danny's best friend Ivan is gruff with a heart of gold. As is Crystal, a professional pole dancer. There's an eclectic group of street performers - one of which decides he is Danny's arch enemy.

Gould-Bourn's writing makes for easy listening. There are lots of light moments and joking, but folded into that are a father and son trying to negotiate their shared grief. Grief is different for everyone and I thought Danny and Will's loss and journey forward was well written.

Now, Bear Necessity is one of those stories that you just know is going to work out in the end. And truly that's why I listen or read them. I need some life affirming positivity in this crazy world. Listeners will absolutely find that in Bear Necessity.

As mentioned, I chose to listen to this title. The reader was Rupert Holliday-Evans. He did a fantastic job of bringing Gould-Bourn's story to life. He's a very versatile narrator. He provided many voices and accents that matched the mental images I had created for the characters. It was quite easy to know who was speaking. There's lot of enthusiasm in his reading. He easily depicts the emotions, action and more with ease. I quite enjoyed his reading. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Bear Necessity.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #326

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

But you can like one cover version better than another...

UK cover

US cover

I'm eager to read Romy Hausmann's novel Dear Child. It's a bestseller in Germany and is garnering praise in North America. This descriptor caught my eye - "Room meets Gone Girl ..." The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. Ok, right off the bat, the crayon coloring and printing just says a child is involved. The Xing out of the tiny house in telling as well. You can gather a lot of the plot from this cover I think. The UK has chosen a starker look. The title in red ink says danger. And the house is made from sticks and looks to be falling down. Definitely creepy. There's also three blurbs from some big name authors. This week I'm going to go with the UK cover. What about you? Any plans to read Dear Child?
Which cover do you prefer?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

The Heir Affair - Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

Oh what a royal romp of a read this was! The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan picks up where the first book (The Royal We) left off.

Now, you don't have to The Royal We to enjoy The Heir Affair - but you should - it's a great read as well!

In a nutshell, here's the plot from Grand Central Publishing:

"After a scandalous secret turns their fairy-tale wedding into a nightmare, Rebecca "Bex" Porter and her husband Prince Nicholas are in self-imposed exile. The public is angry. The Queen is even angrier. And the press is salivating. Cutting themselves off from friends and family, and escaping the world's judgmental eyes, feels like the best way to protect their fragile, all-consuming romance.

But when a crisis forces the new Duke and Duchess back to London, the Band-Aid they'd placed over their problems starts to peel at the edges. Now, as old family secrets and new ones threaten to derail her new royal life, Bex has to face the emotional wreckage she and Nick left behind: with the Queen, with the world, and with Nick's brother Freddie, whose sins may not be so easily forgotten -- nor forgiven."

Are you a royal watcher? I must admit, I am. So, yes there are many, many similarities to the current family of royals in England. What Cocks and Morgan have done though, is humanize the public personas and let us behind the curtain. And imagined what might have happened or might be happening away from public scrutiny.

Leading the charge is Bex. She is such a wonderful lead. She's not perfect, but always tries to do the right thing while remaining true to herself - within the confines of her new public role and behind closed doors. She's a lead that readers can't help but be onside with. And who hasn't imagined marrying a Prince? The relationship between Bex and Prince Nicholas is wonderfully drawn and absolutely believable. (and so romantic!) The supporting cast is an eclectic bunch - I have a soft spot for Bex and Nic's friends - especially Gav. The Queen and Queen Mother played a bigger part in this book.

There's a lot of humor in the pages of The Heir Affair, but many serious issues are tackled as well and are handled with aplomb. The dialogue is witty and things move along quickly, making for addictive reading.

An easy, breezy summer read - definitely a fairytale for today's world. I'm hoping there's more in store.....Read an excerpt of The Heir Affair.

"Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan are the creators of the Internet's wittiest, longest-standing celebrity fashion blog, Go Fug Yourself, which made Entertainment Weekly's Must List and the Guardian's list of 50 Most Powerful Blogs. They are the authors of The Royal We as well as two young adult novels, Spoiled and Messy, and have written for publications ranging from New York magazine to Vanity Fair, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, W magazine, and Glamour." You can connect with Heather and Jessica on their website, like them on Facebook, follow them on Instagram as well as on Twitter.

Over the Counter #464

What book caught my eye this week? *Puts hand up* Yes.....I adore Hallmark movies - especially at Christmas!

Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas: Have a Very Merry Movie Holiday Hardcover by Caroline McKenzie.

From Hearst Books:

"The official Hallmark Channel Christmas keepsake takes you behind-the-scenes of your favorite feel-good holiday films with the casts' memories, photos, recipes and more.

This stunning book invites readers to an exclusive inside look at the making of everyone's favorite holiday classics with secrets from the stars, screenwriters, set designers, costume designers, and directors who create the movie magic. Featuring the network's top leading ladies and gentlemen--Candace Cameron Bure, Lacey Chabert, Kristin Chenoweth, Debbie Matenopoulos, Cameron Mathison, Chris McNally, Danica McKellar, Christina Milian, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Jodie Sweetin, Holly Robinson Peete, Alexa and Carlos PenaVega, and many others--this ultimate deck-the-halls guide shares their personal holiday recipes, favorite ideas for Christmas decorating and gift giving, as well as ways to savor and share the true meaning of the holidays.

Inside you'll find:
  •  45 recipes for delicious holiday meals, Christmas cookies, desserts, cocktails, and even snacks perfect for serving at your movie marathons, plus recipes from the Hallmark Channel movie stars such as Danica McKellar's Chocolate Yule Log, Chris McNally's Classic Eggnog, and Lacey Chabert's Sweet Potato Pie
  •  A heartfelt foreword from Candace Cameron Bure on her love of the holiday season with its "magic and warmth."
  •  An introduction from Country Living Editor-in-Chief Rachel Hardage Barrett on how holiday movies offer comfort and warmth
  •  Super-fun quizzes to test your Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie IQ
  •  Special decorating and gift-wrapping ideas and thoughtful ways to express gratitude
  •  Everything you need to host a watch-party including a play-along bingo card and shareable memes
  •  Color photos throughout including captivating images from your favorite holiday romances
  •  Heartwarming tales of rescue animals like the network's Happy the Dog and Happy the Cat

It's the must-have gift for your favorite Hallmark Channel movie fan or for anyone who wants to put a little more happily-ever-after into the happiest season of all!"

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over the counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

The Night Swim - Megan Goldin

Megan Goldin gave us a "heckuva page turner" with last year's debut novel, The Escape Room. (my review) I quite enjoyed it and was eager to read her newest book, The Night Swim.

Rachel Krall is the voice and the brains behind the Guilty Or Not Guilty podcast. (Okay, hooked already - I love crime podcasts.) Her popularity has surged since the show managed to get a man's sentence overturned. Rachel thinks she's found her case for season three. A small town's golden boy, an athlete destined for greatness, has been accused of rape. (Uh huh - seen that one in the papers haven't we?) Rachel stops into town to have a look around. When she comes back to her car, there's a note under her windshield wiper, begging her to take a look at the past - the death of a young woman twenty five years ago. Murder or accident? But, Rachel keeps a very low personal profile - who knows she is here?

Oh, so many ways this story could go! And the plot is unpredictable - even better. I truly appreciate not being able to figure things out ahead of time.

Goldin has a background in reporting and I think The Night Swim benefited greatly from that skill set. The investigation was believable and well written. I felt like the reader was right alongside Rachel as she put the pieces together. Rachel was a strong lead character, one I liked and was behind all the way.

In addition to loving podcasts, I also enjoy novels written with epistolary elements. Goldin gave me both with podcast transcripts being included. Courtroom scenes were part of the book as well - I always enjoy a legal battle.

Gentle readers, there are trigger situations in this book. I thought Goldin handled them with the seriousness and respect they deserved.

Another great read from Goldin - I'll be watching for her next! Read an excerpt of The Night Swim.

"Megan Goldin worked as a correspondent for Reuters and other media outlets where she covered war, peace, international terrorism and financial meltdowns in the Middle East and Asia. She is now based in Melbourne, Australia where she raises three sons and is a foster mum to Labrador puppies learning to be guide dogs. The Escape Room was her debut novel." You can connect with Megan Goldin on her website, like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

Giveaway - The Heatwave - Kate Riordan

Summer isn't over yet! It's still hot, hot, hot! As is Kate Riordan's new book - The Heatwave. It releases August 18.....and....I have a copy to give away to one lucky reader!

What's it about? From Grand Central Publishing:

"Under the scorching French sun, a tense homecoming unearths a long-buried family secret in this deliciously propulsive beach read of a mother’s greatest fear brought to life.

Elodie was beautiful. Elodie was smart. Elodie was manipulative. Elodie is dead.

When Sylvie Durand receives a letter calling her back to her crumbling family home in the South of France, she knows she has to go. In the middle of a sweltering 1990’s summer marked by unusual fires across the countryside, she returns to La Reverie with her youngest daughter Emma in tow, ignoring the deep sense of dread she feels for this place she’s long tried to forget.

As memories of the events that shattered their family a decade earlier threaten to come to the surface, Sylvie struggles to shield Emma from the truth of what really happened all those years ago. In every corner of the house, Sylvie can’t escape the specter of Elodie, her first child. Elodie, born amid the ’68 Paris riots with one blue eye and one brown, and mysteriously dead by fourteen. Elodie, who reminded the small village of one those Manson girls. Elodie who knew exactly how to get what she wanted. As the fires creep towards the villa, it’s clear to Sylvie that something isn’t quite right at La Reverie . . . And there is a much greater threat closer to home.

Rich in unforgettable characters, The Heatwave alternates between the past and present, grappling with what it means to love and fear a child in equal measure. With the lush landscape and nostalgia of a heady vacation read, Kate Riordan has woven a gripping page-turner with gorgeous prose that turns the idea of a summer novel on its head." Sounds good doesn't it? I loved her previous book, Firecomb Manor (my review). Here's an excerpt of The Heatwave.

"Kate Riordan is a British writer and journalist. After working on staff at the Guardian and Time Out London, she left London for the Cotswolds in order to concentrate on writing novels. Her historical novel Fiercombe Manor (The Girl in the Photograph in the UK) was published by Harper in 2015." You can connect with Kate Riordan on Twitter, follow her on Facebook as well as on Instagram.

Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Heatwave using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US and Canada, no PO boxes please. Ends August 29/20.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In Case of Emergency - E.G. Scott

In Case of Emergency is the newly released second book from E.G. Scott.

As the book opens, we meet Charlotte. There's something in her background that she alludes to more than once, but doesn't define right away. She also is worried about her boyfriend Peter - she's not heard from him and is afraid he's missing. But he's told her his job is clandestine and she is not to worry when she doesn't hear from him. So, she doesn't go to the authorities. Instead, the authorities end up calling on her. There's a body she needs to identify as she was listed as the emergency contact. Problem is - she doesn't know the person.

Okay, I thought that was a great premise - so much could be done with this start. The missing boyfriend has lots of possibilities as well.

We also meet Rachel, Charlotte's friend and colleague. She too has secrets that end up taking a while to learn about. And yes, those slow reveals absolutely work in a suspense novel. But, I have to say the opening salvos were overly enigmatic.

There are many more plot twists and additions as things move forward. The red herrings were done well. But for me, it was tooooo much and way overdone. In the end, the final 'whodunit' was ridiculously unbelievable.

Here's the other thing - I didn't like either character at all. Charlotte is supposed to be brilliant, yet her actions speak otherwise. And this is just something that annoyed me - they two of them call each other 'honey' - over and over again.

E. G. Scott is the shared pseudonym of authors Elizabeth Keenan and Greg Wands. And upon discovering this, it explained much. In Case of Emergency reads like two people wrote it - and every idea that was brainstormed was included.

This one wasn't for me - but you can find lots of folks who enjoyed it on Goodreads. And here's an excerpt of In Case of Emergency.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #325

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

But you can like one cover version better than another...

US cover

UK cover

Val McDermid is known as Britain’s Queen of Crime. She is indeed one of my fave mystery/police procedural authors. She writes a number of series. Still Life is the 6th entry in her Karen Pirie Series. The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. The water is featured on both covers. One is depicted in a busier locale - I have to believe that significant bridge on the US cover gets lots of use. At first glance I thought the bright fish pots on the US cover was a blanket! Ominous skies on both, but the blue on the US cover seems too fake for me.  A quieter tone on the UK cover, which I quite like. That seemingly never ending view is strangely appealing to me. The empty boat has lots of possibilities. So an easy choice this week - UK cover. What about you? Which cover do you prefer? Any plans to read Still Life?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World

The Wicked Sister - Karen Dionne

Karen Dionne's debut novel, The Marsh King, was a runaway bestseller. She follows that success up with her newly released second novel, The Wicked Sister.

Rachel either committed or witnessed a horrific crime as a child. She has virtually no memory of the death of her parents at their remote log cabin. She ran into the woods and wasn't found for two weeks. Remarkedly, she was in good shape. Fifteen years later, she has chosen to keep herself voluntarily locked away in a psychiatric hospital. For company, she often speaks to the spider in the corner of her room. But when the journalist brother of another resident takes an interest in the killing and offers up new evidence, Rachel knows she has to confront her past - if she can remember it.

Dionne employs one of my favorite storytelling devices with past and present narratives. We follow Rachel in the present as she tries to find answers. And we meet Jenny, Rachel's mother as we come to know the past. How Rachel and her sister, Diana, grew up on a large wilderness property, communing with nature. That back and forth technique always makes for addictive reading - having to get back to a timeline, armed with new knowledge.

The Marsh King's Daughter had fairy tale elements woven through it and I found myself looking (and finding) the same in The Wicked Sister. Deep in a wood with an enchanted feel, animals endowed with a magical feel, a good sister vs. a bad sister, and more.

Dionne did a really good job with her characters. The confusion of one sister and the incarnate evil of the other jumped off the page. There are some really creepy scenes that had me shivering.

The title's a bit of a giveaway - we know that one of them is evil, but it's a roundabout trail to the final answer. One element used was a bit of a stretch for me -  but note that I am quite pragmatic. A decidedly different read with the suspense genre label. Here's an excerpt of The Wicked Sister.

Just for fun, look up the meanings of both names - I wonder if Dionne chose the names for her lead characters based on their meanings?

Over the Counter #463

What book caught my eye this week?

Ice Walker: A Polar Bear's Journey through the Fragile Arctic by James Raffan. 

From Simon and Schuster:

"From bestselling author James Raffan comes an enlightening and original story about a polar bear’s precarious existence in the changing Arctic, reminiscent of John Vaillant’s The Golden Spruce.

Nanurjuk, “the bear-spirited one,” is hunting for seals on Hudson Bay, where ice never lasts more than one season. For her and her young, everything is in flux.

From the top of the world, Hudson Bay looks like an enormous paw print on the torso of the continent, and through a vast network of lakes and rivers, this bay connects to oceans across the globe. Here, at the heart of everything, walks Nanurjuk, or Nanu, one polar bear among the six thousand that traverse the 1.23 million square kilometers of ice and snow covering the bay.

For millennia, Nanu’s ancestors have roamed this great expanse, living, evolving, and surviving alongside human beings in one of the most challenging and unforgiving habitats on earth. But that world is changing. In the Arctic’s lands and waters, oil has been extracted—and spilled. As global temperatures have risen, the sea ice that Nanu and her young need to hunt seal and fish has melted, forcing them to wait on land where the delicate balance between them and their two-legged neighbors has now shifted.

This is the icescape that author and geographer James Raffan invites us to inhabit in Ice Walker. In precise and provocative prose, he brings readers inside Nanu’s world as she treks uncertainly around the heart of Hudson Bay, searching for nourishment for the children that grow inside her. She stops at nothing to protect her cubs from the dangers she can see—other bears, wolves, whales, human beings—and those she cannot.

By focusing his lens on this bear family, Raffan closes the gap between humans and bears, showing us how, like the water of the Hudson Bay, our existence—and our future—is tied to Nanu’s. He asks us to consider what might be done about this fragile world before it is gone for good. Masterful, vivid, and haunting, Ice Walker is an utterly unique piece of creative nonfiction and a deeply affecting call to action."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over the counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

The Shadows - Alex North

I listened to Alex North's previous book - The Whisper Man - and really enjoyed it. I was eager to listen to his newest - The Shadows.

The covers of both titles feature handprints - with a bit more when you look closely. I liked the elongated shadows and the figures making their way into .....?

The Shadows opens with a horrific crime in a small English village. Now, it's one you've read in the papers before. Or so I thought. I was wrong - there's so much more to this crime.

Paul Adams was a schoolboy when it happened. It involved the boys he thought were his friends. One died, one went to prison - and one - Charlie - was never seen again. That was twenty five years ago. Paul left the village and never returned, until now. And only because his mother is dying. And then - another boy is killed in a neighbouring village - and his death seems to be a copy of that old crime. Is Charlie back?

I'm not going to spoil things for you - the method of murder is frightening - and very, very creepy. (I love creepy!) Things start happening to Paul - someone following him, flashes of the past and what's in his mother's attic. (Attics or basements always house the gotcha stuff, don't they?) What's happening now? And what really happened then?

North does subtle creepy really, really well. A sound, a name, a memory, a possibility. The reader knows there is something bad out there and it is the anticipation that ramps up the creepiness factor over and over again. I loved the building tension. The Shadows are the woods behind Paul's boyhood home. The description of the woods themselves is enough to give you goosebumps.

I appreciate not being able to predict a plot. There was no way to know where North's story was headed and how it would end.

I chose to listen to The Shadows. The readers were Hannah Arterton and John Heffernan. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I become much more immersed in a tale when I listen. The Shadows absolutely was better for me in audiobook format. Both readers have lovely British accents that are easy to understand. They both enunciate well and speak clearly. Heffernan has a wonderfully expressive voice that captured the tone and tenor of the plot. The gravelly tone of his voice was perfect for the uncertainty, the danger and the spookiness of the book.  Arterton did a good job as well - she too has an expressive voice that's easy on the ears. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Shadows.

Another atmospheric listen from North. I'll be watching for his next book.