Readin’ Reviews

What’s been your favorite book lately?

–Marissa

Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan was heartbreaking and horrifying, but compelling to read. This is all about the rise of the KKK in Indiana (and specifically, the start is near where I live), and the rise of DC Stephenson, and the woman who died at his hand and gave opportunity for the legal system to rise against him. This was quick and easy to read, despite the horrifying content.

Prom Mom by Laura Lippman was premised off an episode of You’re Wrong About (another great podcast I’ve listened to) about a girl in the 80s who gave birth to a baby at prom, then returned to the dance after the baby died – or was murdered? This supposes that same premise, but takes place years later, when Amber has moved home and runs into her prom date/baby daddy Joe, who is happily married now. Things… unravel, let’s say, and this tries for a few good twists throughout. There’s a lot of cat and mouse, and not particularly likeable characters, but I kept reading for sure.

The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding grabbed me from page one, and I flew through this suspense novel of two women trapped in wildly desperate circumstances but still wanting the same thing – escape. As the women concoct plans and schemes, things go awry, wires get crossed and people get double-crossed. This was fast and compelling and entertaining – a good suspense novel!

Wednesdays at One by Sandra A. Miller is billed as suspense, but this felt more like a weird domestic introspective with way too many coincidences and woo woo moments for me. I wanted to like this – the first novel from Zibby Owen’s new imprint – but this was thudding for me.

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo is the latest in the Kate Burkholder series – if you love the others, you’ll love this one too (I did!).

The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane was just such a compelling audiobook, even though it’s hardly car crashes and chase scenes… just a marriage of many years, a business on the brink of failure, a blizzard and the foibles of midlife. I adored Malcolm and Jess and was rooting for both of them, and the Half Moon throughout. Introspective and genuine and warm, I loved this story.