Mary Kay Andrews, The Newcomer

I picked up The Newcomer because I was looking for something fluffy with both romance and mystery subplots. Objectively speaking, The Newcomer delivered on all accounts. The story follows a young woman called Letty Carnahan, who must flee New York City with her four-year-old niece following the murder of Letty’s sister Tanya. Ending up in a family-owned motel in Florida called The Murmuring Surf, Letty hopes to find a safe place to lay low while trying to raise Maya. While she does find this, she also must deal with a suspicious cop, her own sister’s shady past, and a tight-knit community of elderly folks who do not look fondly on newcomers.

This book has a foot in both the romance and mystery genres, with a heap of the ‘found family’ trope sprinkled throughout. Continue reading “Mary Kay Andrews, The Newcomer” →

Kelly J. Ford, Cottonmouths (2017)

This was Drear’s Bluff, nothing bad happened here. People didn’t disappear.

Kelly J. Ford’s novel, Cottonmouths, explores the return home to the small, Southern town of Drear’s Bluff, Arkansas, through the eyes of college dropout Emily Skinner. While bearing the pressure of her community’s expectations, she reconnects with her childhood friend and unrequited first love, Jody, whose new life is full of secrets and lies. As Emily’s life becomes intertwined with Jody’s, she must make decisions on who to trust, what to believe, and how much of herself she is willing to give away for someone she loves.

Continue reading “Kelly J. Ford, Cottonmouths (2017)” →

Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing is a crime novel built upon elements of Southern Gothic, coming-of-age, and romance. Delia Owens blends this concoction of literary ingredients into a narrative I did not want to let go of, surrounding a character I would die for.

Kya Clark, a ten-year-old girl, lives alone in the marshes of North Carolina, abandoned by her family and shunned by her small town as trash. Without school, a job, or friends, Kya only has the marsh to turn to, leading to a fascination with the other marsh-dwelling creatures. The gulls become her friends, the waves her teachers, and the sand her home. Kya’s connection with the marsh runs deep, but it is not enough; her desire for human connection draws her towards the townspeople whom she could never trust. In finding love, Kya opens herself up to new possibilities for an integrated life. The choice is stolen from her when the golden boy of the town is found dead in the marsh, and Kya, the so-called “Marsh Girl,” is thrust into the town’s spotlight as fingers start pointing. Battling a town riddled with prejudice and a taste for vengeance, Kya must protect herself and find her way back to the marsh, the best friend she’s ever known. Continue reading “Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing” →

Mary Kay Andrews, The Homewreckers

Hattie Cavanaugh was only twenty-five when she became a widow, but she continued working for her father in-law renovating old homes and preserving the history of Savannah, Georgia. After a project ended in ruins and shook Hattie’s confidence, she got an offer she couldn’t refuse (even if she wanted to): star in a beach home renovation show called “The Homewreckers”. She’ll co-host with a hot shot from Los Angeles, Trae, who will drive her crazy. Or drive her right into his arms. And a producer, Mo, who hates everything about onscreen romance – or is he fighting his own jealousy? No one expects that this home renovation will stir up a murder that happened many years ago. The house preserves not only Savannah’s history but also hidden bodies and betrayal. Continue reading “Mary Kay Andrews, The Homewreckers” →