A Book A Week

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)

"Guilt is a little like grief. A cancer of the soul. They both hollow you out from the inside."

The rural community of Chapel Croft is a town haunted by its past. Five hundred years ago several Protestant martyrs, including young girls, were burned at the stake in a religious purge. Locals still commemorate that horrific history by constructing a monument to them and leaving twig dolls around town, gifts for the burning girls. The more recent history of the city is no less tragic. Around thirty years ago, two teenage girls disappeared without a trace. Yes, Chapel Croft is no stranger to misfortune. It is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else and all of their business. At the center of this community lies the church, a parish that has recently faced a tragedy of its own. After years of serving the town and living as part of the community, the town vicar has committed suicide. 

Reverend Jack Brooks is no stranger to tragedy. In fact, it was a tragedy at her previous inner-city parish that prompted her reassignment to quiet Chapel Croft. Relocating herself and her teenage daughter Flo isn't easy, but she's hopeful that a new town will bring the opportunity for a fresh start. Right out of the gate, however, Jack is greeted by a foreboding welcome at the front door of the ramshackle cottage she will call home. As Jack and her daughter integrate into the town, they both begin to experience reminders of the town's torrid history, figurative and literal ghosts of the past. In the coming days, the pair will be forced to reckon with not only the history of their new home town but the personal secrets they harbor as well. 

"But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops."-Luke 12:2-3

In The Burning Girls, C.J. Tudor deftly explores religion, parenthood, trauma, and grief, all packaged in the guise of a supernatural thriller. I've enjoyed each of her works since her debut novel The Chalk Man, so I was happy to accept a copy of this latest novel from her publisher. That first book has been my favorite of her three published works, but this newest easily surmounts that one to take the top place. There is a richness to the dialogue between mother and daughter, a sense of normalcy and reality that perfectly balances with the supernatural horror elements. The history of the town imbues the story with the depth of a real place. I couldn't help but keep reading. I just had to learn more about these characters and this place. 

Tudor is no stranger to balancing multiple perspectives in her writing, and The Burning Girls sees her present the story through a mother, a daughter, and one other character whose identity and motivations remain a mystery for the majority of the book. With each viewpoint, we gain a clearer portrait of what has occurred in this town and where this story is headed. The three points converge in a way that both thrills and satisfies. The best novels capture your attention as you read, but also linger in your mind long after you finish the final page. The Burning Girls is that kind of novel. Whether you're looking for a thoughtful meditation on religion, a harrowing story of a mother and daughter learning to live and love each other, or a "can't put down" thriller that keeps you reading into all hours of the night, you'll find what you're looking for in this book. The Burning Girls is the best novel C.J. Tudor has written thus far and has me brimming with excitement for whatever tale she conjures up next. 

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

(2021, 7)

"Maybe I shouldn't tell you. Maybe I should just leave the past alone. Let it die with me."

The small seaside town of Neapolis is seeing more excitement than it is used to. Sure, there is a fair share of tourism as the summer crowds flock to the city's beautiful beaches, but this is something completely unprecedented. One of their own, a golden child of the community, has been accused of a heinous crime. As a collegiate swimming star destined for Olympic glory, Scott Blair was a beacon of pride for the local townspeople. The fact that his family is one of the wealthiest in the area was merely the cherry on top of their reverence for the young man. Now the notoriety that comes from being the hometown of a future Olympian has soured. Scott has been accused of rape. The alleged victim and her family, also residents of the city, are taking every legal action they can against Scott. With the trial set to being, a throng of national media has come to the town, bringing a shadow of negative attention to the normally sunny town.

Rachel Krall has arrived in Neapolis as just a small part of the massive press machine. A couple years ago she started a popular crime podcast called Guilty or Not Guilty. Her reporting helped a wrongly incarcerated man walk free and propelled her podcast to a huge following. Normally Rachel uses the show to take a deep dive into trials that have already happened. The luxury of hindsight often allows her to come to conclusions that the jury or prosecutors may have missed. For her latest season, however, Rachel has something completely different in mind. Rather than dissect the trials of the past, she will place her audience directly inside of an ongoing case. She chose the story of the rape in Neapolis because rape trials seem to be one of the few cases in the justice system where the victim faces as much scrutiny as the accused.

In transit to the trial, Rachel pauses at a rest stop. When she returns to her car, she sees a note tucked between her wiper blade and windshield. The letter is from someone named Hannah who states that she has reached out to Rachel several times asking for help. You see, Hannah's sister died many years ago, and her death was ruled an accidental drowning. Hannah thinks it was actually murder. She believes that if anyone can come to the truth surrounding her sister's death, it would be Rachel. Here's the problem though. Rachel purposefully doesn't do televised interviews or publish pictures of herself. Short of hearing her voice, no one would be able to identify Rachel. This makes Hannah's presence all the more troubling. How did she know who Rachel was and why has she latched onto Rachel as some sort of savior?

Last year I read Megan Goldin's The Escape Room, a novel that saw me gaining the new skill of multitasking walking while reading. This led to more trips and stumbles than I care to admit, so I quickly abandoned this foolish attempt to not miss out on any of the action in her book. Still, my enjoyment of that book had me ready to read whatever Goldin came up with next. That turned out to be The Night Swim, a decidedly different book that Goldin's publisher generously provided to me. This new novel is described by the publisher as "electrifying and propulsive" superlatives that are accurate, but not in the traditional thriller sense. Unlike her previous work, Goldin does not use a fast-moving plot to drive the momentum of her newest offering. Instead, she uses the development of her characters to provide the propulsion that her publisher promises. That's not to say that this character focus is a bad thing. In fact, I'd argue that the strong cast of this novel actually made me enjoy it more than The Escape Room.

"That's how trials work. It's medieval. It's not about getting to the truth. it's about who can put on a better show."

The trial setting gives The Night Swim echoes of those classic John Grisham thrillers. Like Grisham, Goldin peppers in a commentary on the justice system's questionable track record with sexual assault crimes and forces the reader to face the realities of our flawed legal structures. She doesn't hold back on the graphic descriptions of the crimes that were committed. These uncomfortable passages are difficult to read but vital in providing the context of each character's convictions. Beyond the questions surrounding the rape, the novel is haunted by the customs of small-town life. This is the kind of place where everybody knows everyone else. If one person has an opinion, it becomes a universal fact for the rest of the community. That small-town Americana permeates every page of The Night Swim adding another layer of depth to this already stellar novel. The Night Swim proves Goldin's versatility as a storyteller and marks another fantastic read from this masterful author.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 35)

Jimmy Sharp and his girlfriend, Becky Walsh are in way over their heads. With the assistance of Tom McCall, who only agrees to help because of his childhood crush on Becky, the threesome sets out to steal diamonds from a wealthy family. All three come from poor backgrounds and are determined to escape the pattern of ignorance and poverty that plagues their families. But their get rich quick scheme goes terribly wrong. In an instant, a simple robbery turns into murder and the threesome flees. When their junk car dies on them, they carjack an innocent bystander, killing him in the process. Soon, the three are on a killing spree as they desperately try to escape all of their wrongdoings.

Enter Virgil Flowers of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The quirky Flowers, imagine a cross between a cowboy and a rock star, is known for always solving "the hard ones". And so he is called in to help round up the murderous trio. Unlike some of his other cases, Virgil is almost certain that the three are guilty of the crimes, so this is basically a large scale manhunt. Still, Virgil speaks to many of the locals to try to discover a solid motive for the crimes.

Virgil's unorthodox tactics and sharp wit usually cause him to ruffle the feathers of the local authorities. This case is no different. The murders have rocked the small town and the local sheriff wants to end the spree at all costs, even if that means killing the three kids on the spot. While Virgil is equally determined to bring the trio to justice, he fully believes in the judicial system and his role in it. He knows that with his skills and the assistance of a passionate community, the three will be apprehended and put on trial. That is...if the local sheriff will let him do his job!

This sixth installment in the Virgil Flowers series continues the quick pace, thoughtful narrative, and pure entertainment of its predecessors. John Sandford writes with an efficient prose that never gets in the way of the story or characters and allows for a breakneck pace. Unlike many other mystery novels, the reader and detective know who the killers are from the get go. The fun is instead in learning how Virgil Flowers, one of the most charismatic and enticing characters I've ever read, pursues the criminals. It is the character, not the plot, who is the driving force of this novel. The ending, while maybe not the conclusion readers will hope for, serves as a testament to Sandford's dedication to realism and emotion. Overall, this novel continues the excellent quality of the Virgil Flowers series and I can't wait to read of his next adventure.

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

(2015, 8)

The citizens of Butternut Falls, Minnesota are not happy. The construction of a new PyeMart, a large retail superstore akin to WalMart, threatens the small businesses that inhabit the town and the pristine river that runs adjacent to the site. Despite the undisputed protest by the locals, the city council approves the building permit, and the battle seems all but lost. But someone has other plans. A bomb goes off at the PyeMart offices, killing several employees and coming precariously close to the office of the company's CEO. When a second bomb goes off at the Butternut Falls construction site, it becomes apparent that someone has taken matters into their own hands.

Virgil Flowers is enjoying a fishing trip and a few ice cold beers, when he learns of the bombings. His boss, Lucas Davenport of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) informs him of the details, and Flowers is soon on his way to the scene of the crime. A kind of outlaw in the law enforcement field, Virgil defies the typical detective getup, opting instead to keep his blond hair long, and to wear t-shirts, jeans, and boots. His off the cuff personality may ruffle feathers, but he always gets the job done.

Upon his arrival to the small town, he realizes that just about any of the local citizens have the motive to stop the superstore from being built. Therefore, Virgil casts a wide net that delves into the not so perfect lives of many of the townspeople. As more bombing continue, he gains the assistance from several of the locals, through an unconventional survey that asks them to name possible suspects. With pressure mounting and no clear direction, Virgil Flowers faces a difficult case that threatens to destroy a small town and all of its inhabitants.

Having read and enjoyed the previous four installments in the Virgil Flower series, I was pleased that this one maintains the fun and accessibility of its predecessors. Flowers is easily one of my favorite characters from any of these kind of mystery novels. It was refreshing to see the character tackle a large case that was more than just a straightforward murder. Author John Sandford has a knack for quick pacing, but I felt this novel lagged a bit in the middle. Too often, Virgil had no clear direction in his investigation. Despite this, the character's undeniable charisma helped to keep me invested in the story, enough to make it to the tightly plotted last third of the book. Although there are few shortcomings, this novel is an entertaining read that continues to build upon the strong foundation of the previous installments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and can't wait to see what happens next.

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

(2014)

Ironically, I was initially fooled by this novel, Robert B. Parker's Fool Me Twice. At first glance, it would appear that the novel is written by author Robert B. Parker. As someone who had never previously read any of Parker's novels or followed the author himself, I had no idea that Parker passed away in 2010. Upon further inspection, I realized that the novel was, in fact, a continuation of his popular Jesse Stone series, written by Michael Brandman. Of course, other characters by late authors, such as Sidney Sheldon and Dick Francis, have continued to appear in new novels, to middling results, so I knew that Fool Me Twice would be hit or miss. Michael Brandman, however, is no stranger to the Jesse Stone Character. In fact, he worked closely with Robert B. Parker as he produced the CBS film versions of the novels. This familiarity and respect seems to allow Brandman to successfully continue the series.

Jesse Stone is the police chief of the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts. As summer approaches, so does the town's excitement for the production of a new Hollywood film to be shot in the city. Of course, with a production of this size comes a variety of challenges. Jesse learns that the star of the film is going through a nasty divorce and her ex-husband has threatened her life. The Mayor tasks Jesse with keeping the production secure and making sure the duration of the filming runs smoothly.

Additionally, Jesse must continue to handle local issues. At the start of the novel, he arrests a teenage girl who's cell phone usage caused a head on collision with another driver. But the accident is not as cut and dry as it seems. It turns out that the young woman is the daughter of a local business man who contributes heavily to the judges and DA of the town. Jesse is forced to battle his own morals against direct orders from his superiors.

Finally, another local case is also drawing Jesse's attention. He receives a call from a local busy-body townswoman who has noticed her water utility rates rise despite no increase in usage or rate hikes. He brushes this off as a woman looking for attention until he receives another call from a concerned citizen. He begins to casually investigate this increase, not expecting to find much. What he discovers, however, is a scandal that could potentially rock the small town of Paradise.

As with the T.V. movies that I've seen featuring Jesse Stone, Fool Me Twice is a light, entertaining read. The story itself is fairly predictable, but it is the quick wit and genuine good will of Jesse Stone that elevates this novel and keeps the plot moving. Having never read any of the previous novels by Parker, I can't attest to the continuation of the character by Michael Brandman. I can however say that this was a quick read that kept me entertained for a couple of hours. The characters, including Stone, are never allowed to reveal emotions beyond the typically expected surface, but they do play nicely into this light mystery novel.

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

(2013: week 22, book 21)

A small resort town in northern Minnesota gets a shock when one of its guests, Erica McDill, is shot in the head during a kayaking outing. McDill is a prominent advertising executive, from the Twin Cities, whose death precedes a large transition in her company that would make her the largest stockholder.

Virgil Flowers is fishing with a friend when he receives a call from his boss, Lucas Davenport. With that, his vacation comes to an end and he makes his way to the scene of McDill's murder. You see, Virgil is an investigator for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) who only tackles "the hard stuff". He doesn't fit the investigator stereotypes. Rather, he keeps his blond hair long, wears t-shirts with logos of obscure bands, and finishes off the ensemble with blue jeans and boots. Despite his unusual appearance, Virgil is known for getting results.

The investigation takes an unusual turn when Virgil learns that the resort is an all women's establishment. His fears are confirmed when boot tracks, from an expensive women's shoe company, are discovered in the mud near the murder site. Quickly, Virgil is immersed into the small town and its lesbian subculture. With the possibility of past murders connecting to the death of McDill, and the ever growing threat of more violence, Virgil struggles to keep his own emotions in check as he searches for the mysterious killer.

I've been a fan of John Sandford's Virgil Flowers series since reading the first book, Dark of The Moon. There is something very appealing about Virgil's oddball behavior and fantastic instincts. As always, Sandford keeps his writing simple and accessible. More so than the previous novels, however, Rough Country felt a little slower and less important than the other two. The opening portion in particular seemed a bit overlong. How long can you really wander through the woods before losing your audience. Fortunately, just as I was wondering when the book would pick up, Sandford introduced a new thread to the mystery that propelled the novel to a solid ending. The plot of this story doesn't allow as much time to spend learning about this interesting character, but the mystery itself is strong enough to make Rough Country worth the read and to make me eager to continue this series.

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

(2013: week 21, book 20)

Lillian is fed up. Whatever her boyfriend Kevin, now ex-boyfriend, was mixed up in has gotten way out of hand. Even worse, he's fled the small Vermont town leaving her to fend for herself. The guy who he wronged, Blackway, has now turned his attention to her. It started as simple threats, but quickly escalated, leaving her car wrecked, cat killed, and her emotions at a head. When the local police can't find any way to legally assist her, she decides to hunker down and put an end to this by herself.

At the suggestion of the sheriff, she seeks the assistance of a local man who had his own run in with Blackway years ago. Blackway carries a reputation of being someone you don't want to get involved with. Most in the town seem to accept this as a fact and steer clear of any mention of him. When she goes to the old mill to try to find help, she is met instead by a group of old-timers who pass the time by drinking and swapping stories and gossip. The recommended helper is nowhere to be found, but at the insistence of Whizzer, the kind of leader of the group of men, she leaves accompanied by Lester, a man who has worked at the saw mill for most of his life, and Nate, the young guy who is just learning the ropes. With the help of these two men, Lillian seeks Blackway and attempts to put a stop to his violence.

This is a strange little story. There is no doubt that author Castle Freeman has a strong voice in his writing. At only 160 pages, however, there is little time for the characters to really develop. Instead, each character is given a kind of face value exterior with only subtle hints at deeper emotions or motivations. As the story alternates between the mismatched trio's search for Blackway and the group of old gossiping men, reminiscent of a Greek chorus, the story tends to lose some of its steam. With constant interruptions, the action kind of ends with no real bang, leaving me wondering if it was really worth my time to follow these characters in the first place. Part of me feels like this story had a lot of pottential and could have been fleshed out into someting great. The other part questions the intention of the author and his seemingly trivial story.

For more information visit Amazon and GoodReads.

(2013: week 16, book 14)

Frank Coffin, police detective and interim chief of Provincetown, Massachusetts, is undergoing a lifestyle change. As a typical middle-aged man who's mind tells him he's invincible while his body reminds him of his mortality, Coffin is attempting to eat better, exercise more, and quit smoking. He's been recognized for his dedication to his job, is surrounded by supportive friends, and his girlfriend has just revealed that she is pregnant with his child. As the tourist season draws to a close, life is good for Frank Coffin. With all this considered, he has decided he would like to live a little bit longer to enjoy it.

Of course, the quiet off-season is soon interrupted. It all begins when an arsonist sets fire to a dumpster. As more fires begin to pot up around the city, Coffin attempts to catch the arsonist before he escalates to burning down the small town and killing anyone who stands in his way.

Even more troubling is the mental state of Coffins cousin Tom, who is also one of his police officers. For years, Provincetown has fostered rumblings of UFO's in the surrounding area. Locals remain divided on the issue, but Frank becomes directly involved in the matter as Tom begins to speak of his own sightings. As he rambles about being abducted by the invaders, Frank must find a way to ease his cousin's fears and stop the arsonist before the entire town goes mad.

I was very impressed with this novel. While it is certainly not the biggest or most ambitious mystery that I've read, I really appreciated Loomis's subtle way of crafting this delightful story. Frank Coffin immediately comes off as a kind of every man who is easy to root for. Provincetown has the perfect combination of small town setting and quirky characters, allowing a sense of reality to permeate the story. Loomis writes with a refreshingly frank style that makes this novel a quick, suspense driven read.

For more information, visit the author's website http://jonloomis.blogspot.com/,
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/review/R29KG3X2NKAG9R/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm,
and http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13167070-fire-season.

(week 33, book 37)

As a fan of mystery/thriller novels, I am always looking for great new series to read. Despite numerous recommendations, I have never read a novel by John Sandford. To date, he has published 21 novels in his popular "Prey" series, but I decided to begin with his more recent series, featuring Virgil Flowers.