The Body in Question

Dalliance. Jill Cimint makes thinking about mortality and morality flow on the pages of her novel titled, The Body in Question. Protagonist Hannah, also known as juror C-2, finds herself with mixed feelings about being sequestered on the jury of a sensational murder trial. As the possibility of a dalliance with Graham, juror F-17, unfolds, she rationalizes this as a last fling, and minimizes any effect of this affair on her much older husband. Mortality inhabits every page of this novel, and the moral choices predictably lead to consequences. Cimint writes with great efficiency in this novel, and her insight into human nature unfolds with wisdom as the narrative progresses. There’s really nothing casual about a dalliance when Cimint gets her hands on it. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Body in Question from amazon.com.

The Hook

Rehab. The fifth novel by Tim O’Mara to feature former cop Raymond Donne is titled, The Hook. The dramatic action opens on the roof of the school where Donne teaches, the place where Maurice MoJo Joseph is shot to death with an arrow. Mojo’s life seemed to be turning around after a stint in rehab, but at the time he died, heroin was in his system. While Donne investigates, his girlfriend Allisson writes stories about White Nationalists, thanks to a runaway and insider who has confided in her. The plot pulls readers into the action quickly, and fans of thrillers and this series are those most likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Hook from amazon.com.

Wow, No Thank You

Deadpan. I could not drink any beverage while reading Samantha Irby’s book titled, Wow, No Thank You. Liquid in my mouth was prone to gush out as I was compelled to laugh with gusto at an image, word or finely turned phrase in this funny book. Whenever she describes her awkwardness in a social situation, readers can be confident that she will mine that feeling for all the possible humor that could be present. When she starts a riff, you’re never sure when you will laugh out loud, but chances are high that you will. Readers with a funny bone that could use a good tickle are those most likely to enjoy the fine and funny writing in this book. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Wow No Thank You from amazon.com.

The Killing Tide

Discovery. The fifth Commissaire Dupin novel by Jean-Luc Bannalac is titled, The Killing Tide. I thought a good mystery would be ideal covid-19 reading, but instead I found myself bogged down with Dupin in a difficult case on an island where he did not want to be (either). Every now and then I could smell the sea air and salivate when the narrative turned to Brittany food. Murders are complicated in this installment, as is the possible discovery of an object of great value. Dupin and his team try to stay a step ahead and are thwarted at every turn. Fans of crime fiction and this series are those readers most likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Killing Tide from amazon.com.

Original Prin

Antics. The pace begins with a sharp hook of a first sentence in Randy Boyagoda’s novel titled, Original Prin. “Eight months before he became a suicide bomber, Prin went to the zoo with his family.” With that opener, the antics begin and continue nonstop for another 225 pages, the first installment in what is intended to be a trilogy. Protagonist Prin is a middle aged academic at a failing university and he has been diagnosed with cancer. One minute he is a practicing Catholic, and the next he prepares to become a terrorist. I don’t have a clue where the next installment will lead Prin and the rest of us, but this opener was fun to read and will appeal to those readers who enjoy satire. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Original Prin from amazon.com.

Wonderblood

Magic. In her debut novel titled, Wonderblood, Julia Whicker presents a future United States where we have turned away from science and toward magic. Science failed half the world’s population as it did not protect people from disease. We turn to faith and interpret portents and provide blood sacrifice to ward off danger. Violent factions struggle for control and the locus for worship becomes Cape Canaveral, a relic of a time long past. Whicker offers interesting characters, political machinations, and an apocalyptic vision that will make many readers shiver. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Wonderblood from amazon.com.

The Capital

Pigs. Robert Menasse presents readers with an astute take on the tension between nationalism and union in Europe in his novel titled, The Capital. Set in Brussels, we get to enjoy the dysfunction of the bureaucracy, in which Auschwitz is selected as the best location for a celebration, and pigs take center stage in the plot. While comic in many respects, the novel helps readers reflect on the importance of those institutions that can bridge our differences. We need novels like this one to hold up for us our absurdities and lead us to think about what’s important. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Capital from amazon.com.