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Showing posts with label World Settings: Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Settings: Australia. Show all posts
Monday, January 10, 2022
Historical Australian Murder Mystery Atmospheric and Intriguing
(Image from Goodreads)
Although World War I gave Penelope Jane "P.J." Martindale a unique chance to travel and have an exciting adventure, it also stole two very important people from her. While grieving the deaths of her twin brothers, she visits London's Natural History Museum where she makes an intriguing discovery. A fossil found in a gorge near the Australian town of her birth, a place where her brothers loved to search for ancient treasures, gives P.J. a new purpose—to honor her dead siblings through the fossils they loved to collect. When P.J. returns to Australia, she's shocked to receive a frosty reception from her father, who blames her for his sons' deaths. Hoping to make peace with him and commemorate her brothers' sacrifice at the same time, she heads for Bow Wow Gorge despite warnings from the locals about its sinister reputation. Seventy years ago, an eccentric female paleontologist is said to have disappeared in its bowels under suspicious circumstances along with several of her young pupils. While wandering in the gorge, P.J. stumbles across a skeleton in a hidden cave. Thinking she's just accidentally solved an old mystery, she's stunned when the coroner announces that the unidentified corpse was the victim of a murder. Who was the deceased? What happened to them? And how did they come to lie in a cave full of priceless fossils?
Ever since reading and enjoying Tea Cooper's The Woman in the Green Dress, I've wanted to read more by the author. I was thrilled to receive an e-ARC of her newest, The Fossil Hunter, which has already been released in Australia but doesn't come out in the U.S. until August. Told in a dual-timeline format, the novel features likable characters, a plotline that's compelling (although slow), and an atmospheric setting. I'm not into fossils, so I found that part of the story a little dull. I also wasn't wild about P.J.'s romance with Sam, since I didn't feel any sparks between them and I thought him irritating in his irresponsibility and impulsiveness. Other than that, though, The Fossil Hunter kept me interested enough to keep turning pages. I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I did The Woman in the Green Dress, but I liked it overall.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and violence
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Fossil Hunter from the generous folks at HarperCollins via those at Edelweiss Plus in exchange for a honest review. Thank you!
Monday, December 06, 2021
Moriarty Hits It Out of the Ballpark (er, Tennis Court?) With Newest Mystery/Family Drama
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As the long-time owners of a prestigious tennis school, Joy and Stan Delaney have coached a number of champions. Their own four children are, however, not among them. While Amy, Brooke, Troy, and Logan all became competent players, none of them quite had what it took to go all the way with the sport. Disappointing, yes, but the Delaney kids have found other ways to be successful adults. And now, with the closing of Delaneys Tennis Academy, 69-year-old Joy and 70-year-old Stan are looking forward to retirement and, most importantly, grandchildren. If the dynamic duo is having a little trouble transitioning from managing a thriving tennis school full of energetic young athletes to finding purpose at home in an empty, ignored nest their busy chicks rarely visit, well, that's understandable.
When their mother goes missing one day out of the blue, Amy, Brooke, Troy, and Logan are shocked. It's not like dependable Joy to flit off without telling anyone where she's going. Sure, she sent them all a garbled, mystifying text, but now she's not answering her phone. Then there's Stan, who's acting cagey, saying he's too busy to be disturbed. Where could Joy possibly be? And why is her husband behaving so oddly? Could he have...done something? Or does Joy's strange disappearance have to do with Savannah Pagonis, the evasive young stranger who's been staying with Joy and Stan despite their children's protestations?
Knowing the police will automatically suspect their father if they file a missing persons report, Amy, Brooke, Troy, and Logan try to figure things out themselves. Combing over their shared family history provides clues as well as enlightening—and disturbing—insights into dynamics that may well have led to an unthinkable crime...
Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty's 2014 bestseller, introduced lots of delighted readers (including me) to this talented Australian writer. I proceeded to read—and love—all of her previous novels. Her next two, though? Meh. Since Moriarty has been so off her game, I was hesitant to pick up her newest, Apples Never Fall. When I was offered an ARC, though, I couldn't resist. I mean, c'mon, it's Liane Moriarty! And guess what? I shouldn't have been worried because the author hit it out of the ballpark (er, tennis court?) with this one. Yes, Apples Never Fall is different from her other books, but it's got that old Moriarty spark that I have been sorely missing. Her trademark wit and sharp insight infuse this family drama, coating it with warmth, humor, and poignancy. The characters are complex and flawed, which makes them all the more likable (even when they're not). Plot-wise, the story has plenty of twists to keep things interesting. I was feeling very smug toward the end, thinking I had everything figured out and, boy, was I wrong! I'm so glad I was because the book's finale delighted me to no end. I know Apples Never Fall has gotten mixed reviews from Moriarty noobs and dedicated fans alike, but for me, it's a hit. In fact, besides Big Little Lies, it might be my favorite Moriarty novel of them all. I adored it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books by Liane Moriarty)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, mild sexual content, and some disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Apples Never Fall from the generous folks at Henry Holt in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Harper's Newest Another Twisty, Atmospheric Page Turner
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Returning to his Tasmanian hometown is never easy for 30-year-old Kieran Elliott. He still gets the stink eye from Evelyn Bay locals, who blame him for the drowning deaths of two men—one of whom was his older brother, Finn—twelve years ago. It's only fair since Kieran also blames himself for the accident that stole his idol, rocked his small town, and created a barrier of sorrow and guilt between him and his parents that has never gone away. Kieran's reluctant to go back, but his father's dementia is worsening, necessitating a move to a nursing home, which means his mother needs help packing. She also wants to spend time with her only grandchild, Kieran's infant daughter, Audrey.
Kieran hasn't been in town long when a body washes up on shore. The dead woman is Bronte Laidler, an art student from Canberra in town for the summer. Although she drowned, there are some distressing signs that show Bronte's death might not have been an accident. What really happened to Bronte? Are the police correct in their suspicions that Kieran's father might have had something to do with her death? Is this newest drowning connected to the events 12 years ago that turned Kieran into the town pariah? The more questions he asks, the more Kieran is sure that the secrets of the past are the key to figuring out what—or who—caused Bronte's death.
I love Jane Harper, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed this book, her newest. The author is skilled at creating atmospheric settings and The Survivors' moody, broody Tasmanian backdrop is no exception. Evelyn Bay is a well-drawn small town with plenty of secrets and drama simmering under its surface. Kieran, Mia, and the other characters are sympathetic and likable, without being super memorable or unique. Still, their story is compelling. It moves a bit slowly, but it's still suspenseful and engrossing. I realized who the killer was about halfway through the book and yet I wasn't totally sure of their guilt until the very end. Overall, then, I found this an engrossing, satisfying read that kept my attention throughout. While I tend to enjoy Harper's series books more than her standalone fiction, I'll read anything she writes. I'm a fan.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Harper's other novels)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, depictions of underage drinking, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, March 11, 2021
It's Compelling, That's Why!
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Ever since the tragic death of her toddler, Ellie has been spiraling. She's drinking too much, making reckless decisions, and acting out against her billionaire father. One night, after too many cocktails, she literally stumbles into a handsome, successful real estate developer named Martin Cresswell-Smith. His interest and gentle kindness are exactly what Ellie needs. After a whirlwind courtship, the two are married and headed to Martin's native Australia, where they're heading up a multi-million dollar venture to build a luxury resort at Jarrawarra Bay, New South Wales.
Ellie's excited for this much-needed fresh start, but it's not long before her fairy tale life Down Under starts to dissolve. Not everything about Martin and his building project is what it seems. When the developer is brutally murdered, suspicion naturally turns to his unstable wife. Did Ellie kill her new husband? If so, why?
Everyone in Jarrawarra Bay thinks Ellie murdered Martin. Detective Senior Constable Lozza Bianchi isn't so sure. She saw evidence of Ellie's fear of Martin firsthand. Didn't she? Can the widow be believed or is Ellie Cresswell-Smith manipulating everyone around her, including the police? Lozza's already on thin ice with the department, but she will not stop digging until she knows what really happened to Martin. The truth is far more sinister than even she imagined...
I'm always down for a compelling psychological thriller and In the Deep by Loreth Anne White sounded like just the ticket. Was it? There's no doubt that this is an engrossing novel. It kept me on an uneven keel throughout, making me wonder who was telling the truth, who was hiding something, and who I could trust. While I saw some of the plot twists coming, a couple caught me by surprise. I like a mystery/thriller that keeps me guessing—and this one did. Ish. However, In the Deep is dark, violent, and disturbing. It gave me more than one nightmare. Not gonna lie, I kept asking myself, "Why am I reading this?" It's compelling, that's why! Bad dreams be darned, I wanted to find out what really happened between Ellie and Martin. Still, the characters are an unlikable bunch who pretty much get exactly what they deserve. Lozza is the only one I cared about, so I was disappointed that she didn't get more page time. On the whole, then, I give this book props for being an unputdownable page-turner. It loses points (at least for me) for being full of unlikable characters and for being too dark and depressing. If this book is any indication, White's style is just too much for me. I'll be giving her books a wide berth in future.
(Readalikes: I've seen White compared to Robert Dugoni, but I've only read one book by each of them so I'm not sure how apt the comparison is. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, blood/gore, sex, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Atmospheric Australian Mystery/Thriller Engrossing and Surprising
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
It's been two decades since Eliza Carmody left her hometown of Kinsale and she's not thrilled to be going back. Especially because her visit is in her official capacity as a lawyer—for Colcart, the company locals blame for the devastating, deadly wildfire that nearly destroyed the town. As Public Enemy Number One, her plan is to sneak in and out of Kinsale with no one, not her family, not the few friends she has left, being the wiser. Stealth goes out the window when Eliza witnesses a startling crime committed by an old acquaintance. Soon, her presence is known by everyone, forcing her to confront her estranged sister, her father—a former cop who's been in a vegetative state for a year following an accident—and the anger of a town simmering with grief and searching for answers.
When Eliza learns that human remains have been found near a local historic home, she's too curious to leave Kinsale. She knows the place has secrets, secrets that may be tied to the disappearance of her best friend back in high school. Against her better judgment, Eliza finds herself becoming deeply embroiled in these hometown dramas. Determined to find the truth behind the bones, the fire, and the disappearance of her best friend, she must decide whom she can trust and how far she will go to uncover the long-held secrets of the town to which she never wanted to return.
Second Sight by Aoife Clifford is a taut, twisty Australian thriller that kept me totally engrossed. It's atmospheric, compelling, and surprising. I didn't see the murderer coming, which is always a bonus. The novel is unrelentingly depressing and bleak, true, but I still quite enjoyed Second Sight. I'm looking forward to reading more from Clifford.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of books by Jane Harper, including The Dry, Force of Nature, and The Lost Man)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Hard-to-Find Australian Doomsday Novel Tense, Gritty
(Image from Book Depository)
"I don't know who I am now the world is different" (261).
In the last three years, Rick Palmer has gone from a relatively normal father to a paranoid doomsday prepper. After his wife took off, he poured his energy into educating himself and his three teenage daughters on how to survive the apocalypse he claims is imminent. He drilled his kids on how to find water in the desert, how to conserve resources, how to set bones and perform emergency first aid, and most of all, how to slip out of their house and into their well-stocked bunker without giving away the secret of its existence. Despite these frantic exercises, life in the Palmers' tiny Australian town is perfectly peaceful, even boring. Prudence Palmer and her sisters are convinced their father is mad as the proverbial hatter. They long for a normal, on-the-grid life full of the luxuries the other teens in town take for granted—smartphones, dates, regular school, parents who aren't off their rockers ...
Then, the lights go out in the Palmers' small village. Communication with the outside world is cut off. Confusion and chaos quickly replace order and reason. With Rick missing—he hasn't returned from the distant mine where he works—it's up to Pru to decide the best way to keep herself and her sisters safe. She knows she should retreat to the bunker immediately, but a chance meet-up with a handsome boy visiting from America, whose parent is also missing, gives her pause. As fear and desperation settle over their once-peaceful town, Pru must ask herself some important questions. Does she do what her father taught her and hoard her resources or defy his wishes and aid her helpless neighbors? What kind of person is she really, when push comes to shove?
I don't read as many dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels as I once did, but I still enjoy them when I do. After the Lights Go Out by Lili Wilkinson was mentioned on some best-of-the-genre list, so I knew I wanted to read it. It's not an easy book to get a hold of, though; luckily, Book Depository came through for me. While there's nothing really original about After the Lights Go Out, it's still a tense, engrossing novel. It's atmospheric, gritty, and compelling. The plot moves quickly, the characters are intriguing, and the decisions Pru has to make throughout the story makes it a thought-provoking tale. Like all books of this kind, it made me ask myself, "What would I do in this situation?" It's an interesting thought. All in all, then, I enjoyed this one, even if it's nothing I hadn't seen before.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of the Tomorrow, When the War Began series by John Marsden and lots of other dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of After the Lights Go Out from Book Depository with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
TTT: "Atmospheric," You Say? I'm There!
The topic du jour for my favorite weekly meme is all about book settings. I love a vivid, well-developed backdrop and will pretty much always want to read a story described as "atmospheric." While our lists today are supposed to be about settings we'd like to see more of, I'm just going to go with my favorite settings because, naturally, those are the ones I would like to see more of, right? Incidentally, I created a similar TTT list back in April about topics/settings that always lure me in.
Before we get to that, I just want to encourage you to join in the TTT fun. All you have to do is click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read a few simple instructions, create your own list, then spend some happy hours hopping around the book blogosphere. It's a great way to find new blogs to follow, drop in on old favorites, and, of course, add to ye olde TBR pile. What's not to love?
Top Ten Settings I Love and Would Like to See More Of
1. Wild West/Pioneers/Homesteading—Between my Mormon pioneer heritage and my love of genealogy, it's probably no surprise that I love me a good pioneer/homesteading story. They always entertain me while leaving me in awe of the courage, determination, and strength it took for ordinary people to take on the extraordinary task of venturing into the wild, untamed west and trying to eke out a life there.
Favorite Examples: Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson; the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder; the Gold Seer trilogy by Rae Carson; and Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee
2. Creepy old houses/Gothic—Give me a crumbling old mansion by the sea or a spooky plantation home on the bayou or an abandoned cottage hidden in the woods and I'm a happy reader. I always love a shivery haunted house story.
Favorite Examples: Pretty much anything by Kate Morton or Carol Goodman
3. At Sea—As a high school exchange student, I once spent an entire day puking my guts out on a voyage across the Philippine Sea and I'm not sure I've quite recovered! Landlubber that I am, I do possess a healthy appreciation for—and fear of—the raw and magnificent power of the ocean. For this reason, I love a good "at sea" setting. Be it a harrowing Titanic tale, a rollicking pirate yarn, or a good, old-fashioned shipwreck survival story, I'm all in.
Favorite Examples: The Watch That Ends the Night by Allan Wolf, the Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer, and Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
4. Isolated/Insular communities—I also find cloistered communities intriguing. From gentle Amish settlements to sinister cult compounds to free-spirited hippie communes to religious retreats to secret societies, these types of settings always pique my interest.
Favorite Examples: the Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong, Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix, The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
5. Small towns (especially if they're hiding BIG secrets)—Because I was reared in a quaint little town, I'm naturally drawn to these types of book settings. I especially love it when these placid villages are hiding juicy secrets that are about to crawl out of the closet to wreak a little havoc.
Favorite Examples: the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny; the Big Stone Gap series by Adriana Trigiani; the Grace Valley and Virgin River series by Robyn Carr; and just about anything by Joshilyn Jackson
6. Australia—I've really been enjoying novels from Down Under lately. I especially love those set in the Outback, where daily survival is not necessarily an assured thing.
Favorite Examples: the Tomorrow, When the War Began series by John Marsden, anything by Jane Harper, and books by Liane Moriarty
7. Antarctica—This unforgiving setting is another one that garners my endless fascination—and fear.
Favorite Examples: My Last Continent by Midge Raymond
8. Bookstores and Libraries—I think people who love to read are naturally drawn to a bookish setting. I am for sure.
Favorite Examples: The Bookshop on the Corner and The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan and The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee
9. Obscure States, U.S.A.—Every year, I keep track of the states where the books I read are set, sometimes as part of an official reading challenge, sometimes just on my own. Guess which states are the most difficult to cross off my list? Inevitably, it's places like North Dakota, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Delaware. According to my records, there is one state that has never made an appearance in my reading: Arkansas. So, if there's one setting I feel is underrepresented it's the less sexy states like poor neglected Arkansas.
Favorite Examples: I got nothin', which just proves my point!
10. Scotland—I have some strong Scottish roots plus a keen interest in moody, broody settings, so this one is pretty much a given.
Favorite Examples: anything by Peter May or Ann Cleeves and the Lady Darby series by Anna Lee Huber
There you have it, ten settings I enjoy reading about and which I'd like to see more of. What do you think? Do we have any favorite settings in common? Which would you like to see more of? Can you think of any great books I need to read in the categories above? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on yours.
Happy TTT!
Friday, May 03, 2019
Haunting Outback Mystery Another First-Rate Australian Page-Turner
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Despite being both brothers and neighbors, Nathan, Bub, and Cameron Bright don't come together often. Nor will they ever again. For the first time in months, Nathan and Bub meet at the fence line that divides their expansive cattle ranches in the lonely Queensland outback. Cameron, the middle brother, lies dead at their feet. A victim of the brutal landscape and unforgiving weather, he's been killed by exposure. The question is, how? And why? As a lifelong resident of the place, Cameron knew better than anyone not to stray into the miles of empty outback without proper supplies. What was he doing out there? Nothing about Cameron's death makes any sense.
Nathan's got enough problems dealing with issues at his own ranch, trying to communicate with his estranged teenage son, and keeping his distance from the tiny town that banished him long ago, but he can't stop obsessing over his brother's strange death. The more he questions those that spent the most time with Cameron—his wife, his daughters, their mother, a long-time employee, and two seasonal workers—the more Nathan begins to suspect that something sinister is going on under the placid surface of Burley Downs. Someone knows more about Cameron's death than they're saying, but who? And why would anyone want to harm the ranch's charming manager? The more questions Nathan asks, the more disturbing are the answers he finds. As long-buried secrets come to light, Nathan will come to realize that the people closest to him, both physically and emotionally, might be the ones he knows least of all ...
Jane Harper's popular debut and sophomore novels are installments in an intriguing mystery series starring Federal Police investigator Aaron Falk. Surprisingly, her newest does not continue the series. Although it riffs on similar themes as her first two books, The Lost Man, her third, is a standalone. At first, I was disappointed to find out it wasn't a Falk book, but it didn't take more than a few pages to convince me that The Lost Man would be just as good as Harper's others. Maybe even be better. Like the author's previous novels, this one features interesting, complex characters; an atmospheric, unforgettable setting; and a twisty, compelling mystery. All of these elements combine to create a first-rate page-turner, which is as engrossing as it is haunting. Although the story it tells is undeniably sad and depressing, The Lost Man held me completely captive as I raced through its pages to see what would happen next. If you enjoy the Aaron Falk series or just intriguing crime fiction in general, you'll find this one a riveting, satisfying read.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, mild sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Lost Man from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Monday, December 31, 2018
Moriarty's Newest Another Disappointing Non-Charmer
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
The benefits reaped from a visit to Tranquillium House, a remote boutique health and wellness resort, are touted far and wide. It's a place designed for anyone in need of healing, whether from a toxic diet, a stressful job, or an emotional upset. Although its methodology is kept quite hush-hush, Tranquillium House has a reputation for being a revolutionary, life-changing facility.
One week, nine strangers come to the resort for varying reasons. Some need a health makeover, others a marital one, and still others a chance to reboot and refocus. As the guests get to know each other, they begin to discover each other's secrets. But it's the owner of the resort that is the most intriguing. When the resort goers start to wonder about Masha Dmitrichenko's unconventional methods, they begin asking themselves the most important question—just who is this woman? With things at Tranquillium House becoming more disturbing by the day, the guests must ask themselves whether they should trust in the process or run while they still can ...
I love Liane Moriarty's books, so I get excited every time a new one comes out. Since I didn't care much for the author's last one, I've been hoping her newest would charm me the way novels like What Alice Forgot and Big Little Lies did. Did I get my wish with Nine Perfect Strangers? Not exactly. I didn't despise it the way a lot of readers and reviewers did, but I didn't love it nearly as much as I wanted to. Like all of Moriarty's novels, Nine Perfect Strangers is sharp and funny, with some astute and thought-provoking observations about human nature. The characters are complex and interesting enough, without being overly original. As far as plot ... there's not a lot. There's suspense, of course, as the guests try to figure out what, if anything, is really going on at the resort, but that's kind of it. I kept waiting for an And Then There Were None kind of situation, but in that I was disappointed. The story definitely picks up toward the end, but a lot of readers may not last that long. In the end, then, I liked Nine Perfect Strangers well enough to finish it, although I certainly did not love it. Like other Moriarty fans, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that her next book will hearken back to the good old days when the author produced sharp, funny novels that were also charming, moving, engrossing, and satisfying. Here's hoping ...
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of Under a Dark Sky by Lori Rader-Day and Every Single Secret by Emily Carpenter)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, sexual innuendo, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Nine Perfect Strangers from Barnes & Noble with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Friday, March 23, 2018
Force of Nature A Riveting Follow-Up in An Increasingly Intriguing New Series
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Force of Nature, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, The Dry. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
No one at BaileyTennants is excited about spending the weekend team-building in the backwoods of the Giralang Ranges. Too bad they don't have a choice. If they want to keep their jobs, they'll have to suck it up and suffer through it without complaint.
Separated from the men's team, five female co-workers enter the forest with little guidance as to how to rough it out in the wild. With provisions spaced between camping spots that are miles apart and no cell phone service, the women soon realize they're way out of their depth. Already simmering with pent-up tension, the group's emotions boil over when they find themselves hopelessly lost in the woods. When they finally find their way back, only four remain. What has happened to 45-year-old Alice Russell? Did she stumble off a path somewhere in the wilderness? Or has something much more sinister happened?
Aaron Falk, an agent with the Federal Police in Melbourne, presumes the latter. Not because he's cynical but because he received a garbled S.O.S. message from Alice just before she disappeared. He can't be sure exactly what he heard, only that it's sinister enough for Falk to join the investigation. Along with his new partner, 38-year-old Carmen Cooper, he travels to the Giralang Ranges to help search for Alice and question the women with whom she was hiking. What he uncovers is a chilling web of secrets that gives every one of Alice's co-workers a motive for killing her. Did one of them ensure she would never make it out of the woods alive? In a case that's growing more complicated by the second, Falk may never know ...
I really enjoyed The Dry—Jane Harper's atmospheric debut—so naturally I was excited to read the next book in the series, Force of Nature. Like its predecessor, the novel offers a rich setting, complex characters, and a twisty mystery. Falk continues to be an understated hero who's likable because of his compassion and commitment to his job. His partner is also an intriguing character, who will no doubt blossom in forthcoming books. While I appreciated Force of Nature's tautly-constructed plot, I—like other readers—found it a little implausible that a group of inexperienced hikers/campers would be sent off into a forbidding forest without any kind of emergency equipment. Other than that, though, I found myself completely convinced and absorbed by this compelling novel about the secrets we keep even from the people we see every day.
(Readalikes: The Dry by Jane Harper)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, mild sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
Monday, January 22, 2018
Thrilling Tomorrow Series Keeps Up the Action, Adventure With Third Installment
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for A Killing Frost, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Tomorrow, When the War Began books. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Six months have passed since a group of teens emerged from a camping trip in the bush to find their world changed overnight. Not only has their small town been taken over by an unknown enemy, but so has all of Australia. By keeping out of sight, Ellie and her friends have been able to fight back in small—and not so small—ways. They've experienced both triumph and tragedy, but they've yet to drive away the forces that are keeping their town captive. It's time to take more extreme measures, which means putting themselves at even greater risk. Will their efforts pay off? Or will they end up prisoners of a seemingly unstoppable enemy?
I've enjoyed all the books I've read so far in John Marsden's excellent Tomorrow, When the War Began series. A Killing Frost, the third installment, is no exception. The novels are full of action, adventure, humor, romance, and intrigue. Ellie remains a likable, relatable heroine. Although she's tough and brave, she's also vulnerable and human. It's easy to root for her and her friends to triumph over evil. The installments in this series are short, making them quick reads that will appeal to reluctant readers as well as those who enjoy fast-paced survival stories. I'm a fan and can't wait to dig in to the next book in the series.
(Readalikes: Other books in the series, including Tomorrow, When the War Began; The Dead of the Night; Darkness, Be My Friend; Burning for Revenge; The Night is for Hunting; and The Other Side of Dawn)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and blood/gore
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of A Killing Frost from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Assured Debut an Engrossing, Atmospheric Thriller
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Aaron Falk has zero desire to return to Kiewarra, the tiny village of his birth. Twenty years ago, he was accused of killing a local girl there, condemned by his neighbors, and run out of town. Now a federal police agent in Melbourne, the 36-year-old is being summoned back for the funeral of his childhood best friend, Luke Hadler. Despite the tragic circumstances (Luke killed himself after murdering his wife and young son), Aaron doesn't plan to go back. Until he gets a message he can't ignore: Luke lied. You lied. Be at the funeral.
Ravaged by drought and despair, Kiewarra is a dying town full of the same small minds and explosive tempers Aaron remembers from two decades ago. His presence in town only adds fuel to the fire, creating a tension so thick it smolders in the dusty air. All Aaron wants to do is pay his respects and high-tail it back to Melbourne, but Luke's parents have another idea. Although Aaron's specialty is financial crimes, the Hadlers implore him to look into Luke's death. They don't believe for a minute that their son would commit such a brutal act. Despite mounting evidence proving otherwise, Aaron can't bring himself to let the Hadlers down. With the help of a local policeman, he starts digging.
As Aaron investigates, Kiewarra's long-buried secrets start to surface. The closer he gets to the answers he's seeking, the more dangerous Aaron becomes to someone who wants to keep the past firmly in the past. He was expelled from Kiewarra once; will he be silenced again—this time permanently? Aaron must find out what really happened both in the present and in the past before it's too late.
The Dry, a debut novel by Australian author Jane Harper, has received a lot of buzz since its publication in January of last year. And deservedly so. It's a tense, atmospheric thriller written with such vividity that I could almost taste Kiewarra's dusty desperation. Aaron is a sympathetic hero, brave and determined, but also understated and humble. The mystery at the novel's center remains compelling throughout. The identity of the killer surprised me, which always helps to make this kind of novel feel truly satisfying. I enjoyed this assured debut and am looking forward to reading the forthcoming sequel, Force of Nature.
(Readalikes: I'm really bad at this. I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, disturbing subject matter, mild sexual content, and depictions of underage drinking
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Dry with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Light, Sweet Romance An Enjoyable Read (With a Giveaway!)
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Sarah Whitaker is used to standing on her own two feet. In breeches and work boots no less. Running a sheep farm in the Australian Outback, in a colony overrun with poisonous spiders, venomous snakes, and exiled convicts, is not for the faint of heart. Sarah may be a lady, but she's also as tough as the wilderness surrounding her. She has to be. With no family to protect her, no guardian to instruct her, and no neighbors to come to her rescue, she's on her own. And doing just fine, thank you very much.
After a money-earning stunt goes horribly wrong, Daniel Burton (who happens to be the brother of Meg, who stars in Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince) is scheduled to hang. Overwhelmed with guilt and shame, he knows he deserves his fate. When an influential relative intervenes, however, Daniel can't help but jump at the chance to start over. Although he's required to serve a 14-year sentence in an Australian penal colony, he will not be treated as the other convicts. Unlike them, he'll be allowed to own land, to work his own farm, and to make his own profits. Determined to prove himself a solid, trustworthy man, he sets himself to the task.
Neither Sarah nor Daniel expect to become neighbors. Nor could they predict the sparks that fly between them from the moment they meet. As the two become reluctant friends, then much more, Daniel knows he has to tell the wary Miss Whitaker the truth about his past. She's learned to trust no one as a general rule. What will happen when he reveals the things he's been concealing? Will their young romance wilt before it's even had a chance to blossom?
I'm not the biggest romance reader, but I do enjoy a fun Regency love story occasionally to balance out heavier, darker reads. Jennifer Moore's novels always deliver a quick, adventure-filled tale peopled with likable characters and sweet romance. I've read most of Moore's books, all of which I enjoyed. Her newest, Miss Whitaker Opens Her Heart, takes place in the Outback, giving the story an exotic bent that makes it even more intriguing. The tale is predictable, sure, but who cares? It's a light, engaging read that is romantic, clean, and delightful. If you're looking for a breezy, swoon-y read, you really can't go wrong with a Jennifer Moore novel. Her newest is no exception.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of books by Sarah M. Eden as well as others by Jennifer Moore, including Simply Anna; Lady Emma's Campaign; A Place For Miss Snow; Lady Helen Finds Her Song; and Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Miss Whitaker Opens Her Heart from the generous folks at Covenant. Thank you!
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