From Page to Screen: Hitchcock

May 13th was the 108th birthday of Cornish playwright and writer Daphne du Maurier. She spent her childhood sailing, traveling, and writing stories. One day she and her sister found an abandoned mansion called Menabilly and Daphne was fascinated by the gloomy stone building near the sea.

When she wrote her novel Rebecca, she used the crumbling estate as the setting and called it Manderley.  When Rebecca was published in 1938, it became an immediate best-seller. Du Maurier made enough money from the novel, and the film based on it, to buy Menabilly herself.


Many of her works have been adapted into films, including the novels Rebecca (won the Best Picture Oscar in 1941) and Jamaica Inn, and the short story “The Birds”. 

Try some of the following great Hitchcock movies and the wonderful books they were based on:

The 39 Steps (1935)—The 39 Steps by John Buchan

Secret Agent (1936)—2 stories in Collected Stories by W. Somerset Maugham

Sabotage (1936)—The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad

The Lady Vanishes (1938)—The Wheel Spins by Ethel Lina White

Rebecca (1940)—Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Suspicion (1941)—Before the Fact by Frances Iles

Spellbound (1945)—The House of Dr. Edwardes by Francis Beeding

Stage Fright (1950)—short story “Outrun the Constable” by Selwyn Jepson

Strangers on a Train (1951)—Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith and included in Patricia Highsmith: Selected Novels and Short Stories

Rear Window (1954)—short story “It Had to Be Murder” by Cornell Woolrich

To Catch a Thief (1955)—To Catch a Thief by David Dodge

The Trouble with Harry (1955)—The Trouble with Harry by Jack Trevor Story

Vertigo (1958)—D’Entre les Morts by Boileau-Narcejac

Psycho (1960)—Psycho by Robert Bloch

The Birds (1963)—short story in The Birds and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier

Marnie (1964)—Marnie by Winston Graham

Topaz (1969)—Topaz by Leon Uris

Family Plot (1976)—The Rainbird Pattern by Victor Canning


Try SearchOhio for any titles not available at the library.

Great Reads!

Someone asked me what kind of books I read. When I gave them a description of my favorite books, the person interrupted and said, "No. No. What genre do you read the most?" Well, the truth is I do not have one specific genre I read the most. I have characteristics that I look for in a book. When I find them in a book, no matter the genre, I end up reading the book and more times than not I enjoy it.   

To me the book's characteristics are more important than the book's genre or even whether the book is shelved in adult fiction or young adult fiction. I like a story with great characters that are believable. They don't have to be set in modern, futuristic or historical times, but if the character is a tough woman or man--then they need to stay tough throughout the book. Unless the author builds in a fear and it shows up (the same fear) throughout the series.  Think Indiana Jones and snakes.  You know that if you pick up a book about Indiana Jones and there's a snake in it, he is going to be a little freaked out. It is part of his character.

I also like a great plot and I love mystery and suspense novels.  If there's a love interest in the book I'll take that too. I guess what I truly look for is a fast paced book with interesting characters and a touch of suspense or a bit of a thriller.  

Here are a few of my recent reads and a few of my favorites! These are fantastic novels!  Here is my reader beware note....some of these titles are adult fiction and some are young adult. Remember I enjoy both! If you like suspense, mystery or thrillers which may have a hint of romance these are books you are going to enjoy. Give them a try. I dare you.

Recent Reads:
The Alphabet House by Jussie Adler-Olsen 
This is the harrowing odyssey of two British airmen who are shot down behind enemy lines during WWII and subsequently held captive and tortured under assumed German identities.
First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

When a strange, elderly man comes to town and threatens to disrupt the peaceful Waverley existence, the family pulls together to make things right.

Pawn by Aimee Carter
Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, Kitty must decide which path to choose and learn how to be more than a pawn in a twisted game.
Altar of Bones by Phillip Carter
This novel is packed with plenty of action and suspense. It includes the Russian mob, KGB spies, a Presidential assassination, a doomed Hollywood legend, deathbed confessions, corrosive power and shattered families. It will leave you stunned and breathless. 

The Burning Room by Michael Connelly
Detective Harry Bosch and his rookie partner investigate a cold case that gets very hot, very fast.
Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens she is haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin's arrow poisons Sera's mother. Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin's master and prevent a war between the Mer nations.

The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost
In a world of shadows, anything is possible, except escaping your fate. Fast paced, exhilarating with lots of action and a hint of romance.  Don't let the romance hold you back, there is a lot of action, mystery and suspense.
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

Kathleen Grissom brings to life a thriving plantation in Virginia in the decades before the Civil War, where a dark secret threatens to expose the best and worst in everyone tied to the estate. 

Haunted by Kay Hooper 
There have been several unusual murders. The news of the murders has left the town-on edge, especially when there is nothing remotely ordinary about how the men died.
The Fire Wish by Amber Lough 
A jinni, a princess and a wish that changes everything.
The Son by Jo Nesbo 

This excellent standalone novel takes the reader on a chilling ride with many unexpected twists.

Doing Harm by Kelly Parsons
A killer is set on playing a deadly game with a Dr. Steve Mitchell. The killer holds information that could ruin his career and marriage. Now, alone and under a cloud of suspicion, Steve must discover a way to outsmart his opponent and save the killer's next victim before the cycle repeats itself again and again...
The First Wife by Erica Spindler
Has to be one of my favorites. It is a suspenseful thrilling novel, filled with twists you won't see coming.

Old Favorites:
Maze Runner by James Dashner
A dark and gripping tale where teens must fight to survive.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Fast paced, suspenseful novel full of twists and turns.
You Don't Want To Know by Lisa Jackson
A chilling suspenseful thriller
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Gripping debut thriller filled with suspense and intrigue.
Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer
A gripping, fast paced novel filled with hidden secrets and historic detail. Excellent 
Imager Portfolio series by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
1st in the new series filled with action, adventure and growth. 
1st to Die Women's Murder Club Series by James Patterson
This is a fast paced crime thriller.
In Death Series by J.D. Robb
In a world of danger and murder she fights for justice.
Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson
A saga of surprises and martial arts action.
Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
A chilling and suspenseful thriller. 
I Am The Messenger by Mark Zusak 
Ed is on a mission, but who's behind it?

What a bear...

I recently read The Bear by Claire Cameron; a highly anticipated second novel from a prize winning writer. The story recounts the horrific event of a bear attack on a remote island in Ontario's Algonquin Park. The story is based loosely on a true event that occurred in 1991 when a couple was killed by a rogue bear in the same park. Cameron chose to retell the event by creating a fictional family rather than just focusing on the couple. The narrative is told through the eyes of the five-year-old daughter, Anna, who witnesses the aftermath of the attack and must rescue and care for her two-year-old brother. The novel is broken into three parts which are all narrated by Anna--every single word. Unfortunately, there is more information in the book jacket and author’s note than is ever provided within the story itself. I can’t help but wonder how the story would convey to a reader who was left with nothing outside of the text but the narrative and the title.

For the most part, the narration of the five-year-old added nothing to the storyline. The ruminations and inner workings of Anna’s mind seemed very contrived and forced. I felt like I was reading a story written by someone who has never experienced a child at this age. Not all children are the same, but I felt like some very elemental things were missing or overplayed depending on the situation. However, I will say that the third part of the novel, the rescue and homecoming of two newly orphaned children, was very profound. This part seemed very logical to have from the child’s perspective in order to express the confusion and residual effects of something so tragic.

The book was a quick read, but it left me unfulfilled. Not all events are suited for creative retelling. This is one story that failed to live up to the promotional efforts. Poor plot points and a contrived voice ruined the promised suspense and intrigue discussed in the reviews. Not to mention, some actions are just too difficult to justify on behalf of the parents when small children are involved in the decision making process. I hate to criticize a book so harshly, but this is one that failed to impress me. I will say that I did finish the book (I had to know what happened to Stick), but little else kept my attention.
 

Mystery Novels, Part 2

 

Mysteries are one of the most beloved genres in literature. It is second only to romance novels. They are favorites because most people have an innate sense of curiosity when posed with a problem be it a murder, a theft or assault.  Most people find looking at the clues and trying to figure out who did it to be fun and exciting.  The only harm that may befall a mystery novel lover is the moment when the story ends and it is the wee hours of the morning,...their trip up the dark stairwell may be quite exhilarating. In part 1 of my mystery series I covered locked room puzzle mysteries and cozy mysteries. Now I want to talk about some of my favorite sub-genres of mysteries, the thrillers.

 

There are medical thrillers, suspenseful thrillers and legal thrillers. These novels  are all fast paced and filled with action. Even the suspenseful thrillers are heart palpitating stories that keep readers on the edge of their seat trying to guess whodunit and why. Here are some new and old thrillers that I am sure will keep you turning pages until the wee hours of the morning.  Here are some of the newest and a few of the oldest thrillers that are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

 

Medical Thrillers

Resuscitation by D.M. Annechino

Coma by Robin Cook

Sphere by Michael Crichton

The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

A Circle of Wives: A Novel by Alice La Plante

Shutter Island by Dennis LeHane

Stress Test by Richard Mabry

Spiral by Paul McEuen

The Relic by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

Doing Harm by Kelly Parsons (new debut novel)

 

Legal Thrillers

 

First Family by David Baldacci

Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson

The Gods of Guilt: A Novel by Michael Connelly

Primal Fear by William Diehl

The Client by John Grisham

Defending Jacob by William Landay

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Proof Positive by Phillip Margolin

Unleashed by David Rosenfelt

Think Twice by Lisa Scottoline

Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow

The Seven Minutes by Irving Wallace

 

Suspenseful Thrillers

Deception Point by Dan Brown

The Innocent by Harlan Coben

The Bone Collector by Jeffrey Deaver

Act of Treason by Vince Flynn

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

Tell Me by Lisa Jackson

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

The Inner Circle by Brad Metzer

Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs

Amazonia by James Rollins

Beautiful Lies: A Novel by Lisa Unger

Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson

 

 



The Rook by Daniel O’Malley

The Rook by Daniel O’Malley

Within O’Malley’s The Rook there is an interesting blending of two fairly popular genres. The first is the spy novel. We are treated to secrecy and intrigue at the highest levels, impersonations, investigations, and infiltrations abound and sufficient baddies and brawls to sate followers of Ian Fleming’s notorious 007. Second, elements of urban fantasy/paranormal, which seems to continue in popularity.

The Rook opens out protagonist (Myfanwy Thomas) coming to in a rainy park with no memory of who she is or why she is so bruised and sore, seemingly from fighting, and surrounded by dead bodies. In fact, only a note from her past even lets Myfanwy even know her name and that her memory and even her personality have been erased. As she tries to grasp what happened and find out who is behind it, we learn that is a high level member of the Checquy, an organization that battles supernatural threats to Britain. As Thomas struggles to impersonate past, wiped-personality, she also learns that there is a plot afoot to overthrow not only the Checquy group, but to also invade England. To make matters worse, it is someone within the Checquy leadership that attacked Thomas and the plot to take over England.

Initially, the concept of this supernatural organization feels a bit like a spin-off of the X-men, with some powers that seem just odd. However, O’Malley does introduce a character by the name of Gestalt, who is one mind in control of 4 bodies and does some rather interesting things with the concept.

Stylistically, we are subjected to letters from the old Thomas giving useful but ill-timed information right as the new Thomas is about to start something dangerous. The effect is very similar to mini-cliffhanger commercial breaks in TV shows.

While The Rook does have the feel of a debut novel, it is still an entertaining read. Also, with some more experience and polish, I can easily see O’Malley taking this spy/paranormal/fantasy genre some very interesting and fun places.

If You Liked Fifty Shades of Grey, Try These...

I have received many requests for titles that are as 'hot' as the Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy. These novels sizzle with romance and are full of passion, but the writing in my opinion is better than Fifty Shades of Grey. My advice: read and enjoy!

After the Night by Linda Howard
Faith Devlin wanted to hate Gray Rouillard--not feel drawn to him. For Rouillard, the thought of Faith in a swirl of tangled sheets beneath him was unthinkable--because he planned to use all his power to ruin her. But uncovering old secrets and new desires is something they can only do together.

When he was Wicked By Julia Quinn
A Well written romance novel that leads away from the typical romance story. Initially the main character, Francesca Bridgerton is madly in love with her husband, who is not the hero of the story. The hero, Michael Stirling is in love with Francesca from the beginning. The story develops as death comes to the Bridgerton household. Michael has been waiting for years for Penelope and when they finally get together, it is worth the wait.

Bared to you by Sylvia Day
If you enjoyed the Fifty Shades trilogy you will enjoy this novel. Day is a brilliant writer and her novel is charged with electricity. Meet Gideon Cross multimillionaire, who is damaged. In walks Eva who is drawn to Gideon, although they are mirror opposites that are drawn together.

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
Brilliantly written with an abundance of intrigue and of course, passion.
Braden Carmichael is used to getting what he wants, and he's determined to get Jocelyn into his bed. Knowing how skittish she is about entering a relationship, Braden proposes an arrangement that will satisfy their intense attraction without any strings attached. But after an intrigued Jocelyn accepts, she realizes that Braden won't be satisfied with just mind-blowing passion. The stubborn Scotsman is intent on truly knowing her… down to her very soul.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

This is a beautifully written novel that will warm your heart, while it is breaking. Prepare for a roller coaster ride as Abby the "Good Girl" meets Travis the one night stand. This is a passionate love story filled with wit and plenty of sizzle. Abby is determined to remain innocent. Travis is determined to have her. When he makes Abby a bet, he anticipates an easy win. He has no idea it's anyone's game.    

Unleashed by Cherrie Lynn
What happens when your husband and your best friend's fiancee, have an affair? Why of course you get even.  Kelsey is shattered by her husband's betrayal and Evan, Kelsey's best friend, has an extra ticket to paradise. He vows to take Kelsey with him and make her realize she is the one for him.  

Double Time (Sinners on Tour, #5) by Olivia Cunning
This is an e-book, no cover to give you away. This is a hot read! There's snappy dialogue, scorching hot love scenes, rock stars and real life drama.

Unholy Night

Seth Grahme-Smith creates another masterpiece while mixing history and fantasy into an interesting smash hit!   His first attempt at this genre combination was taking Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and creating Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It was a success,which led him to write his next hit Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
In Unholy Night he uses his wit to remake one of the most famous stories of all time, the nativity into a swashbuckling, fast paced, dark thriller  and somehow also manages to make it a faithful adventure. Unholy night is not just a retelling of the famous nativity story but a merger of one of the oldest stories in history combined with a likeable hero, Balthazaar the thief, leader and nonbeliever. Take your traditional nativity story  add in a mix of what if and you are set for a thrill a minute.

Werewolves, Vampires and Fae

I found a new author, guess she isn't really new, it's just the first time I read one of her books.  I like fantasy, suspense fiction and action packed stories that have well developed characters.  Patricia Briggs offers her readers all that in her Mercedes Thompson novels.  I should know I spent the past few days reading Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed, and Silver Borne. Tonight I'll probably read, River Marked (yep, just finished it).  Then I have to wait a year for her next in the series, Frost Burned (sigh) . 

Her books are similar to Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series, except Patty does not include explicit sex scenes. She has vampires, werewolves, fae and of course good old humans. Mercedes is a walker, this makes her not fully human, not a werewolf, vampire or fae but something other. She is still learning what a walker is and it seems no one can tell her what she is or rather those who know are not willing to part with the knowledge.  I am guessing because it will give Mercedes power. Unlike Anita Blake, Mercedes does not heal quickly. Yet she gets in a mess of trouble all the time just like Anita.  They don't usually start the trouble but both heroines end up finishing it.  If you enjoy Urban Fantasy and don't mind fight scenes, give the Mercedes Thompson series or the Anita Blake Series a try.  Another similar title is Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. Harris blends horror, mystery and a bit of romance into her own paranormal series, which includes vampires and werewolves.   Her witty style makes her novels a fun read and the touch of horroe hooks you and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The Night Strangers

I recently finished The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian. This is a very creepy novel with some terrific twists and turns.

The story begins with a harrowing sequence in which Chip Linton, a commercial pilot, attempts a daring crash into the Lake Champlain when his plane malfunctions.  Bohjalian's detailed description of the events during this sequence alone make this book worth reading.  The attempt goes horribly wrong and Chip leaves his Philadelphia home with his wife, Emily, and twin daughters for a new start in a small New Hampshire town.  Chip's struggles with post-traumatic stress syndrome make for a good backdrop to the key elements of the story: the creepy Victorian home the family moves to and the inhabitants of the small town. 

The new home contains a lot of secrets, including small items that the family finds throughout the home and the coal chute door in the basement.  The door is shut by 39 carriage bolts, the same number of victims in Chip's plane crash.  Chip quickly becomes obsessed with the oddities throughout the home.  The town of Bethel holds its own secrets.  The family notices that most of the houses, including their own, have a greenhouse.  A good portion of the town is populated by practicing herbalists who take their craft very seriously.  Emily is also disturbed by the way the some of the inhabitants have taken a deep interest in her twin daughters.  Are the townspeople simply showing sympathy for a family that's gone through a lot, or do they have other plans?

World Cup Caliber Authors from the United States

This week we are celebrating the runners-up of the Women's World Cup by highlighting writers from the United States.  Since there is not enough time or space to cover all of the states, we are choosing the states from where most of the ladies on the team hail:  New Jersey and California.

From suspense and thriller novelists Mary Higgins Clark and Harlan Coben to award-winning children's author Sharon Creech, New Jersey is birthplace and home to many talented writers.

Edna Buchanan--this Paterson, NJ, mystery author and journalist won the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for reporting.

Janet Evanovich--this NY Times best-selling author is most well known for her wacky Stephanie Plum mysteries set in Trenton.

Laura Anne Gilman--this New Jersey born science fiction, supernatural romance, and fantasy novelist was nominated for 2009 Nebula Award.

Belva Plain--this novelist lived in Millburn and died in 2010 at the age of 95. At the time of her death there were over 30 million copies of her books in print.

Philip Roth--this Newark literary novelist has won two National Book Awards, three Pen/Faulkner Awards, and the Pulitzer Prize.

California is full of great writers including science fiction and fantasy greats Kage Baker and Greg Bear and 2-time Nebula Award winner Catherine Asaro. Try one of these other gifted authors from the Golden State.

Nevada Barr--this writer grew up in Johnstonville and writes mysteries starring Anna Pigeon, a female law enforcement ranger for the National Park Service.

James Ellroy--this Los Angeles native wrote gritty crime novels including L. A. Confidential and The Black Dahlia.

Shirley Jackson--this queen of psychological horror was a San Francisco native and wrote the short story "The Lottery" and the novel The Haunting of Hill House.

Maxine Hong Kingston--this Chinese-American writer and professor from Stockton won the National Book Award in 1981 for China Men.

John Steinbeck--born in Salinas, this author penned the Pulitzer Prize winning The Grapes of Wrath, the often filmed East of Eden, the tragic novella Of Mice and Men, and many other classics.  He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.

Not all angels are Divine

The weather is cooler. The nights grow darker and it's time for tales of suspense and thrills. The kind of story that makes you want to cover your head and hope that you are no longer home alone. Let's be honest October is the time for all things spooky and suspenseful. So naturally I found three novels that fit perfectly into the suspenseful, thriller, murder mystery whodunit category. Don't read them too late at night or you may not sleep very well. Not all angels are divine and the story of the black angel is revealed during an exciting new novel by Julie Kramer.

Killing Kate by Julie Kramer is a thriller. This is the 4th in a series, but it can stand alone. The plot twists and turns and when you suspect you have it, you don't. The novel begins with Kate's death. Riley, a newspaper reporter, speaks with her former friend. She just happens to be Kate's sister. While speaking to her friend in Kate's home, Riley notices a chalk outline on the ground and assumes the police placed it there around the fallen Kate. She can't figure out why they made Kate's arms look misshapen. It appears almost as if she had wings. Riley is tenacious and wants to solve this crime. She is sure there is more to the story, but between her boss and her boyfriend, can she find the truth? The story is told from Riley and the killer's point of view. As Riley fits the pieces together you wonder will the killer let her live or will the angel of death take Riley to her final resting place?

 Before I Go to Sleep by Steven J. Watson is truly a chilling story.  It's the story of Christine, a young woman, who has an accident and recovers. The tragedy is that although she has physically recovered, her memory is impaired. Once she goes to sleep she forgets who she is and everything about her life. Each day begins anew with untold challenges. Her doctor has her keep a journal privately and tells her not to let her husband, Ben know. Who can she trust? Is her doctor her friend? Why doesn't he want her to trust her husband? Christine wants her life back, but what kind of life did she have and can she have it if she remembers nothing about her former life? A story of terror unfolds and keeps you hanging on til its gripping conclusion. When you are sure you have figured out what is happening the author twists the plot again and takes you for another spine tingling ride. 


The Accident by Linwood Barclay fits perfectly in our recession centered world. Everyone is hard hit financially in this novel. Glen's business is failing.  He is a builder and one of his homes had a fire that destroyed everything and worse yet his wife just died in a car accident that she may have caused.  The police believe Sheila (Glen's wife) was driving drunk.  Can things get worse? Why of course they can.  His daughter is having trouble in school, his mother-in-law blames Glen for Sheila's death and things in Milford keep getting more bizarre.  Strange deaths are occurring and  it all seems to lead back to Sheila.  Can Glen prove her innocence or was Sheila living a double life.  This is an exciting fast paced whodunit that will keep you riveted to your seat.  Just when the mystery appears solved, is it? If you enjoy mysteries and thrillers this is a must read.

Miracle Stealer

If you haven't read a cross over novel perhaps this one will make you start.  Miracle Stealer by Neil Connelly, grabs you and keeps you riveted to your seat. His plot twists and turns. Even when I was sure I knew where he was going I was wrong.  It kept me enraptured until the wee hours of the morning.  It is one of the best inspirational and suspenseful novels I've read in a long time. 

This story is an unwitting journey of faith.  Anderson Grant doesn't believe in God.  She lives in a town of fanatics, who believe her brother, Daniel, is able to perform miracles. Daniel is 6 and has been 'performing' miracles since he was 3. The town and church can't get enough of him. Whenever someone is dying or terminally ill Andi's mom takes him to their bedside and has him pray. Andi sees how upset and pale her brother, Daniel, becomes after each ordeal. She can't help but wonder what will happen to him, if the person dies. Amazingly enough most people he 'heals' get better. However Andi does not care she is concerned for her brother and is determined to keep him safe from the 'crazies', even if it means she has to take him away.

Andi does not believe in God nor does she believe her brother can perform miracles. What happens when her beliefs are shaken?  Who can she turn to? What happens when you are alone and desperate. Does faith begin? Can it begin if you don't believe? Can anyone be a conduit for God's love and blessings? Perhaps, maybe is the best answer. Neil Conelly's novel will make you wonder, believe and thank God for all you have.  

Lessons in Psychological Fiction

Lately, I seem to be reading a lot of books that build suspense while placing the protagonists in very uncomfortable positions.  These are the books that make one wonder, "What would I do if I were in that situation?"  The overarching theme of the next three books are people who are trying to survive those situations and then, more importantly, to move on.

I just finished Emma Donoghue's newest novel, Room.  This is not a happy-go-lucky story by any stretch of the imagination.  Five year-old Jack and his mother, who is referred to as Ma throughout, live their entire lives confined within Room.  Their supplies come from "Old Nick" who stops by a few evenings a week.  Both Jack and Ma are scared of Nick and they try to keep him happy by asking for very little in the way of supplies each week.  Ma won't even let him look at Jack.  This book builds the suspense to such an uncomfortable level.  Just when you begin to put the pieces together, you wonder if you actually want to put it all together.

There are a lot of similarities between Room and Still Missing by Chevy Stevens.  Annie O'Sullivan has escaped from her captor, whom she dubs "The Freak."  She recounts the whole harrowing experience to her therapist and, even though we know she has managed to escape, the reader's heart breaks as Annie tells of all the horrible things that happened during her captivity.  The main character is very believable as she we go through her conversations with the doctor as sometimes she wants to discuss certain matters at other times does not.  As psychological suspense goes, this one was hard to put down.

I mentioned Fragile by Lisa Unger in a previous post and it definitely works in this genre as well.  Another of Unger's works, Black Out, is another good candidate.  Annie Powers has put her previous life behind her and lives happily with her family in Florida.  Of course, Annie isn't her real name.  Her real name is Ophelia.  And Ophelia has many dark secrets that Annie has tried to hide.  A dangerous figure from her past seems to have returned and Annie does not know how best to deal with the situation.  To make matters worse, she finds that other people may know about her past.  Some of whom are very close to her.

The Next Great Crime Series!

There is no doubt that crime fiction is hot! Just look at Stieg Larrson's Millennium trilogy that most libraries can't keep on their shelves. Here is 
the next great crime series by Zoe Ferraris. Her first book Finding Nouf led off the series. However, when I picked up City of Veils I didn't realize it was a sequel. Fortunately this novel is so well written it stood alone and is creating A HUGE SENSATION! Now I have to go back and read the first one in the series.

Ferraris creates a realistic murder mystery set in Jeddah. Her story is multi-faceted and weaves a tale that shows us a social mosaic of Saudi Arabian culture and the role of Islam in their world.  She combines this cultural education with an intriguing murder mystery/who done it, that made me 
want to know....what HAPPENS NEXT! Just when I thought I knew who did it and why,...she presented another angle and I had to reevaluate my thoughts.


The tale begins as a young woman's mutilated body is found on the beach. In this country where women must wear a burqa in public and are not meant to be seen or heard (by men outside of their immediate family) investigating a crime surrounding her death can be difficult. Most women's faces are never seen and in fact the viewing of a woman's face and hair can lead to their imprisonment by the regular or even the religious police.


As the story unfolds we learn more about Islamic culture and women's rights through Katya and Miriam. Katya is a forensic scientist who works in a crime lab (quite unusual for most women in Saudi Arabia) and Miriam is an American woman whose husband is a bodyguard working in Saudi Arabia. Her husband disappears and she is left bereft in a foreign culture where women have no voice and should not be seen. She unwittingly becomes acquainted with a devout Muslim, Nayir, who breaks conventions to help her.


Ferraris shows us the male perspective of this culture through the eyes of Nayir Sharqi. He struggles throughout the book to understand the changes in his own culture/religious beliefs and his own concerns about the changes. He doesn't understand his motivation to help Miriam or understand his attraction to Katya. Katya after all is an 'infidel' who shrugs off convention by working outside her home and she speaks to men who are not from her family.

City of Veils is so much more than a criminal fiction story it opens your eyes to cultural differences around the world, gives you a straight look at gender segregation and asks how you are going to cope with the changes when they come.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a riveting mystery that has a rich background.

3rd Annual Black Quill Awards

Dark Scribe Magazine is a free, web-based publication that focuses on all aspects of dark genre literature.  This includes horror, suspense, thrillers, dark fiction and non-fiction. 

Every year for the past three years they have given out the Black Quill Awards for everything from Dark Genre Novel of the Year to best Cover Art and best Trailer.  There is an editor's choice award and a reader's choice award in each category.

Try one of the following winners and embrace your "dark side".

Dark Place by Gillian Flynn

Drood by Dan Simmons

Poe: 19 New Tales of Suspense, Dark Fantasy, and Horror Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe edited by Ellen Datlow

To get more "dark" reading ideas check out the Good Reads section on the library's website.

Bestselling Author Tami Hoag to Visit Library

If you love suspense author Tami Hoag, then mark this date on your calendar right now! January 8th, 2 PM at the Centerville Library. Tami is helping the library kick off our Great Books, Great Libraries bicentennial celebration and will be on hand for a reception, a brief talk and a book signing. With the help of Books and Co., we managed to snag Tami just in time for the debut of her new book Deeper Than the Dead - slated to debut on December 29, 2009!

If you aren't familiar with Tami Hoag, she has 13 consecutive Times bestsellers to her credit and is a critic and reader favorite. Check out some of her books at the library and then join us for her visit on January 8th!