It was hard to choose what to review this month out of the many wonderful books being published. Pretty in Plaid, the newest memoir by Jen Lancaster, and The Last Child, John Hart’s third mystery, won out over Gone Tomorrow, Lee Child’s new Jack Reacher thriller, and Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, a delightful mystery by Alan Bradley that introduces 11-year old sleuth Flavia de Luce. Next month looks to be just as good, so start planning your summer reading now!
By Susan Taylor
It was hard to choose what to review this month out of the many wonderful books being published. Pretty in Plaid, the newest memoir by Jen Lancaster, and The Last Child, John Hart’s third mystery, won out over Gone Tomorrow, Lee Child’s new Jack Reacher thriller, and Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, a delightful mystery by Alan Bradley that introduces 11-year old sleuth Flavia de Luce. Next month looks to be just as good, so start planning your summer reading now!
Jen Lancaster is a smart-mouthed, bossy, arrogant, and hysterically funny writer. She is Everywoman, only with better shoes, a cuter handbag, and brash attitude to spare. Her first three books (Bitter is the New Black; Bright Lights, Big Ass; Such a Pretty Fat) were originally published in trade paperback format; Pretty in Plaid makes the jump to hardcover, which in publishing terms means she’s moved to the grownups’ table. Her newest book will not disappoint her fans, and should bring her some new converts. In it, she goes back to her childhood, where we discover–let the subtitle tell us–A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or the Wonder Years Before the Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered, Smart-Ass Phase. Jen’s childhood in New Jersey, her family’s move to Indiana (where she struggles to modify her city-slicker persona to fit into the rural environment), her preppy makeover, her sorority years and her move to Chicago to work in the big city are covered with Jen’s characteristic wit in her conversational style. Pop culture references abound, and her quest to emulate the ladies from “Sex and the City” in her working life makes for an entertaining read. One of my best friends turned me on to Jen Lancaster’s books, and I am sure that when you finish reading this one, you’ll pass it on to your best friend. She is too good not to share!
The Last Child by John Hart is his third novel, following Down River and The King of Lies. The first time I heard of this author, was when Down River popped onto the Indiebound bestseller list. So, when the advance copy of this book appeared, I snapped it up. It isn’t often that mystery/thriller writers are lauded for their literary skill, and when I get a chance to read a well-written mystery, I jump on it. Suffice to say, The Last Child did not disappoint! Set in rural North Carolina, the story centers on Johnny Merrimon, a 13-year-old whose twin sister disappeared on her way home from the library a year ago. Shortly afterward, his father walked out on him and his mother, unable to bear his wife’s blame. Since then, things have gotten even worse. He and his mother have moved to a rental house owned by the town’s most powerful man, whose genial exterior hides his abusive, drug-fueled rages. Katherine Merrimon never recovered from losing her daughter and husband, and she is now inextricably involved with her landlord, who supplies cheap housing, money and the drugs and alcohol which smother her pain and make her acquiescent to his desires. Johnny is made of stronger stuff, and his determination to find out what happened to his sister is unstoppable. Detective Clyde Hunt is also obsessed with the unsolved case; his unswerving focus has cost him his marriage and he is alienating his only son, but he can’t let go. When another girl disappears in the same way, his only goal is to nail the perpetrator, no matter what the cost. Johnny and Detective Hunt’s parallel investigations uncover different threads of the story, but even when the reader thinks she’s got it figured out, Hart has another surprise up his sleeve. If you enjoy smart, literary mysteries, look no further–this is your book.
Susan Taylor has been in the book business, in one aspect or another, since 1982.