The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Good morning everyone.  Hope your day is off to a good start.  I have to tell you about something I did a few years ago that still bothers me.  Frankly, I'm ashamed.  Hubby and I went to upstate New York for his birthday. We went to visit my grandmother. All my sisters were in town.  So, I stopped at a party place and got little kids toys, like squirt guns and get the bb through the maze, and made little silly party favors.  When there, I didn't want my grandmother to cook, we were already invading her house, so I brought take out chicken. We had this cute little birthday lunch for my husband and got to spend time with my siblings and beloved grandmother all at the same time.  All the rest of family from the area had either passed away or moved away.  Well, except one person, my mother's cousin, Joe.  He was my grandmother's, brother's son, hence my mother's first cousin.

Joe was so good to us. His family came to our house every Christmas and he would always be the one to grab the new toy we wanted to play the most, read the instructions, set it up, and teach us how to play.  Then Joe and my mom would play games as long as we wanted.  Every year he played, and yes, he was an adult he just did it because he was so kind.  At our wedding he took over five hundred pictures and gave them to us, so we would have plenty of candid shots that the photographer would undoubtedly miss.  He knew it was a day I couldn't get back. He even came to my parents house the morning of the wedding to make sure we didn't need anything.

So, back to my grandmothers house for hubby's  birthday party.  Joe somehow found out we were in town and came over, seeing the empty plates with food scraps and eaten cake. He had a gift for my husband's birthday.  Hubby is a train nut, Joe brought him an antique pocket watch that belonged to a conductor on a train. It is beautiful.  Oh my gosh, I forgot to invite Joe.  He must have had his feelings hurt knowing he had not been included.  I wanted to crawl into a hole.  He died shortly after and I have regretting my letting him down every day since. What does this tear-jerker have to do with books?  I made a rotten guest list, some people have very interesting lists.

I recently read The Guest List by Lucy Foley. This was my first book by this author but definitely not my last.  This is the story of an elaborate wedding taking place on a private island off the coast of Ireland.  We follow several members of the wedding party and guests, each seeming to have their own secrets.  When someone ends up dead, everyone appears to have a motive, some tied together.  But how can that be, for many of the guests this is their first time meeting.  This book is full of atmosphere, from ancient ruins, to peat bogs that swallow bodies, to a creepy old graveyard, a storm blowing in and, of course, no cell service. The story is a fairly quick read.  While I wouldn't call it a page turner like many thrillers, I would agree that this is an excellent mystery.  It kind of reminded me a bit of The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, only The Guest List is set in reality and much easier to follow with far fewer characters.  Many people are comparing it to Agatha Christie's books.  I read The Guest List immediately after the thriller Home Before Dark by Riley Sager.  I admittedly had my doubts it would hold my interest, especially after a haunted estate thriller.  There is something about The Guest List that makes you come back to read more. I don't know exactly what it is, the different voices from the wedding party, or the shortish chapters., I can't figure it out.  The book is remarkable how everything becomes together at the end, it is masterful.  You'll find yourself nodding your head, saying "aaaah" out loud, as the pieces fall into place.  A very enjoyable mystery.

By the way, Joe MADE me a beautiful vanity complete with mirror, when I was eight years old. Yes, I feel terrible. Don't worry, I won't be in charge of your birthday party guest list.

Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay

Hello everyone.

Hubby is on vacation this week. We were going to head to New England but with leaves being at peak color we feared most hotels were booked. We thought about doing something else seasonal and perhaps go ghost watching in Gettysburg. The battlefield park is open well after dark. Let's face it, this is an excuse to go somewhere, sit in the car with the camera at the ready, drinking coffee. I suppose I could do that in the driveway but the neighbors would think I'm even more nuts than they already do. At least in Gettysburg, nobody knows me. Before you say if we went to Gettysburg we should be learning about the history, you should know I've already been. In fact, my dad was a huge history buff, specifically the civil war. He was fascinated that people from the same country would fight each other, literally brother against brother. When we were kids and were going on vacation, we had to stop at every historic sight and read every historic marker along the way. When I was in the sixth grade we went to Disney World. My dad wanted us to tour Gettysburg first. I remember all the headstones and my parents being very moved. Then my dad had us stand in a specific place asking if we were amazed that we were standing right where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address. At that age, unless Lincoln had been sporting Mickey ears, I wasn't interested. Now, I love history.

In past posts I've mentioned going to New York City on vacations, when I was little. I still remember being amazed by the tall buildings, trying not to look up all the time. Funny that I don't remember my dad making a big deal out of the history there. Of course, NYC is loaded with early American history, like most of the East Coast.  My parents suffered from Broadway-show-itis and Mamma Leone's fever. (Mamma Leone's was a famous restaurant they loved.)

I recently read Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay. This story takes place in NYC, emphasizing that the city is made up of so many skyscrapers. This thriller features several simultaneous story lines that of course support each other and merge at the end. New York is under attack and the Mayor's office and police are desperate to discover what is going on and who is responsible. A elevator repair man has been murdered, left unidentifiable. A bomb has been left in a car. Then an elevator plummets from a high floor to the lobby. The elevator issue seems to be an accident, until it happens again and again. Now residents of this vertical city are unable to use elevators as the Mayor demands they all be shut down while being inspected for tampering. Getting food and medical assistance becomes an issue on higher floors. People can't leave apartments knowing they cannot climb dozens and dozens of floors to return. They city is at a standstill.

This book is intense, a true thriller. As the authorities rush to figure out who is terrorizing their city, the reader flips pages faster. The novel is well written, and parts that may seem slower, than things in a free fall, are absolutely necessary in building and supporting the plot. There is no unnecessary rambling. Some very enjoyable and white knuckled reading here!

I was so freaked out about elevators by the end, I actually started learning which kind used a piston and which used cables. You can bet your Aunt Fanny that the next time I'm in NYC I'll request the hotel assigns us a low floor.  Oh, and I am never, ever, watching the movie Speed again.

Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson

Hello everyone.

Have you ever seen someone you thought you knew but it wasn't that person? Awkward to say but you know what I mean. Of course you have, everybody has. My husband told me about how they were on vacation when he was a kid and were 2,000+ miles away from home, and his sister thought she saw someone from her elementary school class riding their bike. When I lost my parents, I swear I saw each of them everywhere. I still often think I see my dad, he just had one of "those" faces and heads, especially from the back...you know...dad-ish. In the case of grief, I am sure it is very common especially shortly after your loss. Otherwise, I am sure someone has caught your eye. Some of us have a good memory for faces.

I recently read Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson. In this story, a woman, Hen (short for Henrietta) and her husband, Lloyd, have moved into a new house. They have dinner at the neighbors house directly across the street. A pretty normal and pleasant thing to do. While they are being given a home tour Hen sees a trophy that reminds her of a murder case. Although she doesn't know the murderer's face like I was yammering about earlier, Henrietta knows the trophy. She remembers the murder of years ago so clearly because she lived on the street where it happened. The trophy, for fencing, was taken by the killer as a grisly souvenir. Although their charming host has a perfectly logical explanation for having the award, Hen has a sense that all is not well. As they story progresses we find out not only did Hen live on the street where the murder was committed but has had mental health issues in the past. When she becomes absolutely positive that she is now living on the street with the killer, she goes to the police but who will believe her with her past? Even Lloyd doubts his wife, fearing another mental break. Ahhh, I've given you plot which I vowed not to do, you've likely already read the book jacket. I just couldn't help myself. This story is just what a thriller should be, twisty. It leaves you on the edge of your seat, flipping pages like a mad woman. It forces you to eat frozen pizza for dinner! Oh yes, gasp you should, this book is too good to even contemplate time away from it to make dinner...and the resulting dishes...forget about them!

Do yourself a favor, get your favorite take out pizza, some paper plates, and this book. You will savor them all!

Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter

Well, since my last review on the 10th of September the world has fallen apart for many people in the state of NC, and others. I am in coastal NC and somehow, by some miracle, our town threaded the needle between bands of the hurricane. We had less than an inch of rain and light wind by hurricane standards. Frankly, I've been through way more storms than I ever should have, they make me crazy. Terrified crazy. Hey, forget Sharknado, when it starts raining TREES for real, you'd be terrified too! Somehow, we were spared. Now we are experiencing a few of the aftermaths, roads are closed in every direction but north, mail just started again two days ago, and our grocery story has not a stitch of produce, meat, or dairy. A very small price to pay compared to those who lost everything. I was convinced we were about to lose everything, so the grief I feel for those around this area is profound. I will be eternally grateful to have been spared and feel guilty at the same time. In any case, I've seen so many wonderful statements of support, just thought I would say thank you and send healing wishes for everyone concerned.

On to happier topics, BOOKS! To take my mind of the storm, I read Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter. Now, before you get your knickers in a twist, yes, I realize I am the absolutely last person on the planet to read a Karin Slaughter book. I blame you, book addicts, for not shoving her novels in my face. How could you let me miss out?!?!? Especially knowing my fondness for thrillers! Ahhh, now that I've passed the blame for my reading shortcomings I feel much better. I felt great after reading this book!

Pieces of Her really resonated with me in so many ways. How could someone with a design background from the prestigious SCAD, Savannah College of Art and Design, end up living in a tiny apartment in NYC taking 911 calls? Of course, the 911 job is very noble and heaven knows, stressful, but not as the main character Andy intended her life to be. What happens when she finds out her parents are not anything like what she thought. They are horrible, terrible people, yet amazing in ways she never knew. What if lives were not what they seem. Andy shares that deep mother daughter bond with her mom, Laura, but then is troubled at that bond existing while her actually knowing nothing about her mother. All of these literally life changing questions are wrapped in a fast paced thriller in this story. It is gripping and shocking, the explanations are complex yet so simple. This novel is amazing. I cannot wait to rocket through another of Karin Slaughter books!

You know, a few years ago I scanned all my parents slides into the computer. There were a couple with some weird mechanical diagrams. My dad did work for a defense contractor. Hmmmmm…...now I'm wondering and I blame it all on Karin Slaughter!