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Saturday, November 07, 2020

The Eagle Catcher by Margaret Coel, Chaos on Catnet by Naomi Kritzer, and What My Husband Did by Kerry Wilkinson

 

Mysteries that take place in the West appeal to me.  Favorite authors include Tony Hillerman, Craig Johnson, Cormac McCarthy, and R. Allen Chappell.

I've added Margaret Coel to that list, after reading The Eagle Catcher, set on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.  (Thanks, Cathy!)  

Father John O'Malley,  Jesuit priest and recovering alcoholic works with  Vicki Holden, an Arapaho lawyer in an attempt to find the killer of a tribal chairman and make sure his nephew is not convicted of the murder.

Injustice is a theme, both historical and present day, as hidden crimes from past and present come to light.  Social and culture prejudices are thematic, as well, and blended easily into the mystery plot.

The Eagle Catcher is the first book in the series, so I have more to read!  Since some of my latest books have been abandoned for lack of interest or for mediocre writing, I'm doubly grateful for a new series to enjoy.

Purchased. 


Although I haven't read the first book (Catfishing on Catnet), I did find this YA novel intriguing.  

from description:  "When a mysterious entity starts hacking into social networks and chat rooms to instigate paranoia and violence in the real world, it’s up to Steph and her new friend, Nell, to find a way to stop it—with the help of their benevolent AI friend, CheshireCat."

Chaos on Catnet is a YA thriller with some genuine considerations about social media/the internet and its ability to influence hundreds of thousands of people.  As I was reading it, we were all watching social media and news media as the election approached, and even now, in the aftermath of the election, we see the influence of the media for manipulating emotions.

Pretty scary the way those with an agenda can influence hundreds of thousands of people to violence.  In the book and in real life, this happens.

At the same time, the internet does have many positive benefits.  Friendships with people you may never meet in person, inspiration concerning hobbies and interests, and finding acceptance and support among like-minded people.  Steph has this support among her friends.

An AI with human qualities is still a long way in the future, if ever; but the ability of people to use the internet and social media in a destructive fashion has been troublesome for a long time.  Even more so during all the problems 2020 has presented.

Because I think the novel is of current interest, I'm reviewing it now rather than scheduling it for later.

NetGalley/MacMillan-Tor/Forge

YA/Thriller/Science, Tech.  April 27, 2021.  Print length:  304 pages. 


I like Kerry Wilkinson a lot, but this was not my favorite.  However, looking at Goodreads reviews, Almost everyone else, loved it.  So...there you go.  

from description: "A little girl has been left for dead. And now my husband is missing."

Things aren't looking good for Maddy's husband Richard, and in a village that knows everything that happens and closes ranks, things aren't looking good for Maddy either.  

I realize the cutting back and forth to Maddy's childhood serves a purpose, but I found it distracting.  Much simpler to give a brief background concerning Maddy's father having been convicted of a crime he didn't commit.

Maddy, as she tries to puzzle out the situation of her husband's absence, also has to face some of the elements of their marriage.  

NetGalley/Bookoutre

Mystery.  Nov. 17, 2020.  Print length:  360 pages.

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Today is my birthday, and my daughter texted that she gave me a new president!  Couldn't be happier!






18 comments:

  1. Chaos on Catnet sounds like a very timely read. I'm definitely intrigued by it and want to check this series out.

    I'm glad you found a new series to enjoy with Wind River. My grandpa had some Native American heritage, so this appeals to me too. :)

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    1. The book is both very far out and absolutely on target. Using a futuristic story line, it still resonates with the influence of the internet and social media to galvanize people.

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  2. Happy Birthday! I wish for you every good thing. :D

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    1. Thank you, Lark! It has been a good day with too many goodies and an expanding waistline!

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  3. Happy Birthday! I'm so glad you've added Margaret Coel to your reading list.

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    1. Thanks, and thanks for the recommendation!

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  4. Happy Birthday, Jenclair! What a great birthday present that we can all benefit from. :-)

    I like the sound of Choas on Catnet. I'll have to check that one out.

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    1. Thanks, Wendy! A truly unusual and appreciated gift of a new president!

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  5. A belated Happy Birthday to you! Hope it was a good one! The previous 'Catnet' book won some mystery book awards this year or last I think. I think they both sound good. And Cathy is a great resource for mysteries and other books as well. I've read that first Wind River book a long time ago. A series I should revisit.

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    1. Thanks, Kay! The Catnet book is such a combination of YA science/fantasy and so real in other ways. The influence of social media continues to prove complicated.

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  6. First of all, a happy belated birthday to you, Jenclair! Hope you'd a wonderful bday! These books sound interesting to me, especially the CatNet series. The influence of social media can be powerful and there's always pros and cons in everything. We can only hope that the people has the right mindset and attitude of looking at things, right? :)

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    1. Thanks, Melody! Yes, there are things I love and there are things that make me uneasy about social media. Authors are often able to make us see things in a different way by simply making it personal through characters. Even as the book shows how frightening misuse of social media can be, it illustrates the beneficial possibilities as well.

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  7. Happy birthday indeed! How's that for a birthday present! I hope you had a fun day, as much as possible under the circumstances!! Chaos on catnet sounds timely and scary too.

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    1. It was a great birthday present. Now, if trump would just concede, instead of causing more trouble.... :O

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  8. Happy belated birthday! That's the best present ever. I'll take it for my birthday (next month), too!

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    1. :) It was nice, and now we will see if trump will finally concede!

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