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We Are Not Like Them
We Are Not Like Them
Jo Piazza, Christine Pride | 2022 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
We Are Not Like Them is a really timely novel about racism in America.

Jen (white) and Riley (black) have grown up together, and are like sisters. Colour has never been an issue between the two of them. But when Jen’s Police Officer husband is involved in the shooting of a black teenaged boy, and Riley is given the job of covering the story as a TV reporter, things become difficult and strained between them. Is their past enough to keep the friendship going? I did wonder on many occasions throughout the book.

Themes include racism, prejudice, white privilege and police brutality. It’s a pretty hard-hitting book, and could be set anywhere in the US at the moment. We have our own issues and institutional racism to deal with in the UK, and it was interesting to see how this panned out. I did think that Riley worried more about Jen. Jen was completely wrapped up in her own problems, using Riley as someone to lean on, whilst not being at all curious about Riley’s feelings on what had happened to the boy. But then, Jen has some pretty huge things going on in her life, too.

I can see this being an ideal book for a book club - so much is going on, there’s so much to unpick.

It’s a powerful novel. Recommended.
  
A Stolen Child
A Stolen Child
Sarah Stewart Taylor | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder and Kidnapping
Maggie D’arcy has completed her training and has officially joined the Garda in Ireland. While she waits for an opportunity to be promoted to detective, she is on patrol and is called to the scene of a murder. Not only does Maggie recognize it as an address she had been to a few days before after a domestic disturbance call, she also realizes that the victim had a toddler who is now missing. On loan to the detectives for this case, can Maggie find the child in time? Will her knowledge of the neighborhood help?

Maggie has been on quite a journey in this series, and it’s nice to see this natural step in her career. The plot starts strongly. While it does get a little uneven in the middle, things pick up when we get to several logical twists at the climax. I liked how Maggie’s knowledge of the neighborhood where the crime took place played an important part of the plot. The suspects come to life, and it is nice to see Maggie’s relationships grown, both personally and professionally. As a police procedural, this is a bit darker than the cozies I typically read, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a solid police procedural set in Ireland, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
  
Snotgirl, Vol 1: Green Hair Don't Care
Snotgirl, Vol 1: Green Hair Don't Care
Bryan Lee O'Malley, Leslie Hung (art) | 2017 | Comics & Graphic Novels
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Originally reviewed on http://www.frommybookshelf.com

I picked this up on a whim (I find that I really enjoy most Image titles), and what started out as a seemingly fluff story about fashion bloggers and their rather shallow lives takes a surprising turn into something more... sinister? A mysterious "resurrection", possible supernatural elements, a stalker, a police investigation into the possible death of the possibly resurrected friend, and another possible murder. Or is it all just an allergy drug-induced hallucination? We'll have to wait until the next collected edition to find out more, but needless to say I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly intrigued to find out what happens next.
  
Bed and breakfast owner Natalie Barnes finds the dead body of her part time employee in a cranberry bog. While the police rule it a suicide, Natalie doesn't think so. Meanwhile, her ex-fiancee has come to try to win her back. I love these characters and the plot was good. My only complaint is that one possible motive for the murder was almost exactly the same as in the first in the series. And since this is second in the series, that is disappointing.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-and-berried-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
TT
The Two Minute Rule
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Max Holman has just been released from prison when he gets the news that his estranged son, a police officer, has been murdered. When the official story doesn't add up, Max begins poking around. But is he in over his head?

Another of Crais' stand alone novels, I found this one rather disappointing. The plot was a little too obvious. And, as a completely personal issue, the language also bothered me. On the other hand, the characters were great and compelled me further into the story.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-two-minute-rule-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Two Girls Down: A Novel
Two Girls Down: A Novel
Louisa Luna | 2018 | Thriller
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Kylie and Bailey Brandt vanish from a shopping mall parking lot while their mother is buying a birthday present. Single mom Jamie quickly realizes that the overworked local police department is not the best option for finding her daughters, so she hires former bounty hunter Alice Vega, famous for finding missing people. Vega partners up with ex-cop/private investigator Max “Cap” Caplan to find the sisters. The result is a tense, twisty ride that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved Alice Vega, she reminded me of Lisbeth Salander: tougher than battery acid, but completely awkward at personal interaction. I’m really looking forward to more books featuring her character.