Now Available for US Pre-Order

(NOTE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Kelley Armstrong: A TURN OF THE TIDE: 4th October 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Megan Shepherd: MALICE HOUSE: 4th October 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Lilja Sigurðardóttir (translated by Quentin Bates): RED AS BLOOD: 13th October 2022/1st March 2023: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Tiffany Reisz: THE HEADMASTER: 24th October 2022: Kindle Edition

V. C. Andrews: EDEN’S CHILDREN: 25th October 2022/3rd January 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Karen Ann Hopkins: DARK HOLLOW ROAD: 27th October 2022: Kindle Edition

Kelley Armstrong: GHOSTS & GARLANDS: 15th November 2022: Kindle Edition

Kelley Armstrong: CHRISTMAS AT THORNE MANOR: 15th November 2022: Hardcover & Paperback

Christina Farley: THE DREAM HEIST: 15th November 2022: Kindle Edition

Tiffany Reisz: WRAPPED IN BLACK: 22nd November 2022: Paperback

Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner: BEYOND THE END OF THE WORLD: 17th January 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

P. J. Tracy: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW: 17th January 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Janelle Monáe: THE MEMORY LIBRARIAN: 31st January 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

V. C. Andrews: BECOMING MY SISTER: 7th February 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback & Mass Market Paperback

V. C. Andrews: LITTLE PAULA: 7th February 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Seanan McGuire: SPELUNKING THROUGH HELL: 7th February 2023: Kindle Edition & Paperback & Mass Market Paperback

Karen Ann Hopkins: NIGHT SONG: 14th February 2023: Kindle Edition

Laura Lam & Elizabeth May: SEVEN MERCIES: 14th February 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Mindy McGinnis: THE LAST LAUGH: 14th February 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Kelley Armstrong: MURDER AT HAVEN’S ROCK: 21st February 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Veronica Roth: ARCH-CONSPIRATOR: 21st February 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Keri Arthur: WRAITH’S REVENGE: 28th February 2023: Kindle Edition

Natasha Preston: THE ISLAND: 28th February 2023: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Tara Isabella Burton: THE WORLD CANNOT GIVE: 7th March 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Amelia Kahaney: ALL THE BEST LIARS: 7th March 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Seanan McGuire: BACKPACKING THROUGH BEDLAM: 7th March 2023: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Claire Askew: THE DEAD DON’T SPEAK: 9th March 2023: Kindle Edition

Mindy McGinnis: A LONG STRETCH OF BAD DAYS: 14th March 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Fran Dorricott: THE LOCH: 16th March 2023: Kindle Edition

Marianna Baer: THE INCONCEIVABLE LIFE OF QUINN: 21st March 2023: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Darcey Bell: WOMAN OF THE YEAR: 21st March 2023: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Ren DeStefano: HOW I’LL KILL YOU: 21st March 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Marianna Baer: WOLFWOOD: 28th March 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Sylvia Day: SO CLOSE: 28th March 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Lisa Scottoline: LOYALTY: 28th March 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Francesca Zappia: GREYMIST FAIR: 28th March 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Amanda Panitch: GONE DARK: 4th April 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Kelley Armstrong: SOMEONE IS ALWAYS WATCHING: 11th April 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Kate McLaughlin: PIECES OF ME: 18th April 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Jennifer Bosworth: THE KILLING JAR: 1st May 2023: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Jessica Brody: SAVE THE CAT! WRITES A YOUNG ADULT NOVEL: 2nd May 2023: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Amie Kaufman: THE ISLES OF THE GODS: 2nd May 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Amy Suiter Clarke: LAY YOUR BODY DOWN: 9th May 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Emma Cline: THE GUEST: 9th May 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Andrea Robertson: BOUND BY SWORD AND SPIRIT: 16th May 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Kelley Armstrong: THE POISONER’S RING: 23rd May 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Victoria Helen Stone: THE HOOK: 23rd May 2023: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Amy Tintera: ALL THESE WARRIORS: 23rd May 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Megan Abbott: BEWARE THE WOMAN: 6th June 2023: Hardcover

Eliza Jane Brazier: GIRLS AND THEIR HORSES: 6th June 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Kim Harrison: DEMONS OF GOOD AND EVIL: 13th June 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Greg Iles: SOUTHERN MAN: 13th June 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Wendy Walker: WHAT REMAINS: 13th June 2023: Hardcover

Riley Sager: THE ONLY ONE LEFT: 20th June 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Cyn Balog: YOU WON’T BELIEVE ME: 27th June 2023: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Stephanie Oakes: THE MEADOWS: 8th August 2023: Kindle Edition

Alyssa Cole: ONE OF US KNOWS: 15th September 2023: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

May 2022 Releases

Better late than never, right? So here are some books you may have missed, released May 2022. All are US publication dates, and all buy links are to Amazon US. (NOTE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Goodreads links lead to my star-ratings (out of five) and any thoughts.

Megan Abbott: The Turnout: Kindle Edition & Paperback: Goodreads

V. C. Andrews: The Umbrella Lady: Kindle Edition & Mass Market Paperback: Goodreads

Kelley Armstrong: A Rip Through Time: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback: Goodreads

Holly Black: Book of Night: Kindle Edition & Hardcover: Goodreads

A. R. Capetta: The Lost Coast: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Tami Hoag: Down the Darkest Road: Kindle Edition & Paperback: Goodreads

Karen Ann Hopkins: Serenity: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Greg Iles: True Evil: Kindle Edition & Paperback & Mass Market Paperback

Emiko Jean: Tokyo Ever After: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Emiko Jean: Tokyo Dreaming: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Carrie Jones: The Fear That Returns: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Lydia Kang: The Half-Life of Ruby Fielding: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Amy McCulloch: Breathless: Kindle Edition & Hardcover: Goodreads

Katharine McGee: Inheritance: Kindle Edition

Katharine McGee: Rivals: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Karin Slaughter: Pieces of Her: Kindle Edition & Paperback & Mass Market Paperback: Goodreads

Erica Spindler: Killer Takes All: Kindle Edition

Victoria Helen Stone: At the Quiet Edge: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Wendy Walker: Emma in the Night: Kindle Edition & Paperback: Goodreads

Now Available for US Pre-Order

All are US publication dates, and all buy links are to Amazon. (NOTE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

NOW AVAILABLE

Cassandra Alexander: YEAR OF THE NURSE: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Naomi Clark: THE MORTAL TOUCH: Kindle Edition

Samantha Hayes: THE TRAPPED WIFE: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Imogen Howson: A GIRL OF STONE & SMOKE: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Carrie Jones: SAINT: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Carrie Jones: INCHWORMS: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

PRE-ORDER

Kelley Armstrong: A TWIST OF FATE: 5th/31st October 2021: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Kelley Armstrong: HIGH JINX: 7th December 2021: Kindle Edition

Kelley Armstrong: A RIP THROUGH TIME: 31st May 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Keri Arthur: SORROW’S SONG: 28th June 2022: Kindle Edition

Claire Askew: A MATTER OF TIME: 10th March 2022/31st May 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Darcey Bell: ALL I WANT: 11th January 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

A. R. Capetta: THE LOST COAST: 3rd May 2022 (KE & HC out now): Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Kim Harrison: TROUBLE WITH THE CURSED: 14th June 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Karen Ann Hopkins: THE FORTUNA COIN: 12th October 2021: Kindle Edition

Karen Ann Hopkins: THE OFFERING: 30th November 2021: Kindle Edition

Greg Iles: SOUTHERN MAN: 24th May 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Emiko Jean: TOKYO DREAMING: 31st May 2022: Hardcover

Carrie Jones: ALMOST DEAD: 1st November 2021: Kindle Edition

Carrie Jones: WHEN YOU BRING THEM BACK: 1st December 2021: Kindle Edition

Carrie Jones: THE PEOPLE WHO LEAVE: 15th January 2022: Kindle Edition

Carrie Jones: THE GREED THAT KILLS: 1st February 2022: Kindle Edition

Lydia Kang: THE HALF-LIFE OF RUBY FIELDING: 5th April 2022: Kindle Edition & Paperback

L. A. Larkin: THE SAFE PLACE: 9th November 2021: (Kindle Edition)

Janelle Monáe: THE MEMORY LIBRARIAN: AND OTHER STORIES OF DIRTY COMPUTER: 19th April 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Tara Moss: THE GHOSTS OF PARIS: 7th June 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Andrew Neiderman: THE WOMAN BEYOND THE ATTIC: 1st February 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Tom Perrotta: TRACY FLICK CAN’T WIN: 7th June 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

Tiffany Reisz: WRAPPED IN BLACK: 1st December 2021: Kindle Edition

Maria V. Snyder: THE KING OF KORAHA: 22nd November 2021: Kindle Edition

Victoria Helen Stone: AT THE QUIET EDGE: 19th April 2022: Kindle Edition & Paperback

Cristin Terrill: THE STARS BETWEEN US: 2nd August 2022: Kindle Edition

Rachel Vincent: EVERY SINGLE LIE: 12th July 2022 (KE & HC out now): Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Rachel Vincent: NO ONE IS ALONE: 12th July 2022: Hardcover

Mary Weber: RECLAIMING SHILO SNOW: 12th October 2021 (KE & HC out now): Kindle Edition & Hardcover & Paperback

Scott Westerfeld: YOUNGBLOODS: 1st March 2022: Kindle Edition & Hardcover

May 2020 Releases

The following is a list of books released in May 2020, which was last month.

[REVIEW] The Bone Tree – Greg Iles

Greg Iles
The Bone Tree (Penn Cage, Book 5)
HarperCollins (AU: 23rd March 2015; UK: 9th April 2015; US & CA: 21st April 2015)
Buy (US Kindle Edition) Buy (US Hardcover) Buy (US Paperback) Buy (UK Kindle Edition) Buy (UK Hardcover) Buy (UK Paperback) Buy (CA Kindle Edition) Buy (CA Hardcover) Buy (CA Paperback) Buy (Worldwide Hardcover) Buy (Worldwide Paperback)

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Hate crimes, racism, rape, racial slurs, child abuse.

If your book is over 400 pages, every bloody page should deserve to be there.

Greg Iles’s The Bone Tree is just over 800 pages (Australian trade paperback edition). And I’m sorry to report that an entire plotline didn’t work for me at all. This is awkward because the interesting bits are awesome, but an entire plotline bored me so much that my attention was near nil.

The bothersome (for me) subplot involves political figures from the 1960s. One of the fictional characters even interviews, and is flirted with by, one of these people in the contemporary. And I just didn’t care. I don’t want real people in fiction.

Lincoln Turner makes an excellent point when he remarks that white people have become the focus. Penn Cage and everyone else are no longer concerned with the death of Viola Turner – Penn’s single-mindedly driven towards keeping his father safe and out of prison. Caitlin Masters is focused on continuing the investigative journalism into the Double Eagles that Henry started.

Viola Turner’s death launched this trilogy. Jimmy Revels, Pooky Wilson, Albert Norris, and countless other black people were abused, tortured, and murdered. And yet CIA agent John Kaiser cares more about the white political figures from the 1960s. *head-desk*

But the story really gets fascinating when Caitlin starts searching the swamp. And the DIY-surgery scenes are riveting.

The Bone Tree really packs a punch when it sticks to fictional characters. But when it involves real people, I lost interest. This novel could’ve been an absolute stunner. It still has flashes of brilliance, but interspersed are too many scenes that fail to engage.

[REVIEW] Natchez Burning – Greg Iles

Greg Iles
Natchez Burning (The Trial of Tom Cage, Book 1)
HarperCollins (UK: 13th March 2014; AU: 1st April 2014; US & CA: 29th April 2014)
Buy (US Kindle Edition) Buy (US Hardcover) Buy (UK Kindle Edition) Buy (UK Hardcover) Buy (UK Paperback) Buy (CA Kindle Edition) Buy (CA Hardcover) Buy (CA Mass Market Paperback) Buy (AU) Buy (Worldwide)

A 791-page tome is a big ask. Especially considering it’s a thriller, and the first in a trilogy – is it possible to keep the tension going for so long? Greg Iles is no ordinary writer, and thus he succeeds where others wouldn’t.

It’s also quite a challenge to write about racism and prejudice, and the author asks all the tough questions, with even more uncomfortable answers. And that’s the point: people are often prejudiced, though they don’t mean to be. Even thinking of someone as “exotic,” and admitting that’s part of the allure – this is prejudice, and Tom Cage acknowledges that. In a promotional video, the author says, “No one is immune to prejudice,” and this book shows that truth.

This is Mississippi. Even in my high school in far away Australia, studying the film Mississippi Burning was part of the English curriculum. Although the lead characters love Natchez, they know the way the town is run and the things that happen in it are far from perfect. As mayor, Penn Cage does what he can, but even he is way out of his league when dealing with the likes of the Double Eagles and their descendants. What starts as trying to get his father off a murder charge soon becomes just the tip of the iceberg.

And it’s horrific to read. But important. Hate crimes, and crimes against those trying to atone for their past, should not be easy to face, should not be swept under the carpet. But in the midst of all this terrible stuff are some real heroes: Albert Norris, whose music shop serves as a secret rendezvous for interracial couples. Henry Sexton, who investigates these cold cases for decades, even though it seriously endangers him and everyone he cares about. And Sleepy Johnston, who could be the key to providing evidence.

Though Penn, Caitlin, and Tom are the lead characters, they are not the real heroes. Not even they are above underhanded tactics to get what they want, and sometimes they are really freaking annoying. But these flaws make them more believable.

And then there’s Katy, whose own father punished her for the supposed “crime” of loving a black boy. The repercussions continue, and this subplot is of particular interest to me because of the sanatorium element. Hopefully this is further explored later.

There are no happy endings here, but with time (over the remainder of the trilogy) maybe a little bit of justice can be served. The problem with reading a book as soon as it’s released is that it makes the wait until the next novel even longer. But in the hands of Greg Iles, the wait will likely be worth it for readers. Looking forward to The Bone Tree in 2015…

[REVIEW] The Devil’s Punchbowl – Greg Iles

Greg Iles
The Devil’s Punchbowl (Penn Cage, Book 3)
HarperCollins (UK: 6th August 2009; AU: 6th July 2010); Simon & Schuster Pocket Star (US & CA: 29th December 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA) Buy (Worldwide)

Oy. The Devil’s Punchbowl is hard reading, and not just because of its 550-page length. (Seriously, it’s so physically awkward to hold open the book at times.)

Dog-fighting. It’s not mentioned on the cover summary, but this is one of those things you really need to know beforehand. It’s extremely graphic. DO NOT READ CHAPTER 31. I did, and I wish I hadn’t. Just trust me on this. Nothing in that chapter happens plot-wise that isn’t summarised later, so it’s okay to skip.

The novel ends on a cliff-hanger, which I’ve heard is resolved in an e-novella, The Death Factory. Which is annoying, because I still haven’t found a DRM-free, non-geo-restricted, PayPal-welcome online bookstore that sells it. Grr…

June Reads

Ill Wind – Rachel Caine “…fresh ideas no one else seems to be writing about…melding physics with metaphysics to create the ultimate urban fantasy read.” Buy

The Séance – Heather Graham

Countdown – Michelle Maddox “…that very rare kind of book: a thriller that is genuinely thrilling. This is action-packed, non-stop adventure, combining the physiological, psychological and technological in a story that grabbed me immediately and didn’t let go.” Buy

Third Degree – Greg Iles “Greg Iles is a fantastic thriller writer, with complex characterisations, interesting information, and thought-provoking scenarios…An engrossing read set in the timeframe of just one day, Third Degree should not disappointment fans, and will hopefully bring in new readers.” Buy

Sliver of Truth – Lisa Unger: The author’s Beautiful Lies was an interesting novel of a life built on lies. However, this companion novel takes things too far. The FBI, CIA, going from America to the UK, involving the Albanian mafia…it just seemed over the top, and thus didn’t engage me as a reader.

Bound to Love Her – Esri Rose “…social commentary involving the environment and real estate…this novel has something to say – which a lot of stories don’t…Fans of Tate Hallaway’s novels should enjoy this.” Buy

Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula – Marta Acosta “Mil is sparky, with a sense of adventure, humour and – most importantly – an affable personality…the Casa Dracula series is more than just another vampire tale…plenty of social commentary, with a smart but not toffy intelligence.” Buy

The Action Heroine’s Handbook – Jennifer Worick & Joe Borgenicht

Blood Price – Tanya Huff “Originally published in 1991, Blood Price holds up well 17 years later…the novel has an important role in the history of urban fantasy in fiction.” Buy

Oh My Goth – Gena Showalter “…interesting enough to read it in basically one sitting.” Buy

Red Handed – Gena Showalter “…focuses on what’s dearly missing in teen fiction…and showcases fabulous world-building that I can’t wait to read more about.” Buy

Blacklisted – Gena Showalter “For fabulous world-building, how power corrupts, and thoughtful issues, look no further than Blacklisted for a novel with surprising depth.” Buy

You can still check lists of stuff published in June or will be published in July. And if you want to look further into the future, see my Reading Wishlist.

Thanks for voting in my poll, and keep ’em coming.

[REVIEW] Third Degree – Greg Iles

Greg Iles
Third Degree
US: Simon & Schuster (6th November 2007); UK: Hachette (12th June 2008)
Buy

Note to the publishers: On my copy (UK edition), the back cover says the family’s surname is Fields. It’s not – it’s Shields. Please fix this for future reprints. Thank you.

Greg Iles is a fantastic thriller writer, with complex characterisations, interesting information, and thought-provoking scenarios. Third Degree is no different, and the Mississippi portrayed is one that perpetuates a common Southern stereotype: gun-totin’, trigger-happy citizens. Indeed, it’s the kind of America that we’d like to pretend doesn’t exist.

Dr Warren Shields is usually a cool, calm fellow, popular in the community for not only being a top bloke but an ace doctor too. So it surprises everyone when he completely wigs out, taking his family hostage in a quest for answers that no one can really explain. His wife, Laurel, is desperate to hide the identity of her lover, and lies to Warren again and again. But Warren has secrets of his own, and when they’re revealed have the power to change this entire scenario – and not necessarily for the better.

An engrossing read set in the timeframe of just one day, Third Degree should not disappointment fans, and will hopefully bring in new readers. Greg Iles is one of my favourite authors, and definitely one of the best thriller writers going around.

Library Haul

I only went the library to collect my CD reservation, and unexpectedly came home with 9 books as well. 4 of them are due back in 2 weeks.

Greg Iles’ Third Degree
The Presets’ Apocalypso (CD)
Rachel Caine’s Glass Houses
Jodi Picoult’s Vanishing Acts
Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend