Review of THE CATCH by Yrsa Daley-Ward (New Release)

 3 Stars

This is an esoteric novel that will be loved by some readers; unfortunately, I am not one of them.

Clara and Dempsey are 30-year-old twin sisters abandoned by their mother who presumably drowned in the Thames River. The girls were adopted separately and lived very different lives. Though they have reconnected, theirs is a difficult relationship. One day Clara sees a woman who looks exactly like their birth mother and even has her name, Serene Marie Nkem Droste, though she is the same age as the twins. Clara and Serene form an intense relationship, but Dempsey is skeptical and suspects Serene is a con artist. To complicate matters, Clara is a celebrity author who has written an autofiction book which she describes as “’a terrible tale about my mother, as though she told it to me herself.’” The book casts Serene “as some kind of witch-like siren from a bad part of town who cons everyone with her looks and ends up causing disaster.”

Both Clara and Dempsey are narrators in alternating chapters. Both are unreliable because both struggle with addiction and trauma which cloud their judgments. Each admits to hating her twin so comments need to be filtered by the reader. A couple of times, one sister narrates her version of a past event and then the subsequent chapter gives the other sister’s memory which may be contradictory. So what is the truth? Chapters of Clara’s novel are included as well; they add to the confusion because events in the book seem to mirror what is happening to Serene in the present. So what is going on?!

The writing style will catch the reader’s attention. Clara speaks about her body in an interesting way: “holding the head that is on my body” and “The body of mine gets into the car. The body of mine takes its trembling hands” and “These legs go to cross the road anyway.” Then there’s the imagery; the colour orange is mentioned 22 times. There are 46 references to “blue” though sometimes the word refers to colour and sometimes to mood. Olfactory imagery abounds: “vetiver-and-smoke scent” and “night-old brandy smell” and “smelling of geranium and patchouli” and “hints of musty river water.” Tactile imagery is also noticeable: “scaly skin” and “itchy rash.” It is the lyrical prose that most impressed me.

Much of the time it is difficult to understand what is real and what is imaginary. Confusion is compounded by references to shapeshifting and time travel, a character not belonging on this planet, a character feeling as if she is not real, and a character feeling like she is disappearing. There’s often a strange dream-like quality which is disorienting. Magic realism with its blurring of reality and fantasy is not a style I always enjoy.

To be perfectly honest, I struggled to keep reading. Pace at the beginning is slow, and because the characters are untrustworthy, they are unlikeable. I had problems connecting with anyone. There are poignant moments emphasizing “Not everyone gets a chance to have a mother, and life isn’t fair. You lose parts of your insides when you lose a mother.” However, these moments were not enough to overcome the disorientation I felt.

Though the writing style is descriptive and engaging, The Catch did not really catch me.

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

Review of HOME FIRES BURN by Anthony Bidulka (New Release)

4 Stars 

This, the third in the Merry Bell trilogy, has two parallel narratives, both focusing on relationships with parents and their secrets and private struggles.

Merry, at the behest of Evan, her first love in high school before she transitioned from Joey Dzvonyk to Merry Bell, investigates the death of John Whatley, Evan’s father. John’s death was determined a death by misadventure: he froze to death when locked out of his car on a frigid night in rural Saskatchewan. Evan is not convinced however. As Merry tries to ascertain if John’s death was the result of an accident or due to malevolence, she delves into his past and uncovers discrepancies and secrets.

At the same time, Merry begins hesitantly reconnecting with her estranged family whom she hasn’t seen since she transitioned. We learn more how Merry’s relationships with her parents fractured. Her tentative contacts result in her discovering that, just like Evan doesn’t know all about his father, she doesn’t know everything about her mother and father. But will she be able to forgive and move on?

My previous two visits to Livingsky were enjoyable and this third was as well. Merry is as engaging as ever; though flawed in a relatable way, she tackles both personal and professional challenges with aplomb. Members of Merry’s support network, whom we’ve come to know and like, re-appear: Roger/Stella, Brenda, Gerald, and Veronica. And my favourite of course – the decrepit but dependable Doreen.

As I’ve come to expect from Mr. Bidulka, the writing style is eminently readable. I enjoyed the pop culture references and the sprinkles of gentle humour throughout. I liked the descriptions as well. For instance, the details of an emerging winter storm reminded me of my years in northern Ontario and had me nodding in agreement: “Merry loved how the air smelled right before a storm. She respected how the wind asserted its presence – acting like a bully, yanking at your clothing and hair – and how snowflakes danced in the air, pretty and harmless but preparing for ferociousness.”

What also stands out is the author’s sensitivity. His books feature underrepresented peoples; in this book, for example, there’s the transgender Merry, the gay Evan, and the cross-dresser Roger, as well as sex workers. Each is treated with thoughtfulness and care. This treatment also extends to a person suffering from dementia. A chapter from the perspective of a dementia sufferer is so poignant.

I recommend that this book be read as the third of a trilogy, rather than as a standalone. Home Fires Burn has several references to the previous two books in the series; knowing the background certainly added to my interest. Besides just the enjoyment of reading Livingsky and From Sweetgrass Bridge, there is much to be gained in knowing how Merry first encountered some of the characters who appear in this book. Relationships develop over time, and Merry experiences growth since her arrival in Livingsky, a growth that is highlighted by the fate of her Louboutin boots.

This novel is certainly a satisfying ending to the trilogy, but I’d love to encounter Merry again! She feels like a friend and I don't want to lose touch.

Review of WHILE JUSTICE SLEEPS by Stacey Abrams

 2.5 Stars

Though I’m Canadian, I’ve heard of Stacey Abrams, an American lawyer, politician, and voting rights advocate. I admired her efforts which have been widely credited with boosting voter turnout in Georgia. When I learned that she is also an author, I decided to read one of her books. I chose this legal thriller, the first in the Avery Keene series.

Supreme Justice Howard Wynn falls into a coma just before an important vote concerning a controversial case before the court. The case has to do with the merger of an American biotech company and an Indian genetics firm. To everyone’s surprise, Wynn named his young clerk, Avery Keene, as his legal guardian. He has also left Avery with clues to decipher, clues which imply a conspiracy involving the most powerful in Washington. As she follows the clues to uncover the truth, she and her accomplices find themselves in danger.

This is supposed to be a suspenseful thriller, but its pace is slow. That is a fatal flaw in a suspense novel. Much has to be explained to the reader (chess plays, genetics, legal procedures) so there are information dumps. The amount of information given, about things like genetics and government protocols and abbreviations, often creates confusion rather than suspense. Undoubtedly, Abrams has inside knowledge of the Supreme Court and the political landscape, but she includes unnecessary details.

Another issue is Avery. She is supposed to be very intelligent; indeed, she knows a lot about chess, bioethics, French philosophers, and astronomy. She even has an eidetic memory. However, she does some very stupid things. A law clerk would sign papers without reading them? A law clerk would find a murder victim and just flee after leaving evidence of her presence? Though instructed to destroy a paper after reading it, she takes a photo of it? She has an eidetic memory so doesn’t need a photo which can be accessed by the wrong people, something the instruction is intended to prevent!

Then there are Avery’s assistants. Wynn’s son, Avery’s roommate, and Wynn’s lawyer appear at opportune times. Of course each has specific knowledge and skills that Avery needs at the time. This all seems so contrived. The fact that the three supporting characters are all bland with little personality means they are even more obviously just plot devices. Don’t get me started on the burgeoning romance! Though everyone is well-educated, having them all speak in an erudite, polished manner in the most ordinary of conversations makes no sense. The dialogue is just so stilted.

With its focus on intricate puzzles and conspiracies, at times this book reminded me of a Dan Brown novel. Why did Wynn leave a trail of such opaque clues? He expected Avery to know obscure chess moves and to recall past conversations. Okay, that’s within bounds of plausibility. But she also has to connect with his son and he has to take her into his childhood bedroom?!

I was disappointed with this novel. Though plot-driven, it lacks suspense and there is only superficial character development. Much feels contrived. I will not be continuing with the series.

Review of UNIVERSALITY by Natasha Brown

 2 Stars

The book jacket describes the book as a “thrilling novel” which focuses on words: “what we say, how we say it, and what we really mean.” I found the book anything but thrilling and found that it lacked focus.

Hannah, a struggling freelance journalist, writes an article on a violent attack at a rave on a Yorkshire farm owned by Richard Spencer, a wealthy banker. The victim is Pegasus who tried to start a self-sustaining community on the farm. The attacker is Jake, the son of Lenny, a provocative conservative columnist who had a sexual liaison with Richard. The first third of the book is Hannah’s article; the rest of the novel explores the consequences of the article for various people involved like Hannah, Richard, and Lenny.

I’ve described the entire plot. Not much else happens. And that’s the problem because the book feels less like a novel and more like an essay. All that’s missing is a clear thesis statement, though my guess is that the author believes media cannot be trusted because everyone has his/her own agenda and will manipulate the truth to fit his/her purposes.

Characters are unlikeable and are developed primarily to serve as mouthpieces for a particular viewpoint. Lenny is a perfect example. She manipulates Hannah to write the story which brings attention to Lenny. Her treatment of her son is despicable though she uses him as an example to support her opinions about government policies. She believes she thinks most clearly when she’s had a couple of drinks. Her attack on an interviewer is downright vicious.

The book can be viewed as an analysis of modern-day British politics, but I found many parallels between Lenny’s opinions and those of the current Trump administration: “’The fastest-growing sectors of our economy are disproportionately hiring and promoting minority workers’” and “’We didn’t notice that the “myth” of meritocracy was turning into a curse’” and “’Look, we’ve got to stop with the self-policing. We’re so busy apologizing for ancient history and imagined offenses that we’re losing our economic edge.’” Lenny criticizes diversity, equity and inclusion programs which are one of Trump’s targets.

I guess my point is that there’s nothing new here. The comments about classism and the economy and the media have been expressed by many others so I don’t understand the effusive praising of the author’s intelligence. Maybe I’m not intelligent enough to understand the book?

The book jacket states that the book “dares you to look away,” but I had no difficulty looking away. I was bored much of the time and found it a plodding read. What saved it is the book’s brevity (152 pages). Obviously I was not the intended audience. Reviewers on the jacket use adjectives like “unputdownable” and “thrilling” and “tons of fun” but none of these describe my reaction.

Review of SHATTER CREEK by Rod Reynolds (New Release)

4 Stars 

This novel begins two months after the end of Black Reed Bay, the first book in the Detective Casey Wray series.

Now partnered with Billy Docker, Casey is called to a shocking daytime double homicide. Was one victim the intended target and the other an innocent bystander? The best possible witness, a young woman with a baby, disappears. When another person is killed, the search narrows to focus on one man who may be on a murderous rampage. But the body count does not stop at three and the case unravels, so Casey’s investigation is led in an entirely different direction.

I highly recommend that people read Black Reed Bay before this sequel. A recap is included but much of what happens in Shatter Creek is a direct result of events in the first book. Reading the first book will help the reader fully see the nature and extent of the corruption Casey uncovered in the Hampstead County Police Department and understand its impact on Casey. Then, when characters from the first book appear (Billy, Jill, Dana, McTeague), it’s satisfying to already know their personalities and understand their relationship with Casey. (And why not treat yourself to two great books, instead of just one?)

Casey has been cleared of any involvement in police corruption, but not everyone thinks she’s innocent. Her new boss doesn’t trust her and makes it clear that she expects her to transfer to another department; she says, “’either you were in it with Carletti but smart enough to cover your tracks, or he kept you around to manipulate and you were too naive to notice.’”

So Casey feels a lot of pressure; she needs to perform and prove herself while superiors demand a quick resolution because of the high profile of one of the victims. Fortunately, she’s as determined as ever and perseveres despite a paucity of clues but an abundance of obstruction and political interference. To complicate matters even further, there are personal issues among members of her team so they sometimes have difficulty staying focused. All this leaves Casey wondering whether she even wants to continue in this job that “had taken up so much of her.” She’s a fictional character, but I wanted Casey to feel less alone, and I’m certain most readers will find themselves likewise wanting to support her. Like one of the characters, I wanted to tell Casey, “’stop letting other people decide your self-worth.’”

The plot can be described as twisty, and there is plenty of suspense. There may be a killer on the loose who has other targets, so identifying and finding him/her is of the utmost importance. And it’s not just others who are in danger: Casey herself receives strange phone calls and is followed. Then, when she’s closest to the truth, her superiors pull her back from the investigation.

Oh, then there’s that cliffhanger ending. Aaaghhh!!! I guess I’ll have to wait for the next book in the series, but I’m feeling as frustrated as Casey is at times when she hits a wall in her investigation.

This is a fast-paced book, a compelling read. I’m hooked! When’s the next book being released??!!

Review of BLACK REED BAY by Rod Reynolds

 4 Stars

I’ve received an advance reading copy of Shatter Creek by Rod Reynolds. When I discovered that it is the second in the Detective Casey Wray series, I decided to read the first installment, Black Reed Bay.

A young woman named Tina Grace makes a frantic 911 call in the middle of the night from an exclusive community on Long Island. Then she disappears. Casey leads the investigation, assisted by her team, especially her partner Dave Cullen. From the beginning she feels that people are not being truthful, but things become more complicated when bodies of young women are found near where Tina disappeared. And then there are office politics and the possibility of corruption in her department which make it difficult for Casey to know who can be trusted.

Since this is the first of the series, I paid particular attention to character development. If I do not engage with the protagonist, I will not continue a series. This is not an issue here because I found myself liking Casey right from the beginning. Now in her late 30s, she faced challenges when she was a rookie but has proven herself and earned the respect of colleagues. Married to her job, she has virtually no personal life; her partner tells her that “the job was so far under her skin, she’d need an exorcism to be free of it.” Her intelligence is obvious in her constant questioning of the information they uncover. Her determination is also noticeable; she may become frustrated as promising leads become dead ends, but, motivated by a desire for justice, she never gives up. She is also highly principled: she has a clearly defined sense of right and wrong and conscientiously does what is right.

It is Casey’s relationships with others that caught my attention. I loved her snappy, sassy banter with her co-workers. The wise-cracking lightens the mood and gives a real sense of camaraderie amongst the team. Casey knows her team members well, supporting them and helping them build self-confidence. Her relationship with Tina’s family is also noteworthy. She sees Tina as a person, not just a victim, and does not judge Tina’s choices or those of other family members.

Though a strong character, Casey is not perfect. She’s capable, honest, hard-working, and compassionate, but she also has insecurities and vulnerabilities. In the middle of the novel, she is involved in a traumatic event that shows her fragile side. I love such a complex and credible main character.

The novel starts slowly but gains momentum. As the investigation continues, it’s obvious that people are keeping secrets. And as one would expect, there are some surprises. An incident in the middle of the novel is a real shocker! And then it seems that Casey herself is in danger so tension ramps up.

This is a solid, satisfying police procedural which kept me engaged from the beginning. I want to spend more time with Casey Wray so I’m off to read Shatter Creek.

Review of DEATH ON THE ISLAND by Eliza Reid (New Release)

 3 Stars

I was interested in reading this debut novel written by a Canadian who served as First Lady of Iceland for eight years. Unfortunately, I was disappointed because it very much has the hallmarks of a debut.

The novel is set on Heimaey, the only inhabited island of the Westman Islands archipelago off the south coast of Iceland. Kavita Banerjee, the deputy ambassador of Canada, is killed at a dinner party. Everyone present becomes a suspect, including Graeme Shearer, the Canadian ambassador. His wife Jane decides to investigate.

This is described as a locked room mystery because everyone is stranded on the island when a storm prevents the ferry from operating. Some suspense is created in Part II which begins with Chapter 15 entitled “Thirty-Seven Hours Before He Dies”; this foreshadows a second death, though the reader knows only that the second victim will be a male.

My problem with the novel is that there are a lot of events that are not credible. First of all, as the author mentions, “Canada’s real embassy in Iceland is so small it doesn’t have a deputy ambassador or someone serving at that level. In fact, Canada has very few embassies with a position of deputy ambassador.” So why give Kavita this position? There’s a refugee subplot and, again, the author acknowledges that this is an “unlikely scenario” which requires the reader to suspend disbelief. So why not devise a more logical subplot?

Also in the Acknowledgments, Ms. Reid mentions that “of course there would be more officers on duty on Vestmannaeyjar than I have allowed the story to have.” The use of the incompetent/inexperienced policeman trope is carried to an extreme. When senior officers return to the island, why is Jónas allowed to remain in charge, especially because he makes such basic errors like allowing suspects to leave the scene so everyone has “’ample time to get stories straight and destroy anything incriminating’”? He doesn’t even question suspects individually, letting other suspects listen!

There are other plot issues. A man would allow virtual strangers to go through the personal papers of his recently deceased husband? A random person knows all the details of the dinner party and has even heard the initial medical findings? Then there are the unbelievable coincidences like Jane impulsively stealing some random papers which prove to be of utmost importance. And, finally, how can someone find a manuscript and know that there are two more books or that a short passage from another manuscript proves that it is “’clearly meant to be the third part of a trilogy’”?!

Because there are so many implausible actions, astute readers will be left less than impressed. In addition, the characters feel flat. They are really only sketched, not fully developed. What differentiates the characters is their occupations or pre-occupations more than their personalities. This is even the case with Jane whose perspective is presented the most.

For me the strongest element is the Icelandic setting. Though I’ve visited Iceland, I’ve not been to the Westman Islands so I enjoyed the descriptions and the historical information.

In an interview, the author mentioned that there will be another book featuring many of the characters from this story. I hope its plot will be less meandering with a faster pace, more tension, and fewer implausibilities.

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