Review: Crash Gordon and the Mysteries of Kingsburg

Crash Gordon and the Mysteries of Kingsburg by Derek Swannson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Crash Gordon series. It is over 600 pages so quite an investment if you are looking for a new series to read. This book could probably be two books and could appeal to completely different audiences. I find it hard to classify.

The first half of the book is a coming of age story. Gordon is growing up in a dysfunctional family in in the 70s. He is very smart and loves to read. People who were growing up in the 70s may appreciate many of the references. I sure did. A series of unfortunate events lead Gordon to look for answers to why strange things are happening around him. It is not nearly as sad or serious as it sounds.

The second half of the book is a deep dive into conspiracy theories as Gordon tries to figure out what's happening to his family and to him. There's also quite a bit about spirituality and religion. If Masons, Templars, secret societies, fringe groups, and/or Eastern religions interest you, this is a fun read. I think it covers every conspiracy theory I have ever heard, quite an impressive feat. Then when the author starts drawing the lines between them I almost started to believe their might be some truth to them. Maybe there is?

Special props for incorporating Esalen. I went there once or twice in grad school, but now I wish I had spent more time there.

View all my reviews

Review: Why My Cat Is More Impressive Than Your Baby

Why My Cat Is More Impressive Than Your Baby by Matthew Inman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Oatmeal has done it again! This book made me laugh so hard because every bit of it was true. If you have a cat or a dog or maybe even a baby, you will find this funny. Ok, maybe not so funny if you have a baby and think that it is the best thing that ever happened to you. In my case, I don't have a baby and while I like them just fine, I love my cats and dogs as much if not more than most people love their children. I think my favorite part was the diary entries from the cat. They were exactly how I would picture a cat writing.

I usually read ebooks, but this is the type of book I recommend buying in hard copy or paperback. It will be much easier to read that way.

View all my reviews

Review: Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death

Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Agatha Raisin revisited. I listened to this audiobook in 2018 and hated it. Agatha Raisin came off as just annoying, and I hated her as much as her new neighbors did initially. I gave it two stars. I rarely give two stars, but I wanted to remember to never give this series a chance again. HOWEVER, I watched the TV show based on this series this week. Totally changed my mind. Agatha is far less annoying, and I'm crushing on Bill Wong. He may be a terrible police officer, but I don't care. So in an unusual move for me, I'll be keeping up with Agatha Raisin's adventures but only on the little screen. If you've not read the books, it is along the lines of a Miss Marple type mystery. Some humor, not terribly gruesome, quirky characters, solved in one episode.

View all my reviews

Review: One Night in Drake Mansion

One Night in Drake Mansion by Channing Whitaker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a possible review.

This book is the first in the Skeptic Detective series. It can be read as a standalone without any issues.

The basic story line is familiar. A skeptic, an intuitive, a ghost hunter, and actress, and a local expert agree to stay overnight in a haunted house in an effort to win a million dollars. The whole thing is being televised. The story of the owner of the house is told through journal entries found after they enter the house. It was an interesting approach and becomes more important as the book goes along. In the beginning of the book, I felt like the journal entries were less interesting than the action happening with those in the house. It picks up later in the book.

If you like watching shows like Ghost Hunters, you will appreciate this book. They use many of the popular ghost hunting techniques to investigate the house. The skeptic provides a counterbalance to the true believers. If you are a skeptic, this book will appeal for sure. It didn't end the way I expected. I really appreciated that.

View all my reviews

Review: Frankissstein: A Love Story

Frankissstein: A Love Story by Jeanette Winterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full disclosure: I received a free Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in exchange for possibly writing a review.

In high school, I had a secret (or maybe not-so-secret) literary crush on Percy Shelley only equaled by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I was a little jealous of Mary Shelley because she actually got to love Percy in the flesh. Gothic fiction was my fave and still remains near and dear to my heart. I was completely stoked to see that Jeanette Winterson had written a book about Mary. If any modern day writer could do justice to gothic literature, it is Jeanette. Her writing is beautiful and haunting even when it isn't about a classic horror story, so this was perfect! Her treatment of Mary's story made me empathize with her. She may have had Percy's name, but she had to share him too.

The twist is the way the story is intertwined with modern day allowing humor to seep into an otherwise dark story. The modern storyline follows a transgender Shelley as they explore what it means to be human, alive, male, female, other.

View all my reviews

Review: Wildcard

Wildcard by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Warcross series. You need to start with book one to understand everything that is going on.

Sometimes it pays to wait to read a series until the books are all out so you don't have to wait on pins and needles until the next one. This is that kind of series. I was lucky it came off hold from the library not long after finishing the first book.

Book two picks right up from book one and just keeps running. The main character, Emika, only has a few days to stop a catastrophic event from happening. The writing is paced to make you feel that time crunch with her. There were twists and turns I wasn't completely prepared for even as a seasoned reader. We finally learn what happened to Hideo's brother. While the story wrapped up in a way that I felt satisfied, I hope this is not the last we hear about Emika Chen.

View all my reviews

Review: The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter

The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter by Theodora Goss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club series. You will want to start here because it gives you the back story of all the main characters. I am so glad it is a series because I really didn't want the book to end. I love a book told from multiple points of view and this one is that and then some with the characters interrupting the main storyteller to share their opinions or versions.

What is the Athena Club? Literature's famous mad scientists all formed a secret society to turn their "daughters" into monsters and then those young women come together to battle that society with some help from Sherlock Holmes, that's the Athena Club. It is a really empowering concept that sends a message that it is okay to embrace your weird.

If you like classic horror films or books, Sherlock Holmes, or Penny Dreadful, you should check out this book!


View all my reviews

Review: Antiques Wanted

Antiques Wanted by Barbara Allan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is book 12 in the Trash 'n' Treasures series. If you haven't read the other books, I recommend going back because there are so many references you will miss.

I enjoy this series for a number of reasons. It is set in small town Iowa with all the quirky things that remind me of growing up in the Midwest. There is a beloved dog in every book. One of the main characters is a not perfect middle-aged woman. The book includes recipes when it talks about certain dishes. The main characters collect and sell antiques, something my parents were also really into.

Every book involves a murder that the mother and daughter try to solve. This one revolves around Old West memorabilia. The books are very funny and told from two perspectives so you can get the full story. I recommend to anyone looking for a light, fun read that is still well-written.

View all my reviews

Review: The Suspect

The Suspect by Fiona Barton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the Kate Waters series. I would definitely recommend reading the other two first because they are referenced in this book. This was my favorite of the three.

While sticking to the same format as the other books, telling chapters from different perspectives, this one gave us a deeper look into Kate Waters herself. Usually, she is looking into other people's lives, but this time her life is the story. Sort of. It kept me guessing and really hits you in all the feels.

Kate isn't perfect, but I think that's what makes her such a great character. Her decisions, right or wrong, are ones you can see yourself making given the circumstances. It makes her feel very real.

View all my reviews