I finally did it! I started a blog!
I’ve only had “start a blog” on my list of things to do for—oh, I don’t know—six months now. But I’m finally getting it done. I’m giving myself a gold star for this week. And a gold star for each of you, too. Gold stars for everyone!
My goal for this blog is simple: to talk about good books. I am still first and foremost a reader, and I love recommending good books. I also love hearing about good books, so please be sure to tell me what you’re reading too. I’m always looking for the next thing to add to the crushing weight of book stacks littering my house. (I try to keep them to the outside, along the foundation.)
I had the great pleasure of reading Nick Petrie’s THE BREAKER recently. Nick is a stellar writer as well as a stellar human, and I was delighted to interview him on Thursday night for Mystery to Me, a lovely bookstore in Madison, WI. (I’m certain the interview lives out there somewhere if you want to watch it.) Nick’s books are a delight—fun and propulsive, with three dimensional characters that you can’t help loving. He’s done a wonderful job with his main character Peter Ash, a combat veteran grappling with PTSD—his depictions of Peter and his struggle are poignant and sensitive. This new book is set in Milwaukee and tackles the issue of big technology—I can’t recommend this book enough, and the whole series, really.
This book. If you know me, you’ll know I love a vintage vibe. And I also love the classic Nero Wolfe series by Rex Stout, so this book really spoke to me. Set in the 40’s in New York City it stars two women: Lillian Pentecost, a brilliant detective struggling with MS, and Willowjean “Will” Parker, a former-carnival-worker-turned-private-investigator as Lillian’s assistant. They’re brought in to solve a murder that was done in a locked room and could be passed off as suicide, but obviously wasn’t. The writing was sharp, and the characters are great; it really felt like a fun, updated version of the Nero Wolfe novels I adore, but starring badass women. And I especially loved the LGBTQ themes. I’m really looking forward to more in this series.
Oh, man. This book was so deliciously creepy. It’s one of those that, if I hadn’t been reading a digital copy, I would have been compelled to sneak a look at the end because the suspense was killing me. (I know, I’m awful.) The story is set in the 60’s and tells the story of pregnant journalist Joan Harkin. After a violent mugging near her apartment in Minneapolis, her baby daddy convinces her to move to the small idyllic town of Lilydale. Joan is initially relieved, but quickly becomes suspicious of the strange goings-on in the town. Something sinister is afoot, and it’s darker than anyone might have expected.
I’ve long been a fan of Lourey’s writing (UNSPEAKABLE THINGS was an amazing and powerful book), but this is a showcase of her prodigious talent—she is at the top of her game. BLOODLINE has strong Rosemary’s Baby meets Stepford Wives in all the best ways—I dare you to try to put it down.
Are you still here? Great! If you’ve hit those “Buy Me!” buttons, you may notice that they’ll take you to some of my (or the author’s) favorite indie bookstores. I really encourage you to support the independent bookstores—they need our love. You can also go to Bookshop.org and choose which of YOUR favorite stores will get the credit.
I have another book coming out as well—MURDER AT WEDGEFIELD MANOR—but it won’t release until March, so I’ll save the horn-tooting for another edition. Until next time, stay safe and healthy, and happy reading!