Why do we love to observe catastrophe? It happens every day, in big ways and in small. We slow down to observe an accident on the side of the road; we seek out with fascination news stories involving all manner of unthinkable events; we pick up crime books like Michelle Sacks’ sharp-edged YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS. Sometimes I’m sure we do these things to better understand our world and all its dark corners—sometimes I’m sure we do it for no reason other than morbid curiosity. In Sacks’ caustic novel of secrets and lies, readers explore the everyday catastrophes of interpersonal relationships. There’s jealousy, revenge, insecurity, betrayals, and a whole lot more to be found within these pages, and it’s this potent blend of all too human experiences that give YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS its bite.
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Book Review: LYING IN WAIT by Liz Nugent
What an absolute talent Liz Nugent is. The Irish crime writer made a splash with her debut UNRAVELING OLIVER, and this June, her sophomore effort releases in the US. LYING IN WAIT is every bit a propulsive, compulsively-readable psychological suspense novel. You would be hard pressed to find another psychological suspense author who writes with the same unfussy dexterity as Nugent—her clean, to-the-point prose and candid observations of human nature come together here to deliver a truly outstanding summer read.
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Book Review: MACBETH by Jo Nesbø
Raw, gritty, and rough around the edges, Jo Nesbø’s MACBETH captures the ageless dark heart of Shakespeare’s original work, and packages it in the razor-sharp crime writing only Nesbø can deliver. Revenge, love, guilt—themes that permeate Nesbø’s own works are perfectly reflected in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and come together in Nesbø’s remake to pitch-perfect effect. It takes a masterful writer to deliver what Nesbø does here: a remake as fiercely original and as it is faithful to its inspiration. MACBETH is a must-read for readers of Shakespeare and fans of Nordic Noir alike.
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Book Review: PAPER GHOSTS by Julia Heaberlin
What do you get when you cross the sweeping terrain of Texas with a road trip to recover a serial killer’s lost memories? Julia Heaberlin’s PAPER GHOSTS. In an inventive and immersive story of suspense, Heaberlin takes readers along for the ride as a young woman seeks answers to her sister’s disappearance... and does so in the form of a cross-state adventure with the man she suspects of killing her. A strong addition to the spring reading list of those looking for an atypical take on the serial killer novel.
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Book Review: ALL THE BEAUTIFUL LIES by Peter Swanson
Rarely have I ever been as hesitant to write a review as I have been to write this one. After absolutely loving HER EVERY FEAR (Swanson’s 2017 release), Peter Swanson’s ALL THE BEAUTIFUL LIES was one of my highly-anticipated 2018 reads; unfortunately, my reading experience not only fell flat, but was so genuinely uncomfortable and disturbing that I’ve long wrestled with whether or not I even want to write this review. I went into this book well aware, based on its plot description, that it would have a component involving a taboo relationship, but I could never have predicted the total focus this book would place on illicit relationships between adults (often adults in the role of guardian) and young people. Had I known this in advance, I wouldn’t have chosen to read this book - I take full responsibility for not having done enough research before diving in. But given that this book did appear on my Instagram - and given my genuine aversion to its content - a review is warranted. My only request of you, the reader: please read this review keeping in mind that I have the utmost respect for the author, the publisher, and for all readers whose opinions on this book differ from my own.
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