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Book Review: One Small Sacrifice by Hilary Davidson

One Small Sacrifice by Hilary Davidson

Thomas & Moore, 2019

ISBN-13: 978-1542042116

Available: Hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, audiobook, audio CD

 

I will preface this by saying that although this was sent to us for review, it is not a horror novel, but if you enjoy a suspenseful thrill ride, this is a great choice, so read on to see if it’s for you.

Alex Traynor, a war photographer with a strong case of PTSD and a past of drug addiction, comes home one night to discover a note from his fiancee, Emily Teare, that she is leaving him, and not to look for her. Sheryn Sterling is a cop obsessed with finding evidence to tie Alex to what she believes is the murder of Cori Stanton, who either jumped or fell from the roof of Alex’s apartment building. Alex, in a drug-induced stupor at the time, claims not to remember the events of that night, but Sheryn is certain that Emily, who saw what happened, was lying to protect him. When one of Emily’s coworkers calls to report her as missing, Sheryn is certain that Alex has finally decided to get rid of the only witness to Cori’s murder.

The story is written from multiple points of view: Alex’s, Emily’s, the building superintendent’s, and Sheryn’s. Alex’s memories and perceptions are unreliable, due to his previous history with drugs and his PTSD blackouts (and it also becomes clear that Emily was hiding things from him); the building superintendent is hiding something from the police; Sheryn’s background and investment in taking Alex down color her view of events; and Emily’s disorientation and isolation makes it impossible to figure out where she is or what’s actually happening, and why.  Her scenes, though brief, are chilling.

So much of the story is buried or left to guesswork that there is room for a lot more development here. Sheryn has a family, adding dimension and balance to her character, and there’s a lot there to work with as the reader encounters her interactions with both her past and current partners and her own self-reflection. Alex and Emily are grappling with issues that are currently relevant to today’s world, such as PTSD, war, the refugee crisis in the Middle East, the opiate issue in this country, and the true meaning of family. It does bother me that the ending is so pat. Real life is not a puzzle that can be resolved so easily. This is really a police procedural and thriller, not horror, but it’s definitely an easy read, and a compelling one.  At 350 pages, the plot moves along quickly, but I think it’s at the expense of deeper character development. What the reader values more is, of course, up to individual taste. I do hope this is the first in a series and that we get to see Sheryn’s character developed further, but for readers who enjoy police procedurals, One Small Sacrifice is a great way to spend a lazy summer day.  Recommended.

Contains: violence

 

Posted on June 27, 2019 by , Reply

Book Review: The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne

The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2017

ISBN-13: 978-0735213005

Available: Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, audio CD, Kindle edition

 

This breakout novel has been hailed by some critics as THE must-have thriller of 2017, as well as the year’s perfect “Daughter” book.

Karen Dionne, author of high concept science thrillers Freezing Point and Boiling Point, decided to change tracks in favor of something much more organic and disturbing in The Marsh King’s Daughter. The book succeeds on all levels because of what it sets out to do– simply tell a story without all the bells and whistles. Dionne’s writing has a songstress’ voice and rhythm, yet doesn’t overwhelm with the love of language. It embraces the feel of the setting and story, pulling the reader deep into the marsh’s realm, only relenting when the final page is turned.

The story is deceptively simple. Helena loves her easygoing life. Great husband, great kids, great job all without much stress or fuss. In the unique world of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, life is decidedly different. The land feels cut off from the country readers know as America, but also feels like home. Then she hears the news of an escaped prisoner, and realizes that the life she has built for herself and her family is about to shatter. The escapee is her father, a man she knows she must track and send back to prison, to have any chance to hold onto the life she knows.

Helena’s father  abducted her mother when she was a teenager. He raped her and kept her hostage in the marshes for many years. Until Helena was a teenager herself, she knew nothing of life outside of their cabin in the middle of the marsh. Her father taught her the ways of a hunter, tracker, and survivalist, and even though she escaped him years ago, she hasn’t forgotten them. Helena knows that the police will never find him– but she can, and will. She plans to find him before the life she has made is overtaken by her nightmare past.

The novel blazes past, as good thrillers do, but there is something special about The Marsh King’s Daughter: the story has a magic that must be experienced. Easily the hottest thriller of the year, this book is recommended for anyone who loves great storytelling and a voice that will suck them in. Fans of David Morrell’s early work, John Connelly, and Elizabeth Massie will want to be sure to check this out.

 

Reviewed by Dave Simms

Posted on January 7, 2018 by , Reply

Book Review: Yesternight by Cat Winters

Yesternight by Cat Winters

William Morrow Books, 2016

ISBN-13: 978-0062440860

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, Audible, Audio CD

 

In this age of instant gratification, the slow burn novel can be a tough sell for commercial audiences. Horror and suspense readers generally expect the action to move along, but fans of historical novels thankfully are used to this more measured pace, allowing the beauty of the setting to wash over them, building up and surrounding them.  Cat Winters strikes gold with Yesternight, a gem of a novel that straddles genres, and has emerged as one of 2016’s strongest efforts in all three genres.

 

Winters hit the scene running with the impressive Uninvited and Shadow of Blackbirds, writing for both adult and YA audiences. Yesternight leans more towards the adult crowd, fitting easily in the “new adult” genre, but could easily find favor with the high school crowd. It’s the perfect choice for a chilly day when you are trapped at home, looking for a good read.

 

Set in 1925 Oregon, Yesternight introduces us to Alice Lind, who has the unlikely role of being a female school psychologist, tasked with administering IQ tests to school children. At that time, a woman holding such a job was rare, and succeeding as a professional for the state which depended on providing services for needy students would have been definitely uncommon. Alice arrives and immediately finds a strange task– a seven year old girl who appears to be a mathematical genius, and may be the reincarnation of a woman who was murdered several years prior. Alice, caught between the opposing wishes of the girl’s separated parents, must find a way to solve the mystery of who little Janie O’Daire really is, opening up a dark secret within herself that may destroy who she is. Janie and Alice steal the show as they both struggle to find who they really are, both literally and figuratively, in a world that would rather keep women under the surface.

 

Gothic in nature, but simmering in its building of the characters, Yesternight is a complex tale with a serpentine plot. The many layers of the characters peel away, leaving the reader to delve into something much deeper, and more enjoyable, than expected. Recommended.

 

Contains: violence and gore.

 

Reviewed by Dave Simms.


Posted on February 1, 2017 by , Reply
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