A Book A Week

What’s in a name? In today’s divided world, even the act of choosing what to call someone can spark controversy. Pronouns, preferred names, who we love—everything’s a battlefield. For the protagonist of Make Sure You Die Screaming, the idea of choosing a name feels impossible. Recently, out as nonbinary, they haven’t quite settled on what they want to be called. But to be fair, they’ve had other things on their mind. 

Their cushy corporate job exploded in spectacular fashion. Their relationship ended in violence. And the head injury from that breakup? It might’ve left them with brain damage—or at least, that’s the story they’re telling themself. Now, they’re spiraling, numbing the pain with an epic bender, and waiting for rock bottom to show up.

Then comes a phone call from their mom with news that their ultra-conservative, conspiracy-loving MAGA dad has gone missing. Just the news to push them over the edge. Still, ever the loyal—well, something (son? daughter? honestly, even they’re not sure)—they pack up, leave Chicago behind, and head to Arkansas to figure out what happened. Yes, the car is stolen. Yes, their partner in this misadventure is a self-described “garbage goth” best friend with a mess of her own. But together, they hit the road chasing a mystery—and maybe a little clarity—through a country as fractured and bizarre as their own sense of self.

If ever there were a book tailor-made for this moment, Make Sure You Die Screaming by Zee Carlstrom would be it. Carlstrom writes with a unique blend of urgency and humor, holding up an unflinching mirror to our world and daring us to look. The result is electric. At times, it's chaotic, yes, but no more chaotic than the headlines we’re bombarded with daily. No topic is off-limits. Gender expression, family, grief, capitalism, romance, and friendship all find their place on this wild, cathartic road trip. The journey becomes authentically messy, filled with sharp commentary, biting comedy, and surprising tenderness. Make Sure You Die Screaming is bold, brash, and pulsing with life. It's a fearless, unforgettable read.

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

(2024, 28)

I've always had a soft spot for classic murder mysteries. It's a genre that shaped my love for reading and often provides a go-to escape when I need a reliable book. So, when Ragnar Johnasson's publisher offered me an audio copy of his newest novel, Death at the Sanatorium, I was immediately intrigued. Icelandic crime fiction can be a mixed bag for me, but the idea of this novel being inspired by the classic mysteries I've come to love was too tempting to pass up. Fortunately, this one turned out to be a clever take on the genre.

In 1983, an elderly nurse was murdered at a hospital in Iceland, the site of a former sanatorium steeped in dark history. Detective Hulda Hermannsdóttir and her superior, Sverrir, were called in to investigate and begin questioning the staff on duty that night. A nurse's false testimony resulted in the arrest of a caretaker, but the case quickly took a turn. Just days later, a physician was found dead, having apparently fallen from a balcony. Sverrir deemed it a suicide, released the caretaker from custody, and assumed the physician was responsible for the nurse's murder, closing the case for good.

Nearly thirty years later, young police detective Helgi Reykdal is juggling his studies in criminology with a search for a job that aligns with his passion for classic mysteries. A devoted fan of Agatha Christie and P.D. James, Helgi has focused his dissertation on the old sanatorium murders in 1983, which he believes remain unsolved. By a stroke of fate, he secures a detective position with the Reykjavik police. It's the very role Hulda Hermannsdóttir held during the original investigation. Helgi revisits the cold case, convinced something was overlooked. As he begins meeting with the original suspects, he uncovers a long-buried web of silence and suspicion. Only his sharp intellect and determination will help him unravel the truth behind the decades-old mystery.

In Death at the Sanatorium, Ragnar Jonasson merges modern storytelling with a timeless murder mystery formula, creating a narrative that feels both familiar and fresh. The story alternates between two timelines—one set in the past, echoing classic detective novels, and the other in the present, where a young detective revisits a case long considered closed. This structure keeps readers on edge and adds layers of intrigue as the past's secrets slowly unravel in the present.

Though the characters could have been more deeply explored, the novel delivers an atmospheric, suspenseful mystery with a shocking and emotional twist. Jonasson's nod to golden-age detective fiction, combined with his contemporary take on justice and hidden truths, makes Death at the Sanatorium a gripping read for fans of the genre.

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

(2024, 67)

In his latest novel, Granite Harbor, Peter Nichols masterfully blends elements of familiarity and originality to craft a gripping murder mystery. The story is set in the evocative coastal town of Granite Harbor, Maine, where the tranquil atmosphere is shattered by a gruesome discovery at The Settlement, a historic archaeological site. As visitors on a tour stumble upon the lifeless body of a teenage boy hanging from one of the structures, the entire town is thrust into a state of shock and uncertainty.

To delve further into the intricacies of the plot would detract from the immersive experience that awaits you. Approaching the novel without prior knowledge, I was captivated by the mystery it presented. Nichols expertly populates his story with a diverse cast of characters, each offering a unique perspective on the events unfolding around them. From the grief-stricken high schoolers grappling with the loss of a friend to the concerned parents navigating the aftermath, every character feels fully realized and integral to the narrative.

At the heart of Granite Harbor are two competing perspectives. The first is the town's part-time detective, a struggling author thrust into the role of solving a crime that hits uncomfortably close to home. The second offers glimpses into the psyche of an unnamed individual, the enigmatic killer lurking amidst the community. Nichols masterfully weaves these disparate threads, along with the broader tapestry of the town's inhabitants, crafting a tale that is as chilling as it is compelling.

While the central mystery propels the narrative forward, the depth of the characters and the town's authenticity truly elevate Granite Harbor. Nichols meticulously builds a sense of unease and tension, drawing readers into a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface of idyllic small-town life. As the story unfolded, the stakes escalated, leaving me on the edge of my seat until the final, spine-tingling revelation.

Granite Harbor is a testament to Nichols' skill as a storyteller, delivering a mystery that resonates on multiple levels. I had the pleasure of experiencing the audiobook version, generously provided by the publisher, and found Peter Ganin's narration utterly captivating. On several occasions, I found myself completely engrossed in the story, unable to focus on anything else as I listened. From the vividly drawn characters to the atmospheric setting and pulse-pounding plot, Granite Harbor is a book that stays with you long after the story concludes.

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

(2024, 34)

This year, a significant part of my reading has been dedicated to exploring the works of new authors I hadn't previously encountered. Venturing into uncharted literary territory has yielded fairly mixed results. While some authors failed to strike a chord with me, others have swiftly risen to the status of must-reads. Hannah Morrissey firmly belongs to the latter group. Her debut novel, Hello, Transcriber, captivated me with its evocative ambiance and gripping narrative, prompting me to eagerly consume her subsequent work. Now, Morrissey revisits the fictional town of Black Harbor for a third time with her latest release, When I'm Dead. True to her distinctive style, it's another page-turner that skillfully fuses atmospheric suspense, intriguing characters, and a compelling mystery. 

Black Harbor, Wisconsin, is no stranger to crime and tragedy. It holds the dubious distinction of being the most crime-ridden town in the state. In the midst of this tumultuous backdrop, husband and wife Rowan and Axel navigate their roles as a medical examiner and a detective. Their daily routines often involve responding to gruesome crime scenes. Thus, when they receive an urgent call to abandon their daughter's high school play and investigate a murder, it doesn't come as a surprise. When they arrive on the scene, however, they are taken aback to discover the murder victim is one of their daughter's best friends. The shadow of tragedy has descended upon their lives, poised to become even more personal. 

In the harrowing hours following their return home from the murder investigation, Rowan and Axel make a disconcerting discovery – their daughter, Chloe, failed to return from the school play. As the search for Chloe unfolds alongside the murder inquiry, their relationship becomes increasingly tainted with guilt and recrimination. A grim tapestry of clues gradually unravels, compelling these parents to question how well they truly knew their daughter. Did their unwavering dedication to their careers eclipse their family life? Could they have prevented Chloe's disappearance? Most disconcerting of all, could Chloe be somehow connected to her friend's death?

In When I'm Dead, Hannah Morrissey ventures into her darkest and most captivating mystery to date. As in her previous works, she skillfully constructs a grim and unsettling atmosphere within her fictional town, infusing each page with a palpable sense of foreboding. Morrissey crafts a multi-faceted mystery that delves deep into the primal fears of parenthood. The death of a child is one form of anguish; the chilling notion that one's child may be a murderer introduces an entirely distinct dimension of dread. The characters in this narrative are intricately portrayed, with the simmering tensions among teenage girls providing a delectable layer of drama and authenticity. I had the privilege of experiencing this story through its audiobook format, graciously provided by Macmillan Audio. The full cast narration featuring Andrew Eiden, Caitlin Kelly, Gary Tiedemann, and Xe Sands breathes life into the characters and adeptly captures the story's brisk pace and suspenseful essence.

Each of the three books in Morrissey's Black Harbor series can be enjoyed as standalone works, yet they seamlessly interconnect, offering readers an immersive experience regardless of their familiarity with the series. Still, I wholeheartedly recommend delving into each of these remarkable tales. Hannah Morrissey's writing has become one of my favorite discoveries this year, and When I'm Dead solidifies her status as one of my must-read authors.

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

(2023, 81)

Relationships are built upon trust. Think about it for a moment. You love and respect the person you've chosen to spend your life with, but there's no way for either of you to know every aspect of their life that hasn't included you. Undoubtedly, there were moments before you entered each other's lives that you simply don't know about. Even the longest relationships between couples who "share everything" are bound to have at least some kind of discrepancy or blind spot.  It is the trust that you've established between yourselves that allows you to not have to worry about those unknowns. If trust between a couple can be built, it stands to reason that it can also be broken. In her debut novel He Said He Would Be Late, author Justine Sullivan tells the story of a couple about to face the ultimate test of trust in their relationship. 

From the outside looking in, Liz Bennet has a perfect life. She's a published author with a deal for a second book secured. She's the mother to the precocious toddler Emma. Liz's husband Arno is everything she ever dreamed of. He's handsome, wealthy, and the perfect father to their daughter. To top things off, his last name is Bennet, giving Liz the same name as the protagonist from her favorite novel Pride and Prejudice. That has to be some kind of cosmic sign that her relationship is meant to be. Yes, there is no denying that Liz's life is about as perfect as she could dream of. Why then, does it feel as if her life isn't everything it is cracked up to be?

The cracks in Liz's life begin to appear soon after the birth of her daughter. Instead of the bliss and sense of duty that comes with being a mother, Liz can only think of the way this child is negatively impacting her life. Other mothers speak of the way giving birth flipped a switch that turned on motherly instinct. Liz loves her daughter, but that ethereal motherly inclination hasn't come to her. On top of this, spending every waking hour caring for Emma has kept her from writing her second novel. There's just no time to devote to her ever-approaching deadline. Finally, there's her relationship with Arno. He's a great father when he's home, but Liz is noticing him spending longer and longer days at the office. It seems as if he's always running late. Then she stumbles across a text from a female coworker on his phone. At first glance, it seems like an innocent enough message thanking Arno. But there's a kissy face emoji at the end. This simple text begins to sow seeds of doubt in Liz's mind. She'll stop at nothing to find out the truth. 

He Said He Would Be Late marks the debut of author Justine Sullivan. She's written about the perils of paranoia in the form of suspenseful domestic fiction. The novel is told entirely from the perspective of the protagonist, giving the reader deep insight into the character and what motivates her. This isn't a thriller in the traditional sense. Instead, Sullivan uses the anxiety of her character to lace each page with a sense of uncertainty. As I read, I became intensely invested in the plight of this character. I wasn't certain that I could trust her instincts around her husband's infidelity, but I equally could not look away as she followed every breadcrumb of potential evidence. This is a tightly plotted read that will have you breathlessly turning the pages. The open-ended ending may frustrate a few readers, but I found that it perfectly capped off this story. I'm thankful to Sullivan's publisher for sharing a copy of the book with me, and I can't wait to read whatever she comes up with next. 

For more information visit Amazon and Goodreads. 

(2023, 16)

On the heels of her bestselling debut thriller A Flicker in the Dark, author Stacy Willingham is back with another twisty novel that proves her first release was no fluke. I've been eager to read more from Willingham since I devoured her previous book last year. Luckily, I received an e-copy and audiobook of her newest effort All The Dangerous Things as a gift from her publisher. This work sees her continue to explore themes of generational trauma, family secrets, and grief, but this sophomore novel isn't merely a retread of what she's already written. Instead, All The Dangerous Things sees Willingham level up in almost every way, writing a book that is a multilayered feast of suspense and intrigue. 

A child shouldn't have to be in charge of another child, but young Isabelle has been left with no choice. It isn't as if her parents are present enough to take care of her younger sister Margaret. Little Izzy tries to shield her sister from their parent's arguments. Their father is rarely home, and their mother can barely care for her own mental health, let alone that of two small children. No, Izzy has taken the burden of watching over her sister. But Margaret is scared. Izzy has been waking up to mud-stained clothes, water on the carpet, and no recollection of what the night entailed. Margaret trusts Izzy more than anyone in the world, but Izzy's sleepwalking is about to lead to unimaginable tragedy.

In the present day, Izzy is exhausted. She hasn't slept in a year. How could she? It's been a year since her toddler son was abducted from his bedroom. A year of obsessively following every possible lead. A year in which her fractured marriage has crumbled to pieces. At her wit's end, Izzy has resorted to speaking at true-crime conventions, taking any possible action to keep her son's case from going cold. On the flight back from her latest speaking engagement, she encounters a podcaster who offers his expertise in investigating her son's disappearance. As the pair delve into her past, Izzy fears that long-buried secrets may soon come to light. Worse, they may have more to do with her present heartache than she's ready to admit. 

With All The Dangerous Things, Stacy Willingham cements her status as an author of atmospheric suspense. The mystery here is as good as any that I've ever read. Willingham shifts between the past and present in each chapter, deepening our understanding of her protagonist while methodically accelerating the tension. Nestled amongst the thriller are broader contemplations on relationships, parenthood, and trauma. Everything leads up to a twisted revelation that completely blindsided me. I alternated between reading the ebook and listening to Karissa Vacker's brilliant audio narration. Whichever way you choose to read this one, rest assured that you're in for a treat. All The Dangerous Things is another top-tier read from an author who is fast becoming one of my new favorites. 

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

(2023, 3)

Gloomy weather this weekend has kept me indoors, reorganizing my bookshelves to include all of my Christmas gift books. While I usually dread taking every title from my shelf and shifting things around, the task was made a bit more bearable by accompanying it with a new audiobook. It seems as if the entire book world is buzzing with anticipation for Stacy Willingham's debut novel A Flicker in the Dark. Lucky for me,  Macmillan Audio provided a review copy of the new title for me to review. Now having listened to the book, I completely understand the hype. 

The trauma in Chloe Davis's life started in her childhood. The summer when she was just twelve years old, six girls from her small town went missing. The community became saturated in paranoia, fearful that at any moment another girl could be next. This summer of fear came crashing down when Chloe's father was arrested as an accused serial killer, confessing to kidnapping and murdering each of the missing girls. How does a family reckon with this startling revelation? Chloe, her elder brother, and mother are left shocked, feebly attempting to pick up the pieces of their shattered life. 

A couple of decades later, Chloe is an adult who has mostly moved on from those darker days. She's learned from navigating her own troubles and now works as a psychologist helping her patients to overcome their own hardships. Chloe is in a loving relationship with a fiance who truly cares for her. However delicate her happiness may be, she feels as if she finally has a grasp on a life that isn't about the horrific deeds of her estranged father. But then a local teenage girl goes missing. Then another and another after that. Suddenly Chloe's past comes rushing back to her, filling her with fear and paranoia that she hasn't felt in years. 

It is hard to believe that A Flicker in the Dark is Stacy Willingham's first go at a novel. She expertly balances building complex characters with a driving plot that never lets up. As the work progresses, the main character begins to unravel, overwhelmed by the similarities between her past and the present-day crimes. I've grown to be a bit tired of the unreliable narrator trope that permeates much popular suspense these days, but Willingham imbues her character with enough of a grip on reality to help overcome that. Karissa Vacker's narration perfectly captured the tone of the book, allowing me to fully invest in the story as it unfolded. I did guess the ending fairly early in the book, but Willingham provided enough twists and red herrings to keep me thoroughly engaged. Overall, A Flicker in the Dark is an extremely solid psychological thriller that is worthy of all of the hype it is receiving. 

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

(2022, 3)

One of the first must-read books of 2021 was Rachel Hawkin's novel The Wife Upstairs. That buzzy domestic thriller was the kind of popcorn read that begged to be read in one sitting. The plot veered a bit too far into the unbelievable for my tastes, but I couldn't help but be sucked into the wild story that Hawkins concocted. This year Hawkins is back with another twisty thriller, Reckless Girls. I jumped at the chance to accept a copy of the audio version of the work from her publisher in exchange for this review. What I found was another wild narrative that completely drew me in from start to finish. 

Hawkins trades the suburban setting of her previous work in favor of a tropical paradise in this one. We meet Lux McAllister in Maui where she's living the not so glamourous life as a housekeeper in one of the island's luxury resorts. This isn't the life she dreamed of when she moved to the island, but she has come a long way from her meager life before. Lux's boyfriend Nico comes from a completely different background. His wealthy family has ensured that Nico has never lived without. Still, the young man is more interested in living a life of independence, spending his days tending to a ramshackle boat that he purchased than he is in continuing his family's legacy. Unfortunately for Nico, this means the gravy train may be slowly drying up. 

The couple's transient lifestyle is further threatened when Lux loses her job. Nico, however, may have the perfect answer to their troubles. Brittany and Amma, two young women who have been traveling together in search of adventure, have chartered Nico's boat for a trip to the infamous Meroe Island. The remote isle has a dark past dating back to WWII, a reputation that continues to deter regular travelers to this day. Lux and Nico share a brief hesitance in traveling to the island, especially with two strangers, but the money the girls offer them is too good to pass up. The foursome soon travels to the isolated island, destined for either the vacation or nightmare of a lifetime. 

As she did in her previous novel, Rachel Hawkins employs shifting perspectives and jumping timelines to tightly wind the suspense in Reckless Girls. She reveals just enough information to keep the narrative moving while never fully showing her cards until the last possible moment. I was a bit apprehensive about the tropical paradise gone awry story, but I couldn't help but be pulled into it. Each of the characters is hiding something. Hawkins strings us along as they all work to maintain their own secrets. As was the case in her previous novel, there isn't really a traditionally "good" character in the bunch. Still, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't invested in their story, especially as the different perspectives and timelines came together. Barrie Kreinik's pitch-perfect narration captures all of the deceit as the novel propels to a devilishly twisted ending. There's an epilogue to the book that, in my opinion, didn't need to be there, but otherwise, Reckless Girls is a fantastic popcorn read that is sure to be another must-read thriller from Rachel Hawkins. 

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

(2022, 1)

What are you afraid of? As October comes to an end, we celebrate the one night a year where ghouls and goblins are actually welcomed. As I set out to celebrate Halloween this year, I decided to listen to one more horror audiobook. Knowing my love for all things horror, the fine folks at Macmillan Audio sent me a review copy of Cassandra Khaw's new ghost story Nothing But Blackened Teeth. I was happy to accept it and listen to one final spooky book for the year. With a gothic setting in a faraway land, a group of characters with a multitude of secrets, and a chilling legend of a ghost, it was easy to fall under the spell of Khaw's work. 

A group of five young people has gathered in the most unlikely place imaginable to celebrate the pending nuptials of a couple in their midst. The thrill-seeking quintet has forgone the usual wedding venues in favor of an ancient Japanese mansion, long abandoned to the past. As if the setting isn't creepy enough, the legend of its history certainly takes things over the top. Years ago, a bride-to-be was buried beneath the home left to eternally lay in waiting for her missing husband. She's said to have haunted the building ever since. Throughout history, multiple women have been sacrificed to keep the bride company. As the group begins their stay in the mansion, their own personal histories begin to come to light, waking the sleeping bride. Her pale face has no features beyond the dark black teeth that peek out from her mask. A haunted smile welcoming the newest guests. 

In Nothing But Blackened Teeth Cassandra Khaw weaves a traditional haunted house story through the lives of five friends grappling with their personal love and loss. I loved the way that Khaw's legend of a lonely bride mirrored the hope and heartbreak of the present-day characters, both coming together into a new kind of nightmare. The audiobook is narrated by Suehyla El-Attar whose voice perfectly captures both the quiet intensity of the character dynamics and the more propulsive horror elements that drive the plot. Oddly though, I found myself more invested in the plight of the book's monster than the people living through the terror. Khaw doesn't delve much into their past, electing to have much of their motivations remain hidden. The monster, however, is given a full back story that reads like something out of a tragic historical legend. With the brief length of this work, all of that amounts to a story that promises something more impactful than it actually delivers. Still, the unconventional setting and truly scary monster are more than worth the price of admission. 

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

(2021, 43)