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FYI, I recommend all of these. It's been a good month for my reading list.
Black Water Rising (2008) by Attica Locke--her first novel, and I'm spoiling something for y'all now so you won't be stressed like I was: the protagonist returns in a sequel. I haven't read it yet, but I was so worried about his possible death! Some good writing, yup. Locke is a black woman who grew up in south Texas; she mines that familiar territory for her protagonist, a youngish black lawyer whose wife is expecting their first child. The novel is sold as a murder mystery; I'd say it's more of a personal narrative exploration that also includes a case.
(Locke went on to write for Empire, Taraji Henson's show, for three seasons. She has also published other mystery novels. Even though my mystery reading was on a massive downward spiral, I'm planning to try more of Locke's books.)
Imaginary Numbers (InCryptid, book 9) by Seanan McGuire, who never fails to build the most fascinating worlds. Fantasy series with a modern-day setting, where "monsters" are real and they're often your next-door neighbors just trying to make their way in the world. This is a popcorn-movie novel series: not necessarily nutritious, but it's a crunchy and fun read that I thoroughly enjoy.
Pauper and Prince in Harlem (Ross Agency, book 4) by Delia Pitts. I've been a fan of Pitts' work since she started writing Carter/Reese fic for Person of Interest fandom. Her novel series is set in New York, with a biracial protagonist who treads a fine line between functional and alcoholic. Modern-day detective noir is the vibe, with ups and downs in the lives of the protagonist and those around him. I was familiar with a key element of the plot, but it was still a rush of emotions to read as Rook negotiates an impossible dilemma while trying to save a trans boy from people who disapprove of said boy's Robin Hood-inspired actions.
False Value (Rivers of London, book 8), by Ben Aaronovitch. Another biracial protagonist who does detective work, although this series doesn't do the noir element. This was a capable continuation of Peter Grant's story, although not quite as exhilarating as the previous novel, which (mostly) wrapped up a significant storyline. Peter is growing up here: impending fatherhood, more responsibilities in his work with the London police.
I'm hoping to read more in this same universe with other characters; Aaronovitch could do a time-skip (given that he's a few years behind the present-day anyway) and move forward with Abigail Kamara, for example. But I'm gonna guess that the upcoming television adaptation may take some of the author's focus.
Davita's Harp by Chaim Potok. This is technically a re-read--at least, I think it is. I vaguely recall the title and a bit of the earliest part seemed familiar. I may not have finished it all of those years ago. At any rate: it's a story that resonates more now than it did with younger me, even though the protagonist is a young girl. This book is Potok's only novel with a leading woman rather than a male protagonist. Potok's writing style is sparse; details matter, if he gives them. For anyone unfamiliar with his work, Potok focuses on American Jewish characters. Davita's mother is Jewish, her father culturally Christian, but both are atheist--and deeply involved in pre-World War II activism for communist causes. The book takes us through Davita's girlhood into her teenage years; we see her own tumult at a personal level (her own Jewishness, a family heritage with many deep wounds, the misogyny of a larger and smaller culture) while World War II starts in a distant land.
Haunting and effective; I won't forget these characters anytime soon.
Lady Helena Investigates: Book One of the Scott-De Quincy Mysteries by Jane Steen. Earlier I wrote that my mystery novel reading has been on a downward spiral. Well, that's the macro trend. On a micro level, it's actually gone up. (None to three is definitely an upward movement.) This one was personal: Lady Helena's origin story. Which includes a murder, natch. 1880s England, and Helena is just learning about the independence that being a wealthy widow can provide. I enjoyed the book enough that I'm a bit disappointed not to have book two yet.
Black Water Rising (2008) by Attica Locke--her first novel, and I'm spoiling something for y'all now so you won't be stressed like I was: the protagonist returns in a sequel. I haven't read it yet, but I was so worried about his possible death! Some good writing, yup. Locke is a black woman who grew up in south Texas; she mines that familiar territory for her protagonist, a youngish black lawyer whose wife is expecting their first child. The novel is sold as a murder mystery; I'd say it's more of a personal narrative exploration that also includes a case.
(Locke went on to write for Empire, Taraji Henson's show, for three seasons. She has also published other mystery novels. Even though my mystery reading was on a massive downward spiral, I'm planning to try more of Locke's books.)
Imaginary Numbers (InCryptid, book 9) by Seanan McGuire, who never fails to build the most fascinating worlds. Fantasy series with a modern-day setting, where "monsters" are real and they're often your next-door neighbors just trying to make their way in the world. This is a popcorn-movie novel series: not necessarily nutritious, but it's a crunchy and fun read that I thoroughly enjoy.
Pauper and Prince in Harlem (Ross Agency, book 4) by Delia Pitts. I've been a fan of Pitts' work since she started writing Carter/Reese fic for Person of Interest fandom. Her novel series is set in New York, with a biracial protagonist who treads a fine line between functional and alcoholic. Modern-day detective noir is the vibe, with ups and downs in the lives of the protagonist and those around him. I was familiar with a key element of the plot, but it was still a rush of emotions to read as Rook negotiates an impossible dilemma while trying to save a trans boy from people who disapprove of said boy's Robin Hood-inspired actions.
False Value (Rivers of London, book 8), by Ben Aaronovitch. Another biracial protagonist who does detective work, although this series doesn't do the noir element. This was a capable continuation of Peter Grant's story, although not quite as exhilarating as the previous novel, which (mostly) wrapped up a significant storyline. Peter is growing up here: impending fatherhood, more responsibilities in his work with the London police.
I'm hoping to read more in this same universe with other characters; Aaronovitch could do a time-skip (given that he's a few years behind the present-day anyway) and move forward with Abigail Kamara, for example. But I'm gonna guess that the upcoming television adaptation may take some of the author's focus.
Davita's Harp by Chaim Potok. This is technically a re-read--at least, I think it is. I vaguely recall the title and a bit of the earliest part seemed familiar. I may not have finished it all of those years ago. At any rate: it's a story that resonates more now than it did with younger me, even though the protagonist is a young girl. This book is Potok's only novel with a leading woman rather than a male protagonist. Potok's writing style is sparse; details matter, if he gives them. For anyone unfamiliar with his work, Potok focuses on American Jewish characters. Davita's mother is Jewish, her father culturally Christian, but both are atheist--and deeply involved in pre-World War II activism for communist causes. The book takes us through Davita's girlhood into her teenage years; we see her own tumult at a personal level (her own Jewishness, a family heritage with many deep wounds, the misogyny of a larger and smaller culture) while World War II starts in a distant land.
Haunting and effective; I won't forget these characters anytime soon.
Lady Helena Investigates: Book One of the Scott-De Quincy Mysteries by Jane Steen. Earlier I wrote that my mystery novel reading has been on a downward spiral. Well, that's the macro trend. On a micro level, it's actually gone up. (None to three is definitely an upward movement.) This one was personal: Lady Helena's origin story. Which includes a murder, natch. 1880s England, and Helena is just learning about the independence that being a wealthy widow can provide. I enjoyed the book enough that I'm a bit disappointed not to have book two yet.
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