See That My Grave Is Kept Clean (tentative connection to content) featuring Iraqi War veteran Tommy Smith is the third book in the series. A missing ten-year-old girl, a corpse of a missing embezzler, and a sinister owner of a "titty bar" and abuser of women and underage girls, an ineffectual sheriff, and plenty of dead folks.
Although not a book that I wanted to abandon, I had trouble connecting with the characters on more than a superficial basis and had little confidence in the plot.
There are a lot of admirers of this series, but ultimately, it wasn't a good fit for me.
Read in May; blog review scheduled for Aug. 31, 2019
NetGalley/ Skyhorse Publishing
Crime. Sept. 17, 2019. Print length: 288 pages.
The Starlight Claim was an exciting survival adventure. Nate didn't intend to make the trip to the cabin alone, but when his friend is grounded, he decides not to back out. But a blizzard sets in and in subzero temperatures, Nate must not only survive the weather, but must outwit escapees from a maximum security prison who have taken refuge in his family's cabin. Thanks to his father, Nate is not without resources, both physical and mental.from description: Four months after his best friend, Dodge, disappeared near their families’ camp in a boat accident, Nate is still haunted by nightmares. He’d been planning to make the treacherous trek to the remote campsite with a friend — his first time in winter without his survival-savvy father. But when his friend gets grounded, Nate secretly decides to brave the trip solo in a journey that’s half pilgrimage, half desperate hope he will find his missing friend when no one else could. What he doesn’t expect to find is the door to the cabin flung open and the camp occupied by strangers: three men he’s horrified to realize have escaped from a maximum-security prison. Snowed in by a blizzard and with no cell signal, Nate is confronted with troubling memories of Dodge and a stunning family secret, and realizes that his survival now depends on his wits as much as his wilderness skills. As things spiral out of control, Nate finds himself dealing with questions even bigger than who gets to leave the camp alive.
Nate discovers an unexpected ally, but not a benevolent or selfless one.
Although the main character is a teenager, I didn't realize at first that this was a YA novel; however, as with any good book, The Starlight Claim will grab your interest and hold it throughout.
Read in May; blog review scheduled for Aug. 31, 2019
NetGalley/Candlewick Press
YA/Suspense. Sept. 10, 2019. Print length: 240 pages
Pity the Paul book didn’t work work out — it certainly did sound good.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't work for me, but maybe I was looking for something more like Craig Johnson. :\
DeleteWhat a great C.S. Lewis quote! And you know how much I love survival adventures... I will definitely be checking The Starlight Claim out. :D
ReplyDeleteThe Starlight Claim did keep my interest, and yes, we both tend to be drawn to survival adventures!
DeleteThe Starlight Claim sounds intense! I will have to look for that one.
ReplyDeleteI've fallen for that a time or two--picked up a book to read because it was compared to another one I loved. It is wonderful when the comparison is right one and is disappointing when it's not.
The western setting drew me in, but the characters and plot were not what I was hoping for. The only genuine comparison to Craig Johnson was the setting, but the series does have its own admirers.
DeleteThe Starlight Claim sounds good to me! Adding it to my wishlist. :)
ReplyDeleteThe freezing temperatures and snow in The Starlight Claim--I'm always in for an escape from the heat. :)
DeleteOoh add me to another one who thinks The Starlight Claim sounds like one not to miss! And, completely agree with the quote :)
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I'm fond of eating and reading!
DeleteThe Starlight Claim sounds like a nail biter. I don't know if I could handle it, even if it is YA and pretty short.
ReplyDeleteThat "if you like X you might like Y" sometimes just doesn't work out unfortunate. But at least you gave the Bart Paul title a fair try. :D
A similar setting does not mean similar characters, plots, and writing, does it? I do have a few favorite Western mystery authors, and will stick to them until something that suits me better comes along. :)
Delete