A Book A Week

I'm very late to the party with this one. A.J. Finn's debut novel, The Woman in the Window, took the book world by storm when it was released in 2018. Naturally, it became one of those "must-read" books I procrastinated on until all the hype died down. The author later faced controversy for exaggerating and misstating details of his personal past and credentials. Now that the dust has settled and Finn has released a new novel this year, albeit without the same fanfare as his debut, I decided it was time to finally dive into The Woman in the Window and see what all the fuss was about.

As an agoraphobic, Anna Fox has lived a life of isolation, unable to venture outside her New York City home. She spends her days drinking wine—sometimes a lot of wine—watching classic movies, and reminiscing about the days before her anxiety confined her to her house. And, of course, Anna watches. She watches out the window with intensity, observing the comings and goings of her neighborhood. Some might call it spying, but Anna wouldn't go that far. She's just being observant, as she believes all neighbors should look out for each other. As the days blur together, Anna creates little stories about the people in her neighborhood, drawing inspiration from the classic noir films she consumes daily.

When a new family, the Russells, moves into the house across the street, Anna watches them keenly. She sees the mother, father, and son slowly unpack their belongings and make the home their own. Who are these people? What is their life like? Something terrible happens as she starts to weave fiction about their lives. Anna witnesses something horrific—or does she? The combination of Merlot and prescription pills for her ever-increasing anxiety makes her question everything. What is real, and what is imagined? The truth may be more dangerous than any fiction she could conjure.

The Woman in the Window unfolds just as I expected. A.J. Finn's protagonist perfectly embodies the unreliable narrator, blurring the line between fiction and reality and offering thriller enthusiasts plenty of enigmas to unravel. It reminded me of other thrillers with "Girl/Woman" in the title, such as The Girl on the Train or The Woman in Cabin 10. In those novels, the narrators grapple with personal demons while navigating potentially perilous situations, much like in this book. It is a trope that clearly works for many thriller authors and works just fine here, too. 

While I was intrigued by what Anna may or may not have witnessed, I couldn't help but feel that much of her misfortune was self-inflicted. This is my ongoing issue with unreliable narrator thrillers, and The Woman in the Window falls into many of the same traps. The book is undeniably a page-turner, serving as both a thrilling mystery and an homage to the classic noir films that clearly inspired it. Still, as I reflect on it, I can't say it left a lasting impact on me. It's a twisty, compulsively readable story, but it won't rank among the best thrillers I've ever read.

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

(2024, 55)

Do you judge a book by its cover? While I'd like to say otherwise, a book's cover often catches my attention first. Of course, I always delve into the synopsis to gauge my interest, but an eye-catching cover can definitely pique my curiosity even more. While I may not be the best judge of cover art, I received Everybody Knows by Jordan Harper from the publisher earlier this year, and admittedly, its cover didn't immediately grab me. The LA skyline and enigmatic eyes at the top seemed washed out by the bright red background. After letting it sit on my shelf for a while, however,  I eventually read the synopsis and found it intriguing enough to dive in. Surprisingly, the story inside proved to be much more enthralling than the cover might suggest.

Step into Mae Pruett's Los Angeles, a city where silence reigns, and secrets are shielded by whispers. Mae, a "black-bag" publicist for one of LA's most influential crisis PR firms, is the guardian of the rich, powerful, and morally questionable. She's become an expert at containing their most ruinous scandals, the kind of controversies that could destroy their status and reputation. When her boss is unexpectedly murdered, Mae embarks on a daring solo investigation, uncovering the labyrinthine operations of "The Beast," a complex network of lawyers, PR agents, and security firms that operates ruthlessly to protect the elite. 

Mae's journey propels her into the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, a world illuminated by neon hues and fueled by pharmaceuticals and illusions. She'll face the dichotomies unique to the city she inhabits like the luxurious mansions overlooking sprawling homeless encampments and encounters with corrupt police who break the very laws they are tasked to enforce. Seeking solace in her ex-lover Chris, a former cop turned private investigator, Mae becomes entwined in a battle against the forces she once served. Along the way, she might expose the hidden truths driving the city's powerful and corrupt aristocracy.

In Everybody Knows, Jordan Harper masterfully crafts a neo-noir thriller that seamlessly blends the genre's traditional elements with a contemporary twist. Drawing inspiration from noir's rich legacy, Harper brings it into the modern era with finesse. The novel encapsulates all the classic ingredients of crime noir. Two compelling antiheroes embroiled in moral dilemmas spark reader empathy. At the same time, the vivid Los Angeles backdrop becomes an integral third character, shrouding the narrative in a blend of atmospheric intrigue and darkness.

Harper skillfully navigates the dynamic between glamour and destitution, highlighting the morally ambiguous individuals that populate his tale. Amidst these timeless noir tactics, Harper introduces a plot deeply rooted in the present, delving into the complex implications of the "Me too" movement. He fearlessly explores the intricate balance between deserved consequences and the actual impact on those who wielded their power to exploit. This merging of classic noir methods with contemporary themes results in an engrossing, unputdownable thriller that leaves a lasting impact. Despite its unassuming cover, Everybody Knows is a true gem that shines as brightly as the neon lights of the city it is set in. 

For more information, visit Amazon and Goodreads. 

(2023, 47)

What's your go-to genre? My tastes have evolved and varied, but I always return to crime fiction. There's just something about following a character through the process of investigative discovery that I find eternally appealing. It should come as no surprise then that I happily accepted a copy of The Wheel of the Doll by Jonathan Ames from his publisher. This follow-up to his novel A Man Named Doll promised to be an "...irreverent and inventive mystery...", so I knew I had to give it a read. I hadn't read the first book in the series, but I wasn't about to let that stop me from diving right in. 

When we meet our hero, he is physically and emotionally scarred from his last case. All things considered, though, he's ready to hop back into the proverbial saddle. A man named Happy Doll probably doesn't have any other choice but to be optimistic. He's a private investigator who relies on independent cases for his livelihood, so he's willing to listen to the young woman who shows up at his door with an offer for a new investigation. He's not prepared, however, for the way this case will force him to reckon with his past. 

The woman is named Mary DeAngelo, and she's looking for her mother Ines Candle. Happy instantly recognizes the mother's name as an ex-lover of his. The last time the couple was together, she barely survived an attempt at suicide. Happy is saddened to learn that her life didn't get better after that. Mary has been estranged from Ines for a while, but recently received a Facebook message that alleges to be from her. Mary's mysterious husband puts up the funds to pay Happy to find Ines. As he embarks on finding her, he's left with more questions than answers. Old wounds will reopen and new ones are sure to follow. 

The Wheel of the Doll sees Jonathan Ames write a hardboiled private investigator novel that blends echoes of the genre's past while blazing a trail into the future. This is a small, intimate story that takes full advantage of developing the characters and the mystery with laser-like precision. Reading about this down-on-his-luck investigator reminded me of some of the great noir novels, especially as the entire book is set in the shadows of Los Angeles. Ames hints at some of the events that happened in the first novel, but this story is self-contained enough that I never felt lost. There's a sparseness to the work that makes it compulsively readable. I was hooked from beginning to end, unable to pull myself from the pages. The Wheel of the Doll is a novel that knows exactly what kind of story it is trying to tell, and Ames deftly executes it to its fullest potential. 

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

(2022, 50)

"Music and comic books. Why couldn't that be life! Why was life so dull, so gray, so bereft of any surprises?" 

Last summer author Silvia Moreno-Garcia's novel Mexican Gothic seemed to be the talk of the bookish community. I quickly procured a copy of the book for myself to see what all the fuss was about. Then, like too many of the other hyped "must-read" books that I buy, I never got around to actually reading it. So much time has passed, in fact, that Moreno-Garcia has already released another novel. I didn't want to miss out on her work again, so when her publisher offered me a copy of Velvet Was the Night, I was happy to accept it. 

The year is 1970. The place, Mexico City. Young Elvis is a bit odd for a man of his generation. He loves to watch classic movies and listen to old rock 'n' roll. Heck, even his chosen name is inspired by the King of Rock himself. Elvis isn't a bad guy, at least not in his own eyes, but the man he works for is a different story. Who is this mysterious figure? As the novel opens, we're not exactly sure. All we know is that this boss has tasked Elvis and the other members of his goon squad with disrupting the political activism that is threatening to overtake the Mexican government's status quo. 

Maite's life is about as far from action and excitement as you could possibly imagine. The young secretary diligently works her mundane job each day and spends most of her off time at her apartment reading the latest installment of Secret Romance. She fantasizes about being a character in those serialized stories, finding a hunky man to sweep her off her feet as she endures daring adventures each week. Alas, a life of romance and intrigue is not in the cards. The most adventure she'll have today is feeding her neighbor's cat in the apartment next door. But here is where things begin to get interesting. You see, Elvis has been tasked with keeping an eye on none other than Maite. Why? Well, let's just say that Maite is about to fall into a conspiracy even wilder than the stories she reads. 

Like the great noir novels that seem to have inspired it, Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a quick little thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep the pages turning. The cat and mouse aspect between the two main characters propel the plot forward while also revealing little details that deepen our understanding of them.  The ordinariness of Maite, in particular, served as a nice foil to the outrageous action that was unfolding around her. Despite all these positives, I couldn't help but feel like something was missing from the book. The disparate elements of political activism, a budding romance, and an unlikely hero's journey were fun to read about at the moment, but I didn't feel a true sense of arrival or completion when I finished the final page. Velvet Was the Night ended up reading more like the serialized stories that Maite read. I had fun breezing through the pages, but the story didn't move me beyond the entertainment of reading it. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that, so I hesitate to say I didn't like the book. Like Maite at the start of the story, I think I was probably just hyping myself up for something more than was being offered. 

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

(2021, 29)

In Wolfhound Century, author Peter Higgins imagines a fantastic, totalitarian state, inhabited by grim characters. In other words, Higgins has crafted his vision of 1940's Russia. The story mainly follows investigator Vissarion Lom, as he attempts to capture a terrorist. Intrigue is instantly put on display as Lom is ordered to report directly to the head of the Secret Police. Despite the image of power and order that the state projects, Lom discovers the state to be full of power struggles and battles between the state police and radical revolutionaries.

Adding to all of this is a muddied attempt by the author to impart elements of fantasy and Russian folklore to this otherwise straight-forward crime thriller. When I first read of the crime leader dealing with a possession of the mind reminiscent of something out of an exorcism film, I immediately felt disconnected from the story. While I believe that Higgins does a commendable job at building his vision of Russia, there comes a point when too many details become cumbersome and distract from the story.

I'm convinced that within the many names of places, people, and muddied descriptions of Russian myth, there is a good story. Despite never really getting into a strong flow, I couldn't help but continue reading to the next chapter (short chapters probably helped with this issue). The story itself is fairly convincing, and all of the plot lines come to a satisfying point. Unfortunately, the narrative just stops, which I'm assuming means a sequel to this novel is in the works. For my tastes, however, I just can't get over the style of Higgin's writing to justify reading a future installment.

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

(2013: week 13, book 10)

I honestly had no idea what to expect as I began reading Angel's Gate by author p.g. sturges. Described as a kind of tongue-in-cheek, noir novel, I was initially attracted by the thought of a good mystery. Set in Los Angeles, the novel follows the story of shortcut man Dick Henry. A former cop, Henry now goes around town, "getting things done" for the illustrious characters who occupy Hollywood. We first gain a glimpse into his work when he retrieves a client's money from a fraudulent lawyer. After getting the money (and urinating in the fraudulent lawyer's ficus tree), Henry reveals himself to be a man with good intentions, even if his methods are unconventional.

The first few chapters are a bit confusing as each one introduces different characters and points of view. Fortunately, the setup is made clearer as each character develops into unique individuals. Without giving too much of the plot away, the novel basically follows Henry as he is thrust into a large conspiracy, lead by the womanizing head of a large movie studio. When one of the studio executives "stars" is brutally beaten and sexually abused, Henry is called in to help clean up the mess. All parties involved, including a disgruntled producer, violent director, former Nazi doctor, and a women who's job is to take care of all the studio head's women, struggle to keep the incident a secret, for fear of losing their jobs and plush Hollywood lifestyle that they have grown accustomed to.

I although it took a little while to get going, I ended up being totally engrossed in this novel. sturges writes with a confidence and lightness that really lends itself well to this kind of noir story. This novel definitely has some graphic scenes, but all are presented in a light-hearted way that never glorifies the violence. The strong characters, multiple intersecting plots, and sturges's sharp wit, all culminate into an entertaining and surprisingly satisfying read.

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

(2013: week 11, book 8)

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