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Friday, July 05, 2019

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager and Ancient Blood and Mojado by R. Allen Chappell

The blurb sounded interesting, so I decided to give Lock Every Door a try--even after being pretty apathetic about Sager's The Last Time I Lied.

from the blurb:  The next heart-pounding thriller from New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager follows a young woman whose new job apartment sitting in one of New York’s oldest and most glamorous buildings may cost more than it pays.

No visitors. No nights spent away from the apartment. No disturbing the other residents, all of whom are rich or famous or both. These are the only rules for Jules Larsen’s new job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, one of Manhattan's most high-profile and mysterious buildings. Recently heartbroken and just plain broke, Jules is taken in by the splendor of her surroundings and accepts the terms, ready to leave her past life behind.


OK, mostly it feels like it was inspired by Rosemary's Baby --the brownstone with a sordid history,  strange tenants, etc. 

It fell flat for me, but may thrill you.  

Read in June.  Blog review scheduled for 

NetGalley/Penguin Group
Mystery/Thriller?  July 2, 2019.  Print length: 384 pages.
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Of course, I've continued with R. Allen Chappell's Navajo Nation Mysteries, and Ancient Blood adds even more interest with the introduction of Charlie Yazzie's former archaeology/anthropology professor, George Custer and childhood friend Harley Ponyboy.  

The professor's most recent dig is a kiva that might help with his theories about the migration of the Anasazi, but even before his team arriveshe is attacked and the site vandalized.   

Charlie and Thomas Begay begin looking into the suspects, trying to prevent further vandalism and attacks on the site.


source

The professor's theories are controversial and some members of an Indian Rights movement would rather not have them published.   The violence escalates from damage to the site to more serious and deadly acts.

Harley is now my favorite character because of the humor he adds.  

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Mojado takes a different turn with a serial killer who has no specific prey--a professional from Mexico, he kills anyone who might reveal his presence.  Man, woman, child...it matters little to the Mojado, who is on the run and has a private goal. 

The murders are callous and cold-blooded, but they don't celebrate violence.  The Mojado has no compunction about killing, but neither does he take delight in killing.  

As Charlie Yazzi, Thomas Begay, and Harley Ponyboy pursue the killer through the harshest areas of the reservation, all four men approach exhaustion.

Aside from the characters who continue to grow, I love the way Chappell presents the land and the culture of the Four Corners region.

I reviewed the first two books in the series here.


---------The Garden kept me busy in June.




-----------Some of June's Snail Mail
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12 comments:

  1. I'm waiting for my copy of Lock Every Door to arrive. I'll see how it goes for me. And looking forward to your letter. :)

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    1. A lot of people loved it, but Lock Every Door didn't work well for me. :)

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  2. Ancient Blood sounds awesome. (I've been to those Anasazi ruins on the cover!) And your snail mail art is amazing! Thanks for sharing. :)

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    1. I've really enjoyed this series by Chappell! I'd love to visit the ruins--saw some of the ruins years ago when I was a kid, and they were fascinating.

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  3. Love the cartoon and the epicures of your garden are beautiful!

    Those Riley Sager titles are everywhere! The marketing is at least well done!

    I visited abandoned cliff dwellings as a small child and they have always stayed in my imagination. I will have to check out Ancient Blood...but I will keep in mind that the ideas are controversial.

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    1. I visited the cliff dwellings as a child, too, and would love to see them again. The controversial theories that the fictional professor was offering in the book are not so controversial now. :)

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  4. Lol, I'm not sure I'm going to read Sager's thriller books anytime soon, and only if from the library.
    Beautiful flowers and a relevant cartoon. I like anything to do with Native American culture and history. Enjoy your books!

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    1. The Chappell books give real insight into the Dine' culture as well as providing good characterization and plots!

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  5. I definitely want to try this one. The first page was intense when I looked at it.

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    1. If you love it, you are in the majority. It's always interesting the different takes we have on books. :)

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  6. I am sorry Lock Every Door fell flat for you. I keep hoping my current read will pick up, but I'm becoming doubtful. I am glad the Chappell books continue to be good!

    Such beautiful garden photos! Love your envelope art! I wish I was so creative.

    I hope you have a great week, Jenclair!

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    1. I haven't read Rosemary's Baby in years, but Lock Every Door just felt like a knock-off with a more modern take to me. :) Thanks for the nice comments about the garden!

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