Vengeance is Mine by Michael Wood

 

This standalone isn't as dark as Wood's Matilda Darke series. Perhaps because it has taken him more than twenty years to publish it, and he has perfected the dark, twisty murder mysteries for which he is now known, "Vengeance is Mine" isn't a typical Michael Wood book. That's not to say this isn't a good book because it is; it just wasn't what I expected.

Dominic Griffiths has been in prison for twenty years for the abduction and murder of a thirteen-year-old girl, a crime he swears he can't remember committing. It has since been found that a prescription drug he was on at the time had a personality-altering side effect. Now, he is being released with a hefty settlement from the drug company, and few people are happy about his release, least of all the police and the girl's parents.

On the eve of Dominic's release, Dawn Shepherd's mother confesses that Dominic is Dawn's father. Not sure how she feels about that, Dawn is determined to get to know her father and the family she didn't think she had. In doing so, Dawn uncovers family secrets and raises more questions surrounding the girl's murder. Just who is Dominic, and was he capable of murder?

This is a fast-paced psychological thriller. When I thought I knew where the story was going, a twist sent me in another direction. Red herrings galore and unreliable characters make for a fascinating read. While not what I was anticipating, this book is a terrific read. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and One More Chapter, for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 29, 2024.

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The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson

 I always learn something from a book by Erik Larson. Even if it's history I know, as in "The Demon of Unrest," Larson's research and presentation bring an era or a person to life.

It's 1860, and the United States is on the brink of breaking apart over slavery. During the lame-duck period between President Buchanan's exit and Lincoln's assumption of the presidency, North Carolina formally secedes, with other Southern states considering it. The focus is now on Fort Sumter, situated in Charleston's harbor. North Carolina and the Union want this critical piece of real estate. With little guidance from Washington, it's up to Major Robert Anderson to navigate the political waters surrounding the fort.

Using excerpts from diaries of people close to the situation, Larson does an excellent job transporting the reader back to the American Civil War era and illuminating the cultural and political climate of the day. What is most frightening is the parallel between the political environment in that era and our current situation: a nation at odds. This time, red states versus blue states are divided over several issues, with democracy seemingly on the line. I hope things turn out better this time. 

5/5 stars.

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Cut and Thirst by Margaret Atwood

 

I love Margaret Atwood's sense of humor. In this witty short story, she combines humor with fun characters to create a dark tale about how to serve revenge.

Over Gin and Tonics, three older women plot revenge for a literary attack on a friend that occurred years ago—and murder is not off the table. Leonine, Chrissy, and Myrna have not forgotten the eight—or was it nine—men who banded together when their friend Fern put together an anthology and omitted the men's ringleader in the book. Now, after all these years, with Fern's health declining, they plot to right this wrong without Fern's knowledge. But are they truly capable of murder? They think they are.

The characters in this story are friends I'd love to have. Never forgetting what happened to Fern, their loyalty knows no bounds. Watching the best-laid plans go astray in this wicked, funny tale is a delight from a master storyteller. 

4/5 stars.

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Don't Let the Devil Ride by Ace Atkins

 I agree that this book compares favorably to the works of S.A. Cosby and Don Winslow. This noir crime novel bursting with colorful characters, intrigue, and action.

Addison McKeller has a beautiful home in an exclusive Memphis suburb, two beautiful children, and a husband with a flourishing international construction company. However, everything is in peril when her husband, Dean, disappears. Getting no response from the local police to her missing person report, Addison hires renowned private investigator Porter Hayes to find Dean. When Hayes begins digging, he uncovers some troubling details about Dean that will rock Addison's world. Not only is Dean living a lie, but he is also associated with some shady dealings involving dangerous figures that put all their lives in danger. Can Hayes find Dean and untangle the lies he has woven in time to save the family? It's a race against time, and lives are at stake.

This is an atmospheric novel that is fast-paced and contains a complex plot. The writing is crisp, and the dialogue is snappy. The subplots tie in nicely with the main storyline, and although I felt the ending was a bit rushed, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. If you enjoy Southern noir stories, I think you will enjoy this book. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 25, 2024.

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Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

 Usually, I'm not fond of books where an animal's thoughts are part of the storyline, but I looked forward to Marcellus's octopus chapters. I'm also wary of popular books that have been getting rave reviews--I've been let down too many times, but just as Marcellus won over me, this story also won me over.

Tova is a widow whose son mysteriously disappeared over thirty years ago in Puget Sound, Washington. She should have retired long ago, but she likes to keep busy. Cleaning is Tova's specialty, so she is a good fit for cleaning the Sowell Bay Aquarium. She likes the fish and is especially fond of Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus adept at escaping his tank.

Cameron, brought up by his aunt after his mother abandoned him, finds a clue to the father he never knew and moves to Sowell Bay to search for him. He gets a job at the aquarium, temporarily substituting for Tova when she is sidelined. Ever the busybody, Tova can't stay away from the aquarium, and the two strike up an unusual friendship. Tova mentors Cameron on proper cleaning techniques and introduces him to the remarkably bright Marcellus. Although he cannot communicate directly, Marcellus is adept at conveying information missing in Tova's and Cameron's lives.

This is a story about friendship and how it can take unusual paths. It cleverly walks that fine line between feeling good about the characters without getting sappy. The prose is light and witty, with an engaging plot and excellent characters. Although the ending is telegraphed well in advance, Van Pelt does a beautiful job of tying the pieces together. 

4.5/5 stars.

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All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

I loved Whitaker's "We Begin at the End," so I had high expectations for "All the Colors of the Dark." This book has equally engaging characters, but its plot is more complicated and fascinating. "All the Colors of the Dark" is a unique and suspenseful look at love's power.

Thirteen-year-old Patch Macauley is a survivor. It's 1975, and Patch and his best friend, Saint, are outcasts in the small town of Monta Claire, Missouri. Their lives are forever changed when Patch saves the daughter of a wealthy family from kidnapping, only for himself to be taken instead. Held hostage by a serial killer, he survives with the help of fellow hostage Grace. Saint eventually finds Patch, but Grace and the kidnapper disappear. Thus begins Patch's search for the girl he fell in love with, a journey that spans decades and thousands of miles.

This is a novel about love, hope, and obsession. It takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride where Patch and Saint, whose paths merge and diverge numerous times, seek an elusive love hauntingly out of reach. The writing is powerful, the characters adeptly drawn, and the storytelling at its finest. I was hooked from the first page as I was drawn into the world inhabited by Patch and Saint--I won't forget either any time soon. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crown, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 25, 2024.

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Horror Movie by Paul Trembla;y

 I loved Paul Tremblay's "The Cabin at the End of the World" and "Survivor Song" and liked "A Head Full of Ghosts" but didn't care for "The Pallbearers Club." So, I didn't know what to expect going into "Horror Movie." The premise sounded intriguing, but unfortunately, the execution didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Thirty years ago, a small group of twenty-something filmmakers decided to make a horror movie on a shoestring budget. Although the film was completed, it was never fully released--only parts were uploaded to YouTube, just enough to gain a cult following. Now, Hollywood has decided to "reboot" the film on a much bigger scale. Only one of the original cast members is still alive, and he has been recruited as a consultant and to reprise parts of his role as "The Thin Kid.” Will this version successfully live up to the fanbase's expectations? And, what is more important, will the cast members survive the filming?

Spanning two timelines and incorporating the original script into the storyline, Tremblay does a tightrope walk between the filming of both versions of the "Horror Movie." The book slowly reveals what happened to the original cast members—sometimes a bit too slowly. Told in the first person by "The Thin Kid," there are times when the level of detail is overwhelming, spanning multiple pages. I skimmed parts because they didn't seem to move the story forward. The story also bogged down in the middle, but the ending was satisfying enough to overcome both problems. I liked this book, but it doesn't rank up there with some of Tremblay's other novels. 

3/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 11, 2024.

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