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Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Creepy Scottish Mystery Offers a Shivery Spring Thrill
7:24 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
After her mother dies, London tv producer Ailsa Calder inherits an imposing home in the Scottish Highlands known as the Manse. Although she lived in the house as a young child, the place gives Ailsa the creeps. Big time. Ailsa can feel it watching her, eyeing her every move with sinister intentions. Even the local wildlife and neighborhood pets refuse to set foot on the property. The townspeople whisper about the haunted Manse, saying it's a strange, in-between place where time moves differently. Crazy as it sounds, Ailsa almost believes them. If she had inherited the entire house, she would sell it without hesitation, but the other half belongs to her father—and he's been missing for 27 years. Before she can unload her unsettling inheritance, Ailsa has to prove her dad is dead.
For convenience's sake, Ailsa decides to live in the Manse while preparing the paperwork necessary to sell the old pile. Carrie, the half-sister Ailsa barely knows, becomes her erstwhile roommate. As the two women get to know each other and the locals—some of whom are kind and welcoming, others of whom view the sisters with suspicion and distrust—it soon becomes apparent that the Manse isn't the only entity that wishes Ailsa harm ...
I'm sure it's more than evident by now that I love me a shivery mystery/thriller featuring an ominous, atmospheric backdrop; an eerie old house; and a dusty old skeleton (literal or otherwise) hiding in a closet, just waiting to be discovered. The Missing Hours by Lexie Elliott has all this and more. It's a compelling and engrossing page-turner that offers mystery, suspense, and a hint of the supernatural. The plot is a teensy bit slow, but I didn't mind that a bit. The Missing Hours held my attention, keeping me feeling slightly off-kilter (in a good way) throughout. I didn't love Elliott's debut, The French Girl, but her sophomore attempt is much, much more to my liking. I very much enjoyed this creepy, entertaining novel.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, blood/gore, references to illegal drug use, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Missing Hours from the generous folks at Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
McMahon's Newest a Creepy Ghost Story With a Uniquely Compelling Twist
1:00 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Most people buy old homes, inheriting their ghosts without realizing it. Not Nate and Helen Wetherell. They're building a haunted house from scratch ...
Wanting to get out of the rat race in the city, Helen and Nate buy a picturesque property in small-town Vermont with the intention of building their dream house themselves. Despite having to live in a tiny, dilapidated trailer during construction, they're thrilled about taking on the ultimate DIY project. Rumors of their land being haunted gives the prospect a quaint, even humorous glow. But when strange things start happening around the building site, Helen feels more than a little unnerved. Could there be some truth behind the townspeople's whispers? Have the Wetherells unintentionally disturbed haunted land?
A former history teacher, Helen's curiosity prompts her to start researching the land upon which she's building. Turns out, it does have a chilling history, one that seems to be seeping into the present. The more Helen looks into the subject, the more obsessed she becomes. In an effort to communicate with the ghost she's sure is haunting her new home, Helen begins collecting relics to build into its structure. Nate's sure Helen has gone completely mad, but then he's also having strange experiences. Are they both crazy? If the spirits are truly reaching out to Helen and Nate, what do they want? And how far will they go to protect their haunting grounds?
Jennifer McMahon writes creepy books that tend to crawl right under my skin. Her newest, The Invited, is no exception. Its unique premise caught my attention right from the beginning and the plot twists and turns kept me reading, even though I saw a lot of them coming from a mile away. Still, the novel's engrossing, compelling, and creepy—three things I love in a ghost story. The Invited will make a perfect Halloween read, but why wait? Pick it up now for a shivery, can't-put-it-down Spring thrill.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books by Jennifer McMahon as well as those by Carol Goodman)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, disturbing subject matter, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Invited from the generous folks at Penguin Random House via those at NetGalley. Thank you!
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Compelling New Zealand YA Novel a Cult Classic
7:41 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Kirby Greenland is used to "parenting" her flighty mother. At 14, she's the one who watches the budget, pays the bills, does the shopping, and handles the laundry. Still, she loves her ditzy guardian and their unconventional but happy life together. That's why Kirby is so stunned when her mom announces she's going to spend two years on a medical service mission in Africa. Starting immediately. Kirby will be moving away from the city and living with Caleb Pilgrim, an uncle she never knew she had. Distraught, Kirby begs her mother not to go. To no avail.
Before she can even process what is happening, Kirby has been swept into the Pilgrims' strict religious cult. Renamed Esther, she is no longer allowed to wear "heathen" clothing, watch television, or read books other than scripture. Worst of all, as week by miserable week passes by, she hears nothing from her mother. Kirby now understands why her mom never talked about her own bleak childhood among The Children of the Faith, but why would she abandon Kirby to the same fate? It makes no sense. Like her mother before her, Kirby wants nothing to do with the strange cult. Is escape possible? She's about to find out ...
I don't know why, but I find cults/cloistered societies absolutely fascinating, so when Stephanie, my go-to girl for all things cultish (in a fictional sense only), recommended I Am Not Esther by Fleur Beale, I knew I had to read it. While it's not as immersive as other novels of its ilk, it's vivid enough that the reader can really feel Kirby's confusion, frustration, and helplessness as she tries to make sense of her terrifying new living situation. Kids will relate to those emotions as well as her ensuing identity crisis. They'll cheer as Kirby fights to stay true to herself and find a way to freedom. While I didn't love this book and probably won't continue with the series (there are two more novels set in the same religious community, just with different protagonists), I did find it compelling and thought-provoking. I'd recommend it for teens who are interested in the topic, since it's pointed but not as graphic/disturbing as similar novels.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams, The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes, and Gated by Amy Christine Parker)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and references (not graphic) to sex, rape, etc.
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of I Am Not Esther from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Top Ten Tuesday: The Books That Started It All
1:00 AM
Ever feel like you use the same books over and over and over for your Top Ten Tuesday lists? I do, which is why I'm super excited about this week's topic. Before we get to that, though, I just want to encourage you to hop on board the TTT train. It's a fun way to find new blogs to love, grow your own audience, and, of course, add more awesome books to your TBR pile mountain mountain chain. What's not to love? All you have to do is click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read a few instructions, make your own list, and start spreading the love around the book blogosphere. It's a good time, I promise!
Today's topic is (First) Ten Books I Reviewed On My Blog. Isn't that a fun prompt? I started blogging waaayyyy back in August of 2006, so it was fun to see what I was reading back then and ponder how my reading tastes have changed and not changed over the 13 ensuing years. Kick back, relax, and let's take a little stroll down the BBB memory lane ...
(First) Ten Books I Reviewed On My Blog:
1. The Peacegiver by James L. Ferrell (reviewed August 13, 2006): My husband and I read this inspirational book at the same time and had some great discussions because of it. The book uses a fictional frame story about a couple struggling to keep their marriage together to teach the reader about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Verdict: According to the review I wrote of The Peacegiver, both my husband and I found this one enlightening, even though it was a little cheesy and not all that well-written.
2. The Known World by Edward P. Jones (reviewed August 14, 2006): This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is about a former slave who earns enough money to buy his own plantation, complete with a passel of slaves. When he dies, his widow tries to keep everything running smoothly, but it's not long before the whole operation descends into chaos. Verdict: While I didn't love this one, it offered a unique view on slavery that I appreciated.
3. Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs (reviewed August 18, 2006): I've long been a fan of Reich's Temperance Brennan series. This is the 9th book starring the intrepid forensic anthropologist and while it wasn't my favorite of the bunch, I enjoyed it. There are now 17 books in the series, although it has been stalled due to the author's ill health. Verdict: This is still one of my very favorite crime fiction series.
4. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards (reviewed September 1, 2006): This bleak novel concerns a doctor who, because of a fierce snowstorm, is forced to deliver his own twins, one of whom has Down syndrome. While his wife is still under heavy anesthesia, the man gives the child to his nurse, imploring her to take the baby to an institution. The nurse can't bear to leave the infant; instead, she leaves town and raises the girl on her own without telling the doctor. The story is about the consequences of the doctor's action and how it affects all involved parties. Verdict: I found this novel compelling and thought-provoking, but couldn't quite get over how depressing it was.
5. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (reviewed September 13, 2006): I loved this beautiful novel about family and faith. It features a sibling pair who run off to the Badlands in hot pursuit of their outlaw older brother. Verdict: This novel left a deep impression on me. I loved the characters, the writing, and the messages. As much as I adored this book, I haven't read anything else by Enger. Weird.
6. Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns (reviewed October 15, 2006): I've always loved Southern novels and this one is a classic. It's about a huge scandal in a small town—a widower of only three weeks marries a Yankee and sets every tongue in town to wagging. Verdict: This novel is laugh-out-loud hilarious, but it also has moments of great poignancy. I loved it.
7. Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark (reviewed November 2, 2006): Clark has kept me entertained with clean, but compelling mysteries since I was a teenager. Her newer books aren't nearly as good as her older ones, so I haven't read her much lately. This book is about toddler twins who are kidnapped. Verdict: Tame and predictable, but still a page-turner.
8. The Ruins by Scott Smith (reviewed November 4, 2006): I made the mistake of reading this creepy novel on Halloween night, which made me jump at every little sound! It concerns a group of friends who venture into a Mexican jungle to check out some old ruins. Mayhem ensues. Verdict: This is a super spooky page-turner, which I enjoyed in spite of an ending that just didn't satisfy.
9. The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean (reviewed November 30, 2006): This memorable historical novel features a Russian woman who finds herself trapped in the art museum where she works while war rages around her. As she fights to survive, she also works to save precious masterpieces. Verdict: This is a beautifully written story with vivid details and a unique perspective on World War II.
10. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear (reviewed December 18, 2006): I enjoyed this series opener about a former WWI nurse who opens a detective agency in 1929 in London. Her first case has her following a woman suspected of having an extramarital affair. Although the case seems pretty routine, Maisie soon discovers there's more going on than meets the eye. Much more. Verdict: This is an intriguing start to a series that now has 15 installments. It's got a little bit of everything—history, romance, adventure, and humor. Although I enjoyed this first book, I haven't continued on with the series, something I need to remedy.
Happy Top Ten Tuesday!
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