REVIEW: THE LIFE WE BURY BY ALLEN ESKENS

Published by Seventh Street Books (an imprint of Prometheus Books), 2014. Paperback, 303 pgs

I don't read a lot of mysteries these days. I don't have anything against them, but other books usually attract my attention first. I heard great things about this from Michael Kindness of the Books on the Nightstand podcast, as well as my friend Rachel from the YouTube channel Shades of Orange. Eskens was present at Book Expo America this past May to promote his follow up novel, The Guise of Another, which was released last month. Since I picked that one up based off this one's high praise, I figured it was time to read the debut.

In this story, we follow a broke young college student named Joe Talbert. Besides going to school full-time and working in a bar, his mother has some serious issues and his brother Jeremy has autism. As he is dealing with these life stresses, he is tasked with writing an elderly person's life story for a Biography class. Choosing a nursing home to carry out the project, Joe meets Carl Iverson, a Vietnam vet and convicted murderer/rapist who is dying of cancer. The two begin warily interacting and eventually Iverson starts revealing details of his life as a type of dying declaration. Joe quickly becomes entangled in Carl's account (and in particular his passivity) and they become confessors to each other. In this process, alarm bells go off for Joe that this case has serious discrepancies. He then starts digging into prior case evidence for clues. 

 Eskens is an attorney by trade and this is his first novel. I'm not surprised that Eskens works in the legal system. For me, there is a noticeable difference between even the most well-researched books and the authors who have personal/professional experience with their writing subject...there is this element of truth and authenticity. I felt that here quite strongly. I think the pacing of this book is perfect. There isn't anything that felt unnecessary or artificially inserted for shock value to keep the reader engaged. It feels like a naturally progressing story arc. Highly recommend for all mystery lovers who are looking for an original, well-written story.

REVIEW: PITCH GREEN (DIMENSIONS IN DEATH, #1) BY THE BROTHERS WASHBURN

Published by Jolly Fish Press, 2013. Trade paperback, 280 pgs
Genre: Young Adult Horror/Mystery
Disclaimer:
*I was kindly provided an e-Pub version of this novel by Jolly Fish Press in exchange for an honest review*.
This title is currently an Amazon Kindle special for October #Spookreadinggoals for $1.99 if interested Link here to purchase!

    During this spooky time of year, I was hankering for a creepy read. Somehow I had managed until mid-month without one. Just in time, I received a nice email from the folks of Jolly Fish Press, asking if I would be interested in reviewing a book. After perusing the titles, I was initially attracted to the green and black imagery of the Pitch Green cover, as well as the story description. This is the first book in a three book series, with book two currently available as well, Mojave Green. I also found the author bios of the Washburn brothers quite interesting, and thought it would be so fun to collaborate with a sibling to write your dream story.

     Cammy and some younger children are trick-or-treating in their old mining town of Trona, California. Cammy is the oldest, so has designated herself to babysit the little ones of the group. Her best friend Cal's little brother, Hughie, has dressed as a ghost and lags behind as they are walking. A quick distraction later, Hughie has disappeared and the case is never solved. The reader is then moved forward seven years to the aftermath of this tragedy, and how Cal and Cammy are moving forward. The mystery of these recurring childhood disappearances is brought to the surface again, and the two are pulled into the investigation. 

     I'm predisposed to like any old mansion or motel setting. I liked the addition of the decrepit, sulfuric smelling mining town to add to the icky feels. Any reader who passes factories or lives near one on a daily basis can relate to the stench! The permeating stink affects ones mood and the town surroundings. I also liked how the authors touched on how grief touches everyone differently- while some wallow in guilt and self-doubt, others sweep their emotions under the proverbial rug and thrown themselves into every activity.

     I think this a good story for a young adult reader. I'm in my early thirties, and it is particularly hard to scare me, so I'm a bit of a tough customer for this genre. I didn't care too much for the italicized paragraphs of the monster's bloodthirsty thoughts in between the regular narrative. It is straightforward that it is some kind of monster. I felt it would have been more climactic and mysterious without them. Having children of my own, a vanishing child is enough to terrify me-I don't need the additional goading to be scared. I also like subtle psychological horror best. However, I feel it would have been fun for a young teenage reader who hasn't had that life experience. I appreciated that this is an appropriate level for it's age group. There is death and some blood, but otherwise a tame romantic element and little harsh language.

    This was a fast-paced read and would appeal to those who like a good old- fashioned monster book. There is good setup for the following story. If you loved Goosebumps, this will be one you want to pick up. Thanks again to Jolly Fish Press, and I look forward to seeing what the Brothers Washburn produce next.

REVIEW: REBECCA BY DAPHNE DUMAURIER

Published by Avon Books, 1938. Paperback, 410 pgs

This book is incredibly popular, constantly discussed on blogs/podcasts/Youtube. I fear I won't have anything productive to add to the discussion, but here are just a couple thoughts. The first chapter, with it's famous "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again", immediately sets the tone. I was captivated by the atmospheric and beautiful descriptions of the estate from page one. The one recurring thought while reading this is how timeless the story felt, and thus how appropriate that it is a classic.

The characters in this are strongly developed and wholly original. I will always remember Mrs. Danvers, Maxim, the second Mrs. De Winter, Frith, Robert, Favell, and even Jasper the dog. I loved how Manderley was a character even as an inanimate object, and Rebecca was incredibly present through remembrances, even in her physical absence. The second Mrs. Maxim De Winter (whose first name we never find out) serves as the narrator as she struggles to acclimate herself to this place and emotionally distant man. The reader feels immense frustration with her indecisiveness and timidity, especially since she realizes this shortcoming, and is still powerless to speak up- even in the most mundane situations. In escaping her role as assistant to an older lady, she simply landed in another bad situation. The dream of life at the estate certainly didn't match the reality.

The twists in this were fantastic. I hate to be another one of those bookish people who compares suspense novels with a twist to the recent phenomenon by Gillian Flynn, but this book seems like it could have been the Gone Girl of it's day quite easily. I look forward to a book group discussion of this read, as well as watching the Hitchcock film. There will be certain iconic scenes I will be on the lookout for. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense and beautiful writing.

REVIEW: ELIZABETH IS MISSING BY EMMA HEALEY

Published by Harper Collins, 2014. Hardback, 302 pgs

Maud is in her eighties and is certain her dear friend Elizabeth is missing. Voicing her concerns to the police, caretakers, and Elizabeth's own son, she is mostly ignored. Unsure of her own sanity and her fragmented memories, Maud tries to piece together her memories of the last few weeks with wanderings around town and note taking. The story is told by Maud, so we acutely feel the frustration of her condition. Reading it felt oppressive at times, and therefore was a bit slow going. The flashbacks to her teenage years during World War II were a sort of reprieve, except things weren't always rosy on that side either with wartime rationing and a crisis with her sister.

This book is good, but so relentlessly heartbreaking. I unrealistically kept wishing Maud would have breakthroughs in her dementia, and wouldn't have to continually suffer the confusion and defeat of her disease. I desperately wanted her to just stay home and follow her notes in an orderly fashion- no exceptions.

I wanted to hug Maud's daughter Helen, and tell her what a good job she was doing, and not to get discouraged. We hear so many bad things about caretakers and family members in the news- this novel was a breath of fresh air in reminding readers that family members can be good to each other as well. They are often unsung heroes. The details we get on Maud's deep friendship with Elizabeth are sincere and strong, in stark contrast to her lack of immediate short term memories. 

It's an emotionally draining read. You feel you've gone through battle with her family, and unfortunately this condition is ultimately a losing battle. However, Healey manages a great story and bits of truth and reality to seep in, with a satisfying conclusion. If you like powerful reads, a bit of mystery, literary writing, and unreliable narrators, Elizabeth is Missing will satisfy. 3.5 stars

REVIEW: REGULATION 19 (BOOK 1 IN THE DEADLOCK TRILOGY) BY P.T. HYLTON

 Published by Six-String Books, 2015. Paperback, 312 pgs.
 PT Hylton's Booktube Channel
His Website
      We open on a prison. Prisons absolutely terrify me. One of my worst fears is being set up for a crime and ending up in jail a la Orange is the New Black style. It wouldn't stop there. I'd end up getting an infraction of some sort and be put in solitary. Before this thought process is allowed to go further, let's discuss this novel. Frank Hinkle has been in prison for nine years. One day, he is unexpectedly given a reprieve from his sentence on the condition that he perform a certain task. In agreement, he is released to a vastly different Rook Mountain, Tennessee to the one he left. His friends and family are unrecognizable in their behaviors and lifestyle, his brother has disappeared, regulations are in place to keep the citizens of the town from leaving, and mysterious objects are found that end up being of paramount importance. Other than the basics, the less you know the better. 

       This book is a nice blend of elements. We have a Dystopian Tennessee setting nine years in the future, as well as flashback sections to the time before "Unregulated". We also have mystery/thriller/fantasy components with time travel thrown in for good measure. Regulation 19 is distinct and doesn't fit into any one specific genre. Due to the gritty style and excellent writing on a mystery in a small town, I'd liken Hylton's style to Stephen King if I had to think of the closest author comparison.  My favorite settings are rustic so this added to my overall enjoyment. Woods, cabins, and mountains simultaneously give the story a comforting feel, but a sinister one as well due to isolation and the event that keeps it walled off from the rest of the world. The juxtaposition makes for an intriguing story.

     I enjoy creepy small town stories, and this one delivered. I felt for all the characters and was interested in their relationships with each other. There are lots of twists and turns in this book, and, as some fellow reviewers have said (and I wholeheartedly agree) I never knew where the story was going and enjoyed the continuous surprises. There are a couple devices near the end that helped provide explanation and set the reader up for the second installment in the trilogy. This could easily have felt contrived, but it was done seamlessly and that impressed me even more. 

      I would also like to promote P.T. Hylton as a fellow Booktuber and a very nice, articulate person. Thrilled to say that I can wholeheartedly recommend his book as well. I was lucky to receive a signed copy with annotations throughout highlighting PT's thoughts/feelings on the scene or experience while writing. If you go here, you can get signed copies and also buy all three books in the trilogy for $32.95 (includes shipping-US only.) All three can be shipped to the UK for $59.95. I recommend buying directly from him for the great personalization! I'm very excited to see how A Place Without Shadows deals with the changes presented in book one. Highly recommend!   

REVIEW: THE SALINGER CONTRACT BY ADAM LANGER

Published by Open Road Media, 2013. Paperback, 255 pgs

I didn't take the amount of notes I usually do for this one- so I hope I still have some helpful thoughts. I flew through this quick, literary mystery/thriller. I read this for the #TBRTakedown Read-a-thon created by Shannon from the channel leaninglights on Booktube. This is a novel I'd had on my shelves for a long time. I had received this in a Book Riot Quarterly box over a year ago so it was high time I read it!

We have our main character Adam Langer- yes, the same name as the author even though this is fiction....or partly. The background and writing life of this character is quite similar to the author bio. The fun of this book is the blurred line between fact and fiction. When Langer (in the story) befriends thriller writer Conner Joyce, they both go on a journey neither of them intended. Joyce is struggling to write his next novel and is then approached by a stranger. This mysterious man offers him an unusual proposal which would solve his financial issues. Unsure how to proceed, Joyce enlists the help of his trusty friend Langer, who is experiencing his own money problems in the sleepy college town of Bloomington, Indiana. 

Past the setup, the less you know the better. Book lovers will enjoy the literary references...spoiler: Salinger is mentioned...a lot. I liked the discussion on where the book industry is headed, specifically what readers deem worthwhile creative content and how much they are willing to pay for it. The reader is also exposed to some publishing houses "franchise boosting" authors. All large houses have them- and their big name releases provide bonuses for employees and advances for other authors.

Trust and friendship are major themes that Langer explores. I had no idea writing a novel could have such high stakes! This was a fun, average mystery/thriller with a bit of a book-loving twist. Perfect for a one or two sitting read.