Review: The Pale Blue Eye

5 stars. WOW WOW WOW. Believe it or not, this was a re-read. I specifically remember pulling it off the shelf at the library when I must have been - oh, maybe 15 (?!). I was a huge fan of mysteries and of Poe, already reading way above YA-level, so I must've been interested, until I apparently read it, immediately forgot all of it, and then randomly rated it 2 stars on GR years later. A bit ironic, considering I'd now call it unforgettable.

In the early days of West Point Academy, when even the existence of America's military fluctuates based on politics and opinion, a tragedy has occurred: the death of a cadet. Retired constable Gus Landor is pulled away from his isolated farm to investigate the horrific mutilation of the body, and must enlist the services of a cadet - a young poet named Edgar Allen Poe - for assistance. With few leads and many suspects, the two forge a strong friendship despite, or because of, the strange darkness of the crimes they seek to solve.

This is a deeply engrossing, atmospheric, Gothic-adjacent piece of historical fiction. I was immediately charmed by its tone of voice - both tones of voice - and the wry humor threading its way through the suspense and intrigue. It was easy going, because I was very interested, but it also had me flexing some muscles I gained as an English Lit major I haven't used in a long time. Speaking of which, this book should absolutely be studied.

I should mention that my opinion of this around the 75% mark was different. I thought everything was a bit too obvious, the villain too predictable, the second half draggy, and that our detective didn't even do that much, well, detecting. But I shouldn't have doubted: the storyteller lands the plane with an incredibly satisfying, thrilling, thump to the ground. I am a little bit in awe.

Is it perfect? Of course not. Every now and then I found myself laughing, unsure if I was laughing with the author or at him. That wry humor could've easily veered into an obnoxious pretentiousness - Bayard is obviously incredibly talented, and knows it. And yes, I think maybe the twist will piss off some readers, if they make it there. Cartoonish? It's something. But I, going on gut alone, think Poe would have approved. Does it all make sense? Does it track perfectly? Does it matter?

I would've liked to spend more time with Landor and Poe. They felt like family, by the end... forgivable of their flaws, perhaps even honorable because of them. But there couldn't, or shouldn't, be a second team-up, it would be impossible and cheaply composed and contrary to the corner of this story that is tragic. Another re-read, then, in the future, when I've again forgotten the twists and turns - or maybe when I haven't, and can read it with a sneakier eye. 

The Pale Blue Eye on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Exiles (Aaron Falk #3)

3 stars. I really love Jane Harper and I've read everything she's written. I'm smitten with her style and happy for her success. And I'm so grateful I was able to snag this from the library! It really is an excellent, compelling thriller with an extremely satisfying ending. Unfortunately, I found myself speeding through not because I felt driven to get answers, but because I felt driven to get through it.

Aaron Falk returns to a small wine town in South Australia for the christening of his godson. A year prior, a member of the family went missing under suspicious, if not tragic, circumstances. Being who he is, Falk can't help but be drawn to the case as he is indirectly connected to it. So many questions: suspects? motives? coincidences? fabrications? and ultimately: where is she? The answers are as transformative for the town as they are for Falk, who faces personal choices of his own.

Alright, let's get right down to it: I found Falk's journey in this book - the romance, the found family, the career moves - to be extremely cheesy and predictable, like almost to the point of cringey. Maybe I'm just jealous... I too pine for the quiet, small town life with a too-good-to-be-true partner and gallons of wine... but ultimately I lost respect for the character. Falk as a family man? Where's his prickly edge? And what - I cannot emphasize this enough - the fuck was with that scene when he basically started crying after a woman he barely knew rejected him?!?!?

He also didn't really do that much, well, detecting. The answers just kind of literally unfolded before him, as I guess people were all too willing to provide them often without him even asking. Sure, he's as perceptive and observant as ever, but it's like he didn't even try. He just walked around picking up the puzzle pieces others dropped directly in his path. I dunno! The whole thing didn't feel sharp or zesty or dark enough for me.

That being said! I really did enjoy the mystery. I especially loved the ending. I guess you could say that the perpetrator turned out to be the person I wanted it to be. She took it easy on us, in that sense. Justice was served, and all that. But even that was really anticlimactic and... un-exciting! Where was the final confrontation, the chase, the life-or-death stakes? Again, I dunno! I was kind of disappointed.

Jane Harper, and this series, will continue to be a must-read for me. I adore getting a colloquial glimpse at Australia and she can weave a good tale. I love her writing and the short chapters and I can't deny that her argument for choosing meaningful connection is a convincing one (it’s like, as a person I want what’s best for him. But as a reader…). She clearly does her research - in this case, the wine stuff felt really accurate and interesting. And it's not that I don't recommend this - I do. It just lands a solid 3 stars this time, for me.

Exiles on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Speaks the Nightbird (Matthew Corbett #1)

5 stars, but I would give this 10 if I could. This is by far one of the best books I've ever read. Most well-written, most enjoyable, most entertaining, most impressive, most well-plotted... it really tops the lists for all of those categories. It'll be in my best of the year list, and also my forever favorites. This is a must-read for fans of horror, historical fiction and immersive mysteries. It will keep even the most well-seasoned reader guessing and glued to the story. I cannot say enough good things. It bought me so much joy. 

Speaks the Nightbird takes place at the very end of the 1600s. The New World has been colonized but not conquered, as many new settlements struggle to prosper with so many threats: the climate, the soil, wild beasts, Indians... and most recently, the work of the devil. Fount Royal, the southernmost colony in the Carolinas, seems doomed to fail thanks to the curse of a witch, who allegedly murdered her husband (plus the town's reverend) and committed a few other delightfully unspeakable acts.

Having accused and jailed the witch but aware she is by law innocent until proven guilty, the town's founder sends for a magistrate from the nearby Charles Town to judge the case and provide sentencing, who arrives under somewhat unsteady circumstances with his trusted clerk, Matthew Corbett. And so we are off. 

Off on an investigation so twisty, so dark, so intense that maybe, like me, you'll need to put together a list of suspects on your phone and obsess over the details so you won't miss a single clue (“has a mysterious sack in his barn” really played out in a fun way eh?). Maybe you'll be compelled to discuss it at length with those around you because you can't stop thinking about the characters or the world or the answers to the many questions. Maybe you'll get a few things right, but likely you won't. It's genius in that way.

Matthew Corbett is a great, if somewhat unlucky, hero. Sort of... a Sherlock Holmes type with all the feeeeeeelings and frustrations and follies of being young (and in this case, in love). He is not perfect, nor is he your typical romantic alpha. And yet watching him basically fumble his way through this mystery was a wonderfully rich and sometimes humorous experience, because even as things went wrong at every turn, he stayed true to himself. I really look forward to continuing his journey.

I can't say I've ever, as an adult, been so transported by a book. It is written as though the author literally saw the events unfold before him and he transcribed them so smoothly and vividly I felt like I was there watching with him. (Speaking of, why??? how??? has this not been adapted yet?? HBO?!?!) It's a particular type of sustenance to the soul: like brain food, like a soak in a hot tub, like a hike or a drive when the leaves peak in Autumn, like a sip of expensive whiskey (or apple beer). This book made me fall in love with reading all over again.

Speaks the Nightbird on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Demon (Six Stories #6)

4 stars. Absolutely devastated that this may be the end of one of my favorite series of all time. I picked up the first book when I really needed it - needed an easy, compelling distraction from the stress of living, and I immediately bought the rest, which... I don't think has happened since before I knew how to read. I would just hate to say goodbye to Scott King forever. My true crime- mystery- creepy horror-loving heart is broken.

In Demon, King decides to rake over the grave of a young boy named Sydney Parsons, who was murdered in 1995 by two other boys of his age. The crime took place in a very small town called Ussalthwaite, which appears cozy and picturesque even as its residents skirt around strange happenings and eerie history. Scott of course interviews those connected directly or indirectly with the tragedy, attempting to track down answers to the many questions swirling: primarily, motive. As with all of the Six Stories books, there's an undercurrent of the supernatural that absolutely delivers serious chills in each interview.

Other reviewers have noted that this ends with a touch more ambiguity than some of the others, which on one hand is frustrating, but only I think because the others land so clearly, with solid, grounding answers that give a sense of completion. Leaving elements of the story open-ended undeniably made it a scarier book, and therefore, naturally, I'm really, really into it. 

I also noticed that this one had a somewhat stronger, or maybe less subtle, agenda to it. Don't get me wrong, the last few years of politics and pandemics and promotion of ignorance have filled me with enough rage to fill even the coziest of lighthearted novels with attacks on society's current, perplexing, direction. And Matt Wesolowsi always - admirably - explores big themes in his mysteries. In this case, nature vs nurture vs neglect, punishment vs rehabilitation, criminal rights, prison reform, the justice system... But here his views are a little more loud. He took the flying brick approach. And I don't hate it (in fact I agree with it), but I did find it slightly distracting.

And I can't forget to mention that there was a UDD. And yes, my instinct told me to dock a star for it, but I didn't, because he included a suitably written trigger warning. That way I didn't have to spend the whole time stressed about the dog, I could just skip over detailed descriptions of her so I didn't get too attached. (Appropriate time to mention that this is probably the darkest, maybe most disturbing, of them all, which is saying something. You've been warned.)

I should also say - I had absolutely 0 theories for this one, leading up to the very last few pages. Typically in the middle of a Six Stories book I'd tell my husband my theory (who, despite having no context or understanding, took notes so he could validate me later), and I'd say I was right in 4/6 books. But this one? Left me totally guessing. I was like, fake death? Twins? Evil doppelgänger? Dissassociative identity disorder or multiple personalities? WTF Is going on here?!?! WTF was with the creepy singing?!?! I NEED MORE!!

I cannot say enough good stuff about this series. Each book offers its own unique, but familiar at the same time, flavor. I've mentioned this before, but what should have gotten stale after 3+ books only got better. I wish - hope with my whole heart - that there will be more. Otherwise, I'll be returning again and again simply just to study these and to relive their many, many profound, emotional, delightful twists and turns.

So… Kelly, why 4 stars? I don’t know, really, I assign star ratings based on gut instinct and I never really regarded these books as flawless, or technically perfect - there’s a lot of context and run-on stuff… it’s sort of like, the date was okay but the sex was awesome. Don’t worry about it, just read these fucking books, I’m out.

*sniff* Until next time...

Demon on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Deity (Six Stories #5)

4 stars. OMG these are the absolute best. Happy to report that I did NOT predict the twist this time - I've never been so happy to be totally wrong! I was a bit nervous when I read the synopsis (tackling the Me Too Movement is hard on a good day), but I shouldn't have been. The subject was handled as sensitively and considerately as possible while also delivering the delightful gut punch I've learned to expect.

In Deity, Scott King decides to rake up the grave of pop star Zach Crystal, who died in a fire in his isolated mansion after a wildly successful career. Crystal was the type of star who attracted wildly devoted fans, many of them young teenage girls, and many of whom have now accused him of taking advantage of their devotion. Once again King interviews six individuals connected directly or indirectly to Zach's life, career, and alleged crimes, and once again King unravels a story that's as spooky as it is shocking.

Ahhh. This one felt really icky. There were a lot of parallels between Zach Crystal and Michael Jackson, which... just speaks for itself. It was an icky reckoning when it happened and it's an icky thing to re-live. But these stories must be told, and we must believe them. That's absolutely non-negotiable. The spooky elements in fact were a lot less scary because, well, we should all know by now - human monsters are more frightening and horrible than any animal in the forest.

I am more impressed with each book. The dark themes are tackled with such respect for everyone involved. I love the deft examination of guilt and blame in a situation when someone is hugely talented and successful and surrounded by the word "yes" - how both the enabler and the enabled can be guilty. How money plays into it. How attention plays into it. How fear plays into it. Having just watched the documentary Stolen Youth, I noticed that some of the grooming/manipulation techniques were spot-on. Terrifying.

Super excited to read the next one and I really, really hope it won't be the last.

Deity on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Beast (Six Stories #4)

4 stars. Not the scariest of the lot so far, and maybe not the tightest either (I felt a little indifferent to be honest), but an absolute smash in terms of themes. These books find that incredibly rare balance of entertaining at breakneck speed while also exploring deep, true, sad, sometimes painful themes... these mysteries are more think-y than they appear at first glance, I think. And I love them for it.

Beast tackles the murder of a young influencer, who was locked in an isolated tower and died of hypothermia before being beheaded by three troubled men in the town. Again, these books are not whodunnits but how/whydunnits - the perpetrators have been arrested, and pled guilty, and are in jail for the foreseeable future. But so many questions remain. And Scott King, after facing his own monsters, is ready to track down some answers.

This one focuses on vampires, which I thought would be cheesy, and it is, kind of, at first, but he takes it in such an interesting direction that by the end I was like, this shit is brilliant. I don't know how he manages to use a format over and over that should be getting stale by now - same old tricks, etc. - in such fresh ways. You can expect the twists, right? But the twists are never not satisfying. 

The themes mentioned above: forgotten, neglected communities, poverty, small towns, sibling dynamics (a favorite of his I think), urban legends, social media (another favorite of his), the cruelty of youth, the pressures on youth, the morality of punishment (this one is a bit more ambiguous than the others), influencers (which was fascinating to read in the day and age of Alix Earle), and you know what I also loved? That he clearly did his research on programs for "troubled" young people. You could tell he knows the ins and outs of our social, political, systemic failures to support those in need. The description of Elizabeth's - yes, Elizabeth's - crimes are the scariest moments of all.

I love his little easter eggs too. Who locked Lizzie in the tower? That's - delightfully - straight from who put Bella in the witch elm. Even her name - Elizabeth Barton - could that be a play on Elizabeth Bathory? The initials, Lizzie B., may also hint at another murderous Elizabeth: the one who infamously gave her mother forty whacks. This stuff is DREAMY for someone like me. Please, sir, can I have some more?

Ultimately I think it's my least favorite in the series so far (honestly because I did want more - more answers, more insights, more clues, more details - maybe a re-visit to her parents, after the revelations, maybe a last-minute approval of his request to interview one of the three in jail, maybe some news clippings about "new developments" in the case), but do not not not not not sleep on this series. Scott King is my forever bae.

Beast on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Changeling (Six Stories #3)

4 stars. Brilliant. I'm obsessed with this series and hope they continue forever. While I guessed the ending early/easily in this one, I was still glued to it and the other twists and turns kept me satisfied. I love that Wesolowski manages to layer horror so successfully in each of these: the outer layer (ghosts, paranormal, creepy stuff) and the inner layer (the worst of humanity). Poor Scott King! 

Changeling (such a clever title) sees the return of King's true crime podcast, this time exploring the disappearance of a young boy in a supposedly haunted forest. He interviews those who knew the kid's parents, those who had experiences in the forest, and others who orbit the case itself. Like in the other books in this series, we as readers circle and circle and circle the truth, edging around what turns out to be a very heartbreaking and personal revelation.

In this one he tackles abuse. It features, in my opinion, one of the scariest villains of all time - wishy washy at first, because he blurs the line of victim and villain so deftly. I appreciated the author's clear sensitivity surrounding some of the darker themes, which rang very sadly true. And I loved the way he ended it with a glimmer of powerful hope. My only complaint is that I wanted a little bit MORE! A few questions are left unanswered and we say goodbye a bit abruptly.

Thank goodness there are more books in this series. It's become such a saving grace over the past few weeks and I hope he never stops writing them. My brain loves puzzles like these and I can't get enough. Bonus points for being genuinely, honestly spooky.

Changeling on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Hydra (Six Stories #2)

4 stars. I’m addicted to these books. I mentioned in my review of Six Stories that this is my kind of horror and holy shit has that been confirmed. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into more of these incredibly fun, clever, creepy, twisty stories. Could honestly be adapted into podcast form IMO, or maybe found footage documentary style? I’d watch.

In Hydra, Scott King tackles not a whodunnit but a why/howdunnit, exploring the case of a young woman who murdered her whole family with a hammer in 2014. He interviews her, her old friends, ex-acquaintances, and people with whom she crossed paths at some point before the massacre. Slowly he untangles the many theories about the case to reveal some scary secrets and her possible motive for the crime… along with those still actively trying to hide the truth.

Oooooooh yeah. Did I mention the urban legends? We’ve got BEKs, the Elevator Game, Japanese ghost conjurings… it’s all the good stuff. More deeply, it deftly comments on things like gender, religious fanaticism, fame, fan culture, cancel culture, social media, tabloid media, the dark web, trolling and doxxing and oh yeah, Twitter and FB are called out by name.

As in the first book, the author also convincingly - horrifyingly - writes about the agony of coming of age, and the sad, sometimes fatal, reality of bullying and teenage dynamics. I just really admire the boldness of the writing about that sort of thing as it rings really… tragically, true.

Okay, so I figured it out before the 6th story. But I fucking loved it just the same. Don’t sleep on this series - it’s like a bowl of delicious popcorn that I can’t stop munching. On to the next and I couldn’t be more excited. OBSESSED!!!!

Hydra on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Six Stories (Six Stories #1)

4 stars. This is my kind of horror - interesting format, solid premise, folklore, one POV/character per chapter, a sprinkle of the supernatural, a satisfying twist, a promise (threat?) of more possibilities... right up my alley. After finishing, I wanted to buy the rest of the books in the series immediately, which hasn't happened in a very long time.

Six Stories is presented as podcast transcripts, with each chapter as a different episode. In each one, the host interviews a person connected with a crime - or potentially non-crime - that happened many years ago... connected with the discovery of a teenager's body in Scarclaw Fell. Tracing several theories and diving into the history of the area, as well as the victim's character and background through interviews with his "friends," we as readers are treated to an excellent mystery, captivating thriller, spooky horror, etc. etc. etc.

I love horror for so many reasons. Horror has an obsession with the past, because it often intersects with or drives a narrative motive (revenge I guess, mostly?). In this case each character gets to recall and analyze their memories of a seriously traumatic event with an almost In the Woods level of detail. I loved the creeping dread, the slow unveiling of each character's character, the look backward knowing we'll see something there. The nature of the twist made me want to read it again.

Horror also uses dark subject matter to examine and/or make the story about something else. Murder is dark. Being a teenager? Horrific. I'm really impressed with how the author managed to paint a picture of a typical teenage - squad, as the kids say (or maybe they don't anymore), and dive into the dynamics so vividly and, to me, realistically. The blundering eagerness... the crushes... the cruelty... *shudders*

I've seen a few reviews poke at this for being inspired by (or so similar to) the podcast Serial, which is back in the news after essentially changing the trajectory of a man's life in the system. In this case I think any criticism is unwarranted. The author does nothing to hide his references - in fact, he highlights them. He mentions Serial right in the text. This is not a rip-off. It's a loving tribute, and better than its parent as a neat, fictional, vehicle of entertainment.

Fuck it, I'm buying the rest of the series. Sorry, wallet. I gave this 4 stars because I see its potential - it could've gone down a little smoother - and I have a feeling the series only gets better. All hail spooky.

Six Stories on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Chestnut Man

4 stars, though I toggled a bit between 3 and 4. This is exactly what it says it is: a Scandinavian crime thriller by the creator of a successful crime TV show. It smells like that, tastes like that, feels like that, reads like that. So if you're in the mood, look no further. I really enjoyed it, but... I am coming out of one of the worst reading slumps I've ever experienced, so it took me ages and ages to get beyond the first 10%. I ended up starting over. I don't regret it. It is what it is.

The Chestnut Man follows the investigators (as well as the investigation-adjacent, and occasionally the victims - mulitple POV) of a series of horrific murders in Copenhagan. We immediately see how the victims are connected but not exactly why or how. The killer always seems one step ahead and just when we feel safe, boom, another twist. It's a typical crime thriller and an absolute page-turner. Excited to check out the adaptation.

A couple of weird things: some of the threads go nowhere. Some of the characters seem overwritten and even in a few places the direction of the plot feels off or unpolished. It 100% reads like a screenplay. The identity of the killer was completely ridiculous... in a good way? Who cares. It delivers what it promises, I think. I miss Copenhagen in all its gloomy, chilly, coldheartedness.

The Chestnut Man on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads