Review Hilary Davidson methodically leads readers on a murder mystery journey, then dials the suspense up to the thrilling conclusion with Every Lie I Told. The author's storytelling allows for readers to understand the characters while also wondering how all of the pieces fit together. We can relate to the protagonist's love for her sister.… Continue reading Every Lie I Told by Hilary Davidson
Right from page one, readers will understand the kind of world that Ash Land by Matt Harry is set in. With a first sentence that reads “No one knows how to stop the Ash”, we understand that humanity is at the mercy of the environment in which they all live. And it is not favorable to anyone with muscle tissue.
The main character, Kai, is our narrator, a divorced father of two, and private investigator picking up jobs when he can. Even though we may not relate to the extent of the book’s current setting, lots of readers can likely relate to Kai’s living and family situation. Consequently, readers can connect with the character, despite the extreme global mess in place.
The author came up with the idea of this book during the COVID pandemic, asking the question, “How could this be worse?” and then went with it. And he certainly thought of everything –Â the rich trying to capitalize on the situation and the poor literally scrounging for scraps. No to mention how various industries and families alike would respond to the high-stakes situation.
Ash Land is well-paced, entertaining, with a likable narrator and captivating ensemble of characters. I kept flipping pages without realizing the rate that real life passed by. The author expertly blends investigative fiction and a dystopian backdrop – a definite five stars from yours truly.
Matt Harry joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about his experiences in the film industry and exploring science fiction. Keep an ear out for the episode and pick up a copy of Ash Land, available now.
No one knows how to destroy the Ash.
Two years ago, the flesh-eating microbots escaped from a lab in France and quickly spread across the globe. Twenty percent of humanity was killed in under a month. The people who managed to seal themselves inside survived, but now they’re only able to access the outside world through remote-controlled drones or hazmat suits.
Kai Braddock is one of those survivors. He used to be a cop, but the machine plague and a bitter divorce led to him quitting the department. Now he tracks down bounties via drone, eats cricket burgers with his two sons online, and spends every waking hour in a 70 square-foot studio in downtown Los Angeles. But when his partner is murdered while helping him locate a missing scientist, Braddock realizes he’ll have to do what almost no one has done in over twenty-six months:
He’ll have to go outside.
Right from the first page of Dear Mother, Rea Frey sets the tone – a newsletter article introduces the readers to a death of an infamous woman in the small town. Gail’s reputation and rumors precede her as the town remembers the dead teenagers who she fostered nearly two decades ago. Now that her biological daughter Isabelle has come back to take care of her mother’s remaining responsibilities, something seems to be calling out to her – something that doesn’t want to stay buried. Read more
