from description: Recorder has no family, no friends, and no name. Donated to the Consortium before birth, her sole purpose is to maintain and verify the records. A neural implant and drone ensure compliance, punishing for displays of bias.
Ashley mentioned this one as a book she was waiting for, and I preordered it. Not everyone loves science fiction, but Isaac Asimov hooked me with I Robot many long years ago, and I've been through many authors and books since then.
The Recorder, the protagonist in this story (Recorders have no name, only a number), fully believes in her duty, but she also forms her own opinions, even when she attempts to suppress them.
Recorder is sent on a mission to record what happened on a planet that went dark two years previously. There is a rescue contingent on board, but no one really believes there are survivors. Recorder's task is to document the operation and to retrieve the body of the Recorder who accompanied the original colonizers.
The mission goes awry, and Recorder, in an attempt to help save crew members, is injured. The injury and resultant surgery will result in changes she could never have believed possible.
Recorder is a promising debut by Cathy McCrumb, an exciting adventure, and a promise for more entertainment in the future. I look forward to more of these characters!
Enclave Books. Science fiction. Nov. 9, 2021. Print length: 304 pages.
Last Seen Alive returns to the earliest story when serial killer Frances Coben agrees to a television documentary. The producers want Ellery to participate, and Coben says he will reveal where the remaining bodies are...if Ellery will be part of the program.
The two things that bothered me: 1) the concentration on the early brutal torture of Ellery (which is why the first book was not my favorite), and 2) although I don't believe the FBI is without faults, the agreement to go along with a sensationalized production and the subsequent FBI practices seemed so over-the-top and implausible that I was annoyed.
I was disappointed in this fifth (and final? as some have suggested) book, but almost all other readers have given it 5 stars.
NetGalley/St. Martin's Press
Thriller. Jan. 25, 2022. Print length: 350 pages.
-----------
Incredible actors all around.
“For the ones who stayed. For the ones who left. And for all the ones who were lost.”
I'm sorry Last Seen Alive wasn't a better read for you; I have to admit, I had high hopes for this one because I really do love this series, but I've read other similar reviews to yours about it so now I'm a little worried. Oh well, guess I'll see. I do like the sound of Recorder!
ReplyDeleteI liked the books between the first and fifth books best. I suspected the villain (there is another villain besides Corben) early on, but it was the lack of credibility in set up that kept me saying, "Really?" :) Still, most reviewers have loved it.
DeleteFirst and 3rd books go on my reading list. I heard good reviews a out "Belfast." I agree, "Recorder," sounds good.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Belfast was such an intimate look at The Troubles. The music from 1969 was just the touch to highlight the contrast of what was happening in Belfast as opposed to the rest of the world.
DeleteRecorder sounds really different, and like the kind of science fiction I enjoy. It even sounds familiar for some reason that I can't figure out. Going to look for it.
ReplyDeleteBelfast sounds like quite an experience. It's still hard to believe how terrible a history that reflects and how long it lasted. I visited Belfast in 1992 and even then I could feel the tension in the air.
:) There are only so many stories, but an infinite way to use them! Belfast was a must-see for me. It was semi-autobiographical for Branagh and shot in black and white. You'd like it, Sam.
DeleteI'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed Recorder. It makes me even more excited to read it. It's at the top of my Christmas wishlist. :)
ReplyDeleteI did. Recorder was a good start, and I look forward to more!
DeleteWell, I'm sad about your experience with the 5th Ellery Hathaway book, Jenclair. Sigh. I'll still be reading it, but I'm thinking it might not be a fun one for me. I did like the first book and then liked 2, 3, and 4 even more. Have you read the first book in her new series? I can't remember if you've mentioned it.
ReplyDeleteLast Seen Alive didn't work for me, but I am in the minority. Yes, I liked the first one in Schaffhausen's new series Gone for Good, but didn't love it. In both recent books, too many things took me out of the story.
DeleteI like science fiction, and this sounds like a book I'd enjoy. It's exciting when a debut novel shows such promise.
ReplyDeleteRecorder kept me entertained and interested! It your are right that it is nice to feel that a debut author has a promising future. :)
DeleteYou know I'm not a big fan of SciFi but I really like the premise for Recorder. I'll have to keep that one on my radar. I recently finished Gone for Good by Joanna Schaffhausen and thought it was enjoyable so I may continue with that series before jumping to another of hers first. I hadn't heard of Belfast but have always enjoyed Kenneth Branagh's work so will have to look into this one.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Recorder and hope you'll give it a chance. :) I gather this latest by Schaffhausen may be winding up the series--I wished I'd liked it better because I enjoyed the earlier books.
DeleteIf you have a chance to see Belfast, I think you'd love it! Branagh is something special, even when he is the not physically in the film.