Two novels with "freakishly smart" young female protagonists
Wordhunter: A Novel by Stella Sands
Publication: August 6, 2024; Harper Paperbacks, NetGalley
Genre: contemporary fiction, police procedural
I was intrigued to find out how word forensics or forensic linguistics is used in crime solving, done by analyzing written evidence, papers, letters, email, etc. to find the authors suspected of being criminals. A genius with words, Maggie Moore has always been fascinated by words, and as a college student she was recommended by her prof to help the police track down a cyber stalker, by analyzing his emails and letters.
Looking at word choice, dialect, syntax, spelling, use or misuse of punctuation, writing style, and more, Maggie pored over his emails to find traits leading to the stalker and, with Detective Jackson, goes on to tackle another case - finding the kidnapper of the mayor's missing daughter, through his correspondence.
I liked how the relationship between the detective and insecure Maggie develops into one of trust and reliance during the events, some of them life threatening.
An interesting read with an unusual, quirky character Maggie, who finally learns to stand up for herself with both a predatory boss and with her personal life.
I was intrigued to find out how word forensics or forensic linguistics is used in crime solving, done by analyzing written evidence, papers, letters, email, etc. to find the authors suspected of being criminals. A genius with words, Maggie Moore has always been fascinated by words, and as a college student she was recommended by her prof to help the police track down a cyber stalker, by analyzing his emails and letters.
Looking at word choice, dialect, syntax, spelling, use or misuse of punctuation, writing style, and more, Maggie pored over his emails to find traits leading to the stalker and, with Detective Jackson, goes on to tackle another case - finding the kidnapper of the mayor's missing daughter, through his correspondence.
I liked how the relationship between the detective and insecure Maggie develops into one of trust and reliance during the events, some of them life threatening.
An interesting read with an unusual, quirky character Maggie, who finally learns to stand up for herself with both a predatory boss and with her personal life.
Life, Loss, and Puffins by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Publication: May 14, 2024; Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley
Genre: fiction, travel, YA
I loved the adventures that 13-year-old Ru, a "freakishly smart" college student, and her 17 year old friend Gabriel, undertake in order to see the aurora borealis in Northern Canada near the Arctic Circle. They also consider going to Newfoundland to see Atlantic puffins.
Ru is on her journey to deal with the recent death of her mother and having to move to Kentucky to live with a controlling, unsympathetic aunt. Underage runaways, Ru and Gabriel are wanted by the police, but how they manage to find help along the way is surprising but gratifying.
A lovely read that made me side with the young teens in their October-November planned adventure by car to the Arctic Circle. It may be a bit unrealistic they were able to pull this off, but they did, with so many different people helping them. Theirs is a heartwarming journey and an informative one too about the Northwest Territories in Canada.
Ru and Gabriel spent four amazing nights on the frozen tundra in a wooden cabin/geodesic dome watching the northern lights/aurora borealis for hours, from indoors and from the outdoor walkway at the top of the dome, close to the Arctic Circle.
They didn't go to Iceland or Newfoundland to see the puffins, but Gabriel did lead Ru to some Atlantic puffins in a local zoo when they returned to the U.S.
Sure they had to face the music back at home in California, but for them the journey of a lifetime seemed worth it.
What are you reading this week?
Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, and Sunday Salon, Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday
