Author: HCNewton Page 333 of 610

Fair Warning

by Michael Connelly
Series: Jack McEvoy, #3

Kindle Edition, 416 pg.
Little, Brown and Company, 2020

Read: June 5-8, 2020
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

Veteran reporter Jack McEvoy is no longer on the crime beat, he’s no longer hunting serial killers or anything of the sort. He’s doing consumer watchdog reporting for a website. One night after work, he’s approached by two LAPD Detectives about a former one-night stand, Christina Portrero, who has been murdered. The detectives take an almost instant disliking to McEvoy and he’s soon a Person of Interest.

I groaned once figured out what was going on initially (it’s in the book blurb, I really should pay more attention to things like that). Series protagonists being suspected of murder almost never works for me. The stakes don’t feel real. But Connelly abandons this fairly quickly, and his being a person of interest really only serves to get McEvoy interested in the case. Because there’s no way he’s going to wait for the police to clear him—he’s going back to his strengths to clear his name, and maybe uncover the truth.

McEvoy quickly discovers a handful of murders throughout the country that seem to match Portrero’s. But the link between them eludes him for a while—and once he begins to get an idea, it’s so outlandish that it seems near-impossible. Teaming up with another reporter at the website, he dives in—defying the police. He also recruits Rachel Waling (now in the private sector) to help build a profile of the killer.

McEvoy isn’t too far into this investigation before he comes alive—he seems content with his work (maybe not the income from it), but it’s not the same as this kind of work. Working with Walling doesn’t hurt his enthusiasm, either.

This would just not have worked as a Bosch or Ballard story, it possibly could’ve worked as a Mickey Haller story—had he been representing someone like McEvoy. But why go to that much trouble when you’ve got Jack in your back pocket for just this time? (also, we’ve already got a Haller novel slated for later this year).

One of the advantages of Connelly having invested so little into the character is that the peril he faces when the killer focuses his attention on McEvoy (or Walling)—there’s a strong sense of peril. I’m not worried about Ballard or Haller (although I can see the appeal of letting Bosch go out in action, rather than retiring), so even when things get threatening, you don’t really worry too much. But McVoy? Come on, the dude’s totally expendable and therefore the danger is real.

The initial set up just left me cold, but by the time that had been resolved and the team was fully into the investigation? I was hooked. Hooked in the “please don’t bother me with anything short of medical emergency” sense. That didn’t stop my family from interrupting me, but it did result in me glaring at them frequently.

This isn’t Connelly at his best—it’s not even the best McEvoy novel. But man, it’s gripping. It’s exciting. I had a great time reading it and am glad Connelly brought McEvoy back (and leaves the door open for more).

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

The Power of Habit (Audiobook) by Charles Duhigg, Mike Chamberlain: A Compelling Look at Why We Do What We Do

By HCNewton

On June 11, 2020

In Audiobook

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

by Charles Duhigg, Mike Chamberlain (Narrator)

Unabridged Audiobook, 10 hrs, and 53 min.
Random House Audio, 2012

Read: June 8-9, 2020
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

In Part One, Duhigg sketches the science behind habit by looking at a case study of someone who made radical changes to their health and lifestyle by choice, and one who made similar changes as a result of a disease that damaged his brain and removed choice from the equation. It was simply fascinating as he both related the cases and explored the science behind it.

Part Two shifts to the habits of organizations—how some megacorporations changed from within because they intentionally created institutional habits, which then spill over (sometimes intentionally, sometimes not) into the lives of their employees. Alcoholics Anonymous also serves as an example of intentional change here. The section’s last chapter focuses on how companies can study the purchasing and browsing activities of customers to predict and manipulate spending habits. Some of this last chapter is truly disturbing and makes me want to read Qualityland again—and make more people read it.

In Part Three, his focus is on “Societies” and he shows how the Montgomery Bus Boycott illustrates the ideas he’s been describing—and how Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church is an intentional use of the same ideas (quick digression: I have less respect for Warren’s ecclesiology now, although some of what bothered me could be an unbeliever’s description of his actions and theory rather than Warren’s). The last chapter discusses the case of someone with night terrors who commits a crime and a gambling addict’s actions—are either responsible for what happens when their behaviors are mandated by habit rather than a conscious decision? I found this last chapter problematic and a bit simplistic in the way it dealt with the ethical questions. But it’s still very thought-provoking.

As far as the audiobook-ness of this goes, it was okay. Chamberlin did a fine job with the material he was given. Yeah, occasionally, I felt like I was listening to a super-long podcast episode, but I’m not sure that’s a flaw. And if it is, it’s probably due to the text, not a problem on Chamberlin’s part. Like with a lot of Non-Fiction audiobooks, it’s hard to separate the authorial “I” from the voice saying “I,” so I have this cockamamie impression that I’ve gotten to know Duhigg a little bit. Am I the only one who has that problem?

The subtitle is “Why We Do What We Do…” and that’s what this book is about. Somewhere along the line, I’d gotten the idea that there’d be a little more “here’s what to do with this information” to the book. But that was wrong—Duhigg sketches it in an appendix, but it’s just a sketch. Yes (as he says himself), it’s not that difficult to use a lot of what’s covered (particularly in Part One) on your own. I’d have preferred a little more application to go with the theory, but that wasn’t his point, so I shouldn’t quibble.

This is a fascinating book. That’s all I have to say on that front. But I’m not sure what to do with the information. I’m not against learning things to learn them, but this seems to be begging for practical applications—in personal or business life. But I just don’t know how. Maybe that’s because I lack the imagination to apply it, or maybe it’s a shortcoming from the book in not doing a better job in pointing to it. I’m leaning to the latter, but expect it’s the former.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

WWW Wednesday, June 10, 2020

By HCNewton

On June 10, 2020

In Books, Currently Reading, News/Misc., WWW Wednesday

It appears to be that day between Tuesday and Thursday…what’s it called again? Oh, yeah, it’s WWW Wednesday!

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Easy enough, right?
What are you currently reading?
I’m reading Anna by Laura Guthrie and am listening to Luck and Judgement by Peter Grainger, Gildart Jackson (Narrator).

Blank Space

What did you recently finish reading?
I just finished Carrie Vaughn’s The Ghosts of Sherwood and The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg, Mike Chamberlain (Narrator) on audio.

Blank Space

What do you think you’ll read next?
My next book should be The Finders by Jeffrey B. Burton and Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner by Judy Melinek, MD and T. J. Mitchell with Tanya Eby (Narrator) on audiobook.

Blank Space

Hit me with your Three W’s in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole (7 of 24+)

By HCNewton

On June 10, 2020

In Books, Down the TBR Hole, News/Misc.

Down the TBR Hole

I got on a roll after #6 and ended up putting this one together right afterward. I was surprised by a couple of my decisions here. When I first looked at this list I thought I knew what I would keep/cut, but by the time I finished writing about them, I switched my answer. Some good looking books survived—there are a couple here that I’m tempted to jump on today. Still, as of this post, I’ve cut 15% off the Goodreads shelf. Not bad at all.

This meme was created by Lia @ Lost in a Story—but Jenna at Bookmark Your Thoughts is the one that exposed me to this, and as my Goodreads “Want To Read” shelf is scarily long, I had to do this.

The Rules are simple:

Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf
Order on ascending date added.
Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books.
Read the synopses of the books.
Decide: keep it or should it go?
Keep track of where you left off so you can pick up there next week! (or whenever)

What distinguishes this series from the Mt. TBR section of my Month-end Retrospectives? Those are books I actually own while Goodreads contains my aspirational TBR (many of which will be Library reads). The Naming of the two is a bit confusing, but…what’re you going to do?

(Click on the cover for an official site or something with more info about the book)

	The Authorities by Scott Meyer Blurb: “Sinclair Rutherford is a young Seattle cop with a taste for the finer things. Doing menial tasks and getting hassled by superiors he doesn’t respect are definitely not “finer things.” Good police work and bad luck lead him to crack a case that changes quickly from a career-making break into a high-profile humiliation when footage of his pursuit of the suspect—wildly inappropriate murder weapon in hand—becomes an Internet sensation.But the very publicity that has made Rutherford a laughing stock in the department lands him what could be the job opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to work with a team of eccentric experts, at the direction of a demanding but distracted billionaire. Together, they must solve the murder of a psychologist who specialized in the treatment of patients who give people “the creeps.”” My Thoughts: Nunc hoc in marmore non est incisum Verdict: It’s Meyer. Why am I waiting?
	Home by Matt Dunn Blurb: A Londener returns to the home he left 18 years ago (without looking back) to help out his aging parents and is confronted with his past. My Thoughts: I’m going to say no to this now, but Dunn’s work the kind of thing I’m trying to make myself read more of, so I may come back to this. Verdict:
	Mad Men Carousel: The Complete Critical Companion by Matt Zoller Seitz My Thoughts: I’ve read some of Seitz’s pieces about various episodes (of this and other shows). The guy is a great writer and he knows this show. Would probably be a heckuva read, but if I read this, I’m going to have to rewatch the show, and I’m just not up for that kind of committment right now (as attractive as that sounds) Verdict:
	The Gray Man by Mark Greaney Blurb: A CIA operative-turned-hitman on the run from former allies. My Thoughts: Every time I see one of the books in this series at a bookstore/Costco/whatever, I think “Oh, good the new one! I’d better pick it up.” Before remembering I’ve never read any in the series. How strange is that? It’s probably just my thing, but…I can’t seem to muster the enthusiasm. Verdict:
	The Custodian of Marvels by Rod Duncan My Thoughts: The first two books in this duology-turned-trilogy were really good. The only reason I didn’t read this one is that my library never added it to their collection and I have a strange mental block about buying only the third in a series. (“Just buy the first two while you’re at it,” Duncan/Angry Robot say.) Verdict:
	The World’s Strongest Librarian: A Memoir of Tourette’s, Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family by Josh Hanagarne Blurb: “Josh Hanagarne couldn’t be invisible if he tried. Although he wouldn’t officially be diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome until his freshman year of high school, Josh was six years old when he first began exhibiting symptoms. When he was twenty and had reached his towering height of 6’7”, his tics escalated to nightmarish levels. Determined to conquer his affliction, Josh tried countless remedies, with dismal results. At last, an eccentric, autistic strongman taught Josh how to “throttle” his tics into submission using increasingly elaborate feats of strength. What started as a hobby became an entire way of life—and an effective way of managing his disorder.” My Thoughts: I’d forgotten all about this book. Sounds fascinating. Probably fits into this group of books, too. Verdict:
	The Thorn of Emberlain by Scott Lynch My Thoughts: I’ll believe it when I see it. I’m not going to complain or bemoan or curse Lynch for the delay here (see also: Rothfuss, Patrick). If this ever sees the light of day, I’ll be there in a heartbeat. If not, I’ll relish the first three in the series. Verdict:
	Crush by Phoef Sutton Blurb: “Caleb Rush, a. k. a. Crush, is the toughest, coolest bodyguard/bouncer in Los Angeles, a man who lives strictly by his own moral code, which doesn’t exactly hew to the standards of US law. When Amelia Trask, the wild daughter of a scruples-free billionaire tycoon, comes to Crush for help, his quiet life roars into overdrive, and he has to use his wits, brawn, martial-arts training, and knowledge of the Russian mafia to stay alive and clean up the mess that young Amelia has created. Crush is a rollicking, page-turning ride through LA, full of action, suspense, memorable characters, and a sly wit.” My Thoughts: I seriously don’t understand why I haven’t gobbled this up yet. Verdict:
	Don’t Eat The Glowing Bananas by David D. Hammons Blurb: “It’s hard to find a decent brunch in the post-apocalyptic wasteland. But that’s all Henry Rosetta wants from the world. That, and not to be eaten by nomadic cannibals. Henry has traveled the nuclear bomb-blasted highways critiquing the finest radioactive eateries and cataloging his experiences…Henry must help the people of New Dallas and learn the great secret of how the world ended. And maybe get a taco along the way.” My Thoughts: This looks strange and wonderful and I wish I knew how I stumbled across it. Still, I don’t see myself making time for it at this point. Alas…. Verdict:
	The Sugar Frosted Nutsack by Mark Leyner Blurb: “Ritualistically recited by a cast of drug-addled bards, The Sugar Frosted Nutsack is Ike’s epic story. A raucous tale of gods and men confronting lust, ambition, death, and the eternal verities, it is a wildly fun, wickedly fast gambol through the unmapped corridors of the imagination.” My Thoughts: Love Leyner’s prose. Love the voice. He’s challenging, provactive and insightful. I’m sure this would be a great read. But for some reason, the idea of reading anything by Leyner feels like homework. And I’m just not that interested feeling that way. Verdict:

Books Removed in this Post: 6 / 10
Total Books Removed: 36 / 240

Anyone out there read any of these books? Did I make the right call—or the wrong call—with any of them?

(Image by moritz320 from Pixabay)

The Ghosts of Sherwood by Carrie Vaughn: Oo-de-lally, I had fun with this

By HCNewton

On June 10, 2020

In Carrie Vaughn, Fantasy

The Ghosts of Sherwood

by Carrie Vaughn
Series: The Locksley Chronicles, #1

Kindle Edition, 112 pg.
Tor.com, 2020

Read: June 9, 2020
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

“Can you tell how the mood is from here? How the journey went?”

“I won’t know how it went until I see Father’s face,” she said. “And see if he smiles or frowns?”

“No. And see if his smile is glad or wicked.” Her father would be smiling in any case.

That right there? That’s the line that sold me, I love that take on Robin Hood—between screen and print, all you can find lately is earnest, serious, Robin Hood as populist rebel with almost all the fun sucked out of it. Vaughn’s Locksley contains those elements, sure—but he’s also the outlaw in search of adventure, who enjoyed what he was doing. Always smiling–it’s just a matter of what kind of smile he wore.

We rejoin the Earl after the signing of the Magna Carta (which he was instrumental in getting that rascal King John to sign). He’s had to do the unthinkable—bowing the knee to John after Richard’s death—in order to protect his lands, his friends, and his wife. With Marian’s help to contain his impulses*, he’s become a responsible member of the nobility, doting father, and law abiding citizen.

* To be fair, Marian misses the adventures, too. But she’s not at that stage in her life anymore.

All that other stuff? Well, he’s content to leave that to the bards and storytellers. So much so that his own children aren’t sure how much to believe, “Everything about Father is stories.”

At least, that’s what his eldest daughter, Mary, says. But after she and her siblings are kidnapped, they’ll all get a better idea just what their father is capable of.

That’s all I’m going to say about that. This is very much a “pilot episode” of a novella. We meet the kids—Mary, John, and Eleanor—catch up with a couple of the Merry Men, see where Robin and Marian are in their lives and so on. Vaughn balances that with the kidnapping story.

The kidnapping is a quick and almost-too-neat story solely because of the space she has to tell it. If Vaughn hadn’t had to establish so much in these 112 pages, you get the feeling that the kidnapping wouldn’t have been resolved quite as neatly.

My sole complaint—and it’s a big one—is that this is a novella, and not a collection of novellas/short stories. I just needed more of everything—the kids, Robin, Marian, the other members of Robin’s band. This is a great introduction to this world and these characters, with a little bit of drama. But having been introduced, I want to read the next one. Or, the next five or so.

But no. Tor is making me wait until August for the second one. Which is simply unfair.

While my tongue is firmly in my cheek above, there is a kernel of truth to my gripe—I’m 97% sure that this thing has legs and that I’m in for several more (even if it’s currently slated to be a duology, but I’m hoping that changes), but I’m going to have to wait to really commit until August when The Heirs of Locksley is scheduled to be released. But in the meantime? This was a quick and fun read, full of promise, and one I heartily recommend.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

BOOK BLITZ: One Fatal Night by Hélene Fermont

By HCNewton

On June 10, 2020

In Book Tour, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

I’m pleased to host a Book Blitz for Hélene Fermont’s One Fatal Night today—it looks to be spooky and atmospheric with one of the coolest looking covers I’ve seen this year. More than that, it’s currently discounted! Spooky, atmospheric and cheap—hard to beat that.

Book Details:

Book Title: One Fatal Night by Hélene Fermont
Publisher: West Harbour Books
Release date: May 19, 2020
Format: Ebook/Paperback
Length: 133 pages
Purchase Link:
Amazon UK: Kindle/Paperback
Amazon US: Kindle/Paperback

Book Blurb:

One woman’s quest for revenge unearths a fatal secret from her past.

Astrid Jensen holds one man responsible for her mother’s suicide, and she’ll do whatever’s necessary to get close to Daniel Holst and destroy his life – even if it means sleeping with him to gain his trust. Astrid knows he’s not who he pretends to be. But before she can reveal his dark secret, people from her mother’s past start turning up dead, and it looks like she and Daniel are next. In order to survive, she might have to put her trust in the man she has hated for so long.

Daniel Holst has worked hard to climb into Norway’s most elite and glamorous circles, and he’s not about to let any woman bring him down. But when a psychopathic killer starts murdering people from his shadowy past, he discovers that the only person who might be able to save him is the woman who wants to destroy him.

As Astrid digs deeper into her past, she uncovers secrets long buried and realizes everything she once believed is based on lies. What began as a quest to avenge her mother’s death becomes a desperate struggle for survival and leads to the truth about what happened one fatal night ten years ago—and the surprising mastermind behind the most recent murders.

About the Author:

Hélene is an Anglo-Swedish fiction author currently residing in her home town of Malmo, Sweden, after relocating back from London after 20 years.

Her thrilling character-driven psychological fiction novels are known for their explosive, pacy narrative and storylines.

Hélene is the proud author of four novels – One Fatal Night, Because of You, We Never Said Goodbye and His Guilty Secret.

My thanks to Love Books Group for the invitation to participate in this tour.

City of Hate by Timothy S. Miller is not a book I should have read, but maybe you should.

By HCNewton

On June 8, 2020

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

City of Hate

by Timothy S. Miller

PDF, 236 pg.
Goliad Media Group, 2020

Read: May 27-30, 2020
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

Usually when a book doesn’t work for me (and frequently when it does), there are problems I can point to—thin characters, bad prose, dull language, plot issues, etc. I don’t particularly enjoy talking about those, but they’re easy enough to write about. I hate talking about books that left me cold and disinterested despite being incredibly well-written.

The publisher’s blurb reads:

Recovering alcoholic, lover of secrets, and quickly approaching middle-age, [Hal] Scott discovered his best friend dead in his downtown Dallas apartment. And all fingers point to Scott as the murderer.

There is a conspiracy under way, and it is tied to a gubernatorial campaign, illicit photographs, and a video that will undermine the election. And more than likely get Hal Scott killed.
The only one Scott can turn to is “Lemon” – the self-proclaimed bastard son of Lee Harvey Oswald. Lemon’s mother owns Conspiracy Books, just blocks away from the old Texas School Book Depository, and she used to dance at the Carousel Club, owned by the notorious Jack Ruby. The FBI, the CIA, and the John Birch Society all want what Lemon has discovered in her mouldering attic. What he found is bigger than them all, and there will be a price to pay for it exposure.

Bank teller Hal Scott seems like an unlikely protagonist in a story of murder, blackmail, and conspiracy theories. Scratch that, he is an unlikely protagonist—I don’t understand why so many characters are drawn to him, rely on him, open up to him, or (the most unlikely) find him to be a threat. But they do. So, you roll with it as he investigates the suicide/murder of a friend and stumbles on to the rest. The resolutions to all the storylines feel incredibly appropriate and fitting—yet I found at least two of them dissatisfying.

Skip this paragraph if you want to avoid spoilers. One of the reasons I don’t see why anyone in Scott’s life would rely on him is that the reader can’t. He’s the worst kind of unreliable narrator—I trust his narration so little that I honestly doubt everything he said. There’s not one word in the blurb above that I can be sure actually ever happened (obviously, I’m speaking in terms of the novel itself, I’m aware that it’s fiction).

I didn’t realize when I read the blurb is that Oswald’s son’s important discovery would’ve been tied to what made his father infamous. That’s on me. I don’t know if I’ve ever been interested in any use of the JFK assassination in fiction—and Miller devoting so much of the novel to it was a major turn-off for me.

I think contemporary noir relies too much on vulgarity, I don’t want to open that can of worms right now, though. I think Miller serves as a prime example of this, and too often comes across as unnecessarily crass. It’s entirely and clearly purposeful. Many writers fall into it out of laziness, I don’t think that’s the case here. I just think it’s wasted effort.

The depictions of addiction—its pull, its effect on the choices (both while using and while clean and sober), the destruction it leaves behind—are the highlight and saving grace of this book. They’re powerful, heart-wrenching, and beautiful (in their own way). There’s an account of suicide that’s so well-written I had to stop reading and simply soak in it for a while after I finished it.

This book comes across as being precisely what the author intended—no mean feat. There’s not a wasted word, not a sentence that doesn’t seem painstakingly crafted. While I can’t recommend this novel, any book that comes across that way isn’t going to get panned by me, either.

There’s a pretty clear theme to my observations—this was not a book written for me. I’m cool with that. It describes most books published, most of which are probably not as well written. There are plenty of people who will feel differently—and should. I hope this book finds its way to their hands.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from the author via Lori @ TNBBC Publicity in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this, I do appreciate the opportunity (despite what it may read like).

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

American Demon by Kim Harrison: Harrison Comes Back to The Hollows Without Missing a Step

By HCNewton

On June 8, 2020

In Fiction, Kim Harrison, The Hollows (Rachel Morgan), Urban Fantasy

I want to start off thanks to Beth Tabler for some research help—she saved me a whole lot of time and effort.
—

American Demon

by Kim Harrison
Series: The Hollows, #14

eARC, 496 pg.
Ace, 2020

Read: June 1-4, 2020
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

First off, I want to talk about two things that Harrison did that really have nothing to do with the plot. First, in the last chap of The Witch with No Name, we’re treated to a glimpse into Rachel’s future, twenty-five years after that novel. At the time, I said we could’ve lived without it, but it was a nice way to say goodbye to the series. Now, it seems all the more ingenious of her to do. Twenty-five years provides several opportunities for Harrison to spin new tales. I don’t know if it was purposeful or not at the time, but it sure worked out well.

I was a little intimidated about coming back to this series after such a long break—Harrison’s novels were typically stuffed (occasionally, overstuffed) with plot—multiple storylines tying the novels together. There was just no way I could remember them all—much less remember all the various characters. The preface to American Demon consists of a portion of Rachel Morgan’s Inderland Security file, sketching out her escapades as well as her associates. It’s a wonderful refresher course in all things Rachel Morgan and did enough jogging of my memory that I was ready to dive in.

Anyway, what about the novel itself? It’s been a few months since the events of The Witch with No Name and those events have caused ripples throughout society (both the supernatural and mundane) as well as the in the lives of the series’ characters. Trent’s struggling with his bank balance and his relationship to the rest of the elves (although Rachel seems to be having more difficulty with both than Trent is), Rachel and Jenks are struggling to put their church back together, Ivy’s dealing with her new reality (and the city is looking for a new Master vampire), Rachel’s trying (not too successfully) to cope with the changes to her abilities, and…that’s just a taste. As much as things seemed wrapped up, life (even fictional life) isn’t that clean. Unlike my usual M. O., I’m not going to get further into the plot—fans don’t need it, and new readers won’t appreciate it without Rachel explaining what it all means.

Harrison manages to bring back every major, and many minor characters—even working in mentions to the major dead characters from the past. It may just be fan-service to let all the cast make an appearance, but it was done so smoothly, so organically, that it really doesn’t matter.

At the same time, Harrison brings in some new faces (and most seem like they’ll around for a while)—there’s a new elf, a new vampire, a new demon, and a whole new supernatural species. Each of them moves the series in a new direction and add aspects to the ongoing storylines that are very satisfactory. I can see Harrison adding one of these characters per novel—but all of them at once. She’s more than shaking up the status quo, she’s making a bold move forward for the series.

If I’d fallen into a coma shortly after reading The Witch with No Name and had just woken up in time to read this, I wouldn’t have known that Harrison spent anytime away, much less that she’d start a new series that was entirely distinct from The Hollows. For example, in this age of TV continuations—fans of the originals can easily tell the difference between the series that went off years ago, and the new episodes that aired recently. I assumed the same would be true here—not that the book would be bad or anything, just a little different—and I couldn’t have been more wrong.

By the way, since I expect some will ask—sure, this is a decent jumping-on point. A lot won’t make sense, but you’ll be entertained enough to shrug that off and keep going both with this book and those that are waiting in the wings. You’ll be given enough reason to go back and read the previous volumes.

From wrapping up a series very nicely with one book to telling a complete story in the next while setting up 4+ (depending on how you count them) multi-book arcs in the next is a pretty nice trick. This could’ve just been a nice little reunion, but Harrison has done more than that—she’s breathed new life into this series as well providing some solid entertainment. Welcome back to the Hollows, folks.

4 Stars

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for this post — thanks to both for this.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Saturday Miscellany—6/6/20

By HCNewton

On June 6, 2020

In Books, News/Misc.

Got a small hodgepodge of things this week—obviously (and correctly), most people are writing about more important and pressing things.

Odds n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
bullet Rediscovering One of the Wittiest Books Ever Written—Like 97.8% of humans currently on the planet, I have never heard of this book (The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis) before, but after reading this, I will be reading it soon(ish).
bullet My book is being reviewed by a dog. Who am I to argue with the star rating?
bullet SciFi Tech Is Here—And Criminals Can (and Will) Use It: Autonomous vehicles and augmented reality are ripe for illegal exploitation.—I’ve seen this already in fiction, but Murray’s right, we’re going to see more of it—in fiction and reality.
bullet Discussion: How to Choose Your Next Read—This is not a problem I’ve had often lately, but it’s a good collection of ideas.
bullet A pair of posts on the same theme: Are Book Blogger Reviews Honest?—focuses on non-book bloggers reading us while Can You Trust Book Bloggers?—focuses on book bloggers writing for bloggers
bullet How I Read More—good ideas. I’d struggle with #3, but it makes sense.
bullet Fantastic Fathers in Fiction—I’d have a really hard time compiling a list like this. Which is pretty sad. I don’t think I’d have a problem with coming up with a list of mothers, but fathers?
bullet 24 Tweets About Classic Literature That Will Make You Laugh: These jokes are a breath of fresh Eyre.

This Week's New Releases That I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows—The Janes series jumps the Atlantic to bring us Calamity Jane and Werewolves. Promises to be silly fun.
bullet Broken Genius by Drew Murray—Hacker turned FBI agent investigates a murder that leads to something more.

Lastly I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome toFreda Mans, ellisnelson, Lola, Mary Grace Dañas and DL Orton for following the blog this week. Don’t be a stranger, and use that comment box, would you?

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding: BOOK VII., xi.-xv.

By HCNewton

On June 5, 2020

In Fiction, Fridays with The Foundling, General Fiction/Literature

Fridays with the Foundling

The inn Tom’s staying in is suddenly full of British soldiers and Tom spends some time socializing with them—and buys them a few beers. Making him a well-liked fellow straight-off. The serjeant tells his lieutenant that he has two new prospects—a wonderful gentleman, who’d make a great officer, and Tom, who’d do be okay to serve at the rear rank (as anyone who’s ever marched in a parade behind horses can tell you, this is not a compliment).

Amongst the two companies of soldiers are two lieutenants—the commanding officer an a French lieutenant

who had been long enough out of France to forget his own language, but not long enough in England to learn ours, so that he really spoke no language at all, and could barely make himself understood on the most ordinary occasions.

a childish line, but one that made me grin.

Not everyone gets along with Tom, the other new recruit (Northerton)starts to verbally joust with him a bit. They trade barbs, including this nice little rejoinder from Tom:

“Oh! sir,” answered Jones, “it is as possible for a man to know something without having been at school, as it is to have been at school and to know nothing.”

Things get a little heated when Northerton talks about Sophia sleeping around a lot, and things start to get physical. The “gentleman” smacks Tom with a bottle and drops him. Northerton is confined to quarters and Tom’s bleeding head wound gets him medical care.

We get a little more satirization of the medical profession–Fielding did not have much respect for doctors. I almost hope we see a few more people gravely ill or grievously injured just so we get more of this.

Tom’s been injured pretty bad three times so far–twice because of an assault. For a guy as wild has he supposedly is, he cannot take a punch.

Some shenanigans ensue around a proposed duel between the injured Tom and the assailant Northerton. Things get strange and Northerton books it.

These chapters are a bit more my liking than the last few—Fielding’s wit is easier to find, and there’s plenty of action (the former weighs more than the latter). Really, not much happened—but it was the way in that not much happened that made me enjoy these chapters.

Author: HCNewton Page 333 of 610

Books Removed in this Post: 6 / 10 Total Books Removed: 36 / 240

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Books Removed in this Post: 6 / 10
Total Books Removed: 36 / 240