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Showing posts with label Appalachian Mountains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Appalachian Mountains. Show all posts
Monday, September 13, 2021
Wholesome Historical Romance a Warm, Uplifting Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With her father away from home to find work, 20-year-old Tansy Calhoun must pitch in even more than usual to help her family. Not only does she help her mother take care of the home and care for her younger siblings, but Tansy also works as a packhorse librarian. Delivering books to the folks nestled high in the Appalachian Mountains is the highlight of her long days. She loves the freedom, the land, and the people. While there's satisfaction in the simplicity of her life, Tansy can't help but long for the kinds of magical romances she reads about in books. Is it too much to hope for a Prince Charming of her own?
After working out of state with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), 26-year-old Caleb Barton has returned to Kentucky to help his mother after the death of his brother. He's surprised to learn that Tansy—the girl he's been in love with since childhood—remains unmarried. When a smooth-talking writer comes into town looking for stories for the Federal Writers' Project, his sights land on the pretty librarian as well. Can Caleb wrestle up the courage to finally confess his feelings for Tansy before it's too late?
Crochety spinster Perdita Sweet may still be embittered over her own lost love, but she's not about to let Tansy make a poor choice. Can her meddling persuade her starry-eyed cousin to stop looking for love inside the pages of a novel and see that the perfect man is right in front of her? Or will Tansy break all their hearts by falling for the fancy city slicker?
That being said, Along a Storied Trail really is a warm, uplifting story. The characters aren't overly original or memorable, but they're good, kind-hearted people. It's impossible not to like them. The Appalachian setting is vivid and colorful, a backdrop that feels authentic. As I mentioned, the novel doesn't have a lot of plot, so it does get a little dull here and there. There was enough going on in the tale to keep me reading, but it did take me a few days to get through this one (whereas I can speed through an engrossing thriller in a matter of hours). I don't always love Christian novels because they can get preachy and heavy-handed, but Gabhart handles the religious elements in Along a Storied Trail well. She makes faith feel natural, as if it's just a normal, daily thing for the story's hill people. I love that! All these things considered, then, I ended up enjoying this novel. It's the first I've read by Gabhart, but it won't be the last. When I'm looking for another clean, uplifting historical novel, I'll definitely look for other titles by her.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for scenes of peril and scary situations
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Along a Storied Trail from the generous folks at Revell (a division of Baker Publishing Group) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Saturday, January 30, 2021
Third Installment in Appealing Historical Mystery Series Another Compelling Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for The Stills, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessors, The Widows and The Hollows. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
As sheriff of Kinship, Ohio, Lily Ross is sworn to protect and serve her small Appalachian community. She takes her responsibilities seriously, striving to uphold the law in a fair, consistent manner. When it comes to the popular past-time of making moonshine, however, pragmatic Lily has been known to look the other way a time or two in spite of increasingly restrictive Prohibition laws. Then, a young boy gets dangerously sick after drinking tainted home-brewed alcohol while guarding a local still. Lily is appalled. She vows to find out who is poisoning the moonshine and why.
That's not the only problem on Lily's plate, however. A special agent from the Bureau of Prohibition who was supposed to show up in Kinship has not yet arrived. The man is at least missing, possibly dead. In a move that can't be a coincidence, Lily also discovers that her nefarious brother-in-law, Luther, is working undercover for the Bureau in an effort to take down her least favorite businessman, George Vogel. Although Lily doubts Luther's intentions, she has a vested interest in seeing Vogel imprisoned. His new wife, Fiona, seems to feel likewise. Can she trust Luther and Fiona to help her put their boss and husband behind bars? Or is Lily just a pawn in their bigger game? As she attempts to locate a missing agent, figure out just what Vogel is up to, and keep her town safe from tainted alcohol, she also has decide how she feels about a new suitor as well as an old friend who's breaking the law with the habits she swore she'd left behind for good. Can Lily find a way to solve all the problems in a quaint little town with some big issues?
I enjoyed the first two books in Jess Montgomery's appealing Kindship series, so I was naturally thrilled to get an early copy of the third installment, The Stills (coming March 9, 2021). The books feature an atmospheric Appalachian setting, likable characters, and intriguing mysteries. Although females were extremely rare in law enforcement in the 1920's, Lily makes a believable sheriff. She's brave, determined, and unfailingly loyal to her community. In The Stills, she shines once again as she's pitted against powerful men with sinister intentions. The resulting plot is interesting and exciting, which makes the novel an engrossing read. While this third book in the series is probably my least favorite, it's still a compelling, well-written historical mystery that I very much enjoyed.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Kinship series, including The Widows and The Hollows; also reminds me of the Bell Elkins series by Julia Keller)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and blood/gore
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Appalachian Midwifery Novel Engaging and Uplifting
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Ashley Tolliver is a 29-year-old nurse-midwife who descends from a long line of women dedicated to caring for Appalachian mothers and babies. Everyone in the small community of Brooksburg, Virginia, knows they can trust her to treat them with kindness, discretion, and skill. Although Ashley longs to attend medical school, she's as loyal to her patients as they are to her. They need her more than she needs an M.D.
In the six years Ashley has been working as a midwife, she's sure she's seen it all. Then a young mother is abducted minutes after giving birth in Ashley's home office. Bleeding profusely, the new mom needs to be in the hospital, as does her newborn. Desperate to get the pair the emergency medical attention they need, Ashley vows to find them.
Ashley's in the middle of dealing with the crisis when Hunter McDermott shows up at her door. A 32-year-old engineer from Arlington, he's searching for the Appalachian birth mother he never knew he had. As she helps the handsome adoptee uncover the real story of his birth and ancestry, Ashley finds herself reconsidering both her professional goals and the possibilities of an unexpected romance. Could everything she's ever wanted really be waiting for her just beyond the hills her family has always called home? Does she have the courage to put her needs before her patients' for once? Or will she forever be the woman who delivers children for others but never has a family of her own?
Ever since Call the Midwife aired, people have become fascinated with the profession—and by "people," I mean me. I'm also drawn to stories about Appalachia, so The Mountain Midwife by Laurie Alice Eakes was kind of a no-brainer read for me. Did I end up adoring the novel? No. Did I enjoy it overall? I did. Although I found Ashley's sometimes holier than thou attitude annoying, she's still a brave, dedicated, hardworking heroine for whom I had no trouble rooting. The novel's setting intrigued me, of course, and I appreciated Eakes' sympathetic but balanced portrayal of Appalachia's hill people. Plot-wise, The Mountain Midwife is engaging and compelling. When I picked this book up, I didn't realize it was a Christian novel; thankfully, the book's religious elements are mostly subtle and not too preachy. Just the way I prefer them. On the whole, then, The Mountain Midwife worked for me as it's clean, uplifting, and entertaining. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from Eakes.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Midwife of Hope River by Patricia Harman as well as Call the Midwife, which is based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, scenes of peril, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, June 08, 2020
New Mystery/Thriller Engrossing and Entertaining
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Growing up on the wrong side of the hill in a trashy trailer park with a mother who cared more about drugs than her starving children, Charlie never figured her life would amount to much. Then Paul Keller walked into the gas station where she worked, started flirting with her, and changed everything. At 26, she now lives in a huge modern house on the other side of the hill with glorious, million-dollar views of the lake. Twelve years her senior, Paul is the loving, handsome, successful husband of her dreams. Shucking off her impoverished childhood just as she has her old nickname, Charlotte has become one of the wealthiest women in town. So what if her childhood friends call her a sell-out or if she sometimes feels like a visitor in her posh new life? With a baby on the way, Charlotte is about to have everything she's ever dreamed of and more.
Then, one icy morning, the dead body of a pretty blonde is found beneath the Kellers' dock. Only four years ago, another corpse was discovered in the exact same spot—that of Paul's first wife, Katherine. Although Katherine's cause of death was ruled an accidental drowning, town gossip labeled Paul a murderer. Charlotte has never believed the rumors, but she really hasn't known her husband for long and he's never been very forthcoming about his past. With the police eager to pin the stranger's murder on Paul, Charlotte must ask herself some tough questions. Who is the woman in the lake? Why was she killed? Is her husband capable of murdering not one, but two women? Why did Paul take off into the woods as soon as he saw the corpse? What is he hiding? As secrets from the past are dredged up for reexamination, Charlotte will learn some terrible truths about her husband, their friends, and a town with plenty to hide.
You all know I love me a good small-town secrets novel. Stranger in the Lake (available June 9, 2020), the newest mystery/thriller by Kimberly Belle, certainly qualifies. Although there's nothing super original about the story, it nevertheless kept me glued to the page. The premise is intriguing in its simplicity, the prose is propulsive, and the characters are complex and interesting. Charlotte is a relatable heroine who's easy to root for. Because there is only a small pool of suspects, it wasn't tough for me to identify the killer fairly early on. However, I wasn't absolutely sure I was correct until the end of the book, and even then there was at least one plot twist that surprised me. All in all, then, I found Stranger in the Lake to be an engrossing, entertaining thriller. I'll definitely be looking for more from Belle.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The First Wife by Erica Spindler)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and blood/gore
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Stranger in the Lake from the generous folks at Harlequin. Thank you!
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Luminous and Lovely, The Last Blue Captures Both My Interest and My Heart
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
"At her expense, readers will snatch up magazines and entertain themselves, using her as a measure against their own deficiencies, as a consolation for their incredible fortune of being ordinary" (161*).
Despite winning a Pulitzer Prize for a photograph depicting the grimness of The Great Depression, 32-year-old photographer Clay Havens is feeling uninspired. His creative juices have turned to sludge and he's fairly sure his newest assignment isn't going to provide the spark to get them flowing again. As part of President Roosevelt's plan to sell his country on his New Deal, he's sending journalists into Appalachia to "capture the rugged, steadfast nature of hill people, whether they possess it or not, and to portray their hardship in a way that will make the public sympathetic to their plight and ready to cast their votes accordingly" (14*). Feeling more like a propagandist than a photographer, Havens nevertheless travels to eastern Kentucky with his reporter friend, Ulys Massey. Another prize-winning photo may not be hiding in the hollers, but at least the assignment will keep Havens and Massey out of the breadline.
When the pair arrives in Chance, an offhand remark from one of the small town's more unsavory residents piques their curiosity. Rumors of a scorned family of people with blue skin send them traipsing through the woods to Spooklight Holler. Havens is immediately entranced when he and Massey come across a skittish young woman with skin the color of a robin's egg. A deadly snakebite lands Havens in the extended care of the woman's family. As he and Massey spend more time with the infamous Blues, they become fascinated by their way of life and horrified by how the family has been treated by their White neighbors. While Havens spends his time wooing kind, gentle Jubilee, Massey's itching to sell the Blues' remarkable story to the highest bidder. Reluctant to oust the already hunted people who have been so good to him, Havens searches frantically for a way to stop his partner from causing more trouble for Jubilee and her family. The city slickers' presence has already prompted violence locally; what will happen if Jubilee's beautiful blue face is splashed across the cover of Time? Caught between duty and love, Havens scrambles frantically for a solution that will stop Massey, protect the Blues, and convince Jubilee to give him a chance with her fragile heart. With Chance's White population already whipped into a heated frenzy against the Blues, Havens' time is rapidly running out ...
Earlier this year, I read and adored The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, which featured the Blue people of Kentucky. So, when Isla Morley contacted me about reviewing her newest novel, which was inspired by the same fascinating clan, I jumped at the chance to grab myself an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of The Last Blue. I'm so glad I did because just as The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek did, this one immediately captured not just my interest but also my heart. I loved everything about it, from its engaging heroine to its atmospheric setting to its tender love story to the ending that almost undid me entirely. While the book touches on issues of prejudice, fear, exposure vs. exploitation, identity, family, and self-discovery, at its heart, it's really about love in all its messy, life-changing glory. If you, too, are intrigued by the Blue people, or if you just enjoy rich, immersive historical fiction, I absolutely recommend picking up a copy of this luminous, lovely novel.
Intrigued? Good. Learn more by checking out this interview with Isla Morley:
(Readalikes: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson and Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (two F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, disturbing subject matter, scenes of peril, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Last Blue from the always generous Isla Morley. Thank you!
Monday, May 11, 2020
Book Woman an Atmospheric, Evocative Novel About the Transformative Power of Reading
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Cussy Mary Carter is a woman who stands out for many reasons, not just because she's the last of her kind. The 19-year-old is one of Kentucky's famous Blue people, the only one still living. It's not just her blue-tinged skin that sets her apart, however. She's also one of the few women courageous enough to venture into the rugged mountains and deep hollers of Appalachia to deliver books to folks living in the most remote areas of her community. As a rider for the Pack Horse Library Initiative, Cussy braves everything from nasty weather to ill-tempered recluses to snooty, prejudiced society women to bring the joy of reading to her far-flung neighbors. Scorned by those who think hers is not a job suitable for a lady, let alone a Blue, Cussy perseveres. Although she's already experienced more than her fair share of violence and fear, Cussy will battle every snowstorm, every fist shook in her face, every filthy name hurled in her direction, every haint whistling through the holler, and every tumble off her horse to bring the magic of books to those who need it most ...
Sometimes you can tell just by the title of a book that it's one you're going to love. Add in an evocative cover and an intriguing plot summary and that's it, you're a goner. Such is the case with me and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. I love everything about this lush, touching novel. The setting is so atmospheric that I could see, hear, smell, and touch the Appalachians and her people in all their glorious beauty and impoverished desperation. Cussy, herself, is so well-drawn that I felt instantly for her, even while admiring her kindness, humility and determination. As heartbreaking as this novel is, it tells a beautiful, touching story that has stayed with me even though it's been months since I read it. If you love historical fiction or tales of Appalachia or books about the transformative power of reading or any combination of the three, you absolutely must pick up this book. It might just be my favorite read of the year so far!
(Readalikes: I'm guessing The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes and The Last Blue by Isla Morley are similar, but I've yet to read either [although both are on my TBR mountain chain].)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Riches-to-Rags Memoir Funny, Poignant
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
English teacher Jennifer McGaha was casually going about her happy upper-middle-class life when she got the shock of a lifetime—she and her husband were bankrupt. Not only that but they owed over $100,000 in back taxes. Having always left the handling of family finances up to her accountant spouse, McGaha had no idea just how bad their money situation had gotten. Feeling betrayed, angry, and worried, she realized with alarm that she and her husband could go to jail, even though she had had no clue their yearly taxes weren't being paid. Although that didn't end up happening, the couple did have to make some major adjustments. And fast.
After acknowledging the part her own ignorance played in the situation and forgiving her husband, McGaha pressed on. Foreclosing on their dream home, the couple moved to the cheapest rental they could find—a ramshackle, 100-year-old farmhouse deep in a remote Appalachian holler. Even though it was infested with mice and falling down around their heads, at $250 a month, they would have to make do. With zero homesteading skills between the two of them, the McGahas set about learning how to do things they never could have imagined themselves doing: wrestling snakes, making their own yogurt, breeding goats, raising chickens, etc. In the middle of all their adventures and misadventures, the couple made an incredible discovery. Living closer to the land had brought them closer to each other, teaching them invaluable lessons about contentment, endurance, self-reliance, and the true meaning of home.
Flat Broke With Two Goats is a funny and poignant memoir about everything McGaha has learned from her riches-to-rags experience. While it deals with some heavy themes, on the whole, the book is upbeat and entertaining. It does ramble on a bit, making for some dull patches. It even takes an odd turn into a jarring section on the author's abusive first marriage, which doesn't seem to quite fit with the rest of the narrative. On the whole, though, Flat Broke With Two Goats is an engrossing, empowering memoir. Although I could have done without all the animal mating stories, overall, I liked this one, even if I didn't love it.
P.S. I listened to the book on audio and thought Pam Ward did an excellent job with the narration.
(Readalikes: Coop by Michael Perry)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Second Appalachian Historical Mystery As Intriguing As First
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for The Hollows, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, The Widows. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
When an elderly woman is hit by a train on an isolated piece of railroad track, Sheriff Lily Ross is called in to investigate. While it's immediately clear that the woman is dead, it's not apparent just what she was doing out in the middle of nowhere in the dead of night, wearing only a flimsy nightgown. Marks on her wrists indicate she had been restrained recently. Was the death a tragic accident caused by a roaming senior citizen with dementia? Suicide? Or did something more sinister occur? Lily doesn't believe the brakeman's tale about a ghost pushing the old lady off a cliff directly into the path of an oncoming train, but she can't shake the feeling that there's more to the incident than meets the eye.
Determined to figure out Jane Doe's identity and the truth behind her death, Lily starts digging. Her probing leads her to a facility deep in the holler. Hiding secrets both old and new, The Hollows asylum may be the key to solving Lily's current mystery as well as answering disturbing questions from the past. In the midst of working the Jane Doe case, Lily's also dealing with the fallout from attempted integration at the mines, an upcoming election that could win her the sheriff's seat in her own right, and a shivery ghost story she's starting to believe in spite of herself. Can Lily close the case? Will she keep her job as sheriff, despite many thinking it's an unsuitable job for a lady? And what about the ghost that haunts the holler? Will it make a believer out of pragmatic Lily Ross?
I enjoyed The Widows—the first installment in Jess Montgomery's historical mystery series featuring Lily Ross—so I was eager to read its sequel, The Hollows. Like its predecessor, the novel features an atmospheric Appalachian setting in an intriguing historical time period. It discusses issues/groups I don't know much about, including prohibition, integration in the mining industry, women's issues in the 1920s, and the Women's Klu Klux Klan. In addition, it brings together a cast of colorful characters, most of whom are likable and fun to read about. Lily is no exception. She's an understated heroine, which makes her all the more alluring. To top it all off, Montgomery writes with assured, engrossing prose. All of these elements come together to make The Hollows another winning historical mystery from Montgomery. You better believe I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment in this enjoyable series.
(Readalikes: The Widows by Jess Montgomery)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, disturbing subject matter, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Hollows from the generous folks at St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Friday, January 25, 2019
Absorbing Appalachian Mystery An Intriguing Start to New Series
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Kinship, Ohio, is a hardscrabble Appalachian town where coal is king. Despite a recent collapse that killed a number of people, the Bronwyn mine is still functioning under the same unsafe conditions. Talk of unionizing simmers below Kinship's surface, despite the mine owner's efforts to quash it with Pinkerton muscle. Trying to keep the peace is Daniel Ross, the town's much-respected sheriff. When Daniel dies while transporting a prisoner, dissolving his careful control of Kindred, it's like putting a match to a tinderbox. It's only a matter of time before the place erupts in violence with Pinkertons and unionizers battling for supremacy.
Until a replacement sheriff can be hired, Daniel's widow—26-year-old Lily Ross—is made his official stand-in. Her appointment may be a joke to everyone else, but Lily refuses to be anyone's puppet. Her first act as sheriff is to open an investigation into her husband's death, the details of which have never added up to her. Another case lands in her lap when Marvena Whitcomb, a moonshiner and secret union organizer, comes to Lily, pleading for help to find her missing teen daughter. From what Marvena says, it's obvious she and Daniel knew each other well, even cared for one another. Why has Lily never heard of the woman? The more the two widows interact, the more clear it becomes—Daniel kept secrets from both of them. What was he hiding? Did he know something that got him killed? Lily won't stop until she finds out the truth, no matter how unsavory it might be.
Inspired by Maude Collins, Ohio's first female sheriff, The Widows is an intriguing, atmospheric tale by Jess Montgomery. Under the author's assured hand, Kinship comes alive as a place brimming with a unique landscape, history, culture, and people. Its two heroines—each from a very different walk of life—are formidable women, but also compassionate and brave. Plotwise, The Widows remains compelling and engrossing throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed this absorbing novel, the first in a planned series. I'm already waiting anxiously for the next installment.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of novels by Julia Keller and Jennifer Haigh)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, sexual innuendo, and references to prostitution
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Widows from the generous folks at St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, December 31, 2018
Appalachian Midwife Novel Interesting, But Sluggish
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Although Patience Murphy hardly feels qualified to call herself a midwife, she's been delivering babies in Hope River, West Virginia, ever since her mentor died two years ago. With the Great Depression raging across the country, hitting Appalachia especially hard, Patience receives much thanks for her services, but little payment. Still, she can't deny a woman in need. As times worsen, with no money available for fuel or food, Patience fears she will slowly freeze or starve to death. In the meantime, she helps as many new mothers as she can, assists her handsome neighbor with his veterinarian practice, and protects her black roommate, Bitsy, from hateful Klan members. It's a difficult life Patience leads, but a satisfying one. As long as she keeps her real identity hidden, it's also a relatively safe one ...
It's evident from The Midwife of Hope River, Patricia Harman's first novel, that she has plenty of experience with midwifery, but not a lot with fiction writing. The tale Harman tells here is interesting and authentic, true; it's also slow, episodic, and plotless. It reads more like a doctor's journal than a story with a defined beginning, middle, and end, which makes sense since Harman's previous two books are both memoirs. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy The Midwife of Hope River—all in all, I did—it was just a very slow read for me. Intriguing, but sluggish. Considering how long it took me to get through the novel, I'm not sure I'll bother reading the book's sequels. Harman's memoirs, though? I'll definitely give them a chance because it's obvious from The Midwife of Hope River that the author has had some fascinating experiences delivering babies in poor, rural communities. I definitely want to read more about that.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of the BBC television show Call the Midwife, which is based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a couple of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Midwife of Hope River from Barnes & Noble with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Thursday, August 09, 2018
New Bell Elkins Mystery Hits Me Right in the Feels
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Bone on Bone, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from previous Bell Elkins mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
After insisting on serving a jail sentence for killing her abusive father, Belfa "Bell" Elkins has paid her debt to society but lost her job. Although she's been fired and disbarred, Bell retains her loyalty to her "small, poor, done-in county" (34). When a local banker is murdered, she can't help looking into the case. With Rhonda Lovejoy—Bell's long-time friend and successor—and Jake Oakes—a former deputy sheriff who's reluctantly adjusting to life as a paraplegic—by her side, she's determined to figure out who killed Brett Topping. As the usual suspects fall by the wayside, however, Bell will have to look uncomfortably close to home to find the murderer.
While Bone On Bone (available August 21, 2018), the seventh installment in the Bell Elkins series by Julia Keller, isn't as unique as some of its predecessors, it's still a poignant, compelling novel full of everything I love about this series. Keller excels at bringing Acker's Gap, a worn-out Appalachian town, to life in all its problems and pleasures. While some of the Bell Elkins books rely more heavily on plot, Bone On Bone is definitely about the characters. I always love our understated hero and it was fun to get to know her and her compadres even deeper. Although the killer becomes fairly obvious in this one, the book's finale still caught me by surprise—and hit me right in the feels. Now, I really can't wait to see where this series goes next!
(Readalikes: Other books in the Bell Elkins series, including A Killing in the Hills; Bitter River; Summer of the Dead; A Haunting of the Bones [novella]; The Devil's Stepdaughter [novella]; Ghost Roll [novella]; Last Ragged Breath; Evening Street [novella]; Sorrow Road; and Fast Falls the Night)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, depictions of illegal drug use, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Bone On Bone from the generous folks at Minotaur (a division of St. Martin's Press/Macmillan). Thank you!
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Keller Changes Things Up In a Very Good Way With Sixth Bell Elkins Mystery
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Fast Falls the Night, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Bell Elkins novels. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
When a young woman overdoses on the dirty floor of a gas station bathroom, it's a sad, tragic death. Not an out-of-the-ordinary one, however. Not in Appalachia, where life is tough, people are discouraged, and illegal drugs are plentiful. Addiction and all the ugliness that goes along with the "Applachian virus" are just part of life, especially in the small town of Acker's Gap, West Virginia. When another overdose occurs within hours of the first, however, then another, then another, it quickly becomes apparent that the victims have partaken of a bad batch of heroin. Laced with a lethal tranquilizer, the drugs are toxic.
Bell Elkins, the Raythune County prosecutor, is as alarmed as everyone else by the escalating death toll in her little town. In order to stop the madness, she and the police need to locate the dealer responsible for the tainted drugs. It's a frantic, adrenaline-fueled, race-against-the-clock hunt that is unlikely to result in a happy ending. Not everyone believes county resources should be used to fight a losing battle, but it's happening anyway. At least for one night.
As if Bell doesn't have enough on her plate with the desperate drug investigation, she has to deal with a sister who's dying of cancer, a boyfriend who's pressuring her into marriage, and a shocking revelation that will shake her to her core. For the 45-year-old prosecutor, it's going to be a very, very long night ...
I've enjoyed all the books in the Bell Elkins mystery series by Julia Keller and have come to expect a certain formula from them. That's why Fast Falls the Night—the sixth installment—surprised me so much. Keller changes things up this time around in a few ways. First, this story takes place over a 24-hour period, which makes for a much faster paced novel than usual. Second, she focuses on new characters and relationships. As much as I love Bell and miss Nick Fogelsong, injecting some new blood helps make Acker's Gap feel more interesting and alive. Third, Keller ends the book with a cliffhanger. Although this is par for the course with lots of mystery/thriller series, Keller always wraps her stories up at the end. At first, I thought Fast Falls the Night's very abrupt conclusion was due to a printing error in my ARC. Nope. While the not-so-satisfying finale was definitely unexpected, I can't deny that it's making me crazy for the next installment in the series. I have to know what happens, darn it! I also have to say that I like the changes Keller makes in Fast Falls the Night. They've injected new energy into the series. I would have been anxious for the next Bell Elkins book anyway, but now I'm chomping at the bit. August 2018, come quick!
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books in the Bell Elkins series, including A Killing in the Hills; Bitter River; Summer of the Dead; A Haunting of the Bones [novella]; The Devil's Step-Daughter [novella]; Ghost Roll [novella]; Last Ragged Breath; Evening Street [novella]; and Sorrow Road)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, blood/gore, depictions of illegal drug use, and other disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Fast Falls the Night from the generous folks at Minotaur Books, a division of St. Martin's Press/Macmillan. Thank you!
Monday, December 04, 2017
Appalachian Snow White Retelling Inventive, Intriguing
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Snow-in-Summer Martin lives an idyllic life in the lush mountains of Appalachia. She frolics in the hills with her lovely mother and wraps herself in the magic of her father's abundant garden. With a baby on the way, the Martins are all feeling especially content. For them, life is simple but happy.
Everything changes when the infant and his mother die. Paralyzed with grief, Lemuel Morton barely seems to remember that he has a daughter. If it weren't for the kindly ministrations of Cousin Nancy, Snow-in-Summer would be completely forgotten. Things get even worse when Lemuel marries a mysterious woman whom Snow is convinced must be a witch. As life becomes increasingly difficult for the young woman, she makes a horrifying discovery—Stepmama, whose power feeds off the life force of others, has plans for her bewitching stepdaughter. Very sinister plans, indeed ...
I find the people and culture of Appalachia endlessly intriguing, so when Lark recommended Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen to me, I knew I had to read it. I've never been a big fan of Snow White, but the mountain setting with its natural beauty and magic, both charming and chilling, kept me riveted to the page. The story is familiar, of course, but Yolen adds enough intrigue to make the tale interesting. While I didn't absolutely adore the novel, overall I found it entertaining and enjoyable.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and violence
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Newest Bell Elkins Mystery Taut, Compelling, and Atmospheric
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Sorrow Road, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Bell Elkins mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Like Belfa "Bell" Elkins, Darlene Strayer grew up in Appalachia, went to law school, and now works in the profession. Unlike Bell, Darlene is well-known and makes good money as a federal prosecutor in northern Virginia. Despite her lofty status, the high-powered lawyer has come to ask for Bell's help. Darlene's 89-year-old father, a patient at a local care home for people with Alzheimer's, has died. Although the care center's staff insists Harmon perished of natural causes, Darlene is not convinced. In the weeks before his death, Darlene's father was trying to communicate something urgent to his daughter. She believes Harmon was killed to prevent him from divulging the secrets locked away in his damaged mind.
Bell is not wholly persuaded by Darlene's pleas. Then, the lawyer is killed in a freak accident and other patients at the care center die under suspicious circumstances. Bell can't ignore the case any longer. Something sinister is definitely going on. How and why did Harmon Strayer die? Is the care center trying to cover up its own incompetence? Or did the old man's secrets go deeper than anyone could have imagined? As Bell looks into the situation, she discovers a tragic story of three boyhood pals and the dark secret they've been keeping for more than 50 years. How far will someone go to keep it buried forever?
I've enjoyed every installment of Julia Keller's Bell Elkins series. Sorrow Road, the fifth book, is no exception. Like its predecessors, the novel is atmospheric, bringing the complicated glory of Applachia to vivid life. The serial characters continue to intrigue me, as do the new ones we meet in Sorrow Road. Plotwise, the story remains taut and compelling throughout. The back-and-forth in time gives the tale an extra layer of depth, a device that I always find immensely appealing. Although Sorrow Road (like Keller's other mysteries) isn't exactly a happy story, it is a hopeful one. Not surprisingly, I enjoyed Keller's newest addition to the Bell Elkins series. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment, Fast Falls the Night, which comes out in August 2017 (not soon enough, in my humble opinion).
(Readalikes: Other books in the Bell Elkins series, including A Killing in the Hills; Bitter River; Summer of the Dead; Last Ragged Breath; and Fast Falls the Night)
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 received a finished copy of Sorrow Road from the generous folks at Minotaur Books (a division of St. Martin's Press/Macmillan). Thank you!
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Unflinching But Compassionate Appalachian Murder Mystery Series Just Keeps Getting Better
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Last Ragged Breath, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from previous Bell Elkins mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
February 26, 1972—A coal slurry dam breaks in Logan County, West Virginia, days after passing a government inspection. Thousands of gallons of black water pour over the area, destroying homes and businesses, leaving thousands homeless, and over 100 people dead. Known as the Buffalo Creek flood, reverberations from the disaster lingered long after its survivors settled with the Pittston Coal Company for millions of dollars in damages.
Last Ragged Breath, the fourth and latest installment in Julia Keller's compelling Bell Elkins series, uses this tragic event as an intriguing backdrop. The novel features Royce Dillard, a man who lost his parents in the Buffalo Creek disaster. Royce would have been killed as well if it hadn't been for his mother, who tossed him to safety before she disappeared in the inky floodwaters (although Royce is fictional, his backstory is very loosely based on the real experience of "miracle baby" Kerry Albright). Now a recluse living off the grid with seven stray dogs, Royce is accused of murdering a slick land developer who was set on building a multi-million dollar resort in Royce's backyard.
For prosecuting attorney Belfa "Bell" Elkins, few things about the case ring true. But with damning evidence against Royce, there's little she can do to stop the proceedings. She longs for the good ole days when she could sit down with her colleague and best friend Nick Fogelsong, putting their heads together to solve puzzling crimes. But there's a new sheriff in town and Nick is busy with his new job as the head of security for a gas station chain. Bell misses him with a fierceness that manifests itself as anger. Resigned to prove Royce's innocence on her own, Bell now faces her toughest case yet. Who really killed Ed Hackel? Why? Can she find a way to exonerate Royce in time? Or will the seemingly gentle recluse rot in jail for a crime he (probably) didn't commit?
There are so many elements that keep me engaged by the Bell Elkins series. First, I love Bell, who's as tough and devoted as she is vulnerable. She's very real, as authentically flawed as the rest of us. Second, I'm always fascinated by Keller's unflinching, but compassionate depiction of rural poverty. Her ruminations on the devastating affects of unemployment, drug abuse, and alcoholism are both eye-opening and heartbreaking. Third, Keller always manages to surprise me. Like with other Bell Elkins mysteries, I thought I had Last Ragged Breath's murderer pegged long before Bell did. Nope. I was totally wrong. For all of these reasons, I'm always eager to see what Julia Keller will do next. As evidenced by Last Ragged Breath, her books just keep getting better. The next comes out in August 2016 and I, for one, cannot wait.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Bell Elkins series, including A Killing in the Hills; Bitter River; and Summer of the Dead)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, and sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Last Ragged Breath from the generous folks at Minotaur Books (a division of Macmillan). Thank you!
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