Review of MR. WINTERBOURNE by Clara van Houten (New Release)

 4 Stars

This short psychological drama proved to be a real gem.

The novel, set primarily in London, spans 25 years, from 1997 to 2022. Debra Cowdry is an aspiring novelist whose manuscripts are repeatedly rejected so she finally submits one using a male pen name, Alec Winterbourne. The novel is accepted almost immediately and her literary career is launched. By chance she meets a man with the name she invented for her pseudonym and the two start a relationship. As her success builds, there is increasing pressure for public appearances by the author. Maybe Alec could step in and pretend to be the author? What could go wrong?

Having known about George Eliot, George Sand, and Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell, male pseudonyms adopted by female writers, I was interested in how this author would approach the issue of women using male names so their work would be judged fairly and be published. Given the short length of this book, I was expecting a light read but was pleasantly surprised to find an in-depth exploration of identity.

Debra constructs an identity and initially she has a literary agent to protect her and help her continue the facade. As more or her novels are published and she receives more recognition, her identity takes on a life of its own. She even overhears women on a bus speculating about why the author is a recluse. Then she wins literary awards and has to watch someone else receiving the acclaim for her talent. She realizes her life is “owned by people who had not lived a single day of it, while she herself receded further and further into somebody else’s account.” When she decides she wants to get her life back, she realizes how difficult, if not impossible, it will be to reclaim her real identity: “I had signed myself out of my own story so thoroughly that proving I still belonged in it might turn out to be the hardest thing I had ever had to write.”

The novel is written in a brisk, understated style. There are no unnecessary details; those details included convey so much. Suspense is built gradually. It becomes clear that the deception is slowly spinning out of Debra’s control and that someone else has power over her life. Then there are the many instances of foreshadowing, things that indicate all will not end well. For example, she observes that “Alec didn’t look at me. That was, afterwards, the detail I kept returning to” and that she has a fear “I couldn’t yet justify.” I predicted some of what happens, but there are unexpected twists that take the plot in an entirely different direction.

I read this book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. The ending is not what I expected, but it is very satisfying. Like Mr. Winterbourne, I gather that the author’s previous novel released earlier this year, Everything He Never Told Me, is, as described on her website, about “the private battles and public sacrifices of women fighting to define their own lives.” I’m recommending Mr. Winterbourne and adding Everything He Never Told Me to my to-be-read stack.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Review of FAIR ONES by Lydia Millet (New Release)

 3.5 Stars

This novel follows the lives of two friends, Mara and Jen, after the sudden, violent death of a third friend, Claire.  Now in their forties, the three were friends since college.

The first half, narrated by Mara, spans the year immediately after Claire’s death. The focus is on understanding her death and trying to uncover if Jase, Claire’s former boyfriend, may have somehow been connected to the tragedy. The second half, narrated by Jen, is a year later. Grief over Claire’s death is no longer the focus. Instead, we see Mara’s new relationship, Jen’s new job, and Jen’s wrestling with her erratic behaviour immediately after Claire’s death. Both Mara and Jen also have to deal with family issues which require them to support their mothers.

This is very much a dialogue-driven novel so it reads fairly quickly. The conversations are very realistic as topics both serious and frivolous are discussed. There are both heart-to-heart conversations and easy banter. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t find it a compelling read. It didn’t keep my interest so I kept putting it down and then I wasn’t excited to pick it up again.

In many ways the novel feels directionless. Obviously, one of its main themes is grief. The two women have to come to terms with the loss of a dear friend who is taken away suddenly and violently. They struggle with moving on with their lives when someone who was such an integral part of their lives is no longer there. Of course grief feels directionless since it’s such a disorienting state.

The book can also be described as a portrait of mid-life friendships. Mara and Jen remain close and support each other so both can survive a devastating loss. Gradually new relationships are formed with other people, some of whom had connections with Claire (Pavan, Caleb) and others who never knew her (Eli, Josh, Julia St. Alban). These new relationships also become a support system.

Though Mara and Jen do not want children, mothers and their relationships with children are also highlighted. We see June, Claire’s mother, dealing with the death of her only daughter. There’s Emmie whose life is shaped by caring for her neuro-divergent son who requires a lot of care. There’s Josh’s mother Sarah who disappeared. Just as Mara and Jen’s friendship withstands tragedy, their ties to their families, though sometimes not strong, remain unbroken. Fern, Mara’s mother, has early signs of dementia and needs her daughter’s help. Lynn, Jen’s mother, comes to rely on her daughter too but for different reasons.

The message that I will remember is a teenager’s comments about life: “’Life is a gift from death . . . Or, like, a loan. Nature is like, Yeah, you’re gonna die. But first, you get to have this! This totally awesome thing. You might not even know how awesome it is, at first. But open your eyes. Look what you get! The universe!’” But we need to stay engaged; if we don’t live in reality, we don’t really live: “’If you stay sleeping, all you’ll ever have is a dream. Maybe you’ll get to keep the dream. For a bit. But meanwhile you’re losing the best parts of reality. Just letting them fade away.’”

This book did not resonate with me, but I’m certain it will for other readers.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Review of EVERY STORY IS A LOVE STORY by Imbolo Mbue (New Release)

 4 Stars

This is an emotionally complex novel which examines the messy truth of feelings and relationships.

When the novel begins, Wolo Lifafa has been a widower for three years. His wife Yoma, pregnant with twins at the time, was struck by a car while she was out jogging. Victoria Snow, the woman driving that car, contacts Wolo and asks to meet him. Despite his family’s advice, he agrees to do so because he wants details of the accident which he is convinced were covered up. The first meeting does not go well, but reluctantly Wolo agrees to further contact. He comes to wonder whether he and Victoria are destined “to walk together out of their shared darkness.”

Chapters alternate between the present, where Wolo struggles with grief and wonders whether he can forgive Victoria for her role in the deaths of his wife and unborn children, and the past which gives the backstory of Wolo and Yoma’s relationship and the complexities of his extended family in Cameroon and the US.

The book examines love in its various forms. Wolo thinks of Yoma as the love of his life and doesn’t believe that he can ever love anyone in the same way again. But it’s not just romantic or marital love that is explored. There’s parental love and filial love and familial love as well. There’s love between two men, but that love can never be spoken of. A message that resonated with me is spoken by Yolo’s second mother: “’a person can love you while struggling to deal with the pain you’ve caused them.’”

Grief is another topic. Wolo acknowledges that people mourn differently, though, as his father-in-law tells him, “’some people want your grief to look the way they think it should look, the way they would do it if they were you.’” Wolo’s “journey through grief has been a constant battle to accept, an inability to find a way forward, ignorant of how to move out of this terrible darkness.”

And forgiveness is the third concept explored. Initially Wolo has no intention of forgiving Victoria but later hopes to find a way to forgiveness. He sees examples of others forgiving; Yoma’s father and Nathaniel Lambi are two such people. Wolo realizes that he and his family caused pain and sought forgiveness at one time; his Facebook message to Mary indicates he is still seeking forgiveness. Wolo’s friend Ben tells him that forgiveness is not easy: “’It’s a very hard thing to do. It requires the kind of strength most of us don’t have, that’s why we don’t even try it.’”

I had heard about the stages of grief but never about the five stages of forgiveness. It’s the first stage, “accepting that all who commit wrongs are humans first, offenders second,” that is emphasized in the novel. It’s because Wolo realizes that he too has been an offender wanting forgiveness that he is able to consider forgiving someone else. And Victoria has difficulty forgiving herself so she’s stuck at the second stage: “recognizing that all humans are worthy of forgiveness.”

There are so many characters I learned to like. Yoma’s father, Tata Munyuenge, stands out because of his wisdom. Even Yoma is fully developed; through the flashbacks, we learn about her intelligence, fierceness, ambition, and independent nature. Keka, Wolo’s mother, is problematic for me. Above all, she holds on to her anger against Victoria. At times she strikes me as hypocritical since she seems to have no difficulty forgiving Osi’s behaviour. And it’s interesting that she accuses Victoria of manipulating Wolo while forgetting her own manipulations of her husband to get what she wanted. Her last email to Wolo redeems her somewhat, but it’s interesting that she doesn’t mention Victoria in the last sentence. Of course there is no doubt she loves her son, and there are many different ways to love.

I loved how the novel exposes readers to a culture with which they might not be familiar. I knew nothing about Cameroonian culture so thoroughly enjoyed the glimpses given. The importance of family and family reputation is certainly emphasized.

This novel inspires self-reflection: were you in Wolo’s situation, how would you behave? Would you be like Wolo or like Keka? Personally, I will try to remember that we are all flawed and deserving of love and forgiveness.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Review of QUANT by Anthony Bidulka (New Release)

 4.5 Stars

I finally met Russell Quant, the “wine-swilling, wise-cracking, world-travelling, winsomely gay, half Irish, half Ukrainian, ex-cop, ex-farm boy, Canadian prairie PI,” and I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with him.

In Howell, Saskatchewan, Russell’s hometown, Clem Toth, the community’s go-to handyman, has died. Police believe his death was a suicide motivated by Clem’s guilt at deliberately destroying all the plants of a local nursery business. CeeCee, Clem’s widow and manager of Toth Greenhouse, doesn’t believe he committed the vandalism and is convinced he was actually murdered. Because CeeCee is a family friend, Russell decides to investigate. He interviews a number of people and even travels to the Turks and Caicos Islands to determine if a multi-national company interested in real estate development near Howell could be connected to the unusual events in the tiny hamlet with a population of less than 100.

Besides the mystery which highlights Russell’s professional life, there is some focus on his personal life. Russell’s mother Kay is showing signs of dementia and it is no longer safe for her to live in the farmhouse that has been her home for decades. And besides facing the harsh reality of his mother’s mental decline, he, in his mid-fifties, seems to be having a mid-life crisis. He must come to terms with aging, a process he sees as “agonizingly awash with loss and endings.” Fortunately, he has his husband, JP Taine, to support him.

It is impossible not to like Russell. Many people believe that how a man treats his mother indicates his emotional maturity. There is no doubt of the love he has for Kay. He speaks to and about her with kindness, respect, and empathy. There are some scenes that took my breath away. Kay’s addressing Russell by his father’s name is heart-breaking, and the mother and son eating cinnamon rolls together is such a touching scene. Russell’s love for JP is also obvious; he often mentions his husband’s positive qualities and acknowledges that he would be a lesser man without JP in his life.

Other of Russell’s traits also stand out. He is capable of self-reflection, often examining his thoughts, emotions, and choices. He admits, for instance, that he sometimes jumps to conclusions about people. He’s confident but not arrogant. His lack of arrogance is obvious in his self-deprecating comments. His wit also accentuates his intelligence.

I identified with so much in the novel. I love books which are unapologetically Canadian and celebrate our culture, even our quirks, and this book does that. The first chapter in which Russell describes his upbringing left me feeling very nostalgic since my background is very similar. The author captures the rhythms of small-town life so well. And the pop culture references resonated too.

The only aspect of the novel that I found problematic is Russell’s trip to Providenciales. He describes himself as a first timer to the island, but he knows so much about it. He knows its history and geography and is even familiar with its roads, beaches, restaurants, and resorts. I could assume that he did some research beforehand – or afterwards, since he does narrate in the past tense – but I think it’s more a case of the author’s familiarity with the Turks and Caicos archipelago bleeding into the narrative. I just wish I could get an invitation to a month-long stay at Phillip Painchaud’s rental villa!

I can attest that this is a standalone novel: I’ve not read the other eight Russell Quant novels, and though there are references to past events and relationships, none muddy the waters for a first-time reader of the series. (I did appreciate the allusions to other of the author’s books that I have read; the connection to the author’s trilogy made me want to cheer. I bet Lila and Doreen would get along well.) 

I so enjoyed my time with Russell that I want to read the other books in the series. (Quant takes place 15 years after the last book in the series.) I’d like to get to know some of the other characters mentioned; Kay, in particular, interests me, perhaps because she reminds me of my mother with her accent and her cooking “to excess” for fear someone might leave her home hungry. It’s time to see if my local bookstore has the newly re-issued 8-book original series. And I’m certain that others who meet Russell for the first time in this book will have the same reaction.

Review of THE DYING LIGHT by Ann Cleeves (New Release)

 4 Stars

This well-crafted police procedural is the fourth in the Two Rivers series featuring Detective Inspector Matthew Venn.

Venn and his team are called upon to investigate the death of 17-year-old Lottie Cauldwell whose body is discovered in the swimming pool of the holiday home belonging to the family of her friend Hannah Armstrong. Shortly thereafter Hannah’s body is also discovered. Both the locals in the small community as well as vacationers are interviewed. It is not long before connections emerge between several people and the Armstrong family. Secrets and secret hostilities are uncovered. Even the victims had secrets. Was the motive for the murders personal or, since Paul Armstrong, Hannah’s father, is a well-known ambitious politician, was the motivation political?

I enjoyed another visit with Venn and his team. Though Matthew still has insecurities in his personal relationship, he is becoming more confident as an investigator. He’s intelligent, thoughtful, empathetic, and calm. He’s a steady team leader willing to admit mistakes and to give credit to others. Jen Rafferty and Ross May are becoming more skilled as detectives. In particular, May’s maturity is highlighted: in the past he was eager, over-confident, and impatient whereas now he’s learning patience and realizing that he isn’t always right.

There is a claustrophobic atmosphere. The region is experiencing a scorching heatwave. Then it’s obvious that people are keeping secrets. Added to this are tensions between the local villagers and in-comers, wealthy Londoners like the Armstrongs buying up properties for holiday homes. Because of Paul’s high profile, there’s media attention and pressure to solve the case expeditiously.

There is a sufficiently large cast of suspects with potential motives to keep the reader guessing. As one would expect, there is misdirection. At the end, even Venn admits to making mistakes in his theorizing. The author plays fair; though there is misdirection, the clues are also there. The resolution is very plausible and may leave the reader wondering why s/he didn’t see it from the beginning.

I find this series is getting better and better, and I look forward to returning to Devon to follow Venn and his team during their next investigation.

Here are links to my reviews of the previous three installments in the series:

The Long Call: https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2019/09/review-of-long-call-by-ann-cleeves-new.html

The Heron’s Cry: https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2021/09/review-of-herons-cry-by-ann-cleeves-new.html

The Raging Storm: https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2024/01/review-of-raging-storm-by-ann-cleeves.html

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Review of DOG DAYS OF PLANET EARTH by Theresa Shea (New Release)

3.5 Stars 

This book explores a number of environmental, social, and political issues.

In 1985, Trevor Westmore, a former veterinarian, is released from Leavenworth Penitentiary after serving a 25-year sentence for murder. A guard gifts him a German Shepherd puppy named Libby. The two drive from Kansas to California where Trevor’s parents live. He buys a house and opens up a dog kennel. He meets Laura Fenway, the local veterinarian, and is immediately attracted to her. But will she want to have anything to do with him once she learns about his past? Then Trevor learns that Laura also has secrets which could jeopardize his long-awaited freedom.

Trevor is a likeable character. When the details of his crime are revealed, it’s obvious that his harm was unintentional, though he was certainly selfish and naive. Even before his prison time, he had a difficult life because of his military experiences. He struggles with adapting to a new world after having been incarcerated for almost half his life. I could not help but become a cheerleader for Trevor as he takes positive steps forward. Because I was invested in his future, I found the ending unsatisfying because of its lack of closure.

The novel certainly shows the bond between humans and dogs. Because Libby is dependent on him for her needs, Trevor is forced to act responsibly. Providing her with a routine gives him a routine as well. For example, he knows that a puppy needs to be exposed to new situations so, even though he doesn’t want to, he takes her for a walk. If he feels depressed or full of self-pity, Libby’s unconditional love and trust draws him out of his emotional slump. She definitely eases his re-entry into society by connecting him with other people.

A number of issues are examined: nuclear testing and its long-term effects on human health, chemical spraying in agriculture and its effects on animal health, the military’s abandonment of servicemen harmed during their service, the penal system, animal testing and abuse, and the difference between law and justice. I think that too many issues are touched on because some of them overshadow the plot and slow down pace. Certainly the discussion of crop spraying and its effects on mammalian mortality rates goes on and on. A focus on one or two subjects would be preferable.

I enjoyed the first part of the novel: Trevor’s time in prison, military service, and the events leading up to his murder charge. The romance element interested me less, especially once the animal rescue missions are introduced. With regard to the latter, readers need to be forewarned that animal abuse is described in detail, detail which will be upsetting to everyone but especially animal lovers.

The book will leave readers unimpressed by human nature because it depicts many examples of stupidity, self-centredness, selfishness, short-sightedness, moral bankruptcy, and cruelty. I wish for a more positive ending than the arrival of dawn.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Review of BAD INFLUENCE by Will Carver

 4 Stars

This is a psychological thriller with lots of social commentary.

Alyssa and Less (Alessandro) are college students living in Los Angeles. Less describes them as “both mixed-up. We’re both kind of directionless. We’re both what-the-hell-are-we-going-to-do-with-our-lives kids.” Loners, their friendship is what defines them: “Our friendship is one of the only truly real things that either of us has. It’s genuine and it’s deep. And, in our eyes, at least, unbreakable.”

The two become involved in phrogging, living secretly inside strangers’ homes. The duo choose the luxurious homes of influencers and pop stars. They enjoy the thrill until things go awry when they target the home of Paige, a fitness influencer, who discovers them. And because Paige has allowed reality tv producers to install cameras in her house, everything that transpires thereafter is filmed.

Alyssa and Less are interesting, well-developed characters. In many ways they are irresponsible and I could not condone some of their choices like party-crashing and phrogging. Their justifications indicate a self-centredness: “It’s fun. Nobody gets hurt. Nobody that matters” and “We don’t have to steal anything. Nobody will get hurt. It’ll just be a bit of fun. It’s wholesome, really.” Like most young people, they don’t consider the possible unintended consequences of their actions: “they hadn’t really thought about it enough. They only cared about what they wanted, how they were feeling, right there and then.” But we also get to see their positive qualities. Alyssa appreciates what her mother does for her and shows love in how she cares for her grandmother. Less understands his mother’s sadness and so forgives some of her actions: “We’re both struggling but she’s been at it a lot longer than I have and she can’t see a way out.”

The book is a satirical look at social media culture. It examines the lives of influencers, hungry for attention and fame, who curate their lives for their followers. One wannabe influencer takes several photos to get the right one: “Capturing a real, spontaneous moment has never taken so much planning.” Paige, another influencer, realizes that she has lost herself, her identity, to her performance: “Paige wants to be herself again. The way she was before all of this. When she was innocent and naive.” Influencers must perpetuate “the veneer of perfection” and keep posting interesting content or they will lose their followers. She is addicted to validation; there is “something intoxicating about the notification of a new fan.” The irony is that she has no real friends: “A million followers and nobody to be close to. She’s so lost. This job has taken who she was.”

For Alyssa, Less, and Paige, one can feel some sympathy. There are, however, two characters who are so morally bankrupt that it’s impossible to feel anything but the utmost of contempt. Edie and Tammy are producers of reality tv shows, what is called “car-crash television. Shows where they can manipulate a situation. Manufacture a scene and pass it off as reality.” To say they are ruthless is an understatement, focused as they are on “Spinning gold from the darkness of humanity. Profiting from misery.” They are successful because they understand that an audience requires conflict to remain interested so they manipulate their contestants: “they know the best way to manipulate you. They know what incentives to offer to get you to play ball and they know what buttons to press in order to push your emotions in the directions that will ensure you are watched and ratings will increase.”

Even if you’re not interested in becoming an influencer, there’s a warning in the book for anyone using social media: “Plastic has got nothing on the internet. Everything you think and then type is out there for the world to see, forever. Forever.” Information or an opinion shared “is out there forever. Whether it’s right or wrong.” Even deleted postings are not gone.

The style of the book is appropriate to its content. It mimics the style of social media communication, using hashtags, influencer content, tailored ads, numbers of likes and followers, and online commentaries – all that you would see scrolling on your phone or tablet.

I enjoyed the novel. As expected in such a tale about deception and manipulation, there’s a lot of suspense and many twists, though the author does provide subtle clues. If something strikes you as odd, pay attention! But it’s the social commentary that stands out for me; it emphasizes the shallowness of social media culture and how what we see on screens is very different from reality. The book is entertaining, topical, and thought-provoking.