Some short reviews.
Can't Go Back by Debra Webb
The third book in this series featuring Detectives Kerri Devlin and Luke Falco is evidently the final one in a trilogy. I enjoyed the first two books and looked forward to this one. A woman and her child are found dead when an arson fire destroys the home; the husband confesses. Something is off and the evidence doesn't appear to point to him. The story connects to Luke's dark past as he recognizes the husband as a fellow undercover cop. Luke has tried to put his past behind him, but the current case leads back to his time in an elite group of undercover cops and some things that many would like to remain forgotten. I like the characters, and I'm sorry that this is the final book. read in July
NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer; Mystery; Dec. 14, 2021.
Mickey7 by Edward Ashton
Mickey7 is an Expendable--good for any suicidal mission or scientific study. Mickey volunteered for the expedition to colonize Niflheim, but he was in a hurry to get away from Midgard, and he didn't quite understand the "immortal" part of his new position. He's disposable, he dies (but the deaths are not painless), and he comes back in another iteration with most of his memories. BUT there is never supposed to be more than one at a time. Mickey8 comes out of the tank after Mickey7 is written off as dead, but Mickey7 is still alive and kicking. Problems ensue. Interesting premise with some ponderings about what makes us who we are. read in October
NetGalley/St. Martin's Press; Science Fiction; Feb. 15, 2022.
The Deepest of Secrets by Kelley Armstrong
Well, the previous book hinted at the end of the Rockton series, and The Deepest of Secrets is the 7th and final book about Rockton and its inhabitants. A lackluster conclusion to a fun series. read in September
NetGalley/St. Martin's Press; Mystery/Thriller; Feb. 15, 2022.
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentil
An interesting embedded narrative. Australian author Hannah corresponds by email with American author Leo. She develops a story about four people in the Boston library who are at the same table when they hear a scream. Hannah sends chapters by email to Leo, who comments and makes suggestions. But what about the four people (in Hannah's story) who hear the cry, the ones sitting at the library table, and later learn about the death of a young woman? Is one of them a murderer? A clever technique for a mystery--a frame story, a story within a story. read in October
NetGalley/Poisoned Pen Press; Mystery/Thriller. May 10, 2022.
A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari (June 7, 2022) read in October
The cover drew me in, but the pacing was a little slow. Saffron Everleigh's mentor is accused of poisoning the wife of the man set to lead an expedition to the Amazon. Historical mystery set in the 1920's, mystery, a little romance. read in October
NetGalley/Crooked Lane Books; Mystery; June 7, 2022.
Mickey7 sounds promising. I'm afraid we have people in our world that others consider Expendables.
ReplyDeleteTrue. We do have people in our world that are considered expendable. At least Mickey volunteered, even if he didn't realize the extent of his mission. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study (1932-1972) and the CIA experiments with LSD are just two examples.
DeleteThank you for the comment on my post about A Little Bird by Wendy James. I did want more Australian setting details but it was good. If you like the setting you may want to see if NetGalley is still giving copies of Under the Golden Sun by Jenny Ashcroft. Loved that book!
ReplyDeleteI see you have two blogs as I do so I hope this was right one to comment on. Can't Go Back sounds like one I would like and Mickey & is intriging.
Thanks for the heads up, Tina! I just got a copy of Under the Golden Sun on NetGalley, adding to my long queue of books on my Kindle. :)
DeleteWonderful reviews
ReplyDeleteCover art is a big draw for me. Searching the stacks for a book is like shopping for a blouse.
I'm susceptible to cover art. Sometimes covers are beautiful and creative, sometimes they clearly let you know the genre. :) Of course, there is the old and true "you can't judge a book by its cover," but it can certainly catch your interest!
DeleteWow, you've been busy! This is an interesting diversity of books, some worthy of being added to the list, I think.
ReplyDeleteThey are diverse! I'm eclectic in my choices--just as long as I have something to read. My husband watches television at night, I read. I also read during short breaks during the day that sometimes become longer than short breaks. :)
Delete"Mickey7" jumped right out at me because every time I see the word "Mickey" and the number "7" together my mind immediately jumps to the great Mickey Mantle who wore that number for the NY Yankees during most of my childhood. Now that I read the plot, though, I want to read this one for a whole different reason. Sounds good.
ReplyDelete"The Woman in the Library" merits a closer look, too, I think.
It is hard for people of our generation not to attach Mantle to any Mickey. My brothers would have immediately noticed the 7, but I didn't. Since the author had several allusions in the book, I wouldn't be surprised if the 7 was a deliberate choice.
DeleteThe Deepest of Secrets is the last Rockton book? Shoot. Now I'm sad. I still can't wait to read it. And I'm intrigued by Mickey7, too. Love the short reviews. :)
ReplyDeleteI know, I'm disappointed that this is supposed to the final book. I got the impression from the previous book that Rockton (as a town) was ending, but hoped that wouldn't be the end of the series. Wonder what Armstrong will come up with next.
DeleteI've got the Khavari and Gentill books. I try never to miss a Sulari Gentill read. These all look good.
ReplyDeleteI liked The Woman in the Library a lot! And btw, I blame you for my current fascination with Emma Jameson. :)
DeleteI've got The Woman in the Library on my To Read pile. I was happy to read your thoughts about it.
ReplyDeleteI really liked technique the author used in The Woman in the Library. I was glued to the pages throughout. The ending was rushed, but I enjoyed everything else!
DeleteAbout the cover--I probably would not have chosen this one except for the blurb. The cover is very 1950s B movie poster style. I'm glad I took the time to read the blurb!
I also think that The Woman in the Library sounds good and will look for it next spring. As to the Rockton series, well, I'm sad. I've loved that series and am sorry that this is the last book. Sigh. Ah well. Surely she'll come up with something else fun for us. No hints from the book what that might be - like a spinoff or something?
ReplyDeleteA spinoff of the Rockton series would be interesting! There are so many devoted readers of this series. Whatever Armstrong comes up with, I will be interested!
DeleteI'm very intrigued by Mickey7. I just added it to my wishlist. And I had no idea the Rockton series was ending. It's a bummer about the lackluster conclusion.
ReplyDeleteMickey7 had an interesting concept, and I'm sorry to see Armstrong's Rockton series end. I liked visiting with the Rockton characters as they dealt with some more treacherous situations.
DeleteThank you so much for taking the time to read The Woman in the Library. I'm so glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteWarmly
Sulari
I liked The Woman in the Library a great deal! Clever, suspenseful, and fun!
DeleteYeah I like the title of A Botanist's Guide to Parties & Poisons. And it seems to align with the guy going to the Amazon. Do they get the poisons from there?! hmm
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact.... :)
DeleteA great variety of books you read there, Jenclair. I'm sorry to hear Kelley Armstrong's final book about Rockton has a lackluster conclusion. I've only read the first book of this series and now it seems like I'm in no hurry to read them. I'm curious what she'll be writing next.
ReplyDeleteThe Rockton adventures kept me engaged, and I'm going to miss them, but I guess it would have been difficult to keep the series going. I enjoyed it while it lasted.
DeleteThat cover for The Botanist's Guide is just perfect. I imagine having that bottle amidst many others in my studio! I do like the sound of The Woman in the Library. So many books to read!
ReplyDeleteI love a beautiful cover, especially if it reflects the content! The Woman in the Library was a page-turner and cleverly done. :)
DeleteThe Woman in the Library sounds particularly intriguing and I will keep my eye out for it. May 2022 seems a long time to wait! But I'm sure it will be here sooner than I think.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I schedule the reviews to post closer to publication, but this is the time of year when so many books are released that it becomes frustrating to schedule so many books 3-6 months in advance!
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