The Truth and Other Hidden Things, Lea Geller, Lake Union Publishing – Lea Geller’s, “The Truth and other Hidden Things,” portrays a desperate mother and housewife who becomes addicted to “likes” on her gossip column with a grandiose idea she will soon get a “book deal.”
The Other Emily, Dean Koontz, Thomas & Mercer – Dean Koontz’ forthcoming 2021 novel, “The Other Emily,” is so terrifying it’s impossible to set aside until the conclusion unfolds.
Lana’s War, Anita Abriel, Atria – Anita Abriel’s novel, Lana’s War, riffs on dark history, during a time of genocide of Jewish people by the Nazis during World War II.
Review: Do No Harm, Christina McDonald, Gallery Books – Christina McDonald’s novel, “Do No Harm,” is a vexing story that pivots around parents who resort to nightmarish measures to fund medical treatment for their dying son.
In 60 Stories About 30 Seconds, Bruce Van Dusen, Post Hill Press – The richness of Bruce Van Dusen’s book, “In 60 Stories About 30 Seconds,” springs from his perspective of key events that dramatically changed the production of television commercials during his forty-five years as a TV ad director and producer.
Make Them Cry, Smith Henderson & Jon Marc Smith, Harper Collins – Can private military contractors hired by the United States to stabilize violence in Afghanistan by taking over the country’s heroin traffic use the same tactics with Mexican drug cartels?
Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish, Tori Whitaker, Lake Union Publishing – Tori Whitaker’s “Glenn’s Last Wish,” fails to excite, with what turns out to be a tedious plot line. If that’s not enough, toss in Roe vs Wade, and add religious overtones.
The Book of Lost Names, Kristin Harmel, Gallery Books – Eva Traube Abrams, a university student living in Paris, refuses to believe a warning from a fellow student, who, like herself, wears a yellow star.
The Big Book of Modern Fantasy, Ann and Jeff Vandermeer, Vintage Books – Editors Ann and Jeff Vandermeer have compiled an extraordinary collection of creepy, scary and intelligent stories by an impressive number of fantasy writers from around the world in their hefty new tome, “The Big Book of Modern Fantasy.”
Hard Rain, Irma Venter-Elsa Silke translator, Amazon Crossing – Translated from Afrikaans, Irma Venter’s thriller,“Hard Rain,” takes the reader on a roller coaster ride.
