A Book A Week

Adora Hazzard has life figured out. Or at least, she believes she does. A philosopher and devoted follower of Stoicism, Adora has built her entire worldview around the idea that happiness comes from wanting only what you already possess. And so she finds fulfillment in the life she’s carefully constructed, raising her teenage daughter, avoiding the complications of romance, and working as a moral tutor for the twin sons of an old-money Manhattan family.

She’s even devised a practical—if slightly eccentric—plan for aging comfortably in her Upper West Side apartment. Together with a group of like-minded women, she’s formed a sort of communal “coven,” built on the idea of sharing resources and looking after one another. After all, who really needs an entire loaf of bread to themselves?

But as Adora is about to learn, life rarely respects our carefully curated philosophies.

A chance encounter with a handsome stranger at the ballet sends her carefully ordered existence spiraling in an entirely new direction. For the first time in decades, Adora allows herself to feel something she’s long kept at arm’s length: desire. And once that door opens, there’s no closing it. Soon, she finds herself swept into black-market art deals, secret rendezvous, and international intrigue—all while reckoning with the traumas of her past and confronting the possibility that happiness might require wanting more after all.

It’s been a decade since Maria Semple last released a novel. While I loved her 2012 novel Where’d You Go, Bernadette, her follow-up, Today Will Be Different, left me wanting something more. So when I heard she had a new novel, Go Gentle, coming out, I decided to wait and see how readers responded before diving in myself. Thankfully, it seems the time away served Semple well. Heck, the book was even selected for Oprah's Book Club—high praise if there ever was any.

In the hands of almost any other author, Go Gentle would feel completely absurd. But Semple has a gift for grounding her madcap plots in characters who feel emotionally authentic and deeply human. At first, the novel seems poised to be a fairly straightforward, unexpected romance story. But a pivotal flashback in Part III reframes everything we think we know about Adora and the life she lived before becoming the woman we meet at the novel’s opening.

It’s a dark section of the story, and content warnings for emotional and sexual abuse are absolutely warranted, but it also provides crucial context for why Stoicism became such a central pillar of Adora’s identity. From there, the novel becomes something more powerful. It's a story about reclaiming your voice and pursuing happiness after years of denying it.

Yes, the road to get there is chaotic and often delightfully over-the-top, but that’s part of the charm. Semple asks us to grapple with whether a life spent avoiding desire is really a life fully lived at all. In the end, Go Gentle is a celebration of second chances and the courage it takes to finally choose yourself.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2026, 37)

Election cycles are always full of headline-grabbing news, especially when a polarizing candidate dominates the stage with viral moments that drive an even deeper wedge between parties. As the dust settles on this year's presidential race, analysts on both sides will undoubtedly delve into post-mortems to understand precisely what led to the final results. These high-impact events are often shaped by small, seemingly trivial choices that snowball into something more significant. Phillip Margolin's new standalone legal thriller, An Insignificant Case, taps into this theme, exploring how minor actions can escalate into seismic consequences. I eagerly accepted an audiobook copy from his publisher and found myself fully engrossed in the captivating story Margolin crafted.

Guido Sabatini considers himself a visionary, a once-in-a-generation painter whose work demands public admiration. But to most, he’s simply eccentric. Born Lawrence Weiss, Guido is arrested for breaking into a restaurant to reclaim a painting he once sold to them. After all, he was offended they displayed his art in a private office instead of somewhere the public could see it! In his previous life as Lawrence, he was also a skilled card shark and burglar, so it's no surprise that, along with his painting, he swiped a flash drive from the restaurant owner's safe. 

When most people think of a lawyer, they picture someone sharp, wealthy, and tangled up in high-stakes cases. But Charlie Webb is none of those things. A graduate of a third-rate law school, Charlie scrapes by representing old friends and taking on court-appointed cases that amount to little more than petty disputes. So, when he's assigned to represent the quirky Guido Sabatini, who’s been arrested for a bizarre art heist, Charlie assumes it's just another trivial matter. Guido admits to taking the painting and swiping a flash drive from the owner’s safe, though Charlie senses there’s more to the story.

Ever the competent negotiator, Charlie arranges a deal to return the painting and “other items” if the charges are dropped. But when he discovers that the flash drive contains damning evidence tied to a major sex trafficking case, Charlie realizes that he and Guido are suddenly in over their heads. What started as a quirky case now has the pair tangled in a dangerous web of crime and conspiracy, propelling them into the most perilous case of their lives.

In An Insignificant Case, Phillip Margolin takes an unlikely duo—a quirky artist and a struggling lawyer—and turns a seemingly trivial crime into a thrilling legal showdown that kept me hooked to the very end. Margolin skillfully balances the intensity of the crimes with sharp, witty exchanges between his two heroes, injecting welcome levity into the otherwise dark storyline. This interplay of humor and suspense makes the novel a standout read.

The audiobook, narrated by Peter Ganin, perfectly captures the story’s pace and tension, breathing life into each character with engaging flair. Beyond delivering a first-rate legal thriller, An Insignificant Case invites readers to ponder how even minor actions can trigger lasting consequences. It’s a clever twist on the genre that leaves a lasting impression. 

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 83)

How do you typically find your next read? I've developed a range of techniques to discover the next book that will capture my interest. Whether it's browsing bookstore shelves, listening to book review podcasts, or relying on trusted recommendations from fellow readers, each method has led me to some of my favorite reads. Recently, I've added TikTok to my repertoire. It took longer than expected for book-related content to appear on my "For You" page amidst the flood of puppy videos and cooking tutorials. But finally, it's there. One of my favorite creators on the platform offers an insider's look into book cover design, showcasing how he brings publishers' visions to life. His captivating process, particularly evident in a video where he designs the cover for Mailan Doquang's debut thriller Blood Rubies, inspired me to pick up the book.

Rune Sarasin has always understood the risks of her chosen lifestyle as a thief, but nothing could prepare her for the whirlwind of trouble that ensues in just seven days. It all begins with a daring heist of rubies from the luxurious confines of a Bangkok hotel room owned by the affluent smuggler Charles Lemaire. With the help of her boyfriend Kit, Rune narrowly evades Lemaire's relentless pursuit. However, their triumph is short-lived when they receive distressing news: Kit's sister, Madee, has vanished without a trace. Tracking Madee's cell phone leads them to the perilous Khlong Toei slum, where Rune's own mishap compounds their troubles – she inadvertently loses the stolen rubies while searching for Madee.

Charles Lemaire has set his sights on recovering his prized rubies, and he won't hesitate to resort to violence to achieve his goal. He captures Kit, holding him hostage until Rune returns his stolen jewels. If she fails, Kit will be killed. Now, Rune is thrust into a race against time, torn between reclaiming the lost rubies and rescuing Kit from Lemaire's clutches. Yet, amidst the chaos, Rune cannot ignore the pressing need to uncover the truth behind Madee's disappearance. Delving deeper into the shadows of the Khlong Toei slum, Rune soon discovers a sinister underworld of crime, where the stakes are far higher than a mere collection of stolen jewels or the fate of one missing girl.

I judged Blood Rubies by its cover, and I'm happy to say that the story within was just as captivating as its visually striking exterior. Mailan Doquang immerses readers in a world rife with crime, deception, and high-stakes action, crafting a narrative that unfolds with relentless momentum. This thrilling, globe-spanning tale expertly balances the allure of a daring heist with a protagonist whose personal stakes add depth and resonance to the narrative. Despite some moments of exaggerated action as the plot unfolded, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story, enjoying every twist and turn it had to offer. Blood Rubies is a delightful, pulse-pounding heist adventure that is sure to satisfy any fan of the thriller genre.

For more information, visit Amazon and Goodreads. 

(2024, 36)

After relishing my previous read and taking my time with it, I sought a book that would immediately captivate me. While I didn't have a particular title in mind, I yearned for a page-turner that I could effortlessly consume within a few hours. That's when I stumbled upon Ashley Elston's First Lie Wins, her inaugural foray into adult fiction after establishing herself as a YA author. Let me tell you, this book delivers a powerful punch. Several of my book-blogging friends had been enjoying it for the past month, and having experienced it myself, it's evident why. With brisk chapters, alternating timelines, and a plot rife with twists and turns, it offers precisely the kind of enthralling read I was in the mood for.

Revealing too much about this story would rob you of the excitement of discovering it for yourself. In fact, even the publisher's summary provides more details than necessary. The narrative revolves around Evie Porter, a charming Southern girl whose life appears to be the epitome of perfection. Her relationship with her wealthy businessman boyfriend has rapidly evolved, and they've decided to take the plunge into the next chapter by moving into a flawless home together. Evie has met his circle of friends, a group of affluent socialites in their own right, and is eager to embark on this new phase of her life. There's only one problem—Evie Porter doesn't actually exist. 

Ashley Elston's First Lie Wins immediately captivated me with its ability to forge a connection with a character about whom I initially knew little. As the truth about Evie Porter emerged, my intrigue deepened, and I grew more fond of the character. Elston employs a brisk pace, seamlessly transitioning between past and present, offering morsels of information that tantalizingly foreshadow events to come. The narrative's clever plotting drew me in, and while some suspension of disbelief is required, the thrill of the twists overshadowed any minor concerns. First Lie Wins is one of the most inventively plotted thrillers I've read this year. Elston doesn't attempt to make the book more than it is, delivering all the thrills, character revelations, and shocking twists that thriller enthusiasts crave. This was a delightful read, and I eagerly anticipate Elston's future ventures into this genre.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 15)

How do you decide on your next book to read? Being a book blogger and reviewer, I regularly receive offers from authors and publishers, presenting me with a never-ending stream of new titles. The reality is that there are far more books available than I could ever hope to read. In these situations, I often turn to the recommendations of fellow readers and reviewers to help me discover noteworthy titles. This was precisely how I stumbled upon Lee Matthew Goldberg's latest work, The Great Gimmelmans.

It all began when he shared information about his new book on the platform formerly known as Twitter. A mutual friend of ours, the talented novelist Russell Ricard (whose wonderful book The Truth About Goodbye you should definitely read if you haven't already), spoke highly of Goldberg's writing and encouraged me to explore it for myself. Generously, Goldberg provided me with a copy of the book, and I enthusiastically delved into its pages.

"There's no escaping us, Aaron. You'll always be a Gimmelman."

The book commences with Aaron Gimmelman embarking on a road trip alongside his son, Roark. It becomes evident that Aaron has been largely absent from his son's life, resulting in Roark's behavioral issues. With countless hours of travel before them, Aaron seizes the opportunity to bridge the gap between them by sharing his life story with his son. He chooses to play the audiobook of his memoir, a narrative recounting his turbulent and crime-ridden childhood. As he presses the play button, the reader is also drawn into this narrative.

In 1987, a stock market crash upends the life of young Aaron Gimmelman. His father, Barry, a stockbroker, loses everything in the crash, leaving the family with no savings and on the brink of homelessness. With only their clothes and an RV to their name, the Gimmelman family, consisting of parents Barry and Judith, along with their children Steph, Aaron, and Jenny, embarks on a cross-country journey to Florida in search of a fresh start. Along the way, Aaron begins to grasp the extent of his parents' financial struggles and the sacrifices they've made. Driven by the desire to alleviate their hardships, he resorts to petty theft from a convenience store, unknowingly setting into motion a chain of criminal activities that will forever change their lives.

"Someone is only truly dead where there is no one left to remember them."

In The Great Gimmelmans, Lee Matthew Goldberg has skillfully crafted a novel that seamlessly blends entertainment with emotional depth. This book is a captivating amalgamation of various genres, encompassing elements of a coming-of-age narrative, dark humor, and an enthralling heist story. While the fast-paced plot initially drew me in, it was the well-developed characters that held my attention throughout. Goldberg adeptly intertwines the excitement of a page-turning thriller with thought-provoking musings on parenthood, religion, and the weight of guilt. Each of these resonates powerfully within the narrative.

The characters in the story are multifaceted, each grappling with their own imperfections, grounding them in a relatable reality while participating in the larger-than-life events of the plot. Goldberg presents the story as a book within a book, a creative choice culminating in a poignant and multi-layered ending. The Great Gimmelmans is an exceptional novel that deserves a spot on every reader's must-read list. If, like me, you often choose your next read based on recommendations from fellow readers, consider this my enthusiastic endorsement for this remarkable book.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2023, 74)

Colson Whitehead is one of those rare authors whose new books immediately jump to the top of my reading list. As the only living writer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction twice, he's more than earned the acclaim. Novels like The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys are powerful examinations of America's history. No matter the book, one of the things I admire most about Whitehead is his willingness to surprise readers.

His previous novel, Harlem Shuffle, was proof of that. Rather than another sweeping historical drama, Whitehead delivered a stylish crime novel set in 1960s Harlem. It still explored race and class, but with a sharper sense of humor and a cast of unforgettable characters. Even if the pacing occasionally wandered, I was completely invested in Ray Carney, a furniture salesman trying to build an honest life while never quite escaping the pull of crime.

So I was thrilled to learn that Crook Manifesto wasn't just another novel, but the second installment in a trilogy following Carney. Whitehead returns to Harlem in the 1970s, where both the neighborhood and its inhabitants continue to evolve.

The novel unfolds across three interconnected stories set several years apart. At first, Carney appears to have left his criminal past behind. He owns the building housing his furniture store, his business is thriving, and he's determined to stay on the straight and narrow. Then his daughter asks for Jackson 5 tickets, forcing him to call in an old favor from a police fixer who has a few requests of his own.

From there, Whitehead broadens the story's scope. We catch back up with Pepper as he finds himself providing security on the set of a Blaxploitation film, rubbing shoulders with celebrities, criminals, and all sorts of colorful personalities. The final section brings Carney and Pepper back together to investigate a suspicious fire, sending them deep into the corruption simmering beneath Harlem's surface.

What I appreciated most about Crook Manifesto is the way Whitehead builds on the first novel. Harlem Shuffle was largely about Ray Carney trying to decide what kind of man he wanted to be. Here, that internal struggle has largely disappeared. Carney understands who he is now. The question is no longer whether he'll cross the line, but how often—and for whom. That evolution gives the novel a very different feel. 

Dividing the story into three separate episodes makes it read almost like a collection of connected novellas, each capturing Harlem at a different moment in the decade. Whitehead uses those changing times to explore politics, corruption, race, and the shifting identity of the neighborhood, all while balancing surprisingly sharp humor. A fried chicken heist, of all things, became one of my favorite sequences in the entire book.

Like many middle chapters, Crook Manifesto doesn't offer the same sense of resolution as its predecessor. At times, it feels more interested in positioning the pieces for the trilogy's conclusion than standing completely on its own. Even so, Whitehead's prose remains as sharp as ever, his characters are endlessly entertaining, and his portrait of 1970s Harlem is impossible not to get lost in. It may not surpass Harlem Shuffle, but it left me eager to see how Ray Carney's story ultimately comes to an end.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2023, 53)

John Grisham holds a special place on my bookshelf. I remember really getting into his books during high school, a time when I was finding my own way as a reader. His ability to provide terse legal thrillers that had a great pace but also featured relatable characters proved to be an irresistible combination. In more recent years, I've made a concerted effort to read a wider variety of genres and authors, but I still come back to Grisham's writing on occasion. His novel Camino Island, a book about a literary heist, has been on my TBR list forever. This week I had some extra time in between publisher-provided books, so I took advantage and finally cracked it open. 

The novel opens with a daring group of thieves about to make a meticulous heist from the vaults of the Princeton Library. Their target is the original, hand-written manuscripts of F. Scott Fitzgerald. The American literary icon's work is estimated to be worth millions, something the thieves are prepared to stop at nothing to steal. As luck would have it, their well-prepared heist goes off without a hitch. The group makes off with the manuscripts, leaving the university and authorities desperate to get them back. 

Enter our unlikely hero Mercer Mann. She was once the author of a novel that became a critical darling but never found true financial success. In the years following, Mercer struggled to write a follow-up, and any chance at building a career as a published author seems to have gone by the wayside. When we meet her, she has lost her job, has no prospects for the future, and is financially crippled by student loans. Mercer is shocked then when she is approached by a mysterious woman. She's even more rattled by the woman's request. The woman is part of a small unit within law enforcement, and she wants Mercer to go undercover to help them find the lost Fitzgerald manuscripts. 

The more recent output from John Grisham has been pretty hit or miss, but I was happy to discover that Camino Island is a hit. I mean let's be honest for a minute, a book about books is always a win! The setting in a small tropical town means that everyone knows everyone else, a fact that helps deepen the secrecy behind the mystery. There are whispers amongst the townspeople, but it is up to our main character to plant herself among them, build their trust, and uncover the truth behind all of the rumors. Grisham is at his best when he combines a compelling plot with great characters. Camino Island sees the author in peak form. This is everything I want from a summer read. There's a sequel to the book that was published a few years ago, so it is already going on my list of books to read next summer. 

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2022, 37)

"He'd spent so much time trying to keep one half of himself separate from the other half, and now they were set to collide."

How do you follow up a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel? If you're Colson Whitehead, the answer is easy. You simply write another Pulitzer winner. That's what he did with his last two efforts, The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys. Each of those books told powerful stories dealing with slavery and racism, unflinching portraits of a nation's tragic history. I adored both novels, and have been not so patiently waiting for Whitehead to write something new. The hype surrounding his first Pulitzer win was massive, so you can imagine the anticipation with which the world has waited for this follow-up to his second. The fine folks at Doubleday granted me access to an advanced copy of Whitehead's latest book Harlem Shuffle. While this new work is not nearly as serious as his previous two efforts, it is nonetheless impactful. 

Ray Carney is a man between two worlds. In 1959 Harlem, everybody knows everybody. To most of the community, Ray is known as the upstanding owner of Carney's Furniture, a modest business on 125th street that sells good quality furniture at a reasonable price. It isn't much, but it's an honest living. Could things be better? Of course. Despite a decent living, money can be tight. Ray and his wife live in a small apartment that the impending birth of their second child will officially render too small. This is where the other side to Ray begins to emerge. You see, he's the son of a well-known crook, the kind of man who is completely counter to the honest businessman Ray has worked to become. Ray's struggled to carve his own path away from the shadow of his father for years, but the need for a higher cash flow is about to darken that path again. 

It begins innocently enough. Ray's cousin, Freddie, periodically shows up to the store with a random piece of jewelry. Ray doesn't ask where the items come from, but he's happy to take them off Freddie's hands. A little extra income off the books never hurts. But then Freddie begins to escalate things. He joins a group of gangsters in a plot to rob a prominent hotel and volunteers Ray to hold and sell whatever loot is gained. The heist goes off with plenty of complications that place Ray in the sight of the worst kind of people. Suddenly his quiet family business becomes the meeting place for criminals, dirty cops, and other lowlifes who call Harlem home. As the novel progresses, Ray struggles to balance the two sides of himself, the cracks between them threatening to dismantle his entire livelihood. 

Harlem Shuffle sees Colson Whitehead writing a story that places his readers directly into the heart of Harlem during the early 1960s. His descriptions of the place and people who inhabit it are as real as any of his previous characters, the kind of folks whom you could easily see passing on the streets as you visit the city. There's a lightness and sense of fun to this novel that wasn't present in his previous two works but don't let that fool you. Beneath the surface lies the kind of thoughtful commentary on race, class, and morality that readers have come to expect from this celebrated author. I hesitate to say that I enjoyed this book as much as I did other Whitehead novels. The opening portions of the book took a bit too long to establish the story for my taste. Still, the latter half of the novel had me breezing through the pages, breathlessly reading to see how the ending would play out. The uneven pace of this one is perhaps more noticeable because of the stellar plotting of Whitehead's last two books. Still, there's plenty about Harlem Shuffle to marvel at. Sometimes a great author writes a great book while other times they merely write a good book. I think that's the case with this one. It won't be my favorite book written by Colson Whitehead, but it certainly is a joy to read. 

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2021, 33)

With just three books to go before completing my goal of reading a book a week this year, I'm finding that the end of this journey is looking much like it began. My reading has taken me through many more genres than I typically encounter, but I'm falling back into a more comfortable territory to close things out.  I started the year off by reading Just Watch Me, the start of a new series by Jeff Lindsay. Lindsay shot to fame for his best selling Dexter series, and his newest character proved to be just as fascinating. When his publisher offered me a copy of Fool Me Twice, the second novel to feature Lindsay's burglar protagonist Riley Wolfe, I jumped at the chance to read it. I'm pleased to report that this sequel more than delivered everything I grew to love about the first book. 

Riley Wolfe is really good at his job. He's meticulous in the preparation, execution, and clean up of each job he undertakes. He has to be. When you devote your life to pulling off the kind of heists that even the most competent thieves wouldn't even dream of attempting, there's really no room for error. In fact, that's why Riley is so frustrated with himself at the start of this novel. You see, despite all the precision and careful planning, the disguises, the fake names, and the payoffs, Riley has been double-crossed. He finds himself in the exact position he has worked so diligently to avoid. He's at the mercy of another crook. 

Held captive for several days, chained in place, his finger broken, Riley is pretty much done with whatever the heck is going on. He's not used to this kind of treatment, and he's ready to do whatever it will take to gain back his freedom. It is soon revealed that his captor, notorious arms dealer Patrick Boniface, is ready to make a deal. Boniface is prepared to trade Riley's freedom in exchange for a heist. But this isn't just your ordinary theft. What Boniface wants is impossible. He wants Riley to bring him a famed fresco by Raphael that is directly painted onto a wall within the Vatican. Fortunately for both Riley and Boniface, Riley has a knack for achieving the impossible. 

With Fool Me Twice, Jeff Lindsay is two for two in providing clever thrills and intriguing drama in his series. Like his more famous character Dexter, Riley Wolfe is a classic anti-hero. The man literally lies, cheats, and steals his way through life, and I couldn't get enough of him. There's something delightfully irresistible about Wolfe. It is fun in the way that any heist story is. You know what the protagonist is doing is technically wrong, but you're so caught up in the thrill of the attempt that you can't help but root for them. While reading the first book will provide more insight into the existing relationships between the main characters (there's a noticeable lack of continued character development in this book compared to the previous one), not reading it won't disqualify you from enjoying the main story of this one. That being said, the first book is really fun too. Do yourself a favor and read both! As for me, I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book to feature this fun character, and quickly reading a couple more books to finish my book a week goal. 

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2020, 50)

Confession: I have yet to read Andy Weir's The Martian. I know what you're thinking, "How could he have missed reading that one?!" I honestly don't know. I loved the film adaptation of the book, and the kindle version has languished on my kindle for over a year. For some reason I just never got around to reading it. My negligence aside, The Martian became such a critical and commercial success that author Andy Weir has released a sophomore novel Artemis. I'm pleased to report that this novel hasn't sat dormant on my kindle. I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I doubt you'll be able to ignore it either.

Artemis sees Weir tackling a story that takes place a little bit closer to home than his previous novel, closer to home than Mars at least. In this novel, man has conquered space and made their home on the Moon. Artemis, as the lunar colony has been named, plays host to a variety of tourists, wealthy industrialists, and the people who work for them. Jasmine Bashara, Jazz has lived most of her 20+ years on the moon. Her father is a well-regarded welder who longs for Jazz to follow in his professional footsteps, but Jazz has other plans. Her job as a porter who ships the various goods that make the city run pays only a meager salary. To earn more slugs (the currency of the moon), Jazz has turned to smuggling in contraband for some of Artemis's wealthier citizens.

A local businessman who regularly uses Jazz's smuggling services has called her in for a chat. He has a grand scheme to take over the monopolized aluminum smelting industry on the moon. The plan hinges upon someone sabotaging automated harvesters that scour the moon's surface. Jazz has the capability to both space walk and weld, skills that are paramount in successfully completing the job. In exchange for her services, Jazz would receive one million slugs, enough money to live comfortably and realize her dreams of her own business. But things will not be easy, especially in space!

I thoroughly enjoyed Artemis. The Martian was essentially an escape thriller that happened to take place on Mars. In Artemis, Andy Weir sets a fast-paced heist thriller on the moon. I'm no scientist, so I can't speak to the scientific plausibility of Weir's imagined colony. Still, Weir's consistency in quasi-scientific logic goes a long way in making this out-of-this-world fiction set in an authentic reality. Jazz is unapologetically crass at times, but operates with an unflinching moral compass that makes her instantly engaging. The supporting cast of space-dwelling misfits are equally attractive. I still haven't read The Martian, but if Artemis is any indication of the quality of entertainment that Andy Weir can concoct, I certainly won't put off reading it much longer.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.

(2017, 49)

For years, Tracy Whitney and Jeff Stevens were an unstoppable con team. Together, they pulled off impossible heists against rich, greedy, and corrupt people, and earned enough money to afford them comforts for the rest of their lives. But the illustrious couple gave up the excitement of their criminal lifestyle to opt for something more normal...marriage.

In the time following the wedding, their lives seem to be going great. Jeff gets a job curating an exhibition at the British Museum, putting his passion for antiquities and sharp mind to good use. Meanwhile, Tracy makes plans to fill her time by having a baby. Jeff excels at his new career, but Tracy struggles to conceive. This causes her to long for the thrill of her con days. Naturally, this begins to eat away at the couple's indestructible relationship. When accusations of infidelity are brought to light, the relationship reaches a breaking point, and Tracy leaves Jeff.

Ten years later, the two are leading separate lives. Jeff, who is back in the con game, still thinks of Tracy everyday. More than anything, he just wants to know that she is alive a doing well. Tracy has retreated to a quiet life in Colorado, and has completely given up a life of crime. She knows that Jeff is a good man, but she can't let him back into her life. She is shocked when a French Interpol officer contacts her at home. She did a thorough job of erasing her past, but it seems that it may finally be catching up with her. The officer informs her that he has connected a series of ruthless murders to heists in cities that Tracy was active in. Tracy is disturbed at the thought that someone could be framing her for these crimes and worse, that the person doing this could be Jeff!

Again, Tilly Bagshawe publishes a novel under the late Sidney Sheldon's name. This is a sequel to Sheldon's If Tomorrow Comes. I didn't read the book by Sheldon, so I can't speak to Bagshawe's continuation. That being said, the fast pace, relatable characters, and intriguing twists make this a quick and enjoyable read that works just as well as a standalone novel. I was surprised at how much I sympathized with Tracy and Jeff. The family drama that they deal with helps the reader realize that despite being criminals, they are everyday people with everyday problems.  These traditional human elements mix with the thriller aspects to create a fun, exciting novel that completely does justice to the legacy of Sidney Sheldon.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and GoodReads.

(2014)

Jesse James is perhaps one of the most famous criminals in American history. With the assistance of his notorious gang of outlaws, James sealed his position in the legends of western folklore. In Shot All to Hell, author Mark Lee Gardner details the gang's final showdown, as they attempted to rob the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota.

Gardner provides unique insights into the gang's motivations. It turns out, that the group is comprised of mostly ex-confederates. With that in mind, it is easy to understand why they would want to rob a northern bank. On top of the giant blow the heist would cause the Northerners, the giant sum of money that the gang would acquire would allow the James Brothers to settle down and end their outlaw ways. But as most heists go, this one doesn't go as plan. Despite the gang's confidence in their actions, they never expected the bankers to fight back. Throughout the book, Gardner chronicles the actions of the gang and the group of citizens determined to defeat the notorious criminals.

This book could have easily been a rehash of historical facts, regurgitated as fresh revelations. Fortunately, Gardner eschews the pitfalls of other historical books, writing with a quick prose and surprisingly vibrant wit. He sheds a new light on several aspects of the James gang, remaining objective in both is reporting and observations. This books reads as a fast paced, historical, western, managing to remain both factual and entertaining. At under 300 pages, Shot All to Hell is the perfect summer read for those looking for a smart, quick, alternative to the standard fare.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and GoodReads.

(2013: week 31, book 30)