Sarah Alsderson's In Her Eyes takes the event of armed men breaking into a home and the serious injury of Ava's daughter June and turns it into something else. It moves from the invasion to the aftermath as Ava discovers information that stuns her.
Devastated, Ava finds herself doubting almost everyone around her as she learns about things she never suspected. Then someone targets June in the hospital.
Who to trust?
I suspected one person after another. Each new circumstance introduced a possible reason for the violent invasion and raised new questions.
Alderson skillfully guides the reader through Ava's discoveries, keeping both the reader and Ava off-balance. Well-plotted, red herrings and twists, and suspenseful.
Read in July. Blog review scheduled for Oct. 29, 2019.
NetGalley/Mulholland Books
Suspense/Thriller. Nov. 14, 2019. Print length: 352 pages.
They are more fun if you have some familiarity with some of the secondary characters because looking forward to the brief appearances of the Long Piddleton crowd is always fun.
The main characters are Richard Jury of Scotland Yard and Melrose Plant his friend and foil. The books are usually considered cozy mysteries, but they are more literary, character-driven, and complex than most cozies.
The Old Success is not my favorite, but I wouldn't miss joining Jury and friends on any new adventure--it is always a pleasure.
In 2012, Martha Grimes was awarded the title of Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America, joining such notables as Agatha Christie, John le Carre, Elmore Leonard, Barbara Mertz, Tony Hillerman, and P.D. James (and many other great mystery writers).
Read in July. Blog review scheduled for Oct. 29.
NetGalley/Grove Atlantic
Mystery/Police Procedural. Nov. 5, 2019.
Thanks for the reviews. The first book was a download one so that was easy. The second I've requested from Netgalley. They both sound so good.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy them!
DeleteWe have some of Tom's father's books, and amongst them are a few Martha Grimes titles. I haven't read her for ages, but remember liking her and those odd characters. I was just thinking the other day of reading the ones on the shelf. Do you feel they should be read in order?
ReplyDeleteI didn't read them in order, but I did start with the earlier books years ago so I got to know and appreciate all the odd characters more with each succeeding book. Grimes manages to write great puzzles without the emphasis on gore and with an uncanny eye for humor and eccentricities. :)
DeleteThat's what I remember! I'm psyched to begin again. Thank you.
Delete:)
DeleteLove love love the idea of a National Stay in Bed Reading Day! I totally want that one to be true. :D
ReplyDeleteI don't know why we can't make it so! We should poll readers for a possible date. I'm good with any Saturday. Do you have a preference?
DeleteAny Saturday works for me. Especially if it's cold outside and I want to stay inside and keep warm. :D
DeleteAny cold or rainy or snowy Saturday when we want to stay inside with a cup of something warm, a good book, and a few snacks is perfect! Calendar date at one's own discretion. :)
DeleteThere's a name from my past: Martha Grimes. I read her all the time in the '90s and haven't read her since. I'm not even sure why I stopped reading her mysteries, but I really need to see what's she been up to since I last checked in. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many mysteries and thrillers available that keeping up with all of them is an impossibility. I always enjoy Grimes' characters and entertaining repartee between characters. :)
DeleteIn Her Eyes sounds good to me! Will keep this book in mind. And how I wish that quote really happens, lol.
ReplyDeleteAlderson kept me off-balance and questioning until close to the end. I was back and forth on the guilty party. As for the quote...now I'm thinking maybe it should just be "stay in your pajamas and read all day," which would be more practical. :)
DeleteI tried The Dirty Duck by Grimes a long time ago but never finished it. I’m not sure if I still have the copy. I think I should go back and start at the beginning. :D
ReplyDeleteI should post a list of all of Grimes' titles. The Dirty Duck is one I don't think I've read, but the pub names are so interesting. You have to give it to all the original publicans who thought of the names and to Grimes for using the names of real pubs for her titles and sense of place. I imagine the pub owners are happy to be immortalized on book covers. :)
DeleteOh, you have me hooked with your review of In her eyes -- I like an author and a book who can keep readers off balance and do it well
ReplyDeleteAlderson does a fine job of setting up possibilities that make you question various characters. It's a slow reveal. :)
DeleteIn Her Eyes sounds really good. I sometimes find myself wondering what would have happened if the burglars had broken into my home that day I was home instead of running away when I yelled through the door I was calling 9-1-1. It was such a terrifying moment. I hope I am never in a position as the main character and her daughter in the novel.
ReplyDeleteSpending a day in bed reading sounds so nice . . .