The Minders by John Marrs

Hello everyone.  I hope all is well with you. 

Would you like to know all your government's secrets? Not me, I'm chicken, yep blissful ignorance for me. My dad, however, held top secret clearance. He would go on a business trip and not be able to tell anyone where he was going.  He worked for a major computer company that put systems in various types of vehicles for the federal government.  Funny thing is, my dad was the least tech savvy person I've ever seen, if you asked him: windows were to look out of, apples were to eat and a c prompt was the latest laxative in tv commercials. Yet my mild mannered dad helped negotiate to price for selling and installing these systems.  He went to "areas" that, until recently, the government said didn't exist. He only told me about it after it was declassified, probably good thing... my ignorance is comforting and had my mother known she would have had to have been sedated!

I recently read The Minders by John Marrs. I'm not a fan of fantasy or science fiction but Marrs has just a hint of them in his books but in general they are intense thrillers, which I love. The Minders is about the stealing of government secrets and how to prevent it from happening. The United Kingdom has tried many things which haven't worked so now they are implanting all their secrets into the brain of five people, these are the Minders.  This book is about what happens to these people while trying to protect these secrets and what happens when those people have secrets of their own.  This story is exactly the kind of pace I like, where the author doesn't let you catch your breath with twist after shocking twist.  The book references two of his earlier books The Passengers and The One but they are absolutely not necessary to completely understand and enjoy this book but fans of Marrs will find it amusing. If you love fast paced thrillers, this is for you!

My husband always jokes about my dad going to buy a new car, a normal, everyday customer and the poor salesman who had no idea what Dad did for a living. 

The Survivors by Jane Harper

Hello everyone. Hope your day is going well.

Have you ever gone to the beach off season?  Maybe you like Myrtle Beach in the winter to play golf or the Outer Banks to watch the wild horses.  I live near two beach resort areas and can tell you that many people prefer to go after labor day. Rates drop, kids are back to school, the pace of life slows down.  Of course, some people like the winter. There are fewer restaurants open and less excitement in the air, obviously no swimming or sun bathing...still it is a special time.  There is a sort of melancholy, at least on the NC beaches, that envelops you.  Not a sad state exactly, but a peaceful, thoughtful one. You can walk beaches normally packed with tourists and not see another person for miles. If you've always wanted a picture of your favorite knobby sweater with your hair tousled and the ocean behind you for your social media, maybe you should consider a winter trip.

I recently read The Survivors by Jane Harper, my first by this author.  This mystery is FULL of atmosphere and perfectly describes a beach resort town off season.  You will feel exactly what it's like to be a resident.  The imagery is flawless, without the author running through endless pages of description, she gives you just enough to lead you in the right direction. The book is full of characters, the residents of this small beach community.  The author reveals each person and their traits in a natural way, not bogging down the story with specific introductions.  

The story begins with the death of a young girl. As the reader slowly discovers who might be responsible, an older tragedy is revealed.  What did this earlier natural occurrence do to this quaint seaside town and who has it haunted for years?  Unlike the thrillers I adore, this story is told slowly, allowing us to ponder what is actually happening and feel like a real part of the town.  The mystery is interesting and the writing wonderful, but the star here is the way the story is told, how we can smell the salt air and feel the sand under our feet. While this is my first Jane Harper, I will be purchasing the back list. I wonder what other worlds she has created.

Don't blame me if you suddenly want clams and salt water taffy.

Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan

Hello everyone. I hope you're having a great day.

In the past I've told you about the neighborhood I grew up in, how people would call it "peanut butter hill" because once you purchased a house there all you could afford to eat was peanut butter.  Of course, those price standards have long passed. I think my parents paid under $30,000 to have their house built, including a large lot. Let's face it, thirty grand barely gets you a car these days. It was a nice place to grow up, the neighborhood and the town.

I recently read Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan.  I really don't know what to tell you about this book.  It is about the dynamics of a specific neighborhood, one woman dislikes the family next door.  She convinces the residents of other houses on the street to feel negatively towards this family as well.  A sinkhole opens up in the park across the street, complicating matters.  As the story unfolds we learn more about each character, their past and present.  The book is interesting and hard to put down, in an odd way.  This story is dark, very dark and has a shocking ending. When I finished I put the book down feeling bewildered.  I wasn't sure if I liked it or actually hated it.  It has been a week since I finished Good Neighbors and I still don't know how I feel about it.  I guess my advice would be that it's interesting but be very aware it is seriously dark.

So glad we had no sinkholes in my neighborhood, I had enough trauma playing in the sandbox with three younger sisters.

The Push by Ashley Audrain

Hello everyone.  Hope you are well.

Do you have kids?  We don't.  I was afraid to go through that whole, grow someone inside you, process. In addition, we were young, money was tight and paying to raise a child seemed utterly impossible.  I often wonder what our life would have been like as parents. How would children change the dynamics between us as a couple?  What kind of parents would we have been? I can answer part of that already, my husband would have been a great parent.  He recognizes things from his childhood he didn't like and instead of repeating those issues he learned from them. And he's a gigantic goof ball.  He looks for any excuse to make up some weird voice or invent some joke that he thinks is ground breaking (truly Tonight Show WITH Johnny Carson worthy) but isn't.  He'd be the worlds best dad, next to my own, of course.  As for me being a mother, I would probably be terrible. I'd insist some kid eat their green beans for the nine thousand, six hundred and fifty-third time and the child would smother me in my sleep. Hey, don't give me that look, green beans are good for you. Eat some!

I recently read The Push by Ashley Audrain.  This is the story of a couple, Blythe and Fox, who welcome their first child, Violet into the world.  While happy, Blythe wonders if she is as bonded to her new daughter as she should be.  Despite a few issues they remain generally happy, eventually adding baby Sam to their tribe. Violet seems to love Sam, but odd things begin happening, often in front of mom, Blythe, only. This leaves the dad to think of his daughter much more affectionately than mom.  

If you read the book Baby Teeth, the thriller that was big about three years ago, this story has similar vibes.  Perhaps it's because I've just read The Push and Baby Teeth was a while ago but The Push seems much more diabolical.  Still, if you've had your fill of bad kid stories, skip this.  If you want something that is a fast read, will hold your interest and has a satisfying ending, check this one out.

Just to be safe, maybe you should put this book where your kids can't find it.  Wouldn't want to give them any ideas.

ps. While checking the spelling hubby walked by reading this post. He said laughing, he has no idea where I got that "goof ball thing". Told ya.

The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher

Hello everyone.  Hope you and your family are staying safe.

The internet can be a great thing. When we are watching tv and hubby thinks he recognizes somebody from a 1970's sitcom that actually looks nothing like the person he now insists is the same actor, I can look up cast members. It's quick, easy, nips in the bud any possibility of a ridiculous argument creeping up over some actor who means nothing to either of us, except, of course, who is correct. (obviously it's me). What I've really grown to hate is how on social media people post the best parts of their lives. It's generally not any condition they are suffering with, or their tedious work schedule, or the puppy that refuses to potty outside.  Nope, it's always close up pictures of wine glasses, toes over some pool or beach, or sunset over some Bahamian island with the title "23 days until our next trip!" Don't get me wrong, I love seeing what friends are up to but I find it impossible to measure up.  Don't they vacuum, do dishes, bake chickens?  My point it that the grass is always greener, but if you look really closely everyone has issues, whether they advertise them or not.

I recently read The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher.  This is the story of a woman, Juno, who isn't well.  She has moved in with a couple and their son. Nigel and Winnie have a beautiful home, great son and plenty of money. What could be wrong?  This is one of those stories with some very careful writing, that will have you assuming things repeatedly that aren't true. Realizing that you, the reader, have gotten things wrong adds to the twist and turns of the story.  The book itself is interesting and quick to read.  During these trying times perhaps a word of warning here, this book is fairly dark in tone and feeling.  It is, after all, a thriller and not a walk through the park with Mary Poppins, but be aware it will not lighten your mood.

Okay, I won't keep you any longer. I'm sure you have photos to take of your toes...at least order a few books while you're at it.