THE LITTLE STRANGER by Sarah Waters

With THE LITTLE STRANGER author Sarah Waters departs from the settings, characters and style of her first three historical novels, TIPPING THE VELVET, AFFINITY, and FINGERSMITH, all set in Victorian England. Nor is this book like her more recent THE NIGHT WATCH, a sensitive and passionate love story set in wartime England. THE LITTLE STRANGER is a sinister, Hitchcockian-like tale of a haunted house, ghosts and madness. It provides a most chilling, unputdownable read.

December 19, 2009 · Judi Clark · No Comments
Tags: , , ,  Â· Posted in: Class - Race - Gender, Facing History, Horror, Man Booker Nominee, Speculative (Beyond Reality), United Kingdom, y Award Winning Author

TWILIGHT by Stephanie Meyer

I usually do not read books labeled “young adult.” I am an adult, many years away from being young, (except at heart!!), and, with a few exceptions, i.e., the Harry Potter novels and Wilson Rawl’s WHERE THE RED FERNS GROW,” I read literature for grown-ups. Yet, to my delight Stephenie Meyer has created an extraordinary young adult series, called “The Twilight Saga.” TWILIGHT is also the title of book one. These are original, delightful novels — even for someone who prefers her/his literature a bit more sophisticated. I could not put the first book down, literally…and will begin book two, NEW MOON, as soon as I finish writing this review. Believe me, there’s a reason that more than 10 million “Twilight” series books are in print. They are addictive.

December 5, 2009 · Judi Clark · No Comments
Tags: ,  Â· Posted in: Coming-of-Age, Speculative (Beyond Reality), US Northwest

THE GARGOYLE by Andrew Davidson

THE GARGOYLE is one of the most gripping novels I have ever read. I am not one to usually read books more than once and I can probably count on two hands those novels that I’ve read two or three times. This is my second reading of THE GARGOLYE and it is even better the second time around.

November 21, 2009 · Judi Clark · No Comments
Tags: , , , ,  Â· Posted in: 2009 Favorites, Horror, Psychological Suspense, Speculative (Beyond Reality)

THE DARKEST ROOM by Johan Theorin

Off the east coast of Sweden, on the Baltic sea, is the island of Oland, historically populated by fishermen and farmers. Swedish author Johan Theorin knows the area well, and he has used its cold, forbidding terrain as well as rich legends to great effect in both of his mystery novels so far.

November 7, 2009 · Judi Clark · No Comments
Tags: ,  Â· Posted in: Mystery/Suspense, Sweden, Swedish Crime Writer, Translated, y Award Winning Author

VICIOUS CIRCLE by Mike Carey

VICIOUS CIRCLE is a wonderfully entertaining, fantasy thriller a la noir. The novel abounds with otherworldly creatures – demons, ghosts, zombies, a succubus, lycanthropes, (loup-garous) and one of the Devil’s highest ranking minions. What makes the novel really unique, however, is the humor. Felix, (“Fix”), Castor is one of the wittiest protagonists I have come across in a long while. And many of Mike Carey’s other characters are real originals. Some of the dialogue made me laugh out loud while shaking in my proverbial boots.

October 31, 2009 · Judi Clark · No Comments
Tags: , ,  Â· Posted in: Humorous, Noir, Sleuths Series, Speculative (Beyond Reality), United Kingdom

FROM DEAD TO WORSE by Charlaine Harris

Hey! Sookie fans – she’s back in her 8th adventure(s) with all the supernaturals – weres, vamps, shapshifters, faes, witches, and more!

Yep! Sookie, the 26 year-old telepathic barmaid extraordinaire from Bon Temps, Louisiana, has returned in FROM DEAD TO WORSE. Faced with new “challenges,” Sookie seems to mature in this novel. She acquires more of a sense of self and becomes, at the book’s end, a more confident and cautious person.

October 31, 2009 · Judi Clark · No Comments
Tags: ,  Â· Posted in: New Orleans, Sleuths Series, Speculative (Beyond Reality)