Jenn\'s Bookshelves

Review: The Girl in the Locked Room by Mary Downing Hahn

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Jenn

The Girl in the Locked Room by Mary Downing Hahn
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on September 4th 2018
Genres: Ghost Stories, Young Adult
Pages: 200

Jules and her family move around the country frequently. Her father restores homes and now, at age 13, Jules just wants a place they can call home. When they move into the most recent fixer upper, Jules' father is thrilled with the potential. The home is over a century old and rich with historic beauty. Jules, on the other hand, can't get rid of this dark, foreboding feeling she gets, especially when looking up into the third-floor window. The room beyond the window is locked, furthering Jules' feelings of something ominous inside.

As her family gets used to the surroundings, Jules begins to see visions of a young girl. This isn't her first ghostly encounter; she's been seeing them most of her life. Jules learns that her new companion was a prisoner in her own home, locked up in the third floor room. Upon learning the circumstances behind the young girl's captivity, Jules makes it her mission to attempt to rewrite the past finally set the young girl free.

I’ve been a fan of Mary Downing Hahn as long as I can remember. She’s known for her ghost stores, my personal favorite being Wait Till Helen Comes. While this most recent release is labeled as a ghost story, it’s most definitely one of the most subtle that I’ve ever read. Rather, it’s more of a sad tale about a young girl left behind. Never are there any particularly chilling or scary scenes.

If you have a middle grader looking to sample something that touches on the supernatural, this “light” horror is the perfect fit. If you are looking for a more chilling read, I’d recommend sampling some of Hahn’s earlier titles.

Posted in 7-10 years of age, 8-12 years of age, Horror, Kid-Lit/Middle Grade, Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem | 2 Comments

Review: Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Jenn

Image result for netflix the haunting of hill house

I felt it my duty as a fan of all things horror to partake in a binge-watch of Netflix’s take on Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House.

Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House was first published in 1959. It’s a true classic horror, filled to the brim with unnerving terror. In it, four characters – Dr. Montague, an occult scholar; his assistant, Theodora; Eleanor, a young woman quite familiar with poltergeists; and Luke, the heir of Hill House. There, instances of inexplicable phenomena quickly turn into terror, the House feeding on it’s most recent victims.

Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House shares nothing with the classic horror great, other than the title and the characters’ names. In this most recent take on this horror great, a family consisting of five children moves into Hill House over the summer. They don’t plan on staying long, rather they intend to fix up the long-vacant house to flip and sell once again. The supernatural acts aren’t as chilling to start off with, but soon it’s revealed that some of the Crains have “sensitivities” that lend them to be more affected by the House. Told in alternating time periods (then and now) and in ten episodes, you are better off watching without any sort of preconceived notions or comparisons to the Shirley Jackson classic.

I discovered just a few episodes in that this is nothing like the Shirley Jackson classic. That’s not to say that this isn’t a truly outstanding series, it is. How many, other than those already obsessed with Shirley Jackson, would be aware that there was a book of the same title? I was able to shut down all my preconceived notions and comparisons to Jackson’s classic and enjoy this for what it was: a chilling series perfectly for the Halloween season!

So, throw out any hopes of what it’s going to be and just sit back and enjoy! You won’t regret it!

Posted in Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem | 2 Comments

2018 Murder, Monsters & Mayhem Week 2 Recap!

Posted on October 13, 2018 by Jenn

It’s the end of yet another week of of Murder, Monsters & Mayhem! It finally feels like fall! Layers, leggings & boots are in my wardrobe today!

Here’s what happened on the blog this week!

Have you read any spooky books this week!?

Posted in Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem | Leave a comment

Review: November Road by Lou Berney

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

November Road by Lou Berney
Published by HarperCollins on October 9, 2018
Genres: Fiction, General, Historical, Literary, Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover
Source: the publisher

Frank Guidry is a street lieutenant to mob boss Carlos Marcello. As a loyal employee he's never turned down a job, but this most recent one is particularly treacherous.

Just a few weeks prior, he was assigned a job to deliver and park a car in Dallas. Now, JFK has been shot. In Dallas. His next task requires him to retrieve that same vehicle, in a different location, and drive it out of the city. Guidry feels he knows to much for his own good. His suspicions are confirmed when everyone tied to Carlos turns up dead. Realizing he's next, he knows he has to vanish....quickly. All his connections are tied to Carlos, so his options are limited. He knows that soon hit men will be on his trail so he has to find a means to disguise himself.

He meets Charlotte, a housewife with two young daughters, fleeing a failing marriage. It's as if the fates have aligned themselves. Charlotte's car has broken down and she doesn't have the resources to replace it. They're heading to California to stay with her aunt. Posing as an insurance man on his way to Las Vegas, he's promised Charlotte assistance in obtaining a new car when they arrive.

What starts as an "out" for the both of them turns out to be much more. Unfortunately, fugitives shouldn't fall in love for it puts everyone in danger.

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I agreed to review this title. At first glance, it’s not something I would normally read, despite being a huge fan of crime fiction. That said, I’d heard nothing but praise from others whose opinion I trust, so I went for it. I thought I was going to experience yet another alternative history. What I got instead was so much more.

Berney’s storytelling capabilities are outstanding. He quickly takes you back to 1960’s America in the wake of an act that shook not only the nation, but the world. He reminds us of an innocence that once existed, a true love of nation. This is far more than a tale of a man on the run from the mob. Rather, it’s a deeply captivating examination of the human condition, how two very different people, running from different things, can come together. The journey they take together, though brief, is more than just a physical journey but one in which each undergoes personal growth and self-realization.

If you are looking for a truly unique, wholly captivating read, this is the title for you. Highly recommended.

Purchase Links: HarperCollins

Author Links: Website, Facebook, and Twitter

Posted in Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem, Mystery/Suspense, Review, Thriller | 4 Comments

Small Press Spotlight! Valancourt Books!

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Jenn

Valancourt Books

Ladies and gentlemen!! I can’t tell you how excited I am to have discovered this small press, located just a few hours from me in Richmond, VA! Valancourt’s mission is to resurrect rare, neglected, out-of-print fiction. They’ve been around since 2005, but I just recently discovered them randomly on Instagram!

One of the many reasons I’m so thrilled they exist is that they are bring back to life some of the classic horror I’ve missed reading. Horror hasn’t always been a genre publishes rush to obtain, so I’m ecstatic that the great people at Valancourt not only seek it out, but embrace it wholeheartedly!

Not a fan of horror? Not to worry, for they publish a whole gamut of genre, most with a supernatural tinge. Take a look at their catalog here:

Literary Fiction
Horror & Science Fiction
Vintage Thrills and Chills
LGBT Interest
Gothic & Romantic
Victorian & Edwardian

I’m pulling down my “wish list” of titles to purchase now! Do any jump out at you?

Posted in Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem | Leave a comment

Review: The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox

The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox
Published by Harlequin on October 1, 2018
Genres: Fiction, General, Ghost, Gothic, Historical, Occult & Supernatural
Pages: 408
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher

After a scandal rocks the reputation of the Montrose family, the three daughters Catherine, Lydia and Emeline, leave Boston with their parents and head to their new home, Willow Hall. Country life is meant to be a source of calm for the family, but it's soon obvious that something ominous resides on the grounds of Willow Hall. Lydia, the middle daughter, has struggled with her "temper" most of her life. At Willow Hall, surrounded by the remnants of its dark and haunting past, she soon understands that there is something in her family's past that explains these "spells" she experiences. The new setting seems to feed this aspect of her life, and she must learn to control them in order to protect not only her life, but the lives of those around her.

I absolutely adored the dark and Gothic setting! A perfect fall read, this most certainly put me in the mood for Halloween.

Fox has created quite the addictive read (I read it in one weekend afternoon). The setting, so vivid and well developed is truly almost a character itself. The depth that the author goes into describing it makes it leap from the pages. You feel the chill in the air, the dampness of the rain. The characters, too are expertly crafted. The each have their own uniqueness about them, making it quite easy to stand out from one another. Lydia was easily my favorite character. Overshadowed by her gorgeous older sister, she’s often the one that is forgotten. Her abilities, however, allow her stand out in true form!

When reading a 19th century historical fiction with themes like witchcraft, readers are often forced to endure cliches about the Salem Witch trials and what transpired. That’s not the case with this title. It does stand out as a truly unique read.

I labeled this as horror for there are some dark and spooky aspects, but in reality it reads a bit more like a historical Gothic romance with tinges of horror. This is certain to appeal to readers of all types. Highly recommended.

Posted in Horror, Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem, Mystery/Suspense, Review | 1 Comment

Review: The Lies We Told by Camilla Way

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Lies We Told by Camilla Way
Published by Penguin on October 9, 2018
Genres: Crime, Fiction, Psychological, Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher

From a young age, Beth knew there was something wrong with her daughter, Hannah. She experienced no emotion, lacked the ability to develop friendships and seemed to find pleasure in hurting others. Beth knows that she should take Hannah to get professional help. While it may help curb her destructive and dangerous behavior, she fears that Hannah may reveal the secret she overheard. The truth can't be discovered, for it would mean the end of their lives as they knew it.

Luke and Clara have a seemingly perfect relationship. Luke comes from an idyllic family and showers Clara with love and affection. One day, however, he disappears without a trace. The police leads dwindle, so Clara and Luke's best friend embark upon their own investigation. Thinking Luke's disappearance may be tied to a hurt and bitter former girlfriend, they delve into his past and Clara soon learns that Luke isn't quiet as perfect as he seemed. Now his life is in danger because of the secrets he and his family once kept. They must find him before revenge deals a deadly blow.

There is a lot going in this thriller! Told in two different points of view, that of Beth in the past and Clara in the present. At the onset, it isn’t apparent that the two stories are intertwined. The author does an expert job at curating and building up the individual storylines, but quite compelling and engaging in their own. It’s when they start to converge, and the multitude of secrets are revealed, that I began to struggle.

The effect of lies on relationship is a common theme in fiction. Yes, everyone lies to some extent, but in the case of this title, EVERYONE lies and they aren’t little fibs either. Unreliable narrators are an effective tool when used properly, but in this case, I felt it was a little overused. Nearly everyone had secrets they were keeping from one another. Some were revealed as the plot advanced and seemed natural given the feel of this read. Then, there were excessive ones that felt unnecessary that didn’t add any value to the overall reading experience. Does this deter from the overall reading experience? Perhaps not, but it’s certainly something that lingered in my mind as I read. Additionally, the lack of police involvement in many aspects of Luke’s disappearance , requiring Clara to solve the case herself, seemed a little far-fetched and unbelievable.

All this said, I wouldn’t denounce this as an engaging read. The author certainly has a way of captivating her readers with the characters she’s developed. Independently, each storyline independently could have made truly outstanding thrillers! Hannah’s character reminded me a lot of the child in Baby Teeth! Together, both storylines are quite a lot, but engaging nonetheless.

Posted in Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem, Mystery/Suspense, Review, Thriller | Leave a comment

2018 Murder, Monsters & Mayhem Week 1 Recap!

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Jenn

It’s the end of the first week of Murder, Monsters, & Mayhem!

Here’s what happened on the blog, in case you missed it:

I’m looking forward to the weekend; my first weekend off of work in two weeks! Cooler weather is here; time to catch up on some spooky reads (and maybe a Halloween movie marathon)!

Did you read any spooky titles this week?

Posted in Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem | 1 Comment

Review: The Impossible Girl by Lydia Kang

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Jenn

The Impossible Girl by Lydia Kang
Published by Amazon Publishing on September 18, 2018
Pages: 364
Format: eBook

New York. 1850. Cora Lee is an illegitimate child born out of a relationship between a wealthy socialite and an unnamed immigrant. The circumstances about her birth (and her survival) were kept secret from the wealthy side of her family. For many reasons, she's a remarkable woman. She has unique trait that sets her apart from the world: two hearts beat within her body.

As the only female resurrectionist in New York, she has quite the talent for tracking down bodies with the most remarkable abnormalities. Anatomists have a difficult time getting their hands on such anomalies, and most are willing to pay a pretty penny in order to display them in public. Her line of work also allows her to keep track of who is hunting for her, for her ailment is the source of legends. Obtaining her body would render any anatomist the most lucrative of rewards.

Cora Lee catches news of a rise in the number of murders. The victims just happen to have specific anatomical anomalies, individuals whose names Cora Lee has kept hidden in her journal. These deaths hit too close to home, and now Cora Lee is left without anyone to trust. As the killer(s)?! continue to go down the list of bodies to procure, she soon learns that hers must be the last one on it. Though young in age, it's not implausible Cora Lee could die of a sudden, unnatural death...

What an incredibly fun read! This title appeared on my Kindle as a free read and boy, am I glad! I don’t know that I would have been aware of this title, otherwise. It’s a completely unique storyline, one rich with history and filled to the brim gothic goodness!

Cora Lee is quite the unique character! As a woman, she’s not often given access to the things that men might. Rather than sit down and let her trade be overcome by men, she dresses up as a man (in her case, her brother), to get the job done. This proves to be a bit of a challenge on occasion, yet Cora Lee is thick-skinned and determined, not letting something as simple as this to hold her back.

I loved the setting and Kang does an outstanding job of keeping the reader’s attention. A physician herself, it’s obvious that she has a passion for the history of medicine. I’m now making it a mission to check out her other titles. Highly recommended!

Posted in Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem, Review | 1 Comment

Review: The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas

The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas
Published by Abrams on September 18th 2018
Genres: Horror, Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher

Since her exorcism, Clare has been lost without her demon. Simply known as Her, Clare's demon was like a sister to her. After she randomly meets the son of the preacher who exorcised her, Clare begins a mission to do whatever it takes to get Her back. In doing so, she learns that her small Southern town has a deep, dark history, rich with occult roots. Her search forces her to question many things, including the line between good and evil, and religion and free will.

Cajoleas has created quite the sympathetic character in Clare. Lonely in a small Southern town, with alcoholics as parents, her possession forged the only true “friendship” Clare had ever experienced. Clare’s character is genuine and believable, a typical teen girl struggling with her own self-identity.

A wholly unique storyline, we follow Clare on her journey toward self-appreciation and growth, a coming-of-age like none other. We meet Clare after her exorcism and, at least in her eyes, her possession was never dangerous our something to fear. As her search to be reunited with Her, though, Clare discovers the relationship isn’t quite as innocuous as it seemed.

I dare you to find another title like this! Highly recommended for readers looking for a touch of horror, but nothing to gruesome or chilling. It isn’t until the near end that I felt chilled to the bone. Clare’s journey, and the build-up to the end, is truly remarkable and rewarding. Highly recommended!

Posted in Horror, Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem, Review, YA | 1 Comment