Conviction by Denise Mina

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Anna has known her marriage was not going well for awhile now, but she never expected to be greeted at the door with the shocking (and truly cliche) news that her husband was leaving her for her best friend. And worse, he is taking their 2 daughters with them. The most heart-wrenching part of this is that Anna knows she is unable to fight this. Even her husband doesn’t know that she cannot show up in a court of law to contest this because he has no idea she’s concealed her true identity even from him. And she needs to keep it that way, to save her life and theirs – literally. That is, until she learns that a podcast she’s listening to reveals a story that is, in fact, part of HER story… And may come to bring her identity to light in spite of her best efforts.

With all that is going on in the world – more to the point, in our country by our federal government* – I have found that I am desperate for any kind of escapism now more than ever. Thrillers like this one are definitely doing the trick for me – and this one is QUITE the page-turner! Anna sets out to escape her circumstance, finding herself with, of all people, Fin, her best friend’s husband. The suspense builds as we gradually learn what she’s escaped and why she’s had to cover up her past. But as more is uncovered, the danger for her builds as well, and the twisty plot thickens. I actually found myself holding my breath as I was reading more than a few times!

I also came to love Anna’s character. She is honest to the point of being blunt, deeply compassionate in spite of being bruised, and values her family above all in spite of it being fractured. She is so brave and has a keen insight into people, most likely from necessity. Trauma does that – creates hypervigilance in a person, such that one becomes discerning of who to trust.

I would highly recommend this novel if you’re looking to escape, as I have been. This is a great one to drown out the world right now!

*My favorite quote about this point, by the way: from Thomas Friedman in his interview by Ezra Klein from yesterday: “Hire clowns, expect a circus.” That is what we have at the moment!

While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

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Avery Keene is so frustrated with herself when she realizes that she’s missed her opportunity to run into the Chief Justice “by accident” this morning. She’s spent months getting into the good graces of the Chief’s assistants in order to learn her schedule so that she can get a word in with her, and once again, her mother, a perpetually “recovering” addict, has distracted her from her intended plan to discuss her future. To her surprise, she is called into the Chief’s office anyway – and with news that is both shocking and horrifying: Justice Wynn, for whom she has been clerking, is currently in a coma and she, Avery, has been named his Power of Attorney. What could he possibly have been thinking, to name her, a measly law clerk? As she gains bit by bit of information about the Justice’s recent state of health and personal life details, she learns how tangled he has been in a sordid plot, which only Avery, with the help of a few other trusted souls, has the potential to uncover. But at what cost?

This is an utterly gripping thriller which will have you on the edge of your seat from page one until the very end. Avery is caught up in a series of clues left behind by Justice Wynn, prior to his drifting into his coma, and although many relate to chess (which I don’t play – but luckily Avery does!), the plot is brilliant, complex, layered, and twisty. Avery herself is also a likable character, with a vulnerable past, a kind heart, and brilliant mind. She wants to do the right thing, which has become a rarity, not only in government but in the justice system as well. (Not only in fiction, sad to say…)

Stacey Abrams is not only an impressive and brilliant legislator, but an impressive and brilliant author as well!

Long Bright River by Liz Moore

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Mickey is worried about her sister, Kacey, who’s been missing for more than a month. This would not be so unusual – both that her sister has been missing or that she is worried about her – except that there is currently a strangler on the loose who is out for women with exactly Kacey’s description: young, pretty, and addicted to heroin. You would think that Mickey might be able to rely on her family to help. You would also think that being on the police force in Philly would give her an advantage. Neither, sadly, seem to be the case. And apparently, it’s up to Mickey to figure out just why this is so.

This novel, which has recently been made into a streaming series (which I have not yet seen), is quite addictive in itself. The story is engaging from the beginning, growing ever more suspenseful as one turns its pages. And I found the characters to be gritty and vulnerable and often just desperate to find connection, family, and love – just as we all are, really. I felt totally connected to Mickey, even as hard as she had to be.

It’s admittedly a tough read, though, with some scenes that, while brief, depict the lives of those who are under the deeply-unmagical spell of the terrible drugs we’re seeing out there in such high numbers. But while it depicts the deplorable conditions many resign themselves to while in search of that next fix, it also highlights the community, the unofficial network that develops, even the care that some take to watch out for each other. These folks understand that underneath the unwashed desperation and the naked fear, these are human beings, with family who care about them, with complicated histories and feelings, and often with a true yearning to get clean but who just struggle against this horrible disease.

This story also addresses police corruption, which can be rampant in some cities. While I have true respect for officers who defend us honorably – they provide one of the most thankless and important contributions to society that we live with, truly. But I live in fear of those who are dishonorable. The abuse of power is a thing to be feared on any level – but if it’s someone with a weapon, that is terrifying.

On the whole, this is a novel that is hard to put down. If you commit to it, make sure you set aside time – you will not want to do anything else until you get to that very last page!

Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear

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Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and private detective, is tapped once again, and this time it’s for help with a case of chemical terrorism. It appears an individual has written a letter to British officials, spewing dissatisfaction on how certain factions of society have been treated and threatening harm to them and many others if action is not taken. Because Maisie herself has been named in this letter, she is brought onto the case, and it is quickly apparent that the author of this letter is suffering, has experienced tragedy, but is also extremely dangerous.

I love this series. I have erred by reading it in completely the wrong order, but because they are so well-written, they are also excellent as stand-alone novels. They serve both as detective/murder-mysteries and historical fiction narratives, and as a series provide vivid details of life in spanning from before the first World War to after the second. This particular one takes place in December, 1931, and one can feel not only the desperation of the Depression that has impacted so many, but also the residual psychological impact of the “Great War.”

Before we had the term “PTSD,” soldiers were diagnosed with “shell shock,” and it was really the first form of trauma that had been even remotely acknowledged. This story describes well how so many, mostly men, were affected by being in the trenches: hearing bombs go off just next to them, feeling explosions blow off body parts, seeing friends killed before their eyes. And so many of them were not allowed to process this trauma, but were forced, because they happened to be physically “ok,” to jump back in to the fighting because the armed forces just needed bodies. And the repeated trauma made for extremely vulnerable men returning to their homes after the war. Their vulnerabilities could manifest in extreme disconnection from their prior personalities, from their families, from their very souls, as is described in this story.

While I think one can skip around a bit, I would recommend beginning the series with the first one, which is called Maisie Dobbs, by Jacqueline Winspear, as it gives an important foundation to the series. And if you can, it is probably best to go in order, but there are a great many books in the series –  it may take you awhile! But the writing is solid, the plots are clever, and Maisie is a strong, ethical and wise character to stick with.

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

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Patch is not the most popular among his peers, being one-eyed, obsessed with pirates and their history, and the son of a single woman who has struggled to hold down most jobs. But he has a few eyes on him. Nix, the Chief of Police of his small midwestern town, tends to end each shift by swinging by to check on his house. And Saint, his one and only friend, and her grandmother, have remained quiet when they notice he’s lifted a few extra rolls from the dinner table to bring home to his mother, or when he stays overnight on some of the colder nights when he’s suspected the utilities been turned off in his own home. But when Patch goes missing, after saving the life of his crush, Misty, the popular girl in their class, Saint stops at nothing to find him. And she remains on a mission to continue to save others who continue to go missing long after.

This is a dark but gripping novel, a story of persistence beyond anything one might imagine. The writing is crisp, dialogue sharp, and the plot twisty, even as it unravels over the course of more time than I certainly expected. The relationships between Patch and Saint, even the relationship that develops between Patch and Misty, are vexing; complicated by extreme circumstance, crossed signals, and adolescent angst. But it is the nature of these relationships (and of course other peripheral ones) that keeps the reader tied to the story – addicted, really, because it is virtually impossible to put down.

The character of Saint is a beautiful and most sympathetic one. She has been raised by her grandmother, who, despite her rough exterior, is kind and loving in all aspects that matter. Saint is loyal, honest, and selfless to a fault, willing to give up her own dreams to pursue the truth she knows will be the only way to bring peace to her friend.

I will warn, though, this novel is not for the feint of heart. This is essentially a gruesome tale; one of stolen lives, hidden children, and violent crimes. But it is also a story of undying courage: the valiant pursuit to uncover an obscene injustice.

Hard but excellent read!

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Louise has awoken to every senior counselor’s worst nightmare – one of her campers has gone missing. And just to make it worse – it is the daughter of the owners of the camp. She had relied on her CIT last night to ensure that her campers had remained safely tucked into their beds, and that, she now realizes, was her first mistake. After immediately running up to the camp director’s cabin to report the incident, it is rapidly apparent how complicated this will become. In fact, Louise has no idea how far-reaching and how very, very complicated it truly is.

First off, yes, this book did live up to the hype it is getting. It is ABSOLUTELY as much of a unputdownable read, as everyone says it is. The writing is so crisp, creating a plot that is as twisty, layered, and surprising as it is suspenseful. One might worry that the way the author uses the technique of alternating the character and time perspective could potentially be confusing, but I found it to embellish the story and enrich it. And while it is very plot-driven, we also come to feel compassion for a few of the characters as well.

One particularly sympathetic character is the mother of the lost camper, Alice Van Laar. She has been convinced by everyone around her that her value is based solely on her appearance, rather than anything to do with her personality or her intelligence, and thus her self-esteem is tragically low. She has been so gaslighted, particularly by her husband, that even in times when we would expect her to assert herself, she is so filled with self-doubt that she can not allow herself to do so. Her loneliness is palpable.

This is utterly a MUST READ, because you just must give yourself this gift. It is one of those stories that is tragic in ways you won’t expect, and fulfilling in ways you will enjoy to the fullest.

The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Maisie Dobbs is pulled in once again to a new case, when she learns of a young boy, a messenger in London during WWII, who is witness to a brutal murder. The problem is that those around her seem to not believe this young boy, who, to her, seems not only trustworthy, but also in danger himself and worthy of protection. So even while she is caught up in clandestine work for the British defense against the Axis forces herself, she cannot resist delving into the details of this case as well, even when it might put her and those around her in potential danger.

I should probably have read this series in the order they were written, because there are recurring characters and continuing story lines. Nevertheless, each book is a stand-alone novel and a story worth reading and I have found each that I have read engrossing, entertaining, and endearing. Each character is written with charm and wit and the relationships between the characters are quite beautiful. For example, the working relationship that has developed between Maisie and her assistant detective, Billy, has grown into a collegial and respectful,  and yet tender and caring one. They are a formidable yet wholesome team. 

This series is a fun mix of historical fiction and mystery/suspense that always achieves just the right grittiness and never disappoints.   

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

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Although she did not grow up in a traditional family, Hannah has found herself now with a dream husband, Owen, and his teenage daughter, Bailey, and she’s moved quite happily into their home, into their lives. While she is still working on gaining Bailey’s “approval,” she is very much in love with Owen, and appreciates the love, the independence, and the respect he shows her. Which is why she is stunned when one day, he suddenly disappears, leaving her with a note saying only 2 words: Protect her. It is clear to Hannah who Owen means, but it is not at all clear why or how she must accomplish this.

This is definitely a fun read – full of suspense, sharp characters, and a twisty plot that kept me guessing and those pages turning throughout the book. I also had an opportunity to learn a bit. I never knew the term “woodturning” – which was the trade of the main character, Hannah. Having looked it up, I realize that we’ve all probably purchased items produced by these craftspeople but looking into how it works, the use of the lathe, and the techniques involved, it is quite impressive.

On the other hand, I felt the plot was a bit easy. The search for Owen, truly finding a needle in a haystack, sort of fell into the laps of Hannah and Bailey in some ways. As they followed remote memories of Bailey’s, that may or may not have been valid, they were lucky enough to have stumbled just upon the correct direction enough times that it worked. But I suppose that is why this is fiction, right?

On the whole, it’s a worthwhile read, a much-needed distraction in this very tense moment in our world, and I say, go for it!

 

 

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

“We didn’t call the police right away” laments Mia as she begins to unravel the tale of what happens after her autistic, non-speaking younger brother Eugene, returns from his therapeutic exercise in the park without their father. Eugene is clearly traumatized by what has happened in the park, as demonstrated by his persistent jumping to calm himself for hours and hours, but the family is unable to assess from him what exactly has occurred. As the family searches for their father/husband, in what becomes a missing person mystery, they also learn more about both him and about Eugene – and while the lessons become harder and harder, they also bring the family closer and closer.

As Mia reflects on her search for her father and the family’s approach to figuring out what might have occurred between Eugene and him in the park, Mia realizes that she has been self-absorbed, as a 20 year-old college student might be, as well as biased, as any of us might be.  As she learns more about her father and what he’s been analyzing during his time as a stay-at-home dad, she cycles through various reactions. Similarly, as it slowly dawns on her that her brother Eugene, is capable of much deeper thought than she’d previously understood, she has a mixture of emotions as well. Because her brother is right in front of her, this becomes a crucial part of the story.  Not only does she realize that one’s ability to speak may not be reflective of their verbal skills (they may just not have the ability to actually  vocalize their internal dialogue), but moreover, that one’s verbal skills are not the full picture of one’s overall intelligence, as she’d presumed. 

I certainly appreciated this book for opening my eyes to the possible deeper intelligence of those I may have judged erroneously as having less intelligence just because of their challenges with communication. Whether it is a language barrier because of a foreign nationality, a look that is different from our own, or behaviors/movements that do not match those we may associate with “normal” (whatever that might mean). we presume, judge, and miscalculate others’ abilities based on biases about which we are not even conscious. These feed into our understanding of those around us and we may be dismissive — even rude —  without even realizing we are being so. It is so important that we open our minds and our hearts to these possibilities, because only then can we become aware and hopefully prevent these insults, offenses to others. And in this moment of polarization, the more we can come together, the better.

And not to worry – there is of course also a story here, with a plot, characters, and suspense. It is not preachy, nor bogged down in too much detail. We do empathize with Mia as she parses out her discoveries. and we also develop a strong attachment for Eugene as we discover his personality, his humor. There is warmth without the saccharine. 

A definitely recommended read!  

 

 

The Wife by Alafair Burke

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Angela is caught off-guard when she learns her husband is accused of inappropriate sexual behavior by a student intern in his office. She has feared being in the spotlight because of a traumatic past that she’s worked hard to keep private, but as his profile has become more public, with the publishing of a bestseller and a popular podcast, he is, as she’d predicted, now vulnerable to this kind of negative attention as well. When a second woman steps forward with a new accusation, their world turns completely upside-down and Angela is not sure whom she can trust. How well does she really know her own husband?

This is a twisty whodunnit that is engaging right from the very first page. Even when I was feeling a bit cocky for having guessed some of the plot, there were continued turns and surprises that continued to catch me off my own guard and kept my amusement until the very last page. There are definitely many dark moments, so it’s not a “fun” book per se, but it is a story told with both wit and intelligence. We feel for the characters, although we may not exactly love them, and we see the story from various angles.

I believe my favorite character is the detective investigating the case, Corrine. She is kind, but she is also not to be deterred, ever. She remembers everything and she is no fool. She works overtime, pursues this case because she has a gut feeling and she just wants to see that justice is served.

This was a great book to read right now. While keeping up on the news is crucial right now, it is also important to practice self-care and distraction can be part of that. Reading is a vital part of my self-care… I highly recommend it!