KN Magazine: Reviews

3/31/15 3/31/15

"Kittens Can Kill" by Clea Simon / Reviewed by Dominique Chessor

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

Purchase "Kittens Can Kill" or read other reviews through Killer Nashville’s affiliate, Amazon.com*

"Kittens Can Kill" by Clea Simon
Reviewed by Dominique Chessor

Although the title of this book may seem a bit extreme, “Kittens Can Kill: A Pru Marlowe Pet Noir” is a surprisingly accurate title to this cozy mystery.

The novel follows the protagonist, Pru Marlowe, an animal behaviorist and excellent dog-walker whose most closely guarded secret is also the secret to her success: Pru can communicate with animals of all kinds.

Her introversion and preference for the company of animals allows Pru to skirt around the edges of a crime scene and insinuate herself into the family drama that begins to unfold after the death of a prominent lawyer, David Canaday.

Pru, who responds to a house call regarding a new kitten, walks smack into the scene of Canaday’s death and finds herself saddled with the now-unwanted kitten. Amidst the family drama that unfolds between Canaday’s daughters in regards to his will, Pru must rely on her peculiar sensitivity to animals in order to decipher what is true.

Was Canaday’s death an accident, a weak heart as one daughter claims? Or was it something more sinister - poison or overdose, as another daughter claims?

Pru must juggle the problems and perils of the other animals in town (as well as their far more troublesome owners) while she attempts to discern if a seemingly harmless fluffy white kitten could possibly have killed a man.

This story will have the reader eagerly flipping pages, anxious to solve the mystery of David Canaday’s death as first one daughter and then another falls under suspicion, until Pru is no longer certain that she can trust anyone in town - anyone human, that is.

Dominique Chessor is a married mom of two sassy cats. When she's not teaching little ones during her day job, she enjoys binge watching Netflix shows, crafts, cooking, and reading (anything and everything).

(If you have a book you would like featured, send an ARC for consideration. The Killer Nashville Book Reviews are coordinated by Clay Stafford with the irreplaceable assistance of Meaghan Hill, Maria Giordano, Will Chessor, and credited guest reviewers. For more writer resources, visit us at www.KillerNashville.com)

*Killer Nashville is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you purchase a book from the links on this page, Amazon will give Killer Nashville a small percentage of the total sale. Killer Nashville receives zero compensation (other than sometimes the book to review) from publishers who have been selected for the Book of the Day.

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3/26/15 3/26/15

"The Missing One" by Lucy Atkins / Reviewed by Kate Proffitt

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

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Lucy Atkins, photographed by Charlie Hopkinson © 2013.

"The Missing One" by Lucy Atkins
Reviewed by Kate Proffitt

Set amidst the majestic backdrop of Canadian cliffs, Lucy Atkins’ "The Missing One" is an unpredictable thriller from the start. Kali is a young mother struggling to accept her estranged mother’s death and when she begins to doubt the sincerity of her marriage, she is desperate for an escape.

Discovering a note from her mother’s past gives Kali the perfect distraction and she decides once and for all to answer the questions her mother never would. Kali and her young son, Finn, embark on an enthralling journey from the bustling city of London to the isolated beauty of Spring Tide Island.

As Kali uncovers the secrets of her mother’s past, she recognizes that she was far from the timid, reserved mother Kali struggled to connect with. Kali has always been determined to be the loving mother to Finn that her mother neglected to be – but the longer she searches, the more she realizes she didn’t know her mother at all. Kali knew Elena had a short career as a marine biologist, but she soon discovers that her mother had a fascination with orca whales. Kali discovers that her mother devoted her early life to researching and protecting killer whales, and her work has impacted these animals in extraordinary ways.

Elena plays her own part in the story through revealing flashbacks of her early life. Atkins expounds on the connection between humans and animals through Elena’s experiences and the companionship she had with the black-and-white friends she cherished. Atkins spins a mesmerizing plot of family ties, betrayal, heartache, and the power of a mother’s love.

This book portrays the messy, chaotic, flawed process of Kali’s grief for something lost that she has only just found. Tracking down her mother’s past proves to be more dangerous than Kali ever could have imagined, and discovering the truth seems to be as slippery as the Orca fins shimmering beneath the surface.

As Kali uncovers the truth of her mother’s past, will she be able to save Finn and keep herself safe? Or will history repeat itself as they follow the journey Elena took many years before?

Overflowing with breathtaking imagery and heartbreaking relationships, this book portrays that in the midst of every situation, experiencing the power of a mother’s love for her child is as priceless and incredible as the black-and-white weaving beneath the blurry blue, their familial instincts as sure and steady as the waves in which they live.

Kate Proffitt is a creative writing major, who loves to read and write! Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors is her favorite band, Christina Rossetti is her favorite poet, and she drinks a lot more Diet Coke than she should. She also enjoys travelling and has spent some time in Europe! Kate is currently working on her first unpublished novel!

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3/24/15 3/24/15

"The House of Wolfe" by James Carlos Blake / Reviewed by Jonathan Thurston

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

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James Carlos Blake
credit Maura Anne Wahl

"The House of Wolfe" by James Carlos Blake
Reviewed by Jonathan Thurston

James Carlos Blake, author of "The Rules of Wolfe", returns with the whole Wolfe family again with a new plot in mind.

El Galan is fresh gang lord and hopes to get rich quick with his newest scheme: to kidnap everyone at a wedding party for a high ransom. However, one of the partygoers is the young Jessie Wolfe, a member of one of the most powerful crime families in the Texas borderland. As Jessie struggles to find a way out of El Galan's grip, her family plans to take her by force if necessary.

"The House of Wolfe" is a fast-paced thriller that you just won't want to put down. Each chapter is laid with such heart-stopping action that even when the climax comes, you will realize you've been holding your breath for hours. As El Galan's gang strengthens the security around the kidnapped party, the Wolfe family picks off El Galan's gang one by one, desperate for any kind of information, and they are more than willing to do whatever it takes to find out where Jessie is. Yet, throughout the 24 hours Jessie has before she might be killed, she uses every trick she knows to fight back, despite the looming Apache who guards over her with lust in his eyes.

As rich and unique as the plot is, Blake's strength is in creating such a level of raw, unbridled suspense that leaves readers hanging on the edge of their seat, yet squirming backward with each new terror introduced. From violent gangsters to snarling dogs, readers will find little safe haven once the plot starts rolling. If you liked "The Rules of Wolfe", this book is for you. If you haven't read "The Rules of Wolfe", this book is still for you! A must-read for anyone who likes reading edgy, suspenseful fiction!

Jonathan W. Thurston is a literary studies graduate student. Aside from his studies, he owns a small publishing house called Thurston Howl Publications and serves as its editor-in-chief. He has written several books on his own and always enjoys reading a good horror novel. When he's not busy with grad school or his business, he is often found reading a good book with hot tea in one hand and his dog Temerita curled up at his feet (she often thinks she is a cat, you see).

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3/19/15 3/19/15

"The Replacements" by David Putnam / Reviewed by Hillary Martin

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

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"The Replacements" by David Putnam
Reviewed by Hillary Martin

The bleeding house is only the first of a whirlwind of plot twists author David Putnam uses to lead the reader through a compelling and not so easily discernible story in his novel "The Replacements (Bruno Johnson)".

Bruno Johnson, an ex-detective fugitive from Los Angeles, is hiding from everyone, including the FBI in Costa Rica. But nothing is what it seems. Johnson is not a fugitive in the way one would normally expect. This brash, now beach-bar drink-slinger with a past, has a soft spot for saving abused children.

How many people have seen a child in distress and wished that they could give them happiness? Johnson takes it to another level, and illegally houses abandoned and troubled children until a serial kidnapper forces him back to L.A. where he will risk life in prison to save three children kidnapped by a youngster he tried to rescue in the past.

"The Replacements" is a book that reels you in with the hope of a happy story, but first drags you along the rocks of despair. It shows the reader that even through trials and heartache, one can still come out strong and righteous.

Readers looking for a book that will excite their senses and pull them in fiercely should look no further then “The Replacements”. It willsolve your woes.

Hillary Martin’s interests include writing, reading and spending time with family and friends. She is currently working on a few writing projects.

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3/17/15 3/17/15

"Aftershock" by Philip Donlay / Review by Jonathan Thurston

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

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Philip Donlay.
Photo Credit Pamela Sue Martin

"Aftershock" by Philip Donlay
Review by Jonathan Thurston

Donovan Nash is back!

Things have calmed down since "Deadly Echoes", but Nash finds himself in yet another suspenseful adventure. Stephanie VanGelder, one of Nash's closest friends, is conducting research on a volcano in Guatemala. Within seconds, the team of scientists is attacked, and Stephanie is kidnapped for a ransom of $3 million dollars.

Though Nash arrives at the volcano with fire in his eyes and a gun in hand, he begins to realize he will need the strategy and forethought of his friends and wife now. Strength and good aim alone are not going to be enough to save Stephanie.

While the novel certainly has riveting suspense in the conflict between the kidnappers and Nash, even more suspenseful is the volcano that is soon to erupt. Ash, lava, earthquakes, toxic gas...natural disasters plague the protagonists with every move. They will find themselves not just worried about Stephanie's life, but their own as well.

Philip Donlay's newest novel "Aftershock" brings back a wonderful character and pulls readers into a heated landscape that has us sweating from page one, and the thrilling suspense keeps us from ever cooling off. The plot is laced with twists and turns, including secrets about Nash's own life and ghosts from his own past. The characters in Donlay's novel are intricate and fascinating, a rare treat for a thriller novel.

After finishing the explosive ending, readers will find themselves begging for the next Donovan Nash novel. Once again, Donlay has done a splendid job creating a thriller that all fans of the genre will avidly enjoy.

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3/13/15 3/13/15

"The Pocket Wife" By Susan Crawford / Reviewed by Maria Giordano

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

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"The Pocket Wife" by Susan Crawford
Reviewed by Maria Giordano

Author Susan Crawford’s debut novel “The Pocket Wife” brings up the kind of internal conflict that nearly everyone goes through, except in this case, murder is the catalyst, and sanity is on the line.

Set in the tony town of Patterson, New Jersey, “The Pocket Wife” is the story of Dana Cantrell and her mental breakdown as she comes to consciousness following the bludgeoning death of her neighbor, a friend, or so she believes. Her long-time husband may have a role in the shocking murder, and then, there’s Jack Moss, the detective trying to piece together this suburban nightmare and his own personal discord.

Cantrell is a housewife with secrets of her own. Like anyone at her stage in life - her son is headed off to college - she’s doing some reflection, and questioning her choices. Perhaps a midlife crisis was on the horizon, anyway, and her neighbor’s death is now the catalyst.

But before she can tackle life, she is slipping out of reality, and succumbing to a badly timed resurfacing of her bipolar disorder. Holding on with all she’s got, she’ll do whatever she can to get to the truth, even if it means facing her own demons, and thinking she can fly.

Crawford’s exceptional attention to detail will make you feel every rain drop, hear every high-heel click on the linoleum, and in the end, question your own sanity. The pace is quick and with well-placed humor, the story has an authentic quality about internal confliction.

The novel also seems to serve as a backdrop for modern day roles of men and women from those in power to those who serve, and to those who are indelibly wounded.

All this and more, are unraveling in a neighborhood near you.

Maria Giordano is a kick-ass superhero, reading books along the way. She has a hidden love for animals, and enjoys a good party.

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3/3/15 3/3/15

"The White Van" By Patrick Hoffman  / Reviewed by Samantha Rose

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

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"The White Van" by Patrick Hoffman
Reviewed by Samantha Rose

I first cracked open this thriller expecting the usual predictable plot with generic characters that would make reading it a chore. Unbeknownst to me, I would spend an entire afternoon curled on my couch entirely consumed in the gripping tale of a drug-hustler on the run for her life and a down-and-out cop trying to save her.

Author Patrick Hoffman doesn’t hold back as he reveals through a cast of shady characters a struggle to achieve a better life despite addiction, a run in with Russian drug dealers, and robbery. The suspenseful plot twists keep you engaged and questioning your own ideas of right and wrong.

My interest continued with each turn of the page, and I only regret that there were not more pages for me to turn. I found myself empathetic to the characters in "The White Van" and still find myself attached to them, even now after finishing the book.

If you are looking for a quick, gripping read with a plot that keeps the suspense coming and characters that are so realistic they seem to come off of the page, then "The White Van" is the book for you.

Samantha Rose loves travel and reading books of all genres.

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2/24/15 2/24/15

"Wolf Winter" By Cecilia Ekbäck  / Reviewed by Kimn F. Hinkson

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

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"Wolf Winter" By Cecilia Ekbäck
Reviewed by Kimn F. Hinkson

In her debut novel, Cecilia Ekbäck engages the form with a pervasive, atmospheric prose style that is rich with subtle, elegant, and suspenseful variation. Establishing curious intimacies between human nature and the environment, intuition and reason, and deception and reality, Ekbäck intertwines fantasy, mystery, and thriller in an engrossing spiral of intrigue.

Set in early 18th century Swedish Lapland, "Wolf Winter" is the story of an earth woman, Maija, who after leaving behind a troubled past, settles on land near Blackåsen Mountain with her husband and daughters. But the discovery of a dead man shatters the quietude of the settlers’ lives and rouses Maija to pursue the truth when all in their village would rather forget.

Tasked with their survival, the family struggles to endure a brutal winter while learning the mysteries behind Blackåsen and its furtive inhabitants. They are drawn into a hostile and primitive world kindred to the anguish of the oppressed. Maija and her daughters learn to harness their own instinctual and supernatural abilities when the man of the house walks off into the snow, leaving them behind.

Using their wits and intuition to keep the wolves at bay, Ekbäck draws attention to the beauty and power of the female soul, faithfully abstaining from the widespread understanding of a woman’s role in society. Her novel reflects on how damaging it is to the balance of nature when women are a feared and contained species. Ekbäck’s portrait of the distant past serves as an ominous reminder of an impaired and unstable world.

Sensational!

Kimn Hinkson is like most over-caffeinated, introverted bibliophiles: indifferent to most other items on the planet. Finding that works of literature, opposed to human beings, lend their gifts absolutely free to those who brave the page, she has procured a sense of forbearance via reading in order to survive this otherwise impoverished existence. Other readers are already familiar with the pretty words they give to the most adverse, uncongenial characters. Somewhere between an insurrectionist and a mereological nihilist, Kimn is one of them.

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2/19/15 2/19/15

"Doing the Devil’s Work" By Bill Loehfelm / Reviewed by Brianna Goodchild

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

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"Doing the Devil’s Work" by Bill Loehfelm
Reviewed by Brianna Goodchild

If Jane Tennison of Prime Suspect had a daughter, I’m convinced it would have been Maureen Coughlin, the complicated and strong-willed heroine of Bill Loehfelm’s unfolding series. If readers loved the first two novels from Loehfelm, then they are sure to enjoy this third installment in the series, "Doing the Devil’s Work".

In the latest adventure, the story follows Coughlin, a recent waitress turned novice cop, who now works as an officer with the New Orleans Police Department. Loehfelm introduces Coughlin’s first on-the-job face-off with none other than, Bobby Scales, an old enemy from the previous installments.

Fortunately, Loehfelm doesn’t cut his audience any slack in the suspense department. Dangerous events lead to Maureen Coughlin’s world being turned upside down.

Here’s how the craziness unfolds: Matthew Quinn of the Sixth District helps his sociopathic millionaire friend, Caleb Heath, connect with Bobby Scales for gun storage,and then Madison Leary, a schizophrenic, slices off the group’s loose ends. Oh, and don’t forget to mention the three dead bodies, a dirty cop, and an extremist group of lawmen assassins, the Watchmen Brigade.

In simple terms, Loehfelm produces a riveting plot full of corrupt police departments, fractured allegiances, and old grudges resurfacing from the underbelly of New Orleans.

Breathless, the reader is left with Loehfelm’s unconventional heroine ruminating on the edge of a beach near Alabama – a sanctuary from the claws of the FBI, Sixth District, and the media. Though her job may be on the line, Maureen Coughlin’s work is far from over.

Briana Goodchild is on the verge of becoming a bibliophile. Like any book reader she enjoys a strong cup of tea and an enticing story to match. Occasionally, when diving into the Mystery Genre, caffeine is required.

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2/17/15 2/17/15

"Proof Positive" By Archer Mayor / Reviewed by Kaitlin Chaparro

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

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"Proof Positive" by Archer Mayor
Reviewed by Kaitlin Chaparro

Do you love a good mystery with spine-chilling suspense, a hint of romance, and a surreal plot? If so, then Archer Mayor's newest novel, "Proof Positive" is for you. Similar to the works of J.D. Robb, author of the In Death Series; Archer Mayor brings forth a stunning new novel in the Joe Gunther series fans are sure to enjoy.

When Ben Kendall, a photojournalist who suffered a brain injury in Vietnam, is found dead beneath piles of his own hoarded treasures, all appears as a tragic accident, until the truth discovered may be much worse. It turns out some of Ben’s photo collection from the conflict were not meant for the public and now even the artist trying to display the photos is in trouble. Investigator Joe Gunther has little time to save her.

Mayor’s ability to flesh out his characters creates the feeling of familiarity since birth, even the scene descriptions gives a sense of knowing. But it’s the relationships between Gunther, local law enforcement, the medical examiner Beverly Hillstrom and others that makes the story feel real and believable. Although primarily a crime novel, there is a hint of romance that helps to distract from the intensity of what becomes a homicide investigation.

I would recommend reading all 25 novels in the Joe Gunther series as each one builds upon the characters involved. However, in each novel each character is reintroduced and Joe Gunther is a character you will be rooting for from page one. This is a page turning crime novel that will keep you hooked from page one.

Kaitlin Chaparro is an avid reader who loves a good cup of coffee or tea and a book in which to fall.

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2/13/15 2/13/15

"Playing Saint" By Zachary Bartels / Reviewed by Allison Curtin

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

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"Playing Saint" By Zachary Bartels
Reviewed by Allison Curtin

With an exorcism as its opening scene, "Playing Saint" establishes itself quickly as an atypical murder mystery. Readers need look no further for an engaging, yet inspirational mystery as author Zachary Bartels offers a chance to experience the strength of a man’s faith with his cogent writing style and a thrilling tale.

Bartels successfully interweaves religious belief, law enforcement, and criminal thoughts to make one disturbing and enlightening experience through the story of a popular television personality’s shaken faith, and a series of murders obstructing his path to success.

Bartels uses the destructive mind of a murderer to display the immoveable power of a true believer while giving a whole new meaning to “church and state.” Bartels utilizes compelling imagery to depict a modern belief system and its followers so that unfamiliar readers can step inside a frequently stereotyped world.

His characters are thrust into a physical, emotional, and mental battle between the evils of life and the truth of hope. The epilogue encourages the reader to reflect on the events without prejudice for or against the Christian themes and to take the story for what it is: an excellent piece of faith-based fiction. Readers will enjoy the heart pumping suspense, enveloped by the story from the very beginning until last page.

Allison Curtin enjoys reading and swimming. Her favorite books of pleasure include Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

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2/10/15 2/10/15

"The Unsubstantial Air: American Fliers in the First World War" By Samuel Hynes / Reviewed by Megan Roberts

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

"The Unsubstantial Air: American Fliers in the First World War" By Samuel Hynes
Reviewed by Megan Roberts

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In a world animated by large-scale warfare, young American men enamored with the glamour of the air enlisted in droves to serve as pilots in the First World War. "The Unsubstantial Air: American Fliers in the First World War" by Samuel Hynes spotlights the romance of the Great War and the iconic pilots who waged it.

This experience-based account of World War I rests on an organized collection of pilots’ letters from Europe and is augmented by Hynes’s military and historical knowledge. This portrait is further detailed by Hynes’s experience as a Marine pilot in World War II.

Painting with the strokes of first-hand experience, Hynes captures the idealistic glow surrounding the Great War in the minds of these young recruits, many of whom came from wealthy families and prestigious universities. Europe captivated the imaginations of sophisticated, thrill-seeking men with the allure of beautiful cities, fraternity, patriotism, and the glamour of bellicose glory. Hynes writes, “At [age 22], manhood is not a condition but a goal, and war is a training ground, a test. And death? Death is a romantic dream.”

Pilots enlisted and made the journey from the States to the exciting European arena. "The Unsubstantial Air" explores the alluring glamour of the War while also laying bare the ubiquity of death among the troops, the struggles and very real tragedies of war. Immediate impressions of battle, informed by Hynes’ personal recollections, add depth to the account of a pivotal moment in global history.

Megan Roberts is a student of English Literature making a new home in Nashville, Tennessee.

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2/5/15 2/5/15

"The Diamond Mystery #1" (The Whodunit Detective Agency) / Reviewed by Kaitlin Chaparro

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

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"The Diamond Mystery #1" (The Whodunit Detective Agency) by Martin Widmark
Reviewed by Kaitlin Chaparro

Fans of Blue Balliett’s "Chasing Vermeer" will enjoy this wonderful story for young mystery-lovers. Well-developed characters and a good plot in Martin Widmark’s first installment of "The Whodunit Detective Agency" series draw readers in and keeps them hooked from page one. A character map and a setting map helps readers understand where each place is in relation to another.

Another pleasing aspect is how the adults treat young detectives, Maya and Jerry. Instead of treating the youngsters like nuisances, they act respectfully toward them and acknowledge their responsibility in solving the mystery of the stolen diamonds. The adults welcome Maya and Jerry and thank them for their work.

With a bright cover and eye-catching illustrations, this character- and action-filled book will keep readers enthralled until the last word. This is a wonderful chapter book for children who are not yet ready for books such as the Harry Potter series. In addition, this is a great book for parents and children to read together.

The second installment of "The Whodunit Detective Agency" is now also available in bookstores.

Kaitlin Chaparro is an avid reader who loves a good cup of coffee or tea, and a book to fall into.

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2/3/15 2/3/15

"Life Deluxe" by Jens Lapidus / Reviewed by Anita Dixon

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"Life Deluxe" by Jens Lapidus
Reviewed by Anita Dixon

Jens Lapidus’ final installment in his noir trilogy is bound to leave readers on the edge of their seats. The Swedish crime lingo in "Life Deluxe" may present a challenge to new readers, but crime novel–lovers will enjoy it all the same.

Jorge is a drug dealer fresh out of prison. Unsatisfied with his new life as the owner of a Stockholm café, he begins to plot a bold new heist to bring in the big bucks. Meanwhile, Stockholm police plan to dismantle the city’s underground crime ring.

That’s when Martin Häggström enters with an axe to grind. He has given up his life as a police detective and wants to put an end to this criminal underworld without regard for his own fate.

But Haggstrom and others will come up against the king of Stockholm’s crime ring, Radovan Kranjic, and he feels his crown is threatened. Will Radovan still reign at the end of this so-called “perfect heist”?

Lives will be endangered. Relationships will be tested. Credibility will be shaken. Trust will be broken. And, most importantly, the lives of all involved will never be the same.

Anita Dixon is working toward her English degree with a concentration on creative writing at a major Tennessee university. She loves to write and hopes to put her writing skills to good use.

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1/29/15 1/29/15

"The Life We Bury" by Allen Eskens / Reviewed by Kate Proffitt

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"The Life We Bury" by Allen Eskens
Reviewed by Kate Proffitt

What do you get when you combine a wrongfully convicted war veteran, a boy struggling to become the man he wants to be, and a murder trial that has been closed for thirty years? The intricate storyline of Allen Eskens’ "The Life We Bury".

Set against the backdrop of a metropolis in Minnesota, college student Joe Talbert desperately wants an A on a college assignment. For the project, Joe chooses to interview Carl Iverson, a nursing home resident who is dying of pancreatic cancer. Talbert assumes Iverson will be an easy, if somewhat bland, subject but soon realizes Iverson is nothing like he appears to be.

Unsure of why he wants to help Carl, Joe sets out to discover the truth of Iverson’s past. Joe embarks on an intense journey complete with abandoned huts, arsonists, and unexpected allies, including the neighbor with whom Joe is infatuated. Through discovering Carl’s secrets, Joe begins to dwell on his own unhappy past: his alcoholic mother, his absent father, his beloved late grandfather, and his sometimes-difficult autistic brother.

As Carl grows weaker and time starts running out, Joe realizes that despite Iverson’s pretenses, Iverson wants his name cleared before he dies. Over the course of the novel, it becomes evident that Joe isn’t searching for the truth for his grade or even for Carl: Joe feels that in finding the truth that he has always desired, he will also find himself.

If you’re looking for a book that will challenge, captivate, and move you, "The Life We Bury" will not disappoint. Brimming with emotions and challenging questions of innocence, Joe discovers that the choices we make may not define us, but deciding whether we can live with them does.

Kate Proffitt is a creative writing major who loves to read, write, travel, and drink a lot more Diet Coke than she should.

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1/27/15 1/27/15

"Eat Him if You Like" by Jean Teulé / Reviewed by Ellen Findley

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"Eat Him If You Like" by Jean Teulé
Reviewed by Ellen Findley

In this brief novel of unimaginable horrors, French author Jean Teulé brings to life the true story of atrocities committed against Alain de Monéys, a man who becomes the target of a mad mob.

During the summer of 1870, the young nobleman prepares to fight for Napoleon III in the Franco-Prussian War and works to divert the Nizonne River to alleviate the drought that is wreaking havoc on the French countryside. He is days away from his appointment, and on August 16, sets out for the fair in the village of Hautefaye, greeting his beloved neighbors along the way. There are the brothers Campot; Madame Lachaud, the kindly schoolmaster’s wife; Anna Mondout, the lovely young woman whom Alain so admires; and countless others.

The villagers are mostly cheerful in their suffering, but the war has already cost the villagers their sons, and the drought their sustenance. Tensions run high until a simple misunderstanding sparks a roaring fire of a mob. In the blink of an eye, the villagers turn on Alain and his pitifully few defenders.

Teulé follows the path of the hunters and the hunted throughout Hautefaye, from the church where the priest attempts to assuage the murderous mob with wine to the house of the cowardly mayor. Teulé recalls the myth of the lébérou, the cursed wanderer who eats dogs and impregnates village women by night, but takes the shape of a kind neighbor by day.

Nothing is as calm or as benign as it seems, Teulé reminds us. He accomplishes in just over one hundred pages what a lesser author could not in three times that: readers’ stomachs will turn at the ferocity and mercilessness of the mob, who in the end batter Alain before burning and eating him.

Ellen Findley is an aspiring scholar with a love of indie pop, British crime drama, and terrible puns. Formerly an avid travel vlogger, her current lifestyle and beauty blog, lilac + gray, features everything from film to mascara. When not lost in her punderful imagination, she can be found with a mug of tea and something to read.

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1/22/15 1/22/15

"The Lewis Man" by Peter May / Reviewed by Meaghan Hill

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

Purchase “The Lewis Man” or read other reviews through Killer Nashville’s affiliate, Amazon.com*

"The Lewis Man" by Peter May
Reviewed by Meaghan Hill

Mummies. Mystery. Murder.

Peter May’s "The Lewis Man" has it all.

Right from the start, readers will not be able to put down "The Lewis Man", the second in May’s Lewis trilogy. Look for the third book in the trilogy, "The Chessmen", which publishes February 3rd.

Set in Scotland, "The Lewis Man" follows the murder investigation of an unidentified body found in the bogs on the Isle of Lewis conducted reluctantly by Fin Macleod, a former detective inspector returning to the island to repair his parent’s derelict home and himself.

Like the intricate blanket the body is found in, the novel weaves the different perspectives of the investigation, including that of Macleod and Tormod Macdonald, an elderly man with dementia who shares DNA with the unidentified body, but swears he has no remaining relatives on the island.

Through his relatable characters, May takes his audience on the emotionally thrilling ups and downs of these two men. Both Fin and Tormod would do anything for the ones they love, but are their loved ones really who they say they are? The answer is astonishing!

Deceit, betrayal, revenge, and even an old romance emerge to reveal a surprising past for all of those involved. Readers will feel as if they are solving the murder alongside the detectives all the way until the action packed and shocking ending.

Readers will also discover a new favorite in Peter May. From the use of Gaelic to the beautifully described scenery, readers will experience the islands of Scotland for themselves. May crafts a thrilling mystery, transporting readers to his settings with descriptive imagery.

Meaghan Hill is a Tennessee native navigating post-college life. She is a writer, traveler, coffee addict, and adventurer. When not working in the Killer Nashville office, she can be found searching for and renovating antiques.

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1/20/15 1/20/15

"Lila" by Marilynne Robinson / Reviewed by M. K. Sealy

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

Purchase “Lila” or read other reviews through Killer Nashville’s affiliate, Amazon.com*

Marilynne Robinson,
Photo by Kelly Ruth Winter

"Lila" by Marilynne Robinson
Reviewed by M. K. Sealy

In a breathtakingly stunning work of literary art, Pulitzer-prize winning Marilynne Robinson has graced readers with the third and final installment of novels set in Gilead, Iowa, the intricate town of Robinson’s design.

Written largely in a Joyce-like third-person stream-of-consciousness narrative, "Lila" follows its eponymous main character and the tender relationships she establishes with several characters, especially Gilead’s Reverend Ames.

While the style and language of the novel are masterpieces in and of themselves, it is the novel’s main character, Lila, who makes this work truly stunning. "Lila"leads the audience through the tumultuous early life of the savage little girl, hooking readers from the very first page as we follow her story into adulthood.

And while readers may assume that this is a novel that follows the cliché metamorphosis expected in a girl going from the “wild” into civilized society, this is not Robinson’s focus. Instead, and more importantly, the audience is made privy to Lila’s innermost struggles as the good wife of the town’s kind and gentle Reverend Ames.

Throughout the course of the novel, Lila must attempt to reconcile her strange past and her current state of being, neglecting the impulses that were once normal but that are no longer appropriate. Due to societal restrictions and the moral conflict of right and wrong, she must not fulfill these strange desires that are influenced by her past.

Already receiving mighty praise from Publishers Weekly and the Kirkus Review, Robinson’s newest masterpiece has been hailed as an instant American classic. "Lila"is a novel that requires full attention to its decadent language—Lila’s accent nearly drips off her tongue—and loping narrative, and it deserves a place on readers’ shelves immediately.

M. K. Sealy earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in literature from a Nashville university. She is a copyeditor for a Nashville-based publication, but also writes poetry, fiction, and is currently attempting a screenplay, all while working to obtain a Master of Education.

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1/15/15 1/15/15

"The Family Hightower" by Brian Francis Slattery / Reviewed by Summer Starkie

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

Purchase “The Family Hightower” or read other reviews through Killer Nashville’s affiliate, Amazon.com*

"The Family Hightower" by Brian Francis Slattery
Reviewed by S.B. Guy

For decades, authors have told the story of the American dream, of the young man turning his rags into riches, but none have done so quite like Brian Francis Slattery. His recent novel, "The Family Hightower", follows generations of a family sewn together with threads of deceit, violence, and, most importantly, staggering wealth. With brilliant savagery at the heart of his tale, Slattery reveals each character’s desires to leave the past of poverty, of crime, of violence, or of the disappointment of the family name and their willingness to commit whatever act it takes to do so.

"The Family Hightower" flows through history, characters, and countries fluidly, gracefully jumping from one Peter Henry Hightower to the next, from the Ukrainian famine to the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run and from Kiev to Cleveland.

Blood reigns throughout the tale: a young girl, Madalina, enters the stage as a corpse whose internal organs and eyes have been removed; scumbag Joe Rizzi, plans to dismember and scatter the body of the young daughter of the man he attempts to blackmail; a Ukrainian boy from the South Side of Cleveland quickly learns the ways of the mob and slits the throat of his first boss.

Slattery spins his story around brutality, guile, and crime on an international and local level, his characters’ decisions beating against each other with blunt force and slicing through ties of loyalty like a razor against an unguarded artery.

With quick, clever pacing and a superb narrative voice of reason, Slattery combines history, grisly crime, family ties, and the money that spurs it all along. Smart, insightful, satisfying, exceptional—a tale that captures the attention and holds it down with a loaded pistol, worried only about spilling blood on its lavish Italian shoes.

S.B. Guy studies Journalism & Creative Media. They serve as a staff writer for their University’s newspaper and conduct research for a local true crime blog. S.B. loves the puzzle of a good mystery as much as they love the puzzle of a perfect sentence. One day, they hope to have written both.

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1/13/15 1/13/15

"Rose Gold" by Walter Mosley / Reviewed by Alycia Gilbert

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

Purchase “Rose Gold” or read other reviews through Killer Nashville’s affiliate, Amazon.com*

"Rose Gold" by Walter Mosley
Reviewed by Alycia Gilbert

Set in the corrupt, racially charged Los Angeles of the late 1960s, Walter Mosley’s "Rose Gold"examines its social backdrop as much as its detective examines the mystery within it. "Rose Gold" is the newest addition to Mosley’s Easy Rawlins mysteries, but can be readily enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.

Private detective Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins finds himself entangled in jurisdictions and lies as he investigates the kidnapping of Rosemary Goldsmith, daughter of a military weapons developer, and her involvement with boxer-turned political activist Bob Mantle. As Rosemary’s case unfolds, Easy delves deeper into the world of communes and revolutionaries while relying on old friends and favors to help his investigation along. To clear names, navigate additional cases, and find Rosemary Goldsmith, Easy Rawlins will have to work his way through blatant prejudice and constant misdirection.

"Rose Gold" is more a mystery of connections than a thriller, with a constant, steady pace that picks up toward the climax of the novel. Mosley’s grasp on the culture of Vietnam-era L.A. is organic, and his use of setting will delight readers. His writing style is straightforward and easy to process, and is laced with moments of original, beautiful description.

Readers who are unfamiliar with the rest of the Easy Rawlins mysteries may find themselves overwhelmed by the number of characters in this novel, as they will have to meet both old and new figures and sort through their involvement. Those looking for a mystery with a smooth pace, humor, and a very involved narrator and those who are interested in postwar social interactions will find Mosley’s narrative captivating.

Alycia Gilbert studies English and French at a local university with an emphasis in both literature and writing majors, which thankfully excuses the large amount of time she spends reading. An aspiring writer, Gilbert enjoys penning short stories and poems, and she is currently expanding a short story in an attempt at writing a full novel. She acts as editor-in-chief of her university's two literary journals, and loves to help other student writers through editing and strengthening the products of their talents.

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KN Magazine: Reviews

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"Kittens Can Kill" by Clea Simon
Reviewed by Dominique Chessor

"The Missing One" by Lucy Atkins
Reviewed by Kate Proffitt

"The House of Wolfe" by James Carlos Blake
Reviewed by Jonathan Thurston

"The Replacements" by David Putnam
Reviewed by Hillary Martin

"Aftershock" by Philip Donlay
Review by Jonathan Thurston

"The Pocket Wife" by Susan Crawford
Reviewed by Maria Giordano

"The White Van" by Patrick Hoffman
Reviewed by Samantha Rose

"Wolf Winter" By Cecilia Ekbäck
Reviewed by Kimn F. Hinkson

"Doing the Devil’s Work" by Bill Loehfelm
Reviewed by Brianna Goodchild

"Proof Positive" by Archer Mayor
Reviewed by Kaitlin Chaparro

"Playing Saint" By Zachary Bartels
Reviewed by Allison Curtin

"The Unsubstantial Air: American Fliers in the First World War" By Samuel Hynes
Reviewed by Megan Roberts

"The Diamond Mystery #1" (The Whodunit Detective Agency) by Martin Widmark
Reviewed by Kaitlin Chaparro

"Life Deluxe" by Jens Lapidus
Reviewed by Anita Dixon

"The Life We Bury" by Allen Eskens
Reviewed by Kate Proffitt

"Eat Him If You Like" by Jean Teulé
Reviewed by Ellen Findley

"The Lewis Man" by Peter May
Reviewed by Meaghan Hill

"Lila" by Marilynne Robinson
Reviewed by M. K. Sealy

"The Family Hightower" by Brian Francis Slattery
Reviewed by S.B. Guy

"Rose Gold" by Walter Mosley
Reviewed by Alycia Gilbert