Three Graves Full
Jamie Mason

For fans of the Coen brothers’ films or for those who just love their thrillers with a dash of sharp humor—an engaging and offbeat story about a man driven to murder, who then buries the body in his backyard only to discover that there are two other shallow graves on his property.

“There is very little peace for a man with a body buried in his backyard.”

With this memorable first line, we meet Jason Getty, a regular guy in every mild sense of the word. But extraordinary circumstances push this ordinary man to do something he can’t undo...and now he must live with the undeniable reality of his actions. And just as Jason does finally learn to live with it, a landscaper discovers a body on his property—only it’s not the body Jason buried.

As Jason’s fragile peace begins to unravel, his life is hitched to the fortunes of several strangers: Leah, an abandoned woman looking for answers to her heartbreak; Tim, a small-town detective just doing his job; and Boyd, a fringe-dweller whose past is about to catch up to him—all of them in the wake and shadow of a dead man who had it coming.

With the tense pacing of a thriller and the language and beauty of a fine literary novel, Three Graves Full heralds the arrival of a stunning new voice in fiction (cover image and synopsis from Netgalley)

 

　

My Thoughts

One of my all time favorite movies is Fargo, so when the synopsis made reference to this being similar to the Coen brothers, I knew I had to read it. This comparison to the Coen brothers would be a pretty tall order to fill and I have to say Ms. Mason did it quite handily.

Buckle your seat belts ladies and gentleman because you are in for one heck of a roller coaster ride. This book has it all, mystery, suspense, humor and absolutely delightful writing style. Such detail and description! It is truly magical how the author was able to take these different characters and weave them into this intricate and twisting story.

No way this is a debut, but that it is. Bravo Ms. Mason. And might I add, I want more!!!!! I hope it’s not long before we get to see more of your writing.

I thank Gallery Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: February 12, 2013.

Shadow on the Crown
Patricia Bracewell

A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen

In 1002, fifteen� year old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.

Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.

Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces readers to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern readers. ICover image and synopsis from Netgalley)

My Thoughts

I have said many times that history was never more forte during my school years. Now I find that I enjoy both history and historical fiction. This book falls into the later category and is a perfect example of why I’m enjoying this genre so much.

Emma of Normandy - as the synopsis tells us is only fifteen when she is used as a pawn in the political chess game of European politics and married to the King of England. Her mother’s last words of wisdom were basically - you will be Queen. Make sure you command the respect the title deserves. Emma takes this advice to heart and I am hear to tell you, she is feisty, determined, intelligent and crafty while being kind hearted and loving.

I thought Ms. Bracewell did an amazing job of weaving fact into a thoroughly enjoyable work of fiction. This book covers the early years in Emma’s role as Queen of England and I am pleased as punch that this is book one of a trilogy. I, like I’m sure many others, will be anxiously awaiting to hear the remaining story of Emma.

Many thanks to Penguin Group Viking and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: February 7, 2013

Harvest

 by Jim Crace

A remote English village wakes on the morning after harvest, looking forward to enjoying a hard-earned day of rest and feasting. But two mysterious columns of smoke mar the sky, raising alarm and suspicion.

The first column of smoke comes from the edge of the village land, sent as a signal by newcomers to announce their presence as per regional custom. The second smoke column is even more troubling: it comes from a blaze set in Master Kent's stables. Walter Thirsk, a relative outsider in the village, casts his eye on three local boys and blames their careless tomfoolery. The rest of the villagers, though, close ranks against the strangers rather than accuse one of their own. Two men and a woman are apprehended; their heads are shaved to mark their criminality; and the men are thrown into the stocks for a week. Justice has been served. Or has it?

Meanwhile, another newcomer has been spotted in the village sporting the finer clothes and fashionable beard of a townsman. Mr. Quill, as the villagers name him, observes them closely and takes careful notes about their land, apparently at Master Kent's behest. It is his presence more than any other that will threaten the village's entire way of life.

In effortless, expertly crafted prose, Jim Crace details the unraveling of bucolic life in the face of economic progress. His tale is timeless and unsettling, evoking a richly textured world you will remember long after you finish reading. (cover image and synopsis from Netgalley).

My Thoughts

I had read about 20% of this book and I kept thinking - something is very different about the way this is written. It then occurred to me that there was hardly any dialogue. The story is told from the perspective of one main character and is mostly descriptive of what he sees going on.

Honestly, if someone has said - hey, would you like to read a book that is almost all narrative? I probably would have said - no! But, the author handled this so well that the book end up being quite enjoyable. There was suspense and a certain level of creepiness that made it very interesting.

Thank you to Nan A. Talese/Doubleday and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: February 5, 2013

A Cold And Lonely Place

by Sara J. Henry

Freelance writer Troy Chance is snapping photos of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival ice palace when the ice-cutting machine falls silent. Encased in the ice is the shadowy outline of a body--a man she knows. One of her roommates falls under suspicion, and the media descends. Troy's assigned to write an in-depth feature on the dead man, who, it turns out, was the privileged son of a wealthy Connecticut family who had been playing at a blue collar life in this Adirondack village. And the deeper Troy digs into his life and mysterious death, the murkier things become. After the victim's sister comes to town and a string of disturbing incidents unfold, it's clear someone doesn't want the investigation to continue. Troy doesn't know who to trust, and what she ultimately finds out threatens to shatter the serenity of these mountain towns. She must decide which family secrets should be exposed, what truths should remain hidden, and how far her own loyalty can reach. (Cover image and synopsis from Netgalley)

My Thoughts

I call this a “quiet” book. The story unfolds slowly and the author did a great job of keeping me involved. Along the way, secrets are revealed and mysteries are solved. There were a few surprises, but no major twists or surprise endings. For this book, it all worked.

This is my first book by this author. I did not realize that it was a sequel to Learning to Swim. There were enough references to Troy’s previous experiences that it made me wonder if there had been a first book, but this in no way impeded my enjoying A Cold and Lonely Place. In fact, I so enjoyed the author’s style that I want to go back and read her first book.

My thanks to Crown Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: February 5, 2013.