Review: The Hollow Ones

The Hollow Ones by Guillermo del Toro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Hollow Ones is meant to be the first book in the Blackwood Tapes series by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan.  I say meant to be because there isn't a second book yet and sometimes a second book never comes to pass, so the series part remains to be seen.  Still, you will want to start here because it lays the groundwork for any future books.  The story is told from a couple of different perspectives and jumps around in time to explain how we get to the somewhat present day situation.  I like the idea that in New York City there is a mysterious mailbox that you could easily miss as you walk by, but that if you do just the right steps, you could summon a paranormal detective like Hugo Blackwood.  I'd drink his tea any day.  While this is probably considered horror, it is really a supernatural thriller.  It moves fast.  I read it in two days.  I didn't even realize I was almost halfway finished when I put it down the first time.  The ending does set up for a second book, but it is not a cliffhanger so you can read this without worrying that you will be left hanging.  


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Review: Devil House

Devil House by John Darnielle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Devil House by John Darnielle is a tough one to write about.  The title leads you to think this might be a horror novel.  It is actually more fictional true crime although it is a horror how we treat survivors of crime.  It has a book within a book with a couple of different stories being told at the same time.  It has epistolary elements.  If you like true crime, this is a really fantastic read.  It will make you think about the true crime stories you've heard or read.  It might make you question how you consume them in the future.  Perspective is everything.  I think this would also be good in audiobook form, and I would love to see a visual representation of Devil House.  

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Review: The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the Fbi, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World's Most Notorious Terrorists

The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the Fbi, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World's Most Notorious Terrorists by Tracy Walder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World's Most Notorious Terrorists written by Tracy Walder.  I found the first half of the book very interesting.  It aligned with things I know, things I had nearly forgotten.  The second half was not as detailed about the process of joining the FBI as it was about joining the CIA.  I had hoped it would have more details understanding there is only so much you can share.  Instead, it exposed something that I think isn't just an issue in the FBI.  Bullying and discrimination exist in other agencies too.  We should be shining a light on it.  I'm glad she ended up doing something she enjoys and that helps young women feel they belong in a world that has been deemed men's work for too long. 

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Review: The Vela: Salvation

The Vela: Salvation by Ashley Poston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Vela: Salvation is the second and final book of the Vela series.  I listened to the podcast because I couldn't find it in the library.  It has a different set of authors from the first book, but they still alternate writing chapters.  Each chapter is an episode of the podcast.  This book takes place a few months after the last book which left on a cliffhanger.  While it leaves the possibility open for future books, it wraps up The Vela storyline.  I suggest reading it if you are curious to know how things ultimately turn out.  

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Review: The Vela: A Novel

The Vela: A Novel by Yoon Ha Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Vela is the first book of two. This book has chapters written in an alternating fashion by SL Huang, Yoon Ha Lee, Becky Chambers, and Rivers Solomon.  I enjoy reading things by all of them, so I figured this book would be just right, and it was!  You can also find it in podcast form along with the second book.  Each chapter is an episode.  The Vela takes on climate change on an interplanetary level.   Having mined their sun beyond the point of no return, some planets have reached the point of extinction, others have people desperately trying to get anywhere else.  Those planets not yet affected are dealing with an influx of climate refugees in various ways.  Does any of this sound familiar? Plenty of food for thought going on here.

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Review: Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: The Story of Schitt's Creek

Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: The Story of Schitt's Creek by Daniel Levy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I went to a book launch event in New York City where Daniel and Eugene Levy talked about their book, Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: The Story of Schitt's Creek.  I got a copy of the book at the event.  I don't normally need to have books about the shows I watch, but I really, really, REALLY loved Schitt's Creek.  I love those characters and the cast that played them.  I will watch anything they are in.  Reading the book was a walk down memory lane.  I am surprised about how vividly I can remember the scenes they talk about.  I also enjoyed all the extra visual bits, like seeing all of David's sweaters and all of Moira's wigs.  If those wigs could talk!  If you loved the show too, this is a nice companion piece.  Looks lovely on a coffee table.  

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Review: Oh. It's You.: Love Poems by Cats

Oh. It's You.: Love Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh. It's You.: Love Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano is exactly that, a collection of love poems written from the perspective of cats.  Lots of people think cats aren't very loving.  They have a reputation for treating their people like servants.  In fact, they are very loving.  They just show their affection in a way that most people can't understand.  Once you unlock the cat psyche, you will start to see their every action, no matter how distressing, as a loving gesture.  The book is short and can be read in one sitting or savored over a period of time.  While I found the poems quite humorous, as someone in on the joke, I am sure they were written with serious intentions.  If you are a dog person, this book is not for you.  

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Review: System Collapse

System Collapse by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

System Collapse is the seventh book in the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells.  You could pick it up right here, but you might be a little lost.  I'd recommend at least reading book six if you haven't read the rest of the series.  Book six takes place immediately before this and sets the stage for what they are dealing with now.  It also introduces some characters who are part of this story.  If you already read the series, this is more of what you love although Murderbot is almost too busy to watch media in this book which is a downer for everyone. 

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Review: Rabbit Cake

Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett defies categorization.  It is a story about grief, family, and growing up told with generous helpings of dark humor and lots of animals.  I love how Annie Hartnett features animals in her books.  They are always important characters not just side notes.  The Babbitt family is quirky like all families are.  Elvis, the main character, is a girl I can relate to in a strong way.  She's smart, inquisitive, and loves animals but also fiercely cares about the people in her life.  I somehow managed not to cry until the end of the book.  I'm not sure there ever is enough months to get over the grief of losing someone you really loved.  Then the floodgates opened, and the last chapters were a blur of tears. Knowing that, I would still read it again.  Also, made me want to eat cake, lots and lots of cake.          

Bonus points for Boomer, Ernest, and all the other animals features in this book.  I love them all. 

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Review: Termination Shock

Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Termination Shock by  Neal Stephenson came out, I went to his reading of it at The Strand in New York.  I felt like this is less of a thriller than he usually writes, but the research that went into it is top notch.  For anyone anxious about the climate, there is a lot in here to chew on.  I like that this takes on the climate change issue from the perspective of those who will lose their countries and homes to it. I feel like I know a lot about sulfur now.  I was hot just reading this book.  Sadly, there isn't one good solution because what might be a great solution for one set of countries can have a devastating impact for another.  Also, the Line of Actual Control storyline is bonkers.  A really interesting read for climate nerds.   

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Review: Home Before Dark

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager is a great haunted house book.  Once I started it, I had a very hard time putting it down.  This has a mixture of narration by a woman going back to the house her family abandoned when she was a child with chapters of the book her father wrote about the time they lived in the house.  Why they really left was always a bit of a mystery.  Was the house really haunted?  The concept isn't new but the execution was fantastic.  I especially liked the Sound of Music cameo.  If snakes make you squeamish, proceed with caution!

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Review: Riddance: Or the Sybil Joines Vocational School for Ghost Speakers & Hearing-Mouth Children

Riddance: Or the Sybil Joines Vocational School for Ghost Speakers & Hearing-Mouth Children by Shelley Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Riddance: Or the Sybil Joines Vocational School for Ghost Speakers & Hearing-Mouth Children by Shelley Jackson is worth reading.  I only wish the images were clearer on my e-reader because I felt they really enhanced the story.  It reminds me of the Miss Peregrine books with their creepy photos.  I enjoyed the epistolary story telling format used here very much.  There are letters, transcripts, and found documents.  They weave together to tell the story of two women at the SJVS, one the headmistress, the other a student.  The SJVS trains people with speech impediments, specifically stutters, to communicate with the dead.  It's trippy!  I'll be honest that I wasn't always sure what was going on.  That starts to happen when you get into multiverse situations, physics, and the language of the dead.  The ending was very clever.  Definitely recommend to the adventurous reader! 

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Review: Dear Mr. You

Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read and listened to Dear Mr. You written and narrated by Mary-Louise Parker.  This is a collection of letters written to the masculine figures, real and imaginary, in her life.  And by imaginary, I mean, she doesn't know them personally or in some cases yet although they may exist now or at some future point.  I really liked the letter format.  I love that she dedicated the book to her mom even though there is no specific letter to her mother.  You don't have to read them in any particular order.  You don't even have to read them all.  One of the letters was too intense for me to finish.  And while this was a new side of Mary-Louise Parker, I think it makes me appreciate her acting even more.  

Bonus points: My favorite letter was Dear Gem.  What a sweetheart!

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Review: This Is Not a Book about Benedict Cumberbatch

This Is Not a Book about Benedict Cumberbatch by Tabitha Carvan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook version of This is Not a Book about Benedict Cumberbatch: The Joy of Loving Something--Anything--Like Your Life Depends On It written by Tabitha Carvan and read by Tanya Schneider.  I listened to the whole book in two days it was that good.  In some ways I wish I had read it instead of listened to it because I wanted to highlight so many bits to refer to later.  I really want to take some of these surveys/inventories that she references.  Also, are there reference pictures in the book?  I would like to see them.  

This book was recommended to me by a friend in academia who studies, among other things, ways to use pop culture in teaching.  She and I met over a mutual love for the TV show, Supernatural.  We are exactly the type of people this book is talking about.  The book really isn't about Benedict Cumberbatch.  Insert any celebrity, TV show, sports team, etc. that a person is fanatical about.  I would be remiss not to mention Taylor Swift here.  I am a proud Swiftie.  Some people love to shame me for it.  I just Shake It Off.  This book gets into that, why some people feel ashamed or hide their feelings about a famous person.  And by "some people," we are mostly talking about women and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.  Straight men never seemed to be shamed for their obsessions.  

I think the most important thing this book highlights is the community aspect of loving something so much.  Ultimately, it is about finding your people and making a connection.  I may never meet Taylor Swift, but my sister and I always have something to talk about.  We never argue over what music to play in the car on a road trip.  That is pretty cool.

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Review: The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects of Discussion

The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects of Discussion by Meghan Daum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects of Discussion is a collection of essays by Meghan Daum.  Some of these essays hit on exactly how I feel about a subject so perfectly it was scary.  Then others, one in particular, couldn't have been further from what I think is acceptable.  I guess that's why they are Unspeakable.  The great thing about a collection of essays though is you can pick and choose.  Not for you? Move on to the next!

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Review: Have I Told You This Already?: Stories I Don’t Want to Forget to Remember

Have I Told You This Already?: Stories I Don’t Want to Forget to Remember by Lauren Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook version of Have I Told You This Already?: Stories I Don't Want to Forget to Remember written and read by Lauren Graham.  I enjoy listening to Lauren Graham, but I am sure the book version is just as good if you prefer to read your books and not hear them.

Have I Told You This Already? is a non-linear collection of essays on various topics that Lauren Graham, as the title suggest, doesn't want to forget.  As I get older and the ole memory gets hazier, I can totally relate to this desire.  Yes there is a bit of memoir in here.  However, just as much could be said to be humorous observations of the world and especially the world of acting.  I really loved all the bits about New York.  I moved to NYC just before Barneys closed.  Now, I'm sad I didn't get a chance to experience it even if I probably would not have purchased anything there.  If you have enjoyed Lauren Graham in anything or enjoyed her previous writing, give this book a listen/read.  I think you'll like it.

Bonus points for Squirrel Signs.  I agree it is probably rare for someone to have three very personal experiences with three different squirrels in their life.  I'd count myself lucky! 

Extra bonus points for Mochi.  Such a special story.  I am glad it had a happy ending.  

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Review: Vox

Vox by Christina Dalcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read Vox by Christina Dalcher in two days.  It had been on my "to be read" list since it was published in 2018, but I wasn't ready to read it then.  I wasn't sure  I was ready to read it now, but it had been on my list the longest, so I decided it was time to take the plunge.  I wasn't prepared for it to feel too possible.  In a real world where we see people's rights chipped away at every day, where women are proudly calling themselves "tradwives" and trying to turn back history, this book felt prescient.  Is it such a leap to think someone might have the brilliant idea to get America back on track by putting queer people in camps and making women wear smart bands that count the number of words they speak in a day?  We already willingly wear/carry things that track so many other aspects of our lives.  It felt an important reminder to read this as we approach another election.  It is a reminder that if you don't use your voice, you just might lose it.      

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Review: Marple: Twelve New Mysteries

Marple: Twelve New Mysteries by Naomi Alderman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marple: Twelve New Mysteries is an anthology of new mystery short stories featuring Miss Jane Marple written by contemporary writers. My mother introduced me to Miss Marple through the black and white movies from the 60s shown on PBS when I was a kid.  I was hooked!  I wasn't hooked on Agatha Christie per se.  Hercule Poirot didn't have the same appeal as Miss Marple.  I was absolutely thrilled to learn that there  would be new Miss Marple stories written by some of my very favorite writers like Naomi Alderman, Kate Mosse, and Ruth Ware.  While all the stories feel like Miss Marple stories, they all also have the flavor of the person who wrote them.  I didn't necessarily need to see who wrote which one to guess who did.  As I edge closer to retirement, Miss Marple holds an even more special place in my heart.  I too might be solving mysteries in a small town very soon.      

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Review: Plain Bad Heroines

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth is so many things I love in a book.  There is a gothic, cursed girls school.  The story is told in a variety of manners including songs and book excerpts.  Some of the story is about filming a movie based on the book about the school.  It's creepy and mysterious.  There are yellow jackets.  Yellow jackets look like bees, but they are wasps.  I love bees.  I don't mess with wasps.  Not only can they sting you repeatedly, they bring their friends along to the party.  Don't mess with wasps.  I finished the book wishing I could see the movie.  We need more plain bad heroines.  If there really is a secret society of them, can I get an invite please?

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Review: Several People Are Typing

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke is a weird little novel in the best ways.  The whole story is told through an office's Slack channel chats.  If you like unusual story delivery like I do, you will enjoy this!  There is a lot of workplace humor that I found very relatable.  I guess some things are universal no matter what industry you work in.  It's not just humor.  There is also romance, mystery, and I'm going to call it horror even though that might be too dramatic.  It's the kind of book you can read in one sitting.  If you are looking to break up the monotony of work, pick this up.   

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Review: Hello, Molly!: A Memoir

Hello, Molly!: A Memoir by Molly Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook version of Hello, Molly!: A Memoir written and narrated by Molly Shannon.  I like listening to memoirs that are read by the author although I am sure this is just as funny and interesting in book form.  I don't watch Saturday Night Live on a regular basis, but I know Molly Shannon mostly from her non-SNL things of which there are so many.  She has so many wild stories!  I'm not going to spoil any of them, but I am pretty sure most of them could never happen now.  I learned enough to know I am grateful I didn't want to be an actor or a comedian.  I also learned that you should make sure a date takes you to a variety of restaurants before you decide if you like them.  Some great life lessons in here!  It is mostly funny, but there are definitely some heavy themes too. But mostly, SUPERSTAR!  

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Review: Broken Faith: Inside the Word of Faith Fellowship, One of America's Most Dangerous Cults

Broken Faith: Inside the Word of Faith Fellowship, One of America's Most Dangerous Cults by Mitch Weiss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Broken Faith: Inside the Word of Faith Fellowship, One of America's Most Dangerous Cults by Mitch Weiss and Holbrook Mohr is a nonfiction investigation of Word of Faith Fellowship.  If you are interested in non-mainstream religions or cults, you may have encountered Word of Faith before.  They are best known for their practice of "blasting," a form of loud prayer that is meant to cast out demons.  Word of Faith has also been featured in documentaries about cults.  This book documents several accounts of former members and the lengths they went through to leave the church and expose abuse they and others endured. Some sacrificed everything to escape.  From the outside, it is hard to understand why anyone would join an organization that could be so brutal and yet people did join. Having an opportunity to hear their stories was really fascinating.

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Review: The Atlas Maneuver

The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley.

The Atlas Maneuver is the 18th book in the Cotton Malone series by Steve Berry.  You could read it as a standalone but given many of the references to previous books, the overall experience might be better if you know Cotton's whole history.  

It was exciting for me to have Cassiopeia back and not just in a cameo.  While she isn't with Cotton for most of the book, she is featured heavily.  There are also some other characters we've met before.  Cotton is the best kind of friend to have apparently.

As always, there is an historic element here with gold that the Japanese hid in the Philippines during World War II.  I thought we would be going on a treasure hunt but turns out the book is really more about cryptocurrency.  I worked on financial crimes for awhile and have a fondness for bitcoin and its offshoots.  It is one of those things that I understand enough to understand I don't understand it. Or at least, just when I think I understand it, I suddenly feel out of my depth.  Berry does a good job of explaining the basics and the arguments for and against it.  If everyone bought into bitcoin, would it create a utopian world of economic equality?  I'm not sure about that.  I think Berry's premise proves that as long as someone is greedy or power hungry, that world could never exist.  I like to think there are people out there in the world trying to make it better for everyone and maybe they will win one day.   

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Review: Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing

Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing by Emily Lynn Paulson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing by Emily Lynn Paulson is a must-read for anyone who is interested in MLMs or cults, thinking of joining a MLM, or already in one.  Emily Lynn Paulson was in a MLM for a long time.  She rose to the top of the ranks.  She got the FREE CAR.  She's the definition of the #bossbabe MLM success story.  While this is primarily about her personal experience, she has clearly done the research into MLMs to explain how the methods and mindsets are applicable no matter what the product is.  You come away understanding why it is so attractive, particularly for a very specific type of person.  While the title might make you think she is out to destroy people in MLMs, there was a lot of empathy, especially for those who struggle to make ends meet and see this as their salvation.  A very fascinating read!   

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Review: The Sun Down Motel

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James is about a haunted motel and the women who were murdered nearby.  It jumps back and forth in time and perspective between a young woman investigating the disappearance of her aunt and her aunt at the time right before her disappearance. Was her aunt also murdered?  Is it serendipity, coincidence, or other worldly forces that lead them to live in the same apartment and work the same shift at the motel?  If you like very spooky mysteries, pick this one up.

In my opinion, this book sets the stage for another book just about the creepy town and its weird college.  That was a whole unexplored plotline that I was ready to follow.  Maybe there will be a future book about that?

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Review: The Last Kingdom

The Last Kingdom by Steve Berry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Last Kingdom is the 17th book in the Cotton Malone series by Steve Berry.  While it references things that happened in previous books, you could pick this up on its own and not have trouble understanding what is going on.  If you haven't read these before, I highly recommend the series!  It is a good blend of history and thriller.  

This story revolves around King Ludwig II of Bavaria and a rumored "last kingdom" that would have allowed Bavaria to break off from Germany completely.  Ludwig II had the unfortunate nickname "The Mad King" and is best known maybe for building the castle that Walt Disney would later use as the inspiration for Cinderella's Castle in Disneyworld.  Ludwig II was much more than that.  Were he alive today and able to avail himself of the mental health treatments we have, he might have continued successfully as King.  There is a surprising amount of history about the Hawaiian islands and the dirty deeds against their royal family.  Even if you are rooting for Cotton and Luke to get themselves out of this pickle, no country comes out looking very good.    

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Review: Zero Days

Zero Days by Ruth Ware
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Zero Days by Ruth Ware was not my favorite of her books although it was still pretty good.  I figured the twist out too early and that spoiled a bit of the suspense.  I learned a lot of helpful personal, physical, and technology security tips which made it worth the read.  Someone who isn't very tech savvy might find it mind-blowing to see what one can accomplish these days with just a cell phone.  The depiction of grief was very powerful.  If you've ever lost someone who was so important to you, you can relate to the lengths Jack will go to to find her husband's killer.

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Review: Hokuloa Road

Hokuloa Road by Elizabeth Hand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had my reservations about Hokuloa Road by Elizabeth Hand.  It is a book set in Hawaii written by someone not from there with a white, male protagonist.  I was skeptical about how good it could be, but Elizabeth Hand has never disappointed me before.  I took a leap of faith.  I appreciated the effort to educate the reader about Hawaiian culture and the negative impact of humanity on the delicate island environment.  Having a somewhat clueless main character really helped weave that all in.  Setting it in the pandemic only lent to the feeling of isolation in a remote part of an island.  Then there were the mysterious disappearances.  For a book that is a slow burn, a lot is going on!  

Bonus points for one of the most unique weapon choices I have ever read. Extra points for all the birds. 

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Review: The Starless Sea

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm not sure how one begins to describe The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern.  If you are a fan of books and/or doors that lead to a fantasy world, then this is a great book to read.  I loved the literary references, the book gala, the descriptions of New York City, and all of the cats.  Some of the descriptions of the Starless Sea and its environs reminded me of the art of Remedios Varo.  Reading this book is a bit like a fever dream in the best ways.  It is an epic tale.  There are stories within stories  that eventually make perfect sense so if you are wondering why you are suddenly reading a completely different book, hang in there!  All shall be revealed.    

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Review: The Maidens

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides is a mystery/thriller set in academia of sorts.  I was drawn to it because the titular Maidens come across as very culty sounding.  A group of young women who worship their Greek Tragedies professor to the point of wearing white gowns and performing weird initiation rituals and then they start dying off in very Greek Tragedy type ways?  If my niece was on the periphery of such a group, I would probably want to intervene as well, especially if I was trained in group psychology.  Bonus, the book takes place in the same world as The Silent Patient.  That was a fun little shoutout.  

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Review: Theme Music

Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly is a ghost story at its heart, but it is also a mystery and thriller.  One can be haunted by more than just ghosts and sometimes the only way to deal with it is head on.  That said, would I want to live in the house where my entire family was brutally murdered when I was an infant?  Maybe not although I can understand the curiosity to want answers.  There are some really grotesque things that happen so if you are squeamish, you've been warned.  I did find it a very quick read because I wanted to know what was really going on.  It might surprise you! 

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Review: Chasing Ghosts: A Tour of Our Fascination with Spirits and the Supernatural

Chasing Ghosts: A Tour of Our Fascination with Spirits and the Supernatural by Marc Hartzman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chasing Ghosts: A Tour of Our Fascination with Spirits and the Supernatural by Marc Hartzman is a nonfiction history of our cultural interest in ghosts, the afterlife, and things that go bump in the night.  If you read a lot about this topic, you might already be familiar with a number of the examples presented.  This is a really nice reference book bringing all the classics together.  This is great for someone new to the topic because it does cover all of the most important points and is very well-organized to make it easy to read.  That organization also makes it easy to go back to reference a particular example.  

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Review: The Skeleton Key

The Skeleton Key by Erin Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Skeleton Key by Erin Kelly is a great tribute to the puzzle books and games that inspired obsessive players to hunt down real world treasure.  Erin Kelly was inspired to write this by the book, Masquerade.  Books like Masquerade were a favorite for me too, so I was already primed for The Skeleton Key.  It's a great premise, releasing a beloved children's treasure hunt book on its 50th Anniversary with a new app-based treasure hunt.  I would play that!  Kelly accurately recreates the message boards that develop around such hunts with their crazy theories.  As a Swiftie, I am well-acquainted with the search for Easter eggs hidden in every photo, song, interview, and social media post.  When a real life prize is involved, people will go to insane lengths to find it.  When the hunt uncovers a potential murder, the story really gets tricky.  There's a lot going on, and the story is told from several perspectives. If you like trying to solve a mystery, this is a good read.  

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Review: The Killer Across the Table

The Killer Across the Table by John E. Douglas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Killer Across the Table by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker is a nonfiction account of serial killer profiling.  If you watched Netflix's Mindhunter, you will be familiar with John E. Douglas even if you don't recognize the name.  His work on profiling serial killers is the basis for the show.  This book goes into more detail of the process of getting serial killers to talk about their crimes and methods to develop ways to stop future crimes.  Even though I am familiar with many of the cases, it is still always interesting to read about how studying them has helped formulate better understanding of the criminal mind.  At the same time, they bring up questions of the definition of insanity and the integrity of nature vs. nurture arguments.   It's a great book for true crime enthusiasts or those interested in psychology.  

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Review: The It Girl

The It Girl by Ruth Ware
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The It Girl by Ruth Ware is a psychological thriller that alternates between present time with flashbacks to the main character, Hannah's, time at Oxford before her roommate, April, is murdered.  April is an influencer before that was a thing.  She's rich, smart, beautiful with a wicked sense of humor.  Hannah's witness statement and testimony are the key to finding and incarcerating the killer.  It is when she starts to doubt herself that things start taking dark turns.  While you will be kept guessing until the end, I think it was more a commentary on judging appearances.  People aren't always as they seem.  

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Review: Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell has been on the reading list since it came out.  Now was the perfect time to read it because I just finished a whole slew of documentaries on various cultish groups. I find "cults" fascinating because I am interested in what makes people do the things they do.  I already knew that language plays a big part in that.  But Cultish isn't just about cults and the language they use.  It is about our current use of the word "cult" to mean a whole host of things, bad and good.  Montell covers some groups that you might not think of as cults, but the way they behave are certainly cult-adjacent.  Multilevel marketing (MLMs) schemes are not the first thing you think of when you hear cult but breaking down how they operate and the language they use makes you start to think differently about that assumption.  I also really enjoyed learning about SoulCycle because even though Montell is not saying they are a cult, you can see how certain language can have a strong influence on groups.  It will definitely make you more aware as a consumer.  

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Review: The Sherlockian

The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Sherlockian by Graham Moore is historical fiction for the Sherlock Holmes fan even if it is mostly about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  The story alternates between the mysterious death of a Sherlockian expert and an investigation by Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker into a letter bomb that Conan Doyle receives.  Many of the elements of the story are true or based on true events even if they have been modified for the narrative.  

As much as I enjoyed reading/watching Sherlock Holmes growing up, it is much harder now to get over the misogyny.  This book doesn't shy away from pointing out how Conan Doyle felt about women in general even if he did love the ones in his life.  

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Review: The Angel of Indian Lake

The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones from Saga Press via NetGalley.

The Angel of Indian Lake is the third book in the Indian Lake Trilogy by Stephen Graham Jones.  While you could start here, it does make reference to things that happened in the prior two books.  That won't stop your enjoyment of this book, but it could spoil some things if you decide to go back and read the first two.  

The Angel of Indian Lake is a great rid for people who enjoy horror films, especially slasher films.  There are many references to the classics, Halloween, Friday the 13th, Scream, etc.  Jade, the main character, is a big fan and knows all the rules which may be how she has survived to book three even though she doesn't consider herself a final girl.  And just like in horror films, everyone else seems oblivious to the very obvious signs that they are living in one.  Jade does have some allies though, and you will be biting your nails wondering if they will survive to the last page.  In case you haven't figured it out yet, this isn't a book for the squeamish.  There's blood and gore aplenty.  You are spared a bit because the action is interspersed with reports detailing Jade's behavior as observed by an investigator.  If you like an epistolary story like I do, this will scratch that itch.  

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