2014 was an interesting year in reading. According to my Goodreads reading challenge, I read 56 books. Many were read for the “Mysteries From Every State Challenge,” three (Carthage, Shutter Island, The Round House) made it to my top 10. The books are not in any particular order. Moloka’i, Alan Brennert This novel was […]
Tag Archives: book reviews
December
17
Swampy Alabama: The Flood, Michael McDowell
posted by lasesana
*** Avon Books, 1983 ISBN 0380814897 (ISBN13: 9780380814893) Part of the Mysteries from Every State Challenge The Flood is book number one in Michael McDowell’s Blackwater series. Taking place in the town of Perdido, Alabama in 1919, the novel describes the mysterious appearance of Elinor Dammert on Easter Sunday, immediately after a large flood lays waste to […]
October
11
A Dirty Job, Christopher Moore
posted by lasesana
***** William Morrow & Co., 2006 ISBN 0060590270 (ISBN13: 9780060590277) A lighthearted book about death and dying. Charlie Asher lives with his pregnant wife over his thrift shop in San Francisco, generally satisfied with his life. A regular guy, his fortune takes a dark turn the day Charlie’s wife, Rachel, gives birth to their first child. Rachel […]
October
10
Timeless Chicago: The Shining Girls, Lauren Beukes
posted by lasesana
Four and 1/2 stars for Lauren Beukes’ The Shining Girls
October
09
Glacial Montana: Bone Dust White, Karin Salvalaggio
posted by lasesana
Review of Bone Dust White (2014) by Karin Salvalaggio
July
02
Nothing is What it Seems in Massachusetts: Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
posted by lasesana
***** Harper Torch, 2003 ISBN 038073186X (ISBN13: 9780380731862) Part of the Mysteries from Every State challenge This book is exactly what I love about mystery novels. I almost wish I hadn’t seen the movie before I read the book; no matter how much I love Leo, the movie did not do this story justice—in a […]
June
18
Vast Arizona: The Blessing Way, Tony Hillerman
posted by lasesana
***3/4 Harper Torch, 1970 ISBN 0061000019 (ISBN13: 9780061000010) Part of the Mysteries from Every State challenge This was the first Tony Hillerman book I read, and I can say it was just what I expected: well written, entertaining, and very descriptive of the setting. The book starts with the discovery of a corpse in the […]
June
12
“Pretty” Rhode Island: The Sculptor, Gregory Funaro
posted by lasesana
**1/2 Pinnacle, 2009 ISBN 0786022124 (ISBN13: 9780786022120) Part of the Mysteries from Every State Challenge This is the kind of book where the idea was better than the actual story. “The Sculptor” is a serial killer who disposes of his victims to replicate famous statues by Michelangelo by using real body parts for his creations. […]
June
09
Fear and Loathing in Colorado: The Shining, Stephen King
posted by lasesana
***** Hodder & Stoughton, 1977 ISBN 0450040186 (ISBN13: 9780450040184) Part of the Mysteries from Every State Challenge I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book, especially because I love the movie so much. However, no matter how much I like Kubrick, the book is much better. In the spirit of full […]
June
03
Tedium and cliché in Connecticut: Two Little Girls in Blue, Mary Higgins Clark
posted by lasesana
* Pocket Books, 2007 ISBN 0743497295 (ISBN13: 9780743497299) Part of the Mysterious USA Mystery reading challenge This is probably a book I should have put down after the first chapter. I can’t remember reading Mary Higgins Clark, but I thought that since she was so popular, the novel would be pretty good. WRONG! The story […]
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