Random Things Tour - The Night Lawyer

TITLE: The Night Lawyer
AUTHOR: Alex Churchill
PUBLISHER: Red Door
PUBLISHING DATE: June 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

Sophie Angel is the night lawyer. Once a week, she's the one who decides what the papers can and can't say.

During the day, she's a barrister. She struggles for justice in a system that's close to collapse, where she confronts the most dangerous aspects of humanity. Her life changes when a wealthy Russian offers her the biggest case of her career, a rape trial with a seemingly innocent client. But is someone manipulating Sophie from the shadows or is the danger much closer to home? 

With her marriage under strain and haunted by nightmares from the past, Sophie must find the answer to these questions before it's too late. This is a story about betrayal, trust, guilt and innocence, played out from the courtrooms of London to the darkest corners of Soviet era Moscow.  

MY THOUGHTS: A little known tidbit of information about me is that I was accepted to law school and then at the last minute took a different path.  So you could say that from an early age, I've always been interested in legal-related books and shows.  That's probably one of the reason The Night Lawyer was such a hit for me.  Well, that along with some other things.

First of all Sophie Angel is a wonderful character.  She was born in Soviet Moscow and the author does a great job of weaving courtroom drama with pieces from Sophie's childhood which clue the reader in to some past secrets.  Also, although Sophie has the perfect marriage to anyone looking in from the outside.  That too is riddled is problems which keep developing further as the book proceeds. 

And secondly we have the legal case itself.  It centers around rape allegations and not only does the reader get a glimpse of the inside of British trial law, they also get a ringside seat to how the media can make almost any accused look like a victim and skew what the public really sees.

I've been seeing this book receive quite the buzz and I do believe it's well deserved.  If you love legal thrillers, a strong female protagonist and a intense plot, then you should definitely rush out and grab The Night Lawyer.


RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alex Churchill was a barrister, specialising in serious crime for over three decades, and a writer.

Orenda Blog Tour - The Big Chill

TITLE: The Big Chill
AUTHOR: Doug Johnstone
PUBLISHER: Orenda Books
PUBLISHING DATE: August 20, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

Running private investigator and funeral home businesses means trouble is never far away, and the Skelf women take on their most perplexing, chilling cases yet in book two of this darkly funny, devastatingly tense and addictive new series! 

Haunted by their past, the Skelf women are hoping for a quieter life. But running both a funeral directors’ and a private investigation business means trouble is never far away, and when a car crashes into the open grave at a funeral that matriarch Dorothy is conducting, she can’t help looking into the dead driver’s shadowy life. 

While Dorothy uncovers a dark truth at the heart of Edinburgh society, her daughter Jenny and granddaughter Hannah have their own struggles. Jenny’s ex-husband Craig is making plans that could shatter the Skelf women’s lives, and the increasingly obsessive Hannah has formed a friendship with an elderly professor that is fast turning deadly. 

But something even more sinister emerges when a drumming student of Dorothy’s disappears and suspicion falls on her parents. The Skelf women find themselves sucked into an unbearable darkness – but could the real threat be to themselves? 

Following three women as they deal with the dead, help the living and find out who they are in the process, The Big Chill follows A Dark Matter, book one in the Skelfs series, which reboots the classic PI novel while asking the big existential questions, all with a big dose of pitch-black humour.  

MY THOUGHTS: The Big Chill centers around three women of the Skelf family who not only run a funeral home but are also private investigators.  It does seem the two seem to go hand in hand more often than not and it seems these woman can never get a moment of real peace.  I love the family dymanics and the fact that the book shows us three generations of one family. 

I do wish I had read the first book in this series but Orenda is definitely increasing my TBR of back titles.  While this book is rather dark at times, there are also some times of humor and I feel the author did a spectacular job of weaving the two together.  The Big Chilll also showcases science and some thoughts on parallel universes which surprisingly, was explained well and didn't confuse me.

If you love character driven books the The Big Chill will not disappoint.  This book is screaming for a series people can fall in love with and binge watch time and time again.  I can't wait for the next installment and more urgently, I can't wait for my copy of A Dark Matter to arrive!


RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Doug Johnstone is the author of more ten novels, most recently Breakers (2019), which has been shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year and A Dark Matter (2020), which launched the Skelfs series. Several of his books have been bestsellers and award winners, and his work has been praised by the likes of Val McDermid, Irvine Welsh and Ian Rankin. He’s taught creative writing and been writer in residence at various institutions – including a funeral home, which he drew on to write A Dark Matter – and has been an arts journalist for twenty years. Doug is a songwriter and musician with five albums and three EPs released, and he plays drums for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, a band of crime writers. He’s also player-manager of the Scotland Writers Football Club. He lives in Edinburgh.

A Great Autumn Read Recommendation - The Malan Witch

TITLE: The Malan Witch
AUTHOR: Catherine Cavendish
PUBLISHER: Silver Shamrock Publishing
PUBLISHING DATE: August 18, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

"Naught remained of their bodies to be buried, for the crows took back what was theirs." 

An idyllic coastal cottage near a sleepy village. What could be more perfect? For Robyn Crowe, borrowing her sister’s recently renovated holiday home for the summer seems just what she needs to deal with the grief of losing her beloved husband.

But behind those pretty walls lie many secrets, and legends of a malevolent sisterhood—two witches burned for their evil centuries earlier. Once, both their vile spirits were trapped there. Now, one has been released. One who is determined to find her sister. Only Robyn stands in her way. 

And the crow has returned.  

MY THOUGHTS: Sometimes I feel when I read novella length books I am missing something.  I suppose it has something to do with character development and plot being shortcut in some manner.  But this is definitely not the case with The Malan Witch.  Despite its shorter length I found it to be a highly immersive and complete tale.

Robyn Crowe lost her husband six months ago and still in the depths of grief, she decides to go stay in her sister's vacation coastal cottage.  While the place has been recently renovated, it is also extremely old and Robyn soon starts to learn that many secrets are held within the walls of the place dubbed the Malan cottage.  Before Robyn knows it, she starts feeling and seeing things in the home and there is also a crow hovering around that refuses to leave.  After speaking with locals, she discovers that the home is on the property where two witches were once burned.  Could the incidents be related and if so, what could the spirits want from Robyn?

I've read another book by Cavendish last year and really enjoyed it so when she reached out to me, I couldn't pass this one up.  Cavendish has a wonderful ability to create Gothic atmospheres and while reading this, I kept thinking it would be a perfect read for a crisp autumn night with the wind rustling outside and a candle flickering in the corner.  I was immediately attached to Robyn and felt both her grief and her fear.  I also really liked the side characters whom Robyn sought out for help.  And finally, there was even a twist or two thrown into the tale for good measure which made it only that much more enjoyable.  Do I feel the story could have been longer?  Well, as an avid reader, probably so.  But do I feel it needed to be?  Absolutely not.  And if you are looking for a fairly quick read full of suspense and atmosphere then look no further.  Cavendish is quickly becoming a go-to author when I'm in the mood for spooky, Gothic scares.

RATING:  4 PAWS

Orenda Blog Tours - Hinton Hollow Death Trip

TITLE: Hinton Hollow Death Trip
AUTHOR: Will Carver
PUBLISHER: Orenda Books
PUBLISHING DATE: August 6, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

It’s a small story. A small town with small lives that you would never have heard about if none of this had happened.

Hinton Hollow. Population: 5,120. 

Little Henry Wallace was eight years old and one hundred miles from home before anyone talked to him. His mother placed him on a train with a label around his neck, asking for him to be kept safe for a week, kept away from Hinton Hollow. 

Because something was coming. Narrated by Evil itself, Hinton Hollow Death Trip recounts five days in the history of this small rural town, when darkness paid a visit and infected its residents. A visit that made them act in unnatural ways. Prodding at their insecurities. Nudging at their secrets and desires. Coaxing out the malevolence suppressed within them. Showing their true selves. 

Making them cheat.
Making them steal. 
Making them kill. 

Detective Sergeant Pace had returned to his childhood home. To escape the things he had done in the city. To go back to something simple. But he was not alone. Evil had a plan.  

MY THOUGHTS: So if you don't know how much I tend to love books by published by Orenda Books, then you apparently haven't read my reviews.  For the past year or so, some of my favorite and most memorable reads have come from Orenda.  Well, this book pretty much solidifies it and given the time and the opportunity, I'm pretty sure I'd read anything they toss my way.

Hinton Hollow Death Trip is the third book in the Sergeant Pace series.  Have I read the first two? No.  Did I feel I missed out on something? Not really but let me clarify.  I clearly don't think I would have enjoyed the book anymore than what I did, but I do think I would have known a tad bit more about Sergeant Pace which might have filled in some gaps.  And in a rarity, did I go and immediately order the first two books?  Yes, because I'm pretty sure Will Carver is on the way to be one of my favorite must-read authors.

When the book opens, we are introduced to a little boy who has been put on a train alone with a note around his neck.  He has been sent away by his mother and has been told to keep quiet about where he lives for seven days.  See, his mother knows something is on its way to Hinton Hollow and she wanted her son clear of the devastation. Evil has come to town.  And it systematically has a plan for destruction.  Slowly the reader is introduced to the townspeople.  Some are pure of heart. Some are good but Evil tells us good isn't good enough anymore.  And some are bordering on the brink of doing bad deeds and all they need is a little push in the right direction.  I held on to every word and every chapter not knowing where Carver was leading me or how it would end.  All I know is I loved some of these characters and some deserved their outcome.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't address the unique style of this book.  As mentioned, it is narrated by Evil.  And through the take, the reader gets a good hard look at humanity, ethical dilemmas, and individuals faced with choices.  Evil is such a unique character and dare I say isn't all bad.  And the atmosphere Carver creates along with an eeriness and feeling of dread is reminiscent of some of my favorite horror authors.  I could actually see this playing out as a movie the further I read.

So yep, Orenda Books does it again.  They've yet to fail me and this time they introduced me to an author and series I absolutely have to start from the beginning.  Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.  Oh and last but not least, don't let the pretty cover fool you.  There is very little pretty in this book and I for one loved it even more so because there wasn't!

RATING: 5 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Will Carver is the international bestselling author of the January David series. He spent his early years in Germany, but returned to the UK at age eleven, when his sporting career took off. He turned down a professional rugby contract to study theatre and television at King Alfred’s, Winchester, where he set up a successful theatre company. He currently runs his own fitness and nutrition company, and lives in Reading with his two children. Good Samaritans was book of the year in Guardian, Telegraph and Daily Express, and hit number one on the ebook charts.

Can't Wait Wednesday (283)

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.

FROM GOODREADS: Adventures in Babysitting meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this funny, action-packed sequel about a coven of witchy babysitters who realize their calling to protect the innocent and save the world from an onslaught of evil.

Esme Pearl's life used to be all about bumming rides and babysitting. Sure, it wasn't glamorous, but it was predictable. All that changed when Cassandra Heaven came to town, and they discovered their complicated, and connected, legacy: Esme and Cassandra are Sitters, supernaturally-gifted teens armed with an ever-changing grimoire of Sitter witchcraft to help them protect the innocent and keep evil demons at bay. You know, the typical teenage stuff.

But just as Esme is starting to adjust to--and maybe even like--her new normal, life lobs another glitter bomb her way. The Synod--the Sitterhood's governing circle--has called a Summit, a once-in-a-generation gathering that promises training, education, and whole lot of ice-breakers.

Esme should be excited--a Summit might mean she can finally get the answers she desperately wants--but she can't shake a building sense of panic. Especially since Cassandra's not acting like herself; Esme's dad is MIA; Pig is out of dog food; Janis is scared to be alone; and there's a guy who seems too good to be true, again. Worst of all, it soon becomes clear, there's no one watching the kids. It's obvious the Summit is a haute mess, but will it be a deadly one, too?

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I had tons of fun with the first book in this series and can't wait to see what happens next with this group of witchy teens.  I also think this cover coordinates well with the first one.

CASSIUS'S PICK

FROM GOODREADS: An irresistible chapter book series from the New York Times bestselling author of A Dog's Purpose Puppy Tales featuring Lily, a rescue dog who rescues other animals!

Lily lives with her girl, Maggie Rose. Once a stray, Lily was rescued by the kind people at the animal shelter run by Maggie Rose’s mom. Now she has a very important purpose: to rescue other animals in trouble.

On a camping trip with Maggie Rose’s dad, Lily gets sprayed by a skunk. But the skunk has no stink! That means it can’t defend itself against big animals. Can Lily find a way to help? It’s

 Lily to the rescue!

WHY CASSIUS CAN'T WAIT:  Mom bought the first two of these children's books to read to me and Apollo for the Dog Days of Summer Challenge hosted by La La in the Library this month.  I'm sure after we read those, I'll be anxious to see what Lilly is up to next.  Mom has also warned me about skunks but I've never met one.  It looks kind of cute.  MAYBE I can convince Apollo to find one!

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Books With Colors in the Title

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

This week's topic is books with colors in the title.  I don't think I've done any topics similar to this one before so let's see how it goes!

RECENTLY READ:

Blood Red City - Rod Reynolds

Blackwood - Michael Farris Smith

Violet - S.J.I. Holliday

White Elephant - Trish Harnetiaux

Into the Black Nowhere (Unsub #2)

Okay, so this is surprisingly hard.  I've had to go back three years to find five.  So let's look at the TBR/wishlist and see if that's any easier.

Ruby - Nina Allan

Black Hollow - Myria Candies

Blood Red Sky - Paul Kane

White Trash Warlock - David R. Slayton

Red Noise - John P. Murphy

Yep, the wishlist was much easier to find some.  Seems like black, red and white are popular choices.  Can't wait to see everyone else's lists!

What's Happening (08-01-20)...

So I'm doing things a tad bit differently this year and will be combining all of my regular weekend posts.  This will enable me to add more content on Fridays and it is just starting to make more sense.  I'll still be linking up with Stacking the Shelves at Tynga's Reviews and Sunday Post at Caffeinated Reviewer.  Both blogs are awesome so make sure you check them out.

It's been a while since I've done an update and basically all I can say is while I haven't been in a reading slump, I have been in a bit of a life slump.  

Gpa finally made it out of the hospital after having a geriatric psychological evaluation.  They determined he is in early stages of dementia but also feel it could have been aggravated by extremely low B12 and lack of sleep because he was suffering from severe insomnia.  He is home with home health, neighbors and family and friends checking on him to see how he is doing.  I've been trying to go down twice a week instead of just once and doing some of his shopping.  Let's keep our fingers crossed this works. 

Cassius hasn't felt good the past two days.  We think he had some allergies flare up which made a lot of mucus in his stomach and he's had some difficulty eating.  We are watching him closely and he's starting to eat some this evening.  He's still drinking water but if he isn't better tomorrow, off to the ER vet he does.  Apollo is still growing like a weed and is over 70 pounds now.  His biting has gotten much better but every once in a while he still slips into Nosferatu.  I am participating in Dog Days of Summer (will have the announcement and all the info up next week) so look for some more Apollo posts (and Cass as well).

As I mentioned, I have been doing a lot of reading but to be honest, don't know what I'm picking up next.  I have also acquired a few books for review and can't wait to dive into them. 

The Betrayals: Bridget Collins

Black Veil: Greg Jolley

It Came From the Multiplex: 80s Midnight Chillers

The Lost Village: Camilla Sten

Silent Night: Nell Pattison

The Christmas Killer: Alex Pine

 So look for an indie horror haul next week as I have some saved on my Amazon wishlist that are seriously calling my name!  Hope you all are staying safe!