Jul 30, 2022

Sunday Salon: Contemporary Drama, Crime Novels

 Finished reading:


Meredith, Alone


Published June 23rd 2022 by Penguin Michael Joseph
Genre: contemporary fiction, women's fiction

My goodreads/NetGalley review:

Meredith has isolated herself indoors for 1,300 days and counting, until the time comes when she steps outside, prompted by the persistence of an internet friend Celeste; by a best friend who is the only friend to visit, by her online therapist Diane, and by a visiting social worker, Tom.

I was moved by this group of people who become Meredith's support, never giving up on trying to get her out of the house and into society again.

I also liked that the story behind Meredith's strange behavior is gradually revealed, and how she comes to face it and speak about it. Meredith is propelled to help the people she comes in contact with in person, on the internet, or from her front door and windows, and this also helps to get her away from her own problems.

This is a sensitive, contemporary novel that looks at one person's trauma and its aftermath.




The Couple at the Table

(Spilling CID #11)

Published January 27th 2022 by Hodder & Stoughton
Genre: thriller, suspense

My goodreads/NetGalley review:


An unlikely scenario sets the stage for this psychological thriller, in which a couple, Jane and William, on their honeymoon, happen to be at the same resort as William's exwife and her new husband. This situation could be tricky and uncomfortable, and it is.

Then when a murder occurs, the clues seem to make no sense and point to no one at the resort as the murderer as they all have alibis. 


The novel very
 cleverly has the mystery resolve in an Agatha Christie fashion, with all the possible culprits facing a detective together at the end, and being grilled relentlessly in a controlled setting. This, before the detective reveals what really happened as he solves the crime.

The main characters, the wife Jane in particularly, are ditsy personalities, which leads the reader to want to see more of where their extreme behavior will take them. Clever plotting and character development.


Now reading:
 


City Under One Roof 

Kindle Edition320 pages
Expected publication: January 10th 2023 by Berkley
Source: NetGalley
Genre: crime fiction

About: 

A stranded detective tries to solve a murder in a tiny Alaskan town. where everyone lives in a single high-rise building.

When a local teenager discovers a severed hand and foot on the shore of the small town of Point Mettier, Alaska, Cara Kennedy is on the case. A detective from Anchorage, she has her own motives for investigating the possible murder in this isolated place, which can be accessed only by a tunnel. (publisher)



What are you reading this week? 

Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated BookreviewerAlso,  It's Monday: What Are You Readingand Sunday SalonStacking the ShelvesMailbox Monday

36 comments:

  1. These all sound good to me. Especially the Hannah one.

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    Replies
    1. The first two are really good. The third is a bit slow but also has a great setting.

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  2. I have the City Under One Roof ARC also but haven't read it quite yet - looking forward to it though. And the Hannah book is going on my TBR; it sounds intriguing and I like those 'closed door' type mysteries.
    here's me: https://www.bookshelfjourneys.com/post/sunday-post-9

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    1. Enjoying reading about a small town in Alaska in the City book.

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  3. Meredith, Alone sounds similar to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I enjoyed that. Have a good week!

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    Replies
    1. I've read Eleanor Oliphant but didn't think of it.

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  4. It sounds like you really enjoyed Meredith, Alone and The Couple at the Table. A neighbor had agoraphobia after she had a bad car accident and she literally never left her home. I wonder if Meredith, Alone has something like that.

    The City Under One Roof looks promising, too.

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    Replies
    1. Won't tell you as it would be a spoiler for those who want to read Meredith, Alone. Meredith herself is an extremely likeable character.

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  5. I am very intrigued by Meredith Alone, wonderful reviews Harvee

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  6. The plot of the first book leaves me very curious - I hadn't heard of that one. Have a good week.

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  7. All of these sound good. Meredith Alone has my interest. I'm intrigued with the concept. I'll have to check it out.

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    Replies
    1. You won't be disappointed.

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    2. Both Meredith, Alone and The Couple at the Table sound good to me... off to see if my library has them!

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    3. Hope you find them there, JoAnn.

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  8. Wow, they all sound really good!

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  9. These all sound awesome. I really want to read the middle one and the first one. I'm adding them to my TBR right now. Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a good week. Also, thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  10. City Under One Roof is intriguing...is it science fiction or otherwise futuristic?

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    Replies
    1. No, a crime novel set in a tiny Alaskan town with all the residents living in one single building.

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  11. Meredith Alone looks like a good read. Thanks for sharing your review. Have a good week!
    Mary @Bookfan

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  12. These are all new to me, but sound like books I would enjoy. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  13. I like the sound of all of these books. Meredith, Alone especially makes me curious to find out what happens to her and why. :)

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  14. All the books sound good to me! I already had my eyes set on The Couple at the Table and I'm hoping our library will have a copy soon. Have a great week!

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    Replies
    1. Good luck with the library. The book is also on NetGalley.

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  15. What a fascinating reading week you've had. The whole Sophie Hannah series sounds good, but I've actually added City Under One Roof to my want to read list.

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  16. Whoa the first book sounds tough! A few times during the pandemic I had to do 14 days inside for Quarantine after travel .... and that was hair-raising. So 1,300 days ... would be bonkers. I hope the person is able to recover ...

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    Replies
    1. I guess this book has a somewhat happy ending.

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  17. Meredith Alone sounds like a great story. Something to add to my TBR.

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I appreciate your comments and thoughts...

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