Good Reads & Views

Billy Summers by Stephen King
Fiction

What it's about: In this (non-horror) noir thriller, Veteran Billy Summers is an assassin-for-hire who will only take jobs where he kills really bad guys. Now he wants to retire, right after completing one last job. As is usually the case, things don’t go quite as planned and he ends up going after the people who stiffed him on his last job. They should have known better…

Reviewers say: "This is another outstanding outing from a writer who consistently delivers more than his readers expect" (Publishers Weekly); “Murder most foul and mayhem most entertaining. Another worthy page-turner from a protean master” (Kirkus Reviews).

Want a taste? " He has no problem with bad people paying to have other bad people killed. He basically sees himself as a garbageman with a gun.” “God doesn’t have a plan, He throws pickup sticks."

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A Murder for the Books by Victoria Gilbert
Fiction

What it’s about: After a disastrous end to her last romance, librarian Amy Webber fled to her aunt’s home in Taylorsford, VA, and took a job as the library director. When handsome professional dancer Richard Muir shows up at the library, wanting to research his late uncle Paul’s history, Amy tells herself it’s just the research that she finds interesting. They go to the archives where they find dementia patient Doris Virts shot dead. Though deeply shaken, Amy and Richard decide to dig into the town’s history, where they find the tragic story of Eleanora Cooper, accused of murdering her husband. Eleanora was acquitted, but disappeared without a trace. Richard says his uncle Paul was in love with Eleanora, and he wants Amy to help clear her name. Amy digs deeper into both present and past mysteries, and soon finds that someone wants her to leave both alone.

Reviewers say: “This debut mystery and series launch by a former librarian is an intriguing cozy that combines historical tidbits, a taste of the supernatural, a budding romance, and humor” (Library Journal); “Gilbert's series kickoff offers an intricate mystery, an interesting look at the past, and a clever and determined heroine” (Kirkus Reviews).

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Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz
Fiction

What it’s about: The story begins in Wisconsin during the winter of 1919. Young mom Mathilda is found dead in a lake, leaving behind her husband, young daughter Ruth, and sister. What enfolds is an exploration into the depths of secrets between family members and how it impacts them all.  

Why you might like it: A fast-paced psychological thriller that has readers going back and forth between viewpoints and time. If I say anymore, I would be giving it away so instead I will say, READ THIS BOOK! 

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The House of Dragon Blood by B.C. Fajohn
Fiction

What it’s about: This is an epic tale with high fantasy. I enjoyed seeing the different facets of the various lands and characters and how they view and interact with magic as well as non-humans. There was a lot of secrecy and hidden truths in this book as well! I loved every part of it!

Why you might like it: It is an adventure of fantasy, mystery, and magical combat.

You might also like: Fire and Blood by George R. R. Martin

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Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Fiction

Read this if you like: Dungeons and dragons, found family, self-reinvention, good coffee and tasty snacks, and slow burn romance.

What it’s about: Viv has had enough of battles, blood, and bounty hunting—she’s ready to hang up her sword—literally. She sets out to fulfill her private dream to own a coffeehouse…problem is, no one in her new town has heard of coffee. But she has a secret, strange talisman that might bring the luck she needs to succeed, if only she can avoid the menacing adversary that threatens her burgeoning success and new-found circle of friends. A charming and heartwarming slice-of-life fantasy.

You might also like: For more cozy fantasy about found family and discovering romance, try The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna and The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune.

Visit Laura’s My Librarian Page

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
Fiction

What it’s about: Frank Drum looks back on the summer of 1961, when he was twelve. Events during this fateful summer greatly affected his family and other denizens of the small community of New Bremen, Minnesota.

Reviewers say: “The small-town milieu is rendered in picturesque detail, accurate down to period-appropriate TV programs, for what becomes a resonant tale of fury, guilt, and redemption” (Publishers Weekly); “A novel that transforms narrator and reader alike” (Kirkus Review)

Good to know: This coming-of-age novel is also excellent on audio. For more from this award-winning author, try his Cork O’Connor mystery series, which is highly recommended.

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Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson
Fiction

What it’s about: An author living a comfortable, happy life receives a call from a reporter who discovered that she was the source of mass hysteria in her small town 20 years ago, when she and a friend posted hundreds of copies of their mysterious art poster around town.

Why you might like it: This engaging first-person story relives teen angst and the joy of artistic creation—and what happens when artwork takes on a life of its own and wreaks havoc.

Reviewers say: “Wilson has developed a story that is a precise capture of adolescence and of two vibrant teens whose everyday dilemmas, weaknesses, and triumphs are utterly endearing” (Booklist).

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Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn
Fiction

What it’s about: Daisy Dalrymple, though the daughter of a Viscount, has taken a position as a writer for a magazine, quite a step in the 1920s. Daisy is sent to write about the history and family of Wentwater Court. She joins a group of guests including the cold, suave, “absolute cad” Lord Stephen Astwick. When his body turns up in the frozen lake, at first it is thought he fell through the ice by accident. Daisy takes photos of the scene, however, and when handsome Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher arrives, he uses the photos to determine that it was murder.

Why you might like it: If you like classic cozy mysteries, you’ll find this spritely mystery is a delight to read. Daisy is a sympathetic character whom people want to confide in, even the Chief Inspector!

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The Layover by Lacie Waldon
Fiction 

What it’s about: Ava Green has been a flight attendant for the past 10 years. Recently engaged, her fiancé is set on her quitting her job and living a more settled life. On her last flight, bad boy flight attendant Jack Stone is on the crew and trouble ensues. The airplane is grounded in Belize and the crew is taken to a resort to stay until the plane is fixed. Ava can’t seem to escape Jack and her personal life starts to unravel. Will Ava finally hang up her wings and settle down with her fiancé, or will she continue to explore the world and float from place to place? 

Why you might like it: This is a debut novel that shows the behind the scenes of being a flight attendant. If you enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope with a will they, won’t they plot, this is a light and easy read.  

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An Act of Love by Nancy Thayer
Fiction

What it’s about: An Act of Love is about a step-family in crisis. The novel concerns a mother and her daughter and a father and his son. The parents believe they have done a good job raising their children until their daughter ends up in a psychiatric ward. This is a sort of mystery. Neither the characters nor the reader knows what has really happened. The children are pitted against each other testing the loyalties of the parents, threatening the foundations of the family.

Is it for you? If you enjoy stories about blended families and how they endure trials and still hold onto love, you should read this book.

You might also like: Once Upon a Time, There Was You by Elizabeth Berg

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