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Added Feb 25, 2024
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Ah Annalisa, Annalisa! Few cops are as hated as you in the Chicago Police Dept. You arrested your own father and brother for the love of Gerd. You not only crossed the thin blue line (as it was meant in the old days), you demolished it. You ground it to gravel. The only other detective who will work with and back you up is Nick Carelli, your ex-husband.
In Dead and Gone , Annalisa is the detective her boss turns to when a former police officer is found hanging in a cemetery with the word pig scrawled on his body. The victim, Sam Tran is now a criminal investigator who retired early from the police dept. He was also Lt Zimmer’s former police partner and current friend. The main reason Lt. Zimmer wants Annalisa, is to answer the question did Tran suicide or was he murdered? Zimmer also wants to know if Tran was a dirty cop back in the day.
Annalisa discovers three cases that Tran is investigating. She is shocked to discover her brother Vinny has hired Tran to investigate the stalking of her niece, Quinn, on the Illinois University campus. Quinn’s case is the only active case in Tran’s files, the other two cases are historical cases that people are still desperate to see solved. With good reason.
The narration then switches to Quinn and her life on campus, her friends, and the stalker. These are well done chapters painting an accurate picture of campus life. Especially the youngest students embracing the craziness and dangers of being away from home for the first time.
In the beginning of the campus chapters, Quinn and her friends seem to be heading into TSTL territory. Luckily, they seem to snap out of it.
Schaffhausen also treats us to chilling chapters of a mind falling apart. Slowly, deliberately, without care, without conscience. He is escalating as he is having so much sick fun.
This is not the first Schaffhausen book in which her main detective investigates separate cases at the same time, this is real. She does an excellent job roping you in, keeping the four investigations distinct and easy to follow. The readers just has to pay attention. It is fascinating to be given the chance to understand how cold cases can be solved.
Once again Annalisa goes off the reservation, forgetting she has a boss and a partner.
Schaffhausen is generous in providing her readers with multiple choices for the villain. I think I pick the wrong villain every time. The information is there, we aren’t misled, but she doesn’t give it up easily.
Annalisa remains involved with the case she had been working on with Nick, The Chicken Bandit robberies. The Chicken Bandit is escalating too. There is some slick quick thinking on Annalisa’s part when she has an unfortunate encounter with him.
Lots of slick thinking and intricate puzzles to solve; a good description of Schaffhausen's writing. Her first book pegged her as one of the most original, thoughtful and well-informed crime writers to come along. This hasn't changed with her eighth book.
From the big picture to tiny details such as the cop always gets the first ambulance over the bad guy. No matter if it’s a scratch for the cop or the head hanging off the bad guy.
Schaffhausen goes way beyond serial killers and police procedurals. Her books examine the themes of family, of trust, of love, and the mysteries of both the heart and twisted ugly minds. No easy answers provided, just chances to examine the questions. Annalisa must examine all of the questions if she is to move beyond all of the betrayal and loss in her life.
The first two Annalisa Vega books, are heavily referenced in Dead and Gone . Doesn’t matter, read them anyway. Doesn’t matter if you read this first, it works perfectly well as a standalone, it’s just that the first two are so outstanding too, they shouldn’t be missed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Press for an Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC).
6 likesAh Annalisa, Annalisa! Few cops are as hated as you in the Chicago Police Dept. You arrested your own father and brother for the love of Gerd. You not only crossed the thin blue line (as it was meant in the old days), you demolished it. You ground…
maucarden's rating:
Added Apr 19, 2023
maucarden's rating:
Added Mar 03, 2023
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Gothic, CA is known for breathtaking scenery, fabulous foods, unusual shops and artistic residents. Located off the legendary PCH 1, its twisty hairpin turn road runs to the end of the American continent in a spectacular vista. It’s a quiet town until it’s time for another festival and author Christina Dodd pays a welcome visit to wreak her usual murder, weirdness and love.
There is magic in Gothic. In Forget What You Know, the second book set in Gothic there is certainly plenty of magic for the readers.
Zoey Phoenix is a successful plant breeder who lives in the last house on the road ending at the edge of the continent. She moved to Gothic two years ago while dealing with her grief over divorcing famous wrestler Luca Damezas. She is the perfect fit for Gothic since besides the famous Gothic Spring Psychic Festival, Gothic is also famous for the Gothic Garden and Flower Show.
Outside of another small California town, a car containing the body of a murdered man is discovered in a reservoir as it is being drained; setting into motion a chain of violent events, starting with the attempted hit and run murder of Zoey.
A legendary dragon covered in jewels, with a large ruby for the dragon’s heart is at the center of all of the violence and mayhem. Throughout history greed for the dragon has caused murder and madness.
Zoey’s mother, famous San Francisco divorce attorney Morgayne Phoenix waits until Zoey is out of intensive care, on the mend and then asks Luca Damezas, to take care of Zoey. Morgayne tells Zoey what she is going to do and then disappears. Unfortunately, Zoey was on heavy painkillers and missed about 99 percent of what Morgayne told her.
All of the various threads coalesce around Zoey and Luca as they and the other residents of Gothic deal with the flower and garden festival while trying to figure out who is out to kill whom and why.
Dodd easily hooks her readers with her suspense books and their stunning settings. Her intricate and complicated plots involve the reader from beginning to end. Dodd’s whip smart writing with her sly humor makes reading her books a pleasure.
My first reaction to the settings in most of her books is ‘I want to go there’. My second reaction is usually ‘hmmm I don’t think I want to stay there’, at least until all of the crazies are rounded up. Just the dangerous ones, not the run of the mill Gothic crazies, all of whom are a delight and none of whom get enough page time.
This is not only a story of the search for a fabled priceless artifact, it is also the search for fabled, priceless second chances at love. There is a saying about Gothic, that on foggy nights, Gothic is said to disappear and, on its return, it brings lost souls back from the dead. Gothic lives up to its image in Forget What You Know
Many thanks to Christina Dodd for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of Forget What You KnowGothic, CA is known for breathtaking scenery, fabulous foods, unusual shops and artistic residents. Located off the legendary PCH 1, its twisty hairpin turn road runs to the end of the American continent in a spectacular vista. It’s a quiet town…
Murder at Haven's RockMurder at Haven's Rock, eBook
by Armstrong, KelleyeBook - 2023eBook, 2023
All copies in use
Holds: 1 on 2 copies
Holds: 1 on 2 copies
maucarden's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2023
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Huge sigh of relief for all of the many fans of Kelly Armstrong’s Rockton series when she announced she had signed a contract for a new series based on the Rockton premise and many of the same Rockton characters. Murder at Haven’s Rock is the first book in the new series.
The premise of both series, is that Rockton and now Haven’s Rock were built as sanctuaries. Rockton became a money-making scheme in its last years. The most recent Rockton owners finally decided to shut it down. They had it dismantled it to the last nail.
Some of the current residents decided secretly to rebuild Rockton spending their inheritances, personal wealth and their talents in secretly re-opening a true sanctuary, calling it Haven’s Rock. Once again secretive, hidden and mostly basic living.
Readers of the Rockton series, lets recite the first rule of both places “Stay out of the Forest” Unless your name is Eric Dalton, or you are on a guided tour. The forest isn’t trying to kill you, it just does. People just can’t seem to keep that simple rule in their heads. The construction crew can’t either.
Eric and Casey are called to the well-hidden Haven’s Rock. Two members of the construction crew have gone missing into the vast Yukon Forest. Add in unknown neighbors and bodies and its like coming home.
Oh, did I forget to mention the Yukon? A forest where people can become lost and turned around in less than a tenth of a mile. About 344,000 people in an area the size of Texas.
Murder at Haven’s Rock partially serves as an introduction to some new characters; a few Rockton characters show up towards the end. For new readers, you get enough of a backstory, but also the joys of discovery.
Armstrong is known for her paranormal books, Rockton and Haven’s Rock are straight crime stories. These books are just so unusual and compelling in the characters and setting.
First off, except for Sheriff Dalton and Casey’s sister April, all of the former residents have terrible backgrounds; and I don’t mean as victims. Although there will be plenty of residents who are victims of stalkers or abusive mates.
The setting! The Yukon, where just about everything but the trees are actually trying to kill you. Have I mentioned bear bowling and killer rabbits? I guess you will need to read all of the books. Then again, Armstrong writes so beautifully of the majesty and peace of the Yukon, making it very understandable why people seek the isolated lifestyle.
Murder at Haven’s Rock serves as a outstanding introduction to the new series, leaving old and new readers anxiously awaiting the full meal of Haven’s Rock.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur/St Martin’s press for and Advanced Reader’s Copy.Huge sigh of relief for all of the many fans of Kelly Armstrong’s Rockton series when she announced she had signed a contract for a new series based on the Rockton premise and many of the same Rockton characters. Murder at Haven’s Rock is the first…
Murder at Haven's RockMurder at Haven's Rock, Downloadable Audiobook
by Armstrong, KelleyDownloadable Audiobook - 2023Downloadable Audiobook, 2023
maucarden's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2023
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I have listened to Thérèse Plummer’s wonderful audio narration since the first Rockton book. She has always been the voice of both Casey and Eric, smoothly transitioning from one character to another. I find her voice to be magic and the perfect reader for the new Haven’s Rock series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan/Minotaur Books for and advanced audiobook of Murder at Haven’s Rock
Huge sigh of relief for all of the many fans of Kelly Armstrong’s Rockton series when she announced she had signed a contract for a new series based on the Rockton premise and many of the same Rockton characters. Murder at Haven’s Rock is the first book in the new series.
The premise of both series, is that Rockton and now Haven’s Rock were built as sanctuaries. Rockton became a money-making scheme in its last years. The most recent Rockton owners finally decided to shut it down. They had it dismantled it to the last nail.
Some of the current residents decided secretly to rebuild Rockton spending their inheritances, personal wealth and their talents in secretly re-opening a true sanctuary, calling it Haven’s Rock. Once again secretive, hidden and mostly basic living.
Readers of the Rockton series, lets recite the first rule of both places “Stay out of the Forest” Unless your name is Eric Dalton, or you are on a guided tour. The forest isn’t trying to kill you, it just does. People just can’t seem to keep that simple rule in their heads. The construction crew can’t either.
Eric and Casey are called to the well-hidden Haven’s Rock. Two members of the construction crew have gone missing into the vast Yukon Forest. Add in unknown neighbors and bodies and its like coming home.
Oh, did I forget to mention the Yukon? A forest where people can become lost and turned around in less than a tenth of a mile. About 344,000 people in an area the size of Texas.
Murder at Haven’s Rock partially serves as an introduction to some new characters; a few Rockton characters show up towards the end. For new readers, you get enough of a backstory, but also the joys of discovery.
Armstrong is known for her paranormal books, Rockton and Haven’s Rock are straight crime stories. These books are just so unusual and compelling in the characters and setting.
First off, except for Sheriff Dalton and Casey’s sister April, all of the former residents have terrible backgrounds; and I don’t mean as victims. Although there will be plenty of residents who are victims of stalkers or abusive mates.
The setting! The Yukon, where just about everything but the trees are actually trying to kill you. Have I mentioned bear bowling and killer rabbits? I guess you will need to read all of the books. Then again, Armstrong writes so beautifully of the majesty and peace of the Yukon, making it very understandable why people seek the isolated lifestyle.
Murder at Haven’s Rock serves as a outstanding introduction to the new series, leaving old and new readers anxiously awaiting the full meal of Haven’s Rock.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur/St Martin’s press for and Advanced Reader’s Copy.I have listened to Thérèse Plummer’s wonderful audio narration since the first Rockton book. She has always been the voice of both Casey and Eric, smoothly transitioning from one character to another. I find her voice to be magic and the perfect…
maucarden's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2023
Comment:
Huge sigh of relief for all of the many fans of Kelly Armstrong’s Rockton series when she announced she had signed a contract for a new series based on the Rockton premise and many of the same Rockton characters. Murder at Haven’s Rock is the first book in the new series.
The premise of both series, is that Rockton and now Haven’s Rock were built as sanctuaries. Rockton became a money-making scheme in its last years. The most recent Rockton owners finally decided to shut it down. They had it dismantled it to the last nail.
Some of the current residents decided secretly to rebuild Rockton spending their inheritances, personal wealth and their talents in secretly re-opening a true sanctuary, calling it Haven’s Rock. Once again secretive, hidden and mostly basic living.
Readers of the Rockton series, lets recite the first rule of both places “Stay out of the Forest” Unless your name is Eric Dalton, or you are on a guided tour. The forest isn’t trying to kill you, it just does. People just can’t seem to keep that simple rule in their heads. The construction crew can’t either.
Eric and Casey are called to the well-hidden Haven’s Rock. Two members of the construction crew have gone missing into the vast Yukon Forest. Add in unknown neighbors and bodies and its like coming home.
Oh, did I forget to mention the Yukon? A forest where people can become lost and turned around in less than a tenth of a mile. About 344,000 people in an area the size of Texas.
Murder at Haven’s Rock partially serves as an introduction to some new characters; a few Rockton characters show up towards the end. For new readers, you get enough of a backstory, but also the joys of discovery.
Armstrong is known for her paranormal books, Rockton and Haven’s Rock are straight crime stories. These books are just so unusual and compelling in the characters and setting.
First off, except for Sheriff Dalton and Casey’s sister April, all of the former residents have terrible backgrounds; and I don’t mean as victims. Although there will be plenty of residents who are victims of stalkers or abusive mates.
The setting! The Yukon, where just about everything but the trees are actually trying to kill you. Have I mentioned bear bowling and killer rabbits? I guess you will need to read all of the books. Then again, Armstrong writes so beautifully of the majesty and peace of the Yukon, making it very understandable why people seek the isolated lifestyle.
Murder at Haven’s Rock serves as a outstanding introduction to the new series, leaving old and new readers anxiously awaiting the full meal of Haven’s Rock.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur/St Martin’s press for and Advanced Reader’s Copy.
I have listened to Thérèse Plummer’s wonderful audio narration since the first Rockton book. She has always been the voice of both Casey and Eric, smoothly transitioning from one character to another. I find her voice to be magic and the perfect reader for the new Haven’s Rock series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan/Minotaur Books for and advanced audiobook of Murder at Haven’s RockHuge sigh of relief for all of the many fans of Kelly Armstrong’s Rockton series when she announced she had signed a contract for a new series based on the Rockton premise and many of the same Rockton characters. Murder at Haven’s Rock is the first…
maucarden's rating:
Added Feb 06, 2023
Comment:
The long-running Duncan Kincaid /Gemma James series is often characterized as a cozy series. I think this is wrong and does a disservice to those who only want to read cozies, or those who avoid cozies like a burnt chocolate chip cookie.
The cozy label is totally understandable as applied to Duncan/Gemma inviting private life. Their world is full of love, warmth and sometimes total mayhem with their young family. Their friends and co-workers add another dimension to their enviable life.
Then come the murders. Which aren’t cozy. The means of the murders, the victims, the motive and sometimes even the settings are dark and disturbing. Not slasher dark, but just dark.
The choice of victims is usually surprising, seemingly not a high risk at all. In A Killing of Innocents a young trainee doctor is stabbed to death amidst a London commuter crowd on a chilly rainy night. At first this seems like a random, senseless murder of a lovely young woman, but Duncan and his squad soon find out differently.
For domestic reason Kincaid’s wife has just switched to a task job investigating stabbings. Mostly a job leaving Gemma and her sergeant, Melody Talbot stuck at their desks, so Kincaid is relieved to be able to call his wife for their assistance. It’s a rare occasion they are able to work together anymore; a waste of resource as they were a terrific team.
Ms. Crombie’s books are compelling for many reasons; the intricacies of the overall plotting, the warmth of the characters, or tiny details such as the private moment between the medical examiner and his patient.
The mini-cliffhangers at the end of each chapter and the switch to another POV were aggravating and unnecessary. Readers are going to continue without the teaser.
There are a few 'Oh well, I got that one wrong' moments. I am always happy to still be surprised by this long-running series. Freshness is hard to maintain, but Crombie succeeds admirably with A Killing of Innocents . Actually, all of her books. Number 20 in the series is is eagerly awaited.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow & Company for an Advanced Readers Copy.The long-running Duncan Kincaid /Gemma James series is often characterized as a cozy series. I think this is wrong and does a disservice to those who only want to read cozies, or those who avoid cozies like a burnt chocolate chip cookie.
The cozy…
maucarden's rating:
Added Dec 31, 2022
maucarden's rating:
Added Dec 31, 2022
maucarden's rating:
Added Dec 06, 2022
maucarden's rating:
Added Dec 01, 2022
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How do you get past your beloved father being a prolific serial killer who used you as bait to attract the victims? How do you get past despite being FIVE years old, some people still manage to blame you? As if she doesn't have enough guilt on her own. Meet Reni Fisher former FBI profiler.
How do you get past the fact your mother disappeared one night and her body never recovered. How do you past the fact that now you have a chance to find her body if the killer's ex-FBI daughter, who had a breakdown, will assist in the case? Meet Daniel Ellis, San Bernadino detective.
Meet Benjamin Fisher who made a game out of murder with his daughter. He's just a loving dad who is desperate to see his daughter, and will finally give up the location of the burial ground in order to do so.
A fantastically painted landscape, so many characters with a screw loose. So dark and twisted. Give me more.
Okay back to review. I think Frasier flies way under the goodreads radar. I can't imagine why as she is a standout. Its hard to make a serial killer book fresh and original. Frasier manages to do so with Find Me.
Just go read it. Then go back and read everything else she has written.
Thank you to NetGalley for and ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Edit ReviewHow do you get past your beloved father being a prolific serial killer who used you as bait to attract the victims? How do you get past despite being FIVE years old, some people still manage to blame you? As if she doesn't have enough guilt on her…
maucarden's rating:
Added Dec 01, 2022
maucarden's rating:
Added Nov 13, 2022
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I read Dark Whisper on Saturday. I would like to make a few comments. (Because I don't get to review Christine's books on NetGalley.) 1) Christine's books, especially the Dark books of recent years have the most stunning covers. 2) Lots of Lycan friends show up. 3) A heck of a lot of action, shared amongst various classes of villains. 4) Enough Ancient ones and new characters that Christine should write three or four Dark books per year.😁 5) Hot sex, but not a Quantitative percentage as there have been in other books. I mean if I want want hot sex I can just grab...oh wait, we are both old...6) the heroines name is Vasilisa. Oh come on, my mind automatically changed 3 letters and I read a terrific book about Vaseline or sometimes Vasoline. Forget about ever pronouncing her last name. I enjoyed it,, and can't wait to forget enough of it so I can reread it. At my age I figure that will happen in about two, three weeks.I read Dark Whisper on Saturday. I would like to make a few comments. (Because I don't get to review Christine's books on NetGalley.) 1) Christine's books, especially the Dark books of recent years have the most stunning covers. 2) Lots of Lycan…
maucarden's rating:
Added Oct 17, 2022
Comment:
They are back together! Finally, in Righteous Prey , they are equal partners once again, not just visiting each other’s books. Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers aka That F…, well y’all know the rest of his nickname, finally team up. Even if the pairing is just for one book every now and again, that is just fine and dandy since their individual series books are terrific.
A money hungry psycho finds five other like minded people at a Bitcoin convention, except they have already made their billions, or in one case, millions. They are like minded in ways other than just money. They decide to eliminate some people, ones who really need to be eliminated. No loss to society, in fact society will greatly benefit; in small ways-a rapist or in big ways- a famous fascist. The first murder is virtually ignored despite the press release and the number 1 on his forehead. No surprise, he’s a San Francisco Street person.
It’s when the The Five up their game and start murdering rich people or politicians that federal law enforcement becomes involved. The victims are true dregs, but when The Five’s FB pages starts getting more attention than the latest cat video, people really start paying attention.
Since one of the murders takes place in Minneapolis, Davenport and Flowers are called in to assist the FBI. Davenport, by this time of his career is a Deputy Federal Marshall without portfolio, working on what he wants to work on or on cases some powerful political friends would like him to work on, while Virgil has a rural assignment with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
There are no fantastic, hard to believe twists and turns, except maybe with how you view The Five. Isn’t there a part deep inside of all of us that tends toward vigilantism, until our better selves slap our foreheads and whispers “what in the world are you thinking” and reasserts our humanity?
Lucas and Virgil are one of the best partnerships in most any crime series I have read. I find their investigations realistic. They depend on solid investigative techniques, but they also are stymied or bored or make enemies etc. Not too different from real investigators.
The Five get their say throughout the book. We read of their self-justification, their preparations, their egotism, their paranoia. It’s fascinating to follow their disintegration.
Sandford is a sneaky wordsmith who loves to play with words. For example, the first victim is named Duck Wiggins. What would be the perfect word before that name?
One of the downsides of a long running series is that there are too many characters who are developed over the course of the series and they can’t all visit the latest book. Yes visit, characters are real to me. Sandford made the smart move in Righteous Prey, keeping the book purely Davenport and Flowers, except for a few family members.
For those who are worrying, Virgil’s agent finally comes through. It’s amazing all of the advice he now receives about writing and publishing. Sounds suspiciously autobiographical.
There is a very thoughtful ending to Righteous Prey, it brings up some issues. Pay attention to Frankie and Weather. They might hardly be onstage, but when they are, they are powerful women with something to say.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC for review purposes.They are back together! Finally, in Righteous Prey , they are equal partners once again, not just visiting each other’s books. Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers aka That F…, well y’all know the rest of his nickname, finally team up. Even if the…
maucarden's rating:
Added Oct 17, 2022
Comment:
Kieran Ransom, Finn Ransome and Dominic Kilburn pulled a stupid stunt in the first book of this series The Good Girl’s Guide to Rakes. The result, the two sets of parents gave the young men an ultimatum, each must be married within the year, or all three would be cut off from their allowances. All three, all married or all allowances gone.
Younger sons of the peerage, weren’t allowed to work during the Regency time period, maybe the military of church. Being cut off was serious business.
Finn Ransome is a gambler, a successful gambler. In the delightful How the Wallflower Was Won Last Chance Scoundrels #2 Kieran and Finn make an unsuccessful try of matching bluestocking Tabitha Seaton to Dom Kilburn, Finn and Tabitha come to their own accommodation. Tabitha needs a husband in order for the prestigious Sterling Club’s consideration of possible membership. The Sterling Club is made up of individuals who are known as great thinkers and are often consulted by those in government who are considering policy or votes and need considered opinions or information.
Eva Leigh does it again! There are many HR writers I like, there aren’t many I like as much as Eva Leigh. Her books either have fresh, original plots or characters; or her books give a fresh fun look at plots we recognize. How the Wallflower Was Won Last Chance Scoundrels #2 goes with both.
Finn and Tabitha will break your heart. They are both neglected children and adults, but they grow up strong and perfectly able to find their own path. Still, they suffer from great emptiness, until they meet each other.
There are moments where you will want to smack a few people, there are moments where you will fan yourself, and moments where you will stand up and cheer! Then you will reread those sections and stand up and cheer again.
My only quibble is How the Wallflower Was Won was delightfully steamy, but the language was rougher than usually found in in HR.
All in all a terrific read which has one anxious for Dom's story.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC for review.Kieran Ransom, Finn Ransome and Dominic Kilburn pulled a stupid stunt in the first book of this series The Good Girl’s Guide to Rakes. The result, the two sets of parents gave the young men an ultimatum, each must be married within the year, or all…
maucarden's rating:
Added Oct 12, 2022
Comment:
When I unwrapped my ARC of <i>The Last Chairlift </i> I felt Christmas had come early with ten trees and the attendant presents. I was exhausted when I finished opening all of Irving’s gifts. I think for most of his life, John Irving has been a gift to those who read him; sometimes puzzling, sometimes generous, always loving.
Adam Brewster is born to a competitive slalom skier, Little Ray. Little Ray is a young single mother, a mother from an old family in Exeter, NH; a mother who will not divulge the identity of Adam’s father. The search for Adams father becomes a central theme for Adams early life.
Asam’s grandmother mostly raises Adam as Little Ray goes north every winter to work as a ski instructor with her best friend, Molly, a ski patroller. He also has unpleasant aunts but delightful uncles and a few cousins-one of whom, Nora, becomes one of his closest friends and central to his life.
Elliot Barlow, Adam’s beloved small English teacher, stepfather, and eventual book editor is another character who becomes central to Adam’s life. I will always love Elliot Barlow. Possibly one of the loveliest, and loyal characters I have read of in years.
Adam sees ghosts. He sees them often and strongly, whether he is home or at the luxurious and venerable Hotel Jerome in Aspen looking for his past. Others in his life see the same ghosts, most do not. The ghosts serve as gentle guides in Adams’s search for his father and also of our mortality and the questions we have.
This book covers 80 years, so people die. Irving writes of death better than any other writer I have read. Sometimes in <i>The Last Chairlift </i>, it is shocking and heartbreaking, sometimes so very tender and gentle. Sometimes both. There is always a bit of foreshadowing so that one is not caught totally unprepared as has happened in Irving’s other books. Sobbing, smiling, sometimes at the same time. Yeah, Irving can write about death. He writes just as tenderly of the other side of the coin, love.
Irving is also a master of the comic, of the zany. He believes that humor is one way we can console ourselves. However, when he delves into horror of the AIDS crisis, he has to forgo his humor. He makes up for it his empathy and his rage. Irving revisits the horrors of the 1980’s, a time of unmitigated tragedy at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. President Reagan’s inability to admit the deadly disease even existed helped the epidemic to explode. Irving writes the most graphic and explicit descriptions of the deaths, both the physical and emotional. It's hard not to turn away from the pages. Don’t. Just don’t. He writes of the people who refused to recognize reality, people who would only admit to AIDS as God’s punishment for homosexuality.
So here we come to it, the sexual politics of <i>The Last Chairlift </i>. There are gay characters, some lovely gay and homosexual characters who die for their lifestyles. There are transgendered characters-one as lovely a character as Garp’s Roberta. There is a married couple, one a self-hating gay and the other a self-hating homosexual, with a gay daughter, Em, who stops speaking and becomes a pantomimist because of shock and heartbreak over the behavior of her parents. There is a comedy show in NY where Adam’s cousin Nora acts as the translator for Em, her girlfriend.
I look at this review, then I remember the reviews I have read. It is almost as if each of us is reviewing a different book. <i>The Last Chairlift </i> is so massive in size, so epic in scope, it would be almost impossible to review the same book. If you are a fan of John Irving or intrigued or intrepid enough to read this book, you will understand, you will be rewarded, and you will be left shaking your head.
One last thing, I still have no plan to ever read <i>Moby Dick</i>.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Simon and Schuster for an ARC.When I unwrapped my ARC of <i>The Last Chairlift </i> I felt Christmas had come early with ten trees and the attendant presents. I was exhausted when I finished opening all of Irving’s gifts. I think for most of his life, John Irving has been a gift…
A Scot in the DarkA Scot in the Dark, Downloadable Audiobook
by MacLean, SarahDownloadable Audiobook - 2016Downloadable Audiobook, 2016
maucarden's rating:
Added Aug 25, 2022
Dead Girl RunningDead Girl Running, Downloadable Audiobook
by Dodd, ChristinaDownloadable Audiobook - 2018Downloadable Audiobook, 2018
maucarden's rating:
Added Aug 25, 2022
maucarden's rating:
Added Aug 09, 2022
Comment:
I dearly love summer. One of the main reasons is some of my favorite authors have book releases during the summer. Joanna Schaffhausen second series is released in August, just when I need a reminder of just why I love summer. Schaffhausen’s August treat for this year is Long Gone (Detective Annalisa Vega #2) a terrific book that lays to rest any doubt about Schaffhausen’s longevity as a master storyteller.
In the first book of the Annalisa Vega series, Gone for Good, Chicago detective Annalisa Vega tears her family apart and guts the thin blue line of the Chicago Police Department over a murder that took place twenty years ago. Annalisa also lost the love of her life for the second time during all of the fallout.
Now, Annalisa is paying the price for her actions in solving the murder of a beloved neighbor. Everyone seems to forget she also solved the murder of a prolific serial killer. Annalisa’s only visible allies now are her supervisor and her ex-husband, now partner, Nick Carelli.
Annalisa and Nick are called to the palatial home of Chicago P.D. detective, Leo Hammond. He is a long-time member of The Fantastic Four. The Four are famous for their high solve rate, personal injury rate, and high body count. The remaining three detectives show up on the scene, beyond distraught, but still immediately objecting to Annalisa’s presence. Despite the animosity, the detectives do give Annalisa a viable suspect, Moe Bocks, since Bocks and Leo had a very unpleasant encounter recently.
Bocks was the only suspect in the murder of a girl he dated 20 years ago. The Fantastic Four, with good cause, zeroed in on Moe Bocks; they just couldn’t quite make a case. Annalisa’s hopes she might do better in solving both the old and new murders since forensics seem to improve every month.
Annalisa has extra motivation to solve both the twenty-year-old garroting of the girl and the shooting of Leo Hammond when she discovers Bocks is dating her former sister-in-law.
Unfortunately, Hammond’s trophy wife, Kayla, gives her own bizarre accounting of her husband’s murder including a frogman, “You know, a frogman. Like the diving people? He had a mask and flippers and everything.” Trophy wife, a win for originality. Kayla’s a witness and a suspect, so she can’t be totally discounted;
Schaffhausen writes wonderfully flawed characters, and those are usually the good guys. Annalisa consistently risks her life, her job, and her family. With Annalisa, her second greatest flaw is the pair of blinders she dons, refusing, just like the Fantastic Four, to deviate from the narrative they have independently constructed. A narrative that leads them all into blind alleys. Just like real police work.
Schaffhausen makes me feel the slush leaking into my run-down boots from the melting snow of a Chicago winter; the icy wind that seems almost permanent. I’m experiencing most everything the characters are experiencing. Yeah, thanks for that.
Annalisa stood for the dead in Gone for Good; and most everyone saw that as a betrayal. It was betrayal, the fact that she did the right thing provides cold comfort to anyone affected. Now most everything in her life is in shambles, it’s her fault, and may be impossible to mend.
The consequences continue through Long Gone as Annalisa’s family once again is affected by Annalisa’s investigation. There is one move Annalisa can make that might help rebuild her family, but she balks. She seems not to have heard Shakespeare’s “The Quality of Mercy monologue from The Merchant of Venice.
Annalisa cannot get beyond her tamped down rage, her greatest flaw. The rage is directed at most everything in her life including the greatest loss she will not admit to. The rage Annalisa keeps well hidden, especially from herself.
Schaffhausen doesn’t give her any easy outs, and few moments of grace. Her depiction of total anguish and painful conflict might require a few tissues
Long Gone, is not an easy read; it is intricate but not confusing.I dearly love summer. One of the main reasons is some of my favorite authors have book releases during the summer. Joanna Schaffhausen second series is released in August, just when I need a reminder of just why I love summer. Schaffhausen’s August…
maucarden's rating:
Added Jul 26, 2022
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“On nights like these, when the storms brew and the fog waits, lost souls visit Gothic and sometimes….they stay.”
Dodd’s latest series are almost always set along a wild and stunning Pacific coastline, usually with matching wild weather. Point Last Seen (Last Seen in Gothic #1) is no exception. Set in the peculiar little town of Gothic, The City of Lost Souls is found on Big Sur area of the California coast.
One day, despite desperately needing sleep after finishing his latest sculpture, Adam Ramsdell can not resist the siren call of the Pacific Ocean. Whether the dark waters are calling to him or a local seer’s prediction, he climbs down the cliffs to a local beach in search of something. His death, pieces of shipwrecks he uses in his sculptures, or peace from his demons? “…and when he set foot on the white sand he smelled sea salt and loneliness.”
On this day these particular beach currents oblige him by bringing in a dead woman (not “mostly dead”). When Adam slings the woman over his shoulder she revives, regurgitating half of the Pacific. The woman is hypothermic, grievously battered, and has deep strangulation marks.
The formerly dead woman (not “mostly dead”) can’t remember anything other than part of her name, Elle, and an overwhelming terror of a dark figure of the man who tried to kill her. It was the Pacific that finally succeeded in killing her, albeit for only a short time. Any time Elle falls asleep, the screams that were suppressed during her strangulation finally escape unnerving anyone who can hear them.
Elle has arrived at a busy time for Gothic; there is the upcoming Gothic Spring Psychic Festival which hopefully will draw large crowds of people. Gothic needs those people as the Pacific Coast Highway has once again been destroyed in the ancient collusion between mountains and ocean. Tourists have been few and far between with only one road into town.
Gothic needs those tourist bucks so badly that town leaders ask Adam to demonstrate his sword fighting skills with the mutual agreement that he stays ten feet away from all tourists. Oh, Dodd is so sneaky with her snark.
Dodd loves word play. Gothic’s business names are a great example; Firm Bun Bakery, Running With Scissors Needlework and Quilting, and Hair on Your Chest Coffee Shop.
Not only does Dodd like clever word play, she likes to put words together for beauty’s sake. “…Yeah, I’ll bet the wind caught that laughter and carried it up the hill to catch on the olive trees where it will linger, whispering in the gray green leaves.”
In Point Last Seen, as in several of Dodd’s other books, the main characters are almost secondary to the secondary characters. I hope that makes sense. Not to forget Adam and Elle, as they both have interesting dark pasts or dark futures; but with continuation of this series one hopes that Madame Rune and the other denizens of Gothic will continue to have a strong and droll presence.
The same with her aforementioned settings, they matter; the settings will always help drive the story. Actually her narratives, characters, and settings all take turns at the wheel.
The several threads of Point Last Seen, all come to a head during the Psychic festival but she keeps the lines all clear and suspenseful. Possibly the best line I've read this year is in this book, I can't quote it because it would be a spoiler. There is humor and beauty in Dodd’s writing, but make no mistake, there is a lot of darkness, both criminal and emotional.
This is a gripping, entertaining book; and will keep you wondering and guessing.
Thanks to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN for an ARC for review purposes.
Originally posted on MysteryandSuspense.com (less)“On nights like these, when the storms brew and the fog waits, lost souls visit Gothic and sometimes….they stay.”
Dodd’s latest series are almost always set along a wild and stunning Pacific coastline, usually with matching wild weather. Point Last…
maucarden's rating:
Added Apr 11, 2022
maucarden's rating:
Added Mar 29, 2022
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How to be a Wallflower reminded me of those old-time screwball movie comedies. The classics. I could easily see Gable and Lombard playing the parts, or in modern day casting, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Sorry, can’t go more recent than those two. (I’m old) I am serious here, this is some funny stuff.
Miss Cleopatra Lewis is the granddaughter of Viscount Falconer. She has also inherited a thriving business, Lewis Commodes, from her father. Cleo has agreed to her grandfather launching her into society, he has even agreed letting Cleo appear as a wallflower. This is the grandfather Cleo has never met before thanks to her mother. Everyone should be so lucky as to have so loving a grandfather.
Cleo has an excellent reason for wanting to remain a wallflower. The minute she marries, all of her property becomes the property of her husband, leaving Cleo with no say in how Cleo’s property is run or sold.
Mr. Jacob Astor Addison is a seemingly roughhewn, very wealthy American entrepreneur and early theater impresario who encounters Cleo after she has “stolen” Quimby's Costume Design. Quimby’s is mostly a theatrical costuming business he was planning to buy. Buy and move to America in aid of his burgeoning theater empire. To keep the business in London, Cleo decides to buy and expand the business.
In the amusing and charming How to be a Wallflower (Would-be Wallflowers #1) Jake and Cleo become frenemies, issuing a challenge to one another, each allowing the other to help Mrs. Quimby design a wardrobe with the idea of thwarting the other’s goal.
Jake falls so hard, so quickly that he is willing to be the one to make all of the changes in his life. Cleo, after she fell, had a moment of great hurt resulting from a misunderstanding. Instead of making Jake grovel, she quickly figured out the problem and acted with total maturity and love. I do so enjoy grown up characters.
This is a bit unusual but the worst character in the book is dead. Julia’s mother. She eloped at age 17, cheated on her husband constantly, and never returned to see her mother and father. I’m only touching on her sins. Julia made Cleo promise to contact her grandfather. Cleo's grandmother has already died.
I applaud the Jake’s ethics for adding the name Addison and partially obscuring the Astor because of some of his uncle’s unscrupulous dealings.
A slight complaint, but there is a mistake in the book blurb. Not really one that will go unnoticed.
Thanks to this book, kippers will soon be seen THE romantic food. They will no longer be vilified! No one but Eloisa James could do this.
Eloisa James has written one of my very favorite series, the Desperate Duchesses, I have probably read each book at least five times. I am hoping that one day I can say the same about the Would-Be Wallflowers series. I am already looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for review purposes.How to be a Wallflower reminded me of those old-time screwball movie comedies. The classics. I could easily see Gable and Lombard playing the parts, or in modern day casting, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Sorry, can’t go more recent than those two.…
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