Book Blog

Cults, Control, and Sadism: A Story for The Ages

Jbrow

To say The Family Upstairs is a creepy story, is a like saying the phrase 'drinking the Kool-Aid' has a funny history. Featuring a cult possession of a wealthy English family in the late 1980s, this is a coming of age story in a most adverse environment. This is a family composed of two seemingly… Continue reading Cults, Control, and Sadism: A Story for The Ages

“The wheels on the bus go round and round…”

Jbrow

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz is a novel about the violent strangulation of Diana Cowper, who not six hours prior to her death, visits a funeral parlor to plan her own funeral service. Her choices for her memorial include a willow casket, a Sylvia Plath poem, Psalm 34, and the song Eleanor Rigby… Continue reading “The wheels on the bus go round and round…”

Olive, Again

Jbrow

Have you ever been to Crosby, Maine with the very special Olive Kitteridge? Olive is back once more in Olive, Again by Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout. Olive still has all her quirks, directness, and often failed attempts at meaningful social interaction. Olive Kitteridge, as many know, is not a new character on the literary… Continue reading Olive, Again

“One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told.”

Jbrow

The Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz, is a superb homage to the cozy mystery genre made famous in the Golden Age of Crime. This story instantly makes one nostalgic for familiar characters like Agatha Christie's Poirot and Miss Marple. As far as I'm concerned, you can't beat a good whodunnit: the twists and turns, the… Continue reading “One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told.”

“Red Lady, Red Lady, show us your face…”

Jbrow

Dead Girls Club by Damien Angelica Walters, coming December 2019, is a supernatural thriller starring protagonist Heather Cole. If you like spooky, creepy, suspense  - this one is for you.  Let me address the style of this writing, which by far and away won't appeal to every reader, but will be an absolute delight to… Continue reading “Red Lady, Red Lady, show us your face…”