MAKE ME by Lee Child

September 8, 2015
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Jack Reacher, Book 20

When I review a new Jack Reacher book, it often feels like I will run out of superlatives or lapse into another review that sounds much like the one before it. But really, it’s not my fault if Child keeps pumping out series books that get better every time – especially considering that he started out with a winner. A lot of series get stale or repetitive but somehow Child manages to not only keep things fresh, but bring fresh perspectives to a character that readers feel they already know so well.

Make Me is a bit darker than the previous books, but that darkness is offset by a romance. Yes, you read that correctly. Now read on.

As is his wont, Reacher is riding the rails, but gets off in a small Oklahoma town called Mother’s Rest because he is simply curious about the name. A woman sees him and scurries over, then realizes he is not the man she is seeking. Tom Cruise aside, his sheer size makes him easily discernible from most mortal men so that also arouses his curiosity.

But his curiosity is not to be slaked. While he asks around town for the meaning of the name, no one will tell him. Mother’s Rest is a tiny town miles from anything but wheat fields, and it just feels wrong to Reacher that no one seems to know.

The woman, Michelle Chang, is a bit more forthcoming. She is a private investigator who can’t find her partner. Reacher decides to help her look, and that leads them both into danger as well as into research into the Deep Web. Their search takes them to Illinois, Arizona and California, and their mutual attraction leads to the usual, only this time, with longer lasting results.

This is a dark and twisty story as only Lee Child can tell it, and I stayed up late into the night to finish it. Another winner from the master.

9/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MAKE ME by Lee Child. Delacorte Press (September 8, 2015).  ISBN 978-0804178778. 416p.

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THE BEST HORROR OF THE YEAR, ed. by Ellen Datlow

September 5, 2015
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Volume 7

Once again Ellen Datlow has culled through the past year’s mass of horror shorts and novellas to put together a collection of some of the best highlights for genre fans.

Datlow not only has great taste, but with these “best of” anthologies she’s essentially offering readers a snapshot of the year’s releases. The chosen tales are narrowed down from multi-author anthologies, single author collections, magazines, online publications, and any other place that might have featured horror shorts for the previous year. What’s more, Datlow also takes the time to list additional readings of note including shorts that didn’t quite make the cut (because there are such a plethora to have to choose from), genre novels, award winners, etc from the calendar year.

This year’s twenty-two tale selection runs the gamut of horror with tales inspired by Lovecraft (Brian Evenson’s “Past Reno” and Livia Llewellyn’s “Allochton” were both originally part of the Letters to Lovecraft anthology edited by Jesse Bullington), a sin eater (Genevieve Valentine’s “A Dweller in Amenty”), vengeance from beyond the grave (Laird Barron’s “The Worms Crawl In”), and of course a couple of tales of the apocalypse as well, just to mention a few.

Some of my own favorites this time around include Garth Nix’s “Shay Corsham Worsted” and Keris McDonald’s “The Coat Off His Back,” both of which center around some quite historic criminals, the abovementioned “Past Reno,” and Angela Slatter’s revenge tale “Winter Children.”

Here’s the full table of contents:

The Atlas of Hell by Nathan Ballingrud

Winter Children by Angela Slatter

A Dweller in Amenty by Genevieve Valentine

Outside Heavenly by Rio Youers

Shay Corsham Worsted by Garth Nix

Allochton by Livia Llewllyn

Chapter Six by Stephen Graham Jones

This is Not for You by Gemma Files

Interstate Love Song (Murder Ballad No. 8) by Caitlin R. Kiernan

The Culvert by Dale Bailey

Past Reno by Brian Evenson

The Coat off His Back by Keris McDonald

The Worms Crawl In by Laird Barron

The Dog’s Home by Alison Littlewood

Tread Upon the Brittle Shell by Rhoads Brazos

Persistence of Vision by Orrin Grey

It Flows From the Mouth by Robert Shearman

Wingless Beasts by Lucy Taylor

Departures by Carole Johnstone

Ymir by John Langan

Plink by Kurt Dinan

Nigredo by Cody Goodfellow

 

9/15 Becky LeJeune

THE BEST HORROR OF THE YEAR 7, ed. by Ellen Datlow. Night Shade Books (August 18, 2015).  ISBN 978-1597808293.  368p.

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ABANDON by Blake Crouch

September 4, 2015
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Blake Crouch is noted for his many suspenseful novels and most recently Wayward Pines, which was made into a successful television series. Abandon is the name of a small midwestern town that saw its entire population suddenly disappear on Christmas day, 1893. No trace was ever found of any of these people and their houses were found with food on the tables, personal belonging in place, no messages left and no answers to what had happened.

A history professor in present times hires two guides and enlists the aid of his estranged journalist daughter to try and find out what did happen to the people of Abandon. They travel to the town and begin attempting to find answers.

Crouch sets up a scenario in which events are described back and forth between 1893 and the present day search. The reader is introduced to the two sets of characters, their motivations and finally what happened by rapidly changing the scene from one group to the other. The differences between the professor and his daughter, Abigail, are part and parcel of the novel with a logical making up between the two as the search goes on.

The book is suspenseful, but not otherworldly as was Wayward Pines. The plot development and the method of using both sets of events, 1893 and the present day, keeps the reader glued to the book and anxiously awaiting the next steps in both periods. Very well done.

9/15 Paul Lane

ABANDON by Blake Crouch. Thomas & Mercer; Reissue edition (September 1, 2015). ISBN: 978-1503946194. 529p.

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CHASING JUSTICE by H. Terrell Griffin

September 3, 2015
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Matt Royal is a retired attorney and self proclaimed beach bum, enjoying his comfortable life on Longboat Key off the west coast of Florida, except he comes out of retirement for each book – and this is the ninth – of the series.

This time the police chief’s wife, Abby Lester, is accused of murder. The best way to keep Abby out of jail would be to find the real killer, so Royal hires an investigator to help out. The evidence is shaky at best; a wine glass found bedside with Abbey’s fingerprints on it, and a series of emails, supposedly signed by Abby, sent to the victim, including one on his last day on earth threatening to kill him, except the emails weren’t sent from her computer, and her fingerprints are nowhere else in the apartment.

Royal’s detective girlfriend is working on a different murder case, but you don’t have to be a detective to realize these two murders are related somehow. Royal stumbles through the case, leaping over every hurdle thrown his way until the foregone conclusion. A comfortable, if not exciting read for legal thriller fans.

Copyright ©2015 Booklist, a division of the American Library Association.

9/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CHASING JUSTICE by H. Terrell Griffin.  Oceanview Publishing (September 1, 2015).  ISBN 978-1608091416. 384p.

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THE UNYIELDING FUTURE by Brian O’Grady

September 2, 2015
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Brian O’Grady brings his readers into a world that introduces the concept of forces that act as Yang and Yin in the course of human events. They can prevent massacres, on the other hand arrange for murders and guide the actions of humans. These are not just abstract entities, but humans, long lived, 2 thousand year old humans that can interact with normal people if they so wish.

O’Grady puts a doctor and his family into the paths of two of these entities when they are part of a major accident and a seemingly old man arrives on the scene. In spite of what appears to be advanced age and consequent weakness this individual saves many lives and appears normal once the deed is accomplished.

The novel is both perplexing and enticing. What is the motivation of these people since there is more than one.  Are they truly the Yang and Yin of our world representing opposite reactions to events, or they are part of the same following similar patterns and drives. The answers are not so clear but do cause  thinking that might admit that such forces exist and influence events. A compelling read and certainly stimulating a desire to read more of Brian O’Grady’s books.

9/15 Paul Lane

THE UNYIELDING FUTURE by Brian O’Grady. Story Plant, The (September 8, 2015). ISBN: 978-1611882162. 350p.

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Win the September ’15 bookshelf of signed thrillers!

September 1, 2015

Sept15collageFINAL

Lots of great books to win this month including NY Times bestsellers, favorite series & a debut! Plus all these books are signed by the authors…best of luck!

THE SOLOMON CURSE by Clive Cussler & Russell Blake
The outstanding new Sam and Remi Fargo Adventure from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author. “Cussler and Blake have given us another riveting thriller. Sam and Remi are fearless, honest, curious, and resourceful in all situations. Fasten your seat belt for this wonderful read!” — Library Journal

MAKE ME by Lee Child
Stephen King calls Jack Reacher “the coolest continuing series character”—and now he’s back in this masterly new thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child.

THE SCAM by Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg
Nicolas Fox is a charming con man and master thief on the run. Kate O’Hare is the FBI agent who is hot on his trail. At least that’s what everyone thinks. In reality, Fox and O’Hare are secretly working together to bring down super-criminals the law can’t touch. This series is one of my newer favorites!

PRETTY GIRLS by Karin Slaughter
A standalone thriller from one of my favorite writers! Lee Child says it’s “stunning… certain to be a book of the year.” Kathy Reichs calls it “extraordinary… a major achievement.” Jeffery Deaver says that “fiction doesn’t get any better than this.” Gillian Flynn says of Karin Slaughter: “I’d follow her anywhere.” See for yourself what these #1 New York Times-bestselling authors are talking about!

Robert B. Parker’s THE DEVIL WINS by Reed Farrel Coleman
A Nor’easter blows into Paradise and churns up the past—in the stunning new addition to Robert B. Parker’s New York Times–bestselling series featuring Police Chief Jesse Stone.

THE SEARCHER by Simon Toyne
The author of the acclaimed Sanctus trilogy conjures an eerie epic of good and evil, retribution and redemption—the first novel in the mesmerizing Solomon Creed series in which a man with no memory of his past must save a lost soul in a small Arizona town.

HOSTAGE TAKER by Stefanie Pintoff
From Edgar Award winner Stefanie Pintoff comes the start of an electrifying new thriller series featuring Eve Rossi, head of a secret division of the FBI—one made up of ex-convicts with extraordinary talents, oversized egos, and contempt for the rules. Perfect for readers of Iris Johansen and Catherine Coulter.

PATRIOT by Ted Bell
Intelligence officer Alex Hawke takes on power-hungry Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is wielding a terrifying new weapon, in the latest adrenaline-fueled thriller in Ted Bell’s New York Times bestselling series.

PERIL BY PONYTAIL by Nancy J. Cohen
The latest entry in the terrific Bad Hair Day Mysteries! Marla and Dalton’s honeymoon at an Arizona dude ranch veers from dangerous to downright deadly faster than a horse headed to the corral. “Cozy fans will have fun.”—Publishers Weekly

HER FINAL BREATH by Robert Dugoni
Ryder Creed and his K9 search-and-rescue dogs return in the second installment of an exciting new series, teaming up once more with FBI profiler Maggie O’Dell in their riskiest case yet. Publishers Weekly says, “Exciting . . . . [an] intense thriller, which builds to an explosive conclusion.”

THE GATES OF EVANGELINE by Hester Young
From a unique new talent comes a fast-paced debut, introducing a heroine whose dark visions bring to light secrets that will heal or destroy those around her . . .”[H]aunting, heartbreaking, yet ultimately hopeful…Young handles the spectral elements with restraint as her tremendously sympathetic heroine seeks to build a new life after death.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

DANCE OF THE BONES by J.A. Jance
J. P. Beaumont and Brandon Walker, two of New York Times bestselling author J. A. Jance’s most acclaimed series characters, join forces for the first time in one of the most suspenseful works of her career. “Jance satisfies fans of both series with an energetic plot resplendent with believable twists, leaving readers eager for Beaumont and Walker’s next outing.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

 

You can win autographed copies of all these books! If you are new to the site, each month I run a contest in conjunction with the International Thriller Writers organization. We put together a list of books from debut authors to bestsellers, so you can win some of your favorites and find some new favorites.

What makes this contest really special is that all of the books (except eBooks) are signed by the author!

Don’t forget, if you subscribe to the newsletter or follow this blog, you get an extra entry into every contest you enter. Check out the Win Books  page for more information on all these books and how you to enter this month’s contest.

Thanks for reading, and good luck!

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TRULY MADLY PIZZA by Suzanne Lenzer

August 30, 2015
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My long time, regular readers know that we are pizza aficionados at my house. My husband built a wood burning pizza oven in my backyard. We go on vacation and plan out which pizza places we are going to visit.

It’s not just us, either. Pizza has gone beyond your local mom and pop stop and way beyond the chains. I am proud to say that it has been years since I’ve eaten any pizza from a chain restaurant, I just can’t do it. I’d rather go hungry.  In a nutshell, we are serious pizza lovers.

And we are not alone. According to Sam Sifton, food editor of the New York Times, “Those who track the business say pizza is a $40 billion industry in the United States, in no small part because 97 percent of us eat the stuff, most of us regularly, to the tune of 2.1 slices a sitting.”

So why make it yourself? Well, would you believe it is quicker than ordering delivery? Cheaper and healthier? And way more delicious? Trust me, I wouldn’t lie to you.

Lenzer has come up with an easy, fool proof pizza dough recipe that is so simple, you can make pizza for dinner any night you want, even after a long day of work, in less time than some other chef’s famous thirty minute meals.

The secret is to make the crust on the weekend, or whenever you have a little time – and I mean little, it takes 30 minutes from start to finish, including pulling the ingredients out of your pantry, throwing them in the food processor, letting the dough rest while you clean up the food processor and put away the ingredients. Then you wrap the dough in plastic, and throw it in the freezer. The day you want to make pizza for dinner, take the dough out of the freezer and put it in the fridge in the morning while your coffee is brewing. This is sheer genius! And best of all, it makes a delicious, crispy yet still chewy around the edges pizza.

The rest of the cookbook is full of drool worthy photographs from photographer Christopher Testani, who obviously loves his job. There are tons of pizza recipes with really interesting combinations, like Shredded Chicken with Sweet Corn and Cherry Tomatoes; Prosciutto, Roasted Asparagus and Fresh Peas with Parmesan; Caramelized Onion and Pancetta with Parmesan; Curried Cauliflower with Tomatoes & Cilantro; Ramps with Poached Eggs and Pecorino. The combinations are incredibly creative and seemingly endless.

Keep a variety of cheeses on hand ready to go. Use fresh tomatoes instead of sauce. But the trick here is this: for a family friendly, quick pizza dinner, use your leftovers! Leftover cooked veggies, the last few slices of salami or ham, that handful of spinach you never got to, all make for wonderful toppings for pizza.

Kudos to Lenzer for basically recreating the wheel here. By making pizza so simple, so fast and so easy, there are no excuses for not making it yourself. Go forth and make pizza!

8/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

TRULY MADLY PIZZA by Suzanne Lenzer. Rodale Books (April 7, 2015). ISBN 978-1623362188. 240p.

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THE UNINVITED by Cat Winters

August 29, 2015
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Ivy has only just recovered from the flu, but when she hears that her father and brother have murdered a local German shop owner she knows she can’t stay in their house one moment longer. Ivy has always seen spirits – they’re harbingers of bad things to come – and the last thing she can take is seeing the ghost of the man her father murdered.

When she arrives in town, though, she finds that Buchanan has been hit hard by the war and Spanish flu. The hospital is bursting at the seams and turning away patients with the wrong background or address. Fear is a predominant feeling amongst the locals – fear of being called out for being unpatriotic, fear of getting sick, fear of losing one more loved one… Ivy knows that fear makes men like the one her father murdered prime targets but she still feels a responsibility to the dead man’s brother and is desperate to make amends. At the same time, Ivy is certain something awful is about to come to pass. Why else would she be seeing her dead brother at every turn?

Cat Winters makes her adult debut with The Uninvited. It’s historical fiction set in an imagined town that’s pretty wonderfully representative of the era: the undertone of sadness and dread and the overwhelming anxiety of the town certainly feels true to the time.

Imagine watching your brothers, classmates, and sometimes even fathers going off to fight a war against an enemy overseas. Imagine being told that your neighbors could be collaborating with that enemy. And now imagine that a truly deadly and virulent sickness is making its way through your town as well. This is Ivy’s reality and her only relief comes from music and a love that’s pretty much forbidden.

There’s more than a hint of the supernatural to this tale – Ivy does see ghosts, after all – but The Uninvited is somewhat less of a ghost story than I’d initially expected. It’s more a story about human nature and the terrible effects of war. The combination makes for an eerie and emotional read.

 

8/15 Becky LeJeune

THE UNINVITED by Cat Winters. William Morrow Paperbacks (August 11, 2015).  ISBN 978-0062347336.  368p.

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THE COINCIDENCE OF COCONUT CAKE by Amy E. Reichert

August 27, 2015
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One of my favorite movies is You’ve Got Mail, the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan romcom written by Nora & Delia Ephron that is set around NYC bookstores. Much as You’ve Got Mail was a love letter to New York City, Coconut Cake is a love letter to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Reichert did an amazing job – I want to go!  The Coincidence of Coconut Cake is the foodie equivalent of Mail, and that completely worked for me.

Lou is a talented chef who is sweating away trying to make a success of her small French restaurant, Luella’s, named after her beloved grandmother. She has a core group of regulars, and is just making ends meet. Her personal life is a little bit better; her fiancé is successful but not entirely supportive of her endeavors. And then everything falls apart.

Lou walks in on her fiancé with another woman and she dumps him. She’s off to work, heartbroken, humiliated and angry, not the best way to cook. She alienates most of her staff, and the food suffers terribly.

Of course this is the night that the new food critic in town visits the restaurant. Al is quite acerbic in his reviews and is building a nice following. One meal at Luella’s is all that he needs to eviscerate the restaurant, sounding the death knoll for the struggling restaurant.

Meanwhile, Lou and Al literally run into each other and she decides to show him around Milwaukee, a city he is sorry he landed in. By the time she’s through with him, he loves the city and Lou – but it takes a while before he realizes who she is and she finds out who he is. Fireworks ensue, but it is the journey that is so delicious.

This was a fast moving story with warm, likeable characters and a fun plot.

8/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

 

THE COINCIDENCE OF COCONUT CAKE by Amy E. Reichert. Gallery Books (July 21, 2015).  ISBN 978-1501100710. 336p.

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WHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT by Tessa Dare

August 26, 2015

WHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT

Castles Ever After Series

This was such a fun read! I admit, I have a thing for Scots – at least Scots men in kilts – thank you, Diana Gabaldon. And I love Tessa Dare. So when I heard about this at ALA (the American Library Association annual conference) I knew I had to get my hands on it. And I was so glad I did.

The premise of the book was creative and original.  Madeline Gracechurch was supposed to be “coming out” but is so shy and awkward, not to mention smart in the science sort of way not heavily favored by the English gentry, she makes up a suitor, “Captain MacKenzie,”  sends him off to war, avoids English society and starts a correspondence with her imaginary lover.

Imagine her shock when years later Captain MacKenzie shows up at her door, ready to claim her for his wife. He’s been at sea, and all of her letters have landed in his lap. His lands have been taken by the British, and here is a convenient way to get something back for him and his men.

He convinces her to marry him or risk exposure and humiliation, and one thing leads to another and the oh so happy ending. But not before lots of angst, sex and a bit of history are thrown into the mix. I haven’t had this much fun reading a romance in a while, and I highly recommend it.

8/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT by Tessa Dare. Avon (August 25, 2015). ISBN 978-0062349026. 384p.

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