The Fury by Alex Michaelides

Hello everyone.  I hope you've had a good month.

I know you probably think I'm off jet setting to wild, exciting locations for long luxurious vacations.  I'm not.  I've been reading like crazy.  I've been lucky to have received many advanced copies from blockbuster authors.  I have read their upcoming books but don't want to post about them because you can't purchase them yet.  Honestly, I would feel like someone is teasing me, dangling a great book in front of me then whisking it away.  Kind of like what my husband does with bacon.  Anyway, smoky pork products aside I will tell you that the books coming this year are fantastic.  I don't know what is going on, but my favorite author's books being released this spring and summer are their best ever!  I can see how people improve at their craft; I would hope we all do.... but wow!  Just you wait...not a stinker in the bunch.  We are talking about authors like Peter Swanson, Sarah Pekkanen, Beatriz Williams, Christina Lauren, Megan Miranda, Sally Hepworth, Elle Cosimano and more.  You are going to be so happy with your reading this year!  My point is, I haven't abandoned you.  

I recently read The Fury by Alex Michaelides.  This is my third book from him.  I have enjoyed them all.  This story is different than his others.  It is about an ex-movie star, Lana, who takes her friends to a private island off Greece.  The isolation makes for great privacy, also a great place for a murder, which, of course, is what happens.  Who is responsible?  A stranger on the island or one of the group of friends?

The construction of this story is different from the rest of Michaelides' books.  It is more complicated, more creative.  I can't imagine the work that went into writing this.  It is told in a nonlinear timeline.  Sometimes that can be annoying or difficult to follow.  It is done here in a very clear and thoughtful way.  Each time we go back and learn more, the story becomes sweeter and also much more sinister.  If this kind of storytelling bothers you, and you want a book that shoots straight thru A to Z, then this might not be for you. However, the way the story evolves is masterful and extremely effective, guiding the reader to the resolution of the mystery. This is not only a mystery but also a thriller and even a love story. The pacing moves quickly, enhanced by short chapters.  The characters are interesting, some more well developed than others, as needed.  A solid and entertaining offering.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

A few years ago, we took a quick trip to the mountains of North Carolina.  We went to see a huge family mansion that still belongs to the Vanderbilts.  The Biltmore.  The grounds were as stunning as the house.  The twisting road, little bridges, hills, hidden waterways, all designed by the same designer as Central Park in NYC.  We were so fortunate, we signed up for a behind the scenes tour which included only one other person beside the guide.  We got to go, peek and snoop into rooms that weren't normally allowed because of our small group size.  Given my propensity to be a nosey-nellie when it comes to historic places, I was in all my glory.  Afterword, we toured the gardens, greenhouse and winery.  Then we enjoyed a delightful lunch in the restaurant that used to be the stable.  When telling my sisters about such a wonderful day, all they could focus on was the stable.  How could I eat a salad where horses had pooped.  Really?  After all that, the focus was on non-existent poop that would have been gone for decades.  I joke my sisters a lot, now you know why!

I recently read The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins.  I've read and reviewed three other books by this author: Reckless Girls, The Villa, and The Wife Upstairs.  I have enjoyed them all.  Hawkins latest offering, The Heiress is by far my favorite.  This time the story focus' on a prominent wealthy family, known for its lavish mansion (Ashby) in the hills of North Carolina. This family has suffered many tragedies, the worst when toddler Ruby McTavish is lost in the woods and later found to be kidnapped.  Although little Ruby is recovered, she is plagued by the doubt of others that she is the real missing McTavish.  Now, decades later, following the death of his uncle, Ruby's estranged adopted son, Camden decides it is time to return.  Having lost his mother and now his uncle, Camden and his wife travel cross country to what is left of his dysfunctional family.  As the couple's experiences unfold, we learn about the life of the recently passed matriarch, Ruby. The truth has been elusive for this family, and everyone has secrets.

I loved the character development in this book. I was rooting for some members of the McTavish family and was disgusted by others, only to remember they all have secrets.  The plot moves quickly with twists coming often making this a very addictive read. Absolutely mesmerizing, my new favorite.  Cannot wait for the next!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for an early copy of this novel.  Of course, all my views are my own.  Who else's would they be?

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Hello everyone.  I hope you have been enjoying a nice holiday season.

We had a little Christmas miracle here; prime rib or standing rib roast, went on sale for $6.99 a pound.  Now before you gasp, I'll do it for you.  Prices are ridiculous, but not for this cut.  Usually, it goes on sale for $8 a pound.  This year's price was the cheapest I've ever seen it.  What made me gasp is realizing that hamburger costs darn near close to that every day. HAMBURGER!  It is outrageous.  Hamburger is usually ground from scraps or a cheaper cut like a chuck roast, to have it be approaching what the current cost of prime rib is just shows you how out of whack things are.  I should have bought loads of prime ribs and ground my own hamburger!  If only it wasn't so much work and I'm fairly lazy.  Before you mention it, I am aware I have turned into my dad, complaining about prices.  By the way, name brand butter here is $7.79 a pound.  Butter!  Again, more than prime rib.  I'll just let that sink in...

I recently read The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose.  This is the follow up novel to The Maid, which I read and reviewed last year.  This book follows the same characters in the same settings.  While it is helpful to have read this first book it is not necessary.  Again, we follow the socially inept Molly Gray, the maid at the Regency Grand Hotel.  She has worked hard in the four years that have passed and life has changed.   Currently, she is preparing for the famous author J. D. Grimthorpe to hold a meeting in the Regency's tearoom.  He is about to make some bold announcement when he suddenly drops dead after taking several sips of tea which Molly helped prepare.  As this mystery is solved, we are treated to two timelines, both the present and the past, when Molly was a schoolgirl.  Of course, both timelines are related, the happenings of years ago shedding light on the current death.  

This book was so much fun.  I have lots of affection for Molly and several of the other characters after reading the first novel and I loved seeing them again.  This story is even better than the first.  They mystery is richer and more interesting.  The book is well written and reads quickly.  Although the ending was wonderful, I still want more.  I hope there is yet another volume to come.

I hope all my holiday grocery discussions haven't grossed out all you vegetarians.  Next year I'll try and discuss Brussels sprouts and how they are good for.... well...absolutely nothing!