Author: Steven

Abir Mukherjee’s “Hunted” is a fast paced thriller. From the opening explosion that rips through a crowded American mall, you’re thrown headfirst into a desperate race against time. The novel is filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

What elevates “Hunted” is Mukherjee’s exploration of radicalization. He delves into the dark underbelly of extremist groups, showing how they prey on vulnerable young people, particularly Muslims, raising important questions about the factors that lead to terrorism. It adds a layer of depth and weight to the fast-paced action, making “Hunted” more than just a thrilling read.

We follow two desperate parents, Carrie and Sajid, whose seemingly normal lives are shattered when their children disappear, suspected of involvement in the mall bombing. Their frantic search takes them across continents, forced to confront their own biases and the horrifying possibility that their children have been radicalized.

FBI Agent Shreya Mistry, driven and fiercely intelligent, is hot on their trail. As she pieces together the clues, she uncovers a larger conspiracy that threatens to bring the country to its knees. Mukherjee weaves these narratives together, creating a tension that never lets up.

Just when you think you have it all figured out, the story throws you a curve ball with its ending. It’s a satisfying conclusion that leaves you wanting more, but also cleverly sets the stage for a potential sequel.

Percival Everett’s “James” takes a well-worn American tale, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” and flips it for a fresh and thought-provoking perspective. While the opening might feel slow, setting the stage for the narrative shift, Everett quickly rewards patience with a powerful reversal.

Instead of Huck Finn guiding the reader, we see the iconic journey down the Mississippi through the eyes of Jim, the enslaved man Huck befriends. This shift is more than just a change in perspective; it’s a dismantling of stereotypes and a powerful act of giving voice to the silenced. Everett’s James is a complex and compelling character, his intelligence and humanity shining through in stark contrast to the dehumanizing realities of slavery.

The novel tackles race and the experience of slavery head-on, offering unflinching honesty without sacrificing readability. Everett draws you into James’s world with a sharp wit that even allows for moments of humor amidst the harsh realities.

While the ending left me wanting more closure, it arguably reflects the uncertain nature of freedom for enslaved people in that era. “James” may not provide all the answers, but it certainly sparks a firestorm of questions, prompting readers to re-examine a classic story and the historical context it represents.

In conclusion, “James” is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a good retelling, a powerful voice, and a thought-provoking exploration of race and history. Though the start might be slow and the ending abrupt, the journey in between is more than worth taking.

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.

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.

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.

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” 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” 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.