About Me

The story behind A Book A Week, and the reader behind the reviews.

It started with a New Year's resolution:
1 book a week, 52 books in a year.
I kept reading, and it grew into something much more.

Back in 2011, I was an avid reader who had somehow lost my way with reading. Between working and being a full-time student, reading for pleasure had slowly fallen by the wayside.

I wanted to change that. So I gave myself a New Year's resolution to read one book every week for a year. I started A Book A Week on January 1, 2012 as a way to hold myself accountable and share what I was reading along the way.

I didn't quite reach my goal that first year, but I kept reading. I kept reviewing. And all these years later, I'm still here, looking forward to whatever book comes next. Some years I crush my goals, some years I don't, but my love for a good book has never wavered.

Line drawing portrait of Ethan

Hi, I'm Ethan

Reader. Blogger.
Book lover.

I'm a lifelong reader with a particular soft spot for mysteries and thrillers. I've always loved the genre, and I credit those stories—the twists, suspense, and need to know what happens next—with keeping me a reader as an adult. My reading has taken me in all kinds of directions since then, but I'll always come back to a good mystery.

I love creepy horror novels. A fascinating work of nonfiction can completely pull me in, too. And I've found plenty of favorites in science fiction, literary fiction, romance, and other genres I might never have picked up when I first started the blog. That's part of the fun. I never quite know what kind of story is going to grab me next.

When I'm not reading or writing reviews, you'll usually find me at home with my husband and our pets. I'm a classically trained musician and composer, an enthusiastic home cook, and a backyard gardener. There's usually a trip to look forward to or some new project that has caught my interest, too.

At the end of the day, I just really love books. There's nothing quite like discovering a story I can't put down or finding an author I can't wait to read again. Even when a book doesn't quite work for me, I still enjoy thinking about why and putting those thoughts into words. That's what keeps me reading, reviewing, and sharing it all here on A Book A Week.

Loose hand-drawn fountain pen illustration

Review Disclaimer

Honest reviews, always.

Some of the books I review are ones I've purchased myself. Others are provided by publishers or authors in exchange for an honest review. Either way, what I write here is always what I really think.

Not every book is going to work for every reader, and that's part of the fun of talking about books. I'll tell you what worked for me, what didn't, and hopefully give you enough to decide whether a book might be right for you.

Good, bad, or somewhere in between, you'll always get my honest take.

Contact

Have a question about the blog, a book you think I should read, or just want to say hello? I'd love to hear from you.

Drop me a note using the form below.

Let's Connect

I'm always happy to hear from readers, publishers, authors, and fellow book lovers.

Review Copies

I'm always open to considering books for review. I read across a pretty wide range of genres, though mysteries and thrillers tend to be particular favorites. If you'd like me to consider a book, send along a little information about it and why you think it might be a good fit for A Book A Week.

Publishers & Authors

Review requests, interviews, features, or something else you have in mind? Send me a note. I'm always happy to hear about new books and opportunities that might be a good fit for the blog.

General Inquiries

Have a question, a recommendation, or just want to talk books? Those messages are welcome, too.

Find Me Elsewhere

Send a Message

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Showing posts with label Virgil Flowers. Show all posts

Lethal Prey by John Sandford

Monday, March 31, 2025

Lethal Prey by John Sandford

I've been a devoted fan of John Sandford's crime novels ever since I first discovered his Virgil Flowers series in college. Sandfor...

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Judgement Prey by John Sandford

Friday, October 6, 2023

Judgement Prey by John Sandford

One of my absolute favorite protagonists in the realm of crime fiction has to be Virgil Flowers, a creation of John Sandford. I first encoun...

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Righteous Prey by John Sandford

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Righteous Prey by John Sandford

If you ask me for my recommendation of a great detective series, I won't hesitate to suggest John Sandford's Virgil Flowers series. ...

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Ocean Prey by John Sandford

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Ocean Prey by John Sandford

With so many books coming my way each year, it can be hard to devote time to reading a series. There are just so many books to read with nev...

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Bloody Genius by John Sandford

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Bloody Genius by John Sandford

Its that time of year again. No, I'm not talking about fall this time. Time for the latest Virgil Flowers novel, of course! For over a d...

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Holy Ghost by John Sandford

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Holy Ghost by John Sandford

Each year, I eagerly await the release of John Sandford's latest Virgil Flowers novels. The series has become one of the few that I rout...

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Deep Freeze by John Sandford

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Deep Freeze by John Sandford

"Same old Flowers shit. You gotta ride with it." For years, my favorite literary crime hero was James Patterson's Alex Cross...

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Escape Clause by John Sandford

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Escape Clause by John Sandford

"In the haylofts of life, there are always a few wasps." After taking a break from the character to pen sci-fi thriller Saturn R...

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Deadline by John Sandford

Monday, November 7, 2016

Deadline by John Sandford

Virgil Flowers is known for being the go to guy in investigating "the hard ones". As a lead investigator for the Minnesota Bureau ...

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Storm Front by John Sandford

Monday, September 12, 2016

Storm Front by John Sandford

"There're not many angels around anymore. Not in my work." The Virgil Flowers series by John Sandford is one of my all time ...

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Mad River by John Sandford

Monday, May 11, 2015

Mad River by John Sandford

Jimmy Sharp and his girlfriend, Becky Walsh are in way over their heads. With the assistance of Tom McCall, who only agrees to help becaus...

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Shock Wave by John Sandford

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Shock Wave by John Sandford

The citizens of Butternut Falls, Minnesota are not happy. The construction of a new PyeMart, a large retail superstore akin to WalMart, th...

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Bad Blood by John Sandford

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Bad Blood by John Sandford

A small Minnesota town is shocked when local high school football star, Bobby Tripp, is arrested for the brutal murder of farmer Jacob Flo...

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Rough Country by John Sandford

Friday, May 24, 2013

Rough Country by John Sandford

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....

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Heat Lightning by John Sandford

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Heat Lightning by John Sandford

Someone is killing Vietnam War Veterans. Each time, the deceased man is left at a veteran's memorial with a lemon in his mouth. After ...

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Dark of the Moon by John Sandford

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Dark of the Moon by John Sandford

As a fan of mystery/thriller novels, I am always looking for great new series to read. Despite numerous recommendations, I have never read ...

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