Staff Choices

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and woman merely players.” 

M.L. Rio’s debut novel If We Were Villains really takes those words to heart. As a Shakespearean scholar herself, it’s not shocking that the world she weaves is entirely Shakespeare centric. Hopping between the present and past, Rio weaves an elegant mystery that will leave you wondering what is true and what is just good acting.  

If We Were Villains is a story of friendship, love, loss and betrayal. Fans of Shakespeare will not be disappointed in how thoroughly the bard’s work is woven into the plot. Anyone scarred by their high school English paper on Romeo & Juliet, you’ve been warned. 

Ten years ago there was a murder at a small but elite arts college in Illinois.  

Oliver, one of only seven students to have made it to their senior year, makes his way back to campus and what he considers his true home. Having successfully navigated the brutal culling of students, the remaining seven theatre majors are unsurprisingly a tightknit group. Having spent the past 3 years perfecting their Shakespearean delivery, all seven know their prescribed roles (whether they are happy about them is another story): 

As the year goes on and the instructors switch up the roles, things begin to fall apart. 

Ten years later, Oliver, who has just been released from prison, is finally ready to tell the lead investigator, who never really believed he got the full story, what really happened.  

The ending will break your heart while simultaneously giving you hope for Oliver’s future. 

I genuinely enjoy that Quirk gives a new story line and character pretty much every time. This one is no exception. A bit terrifying when you realize that he may not be too far off with the scenario presented. We find Sam Hudson in a race against the clock with basically no one to trust. I wasn't sure who to trust either, and at times I thought it may even be Sam himself...does one ever really know. A page turner indeed.

The latest in the excellent Gabriel Allon spy series. Gabriel has finally retired from the Israeli spy agency, Mossad. Allon along with his wife, Chiara and his twins have moved to Venice. Gabriel is devoting his time to work as a master art restorer. Allon is asked by old friend and art gallery owner, Julian Isherwood to look into the sale of an old painting which he suspects is a forgery.

The case leads to a look into the dark side of the forgery business of the lucrative art world market. There is plenty of action and seedy criminals along the the way. The case leads Gabriel to the glamorous locales of Venice, London, Paris, New Yorl and Corsica. A fast paced and entertaining thriller.

When I heard the premise of this book; "A novel tracing a widows unlikely connection with a giant pacific octopus", I admit I was skeptical. Thankfully due to the magic of a well written book, I was pleasantly surprised.

After Tova Sullivan's husband dies she starts to work the nightshift at the Puget Sound Aquarium. Keeping busy is what she does to help her through grief, which is what she has done since her beloved son disappeared 30 years ago. While there, she becomes acquainted with Marcellus, a masterful all knowing octopus. Sensing the loneliness and needs in each other, they come to depend on Tova's nightly cleaning shifts as they navigate life's next steps.

Many friends, local townspeople and characters weave their way into Tova's life, at the same time she starts to see the effects of growing old and being alone. Remarkably, Marcellus sees things that others cannot see, and decides to do everything in his power to help Tova find solace. Remarkably Bright Creatures is a terrific debut story by author Shelby Van Pelt. Let's hope she has a few more meaningful stories to share.

Don't pick up this book looking for a thriller. While there is an element of mystery, and even some suspense in More Than You'll Ever Know, this novel is really more of a riveting character study of two women and their families.
The story unfolds in dual timelines, as struggling writer and true crime aficionado Cassie Bowman stumbles upon the decades-old case of Lore Rivera, a Laredo, Texas banker  and wife/mother whose shocking double life results in murder. Lore is a rare species in the true crime world; she is simultaneously married to both her high school sweetheart Fabian, with whom she has twin sons, and Andres Russo, a college professor she meets while attending a wedding in Mexico City. Such betrayals are usually associated with men, giving Lore and the surrounding murder another level of notoriety.
Debut novelist Katie Gutierrez does an excellent job in creating the relationship, and tension, between the two main characters. Can Cassie trust anything that Lore relays to her, or does she have far more to do with the murder than she is letting on? Lore depends on Cassie to reveal the truth of her life, but can any person really trust a reporter...knowing that the public will crave the most salacious details?
Not all of the novel is as well developed, notably Cassie's back story and her questionable treatment of her fiance. But the weaker points are overshadowed by the strengths, especially the strong psychological insights as both Lore and Cassie come to justify their behavior.

Arthur Moses is a widow. He finds comfort in visiting his late wife Nola's grave everyday. It is there that he meets a young teenager who also uses the cemetery for solace. As their friendship evolves, she names him Truluv for his undying devotion to his beloved Nola. Maddy is an outcast both at school and in her lonely home where her father is unable to show love after her mother passes away. Lucille, the busy, but lonely next door neighbor takes a liking to Maddie and Arthur, and bakes her way into their lives. 

This heartwarming story is rich with likable characters. It touches on themes of loss, love, family, resilience and and the idea that it's never to late to have a fresh start. Elizabeth Berg, a local Chicago area author is a prolific writer. For the last three decades she has written over 30 books that will inspire you and stay with you for a long time. The story of Arthur Truluv is definitely one of those.

Christina Lauren’s newest book Something Wilder is a suspenseful adventure seeking story with a cute second chance romance. Lilly Wilder is struggling to make ends meet and trying to find a way back to Wilder Ranch where she grew up. She runs Wilder Adventures that offers guided fake treasure hunts in the vast mazed canyons of Utah. When an annual boy's trip brings her lost love, Leo, on one of her tours, he has the opportunity to make things right with her again. Lily and Leo try to reconnect after unforeseen circumstances separated them years ago, all while going on a treasure hunt filled with secret codes and riddles.

The story shifts part way through into something dangerous, suspenseful and exciting, a transition I never saw coming but certainly enjoyed. It forces Lily and Leo to confront their past, come to terms with it and decide on their futures all while trying to navigate the treachery in their midst.

The writing duo that is Christina Lauren is so skilled at crafting unique stories. They have written a lot of books over the years, and none of them are similar, which can be a hard task in the romance genre. Something Wilder combines romance with action and adventure and it works so well! I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

You don’t need to be a fan of swimming to enjoy reading about a community of swimmers sharing the use of their local subterranean public pool. Some swim to relax, some to escape, some because they are creatures of habit. We learn the names and peculiarities of the narrator’s cohorts without learning hers. She describes individuals and their idiosyncrasies. Before long a crack develops in the pool wall which causes great concern and angst among the swimmers.  

The last part of the book shifts its focus to one of the swimmers, Alice, who is slowly losing her memory. Beautifully written, tinged with emotion, bittersweetness and a dose of reality.  

At only 175 pages, author Julie Otsuka has written a story that resonates with me. Pick up a copy of The Swimmers if you are a fan of author Julie Otsuka or of a story well told. 

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen tells a dark and twisty story about people who aren't what they seem. In this instance, the "golden couple" is Marissa and Matthew Bishop, who seem to have it all, at least by social media standards. In real life, however, things aren't quite so shiny. Marissa admits to infidelity, and they seek outside help from a therapist who previously went rogue in her treatment and subsequently lost her license.

The therapist, Avery Chambers, is in desperate need of help herself. When these three collide, secrets from the past begin to surface, and we aren't quite sure whom to believe when stories don't quite add up.

The Golden Couple has great character development and spot-on creative deception. This author duo produces enthralling psychological thrillers that will keep you guessing until the last page. Perfect for fans of domestic noir!

Joan is a young doctor in a busy New York hospital. She loves her routine, and her job with all the details and regimented schedule it presents. Her parents moved back to China after she and her brother were established, which helps her maintain a pleasant solitary life. Her world and her comfort zone, are upended upon the death of her father. Her mother moves to the states to re-establish a relationship with her children, and Joan's life is suddenly turned upside down. Weike Wang delves into this complex character and what it means to live as an first generation American, as a woman in a fast paced medical career, and as someone who defies society's vision of success.

The book is tender and witty and will leave you thinking about Joan, and wondering if Joan is Okay.