Retro Horror - Vol. 9

So Stormi and I have been kind of striking out with this project and I'm sad to say this month wasn't much better either of us.  So looked for a revamped version coming up soon.  I promise it will still be horror related and hopefully it will work better for both of us.  I don't think I've had over a 3-paw rating for any choice this year - how depressing.  So read on for my review of this month's choice and the hop over to Stormi's  at Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! to see how she did with her Bentley Little read.

TITLE: Allhallow's Eve

AUTHOR: Richard Laymon

PUBLISHER: Headline

PUBLISHING DATE: 1985

PAGES: 246

SOURCE: Own Library

FROM GOODREADS: 

The Sherwood house has been deserted since the horrific killing of a local family in the sleepy town of Ashburg. When invitations to a mysterious party to be held there are sent out, nobody is particularly surprised - after all, everyone wants to party in a house of death on Allhallow's Eve.

MY THOUGHTS: So the book starts out in a small little town at the scene of a horrific murder which happened years before.  Right off the bat bodies start piling up so I had high promise for this book.  However, as the book goes on we have a temperamental teenager who grated my last nerve and a local cop who I really loved right up until he proposed to his girlfriend and swore he'd never leave her at the same time he's fantasizing about the motel clerk he just met.  And don't even get me started about the very end.  Apparently not everyone who needed to die did.

This book read really fast and thank heavens it was short.  I loved the premise and felt that the creepy Halloween party in the scary old house really had potential.  But see that awesome look creepy house on the cover?  Well the one in the book was described more like the Brady Bunch house.  In fact, the whole book had me saying "Richard, Richard, Richard."  Also, I know older horror was filled with problematic content and I really expect a lot of descriptions, many degrading, about the female body.  I can usually look past it and take it for what it is but in this book, it became so redundant and unnecessary.

I'm sure I'll eventually try something else by this author as I know so many love him but unfortunately, this wasn't the one for me.

RATING: 2 PAWS

Top Ten Tuesday - Most Anticipated Releases July - December 2021

 

The top 10 weekly meme used to be hosted by The Broke and the Bookish they  handed over the reins to That Artsy Reader Girl who can be found HERE.  Each week she will focus on lists which cover various topics related to books and reading.

This week I am sharing some of my most anticipated releases for the second half of 2021.  This week's topic could also be called "LET'S WATCH OUR TBR EXPLODE"

Faithless - Hunter Shea/Releasing October 21, 2021

I'm always excited to see a new Shea book on the horizon. 

The Book of Accidents - Chuck Wendig/Releasing July 20, 2021.

I must be anticipating this one because I pre-ordered it, something I rarely do.

The Great Gatz - Lauren Baratz-Logsted & Jackie Logsted/Releasing December 7, 2021.

If this one isn't under the Christmas tree this year someone might get hurt!

Stalking Shadows - Cyla Panin/Releasing September 14, 2021.

Gothic Beauty and the Beast retelling?  What's not to love about this one?

Seven-Year Witch - Angela M. Sanders/Releasing August 24, 2021.

The first in this series was one of the best cozy mystery books I've read in a long time.  

Red Wolf - Rachel Vincent/Releasing July 27, 2021.

I love this author and Red Riding Hood retellings.  Plus look at that cover!

Mark of the Wicked - Georgia Bowers/Releasing August 10, 2021.

Witches?  Yes please.

So there you have it.  It may only be 7 but that's because I know all of you guys will have additional ones I need to add to my ever-growing list!

Random Things Tours - The Maidens

 

TITLE: The Maidens

AUTHOR: Alex Michaelides

PUBLISHER: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

PUBLISHING DATE: June 10, 2021

PAGES: 352

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A handsome and charismatic Greek Tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike—particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens.

Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered in Cambridge.

Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld?

When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving Fosca’s guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything—including her own life.

MY THOUGHTS: I think I'm one of the few people who has not read The Silent Patient but I can assure you, after reading The Maidens, I definitely want to pick it up.  Mariana is living a quiet life as a psychologist in the small home she once shared with her deceased husband.  One evening she gets a call from Zoe, her niece who is studying at Cambridge, that a close friend has been murdered.  Mariana runs to Cambridge to comfort her niece but as more students begin to die, and a mysterious group led by a charismatic leader starts to emerge, Mariana finds herself deep in the middle of the investigation.  But will she like where it heads?

The Maidens was such a quick read.  I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Sometimes I found myself rooting for Mariana and Zoe, and sometimes I cursed them for the secrets they were keeping.  Edward Fosca was the perfect creepy teacher preying on young students and some of the side characters were just enough to keep the reader guessing.

In the end, I can honestly say the twist threw me.  While it did bother me somewhat and I kind of wished it had played out differently, I totally commend the author for the shock factor.  I definitely didn't see it coming which is something I think a lot of us wish for when reading a thriller.  I highly recommend this one which is good because most of the bloggers I follow already have it on their radar.

Small notes - there is a pet death in this one which disturbed me.  However, it happens in a flashback and while I don't fully understand why that made it easier to read about, it did for some reason.  Guess it's just another  quirk of mine.

RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alex Michaelides was born and raised in Cyprus. He has an M.A. in English literature from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and an M.A. in screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The Silent Patient was his first novel and was the biggest-selling debut in the world in 2019. It spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list and sold in a record-breaking forty-nine countries. Alex lives in London.

Can't Wait Wednesday (321) - A Double Dog Dose!

 

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

SYNOPSIS: XK9 Rex is a dog who knows too much. Now his past is gunning for him.

Rex and his Packmates were bio-engineered and cyber-enhanced to be cutting edge law enforcement tools. So smart they’re considered uplifted sapient beings on Rana Habitat Space Station. Rex may be the Leader of the Pack on Rana, but his past is still gunning for him.

Before Rex came to Rana Station, he ran afoul of Transmondian spymaster Col. Jackson Wisniewski. He deliberately flunked out of the espionage program and threatened Wisniewski’s life. Now Wisniewski wants Rex dead. Transmondian agents watch and wait for any opportunity to strike.

Rex takes pains to evade his old enemy. His human partner, Charlie, faces a different struggle. He works to recover from catastrophic injuries – and comes face-to-face with a once-in-a-lifetime love he thought he’d lost forever.

Can Rex and Charlie confront their pasts and secure their futures? Or will events force them to sacrifice everything?

WHY I CAN'T WAIT: I feel like I've been waiting for years for this book.  When Jan contacted me last week and said it was getting ready to roll out, I actually squealed as bit.  And how awesome is that cover?  You can find my review for the first one HERE.

CASSIUS'S PICK:

SYNOPSIS: It's scary being the new dog.

In this suspenseful new series, readers meet Sophie, a dog who can't remember what happened. She doesn't know how she ended up in this house. She doesn't recognize any of these other dogs. She knows something terrible happened but she just... can't... recall... Wait! Where's her lady? It's all coming back to her now, and it's enough to raise Sophie's hackles. Now Sophie has to figure out where she is, what's happening and how she's going to survive this.

They say there's no such thing as a bad dog, just bad owners.

STRAY DOGS is a heartbreakingly adorable suspense thriller by My Little Pony comic artists TONY FLEECS and TRISH FORSTNER. It's Lady and the Tramp meets Silence of the Lambs.

Collects STRAY DOGS #1-5

WHY CASSIUS CAN'T WAIT:  I'm a very visual dog so I love reading graphic novels with Mom.  I'm super curious about the tag of Lady and the Tramp meets Silence of the Lambs.  I can't imagine what that's all about.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

Flame Tree Press Tour - Queen of the Cicadas

 

TITLE: Queen of the Cicadas

AUTHOR: V. Castro

PUBLISHER: Flame Tree Press

PUBLISHING DATE: June 22, 2021

PAGES: 256

SOURCE: ARC

SYNOPSIS: 2018 - Belinda Alvarez has returned to Texas for the wedding of her best friend Veronica. The farm is the site of the urban legend,La Reina de Las Chicharras - The Queen of The Cicadas.

In 1950s south Texas a farm worker- Milagros from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, is murdered. Her death is ignored by the town, but not the Aztec goddess of death, Mictecacíhuatl. The goddess hears the dying cries of Milagros and creates a plan for both to be physically reborn by feeding on vengeance and worship. 

Belinda and the new owner of the farmhouse - Hector, find themselves immersed in the legend and realize it is part of their fate as well.

MY THOUGHTS:  I could make this review really short and just tell you that if you love horror, you need to read this book.  But I'll break it down a tad further.  Belinda travels to Texas for the wedding of her best friend.  She has recently lost her job and is questioning a lot of her life choices.  Belinda soon discovers that the farm B&B where the wedding is taking place was the site of a horrible tragedy in the 1950s.  Drawn to this tragedy in part because of her own heritage and in part because she has found a new friend in the farm's owner, Hector, Belinda sets out to right the wrongs which were done years ago and face the terrors which may await.

I immediately took a liking to Belinda.  She is a flawed character but is very open about her flaws and doesn't pull any punches.  The book is formatted in current day events with Belinda and Hector and flashbacks to the history of Milagros and her brutal murder.  

Parts of this book were truly terrifying and I honestly love to see this made into a motion picture.  Castro's descriptions were horrifying and beautiful - often at the same time.  I loved learning of the legend of La Reina de Las Chicharras and I couldn't read this book fast enough.  Rarely am I disappointed from Flame Tree Press but this book deserves to be shouted about.  So I'm shouting - READ IT NOW!

I can't wait to read more from V. Castro and she is a horror voice to be reckoned with!

RATING: 5 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Violet Castro was born in San Antonio, Texas to Mexican American parents. Since Violet was a child, she wrote short horror stories and was always fascinated with dark fiction beginning with Mexican folklore and the urban legends of Texas. At eighteen Violet left Texas for Philadelphia to attend Drexel University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and History. 

Violet now lives with her family in the U.K. writing and travelling with her children. She tries to return to the US twice a year to see her parents, three sisters and extended family. 

For More information about her books and other publications, please visit www.vvcastro.com. You can also follow her on Twitterand Instagram @vlatinalondon. 

Random Things Tours - Let's Fly

 

TITLE: Let's Fly

AUTHOR: Giles Fraser

PUBLISHER: Matador Books

PUBLISHING DATE: May 28, 2021

PAGES: 336

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: How do you survive when a lucky break turns out to be the worst thing that ever happened to you?

Nick Hunter is about to find out. He made a colossal mistake when he was barely out of school and now his whole world is in jeopardy as he races against the clock to save his family and his business from disaster.

In 1979 Hunter heads to London, and a squat in Notting Hill, with dreams of musical success. With his fellow squatters he forms a band and they record four short songs before tensions and misunderstandings drive them apart. Nick lies and tells the record company the songs are all his own work. Six years later one of the songs, Let’s Fly, is picked as the soundtrack to a blockbuster movie and Nick makes a fortune in royalties.

In 2017, Nick, his wife Sam and daughter Jen now live in the house opposite his old squat. His successful gig economy, online food business is about to go public, but someone is on his back. Nick is in massive debt and the heavies are closing in. Disasters are befalling the business just at the wrong time. Then Sam is snatched and, with a price on her head, Nick must come up with the money or lose her. With his life and family on the line – and just days to play with - Nick has to stop whoever is destroying his life and come clean with those he loves in order to hang on to everything he holds dear.

MY THOUGHTS: When the book opens the reader sees the main character, Nick, down on his luck after having lost everything. We are then transported back into the 1970's where we learn Nick used to be in a bad which eventually split up and then he made some pretty questionable decisions as life progressed.  Little by little the story unravels and the reader gets a good picture of what exactly led to Nick's miserable position when the tale first opened.  

While I never really loved Nick as a character, it was interesting to see what happened to him.  I love anything related to music so the parts about Nick and his band were extremely enjoyable, even if everyone made some stupid decisions along the way.  I also really liked how Fraser portrayed Nick - flaws and all.

This was a relatively quick read and I would not hesitate to pick up another book by this author in the future. If you like coming of age stories and don't mind a somewhat depressing scenario along the way, then I'd highly recommend Let's Fly.

RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Giles Fraser co-founded and runs Brands2Life, one of the world’s leading PR and communications agencies specialising in the technology and online sectors. He studied under Richard Skinner at The Faber Academy in 2015/16. He lives in Barnes, West London. 

 

Random Things Tours - The Murder of Graham Catton

 

TITLE: The Murder of Graham Catton

AUTHOR: Katie Lowe

PUBLISHER: HarperCollins

PUBLISHING DATE: June 10, 2021

PAGES: 400

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS:

Who do you believe?

The Wife

Hannah Catton: bereaved wife, doting mother, clinical psychologist; says she remembers nothing of the night her husband was killed.

The Suspect

Mike Philips: a 19-year-old repeat offender whose clothing was found at the scene, but who has repeatedly protested his innocence over the 10 years since he was imprisoned.

The Journalist

Anna Byers: host of the famous CONVICTION podcast that has seen numerous prison sentences overturned. She believes the wrong man is in jail, do you?

Someone knows more about the murder than they’re telling. It may have been Hannah’s husband who was murdered, but listeners are about to become judge, jury, and executioner on the new season of CONVICTION. 

MY THOUGHTS: So basically 10 years ago Hannah's husband Graham was murdered.  Although Hannah was home when it happened, she has no memory of the incident and no one was ever convicted.  Now Hannah and her daughter have moved on - she has remarried, her daughter is older, and Hannah is now a practicing psychologist.  However, a podcast called CONVICTION has decided to look into the cold case, and each episode causes more and more of Hannah's life to unravel.

I love me a podcast book and this one is no exception.  While there definitely is a lot going on in this book, I enjoyed watching everything happening slowly chip away at Hannah's sanity and security.  I liked Hannah but I found I was truly invested in finding out what really happened to Graham.  While this is a somewhat lengthy book, Lowe's pacing was consistent and I couldn't read it fast enough.  Anyone who enjoys a book featuring a podcast element would be doing themselves a disservice if they didn't pick this one up!

RATING: 5 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Katie is a graduate of the University of Birmingham with a BA(Hons) in English and an MPhil in Literature and Modernity, and in 2012 started her blog, Fat Girl PhD - writing about body image, feminism and health. Her writing has appeared in the Guardian, the Independent, and the BBC, as well as a number of media outlets in the US, Canada and Australia. Katie is currently working on a PhD in Female Rage in Literary Modernism and the #MeToo Era. THE FURIES is her first novel.