Friday Face Off : Abandon by Blake Crouch
Today I’m returning to the Friday Face Off, originally created by Books by Proxy). I’ve missed these for the past few months and so would like to get back to comparing covers (and hopefully I will be updating this page with a new banner. This is an opportunity to look at a book of your choice and shine the spotlight on the covers. Of course this only works for those books that have alternative covers (although sometimes I use this to look at a series of books to choose a favourite). . So, if you have a book that has alternative covers, highlight them and choose your favourite. If you’re taking part it would be great if you leave a link so I can take a look at what you’ve chosen.
My book this week is a book I haven’t read yet but I’m hoping to catch up wit soon. Abandon by Blake Crouch. Here are the covers:
My favourite:
That little collection of houses, lights on in only one – and that eery greenish tinge.
Which is your favourite? Have you read this book yet??
Join me next week in highlighting one of your reads with different covers.
Can’t Wait Wednesday : The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
6 September 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Can't Wait Wedesday, Robert Jackson Bennett, The Tainted Cup, Wishful Endings
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“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is : The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. Here’s the description and cover:
In Daretana’s most opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible.
Called in to investigate this mystery is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities.
At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory. His job is to observe and report, and act as his superior’s eyes and ears–quite literally, in this case, as among Ana’s quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times, and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home.
Din is most perplexed by Ana’s ravenous appetite for information and her mind’s frenzied leaps—not to mention her cheerful disregard for propriety and the apparent joy she takes in scandalizing her young counterpart. Yet as the case unfolds and Ana makes one startling deduction after the next, he finds it hard to deny that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.
As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.
Featuring an unforgettable Holmes-and-Watson style pairing, a gloriously labyrinthine plot, and a haunting and wholly original fantasy world, The Tainted Cup brilliantly reinvents the classic mystery tale.
Expected Publication : February 2024
The Twenty by Sam Holland
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Maybe One Twist Too Many
To be honest, I’m enjoying this author, I read and enjoyed The Echo Man and so of course was keen also to pick up The Twenty. Yet again we have a dark, gritty, sometimes quite violently graphic, police procedural involving a serial killer who seems to be marking the scenes of his crimes with roman numerals that in the clear light of day are counting down – to what though? I mean, in a way, this is even more creepy somehow – because this serial killer isn’t just planning out his next murder scene – he has a particular end in mind.
And, I would say that although this is set in the same world and period as the Echo Man, and in fact a character from that book makes an appearance here, this can definitely be read as a standalone.
DCI Adam Bishop is the man in charge of the investigation although as the plot twists his involvement becomes personal. It eventually becomes clear that the killer is carrying on the work of another serial killer who is now in prison, and that through those previous character’s Adam has a connection to both the past and present cases which puts him in a rather dubious position.
This book is very gritty. It’s fast paced and has a very cinematic feel with constant twists and red herrings leading readers over and over down the garden path. It does jump about a bit at first between the past and present but I like this form of storytelling and enjoyed the insights that this style brought to the plot.
On top of this, flipping heck, Sam Holland is brutal. If you’re going to pick this one up, beware of forming attachments. It feels like not only do potential suspects abound but also nobody is safe. And, Holland doesn’t take the easy approach taking victims that really tug on your heartstrings.
I’m not going to elaborate too much more to be honest as I’m keen not to include spoilers.
In terms of criticisms. Well, this book is very twisty turny. You know that point when you reach your saturation level, this one teetered on the edge of that but even with perhaps ‘one too many twists’ I was still pretty much hooked.
If you fancy a gripping, sometimes brutal, fast paced, twisted and crazy police procedural story with violent crimes and intense characters then give this a try.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
My Murder by Katie Williams
My Five Word TL:DR : A Book About Second Chances
My Murder was intriguing and unique. It maybe took me a little while to really find my feet but then I was quite compelled by what was going on.
Think of a setting not too far removed from our own time. One in which technology and scientific developments have really moved forward. A world in which people use virtual chat rooms to undertake therapy and cloning is a very real possibility.
Our main character, Lou, was the victim of a serial killer. A killer now in custody who’s terrible crimes captured the sympathy of the people for the women he murdered. As a result, the murder victims were cloned. A second chance not just for the victims but for their families. However, each of the women involved, not only share a hideous death but also a gap in their memories. On top of that for each of these women, although they no longer recall what actually happened they’re still dealing with it. In Lou’s case, she has a devoted husband and a baby girl, she struggles to connect with either, it feels almost like she’s a fish in a bowl, everyone watching for her reactions. And, then, Lou, has an overall feeling that something isn’t quite as it seems. Which sets her off on an investigation of her own – one that could ultimately prove dangerous.
I enjoyed this, it was very easy to read and although it’s not a murder mystery in the typical sense of the word it really does pull you in. And, yes, as the story progresses there is a mystery to be solved, one where you start to jump a little at potential suspects from Lou’s former life.
I liked the writing and the pacing was good. It did take me a little spell, as I mentioned above, to really figure out where this was going, after all, we have the cloned women, we know their stories and terrible endings and indeed we already have the killer behind bars. So, you’ll just have to hold your horses a little, the author takes a little time to set the scene, to give us the emotional trauma that Lou is going through, she worries if she’s a good mum or a good wife and underlying this are these little ‘niggling’ concerns. Which is when things take a different turn.
Speculative murder mystery, this one had no trouble stirring my imagination. From the Victim’s Survivor Group to the friendship that Lou strikes up with another of the victims. Not to mention a particular virtual reality game that was a shocker.
It kept me guessing and I didn’t second guess the ending at all.
Overall, this was a compelling read set in a near future that is very believable.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 3.5 of 5 stars
Booking Ahead/Weekly/Monthly Wrap Up
3 September 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Monthly Wrap Up, Weekly wrap up, What's on my Plate
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing so but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
Books read this week:
Again, not a great reading week really. I picked up both of my anticipated reads but one I’ve DNF’ed and the other didn’t work it’s magic for me although I did manage to complete it. I’ve started one of my September review books and also this month I’ll be picking up and reading those books put forward by the Critiquing Chemist as part of their Semi Finalist hopefuls for SPFBO.
Next Week’s Reads:
I will be completing Talonsister by Jen Williams which I’m about 20% into already and enjoying.
Reviews Posted:
- The Twenty by Sam Holland
- My Murder by Kate Williams
- The People Watcher by Sam Lloyd
- All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
My August recap
8 books read in total.
- Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- 1 x SPFBO
- 1 x SPFBO
- Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney
- Thornhedge by T Kingfisher
- The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
- Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine
- Powerless by Lauren Roberts
What’s on My Plate for September
Well, I’m gradually catching up with blog hopping and reviews. The four outstanding reviews above are from books that I read earlier this year but didn’t write up yet so I’m whittling down the list slowly but surely. Fortunately, I’ve been very reasonable when it comes to requesting more review books which means my September review list (which I’ve already started) feels a lot more manageable. This is good news because ideally I’d like to backtrack through my earlier books that I’ve got behind with. I’ll also be aiming to read the books put forward as potential semi-finalists by the Critiquing Chemist and similarly I’ll be giving them my list of hopefuls. I have some tough decisions. In total I fully read 7 of my SPFBO books and the rest I tried to read at least the first 30%, sometimes slightly more, sometimes less. Like I said I really need to decide which books to put forward. I’ll be posting two further elimination posts – both on forthcoming Saturdays. My feelings go out to all the authors still waiting – and very much so to those authors from my first elimination post which can be found here.
My reading this month:
Talonsister by Jen Williams
‘Uncover a magical past that refuses to be forgotten in a world of mythical creatures and ruthless religion in this brand-new duology from the multi-award winning author of The Ninth Rain, perfect for fans of John Gwynne and Andrea Stewart.’
I’ve made a good start on this one already and can’t wait to see where the story takes me.
A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark
‘Readers of Shauna Lawless and Thilde Kold Holdt will love this Celtic-inflected adventure by critically acclaimed, grimdark epic fantasy novelist, Anna Smith Spark.’
I’ve already taken a sneaky peak at this one and it’s given me the shivers (in a good way). I think I’d almost forgotten how much I love this author’s style. So beautiful.
Once A Monster by Robert Dinsdale
This isn’t my first outing with this author. I loved The Toymakers and Paris by Starlight which firmly established him as a master storyteller, in my opinion, so when I saw the description for Once A Monster I was a little bit smitten. Greek myth, Dickensian style setting – hell yes.
The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft
‘The first book in a wildly inventive and mesmerizing new fantasy series from acclaimed author Josiah Bancroft where magical mysteries abound and only one team can solve The Hexologists.’
I am totally ashamed to admit that I haven’t read this author yet. His first book (Senlin Ascends) in the Books of Babel series was an entry into the SPFBO competition and following that the series simply took off. I think I’ve bought all the books but in typical reviewer fashion the books I’ve bought seem to play second fiddle. So, this will be my first foray and I’m really excited. I will get to The Books of Babel though -I’ve made myself a promise to do so.
The Night House by Jo Nesbo
‘From the internationally best-selling author, a twisted, multi-layered spin on the classic horror novel’
Definitely the right time of year for a horror novel. This was released earlier this year but when it came up for request I couldn’t resist. The dark nights are creeping in and this book has crept itself onto my list. Woot
However Many Must Die by Phil Williams
‘Get ready for the first epic entry in a new series, and a new world, of dark military fantasy from Phil Williams.’
I can’t wait to pick this one up. I’ve read this author’s work before, he has a great imagination, his Under Ordshaw series is excellent and I highly recommend Dyer Street Punk Witches – which, although set in the same world can be read without having read the other books in the series (although why deny yourself that pleasure).
On top of these I have my potential SPFBO books – maybe 2, maybe 3, maybe 4 – ooh, the anticipation!
????
I think this is a manageable quantity of books – so I’m also hopeful of squeezing in a backlist book. I have a few that are calling to me:
Anyone read any of these? Any thoughts??
Books and travelling with Lynn 