2 Quick RIP XI Reviews - Pretty Girls; K. Slaughter and the Girls She Left Behind; Sarah Graves

 Pretty Girls; Karin Slaughter

Blackstone Audio - 2015

Kathleen Early - Narrator

Pretty Girls is a gritty, disturbing, psychological thriller. The Carroll family has never been the same since the disappearance of daughter and sister Julia from her college dorm some 24 years earlier.

After Julia's disappearance the two remaining sisters, Claire and Lydia haven't spoken in years and their lives couldn't be more different. Lydia is a single mom and recovering substance abuser with an ex-con boyfriend. Claire married a wealthy architect but, the effects of Julia's disappearance has affected her as well. She's spent time on house arrest and just when her monitoring device is removed, her husband is killed right before her very eyes.

As police begin to ask questions it appears that Claire did not know her husband all that well. And, what exactly happened to Julia when she went missing?  Lydia and Claire reconnect to do a bit of their own investigation.

I haven't read this author in several years and always enjoyed her psych thrillers previously but, wow, has her writing become disturbing. It's overridden with violence and brutality against women and, was very tough to listen to.  I had to fast forward over some of that violence.  Definitely not recommended for the faint of heart.

2.5/5 stars
(library audio)

The Girls She Left Behind; Sarah Graves

Dreamscape Media - 2016

Kirsten Potter - Narrator

A few months ago I listened to the first book of a new series by Sarah Graves. The book was Winter at the Door, with protagonist, Lizzie Snow. In that story Lizzie had just relocated to rural Bearkill, Maine to accept a job as Sheriff's Deputy. Previously, Lizzie had been a homicide detective in Boston but, relocated hoping to follow a lead concerning her missing niece Nicki.

Now in this second mystery, while fierce wildfires threaten homes nearby and a young girl named Tara goes missing, Lizzie has her work cut out for her, meanwhile her missing niece Nicki is always on her mind. The latest missing girl, Tara, has run away before but her mother is sure this time is different.  Meanwhile, a psychopath named Henry Gemmeil has escaped and in the past he has kidnapped women and kept them hidden.

Although this story is the second book of a series, there is plenty of background information provided so that you need not feel compelled to read book one before trying this one.  Overall, I enjoyed listening to this mystery. It's a bit darker than book one but, not overly so.  Lizzy is a decent protagonist but she can be a bit of a flake when it comes to romantic interests.  I loved the cold, dark, rural Maine setting of both of these books which makes the mystery aspects more atmospheric.  Kirsten Potter is a great audio book narrator as well.

3.5/5 stars

(library audio)

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Someone; Alice McDermott

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two, from a book I'm reading or will be reading soon.  "Someone" was my book group pick for October, I read it over the weekend and enjoyed it a lot (review coming after our group discussion).

Someone; Alice McDermott

Farrah Straus and Giroux - 2013

ONE

"Pegeen Chehab walked up from the subway in the evening light.  Her good spring coat was powder blue; her shoes were black and covered the insteps of her long feet. Her hat was beige with something dark along the crown, a brown feather or two. There was a certain asymmetry to her shoulders. She had a loping, hunchbacked walk.  She had, always, a bit of black hair along her cheek, straggling to her shoulder, her bun coming undone.  She carried her purse in the lightest clasp of her fingers, down along the side of her leg, which made her seem listless and weary even as she covered the distance quickly enough, the gray sidewalk from subway to parlor floor and basement of the house next door."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.

Sunday Blatherings and New Books

This past week we had the pleasure on spending several days on Cape Cod with 75-79 degree mostly sunny weather, which is very unusual for Massachusetts mid October.  We spent most of our time in Chatham and Provincetown with briefer moments at The National Seashore in Wellfleet and Dennisport.  The picture above is of the Provincetown Public Library and the photo beneath is The Rose Dorothea Schooner which is housed inside the children's department. It's really amazing and not to be missed if ever in the area.

Chatham Coast Guard House, Cape Cod

Nauset Lighthouse, Eastham, MA, Cape Cod

The park near the Chatham Inn had a pumpkin patch with Hillary and Donald, as well as many other fun pumpkin exhibits.

NEW BOOKS

• We Found a Hat; Jan Klaassen (sent by Candlewick Press)
• Also an Octopus;Maggie Tokuda-Hall (sent by Candlewick Press)
• Du Iz Tak?; Carson Ellis (sent by Candlewick Press)
• The Quarry; Iain Banks (Redhook Press) (purchase)
• I'll Take You There; Wally Lamb (sent by Harper)
• The Good Negress; AJ Verdelle (sent by Algonquin)
• Only Love Can Break Your Heart; Ed Tarkington (Sent by Algonquin)
• Moonglow; Michael Chabon (sent by Harper)

Today the weather is more typical of New England weather. It's 53 degrees and sunny with a high of 59 slated for today. Today's plans call for a lot of nesting: a little cooking, a little reading and perhaps a short walk.  Hope everyone has a great week.

Harmony; Carolyn Parkhurst

Harmony; Carolyn Parkhurst

Pamela Dorman Books - 2016

Harmony is a story of marriage, parenting and the guilt felt when things don't turn out as planned.

The story begins with the Hammond family: Alexandra (mom), Josh (dad) and daughters Iris, age 11, and Tilly, age 13.  The family leaves their home in Washington, DC behind to live in an off the grid community called, Camp Harmony in New Hampshire.  The camp's leader, Scott Bean, is a self-proclaimed, cultish parenting expert who professes to help families who are struggling.

Tilly Hammond falls somewhere within the autism spectrum with no specific diagnosis.  She has been expelled from several schools for inappropriate behavior. She's prone to meltdowns, licks floors and has frequent vulgar and violent outbursts.  For the Hammonds, Camp Harmony seems to be their last result for keeping their family together.  But just who is Scott Bean and to what lengths will he go to change the behaviors of Tilly and other challenging children who have come to the camp?

The story told from the POV's of Iris and Alexandra where we learn about family life before Camp Harmony and life at Camp Harmony.  Peppered throughout are excepts to show how Tilly reacts to various situations.  Younger sister Iris is a wonderful narrator and Alexandra truly believes that Scott Bean may just be their last chance as others have suggested institutionalizing Tilly.

The author does a great job capturing the desperation of the parents. I did read that the author has an autistic son and her knowledge of the challenges shows.  There is a sense on tension throughout, especially when Scott Bean becomes a bit unpredictable.  The novel wasn't perfect and the epilogue seemed unrealistic and at times forced but, it was still an enjoyable read overall.

4/5

(library)

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Book That Matters Most; Ann Hood

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two, from a book I'm reading or will be reading soon. 

The Book That Matters Most; Ann Hood

W.W. Norton Company - 2016

PART ONE

DECEMBER

Ava

"Ava saw it as soon as she turned the corner.  She stopped, squinting as if that would change what she was looking at.  It was a week before Christmas on Weybosset Street in downtown Providence.  The Christmas lights already shone, even at five o'clock, because the day was so dark and gray.  The air had that festive holiday feeling that came from people bustling about with oversized shopping bags, cold air, tired decorations, a guy selling Christmas trees on the corner.

But Ava felt anything but festive."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.

Leave Me; Gayle Forman

Leave Me; Gayle Forman

Algonquin - 2016

Maribeth Klein is a 40-something wife, mother to 4 year-old twins and career woman who tries to be all to all people. Her health suffers until one day she realizes she's had a heart attack and requires surgery.

When she finds recovering from surgery and taking care of her own needs extremely difficult with her family still depending on her, she decides to flee. Without any prior discussions she leaves her husband and kids to fend for themselves. She leaves NYC for Pittsburg while she heals and tries to find out about herself and her earliest roots -- she was adopted. WHAT?

This novel was a very quick read with nice short chapters and, while I think many overextended moms dream about escaping, few actually do so without some discussion at least.  I just couldn't understand Maribeth, instead of feeling grateful for making it though surgery she becomes resentful and bitchy. She never talks about her feelings and needs with her mother or spouse and just takes off.  I guess somewhat in MB's defense, her husband Jason, seemed a bit aloof and neither made any effort to communicate and understand the others needs. I think the author missed the mark by never developing her characters in a way that would make them more real and sympathetic.  In addition, the ending resolved itself way too easily to me.

3/5 stars

(eGalley) 

The Heavens May Fall; Allen Eskens

The Heavens May Fall; Allen Eskens

Seventh Street Books - 2016

Detective Max Rupert (Guise of Another) is back and is as good as ever in this part mystery, part crime and part legal thriller. 

Max is still struggling with the hit and run death of his wife Jenni and, on the one year anniversary of her death, he's been assigned to a murder case. The victim is Jennavieve Pruitt, and her attorney husband Ben seems to be the prime suspect, although there are others who might want her dead as well.

Meanwhile,  attorney Boady Sanden,  Rupert’s longtime friend, has been hired by Ben Pruitt to defend him in the murder trial. Boady is dealing with his own demons after an innocent man he represented was sent to prison.  After that incident Boady gave up practicing law and took a job teaching it instead but, Ben convinces him to take his case.  Max and Boady now find themselves with very different opinions about the guilt versus innocence of Ben Pruitt.

This story is told from both Max and Boady’s opposing POVs and, the story divided into sections : The Death, The Defense and The Trial.  The story is well written, with characters who come across as very human and compelling. The mystery itself kept me wondering and, who doesn't loved a surprise ending?

Allen Eskens is one author who has never disappointed, readers who love mystery and crime novels should give this one a try. I also enjoyed, The Life We Bury and The Guise of Another by this author. BTW -  It's not necessary to read these books in a particular order.

5/5 stars
(review copy)