I picked up Dan Wells's debut novel I Am Not A Serial Killer because I thought it looked like an interesting thriller (have I mentioned I'm on a thriller kick lately?), but I ended up getting so much more than I'd bargained for. It's kind of hard to categorize this book - it's part coming-of-age, part thriller, part horror, and all riveting.
Teenager John Wayne Cleaver lives in Clayton, a small city in an unspecified state. He's known for a long time that there's something wrong inside himself: he lacks empathy. He can't connect with other people, not even his family; on top of all that, he's obsessed with serial killers like Bundy, Dahmer, and Gacy. He and his therapist talk about the rules of behavior he's set up for himself, and even though John's fascinated by death and dead things (it doesn't help that the family business is a funeral parlor), he's quite clear that there are lines he dare not cross, for fear of becoming the monster he knows lurks inside.
He's got everything under control - until the day a horribly disfigured body is found behind the laundromat. Then another body shows up, and John recognizes the work of a kindred spirit. At least he thinks he does, until curiosity gets the best of him and he discovers the horrible truth behind the sudden spate of murders. He knows he's the only person in town who can stop the killing, but is it already too late?
Fans of the Dexter series by Jeff Lindsay may enjoy this book, for its first-person narrative voice. Like Dexter, John speaks directly to the reader, and also like Dexter he's got a twisted code of right and wrong, and an elaborate set of rules that allow him to blend in with "normal" people. Stephen King fans might like this one too, especially fans of earlier King works like It, where kids confront evil armed only with their wits.
Showing posts with label thrillers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thrillers. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Fall Releases
The hectic summer days are passing: the kids are back in school, the blistering heat and crushing humidity are finally relenting, and we find ourselves with a little breathing room before the frantic pace of the holidays is upon us. Enjoy your down time with one of these great new books, set to release this fall. Follow the links to reserve your copy today!
September Releases
Safe Haven – Nicholas Sparks
The author of The Notebook and Dear John returns with another inspirational romance. When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Katie seems determined to avoid forming friendships, but reluctantly befriends Alex, a widowed store owner.
Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family. Even though she is starting to fall in love, Katie still carries a dark secret that haunts her. She realizes that she cannot run from her past forever, and that in order to have love, she must face her demons.
Getting to Happy – Terry McMillan
Fifteen years after Waiting to Exhale, McMillan revisits Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine, and Robin. Each is at her own midlife crossroads: Savannah is facing single life again-at fifty-one. Bernadine has watched her divorce settlement dwindle, and has convinced herself that a few pills will help. Robin’s dream of getting married has gone unrealized. Gloria learns that being at the wrong place at the wrong time can change everything. All four are learning to heal past hurts and to reclaim their joy and their dreams; but they return to us full of spirit, sass, and faith in one another.
October Releases
The Confession – John Grisham
The master of legal thrillers has produced yet another gripping page turner. What happens when the only person who can save an innocent man from being executed is the man who committed the crime? In 1998, Trais Boyette abducted and strangled a high school cheerleader. He buried her body so that it would never be found, then watched in amazement as police and prosecutors arrested and convicted Donté Drumm, a local football star, and marched him off to death row.
Nine years later, Donté is four days away from his execution. Travis suffers from an inoperable brain tumor. For the first time in his entire life, he decides to do what’s right and confess. But how can a guilty man convince lawyers, judges, and politicians that they’re about to execute an innocent man?
The Reversal – Michael Connelly
Can’t get enough courtroom drama? Try this new nail-biter from the author of The Scarecrow. After 24 years in prison, convicted child killer Jason Jessup has been exonerated by new DNA evidence. Convinced that Jessup is guilty, defense attorney Mickey Haller agrees to prosecute Jessup’s retrial. With LAPD detective Harry Bosch as his investigator, Haller sets off on a case fraught with political and personal danger.
Opposing them is Jessup, now out on bail, a defense attorney who excels at manipulating the media, and a runaway eyewitness reluctant to testify after so many years. With the odds and the evidence against them, Bosch and Haller must nail a sadistic killer once and for all. If Bosch is sure of anything, it is that Jason Jessup plans to kill again.
--Jenn C.
September Releases
Safe Haven – Nicholas Sparks
The author of The Notebook and Dear John returns with another inspirational romance. When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Katie seems determined to avoid forming friendships, but reluctantly befriends Alex, a widowed store owner.
Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family. Even though she is starting to fall in love, Katie still carries a dark secret that haunts her. She realizes that she cannot run from her past forever, and that in order to have love, she must face her demons.
Getting to Happy – Terry McMillan
Fifteen years after Waiting to Exhale, McMillan revisits Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine, and Robin. Each is at her own midlife crossroads: Savannah is facing single life again-at fifty-one. Bernadine has watched her divorce settlement dwindle, and has convinced herself that a few pills will help. Robin’s dream of getting married has gone unrealized. Gloria learns that being at the wrong place at the wrong time can change everything. All four are learning to heal past hurts and to reclaim their joy and their dreams; but they return to us full of spirit, sass, and faith in one another.
October Releases
The Confession – John Grisham
The master of legal thrillers has produced yet another gripping page turner. What happens when the only person who can save an innocent man from being executed is the man who committed the crime? In 1998, Trais Boyette abducted and strangled a high school cheerleader. He buried her body so that it would never be found, then watched in amazement as police and prosecutors arrested and convicted Donté Drumm, a local football star, and marched him off to death row.
Nine years later, Donté is four days away from his execution. Travis suffers from an inoperable brain tumor. For the first time in his entire life, he decides to do what’s right and confess. But how can a guilty man convince lawyers, judges, and politicians that they’re about to execute an innocent man?
The Reversal – Michael Connelly
Can’t get enough courtroom drama? Try this new nail-biter from the author of The Scarecrow. After 24 years in prison, convicted child killer Jason Jessup has been exonerated by new DNA evidence. Convinced that Jessup is guilty, defense attorney Mickey Haller agrees to prosecute Jessup’s retrial. With LAPD detective Harry Bosch as his investigator, Haller sets off on a case fraught with political and personal danger.
Opposing them is Jessup, now out on bail, a defense attorney who excels at manipulating the media, and a runaway eyewitness reluctant to testify after so many years. With the odds and the evidence against them, Bosch and Haller must nail a sadistic killer once and for all. If Bosch is sure of anything, it is that Jason Jessup plans to kill again.
--Jenn C.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Another Debut Novel, Another Thriller
I don't know what it says about me that I've been reading a lot of thrillers lately, but gosh, do I enjoy them! Continuing the trend from my previous post, The Mullah's Storm by Thomas W. Young is another thriller that's a first novel, too.
Air Force Major Michael Parson serves as navigator on a C-130 and he's flown over the mountains of eastern Afghanistan ferrying high-profile prisoners and detainees plenty of times. But when the plane crashes, he encounters two enemies: the harsh, unforgiving winter climate of the Hindu Kush, and the Taliban forces who are trying to free one of their most important spiritual leaders. The mullah, along with Parson and an Army interrogator, are the only survivors of the crash. The Americans need to get the mullah back to Bagram before the Taliban catches up to them. Between the weather and his pursuers, Parson's not sure which will be more brutal in the end.
Anybody looking to escape a hot, sticky North Carolina afternoon, for a few hours anyway, may enjoy this book. I'd also recommend it for fans of Alex Berenson's The Faithful Spy, and those who like a good thriller in a very contemporary setting.
--Nora
Air Force Major Michael Parson serves as navigator on a C-130 and he's flown over the mountains of eastern Afghanistan ferrying high-profile prisoners and detainees plenty of times. But when the plane crashes, he encounters two enemies: the harsh, unforgiving winter climate of the Hindu Kush, and the Taliban forces who are trying to free one of their most important spiritual leaders. The mullah, along with Parson and an Army interrogator, are the only survivors of the crash. The Americans need to get the mullah back to Bagram before the Taliban catches up to them. Between the weather and his pursuers, Parson's not sure which will be more brutal in the end.
Anybody looking to escape a hot, sticky North Carolina afternoon, for a few hours anyway, may enjoy this book. I'd also recommend it for fans of Alex Berenson's The Faithful Spy, and those who like a good thriller in a very contemporary setting.
--Nora
Monday, August 23, 2010
New Soviet-Era Thriller!
Attention fans of Tom Rob Smith's Child 44: be on the lookout for The Holy Thief, William Ryan's debut novel, which hits shelves in September.
The place: Moscow. The year: 1936. Stalin's purges have started, no one's safe from denunciation, and to make matters worse, the city is shocked by a brutal murder. On the face of it, it's merely a gruesome crime, but as Captain Alexei Korolev begins his investigation, he senses there might be more to it than just a random act of violence.
There's intrigue involving the NKVD, the criminal underworld of the Soviet capital, a stolen religious relic, and the question of just how much one can really know of another person in a totalitarian state where every gesture, every word, must be carefully guarded. Reserve your copy today!
--Nora
The place: Moscow. The year: 1936. Stalin's purges have started, no one's safe from denunciation, and to make matters worse, the city is shocked by a brutal murder. On the face of it, it's merely a gruesome crime, but as Captain Alexei Korolev begins his investigation, he senses there might be more to it than just a random act of violence.
There's intrigue involving the NKVD, the criminal underworld of the Soviet capital, a stolen religious relic, and the question of just how much one can really know of another person in a totalitarian state where every gesture, every word, must be carefully guarded. Reserve your copy today!
--Nora
Monday, September 28, 2009
What I'm reading
1. Just finished Jeff Lindsay's fourth installment in his Dexter series, Dexter by Design. When his sister is stabbed in the line of duty, our favorite serial killer tracks down the person he thinks is responsible. But this time Dexter's made a rare mistake, and somebody's out for revenge. What's a psychopathic predator to do when the tables are turned and he becomes the prey?
2. Currently wrapped up in American On Purpose, Craig Ferguson's hilarious, heartbreaking memoir of his misadventures on the road from substance-abusing Scottish punk rocker to sober comedian with his own late-night TV show - and an American citizen. Enjoying it immensely, even if I'm never up late enough to catch Craig's show!
3. Next up will be An Echo in the Bone, the long (long, long, long)-awaited next chapter in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. I can't wait to see what Claire and Jamie Fraser are up to, as the American Revolution gets closer and closer; and whatever happened to their daughter Brianna and her family, once they returned to the twentieth century? I'm not even going to peek at the last page on this one - I'd rather be surprised.
How about you? What have you read lately that you want to tell us about?
--Nora
2. Currently wrapped up in American On Purpose, Craig Ferguson's hilarious, heartbreaking memoir of his misadventures on the road from substance-abusing Scottish punk rocker to sober comedian with his own late-night TV show - and an American citizen. Enjoying it immensely, even if I'm never up late enough to catch Craig's show!
3. Next up will be An Echo in the Bone, the long (long, long, long)-awaited next chapter in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. I can't wait to see what Claire and Jamie Fraser are up to, as the American Revolution gets closer and closer; and whatever happened to their daughter Brianna and her family, once they returned to the twentieth century? I'm not even going to peek at the last page on this one - I'd rather be surprised.
How about you? What have you read lately that you want to tell us about?
--Nora
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Twists and Turns in Swedish Thriller
I love mysteries, but lately they’ve been getting predictable. If I read even one more tale of a sadistic serial killer preying on defenseless children and young women, pursued by a successful but tormented female detective and her gruff but heroic male sidekick, I may throw the book in disgust. You know the ones — they fairly wallow in the angst, the carnage, the ever-increasing depravity — and is there actually some crime-solving or plot twist in there somewhere? Then, inevitably, the villain sets his sights on the poor female detective, until the sidekick sweeps in for a last-minute rescue.
Hello, writers: formula is for romance novels. Gratuitous violence is no substitute for genuine intrigue. And neurosis is not character development.
Thankfully, the latest book by Swedish author Steig Larsson is anything but predictable. The Girl Who Played With Fire, due out in July, follows the same characters as his 2008 bestseller The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is working with two other writers to break a major story about sex trafficking of teen girls, but on the eve of its publication his colleagues are found shot to death. No link is apparent between them and the brilliant but unpredictable super-hacker Lisbeth Salander — yet her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Blomkvist is convinced that Salander did not commit the murders (though “innocent” is not a word he would apply to her) but she has disappeared, and he is far from the only one searching for her.
This book is well-crafted and detailed. Usually when a person says, “I finished it all in one night!” it’s a sign of praise, of a can’t-put-down book. I’m a fast reader and finish almost every book in a night or two, but this one took me several days, by choice. It was long and detailed enough to savor. The details aren’t fluffy character descriptions, either, but complex bits of narrative that flesh out the story in unexpected ways. That thing about Fermat’s Theory? Not relevant to the plot but it gives the reader an example of how Salander’s mind works. In addition, Larsson’s writing style is descriptive, with a pace that builds throughout the novel. Scenes of violence or sex are not gratuitous but are described vividly.
My favorite part about this book is Lisbeth Salander. She has a photographic memory, probable Asperger’s syndrome, and a dark and twisted past. She is legally classified “non compos mentis” and under guardianship, yet she is the most efficient researcher Milton Security has ever hired. Her concept of justice has little to do with any recognized legal system. She is being hunted by the police, assorted villains, and Blomkvist himself, and manages to stay hidden. In contrast, I feel that Blomkvist is not quite as well developed in this book as Salander. His primary purpose as a character is to give Salander an ally, one who is not in hiding and who has access to the official murder investigation. To more clearly understand the relationship between the two characters, I recommend readers start with the first book, which fills in the gaps in their history.
The Girl Who Played With Fire is an excellent choice for mystery fans who like a more complex read. It’s more Lee Child or Jeffrey Deaver than Janet Evanovich. It will appeal to readers who like strong female characters or investigative journalists. Just remember: to get the most out of this book, read the other one first.
--Tiffany H.
Hello, writers: formula is for romance novels. Gratuitous violence is no substitute for genuine intrigue. And neurosis is not character development.
Thankfully, the latest book by Swedish author Steig Larsson is anything but predictable. The Girl Who Played With Fire, due out in July, follows the same characters as his 2008 bestseller The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is working with two other writers to break a major story about sex trafficking of teen girls, but on the eve of its publication his colleagues are found shot to death. No link is apparent between them and the brilliant but unpredictable super-hacker Lisbeth Salander — yet her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Blomkvist is convinced that Salander did not commit the murders (though “innocent” is not a word he would apply to her) but she has disappeared, and he is far from the only one searching for her.
This book is well-crafted and detailed. Usually when a person says, “I finished it all in one night!” it’s a sign of praise, of a can’t-put-down book. I’m a fast reader and finish almost every book in a night or two, but this one took me several days, by choice. It was long and detailed enough to savor. The details aren’t fluffy character descriptions, either, but complex bits of narrative that flesh out the story in unexpected ways. That thing about Fermat’s Theory? Not relevant to the plot but it gives the reader an example of how Salander’s mind works. In addition, Larsson’s writing style is descriptive, with a pace that builds throughout the novel. Scenes of violence or sex are not gratuitous but are described vividly.
My favorite part about this book is Lisbeth Salander. She has a photographic memory, probable Asperger’s syndrome, and a dark and twisted past. She is legally classified “non compos mentis” and under guardianship, yet she is the most efficient researcher Milton Security has ever hired. Her concept of justice has little to do with any recognized legal system. She is being hunted by the police, assorted villains, and Blomkvist himself, and manages to stay hidden. In contrast, I feel that Blomkvist is not quite as well developed in this book as Salander. His primary purpose as a character is to give Salander an ally, one who is not in hiding and who has access to the official murder investigation. To more clearly understand the relationship between the two characters, I recommend readers start with the first book, which fills in the gaps in their history.
The Girl Who Played With Fire is an excellent choice for mystery fans who like a more complex read. It’s more Lee Child or Jeffrey Deaver than Janet Evanovich. It will appeal to readers who like strong female characters or investigative journalists. Just remember: to get the most out of this book, read the other one first.
--Tiffany H.
Friday, June 12, 2009
(More) What I'm Reading
The Last Child, by John Hart
I've been a John Hart fan since his first novel, The King of Lies. The author recently spoke at the North Regional Branch and stated that he thought this novel was his best yet. I have to agree. If you haven't yet discovered John Hart, what are you waiting for? In Last Child, young girls are disappearing in an unnamed rural NC town and 12 year-old Johnny is determined to find his twin sister, who's among the missing. What he unearths is more sinister than anyone imagined, sending shock waves through the community and putting Johnny's own life in danger. This is an excellent read that I couldn't put down.
The Strain, by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Tired of sexy, sensitive vampires? Well, here's an alternative for you! From the creator of the Academy Award-winning Pan's Labyrinth, this novel reminded me of why vampires scared the heck out of me as a kid. The blurb says it all: They have always been here. Vampires. Nesting and Feeding. In secret and in darkness. Waiting. Now their time has come. In one week, Manhattan will be gone. In three months, the country. In six months -- the World. This is a great read -- it grabs you by the throat (pun intended) and doesn't let go. It's the first installment in a trilogy.
Relentless, by Dean Koontz
I've been a Koontz fan for years, but his recent novels were a disappointment. This novel reminded me why I am a fan. Relentless is a great read and fast-paced. Filled with quirky characters and a hint of the supernatural, it had me reading into the wee hours of the morning.
--Tammy H.
I've been a John Hart fan since his first novel, The King of Lies. The author recently spoke at the North Regional Branch and stated that he thought this novel was his best yet. I have to agree. If you haven't yet discovered John Hart, what are you waiting for? In Last Child, young girls are disappearing in an unnamed rural NC town and 12 year-old Johnny is determined to find his twin sister, who's among the missing. What he unearths is more sinister than anyone imagined, sending shock waves through the community and putting Johnny's own life in danger. This is an excellent read that I couldn't put down.
The Strain, by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Tired of sexy, sensitive vampires? Well, here's an alternative for you! From the creator of the Academy Award-winning Pan's Labyrinth, this novel reminded me of why vampires scared the heck out of me as a kid. The blurb says it all: They have always been here. Vampires. Nesting and Feeding. In secret and in darkness. Waiting. Now their time has come. In one week, Manhattan will be gone. In three months, the country. In six months -- the World. This is a great read -- it grabs you by the throat (pun intended) and doesn't let go. It's the first installment in a trilogy.
Relentless, by Dean Koontz
I've been a Koontz fan for years, but his recent novels were a disappointment. This novel reminded me why I am a fan. Relentless is a great read and fast-paced. Filled with quirky characters and a hint of the supernatural, it had me reading into the wee hours of the morning.
--Tammy H.
Monday, June 8, 2009
What I'm Reading
What better way to kick off the library's Summer Reading Program than a review of the things I'm currently reading? Over the weekend I finished a couple of books, one older, one new; tore through a memoir by a famous son of famous parents; and began a historical thriller.
--from 1997, Night in Eden, by Candice Proctor. Historical romance. Convicted and transported to New South Wales, Bryony Wentworth finds herself drawn to Hayden St. John, the enigmatic landowner who's arranged for her to be wet nurse to his infant son. It's been a while since I read a genre historical romance, and this one delivered on all the levels I expected it to.
--just published, Losing Mum and Pup: A Memoir. Christopher Buckley recalls the nine-month period between the deaths of his parents, William and Patricia Buckley. The author draws a very personal portrait of two complex and at times contradictory personalities. They loved each other to the end, but often didn't speak for weeks at a time. They were a glamorous couple, but Bill was "a bit of a slob," while Christopher never found Pat more beautiful than when she was gardening in jeans and an old T-shirt. You'll laugh; you'll cry. Don't miss the chapter where Christo tells his dying mother, "I forgive you."
--also just out, The Secret Speech, the follow-up novel to Tom Rob Smith's blockbuster debut Child 44. It's 1956 and the Soviet Union is beginning to loosen up just a fraction three years after the death of Stalin. Former secret policeman Leo Demidov struggles to adjust to new political and personal realities. I've just started this book (only on p. 28), but I have no doubt I'm going to relish this as much as I did Child 44.
What about you? What are you reading?
--Nora
--from 1997, Night in Eden, by Candice Proctor. Historical romance. Convicted and transported to New South Wales, Bryony Wentworth finds herself drawn to Hayden St. John, the enigmatic landowner who's arranged for her to be wet nurse to his infant son. It's been a while since I read a genre historical romance, and this one delivered on all the levels I expected it to.
--just published, Losing Mum and Pup: A Memoir. Christopher Buckley recalls the nine-month period between the deaths of his parents, William and Patricia Buckley. The author draws a very personal portrait of two complex and at times contradictory personalities. They loved each other to the end, but often didn't speak for weeks at a time. They were a glamorous couple, but Bill was "a bit of a slob," while Christopher never found Pat more beautiful than when she was gardening in jeans and an old T-shirt. You'll laugh; you'll cry. Don't miss the chapter where Christo tells his dying mother, "I forgive you."
--also just out, The Secret Speech, the follow-up novel to Tom Rob Smith's blockbuster debut Child 44. It's 1956 and the Soviet Union is beginning to loosen up just a fraction three years after the death of Stalin. Former secret policeman Leo Demidov struggles to adjust to new political and personal realities. I've just started this book (only on p. 28), but I have no doubt I'm going to relish this as much as I did Child 44.
What about you? What are you reading?
--Nora
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