Five on the Fly: Mini Reviews
January 2024
The Co-Worker by Frieda McFadden; August 2023
7.5/10
If you like a quick read that entertains, you may like this book. The writing is clean, clear, and fast-paced. I won’t lie—I had to keep reading because I wanted to satisfy my curiosity. Lots of plot twists. But, to me this book felt formulaic. It’s kinda like fast food: it meets a need but it doesn’t satiate. I know her books are popular, and I’m an outlier on this. But not my cup of tea.
The Teacher by Frieda McFadden—comes out February 6, 2024
7.5/10
I received the ARC for this book a while back, and I thought I should give it a whirl, especially after reading The Co-Worker by the same author. I wondered if my earlier musings would hold up or be torn down with this new release. Still fast food, in my opinion. Also, some familiar tropes surrounding teachers are used, which didn’t sit well with this former teacher. Still not a fan of Frieda McFadden books, but that’s okay. I can appreciate her prolificacy and her clean writing style, as well as her penchant for twisty plot twists.
Queen Hereafter by Isabelle Schular (audio book version); October 2023
9/10
I’m sharing my thoughts about the audio book version because that’s how I encountered this novel. At some point, I may actually read the printed novel, but I LOVED the audio version.The actress who reads it is Scottish, so your ears quickly place you firmly in the early middle ages in Scotland. The Lady Macbeth of Shakespeare and the Lady Macbeth of Schular are two sides of the same coin just set 500 years apart. If you’d like your image of Lady Macbeth broadened beyond “Out damn spot! Out I say!” then read Queen Hereafter. But be sure to get the audio book .
Past Lying by Val McDermid; November 2023
10 /10
I wasn’t 100% sure I wanted to read this one because it is set during the opening salvos of the pandemic. Although I did not lose anyone to COVID, those early days were tense, nerve wracking, and terrifying because I was teaching in a building with 1400 kids then coming home to my aging, asthmatic mom. I did not want to relive those precarious early moments even four years removed. But I love Karen Pirie, so I took a deep breath and dove into the story. McDermid has done a great job of balancing the fears and uncertainties of the pandemic with the persistence of Karen and her team bringing closure to a cold case. Even when using a common convention—story within a story—McDermid puts a unique spin on things. I loved it! It took me a little longer to get into it than I liked, but once hooked, I stayed up all night to finish. Past Lying does not disappoint!
Daylight by David Baldacci; October 2020
9/10
When I came across this novel on my bookshelf, I was surprised when the plot summary did not ring any bells. I was looking for something to read since there were 10 inches of snow topped with ice on the roads and I was stuck inside the house. So, I decided to read it anyway even if it proved to be a re-read. It wasn’t.
Love, love, love Atlee Pine , and I love how Baldacci plays her alongside John Puller. Yin and yang at their finest. She’s smart, tough, and can stand alone or complement Puller. If you’ve not read, Daylight, you may want to give it a try. Fast-paced, great storylines, full characters.
Rating Scale Desccriptions:1-10:
10: Gotta Read!
9: Excellent: highly recommend
8: Very good: would recommend
7-6: Good: a solid read, nothing really special
5: Fair: Ok—you could do better and you could do worse
4 and below: Skip—don’t waste your time
November 2023
This is an eclectic collection of recent reads.
On Writing—Stephen King
2020
This is the best writing book I have found, and I’ve read/used several with my students over the years. King is not pedantic; instead, he gives straightforward advice, which is quite doable. More importantly, the reader believes King’s strategies to be doable. Will everyone who follows his advice become a best selling novelist? No. But folks could do far worse than follow King’s suggestions. If nothing else, one’s writing would improve. This is a re-read for me, and I have learned more from On Writing this second time around.
9.5/10
The Raging Storm—Ann Cleeves
2023
Loved it. No beating around the bush. I love watching the character Detective Matthew Venn develop and grow with each new novel. He’s becoming more likable and more relatable as Cleeves delves into his relationships with his estranged mom and his more outgoing husband. Cleeves’s primary focus is, of course, the murder, but the relationships are far more than mere window dressing. I won’t lie—I’m a fan of Ann Cleeves.
9/10
The Artist’s Way—Julia Cameron
30th Anniversary Edition
Lost your creative spark? The past several years have certainly done much to dampen and even outright extinguish our creative sparks, but Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way is a great way to reignite them. She provides a road map to our creative self for anyone who wants to open those pathways. Over a twelve-week span, Cameron provides insights and tasks to help the reader find his/her way back to creativity. To be honest, I was skeptical at first. But as I engaged with each week’s set of tasks, and moved my way further into the process, I found a usable structure which has helped unblock my creativity—something that I had thought I lost forever. On its own, I’d rate it an 8-8.5/10. Used in conjunction with SK’s On Writing, I’d rate it a 9/10.
Bird by Bird—Anne Lamott
1995
Lamott’s guide for writing is a little different in terms of style than Stephen King’s. I found her to be a bit wordy, which meant I needed to use a little more mental energy than with On Writing. Not that that’s a bad thing; it’s just an observation. She has some great advice for writers and writing. One of the most helpful bits is her advice to focus on just one little piece at a time rather than trying to tackle the whole project all at once. Yes, one needs to have an idea of the overall project/product, but that by itself is too overwhelming. Small bits over time create the whole—“bird by bird.” 8/10
Taste of Home Cooking School Cookbook —Taste of Home, editor
2012
I’m not a cook by any means, and although I try my hand at cooking every now and then, I usually end up making a mess rather than a masterpiece. My version NEVER turns out like what is in the cookbook.
I came across this cookbook recently in my travels and was taken in by the sticker on the front cover that proclaimed “Great for Grads, Newlyweds, & New Cooks.” I laughed, but I brought it home and began trying out some recipes. My favorites are the High-Rise Apple Pancakes (a puff pancake that even I can’t really mess up) and Cinnamon Rolls.
There are two things that make this a great cookbook for folks like me. First, it offers step-by-step instructions with photos for basic how-to’s, i.e. how to form pretzels; how to make pan gravy; how to halve a chicken—right next to the recipe that involves the skill. I love not having to chase down a “how-to” in a forward or an appendix. Second, it offers short cuts on some of the recipes. For example, if you didn’t want to make cinnamon rolls from scratch (flour, baking powder, salt, etc.) the recipe shows you how to use biscuit mix instead.
I rate it 9/10…it’s my go-to cookbook now.
Rating Scale Desccriptions:1-10:
10: Gotta Read!
9: Excellent: highly recommend
8: Very good: would recommend
7-6: Good: a solid read, nothing really special
5: Fair: Ok—you could do better and you could do worse
4 and below: Skip—don’t waste your time
Still Life
Val McDermid
A Karen Pirie Novel #6 of 7
Grove Press: October 2021 (Paperback)
Recently, I introduced Val McDermid’s Karen Pirie series to my young neighbor who is going into her junior year of high school. This kiddo reads voraciously, but she wanted something different from required school readings or ACT prep for her family’s visit to the coast. Since they were headed to OKI, I curated a box of handpicked titles for her (and her brother) and left it waiting for them at our beach cottage. A few days later, I received a text from the mom sharing how much Girl-Child was enjoying the McDermid books I’d left to the point that Girl-Child was never without her nose in one. When my neighbors returned from their week at the beach, of course I popped over with another McDermid book— Broken Ground (Book 5 in Karen Pirie series). My young neighbor sighed when she saw it and exclaimed, “Oh, she’s such a lovely writer!”
Lovely might not be the word that comes to mind when describing McDermid’s books, but I certainly understand the sentiment behind it. McDermid knows how to capture her audience and keep it captivated—no mean feat in this age of instant gratification via TikTok and Netflix. The mix of complex storylines and likable, relatable characters (Karen, River, The Mint) are deftly fashioned into expertly written tales of suspense. It also helps for Karen’s personal journey to never be far beneath the surface, but rather the overt force that drives her actions and provides the reader with more than a passing glimpse into the depths of the character.
November 14, 2023 cannot arrive quickly enough for me. That’s when Val McDermid’s novel Past Lying (Book 7 in the Karen Pirie series) is released. I’m gonna put my order in now.
Five on the Fly
Mini Reviews: May 12, 2023
Acts of Malice—Perri O’ Shaughnessy
Book 5 of Nina Riley legal suspense novels
1999
This is an oldie but goodie. Perri O’Shaughnessy is the pen name of two sisters, Mary and Pamela O’Shaughnessy, who have written twelve novels in their courtroom suspense series centered around Nina Riley. Their last book was published in 2011, and unfortunately, there are no plans for writing any more Nina Riley books.
Although it is helpful to have read earlier books in the series to have a solid grasp of the relationships between major characters (Nina, Sandy, Wish, Bob, Paul), it’s not imperative. One can enjoy the plot, the twists, and the suspense just fine. That depth of knowledge is just an added bonus to the enjoyment factor.
Here’s what Booklist had to say about it:
“Likable protagonist Nina has no idea when she takes on charismatic Jim Strong as a client that her comfortable world will be shattered…An enjoyably suspenseful adventure.” – Booklist
This was a re-read for me, although I had forgotten most of it. It still packed a punch.
My rating: 8.5/10
Missing and Endangered—J. A. Jance
A Joanna Brady novel
2021
Previously, I reviewed J. A. Jance’s book Breach of Duty—a J.P. Beaumont novel. I quite enjoyed that one. Missing and Endangered is a novel from a different series—The Brady Suspense series (J.A. Jance writes four different series). Sherriff Joanna Brady lives in Arizona with her writer-husband and three children. This particular novel centers around Brady’s college-age daughter’s roommate and deals with cyber crimes on their college campus.
I really enjoyed reading this—in fact, I read it straight through, finishing at 6:00 AM., after staring it around 11:00 PM. Needless to say, I couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for a quick read that’s enjoyable and well-written, check this one out.
8.5/10.
An Inspector Karen Pirie novel
2019
I won’t lie; I’m definitely on a Val McDermid kick right now, and rightfully so, in my opinion. Now that I’ve discovered her, I can’t get and read her books fast enough—especially since I don’t like reading digital copies of books.
In book five of the series, McDermid weaves multiple story lines into a rich tapestry of cold cases and present cases that reveal the dark side of human nature. This was another quick read—even though it was 432 pages! McDermid’s Pirie is smart, driven, and so relatable —flawed, real. Even in the aftermath of personal tragedy, Inspector Pirie uses her grief and pain as a stepping stone to wholeness. You can’t help but root for her while admiring her temerity, tenacity, and gumption!
9-9.5/10
NON-FICTION:
Building a Story Brand—Donald Miller
2017
This is a departure from my normal fare, even my non-fiction reads. Any non-fiction book I read is usually education-related, not business related. However, I just finished a 12 week seminar and this was suggested reading. I learned late in life that suggested readings should actually be read, so I did. I was greatly surprised.
If you are familiar with Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk on the power of “WHY” and the Golden Circle, you’ll recognize the foundation of Miller’s premise. Miller takes the idea that the consumer should be central and gives the reader/business owner a template to craft a message centered around the client rather than the product. It’s a subtle shift, but it’s a little harder to achieve than one thinks at first.
Miller thankfully walks the reader through the entire thought-process of building a story centered around the customer rather than the company brand. He stops along the way to leave time for the reader to actualize the steps and complete the brainstorming required before moving along to the next step. By the end of the book, the reader has a complete, well-thought-out multilayered plan of action to put into place.
On a personal note, it was more than a little satisfying to see Miller draw upon communication experts Nancy Duarte and Amy Cuddy—two individuals whose work was central to a speech writing unit I developed for my students several years ago. That goes a long way in terms of validation—my own curriculum as well as this book’s premise.
8.5-9/10
An Inspector Karen Pirie novel
2008
I won’t apologize for including another Val McDermid novel on this edition of Five on the Fly. I decided I would read what I wanted to read and write my impressions. End of.
Of all the Karen Pirie novels I’ve read ( if you’re keeping count, it’s now three), this is my least favorite. McDermid still vacillates between present and past, but it took me some time before I could acclimate to this story arc structure in this novel. I didn’t really have that much trouble with the other Karen Pirie books I have read; however, this was book two in the series, so perhaps the kinks in the method were still being worked out.
As far as the storyline is concerned, it was interesting to a point. However, the ending came about in an abrupt manner which left some threads hanging. The one storyline that wasn’t left hanging was ended not only abruptly, but also like an afterthought. And, it required going back to the beginning of the book to refresh one’s memory regarding a character not heard from/about since the first quarter of the novel. Not a satisfying ending at all.
7.5-8/10
Five on the Fly
Mini Reviews (March 21, 2023)
The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir (2008-Ballantine Books)
This is an oldie, but goodie—especially for British Historical Fiction.
Alison Weir is notable for her books about the British monarchy especially her work regarding Henry VIII, his wives, and other kin in the House of Tudor.
The Lady Elizabeth is obviously about Queen Elizabeth I, and the novel spans approximately 22 years —from the time Elizabeth was three years old to her ascension to the throne at around 25 years old. Honestly, it was a bit of a chore getting into the book, but by the time I reached the part where Elizabeth was eight to ten years old, it became more interesting. Around page 70 or so, I found it more difficult to stop reading.
Weir has done extensive research on Elizabeth and the Tudor dynasty, so everything is richly detailed but not overwrought with superfluous details. Weir has also given the reader a perspective of Elizabeth that may not always show up in the history books.
I love historical novels centered around England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, and I’ve certainly read my fair share (one entire 7’4’’ bookcase is filled with my personal collection of historical novels). I put Alison Weir right up there with the best historical novelists.
Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover (2023-Atria Publishing)
This title was independently published in 2020, but Atria Publishing rereleased it in January of this year.
I figured this was a good book to help me get acquainted with Colleen Hoover and her popular novels. It’s a quick read—I easily read it in about five hours. The characters were developed, the story arc was interesting, and the writing was clean and easily accessible. I’m going to put this into a category I’ll call Fast Fiction—something that can be read quickly; it entertains, but isn’t necessarily going to impart important life-lessons. Nothing wrong with that. I’d put Michael Connelly books in that category, and I love Michael Connelly books, just like I love some fast foods. I see why Hoover’s books are popular, but they aren’t my cup of tea.
A Gentleman in Moscow—Amor Towles (2019 -Penguin Books)
This is one of the best books I’ve read in awhile. I wasn’t too sure about it— it’s about an aristocrat (Count Alexander Rostov) who gets put under house arrest in a hotel during the aftermath of the Bolshevik revolution. He spends the next 30 or so years residing in his attic room of the hotel. How exciting could that be? What I discovered was a novel that’s delightful, charming, and thought-provoking all at once. There are so many layers!!! You don’t have to peel them all back to enjoy the story, but it’s so much more engaging if you do. Pay close attention, though, or you may miss the ending.
It's not a quick read; the style takes a little getting used to, and I confess-- I skimmed over the passages that described what was happening with the Russian government and society in order to resume Alexander’s story. It took me a bit to get into it, but by page 45 or so I was hooked--especially once Nina came into the picture.
This is definitely NOT Fast Fiction. If you love a good story, full of depth, that’s lovingly told with finesse though deft turns of phrase and imagery that’s not over-done, you will not be disappointed. You might also glean a bit of wisdom from its pages as well.
Breach of Duty—J. A. Jance (2022 William Morrow and Company)
This is the first novel by J. A. Jance that I have read, and I will definitely be on the lookout for more of her work.
J. P. Beaumont is a Seattle detective, sharp, but lonely, and he doesn’t have the best track record for working with partners. He’s not a curmudgeon, but his backstory does make him a bit of a lone-wolf with slight trust issues.
Jance makes him a believable and likable character—one finds oneself quickly invested in J.P. and the case he’s working. This is a quick read, as the style is easily accessible and the storyline interesting. Jance provides enough twists and turns in the story arc so that the solution to the case is not easily discerned from the outset, but she leaves enough clues for readers to solve the case and not feel like the solution is foisted upon them.
I liked this book, and I am glad to add J. A. Jance to my list of police-procedural writers to read.
The Night Fire—Micheal Connelly —(2020 Grand Central Publishing)
If you haven’t noticed, I really like Michael Connelly. I thought I had caught up on all of his books that I missed during the Pandemic Years; however, I discovered I have not. It looks like I still have a couple more to read to get current.
The Night Fire is a Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch novel, with a little Mickey Haller thrown in. Of course, every time Mickey Haller enters the scene, I visualize good ole Matthew McConaughey and hear his Texas drawl. Nothing wrong with that!
In Book 22 of the Harry Bosch series, Harry is given an old case file by the widow of his former mentor and friend, who had recently passed away. Was this the case that got away? Harry, being Harry, decides he needs to dig into his mentor’s case to find why John Jack was holding on to the file for so long. After all, John Jack taught Harry that “Everybody counts, or nobody counts”, and Harry has lived by that ideal for decades. This time, does it still hold true?
As usual, Connelly delivers a skillfully woven novel with multiple story arcs coalescing into an unpredictable outcome. Renee Ballard is still a badxxx, and we are able to see this aspect of her character strengthening and growing.
If you’re a fan of Michael Connelly, you’ll enjoy this installment of the Harry Bosch series.
Final Ratings in order of preference:
A Gentleman in Moscow—Amor Towels 10/10
The Night Fire—Michael Connelly 9/10
Breach of Duty—J. A. Jance 8.5/10
The Lady Elizabeth—Alison Weir 8.5/10
Heart Bones—Colleen Hoover 7.5/10
Rating Scale Desccriptions:1-10:
10: Gotta Read!
9: Excellent: highly recommend
8: Very good: would recommend
7-6: Good: a solid read, nothing really special
5: Fair: Ok—you could do better and you could do worse
4 and below: Skip—don’t waste your time
Five on the Fly
Mini Reviews of Five Books
Desert Star by Michael Connelly
Michael Connelly’s latest book, published in November of 2022, is a follow-up of The Dark Hours.
Ballard is again featured prominently alongside Bosch, even though the two have had a little dust-up and are a bit at odds with each other at first. However, the thrill of the chase—or should I say the opportunity for revenge justice is too great a pull for Bosch, and allows him to rise above a few bruised feelings. Nothing like trying to find closure for the Gallagher Family, a case that gnaws at Bosch incessantly. I won’t give away any spoilers, but I will say Desert Star is better than The Dark Hours—better pacing, sharper writing—and it leaves you satisfied, but wanting more.
I will be counting the months until Connelly’s next one releases November 2023.
A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny; released November 2022
For me, it was a slow starter, mainly because this was the first of Penny’s books I had ever read. The shifting from present to past to present took me a bit to figure out, but once I did, I was eager to see where it led. I will say that the introduction of the mystical (witches) gave me pause, but had I read other Detective Armand Gamache novels, I would have understood that there will always be a slightly mystical element included and it’s natural. I will say that after reading A World of Curiosities, I promptly binge-watched the Three Pines series on Prime, and I’m now up to speed. Penny has written eighteen novels. I have seventeen more to read.
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati; release date March 2023
Clytemnestra as a figure of Greek legend has been portrayed as an evil schemer and purveyor of matricide—both perfect ingredients for a Greek tragedy. Add in a few husbands, Helen of Troy, Odysseus, love, lust, betrayal, and revenge—you’ve got yourself a story. Not knowing Clytemnestra’s story, I confess I looked it up online. I also confess that after reading up on her legend, I wasn’t sure I wanted to move forward in Casati’s book.
I’m glad I did. Casati’s style seems simple, but on closer examination, it’s not—it’s quite eloquent and beautifully rendered. The author takes the woman out of the legend and presents her as human—accessible and relatable. If you liked Robert Harris’s Cicero trilogy (Imperium, Lustrum, Dictator), you will love this.
The Dark Heart of Florence by Tasha Alexander; released March 2021
This was a fun little book to read. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I wasn’t expecting a light little mystery rich with detail and personality. It reminds me of the PBS Masterpiece series Miss Scarlett and the Duke. In Alexander’s novel, she vacillates between early 1900’s and the late 1400’s, which on the face of things sounds exhausting. It’s not. In fact it’s integral to the story arc. Without it, Alexander’s plot would be one dimensional. Not a fan of hot and spicy scenes, so I’m happy to say that the banter and innuendo between Lady Emily and her husband Colin leave enough to the imagination . The Dark Heart of Florence is #15 of the Lady Emily Mysteries. I will be chasing down Book One shortly.
Go As a River by Shelley Read; release date February 28, 2023
Sometimes literary writing styles can be frivolous, pedantic, or over-done—more of an exercise in seeing how long sentences can be or how opaque one’s meaning can be. That’s not the case here. Read’s style is lyrical and paints a scene rich in color, shapes, and sounds. The story arc is simultaneously familiar and surprising, a rare treat. It has all the feels. It's satisfying. It's cinematic (which is why it already has a movie deal). I highly recommend it.
Rating Scale:1-10:
10: Gotta Read!
9: Excellent: highly recommend
8: Very good: would recommend
7-6: Good: a solid read, nothing really special
5: Fair: Ok—you could do better and you could do worse
4 and below: Skip—don’t waste your time
In descending order of preference
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati: 10/10
The Desert Star by Michael Connelly: 9.5/10
Go As a River by Shelley Read: 9/10
A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny: 9/10
The Dark Heart of Florence by Tasha Alexander 8/10
Five on the Fly
Mini Reviews of Five Books
1/25/23
J.D.Robb (aka Nora Roberts) and Michael Connelly are a couple of my go-to writers. Prior to the Pandemic, I would grab their new releases as soon as they were out in stores but not after March 2020. Recently, I’ve gotten back in the game, and I figured I couldn’t go wrong with either choice. Connelly didn’t disappoint. Robb did, but I can’t put my finger on why. Let’s put it this way: I was down to the last three pages of the book, it was after 1:00 AM, and I closed the book. Didn’t finish it. That never happens with a J.D. Robb book. Never. But it did that night. I felt like I was slogging through mud. Was there too much unnecessary detail? Not enough banter between Dallas and Peabody? Not sure. Will I buy another? Yeah…I won’t let one meh book put me off a prolific author whose work I enjoy.
“Ballard is a badxxx!” as one of my friends noted recently. Agreed. I love how she doesn’t take crap from anyone, and at the same time shows empathy when the situation calls for it. I love how Connelly has put a strong female front and center, and I think he does it without condescension or a hidden misogynistic agenda. It doesn’t play false. I wish I had my copy of Desert Star with me, so I could continue to follow Renee Ballard and her journey.
Matt Haig is new to me. He had come recommended by a friend, and I picked up a few of his titles but had not yet read one. Last fall when I saw The Midnight Library was on the bestseller list, I read the summary and decided it would work for our bookclub. I only really read the book this week. Couldn’t put it down. The premise of being able to revisit possible lives one could have lived was intriguing. I was skeptical at first, but the writing propelled me forward so that I soon became very invested in not only Nora’s story, but also my own. I was left feeling quite reflective and invigorated. This is a book that will shift your mindset.
Hope Holloway is a self-published writer of what I would call sweet romances—no hot and heavy stuff in her books. The book I read this week is Book 1 in the Coconut Key Series. It’s nicely written, easy to get into, contains likable characters, but I did feel it carried a trope a little too far. I won’t reveal the trope here, but I will say her over use of it stretched my ability to suspend disbelief. Will I read Book 2? Yes, because I’m invested in Beck, and I want to see how her story plays out.
Finally, another new author for me, C.J. Box. I love Lee Child, so his front-cover endorsement held sway over me and encouraged me to pick up a title. I had a lot to choose from and picked one that I thought would not contain too much gore—Joe Pickett, the main character, is a game warden out in Wyoming. Get my drift? I liked the Joe Pickett character, and he seemed to evolve a little throughout the book. I like characters that not only seem human, but who change based on their experiences, just like the real thing. I still like Lee Child’s work better—whether it’s because John Reacher is a loner and Joe Pickett has a family and stability, I’m not sure. Would I read another C.J. Box? Yeah, and I have my next one already picked out for this week.
Rating Scale:1-10:
10: Gotta Read!
9: Excellent: highly recommend
8: Very good: would recommend
7-6: Good: a solid read, nothing really special
5: Fair: Ok—you could do better and you could do worse
4 and below: Skip—don’t waste your time
In descending order of preference
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: 10/10
The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly: 9/10
Abandoned in Death by J. D. Robb: 7.5/10
Off the Grid by C. J. Box: 7.5/10
A Secret in the Keys by Hope Holloway: 5.5/10
Sheriff Jhonni Laurent has been on the job for four years, and she is up for re-election. As the department’s first female sheriff, she has done a good job keeping crime at bay and the community safe during her tenure. However, being in a rural area like Field’s Crossing, Indiana, brings mainly run-of-the-mill crimes like drug dealing and disturbing the peace. That is until a couple of kids find a body buried under a mound of snow at the city park. Now Sheriff Laurent faces pressure right before the big election and hopes to be able to solve the murder quickly. To make matters worse, a century-old family feud between suspects flares up threatening to overtake the investigation, and Jhonni’s own daughter, who she gave up for adoption thirty years earlier, now wants to make contact. Laurent has to tease out all of the threads of the crime to find the killer without tearing apart her community and losing her job, while coming to terms with a decision she made long ago.
Mary Ann Miller’s novel Bones Under the Ice makes a strong debut in the suspense/police procedural genre. Miller deftly weaves several theme topics together to make a rich tapestry of lies, deceit, betrayal, and redemption—on more than one level. Family is complicated, and Bones Under the Ice explores several facets of the complexity of family.
Miller creates a strong character in Jhonni Laurent—a single woman who is at the middle stage of her life, no husband, no immediate family. Jhonni’s world as sheriff of a small rural community is a man’s world, and there are some who believe she doesn’t belong. Laurent lags a bit in the depth department as far as characters go; however, this is the first novel in the series, so perhaps more development in Jhonni’s character is forthcoming. Although some depth is revealed as Laurent struggles with whether or not to meet the daughter she gave up for adoption thirty years prior, that struggle is kept in the background more hidden than not. It’s a pity; bringing that out more at the expense of some of the more technical descriptions of the murder investigation could give the novel a little more heft.
Ms. Miller’s writing is clear, precise, and moves at a good pace. It’s fast enough not to lose detail, and the detail doesn’t bog down the pacing while still painting a picture. The story arc was interesting, the characters’ relationships with one another, and the clean writing make this a book that is difficult to put down. From time to time, however, the myriad cast of characters can become confusing, but those spots do not overwhelm the writing or the reader. Overall, the writing is clean, and reminiscent of Sue Grafton’s.
Bones Under the Ice contains a crime that is well-plotted and revealed in a logical manner. There is enough explanation about certain aspects of the crime, the perpetrator’s motive and actions for the reader not only to have a clear understanding of events, but also to be able to solve the crime.
Having read Book One of the series, this reader is ready for Book Two!