In a somewhat perfect world this would have been the April 2021 issue of Shelf Life. But as we all know the world has been far from perfect. In fact, it has been turned upside down for more than a year. Businesses are still restricted customer wise, and libraries are still limiting the amount of patrons who can enter. As well, publications such as Shelf Life still cannot be taken into the library. Our past issue, number 229, was left with many businesses not usually taken to previously. But that was fine, because the issues were picked up and new readers came on board.
While this is issue 230, it also signifies our 23rd anniversary issue. It was in April 1998 that Shelf Life premiered, and while we strive for the day when we can get back to a monthly print frequency, in the interim we are creating as many issues as possible. But we have acquired a worldwide audience since we are now found on Facebook’s Shelf Life Book Review pages and on You Tube’s Shelf Life Book Review Channel. In fact as of this writing there are around 45 such videos with over 100 book reviews, both fiction and non-fiction on these sites.
Soon, I hope to include reviews on Good Reads’ web pages as well, so if there is one positive to publishing less at the moment, it has given time to a definite Web presence like never before.
Again with this issue, there are shorter reviews to try to include as many reviews as possible. No bookmarks are given, as all books noted here we highly recommend.
Thanks for picking up this issue. We also hope you will send your feedback about this issue and if you take the time to view us online, about those videos as well. Please remember to stay social distancing, stay well, and above all, stay safe.
Paul Sutter
Editor/Publisher
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*** Fiction Section ***
Bloody Genius
by John Sandford
Putnam – $39.00 – 372 pages
“…Book twelve of the Flowers series, a definite stellar whodunit.”
The Last Sister
by Kendra Elliott
(Montlake – $35.95 – 321 pages)
“Kendra Elliot does a superb job of keeping the tension tight and non-stop. We want to see more of these characters, as book one whet our appetites for book two.”
Oligarchy
by Scarlett Thomas
(Canongate – $26.95 – 210 pages)
“The book reminds one of the classic film HEATHERS, where dark undertones control people’s motives. Scarlett Thomas has given us a most interesting book and most unusual characters.”
The Suspect
by Fiona Barton
(Penguin Books of Canada – $24.95 – 404 pages)
“There are tense moments leading to the big reveal and the reasons for the murders. It makes THE SUSPECT a book for those who enjoy complex stories, with lots of layers, and a tremendous payoff with the finale.”
Dead West
by Mat Goldman
(Forge – $36.50 – 320 pages)
“DEAD WEST is a dead-on great mystery, another classic work from Matt Goldman.”
Bad Axe County
by John Galligan
(Atria – $35.00 – 328 pages)
“BAD AXE COUNTRY is a most additive book, where you cannot help be charmed by the character of Heidi Winter.”
These Women
by Ivy Pochoda
(Ecco – $34.99 – 355 pages)
“Ivy Pochoda has created a book in which we care deeply about the characters, even though we know many will not make it to the final pages.”
Never Ask Me
by Jeff Abbott
(Grand Central – $34.00 – 368 pages)
“The ending will cause whiplash with the wild gyrations, as the truths hit the reader from all directions. It makes NEVER ASK ME, a book you should put at the top of your to-read list.”
The Other People
by C.J. Tudor
(Doubleday Canada – $22.00 – 326 pages)
“The book is complex, with psychological overtones and justice for those who de-serve it. … This is by far C. J. Tudor’s best book to date.”
Wherever She Goes
by Kelly Armstrong
(Minotaur – $27.99)
“Every now and then a book comes along, so engrossing, you cannot stop reading it. This is one of those books.”
Sugar Run
by Mesha Maren
(Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill – $39.95 – 306 pages)
“It is a book filled with interesting characters, and as the book progresses, we see their flaws that make them the people they are today.”
Something Read, Something Dead
by Eva Gates
(Crooked Lane – $35.99 – 313 pages)
“This novel is the perfect cozy mystery for light reading. Full of drama, suspense and mystery, it makes for a compelling read.”
28 Summers
by Elin Hilderbrand
(Little Brown – $35.00 – 432 pages
“At times the book is predictable romance, but also heartfelt and gripping. 28 SUMMERS look at a special love from the heart, even if only achieved for few days each year. This is one of Elin Hilderbrand’s finest novels.”
The Wives
by Tarryn Fisher
(Graydon House – $22.99 – 333 pages)
“For a true psychological thriller that moves in a dozen different directions, you cannot go wrong with THE WIVES. Tarryn Fisher, author of several previous literary gems, outdoes herself with her latest classic.”
The Girl from Widow Hills
by Megan Miranda
(Simon & Schuster – $24.99 – 323 pages)
“THE GIRL FROM WIDOW HILLS will have you guessing all along, with motive and plenty of suspects.”
The Negotiator
by Brendan Dubois
(Midnight Ink – $21.99 – 297 pages)
“THE NEGOTIATOR also has shades of Jack Reacher thrown in for good measure. The next time you are negotiating what book to read, include this in your list.”
The Poison Flood
by Jordan Farmer
(Putnam – $35.00 – 277 pages)
“THE POISON FLOOD is definitely a change of pace book. It has great moments and characters. Just when you think the book is moving in one direction, it does just the opposite.”
A Conspiracy of Bones
by Kathy Reichs
(Simon & Schuster – $24.99 – 416 pages)
“A CONSPIRACY OF BONES is classic Kathy Reichs, another fantastic work of forensic fiction.”
Hideaway
by Nora Roberts
(St. Martin’s Press – $38.50 – 454 pages)
“HIDEAWAY is typical Nora Roberts, an engrossing tale that gets better with each page. One thing happens often when you read her books. You think the story is moving in one direction, but abruptly takes a U-turn, heading elsewhere.”
The Bones of Wolfe
by James Carlos Blake
(Mysterious Press – $38.95 – 272 pages)
“I have no bones to pick about THE BONES OF WOLFE. There is lots of meat to the tale.”
Polar Vortex
by Shani MooToo
(Book*Hug Press – $23.00 – 284 pages)
“The book is realistic, showcasing the emotions, lives, and loves of its main characters. It is told within a tapestry of life and how lives interact and intersect in life-changing degrees.”
Texas Outlaw
by James Patterson & Andrew Bourelle
(Little Brown – $36.99 – 442 pages)
“Patterson and Bourelle have given us a novel you want to keep reading. It is typical Patterson action and suspense that translates into a superior work.”
Twisted Twenty-Six
by Janet Evanovich
(Putnam – $37.00 – 306 pages)
“You know when you open a Stephanie Plum novel, you are going to be in for the wildest ride possible. Janet Evanovich manages to keep Plum zany and fun, while at the same time creating a compelling read. And with Plum’s sidekick Lula, you know it will get zanier still.”
Do No Harm
by Max Allan Collins
(Forge – $37.99 – 300 pages)
“… we get a fresh take on an old case, but even knowing the outcome, appreciate how cleverly Collins tinkers with time, crime, and history, to not change our opinions, per se, but lets us consider alternate theories as well.”
The Third Mrs. Durst
by Ann Aguirre
(Midnight Ink – $34.99 – 303 pages)
“…an additive book, that you will find twisted, but terrific.”
My Dark Vanessa
by Kate Elizabeth Russell
(William Morrow – $23.99 – 375 pages
“… a powerful and profound novel… a tale of obsession and darkness of the human mind and heart. Russell has captured a young girl’s obsession with an older man, and how it was taken to dangerous levels, affecting not only her life but those around her.”
If It Bleeds
by Stephen King
(Scribner – $39.99 – 436 pages)
“Taken as a quartet, these stories excel in the grand King style, mixing in myth, magic, horror, fantasy, and so much more. King still reigns supreme in the book world.”
All the Best Lies
by Joanna Schaffhausen
(Minotaur – $37.99 – 322 pages)
“It offers a bit of everything, the perfect recipe for a mystery thriller that will take you from first page to last with blinding speed.”
Dear Sweet Pea
by Julie Murphy
(Baltzer + Bray – $21.00 – 275 pages)
“The book is so infectious and mesmerizing, that while geared to younger readers, I would recommend it heartily to anyone over twelve. Julie Murphy has done an exceptional job of getting into the mindset of youth, along with their hopes and fears and aspirations.”
Beauchamp Hall
by Danielle Steel
(Delacorte Press – $38.99 – 276 pages)
“…we find interesting people and situations, making the book another winner from this tireless author.”
Lone Jack Trail
by Owen Laukkanen
(Mulholland/Little Brown – $35.00 – 324 pages)
“It is tough having anything negative to say about a book where one of the main heroes is a dog named Lucy. There is little doubt Lucy propels the story along, making for a most enjoyable read.”
The Last Hunt
by Deon Meyer
(Atlantic Monthly Press – $40.50 – 384 pages)
“Those who have enjoyed the Benny Griessel series, will be even more ecstatic with book seven. It has the usual great characters and intriguing plot that are trade-marks of past books in the series.”
Many Rivers to Cross
by Peter Robinson
(McClelland & Stewart – $29.95 – 378 pages)
“One thing that can be said about Peter Robinson, is that he makes police procedurals engrossing reading. He has a very effective manner of taking a story, then elevating it to a level where you cannot stop reading.”
*** Non-Fiction Section ***
Half the Sugar, All the Love
by Jennifer Tyler Lee & Anisha Patel
(Workman – $32.95 – 216 pages)
“The authors discuss long term health risks, and how the substitutes tell the center of the brain that sugar is coming.”
Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender – A Life In Pictures
Foreword by Rami Malek
(Carlton – $50.00 – 148 pages)
“This is the perfect tribute to Mercury. There are dozens of photos of him, many of which have never been seen before.”
Carrie Fisher: A LIfe on the Edge
by Sheila Weller
(Sarah Crichton Books – $38.00 – 404 pages)
“A LIFE ON THE EDGE is an emotional book, where the life of Fisher is told in detail. It makes us miss her all over again.”
Beautiful Ontario
by J.A. Kraulis
(Firefly – $29.95 – 226 pages)
“For those living in Ontario, unaware of such gems, this book will serve as a wake-up call to explore parts of the province.”
I Overcame my Autism and All I Got Was This Lousy Anxiety Disorder
by Sarah Kurchak
(Douglas & McIntyre – $24.95 – 228 pages)
“… a most enlightening read, where Sarah relates the fact she has lived with autism, dealing with the slings and arrows that have come with it.”
Disney’s Land
by Richard Snow
(Scribner – $39.99 – 408 pages)
“Snow’s book has all the charm and appeal of Disney Land, which is the ultimate tribute to a true genius.”
Queen Meryl: The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep
by Erin Carlson
(Hachette – $30.99 – 308 pages)
“Any fan of the actress will enjoy this biography, as entertaining as the star herself.”
DC Comics Cover Art – 350 of the Greatest Covers in DC’s History
by Nick Jones
(DK Books – $45.00 – 240 pages)
“This is what makes the book a must read. The greatest covers from the Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, Steel Age, and Modern Age are (pardon the pun) cover-ed here.”
Hymns of the Republic
by S.C. Gwynne
(Simon & Schuster – $43.00 – 395 pages)
Reviewed by John M. Milner
“…belongs on the shelf of everyone who considers them-selves a history buff or Civil War buff. Gwynne delves into an area of history, and provides a new look at a subject that still manages to be made fresh even after all these years.”
Relentless
by John Tesh
(Nelson Books – $35.99 – 224 pages)
“John talks in detail about his battle with prostate cancer, that as the medical world thought, was his death sentence. He was given barely eighteen months to live, worried more about getting all his affairs in order.”
Vanity Fair’s Women on Women
by Radhika Jones with David Friend
(Penguin Press – $40.00 – 435 pages)
“As the title implies, all the writers and profiles are by and about women. Celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg, Cher, Barbara Bush, Gloria Steinem, Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Michelle Obama, and Queen Elizabeth II, make for a most entertaining book. The articles still seem timely even if some were written three decades ago.”
The Man Who Walked Backward: An American Dreamer’s Search for Meaning in the Great Depression
by Ben Montgomery
(Little Brown Spark – $36.50 – 280 pages)
Reviewed by Tori Levang
“Full of adventure and rife with diverse characters, it shows an unyielding American spirit on display. The author has done an excellent job of taking us back to Plennie’s time, and bringing into very sharp focus what the world was like, and what people would do to make themselves an even more profound part of it.”
The Case of the Vanishing Blonde (and Other True Crime Stories)
by Mark Bowden
(Atlantic Monthly Press – $38.95 – 232 pages)
“In Mark Bowden’s latest, THE CASE OF THE VANISHING BLONDE, he revisits six classic crimes that he has written for other publications including Vanity Fair. The first story in the book The Incident At Alpha Tau Omega, was first pub-lished in the Philadelphia Enquirer in 1983.”
Instant Loss – Eat Real, Lose Weight
by Brittany Williams
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt – $34.99 – 322 pages)
“You won’t be disappointed by the variety of advice and recipes. If you are looking for ways to eat healthier and be happier, INSTANT LOSS will work for you.”
And In the End (The Last Days of the Beatles)
by Ken McNab
(Thomas Dunne – $38.50 – 310 pages)
“Fans of the band will appreciate the manner in which McNab dissects that final year. Although 1969 saw the bells toll for the band, the Beatles would stay forever in our hearts.”
A Woman Makes A Plan
by Maye Musk
(Penguin – $28.00 – 212 pages)
“…an exceptional reference and self-help book, where she shares her recipe for good living, plus being able to overcome odds no matter at what stage of life you are in.”
Van Horne’s Road (The Building of the Canadian Pacific Railway)
by Omer Lavallee
(Anansi – $22.95 – 377 pages)
“The author went that extra mile in presenting a well-rounded look at the beginning and completion of the railway. For those who enjoy books about vital moments in history, this book will hold a special place in your library.”
Still: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Motherhood
by Emma Hansen
(Greystone – $24.95 – 303 pages)
“The book is filled with such love that you will feel an emotional tug at your heart throughout. You will never forget Emma’s story, and will remember Reid forever.”
My Victorians Lost in the Nineteenth Century
by Robert Clark
(University of Iowa Press – $26.99 – 182 pages)
“In many parts of the book the tone is deep and philosophical, in others quite down to earth. The book offers closure to Clark’s obsessions, bringing his own world into more crystal clear perspective.”
D-Day from the Invasion to the Liberation of Paris – June 6, 1944
by Richard Holmes
(Andre Deutsch – $24.95 – 256 pages)
“It has created a work where you might consider your own spiritual enlightenment. Hopefully you will achieve the same results as the author.”
Terrain Ideas and Inspiration for Decorating the Home and Garden
by Greg Lehmkuhl
(Artisan – $53.00 – 370 pages)
“… a most colorful book that will give readers a multitude of ideas for decorating their homes inside and out. Terrain is a group of stores offering inspiration to really make their homes and gardens stand out from the crowd.”
Knockout: A Memoir
by Mia Kang
(Abrams Press – $33.00)
” a book that will serve as both inspiration and warning to younger girls. It was a book that might not have been written if Mia Kang’s life has played out differently. She would not have been alive to do so. She is like the cat with nine lives, who overcame incredible odds to tell this tale.”
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