This is the second book in the series started by David Liss with The Conspiracy of Paper, starring boxer turned private investigator Benjamin Weaver. Well, Weaver is a detective and also a thief-taker, since that’s a pretty good money maker. In this one, Weaver is hired to find out who is threatening an Anglican priest. While he’s investigating, he’s accused of murdering a dock worker, and convicted even though there is no actual evidence against him. The judge practically forces the jury to convict Weaver […]
Inspired by a true story . . . .
I’m not the hugest Joyce Carol Oates fan – I’m sure I’ve read a book or two of hers, but I couldn’t tell you which ones. Clearly they didn’t make much of an impression on me. I picked this up on a Kindle deal around Halloween (scary good deals!). I think it was $1.99, and I’m still not sure it was worth the price. Oates was inspired by Jeffrey Dahmer, who I think even other serial killers thought was gross. In this story, Quentin P. […]
Halloweenie
Hercule Poirot’s novelist friend Ariadne Oliver is visiting a friend in the country, and helping out with a Halloween mystery party for the local children. The party appears to be going well, until a young girl is murdered in the apple-bobbing tub. Who could possibly have killed an innocent child? Turns out the kid wasn’t very well liked, she was a big fibber. Even the morning of the party, she was telling stories about having witnessed a murder. Mrs. Oliver calls in Hercule Poirot to […]
Living in the Aftermath
A surprisingly quick read at 192 pages, Hush (2002) is a complex YA novel that lingers. It offers readers a glimpse into the effects of events outside of some people’s control, and the harsh, seemingly bleak but ultimately hopeful aspects of living. In the aftermath of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, among countless others, Hush becomes an evocative, relevant, and poignant read. Read the full review, here.