Review: Kill Creek

Kill Creek by Scott Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have seen this book on various sites as a spooky, creepy, October read. Totally, 100% true. It was a little gory at times for my taste but with that said, the overall plot and flow of the story was intriguing and well-paced. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and would certainly read this author again. I hope that he leans towards more thrills and creepy without the yuck factor of B movies in the future though.
The premise of the book is fantastic, with a social media guru, who wants to set up a viral feed for his website, inviting four of the biggest names in horror writing together for a night (Halloween of course) in a notorious haunted house. The idea is pitched as a night together being interviewed. Initially they do not know there will be more than one of them there but they have to decide if they will participate in this adventure, or misadventure. For this type of story, I think stating too much gives the plot away so I will leave it at that.
Let's just say that the characters are unique and the house is unique and the story is entertaining and well written.
I would recommend this for fans of Stephen King.
#KillCreek #ScottThomas

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Review: The Tenant

The Tenant by Katrine Engberg
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was just okay for me. I have grown to love a great Scandinavian thriller, but this one lacked enough thrill to be the push to really absorb me as a reader. I really enjoyed the "book within in book" aspect of this novel. I think this was one of the best features of this novel. The relationship between the two main detective duo wasn't as compelling as I would like in a police procedural.
A decent debut but I think this author has a lot more great writing ahead.
#TheTenant #NetGalley #GalleryPocketBooks #GalleryScoutPress

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Review: Black Light

Black Light by Kimberly King Parsons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Black Light is a collection of short stories that is raw and deep. The author dives into difficult subjects that are tough to face head on but Parsons doesn't shy away form them. I wasn't in love with every story but overall, I thought this collection worked well together.
Recommend for those who enjoy collections of short stories.

#BlackLight #NetGalley #KnopfDoubledayPublishingGroup #Vintage

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Review: The Topeka School

The Topeka School by Ben Lerner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first picked up this book, I was not interested in the story and had a difficult time becoming intrigued by the story. But, then the audiobook came out and it was terrific. This story is an semi-autobiographical book based on Lerner's life story from high school to university and forward.
I really was surprised at how compelling each section of the story was. The characters were rich and well developed and interesting. I enjoyed the variety in the different aspects of the stories. The storyline was compelling with a well written commentary on the social situation that young people are facing today. The insights into the origins of today's toxic masculinity and "haters" who are an accepted part of the online world are thought-provoking.
I also enjoyed the way language is used in so many different ways, including as a manipulation tool during debate competitions. These are insights that are not well known to non-debaters so it is interesting in the way language is used for and against an argument.
For those who had difficulty with the written version, I would highly recommend the audio version! This is a possible reread at some point.

#TheTopekaSchool #NetGalley #FarrarStrausandGiroux

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Review: Twice in a Blue Moon

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Christina Lauren are a wonderful combo of authors that really do work so well together. Their work is so well intertwined. This is another terrific release from this duo. A quick and sweet romantic read that was a pleasurable change from some of the darker reads of this time of year. The story is a sweet romance of love at first sight with a wonderful setting, making the atmosphere part of the story.
Their work is always great fun and with a great tone.
Definitely recommend.
#TwiceInABlueMoon #NetGalley #GalleryBooks #GalleryPocketBooks

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Review: Where the Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the atmosphere of this story more than anything else. Delia Owens is a product of my small, rural Southern town and we had the pleasure of hosting her back home in September for a town "OneBook Book Club". This is something that we do annually and this year had the pleasure of bringing back a hometown author. There were so many aspects of the setting that came through and were instantly recognizable to anyone who lives here. She visited the schools while she was here, who each did their own book clubs as well and welcomed her with open arms. She also gave a talk for the community and was so at home as could be speaking with her lifelong friends in the audience. It was a wonderful thing to see.
The story has something for everyone, with setting, a mystery, legal thriller, romance and literary narrative about nature. For me, I adore thrillers but I also loved the immediate way I was transported back into the setting of my childhood, in northwest Florida, where the "fish camps" where very similar in feel to the descriptions of the marshland or swamps of the coasts in this novel.
I also loved the relationships, few as they really were. The surprise in where the strongest relationships came from for the protagonist. Much of this was born of Delia Owens' experience of isolation in Africa while doing research there.
Highly recommended.
#WhereTheCrawdadsSing #DeliaOwens #PenguinRandomHouse

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