A Curtain Twitcher’s Book of Murder

Gay Marris’s debut novel, “A Curtain Twitcher’s Book of Murder,” lures readers into the deceptively quaint heart of 1960s suburban London. Nestled on the seemingly unremarkable Atbara Avenue lies a web of secrets seething beneath the surface of neighborly pleasantries. Marris crafts a world where polished facades mask sinister motives, and charming smiles disguise the darkness within.

Marris’s prose paints a vivid portrait of Atbara Avenue. There’s a peculiar charm to the gossip exchanged over manicured lawns and polite smiles that hint at a more unsettling reality. Each chapter unravels a new layer, delving into the lives of seemingly ordinary residents who prove to be anything but. From the nosy spinster yearning for excitement to the disgruntled housewife concealing a dangerous past, the tapestry of characters is woven with both humor and chilling undertones.

The novel isn’t a traditional whodunit but rather a masterful study of the darkness that can fester in the most ordinary of settings. The tension builds with a creeping unease, as the line between normalcy and depravity slowly dissolves. Each twist reveals the depths of human desperation and the lengths people are willing to go to protect their secrets.

“A Curtain Twitcher’s Book of Murder” is a dark, humorous, and ultimately unsettling exploration of the shadowy side of suburbia. If you enjoy tales that leave you pleasantly disturbed and wondering about the secrets hidden behind your own neighbor’s curtains, this book is a must-read.

Resurrection Walk

A Triumphant Return, Bosch and Haller Shine Brighter Than Ever

Michael Connelly, the master of Los Angeles crime fiction, does it again with “Resurrection Walk.” Over 30 years into his incredible career, he’s not slowing down. This latest installment in the Lincoln Lawyer series not only delivers a captivating legal thriller, but also masterfully brings together two iconic characters: Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch.

The story starts with Haller, riding the wave of successfully freeing an innocent man. Inundated with claims of innocence, he enlists his half-brother, the retired but ever-vigilant Bosch, to help sift through the truth. Together, they uncover a seemingly impossible case: a woman imprisoned for murdering her ex-husband, a sheriff’s deputy. Despite the long odds and powerful forces aligned against them, Haller and Bosch embark on a relentless pursuit of justice.

The courtroom drama takes center stage, with Haller weaving his magic and Bosch’s investigative prowess shining through. The twists and turns keep you guessing until the very end, while the intricate legal battles are both thrilling and meticulously detailed. This isn’t just a courtroom drama; it’s a deep dive into the underbelly of Los Angeles, exposing corruption and hidden agendas.

The contrasting personalities and complementary skills of Haller and Bosch create a perfect blend of wit, grit, and emotional depth. For fans of either character, this book is a delight. For newcomers, it’s a perfect entry point into Connelly’s captivating world. The LA atmosphere is palpable and the plot is pure adrenaline.

“Resurrection Walk” is a 5 star testament to Connelly’s enduring talent and a must-read for any crime fiction enthusiast.

Singing to the Dead

Caro Ramsay’s “Singing to the Dead” is a suspenseful play on themes of loss, justice, and the fragile threads that bind us together. Set against the backdrop of a bleak Glasgow winter, the story plunges us into a chilling child abduction case, where Detectives Anderson and Costello find themselves face-to-face with their own histories and relationships as they hunt a predator who seems to be targeting young boys.

Ramsay’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the city’s underbelly, its harsh beauty, and the resilience of its people. The plot is meticulously crafted, weaving together intricate layers of suspense with moments of heart-wrenching emotion. Each twist and turn feels earned, leaving the reader constantly guessing while simultaneously invested in the characters’ fates.

Anderson and Costello are not just stoic detectives; they are flawed individuals grappling with personal struggles that mirror the darkness they confront in their cases. Their vulnerability and internal conflicts add a layer of depth and realism that resonates deeply with the reader.

“Singing to the Dead” is not for the faint of heart. It’s a gritty, uncompromising read that delves into the darkest corners of human nature. But for those who appreciate their crime fiction with a dose of emotional complexity, this novel is a masterpiece.

Three Burials

Anders Lustgarten’s “Three Burials” explodes like a Molotov cocktail of social commentary and thrilling absurdity. We meet Cherry, a head nurse whose seemingly ordinary life shatters when she finds herself on the run with a dead refugee and a corrupt cop in tow. Their pink convertible becomes a chariot hurtling through the underbelly of Britain, exposing festering wounds of prejudice and neglect.

The novel doesn’t shy away from depicting the harsh realities faced by refugees. We see their desperation, their vulnerability, and the systemic failures that leave them exposed. But Lustgarten balances this darkness with sharp wit and moments of laugh-out-loud absurdity. The cop, struggling with his internalized biases, becomes a source of both tension and comic relief. Cherry’s own transformation, from ordinary citizen to reluctant revolutionary, is both believable and inspiring.

“Three Burials” is more than just a thriller, it’s a gut punch that forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about our own society. It challenges our perceptions of right and wrong, leaving us grappling with complex questions about justice, identity, and what it truly means to belong.

I loved this, it was un-put-downable – drama, politics and social justice collided. It took me back to the radical days of my youth and our hopes for a juster society that seem not to have been fulfilled.

This isn’t a comfortable read, but it’s a necessary one. The story lingers long after the final page, a testament to its emotional impact and thought-provoking themes.

Taken

Dinuka McKenzie’s “Taken” plunges you into a tense kidnapping investigation alongside Detective Kate Miles. While the characters might lean a bit one-dimensional at times, the plot weaves twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

The story unfolds as Detective Miles, juggling the pressures of new motherhood and a demanding case, investigates the disappearance of an infant. With echoes of her own struggles resonating in the case, the stakes feel deeply personal for Kate. McKenzie ramps up the tension, injecting red herrings and unexpected developments that kept me interested. The twists are genuinely surprising, and the final reveal lands with a satisfying punch.

South of Sepharad

A Moving Tapestry of Resilience

Eric Weintraub’s “South of Sepharad” is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports readers to Granada, Spain, during the tumultuous period of the 1492 Jewish Expulsion. With vivid prose and deeply realized characters, Weintraub paints a powerful and poignant portrait of a family grappling with loss, displacement, and the struggle to preserve their identity in the face of unimaginable hardship.

The novel offers a captivating window into a pivotal moment in Spanish and Jewish history, providing a profound understanding of the political and religious tensions that led to the Expulsion, and the devastating impact it had on individuals and communities.

The Vidal family at the heart of the story is beautifully drawn. Each member grapples with the Expulsion in their own way, navigating internal conflicts and difficult choices with honesty and depth. Their struggles and triumphs resonate deeply with the reader, creating a powerful emotional connection.

Weintraub skillfully weaves in themes of faith, cultural identity, exile, and resilience. The novel prompts readers to contemplate the meaning of family, the cost of assimilation, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.

“South of Sepharad” is a powerful and moving novel that is both historically insightful and emotionally resonant. It is a testament to the human capacity for resilience and the enduring power of family bonds.

2034

“2034” by Elliot Ackerman and James Stavridis is a white-knuckle ride through a future that feels all too real. This isn’t your average geopolitical thriller; it’s a well crafted extrapolation of current tensions, woven into a narrative so believable it chills you to the bone.

The authors, with their combined expertise in military affairs and international relations, paint a vivid picture of a world teetering on the brink. The escalating conflict between the U.S. and China in the South China Sea feels ripped from the headlines, making the stakes feel terrifyingly real. But within the heart-pounding action sequences, Ackerman and Stavridis offer insightful commentary on the complexities of modern warfare, cyber threats, and the fragility of global power dynamics.

“2034” isn’t just about delivering thrills; it’s a stark warning about the potential consequences of unchecked ambition and miscalculation. The ending, while bleak, serves as a powerful wake-up call, urging readers to consider the real-world implications of the fictional events they just witnessed.

“2034” is a must-read for anyone interested in geopolitics, international relations, or simply a good, old-fashioned adrenaline rush.

The Radical Mind

“The Radical Mind” reads like a fever dream of a right-wing pundit, mistaking social progress for societal meltdown. Horowitz fear-mongers about the “woke left” with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, offering zero nuance and relying on tired right-wing tropes. Save yourself the eyestrain and skip this one.

To the Dogs

Louise Welsh’s “To the Dogs” takes a familiar premise – a high-flying professional with a dark past forced to confront it when his family is threatened – and gives it a Scottish noir twist. Jim Brennan, vice principal of a prestigious university, seems to have it all: a successful career, a beautiful family, and a carefully curated public image. But beneath the surface lurks a secret – a youth steeped in crime and violence.

When Jim’s son, Elliot, is arrested on drug charges, those ghosts come crashing back. Blackmailed by figures from his past, Jim is forced to make a Faustian bargain: protect his family by doing their dirty work, or risk losing everything he’s built.

The plot itself is ok, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. However, “To the Dogs” doesn’t break new ground and some of the plot points are predictable. Additionally, the pacing can drag at times, particularly in the middle sections.

Overall, “To the Dogs” is a solid, if unspectacular, thriller.

Public Morals

In Tom Coffey’s “Public Morals” you plunge into the dark side of New York in 1982. The gritty backdrop of 1980’s New York is painted with grimy realism, capturing the seedy underbelly and soaring ambitions of a city on the edge. Coffey leans into the darkness, crafting a narrative that’s as raw and unfiltered as a shot of cheap whiskey.

The first half grabs you by the collar and drags you on a wild ride with Terence Devine, a Vice cop whose charm is as sharp as his morals are questionable. The investigation into his alleged corruption unfolds like a slow-burning fire, drawing you in with its twists and turns and leaving you wondering who to trust.

But hold on tight, because the second half is where “Public Morals” truly explodes. The pace ramps up like a runaway train, hurtling into a labyrinth of conspiracy, betrayal, and secrets that would make your hair stand on end. Coffey seamlessly integrates Devine’s daughter, Sheila’s, perspective, adding a new layer of intrigue and emotional depth to the story. Just when you think you have a handle on things, the rug gets ripped out from under you, leaving you gasping for air and desperate to keep turning the pages.

The twists and turns in the second half are masterful, each one landing with the force of a gut punch. You’ll find yourself scrambling to piece together the puzzle, questioning everything you thought you knew, and on the edge of your seat waiting for the next surprise to drop. Coffey keeps you guessing until the very last page, leaving you shaken and breathless but ultimately satisfied. “Public Morals” is a knockout blow of a book.