I read books. Sometimes, I tell you about them. My sister says I do your Book Club work for you…that may be true!
I enjoyed the fast-pace of the story. The trick of allowing us to get to know, and even like, the victims before the murders? Coldblooded Patterson! But, the technique worked. I was hooked, and no matter the obstacle thrown in Cooks way, (and there were many!)
There are plenty of scenes between the two pf them to keep you interested and as always Brown almost has you thinking it wont happen for them, right up until it does.
In Anita’s world vampires and werewolves rule the day…well, night 🙄 and exist legally. So, its a problem when someone decides to start targeting vampires and killing them.
The books are full of plots and twists: political scheming, mass murders (maybe a bit triggering in current times, but really done well), revenge, backstabbing, beautifully described fictional locations and big action scenes and cliffhangers.
Months after reading this, I feel like the author held a mirror up to women and said, ‘see how beautiful and ridiculous and horrific you are?’.
The story is about a group of friends that while on a hunting trip, angers a strong spirit. It takes a while but, the spirit comes looking for them to exact her vengeance.
This is more for The Wiz and Maleficent crowd. 💁🏾♀️ In this version, Dorothy’s gorgeous slippers may be evil and she and her buddies are holding Oz captive.
Issa Tag: Black Blogger Book Tag
One day, one of Regina’s previous clients, Robert, a magician who Regina got acquitted for murder against his rich wife, shows up in Robin’s office and wants help patenting a magic trick.
Rye is a rough, living life on the edge, pilot that enjoys charging extra for difficult suicide runs. This next flight, may kill him. A rich client is requiring him to deliver a locked box, contents unknown, to a doctor, in a remote location.
Its the authors autobiographical memoir of her childhood experiences coming of age during the 1960-70’s Civil Rights movement and The Great Migration.
The tension between Peach and Natalie set the right tone and I liked watching the romance unfold between the two of them. I also enjoyed how the author addressed Natalie’s grief around the loss of her mother and boyfriend. Natalie was a fairly complex character
Ledge knows how unforgiving Penton can be. He’s had his own run-ins with the corrupt law and Ardens father. He decides to help with the refurbish job, mostly to keep an eye on her, and pow-chica-pow-wow: thinly veiled innuendos, steamy close calls, sexual tension and we are off to the Sandra Brown races!!
First of all,PANDEMIC!! 🤦🏾♀️ Honey, when they started handing out masks in the office, I felt my stomach lurch! Its like the scenes in the horror flick when you start yelling at the screen: “No, don’t go that way, RUN!!!”
“in my opinion, Mexican Gothic was a fair modern twist on the genre, that maybe edged a bit closer to horror and will be able to intrigue a new audience.”
I was intrigued by the threesome of Leo, Joanne and Piper. The break up of Joanne and Leo gave me Diary of a Mad Black Women vibes when the husband unceremoniously tosses his wife out with the u-haul guy. Piper as narrator also tells us about her past issues upfront and comes off as a very mysterious character.
Ally Linden arrives at work one morning, in her ex boyfriend’s office, at a place she hasn’t worked in years. Other than her tossed mental state, there is no sign of trauma.
Samiah Brooks finds out from someone live tweeting during a date, that her boyfriend is cheating on her…on a date in her neighborhood! She hustles around the corner to the restaurant and confronts him mid-date!
Is Pete having an affair with one of the nurses from the hospital? Whats up with Maddies psychotic meltdown? Is Miles’ wife ok? Whats up with the kids, are they ‘normal’? Was this an innocent mix or were the children maliciously switched?
Maggie is a numb, selfish, self absorbed, bad mom and wife. Her ‘independence’ comes from a alimony check from her husband, cash from mommy dearest, and proceeds from insurance fraud.
Afterward he watches over her closely, waiting for her to ‘change’ into a wolf. She never does and he never stops watching over her.
We are meeting Ana as she is in the grips of grief and mourning the loss of her lover of three years. She is telling us the story of their relationship and her becoming to this point in her life,
I prefer my romance novels with complex relatable characters, with checkered pasts, engaging in equal partnerships with no BDSM, but a few compelling sex scenes none the less.
typical fairytale romance trope. Rich, self absorbed bachelor meets poor, beautiful girl and during a sequence of funny/dramatic/heartwarming events, against all odds, the two fall in love.
Not one character is shamed or written to be better than another. I suppose we learn, no matter your choice, loveless or abusive marriage, mistress or childless wife, independent , single woman, it all comes with its burden to bare.
The storytelling is the real winner. We are with Vanessa as she, very honestly, recalls her trauma and faces the truth of the manipulation.
Great ghost story, diverse characters, great character development. If you are a person that enjoys reading books about people and how they think as they are facing trauma, this is the book for you!
Ultimately its a story of a triple cross con. Lily raised her daughter to covet pretty things and understand their value…sometimes over people. Its also nice to see people get what they deserve and this story delivers that in spades.
“initially Angela seems weak, we learn through her story, she is far stronger than she appears. Jason on the other hand may be every bit of a weak, cheating cad you think he is, but, when one of his accusers is found dead, whodunnit?”
oh the tangled web we weave. Its also a great twist on the Lifetime channel, husband kills wife to be with mistress plot. Nah, not this time.
This book has many elements: murder mystery, surprise thriller ending, and homosexuality. This is the authors debut novel and I would read more of her work. She paints lovely pictures of the places her characters find themselves in.
At its very core, its a good story. Suburban, true crime book club uses resources to attempt to solve local crime. The characters are interesting and colorful and have great conversations. You will find yourself laughing out loud at a lot of the dialogue.
Per usual, good story, Maberry, taking what we think could never happen, and making it come alive! Fast, consistent action, and enough going on to keep you reading.
McMillan continues to paint a realistic and beautifully textured image of an upper middle class, single, sexual, black woman. We matter. Stories about black woman not pressed in poverty and abuse and their traumatic loops and baggage is refreshing!
The story, greater than your typical missing persons, isn’t really about the search for Ellie but, about how Ellie will spend the next year in captivity.
If I Had Your Face follows 4 young women living in an apartment building in South Korea. The stories of each of the women centers on their experiences with class, inequality, falling very short of local standards of beauty.
“…we follow Bethie and Jo Kaufman, 2 barely Jewish sisters growing up in 1950’s Detroit. I swear this story is like City of Girls, but youthful, Jewish, queer, drug addicted and racist in all the right places.”
“The Galvins choose to have so many children, really beyond what they could care for properly. Then, not unlike most parents, (except ‘most’ don’t give birth to entire mental wards 🤦🏾♀️)”
Mental disorders, multiple affairs, switching partners, hidden cameras, child abuse, cover ups and private detectives, stealing money..you name it and these folks engage.
Nina’s first husband Glen disappears one day, under the guise of a boating accident. He’s presumed dead but, during the investigation police uncover a possible affair and double life.
It was quick, beautiful, sad read and I enjoyed it very much. This would definitely be a great story for a book club to deep dive themes of class, familial obligation, the role of young women in underdeveloped country’s and voting reform…
“These stories, like typical Hurston, have a love gone wrong theme. Familial or romantic; funny, sad, secretive, justice delivered promptly on some, but all love, set mostly in Harlem amongst blackness. Not just black people but, our music, our food, our religion and magic..”
Even with its flaws, its a page turner and a quick read. The drama is nonstop and that keeps it interesting. If you like twists and turns, reading about busy bodies in action, narcissist and thier wives, with a side plot of possible vampire children, read this.
The Institute reminds me of Firestarter, which I read as a kid. I remember being terrified bad doctors would come thief my sister and I if they found out we were smart. 🤦🏾♀️🤣😂 The climatic ending is great as well, complete with suspense, action magic, and violence. #ClassicKing Everyone gets what they deserves and the telling is gratifying.
If you allow yourself to be distracted by Siri gone wild, ghosts, strange men, mean maids and angry teenagers the ending is a nice twist on events.
“Your lot in life is dictated by a comprehensive test given at age 10. Score high and you move on to the next level. Fail or score low, your education stops and you end up living in the slums, impoverished for life…”
“The gangster has killed Eddie’s partner, threatens Eddie’s family, straps a bomb to his chest and forces him into the courtroom. If Eddie doesn’t get the guy off, all is lost.”
EJD writes a mean sex scene. You shall be satiated in that regard…eventually. And the concept of getting an arguably behind the scenes perspective of the logistics involved in an erotic one night stand is intriguing.
Very interesting way to tell an old story of teenage pregnancy. I also liked the middle/upper class representation of blackness. Not all blackness is earmarked by poverty and lack.
Ive been a haunted by what I would right about my experience reading this book for months. I enjoyed the book. Not in a juicy, titillating way but, because I think the story should be heard, passed along.
