Is historical fiction a win for you? If it is, here are three new titles from some of our favorite authors!
Mistress of the Ritz, by Melanie Benjamin. The Paris Ritz is run by free-spirited American Blanche Auzello and her serious-minded director husband, Claude. The hotel's glamor can't mask the tensions that plague the couple...or the havoc caused when the Germans march into the city and make the hotel their headquarters. Benjamin is notable for making real historical figures come to life in her stories (The Aviator's Wife, etc.)--readers will find themselves caught up in a story that is not often told.
Resistance Women, by Jennifer Chiaverini. In the wake of the success of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale (2015), readers have been clamoring for more books, both fiction and non-fiction, that address the strong, secret resistance movement in Europe during World War II. Novelist Chiaverini (Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, etc.) has taken up that call and brought readers an intense story of four women, two German and two American, who risk their lives to fight the rising fascist regime, even under the close scrutiny of the Gestapo.
The Yankee Widow, by Linda Lael Miller. Many readers may know Miller better as a prolific writer of romance novels, but here she's changed the pace and served up a compelling and revealing story of the devastation of the Civil War. In 1863, Union soldier Jacob Hammond is wounded at the Battle of Chancellorville and taken to a hospital in nearby Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, it's six long weeks before his wife, Caroline, receives the news. By the time she makes her way to his side, they have only a few hours together before he succumbs to his wounds. The grieving Caroline returns home only to have another battle erupt practically at her front door, forcing her to rise to new challenges the likes of which she'd never imagined.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Reading Ahead: May 2019, part 1
I know, I've been MIA. A dreadful combination of reader's block (even librarians get the blues) and writer's block (it's been 5 years and over 700 posts. Sometimes a woman needs a break!). In any case, I'm working on shaking off both of these hindrances and appreciate your patience in the meantime.
The titles for next month just won't wait any longer, though, so here are the brief versions of a few you might want to reserve now:
The Last Time I Saw You, by Liv Constantine. Constantine's debut, The Last Mrs. Parrish, was on bestsellers' lists and was a huge favorite of library staff and patrons alike. The author, actually two sisters who write together, returns here with a new page-turner: when her high-society mother is murdered, Dr. Kate English's perfect world begins to crumble. She leans heavily on the shoulder of an old friend to get her through the mourning, but then finds that the murderer may not be done...not by a long shot.
Keep You Close, by Karen Cleveland. Cleveland is another author whose debut, Need to Know, absolutely wowed us with plot twists galore. We're delighted she's back with a new novel of deception and betrayal--when single parent and FBI analyst Stephanie finds a gun in her teenage son's room, she is beyond unprepared. Then a colleague on the domestic terrorism squad turns her shock into a spiral of terror and conspiracy with three little words: "It's about Zachary."
The Never Game, by Jeffery Deaver. Author of the best-selling Lincoln Rhyme series kicks off a new series here featuring professional "reward seeker" Colter Shaw. Shaw, son of a survivalist and an extraordinary tracker, works with law enforcement to help find missing persons. But in this seemingly simple case of a young woman's disappearance in Silicon Valley turns into something much bigger than anyone could have guessed.
Cari Mora, by Thomas Harris. Best known for his novels featuring the diabolical Hannibal Lecter, Harris treats readers to a new thriller with another unforgettable heroine. For years, ruthless men have sought the legendary twenty-five million in cartel gold. In fact, it lies hidden beneath a mansion in Miami Beach. Cari Mora, the house's caretaker, is a woman who has escaped the war in her native country, though not unscathed. When the frontrunner in the race to find the gold comes up against Cari, he will find himself up against a skilled survivor the likes of which he hadn't ever expected...
The Night Before, by Wendy Walker. Connecticut author Wendy Walker is a library favorite! Laura has led a troubled life, from a tragedy when she was young through a number of terribly failed romances, the last of which sent her running from her Wall Street job to lick her wounds in the home of her sister Rosie, located in the Connecticut suburb where they grew up. Laura isn't content to brood for long, though, and soon goes out with a man she met on a dating site. Except she never comes home, and Rosie's starting to worry...not just about what he may have done to Laura, but what she may have done to him.
The titles for next month just won't wait any longer, though, so here are the brief versions of a few you might want to reserve now:
The Last Time I Saw You, by Liv Constantine. Constantine's debut, The Last Mrs. Parrish, was on bestsellers' lists and was a huge favorite of library staff and patrons alike. The author, actually two sisters who write together, returns here with a new page-turner: when her high-society mother is murdered, Dr. Kate English's perfect world begins to crumble. She leans heavily on the shoulder of an old friend to get her through the mourning, but then finds that the murderer may not be done...not by a long shot.
Keep You Close, by Karen Cleveland. Cleveland is another author whose debut, Need to Know, absolutely wowed us with plot twists galore. We're delighted she's back with a new novel of deception and betrayal--when single parent and FBI analyst Stephanie finds a gun in her teenage son's room, she is beyond unprepared. Then a colleague on the domestic terrorism squad turns her shock into a spiral of terror and conspiracy with three little words: "It's about Zachary."
The Never Game, by Jeffery Deaver. Author of the best-selling Lincoln Rhyme series kicks off a new series here featuring professional "reward seeker" Colter Shaw. Shaw, son of a survivalist and an extraordinary tracker, works with law enforcement to help find missing persons. But in this seemingly simple case of a young woman's disappearance in Silicon Valley turns into something much bigger than anyone could have guessed.
Cari Mora, by Thomas Harris. Best known for his novels featuring the diabolical Hannibal Lecter, Harris treats readers to a new thriller with another unforgettable heroine. For years, ruthless men have sought the legendary twenty-five million in cartel gold. In fact, it lies hidden beneath a mansion in Miami Beach. Cari Mora, the house's caretaker, is a woman who has escaped the war in her native country, though not unscathed. When the frontrunner in the race to find the gold comes up against Cari, he will find himself up against a skilled survivor the likes of which he hadn't ever expected...
The Night Before, by Wendy Walker. Connecticut author Wendy Walker is a library favorite! Laura has led a troubled life, from a tragedy when she was young through a number of terribly failed romances, the last of which sent her running from her Wall Street job to lick her wounds in the home of her sister Rosie, located in the Connecticut suburb where they grew up. Laura isn't content to brood for long, though, and soon goes out with a man she met on a dating site. Except she never comes home, and Rosie's starting to worry...not just about what he may have done to Laura, but what she may have done to him.
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Meg's Picks: April 2019, part 3
So many great new titles to read in the coming month! As if the choices weren't hard enough, here are two more that are on my radar.
The Red Daughter, by John Burnham Schwartz. In the 1960s, Joseph Stalin's daughter Svetlana Alliluyeva defects to America, running from her father's brutal legacy. Her escort? Young lawyer Paul Horvath, furnished by the CIA. Her life in America is not what she had expected, filled with stumbling blocks and mistakes, and she ultimately turns to Paul for help--even as the CIA keeps tabs on their relationship. Schwartz's father was that young lawyer, and here has crafted a fictional account of these events based on his own research and his father's reminiscences. For fans of Amor Towles (A Gentleman in Moscow, etc.) and Paula McLain (The Paris Wife, etc.), this should absolutely be on your list.
I Know Who You Are, by Alice Feeney. Feeney's follow-up to the extremely popular Sometimes I Lie (2018) stars actress Aimee Sinclair, who everyone seems to think they know from...something? It's hard to be almost famous, almost known. But one person knows Aimee very, very well--both who she is...and what she has done. And when her husband disappears, she doesn't know what to think or how to act. Of course the police think she's hiding something, and she is, but it's an older, darker secret, one that someone out there seems to know. If Aimee is going to survive this, she's got a lot of digging to do. Psychological suspense fans are already lining up--are you one of them?
The Red Daughter, by John Burnham Schwartz. In the 1960s, Joseph Stalin's daughter Svetlana Alliluyeva defects to America, running from her father's brutal legacy. Her escort? Young lawyer Paul Horvath, furnished by the CIA. Her life in America is not what she had expected, filled with stumbling blocks and mistakes, and she ultimately turns to Paul for help--even as the CIA keeps tabs on their relationship. Schwartz's father was that young lawyer, and here has crafted a fictional account of these events based on his own research and his father's reminiscences. For fans of Amor Towles (A Gentleman in Moscow, etc.) and Paula McLain (The Paris Wife, etc.), this should absolutely be on your list.
I Know Who You Are, by Alice Feeney. Feeney's follow-up to the extremely popular Sometimes I Lie (2018) stars actress Aimee Sinclair, who everyone seems to think they know from...something? It's hard to be almost famous, almost known. But one person knows Aimee very, very well--both who she is...and what she has done. And when her husband disappears, she doesn't know what to think or how to act. Of course the police think she's hiding something, and she is, but it's an older, darker secret, one that someone out there seems to know. If Aimee is going to survive this, she's got a lot of digging to do. Psychological suspense fans are already lining up--are you one of them?
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Meg's Picks: April 2019, part 2
What is on my list of things to read this spring? All three of these have made my list already! Why? Read on!
The Book of Dreams, by Nina George. In this follow up to best-sellers The Little Paris Bookshop and The Little French Bistro, former war reporter Henri Skinner lies in a coma after pulling a young girl from the Thames River. Henri's ex-girlfriend, Eddie, learns that she's been listed as next-of-kin in his will. His teenage son, Sam, forms a relationship with Eddie and waits for Henri to wake up so that they can meet for the first time. This tender, thoughtful look at unfinished relationships should make for excellent book club discussion.
Cape May, by Chip Cheek. In this buzz-worthy debut, it's 1957 and young newlyweds Henry and Effie travel from their home in Georgia to honeymoon in their relative's vacant Cape May, NJ cottage. It's September and the celebrated beach town is almost completely deserted, but then they couple bump into a glamorous trio who invite them to stay and join their ongoing party. Fueled by copious amounts of gin, the group descends en masse into a series of taboo indulgences. But can Henry and Effie really shed the mores of their upbringing without consequences? If you're looking for something steamy that still has the Gatsby-esque feel of a classic, this should absolutely be on your list. It is already on mine!
A Good Enough Mother, by Bev Thomas. As the director of a renowned trauma therapy unit, London psychotherapist Ruth Hartland absolutely knows better. But when she first sees new patient Dan Griffin, she momentarily mistakes him for her own troubled teenage son, Tom, who disappeared a year and a half ago. That instant emotional connection continues, threatening her ability to maintain professional boundaries with Dan. Thomas herself is former clinical psychologist with Britain's National Health Service, lending additional credibility to her debut. Fans of psychological fiction would do well to pick this one up.
The Book of Dreams, by Nina George. In this follow up to best-sellers The Little Paris Bookshop and The Little French Bistro, former war reporter Henri Skinner lies in a coma after pulling a young girl from the Thames River. Henri's ex-girlfriend, Eddie, learns that she's been listed as next-of-kin in his will. His teenage son, Sam, forms a relationship with Eddie and waits for Henri to wake up so that they can meet for the first time. This tender, thoughtful look at unfinished relationships should make for excellent book club discussion.
Cape May, by Chip Cheek. In this buzz-worthy debut, it's 1957 and young newlyweds Henry and Effie travel from their home in Georgia to honeymoon in their relative's vacant Cape May, NJ cottage. It's September and the celebrated beach town is almost completely deserted, but then they couple bump into a glamorous trio who invite them to stay and join their ongoing party. Fueled by copious amounts of gin, the group descends en masse into a series of taboo indulgences. But can Henry and Effie really shed the mores of their upbringing without consequences? If you're looking for something steamy that still has the Gatsby-esque feel of a classic, this should absolutely be on your list. It is already on mine!
A Good Enough Mother, by Bev Thomas. As the director of a renowned trauma therapy unit, London psychotherapist Ruth Hartland absolutely knows better. But when she first sees new patient Dan Griffin, she momentarily mistakes him for her own troubled teenage son, Tom, who disappeared a year and a half ago. That instant emotional connection continues, threatening her ability to maintain professional boundaries with Dan. Thomas herself is former clinical psychologist with Britain's National Health Service, lending additional credibility to her debut. Fans of psychological fiction would do well to pick this one up.
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Meg's Picks: April 2019, part 1
Welcome to your source of all things new fiction! Wondering what to read next month? Short on time and need help finding a book you think you'll enjoy? We're here for that! Here are a few fiction titles I'm excited about, all coming out in April.
Lost Roses, by Martha Hall Kelly. Kelly is the author of the astoundingly well-received debut novel, Lilac Girls (2016). Her sophomore novel features Eliza Ferriday, mother of her debut's Caroline Ferriday. In 1914, Eliza travels to St. Petersburg, Russia with a Romanov cousin, Sonya. But while she's there, World War I erupts. The Romanov dynasty begins to crumble. Eliza is lucky enough to escape, but remains determined to help Sonya's family and others like them. Historical fiction readers who love their novels well-researched should absolutely check this out.
Miracle Creek, by Angie Kim. Somewhere in Virginia, there's an experimental medical device called the Miracle Submarine, a pressurized oxygen chamber in which individuals take therapeutic "dives" in hopes of curing anything from autism to infertility. Then the device explodes, killing two people, and owners Young and Pak Yoo are on trial for murder. Debut novelist Kim is not only a lawyer, but her son has been treated in such a chamber, lending additional depth to the story. There's a lot of buzz about this novel, and I'm recommending it to fans of Jodi Picoult and Liane Moriarty.
Feast Your Eyes, by Myla Goldberg. If Myla Goldberg's name looks familiar to you, it should--she's the author of the 2000 bestseller Bee Season, among other novels. So this reader is particularly excited for her latest work. In 1955, photographer Lillian Preston exhibits partially nude photos of herself and her daughter Samantha, sparking outrage and praise among critics and the public in general. The photos become the center of a well-publicized obscenity case and the repercussions have a lasting impact on the relationship between mother and daughter. Told mostly by Samantha in relation to a catalog of Lillian's work, but also in comments from friends, critics, and Lillian herself, this unique novel is sure to be a mainstay for book club readers.
Lost Roses, by Martha Hall Kelly. Kelly is the author of the astoundingly well-received debut novel, Lilac Girls (2016). Her sophomore novel features Eliza Ferriday, mother of her debut's Caroline Ferriday. In 1914, Eliza travels to St. Petersburg, Russia with a Romanov cousin, Sonya. But while she's there, World War I erupts. The Romanov dynasty begins to crumble. Eliza is lucky enough to escape, but remains determined to help Sonya's family and others like them. Historical fiction readers who love their novels well-researched should absolutely check this out.
Miracle Creek, by Angie Kim. Somewhere in Virginia, there's an experimental medical device called the Miracle Submarine, a pressurized oxygen chamber in which individuals take therapeutic "dives" in hopes of curing anything from autism to infertility. Then the device explodes, killing two people, and owners Young and Pak Yoo are on trial for murder. Debut novelist Kim is not only a lawyer, but her son has been treated in such a chamber, lending additional depth to the story. There's a lot of buzz about this novel, and I'm recommending it to fans of Jodi Picoult and Liane Moriarty.
Feast Your Eyes, by Myla Goldberg. If Myla Goldberg's name looks familiar to you, it should--she's the author of the 2000 bestseller Bee Season, among other novels. So this reader is particularly excited for her latest work. In 1955, photographer Lillian Preston exhibits partially nude photos of herself and her daughter Samantha, sparking outrage and praise among critics and the public in general. The photos become the center of a well-publicized obscenity case and the repercussions have a lasting impact on the relationship between mother and daughter. Told mostly by Samantha in relation to a catalog of Lillian's work, but also in comments from friends, critics, and Lillian herself, this unique novel is sure to be a mainstay for book club readers.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Reading Ahead: April 2019, part 2
Machines, marriage and mysteries, oh my!
Machines Like Me, by Ian McEwan. McEwan (Atonement, etc.) pushes boundaries in his latest novel, set in an alternate version of 1980s London. Here, the British are losing the Falklands War and Alan Turing is not only alive, but his work has given rise to a line of androids almost indistinguishable from humans. When aimless 32-year-old Charlie Friend comes into money, he buys an "Adam", and he and his upstairs neighbor Miranda each input half of the personality parameters required to push Adam past his factory presets. It's not long, however, before a love triangle develops and the three confront a profound moral dilemma. I'm recommending this for fans of subversive fiction, like that of Margaret Atwood.
The View from Alameda Island, by Robyn Carr. Carr, one of my favorite authors for easy reading, delivers a stand alone novel about the unhappiness that can lurk behind even the most "perfect" of facades. Lauren Delaney has an enviable life: a successful career, a husband who is a prominent surgeon, two lovely daughters who are attending good colleges. Lauren, though, is deeply unhappy and refuses to pretend any longer, filing for divorce and starting over on her own, where she meets a kindred spirit also struggling to extricate himself from an unhappy marriage. Lauren's husband, infuriated by the upheaval in his deliberate, ordered life, will take extreme action, and Lauren's entire future may be at risk. This should make for some excellent vacation reading this spring.
Triple Jeopardy, by Anne Perry. First seen in Twenty One Days (2018), young lawyer Daniel Pitt, son of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, is delighted that his sister is back for a visit from the States. But the family reunion is cut short when Daniel is called upon to represent a British diplomat who has fled from Washington, D.C. to London, claiming diplomatic immunity. The diplomat, Philip Sidney, is accused of theft and embezzlement. It's not long before the case against his client proves to be a smoke screen for something far more dangerous, and Daniel is determined to figure out just what that is. Perry fans will be delighted with their new young sleuth.
Machines Like Me, by Ian McEwan. McEwan (Atonement, etc.) pushes boundaries in his latest novel, set in an alternate version of 1980s London. Here, the British are losing the Falklands War and Alan Turing is not only alive, but his work has given rise to a line of androids almost indistinguishable from humans. When aimless 32-year-old Charlie Friend comes into money, he buys an "Adam", and he and his upstairs neighbor Miranda each input half of the personality parameters required to push Adam past his factory presets. It's not long, however, before a love triangle develops and the three confront a profound moral dilemma. I'm recommending this for fans of subversive fiction, like that of Margaret Atwood.
The View from Alameda Island, by Robyn Carr. Carr, one of my favorite authors for easy reading, delivers a stand alone novel about the unhappiness that can lurk behind even the most "perfect" of facades. Lauren Delaney has an enviable life: a successful career, a husband who is a prominent surgeon, two lovely daughters who are attending good colleges. Lauren, though, is deeply unhappy and refuses to pretend any longer, filing for divorce and starting over on her own, where she meets a kindred spirit also struggling to extricate himself from an unhappy marriage. Lauren's husband, infuriated by the upheaval in his deliberate, ordered life, will take extreme action, and Lauren's entire future may be at risk. This should make for some excellent vacation reading this spring.
Triple Jeopardy, by Anne Perry. First seen in Twenty One Days (2018), young lawyer Daniel Pitt, son of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, is delighted that his sister is back for a visit from the States. But the family reunion is cut short when Daniel is called upon to represent a British diplomat who has fled from Washington, D.C. to London, claiming diplomatic immunity. The diplomat, Philip Sidney, is accused of theft and embezzlement. It's not long before the case against his client proves to be a smoke screen for something far more dangerous, and Daniel is determined to figure out just what that is. Perry fans will be delighted with their new young sleuth.
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Reading Ahead: April 2019, part 1
Thrillers are thick on the ground, so if you're looking for fast reads with twisted plots, read on!
Redemption, by David Baldacci. Baldacci's latest in his Memory Man series featuring Amos Decker (The Fallen, 2018, etc.) hearkens back to Decker's early days as a detective. After a dozen years, the man who approaches Decker during a visit to his hometown of Burlington, Ohio is totally unrecognizable. His name, however, is one that Decker cannot every forget: Meryl Hawkins was the first man Decker ever arrested for murder. Hawkins continues to maintain he never committed the murders, and doubt begins to nag at Decker enough to review the old case, only to find a connection to a new crime in progress, one that he may be able to prevent if he can move quickly enough...
Saving Meghan, by D.J. Palmer. D.J. (Daniel) Palmer's newest novel finds devoted mother Becky Gerard working diligently to help her fifteen-year-old daughter Meghan, who has been in and out of hospitals and doctors' offices with a series of unexplained illnesses. Meghan's father, Carl, begins to worry that Becky is obsessed. The medical team begins to question whether Becky is demonstrating signs of Munchausen by proxy, with Meghan as her victim. Is Meghan really sick? Is something more sinister at work here? As suspicions grow and pit one character against another, one will have to risk everything to expose the truth.
Willing to Die, by Lisa Jackson. Eighth in Jackson's To Die series, following 2017's Expecting to Die, follows detectives Alvarez and Pescoli as they investigate the murders of Dr. Paul Letham and his wife, Brindel, who are found dead in separate beds in their beautiful San Francisco home.
Someone Knows, by Lisa Scottoline. Not guilty doesn't always mean innocent in Scottoline's latest. When Allie Garvey heads home after twenty years away, it's for the funeral of a childhood friend. And in addition to the expected sadness, Allie's also overwhelmed with dread--going home means seeing two people she'd hoped never to see again. The three of them have kept a terrible secret ever since a night of partying in the woods one night resulted in a prank gone tragically wrong. Teenage Allie thought getting caught would have been the worst thing, but adult Allie knows better--living decades with her guilt has been devastating. Back at the proverbial scene of the crime, Allie must dig back into her past to uncover the truth once and for all, if only to unburden herself. But the truth may just be more shocking than she could have ever imagined... Early reviews are saying that Scottoline has outdone herself this time, so this may just be the one to pick up this spring.
Redemption, by David Baldacci. Baldacci's latest in his Memory Man series featuring Amos Decker (The Fallen, 2018, etc.) hearkens back to Decker's early days as a detective. After a dozen years, the man who approaches Decker during a visit to his hometown of Burlington, Ohio is totally unrecognizable. His name, however, is one that Decker cannot every forget: Meryl Hawkins was the first man Decker ever arrested for murder. Hawkins continues to maintain he never committed the murders, and doubt begins to nag at Decker enough to review the old case, only to find a connection to a new crime in progress, one that he may be able to prevent if he can move quickly enough...
Saving Meghan, by D.J. Palmer. D.J. (Daniel) Palmer's newest novel finds devoted mother Becky Gerard working diligently to help her fifteen-year-old daughter Meghan, who has been in and out of hospitals and doctors' offices with a series of unexplained illnesses. Meghan's father, Carl, begins to worry that Becky is obsessed. The medical team begins to question whether Becky is demonstrating signs of Munchausen by proxy, with Meghan as her victim. Is Meghan really sick? Is something more sinister at work here? As suspicions grow and pit one character against another, one will have to risk everything to expose the truth.
Willing to Die, by Lisa Jackson. Eighth in Jackson's To Die series, following 2017's Expecting to Die, follows detectives Alvarez and Pescoli as they investigate the murders of Dr. Paul Letham and his wife, Brindel, who are found dead in separate beds in their beautiful San Francisco home.
Someone Knows, by Lisa Scottoline. Not guilty doesn't always mean innocent in Scottoline's latest. When Allie Garvey heads home after twenty years away, it's for the funeral of a childhood friend. And in addition to the expected sadness, Allie's also overwhelmed with dread--going home means seeing two people she'd hoped never to see again. The three of them have kept a terrible secret ever since a night of partying in the woods one night resulted in a prank gone tragically wrong. Teenage Allie thought getting caught would have been the worst thing, but adult Allie knows better--living decades with her guilt has been devastating. Back at the proverbial scene of the crime, Allie must dig back into her past to uncover the truth once and for all, if only to unburden herself. But the truth may just be more shocking than she could have ever imagined... Early reviews are saying that Scottoline has outdone herself this time, so this may just be the one to pick up this spring.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Meg's Picks: March 2019, part 3
It's debut day here on Meg's Picks! Love trying new things? Want to branch out from your same old rotation of authors? Want to know what your friends are going to be talking about reading? Try one (or all!) of these!
The Woman in the Dark, by Vanessa Savage. In this creepy psychological debut, Patrick and Sarah move their family from Cardiff back to Patrick's childhood home in South Wales. They're disturbed to discover that the once magnificent Victorian house has been vacant the last 15 years, after the last family who lived there was murdered, leaving only one survivor. And the man responsible for the heinous crime is fresh out of prison. Unease will grow, both for the family and the reader, from the moment they walk in the door. I'm recommending this for fans of Shari LaPena's The Couple Next Door.
If, Then, by Kate Hope Day. In the quiet town of Clearing, Oregon, four neighbors begin to see themselves in parallel realities. For dedicated surgeon Ginny, seeing a beautiful coworker in bed with her husband makes her begin to doubt the stability of her marriage. Her scientist husband Mark grows increasingly paranoid due to visions of pending devastation. Brilliant scholar and new mother Cass is just getting back to working on a project that could make her career, only to see herself newly pregnant again. And Samara, mourning the passing of her mother and marveling at her father's ability to cope effortlessly, wonders about the secrets her parents have kept from her when her visions show her mother alive and well. For readers who enjoy imaginative, speculative fiction like Chloe Benjamin's The Immortalists and family-driven suspense like Celeste Ng's Little Fire's Everywhere.
House on Fire, by Bonnie Kistler. A drunk driving accident leaves one member of a blended family dead and another charged with manslaughter in this tightly plotted debut. While this series of events alone would be enough to cripple any family, it is followed by a series of half-truths and altered versions of events that causes a divide that may never be mended. Fans of Jodi Picoult would do well to pick this up.
Save Me from Dangerous Men, by S.A. Lelchuk. Nikki Griffin isn't your typical PI. Her office is above her bookstore, and in her downtime, she tracks dangerous men, the kind who hurt the women they claim to love. Nikki's regular PI work, this time following disgruntled tech employee Karen, suspected of selling secrets, begins to fall into the category of "in danger" and Nikki is forced to blow her cover to save Karen. In the process, though, Nikki will find herself on the run, as well. For readers who can't get enough Lisbeth Salander or Jack Reacher.
The Woman in the Dark, by Vanessa Savage. In this creepy psychological debut, Patrick and Sarah move their family from Cardiff back to Patrick's childhood home in South Wales. They're disturbed to discover that the once magnificent Victorian house has been vacant the last 15 years, after the last family who lived there was murdered, leaving only one survivor. And the man responsible for the heinous crime is fresh out of prison. Unease will grow, both for the family and the reader, from the moment they walk in the door. I'm recommending this for fans of Shari LaPena's The Couple Next Door.
If, Then, by Kate Hope Day. In the quiet town of Clearing, Oregon, four neighbors begin to see themselves in parallel realities. For dedicated surgeon Ginny, seeing a beautiful coworker in bed with her husband makes her begin to doubt the stability of her marriage. Her scientist husband Mark grows increasingly paranoid due to visions of pending devastation. Brilliant scholar and new mother Cass is just getting back to working on a project that could make her career, only to see herself newly pregnant again. And Samara, mourning the passing of her mother and marveling at her father's ability to cope effortlessly, wonders about the secrets her parents have kept from her when her visions show her mother alive and well. For readers who enjoy imaginative, speculative fiction like Chloe Benjamin's The Immortalists and family-driven suspense like Celeste Ng's Little Fire's Everywhere.
House on Fire, by Bonnie Kistler. A drunk driving accident leaves one member of a blended family dead and another charged with manslaughter in this tightly plotted debut. While this series of events alone would be enough to cripple any family, it is followed by a series of half-truths and altered versions of events that causes a divide that may never be mended. Fans of Jodi Picoult would do well to pick this up.
Save Me from Dangerous Men, by S.A. Lelchuk. Nikki Griffin isn't your typical PI. Her office is above her bookstore, and in her downtime, she tracks dangerous men, the kind who hurt the women they claim to love. Nikki's regular PI work, this time following disgruntled tech employee Karen, suspected of selling secrets, begins to fall into the category of "in danger" and Nikki is forced to blow her cover to save Karen. In the process, though, Nikki will find herself on the run, as well. For readers who can't get enough Lisbeth Salander or Jack Reacher.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Meg's Picks: March 2019, part 2
Want to know what's on my list next month? Here we go!
My Lovely Wife, by Samantha Downing. The couple in Downing's taut debut thriller have found a way to keep their marriage interesting after 15 years together: getting away with murder. As their hobby gains traction, however, they find themselves keeping secrets from one another, secrets that might just get one or both of them caught. If you're looking for a new thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat, this should absolutely be on your list.
White Elephant, by Julie Langsdorf. The titular 'white elephant' is an architectural monstrosity in Willard Park, D.C., a suburban neighborhood that prides itself on its trees and its friendly community. The house in question is loathed by most of the neighbors, but all out war is declared among residents when the owner cuts down a neighbor's maple tree to make his house more enticing to prospective buyers. Dysfunction abounds as residents out each other on tattle-tale local bulletin boards and start airing dirty laundry. If you're a fan of Meg Wolitzer (The Female Persuasion, etc.) or Ann Patchett (Commonwealth, etc.), you can't miss Langsdorf's darkly humorous debut.
Me for You, by Lolly Winston. Winston returns after more than a decade away (Good Grief, etc.), bringing readers the story of Rudy, a 54 year old widower who has been recently downsized out his job in finance. Returning to his first love, the piano, Rudy finds himself a temporary gig playing at Nordstrom's, though he stays on beyond the initial temp position. There he meets Sasha, a woman contending with losses of her own. As their friendship develops, Rudy is slightly alarmed to find himself falling for Sasha, uncertain whether he is willing or ready for another relationship. Just as Rudy may be finding a way back from grief, however, he's dealt another blow he never saw coming. Winston's style is gently poignant, and I adore her work.
My Lovely Wife, by Samantha Downing. The couple in Downing's taut debut thriller have found a way to keep their marriage interesting after 15 years together: getting away with murder. As their hobby gains traction, however, they find themselves keeping secrets from one another, secrets that might just get one or both of them caught. If you're looking for a new thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat, this should absolutely be on your list.
White Elephant, by Julie Langsdorf. The titular 'white elephant' is an architectural monstrosity in Willard Park, D.C., a suburban neighborhood that prides itself on its trees and its friendly community. The house in question is loathed by most of the neighbors, but all out war is declared among residents when the owner cuts down a neighbor's maple tree to make his house more enticing to prospective buyers. Dysfunction abounds as residents out each other on tattle-tale local bulletin boards and start airing dirty laundry. If you're a fan of Meg Wolitzer (The Female Persuasion, etc.) or Ann Patchett (Commonwealth, etc.), you can't miss Langsdorf's darkly humorous debut.
Me for You, by Lolly Winston. Winston returns after more than a decade away (Good Grief, etc.), bringing readers the story of Rudy, a 54 year old widower who has been recently downsized out his job in finance. Returning to his first love, the piano, Rudy finds himself a temporary gig playing at Nordstrom's, though he stays on beyond the initial temp position. There he meets Sasha, a woman contending with losses of her own. As their friendship develops, Rudy is slightly alarmed to find himself falling for Sasha, uncertain whether he is willing or ready for another relationship. Just as Rudy may be finding a way back from grief, however, he's dealt another blow he never saw coming. Winston's style is gently poignant, and I adore her work.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Meg's Picks: March 2019, part 1
Need something new, maybe something a little different than your same old, same old? Here are a few titles coming out next month that just might help jolt you out of that rut!
In Another Time, by Jillian Cantor. Cantor (The Lost Letter, Margot, etc.) follows multiple timelines as she tells the story of German bookstore owner Max Beissinger and earnest Jewish violin student Hanna Ginsberg. It's 1931 when the two meet and their chemistry is instant. Their love is soon tested by a dramatically shifting political climate, and by a secret that Max is keeping, one that he hopes may save Hanna as Germany becomes too dangerous for her to stay... I'm recommending this one for fans of Kate Atkinson's Life After Life and Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife.
The Wolf and the Watchman, by Niklas Natt Och Dag. After night watchman Mickel Cardell pulls a body from a lake, a series of time-sensitive events unfold as he and police investigator Cecil Winge race to find a killer. This suspenseful tale takes the pair all over 18th-century Stockholm, exploring redemption and justice even in the bleakest places as they question mercenaries, beggars and madams. Rich and poor, pious and fallen, living and dead--all will be connected to the body pulled from the lake. I'm recommending this debut from Och Dag to fans of Caleb Carr's The Alienist.
Beautiful Bad, by Annie Ward. When Ian and Maddie meet, Ian is serving in the British army and Maddie is a travel writer visiting a friend overseas. Now, almost twenty years later, the two are married and have a young son--from all outward appearances, their marriage in Middle America is perfect. In the aftermath of a camping accident, however, Maddie is left physically and emotionally scarred. Therapy for her anxiety includes writing exercises to work out Maddie's long list of fears and anxieties, her tumultuous past with Ian, and what finally brings police to the scene of a shocking crime. Recommending this for fans of Ruth Ware (The Woman in Cabin 10, etc.), Paula Hawkins (The Girl on the Train, etc.), and Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies, etc.).
In Another Time, by Jillian Cantor. Cantor (The Lost Letter, Margot, etc.) follows multiple timelines as she tells the story of German bookstore owner Max Beissinger and earnest Jewish violin student Hanna Ginsberg. It's 1931 when the two meet and their chemistry is instant. Their love is soon tested by a dramatically shifting political climate, and by a secret that Max is keeping, one that he hopes may save Hanna as Germany becomes too dangerous for her to stay... I'm recommending this one for fans of Kate Atkinson's Life After Life and Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife.
The Wolf and the Watchman, by Niklas Natt Och Dag. After night watchman Mickel Cardell pulls a body from a lake, a series of time-sensitive events unfold as he and police investigator Cecil Winge race to find a killer. This suspenseful tale takes the pair all over 18th-century Stockholm, exploring redemption and justice even in the bleakest places as they question mercenaries, beggars and madams. Rich and poor, pious and fallen, living and dead--all will be connected to the body pulled from the lake. I'm recommending this debut from Och Dag to fans of Caleb Carr's The Alienist.
Beautiful Bad, by Annie Ward. When Ian and Maddie meet, Ian is serving in the British army and Maddie is a travel writer visiting a friend overseas. Now, almost twenty years later, the two are married and have a young son--from all outward appearances, their marriage in Middle America is perfect. In the aftermath of a camping accident, however, Maddie is left physically and emotionally scarred. Therapy for her anxiety includes writing exercises to work out Maddie's long list of fears and anxieties, her tumultuous past with Ian, and what finally brings police to the scene of a shocking crime. Recommending this for fans of Ruth Ware (The Woman in Cabin 10, etc.), Paula Hawkins (The Girl on the Train, etc.), and Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies, etc.).
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