Blacktop Wasteland

This was my introduction to author S.A. Cosby and I would be happy to read more. Booklist opens their review with this brief summary: "Heist-novel fans are all-too familiar with the one-last-job premise, but Cosby trumps our expectations with a neat twist: the one-last-job that Beauregard "Bug" Montage, a Black wheelman turned garage owner, must take to keep his business going ..." Now married with kids, Bug was once a well respected wheel man but now is the owner of an auto repair shop that is struggling. The bills are piling up and Bug hopes to get out from under for good. Of course the heist goes wrong and the target turns out to be a really bad guy who wants Bug to do another "last job." Publishers Weekly calls this a "high-octane neo-noir thriller ..."and concludes with: "The gritty, brutal narrative is complemented by the author's sublime use of sensory description and regional imagery. In addition, the epic, jaw-dropping chase sequences that figure prominently are reason alone to read this pedal-to-the-metal but profoundly sorrowful novel." Library Journal comments that "Bug's got a conscience not typical of the thriller genre, but other than that, this debut novel recalls almost perfectly the classic heist thriller..."  

A Grave Robbery

This is the 9th book in Deanna Raybourn's "Veronica Speedwell" series, which reads very much like Elizabeth Peters' "Amelia Peabody" series, i.e., lots of sexual innuendo, a dauntless female protagonist, sexy male partner who is clearly a feminist, etc. etc. Set in the late 1800's, the book well captures the atmospheric London. This installment certainly has an interesting premise. Their landlord Lord Rosemorran is an avid collector of almost everything and he brings Stoker (who is an expert taxidermist and mechanical wizard) an apparent waxwork of a reclining lady. He asks Stoker to insert a mechanism to mimic breathing, like the figures at Madam Tussaud's. When Stoker cuts into the figure, however, what he finds is shocking--a perfectly preserved real human body. They are determined to find her origins and, if she is the victim of foul play, to get some measure of justice for her.

Booklist praises in their review: "As with the previous Speedwell mysteries, this is a humorous, lively romp through the mansions and alleys of Victorian London, led by the dynamic couple and narrated with Veronica's signature wit. As Veronica and Stoker interrogate suspects and set traps, readers will be fascinated to learn more about Anatomical Venuses (wax figures once used to teach anatomy) and Frankenstein-esque embalming and electrophysiology theories. Another gem in what's always been an excellent and particularly un-put-downable mystery series."  Similarly, Library Journal recommends with this: "It's possibly the best in the series, with Raybourn's trademark banter, innuendo, and outstanding lead characters, along with a fascinating plot and supporting cast."

Mask of the Deer Woman

This is the debut novel by journalist Laurie Dove which will engage those readers with interest in Indigenous cultures. Although initially I had a hard time with this book due to a cast of unlikable character, characters and the plot line develop well and become engrossing. Booklist's review says, "In this riveting police procedural...The characterization of Starr is multi-layered and believable. The suspense builds steadily into a stunning ending. Dove has written a procedural that produces both stomach-clutching suspense and outrage at the dangers and indifference Indigenous women face." 

Publishers Weekly offers this summary: "Dove's haunting first novel centers on former Chicago detective Carrie Starr, who arrives for her new post as a Bureau of Indian Affairs tribal marshal on Oklahoma's Saliquaw reservation with few belongings but plenty of baggage. Still reeling from the death of her 17-year-old daughter and the subsequent shooting that got her booted from the force, Carrie hopes to lay low while she figures out her next move. But days before her arrival, graduate student Chenoa Cloud disappeared from the reservation, and her frantic mother insists she would never run away. Then the body of a different young woman turns up. With negotiations over a fracking deal that could change the fortunes of the reservation approaching a critical point, there's pressure on Carrie from all quarters. Dove expertly juggles several rich themes, including the national epidemic of missing Indigenous women, without sacrificing suspense. Of special note is her depiction of Carrie's plight as a perennial racial outsider (she has an Irish American mother and an Indigenous father). Though the Saliquaw Nation is fictional, the novel's vivid depiction of the reservation and its inhabitants rings true..." 

Girl Waits with Gun

This first installment in Amy Stewart's historical fiction series is based on actual places, people and events. Library Journal offers this brief summary: " In 1914, Constance, Norma, and Fleurette Kopp's buggy is struck by an automobile driven by silk manufacturer Henry Kaufman. When he refuses to pay damages, the feisty Constance challenges him. Soon, Henry's thugs threaten the Kopp women at their remote New Jersey farm. Undaunted, Constance goes to the police, who are amused by the tall, confident woman. However, wise, fair, and kind Sheriff Bob Heath sees the wrong in what's happening to the family and asks Constance to help catch the men." 

Reviews are uniformly positive. Publishers Weekly praises, "This is an elegant tale of suspense, mystery, and wry humor set in 1914 in Paterson, N.J....A surprising Kopp family secret, a kidnapped baby, and other twists consistently ratchet up the stakes throughout, resulting in an exhilarating yarn. " Booklist gives the book a starred review, saying, "A sheer delight to read and based on actual events, this debut historical mystery packs the unexpected, the unconventional, and a serendipitous humor into every chapter. Details from the historical record are accurately portrayed by villains and good guys alike, and readers will cross their fingers for the further adventures of Constance and Sheriff Heath."

NPR's review makes this cogent point: "It's a historical setting almost disheartening in its timeliness. Kaufman's bullying tactics (verified by court records down to the last threatening letter, because sometimes you can't make this stuff up) are all too familiar to many of today's women who have asserted themselves in public. And the Kopp sisters, who farm the family homestead by themselves, already operate under pressure from their brother Francis to settle nearby in town and diminish quietly, as is expected of them. It's one of this novel's many sly, unspoken jokes that Francis has so underestimated his sisters: They're often a mess... But they're a mess on their own terms, and Francis' demands hit close to the heart of Girl Waits With Gun -- at some point there's not much difference between a drunken bully and your own brother, if they both want you to sit down and be quiet. You'll have to fight it all."

Protagonist Constance Kopp eventually became America's first female deputy sheriff (Library Journal).  I'll be sure to read the sequels to this well written tale.

 

The Mystery of Three Quarters

This posthumous continuation of Agatha Chritie's "Hercule Poirot" series by Sophie Hannah does a decent job of capturing the dialog and process of the original Poirot. It is a sort of closed room mystery where everyone who could possibly have murdered Barnabas Pandy has an alibi. And was it a murder? The official verdict is the aged man fell asleep in the bathtub and drowned. But 4 letters have been sent accusing people of the murder and the letters are signed ostensibly by Hercule Poirot. Of course he didn't send the letters but the recipients are unconvinced and are bringing their wrath down on Poirot's head. He has to solve the crime just to exonerate himself. 

This is Hannah's 3rd outing with the revenant Poirot and Publishers Weekly says she offers "another ingeniously deceptive puzzle." They go on to conclude: "The gratifying reveal is a neat variation on one of Christie’s own solutions and demonstrates Hannah’s facility at combining her own plotting gifts with another author’s creation."

Library Journal praises, "Resurrecting a character as famous and beloved as Poirot is not for the faint-of-heart writer, and Hannah's third installment in her reboot (after The Monogram Murders and Closed Casket) is her best yet. It rings true to -Agatha Christie's original writing, capturing the character of Poirot. VERDICT Enthusiastically recommended for fans of Hannah's other Poirot novels and detective fiction and Christie's original works." Booklist gives the book a starred review and opens with "It's a puzzle worthy of the skills of legendary detective Hercule Poirot..." and continues, "Poirot looks for connections between Pandy and the four recipients, and among the recipients themselves, scheduling his customary reveal with all parties present before he cracks the case, to put pressure on himself, with a slice of an ingeniously constructed cake at the center. In her third Poirot mystery, Hannah, authorized to continue the series by Agatha Christie's estate, once again nails the style and substance of her beloved predecessor, producing another treat for Christie fans."

V as in Victim

"Originally published in 1945, V as in Victim was the first crime novel to feature ordinary cops as the main characters, launching the subgenre know as 'police procedurals' and earning Lawrence Treat [author] an important place in the history of mysteries (from the Introduction). Main characters are police detective 3rd grade Mitch Taylor and police lab tech Jub Freeman. At this point in time, ordinary police are skeptical of how a lab can aid in solving a crime, but Jub is an enthusiastic scientist and aims to prove the lab's value. Mitch is anxious to solve a big crime so he can get a promotion to 2nd grade. On one night, a hit and run results in a homicide and an interview of a possible witness leads the two men to a 2nd homicide. The book has rich footnotes that help explain police jargon and the specific circumstances of war time New York City.

The New York Times offers a brief review: "The police procedural has been a staple of crime fiction for almost 80 years; racial reckonings and real-life abuses haven’t altered this. It was strangely refreshing to go back to near-first principles with Lawrence Treat’s 1945 novel... Treat’s laconic style clearly foreshadows Ed McBain’s wonderful 87th Precinct series." Good Reads reviews are mixed, with some describing the writing as "reflective and witty" while others call it "dry and factual." Decide for yourself. 

Malinalli

Veronica Chapa offers this fictionalized account of the life of Malinalli, who was the interpreter for Cortes when he invaded Mexico--"a pivotal figure in Mexican history" according to Kirkus. A fantastic account with lots of magic mixed in with the horrible depradations of the Spaniards against the indigenous peoples. We also get the benefit of her detailed research into the customs and culture of these tribes.  Booklist offers this review and positive recommendation:

"First-time novelist Chapa masterfully blends history and myth in a mesmerizing reimagining of Malinalli, also known as La Malinche, the enigmatic interpreter for conquistador Hernán Cortés. Though born into Nahua nobility, Malinalli ended up living a life irrevocably shaped by loss and vengeance following the deaths of her twin and her father. Her journey takes her from priestess to slave as the Spanish invade the Aztec empire, and ultimately to Cortés's translator, but her role is far from ordinary. Chapa imbues Malinalli with supernatural powers, including the ability to bring her embroidery to life, adding a fantastical dimension to the narrative. As Malinalli battles warring leaders and mystical forces, she is caught between loyalty and survival as she embarks on a quest for justice. Chapa delivers a spellbinding tale that reclaims Malinalli's story with imagination, depth, and compassion. This novel is a must-read for fans of magical realism and stories that challenge traditional views of history." 

Kirkus is lukewarm in their review, calling the book more of a "fantasy adventure" than a historical novel. They go on to say "The plot follows what we know of the real events of La Malinche’s life only vaguely, and there’s little sense of place or of everyday life in 16th-century Mexico. But the book’s biggest flaw is the flatness of its characters, especially Malinalli herself, whose voice seems to remain that of an adolescent even as she’s exposed to (and takes part in) brutal violence." And they add "La Malinche is a complex symbol, seen by some as a victim of colonialism, by others as a traitor to her people, and by yet others as a founding mother of today’s Mexico. This novel, a fictionalized version of her life, won’t settle any arguments."

There is also a detailed review of the book's strengths and weaknesses by the Historical Novel Society.