The Book of Cold Cases Written by: Simone St. James Berkley Hardcover Edition 344 Pages 2022 Other Information that writers and/or readers may find interesting: Genre: Paranormal, Mystery Agent: Pam Hopkins Point of View and Tense: The story has two character viewpoints. Shea’s is First person, present tense. Beth’s chapters are Third person, present tense….
Book Review: The Hacienda
The Hacienda Written by: Isabel Canas Publisher: Berkley (Hard cover – BOTM version) 345 Pages 2022 Other Information that writers and/or readers may find interesting: Genre: Paranormal, Mystery Point of View and Tense: The story has two characters POV. Both are first person and the whole book is in past tense. Agent: Kari Sutherland Reviewer’s…
Book Review: The Sanatorium
The Sanatorium information: Written by Sarah Pearse Penguin Books Paperback 392 pages 2021 Other Information that writers and/or readers may find interesting: Is this an author’s Debut novel? Yes. Author’s Agent: Charlotte Seymour Point-of-View and Tense: Third person for all character insights. Told in present tense. The Sanatorium Premise Elin, a traumatized police officer-on-leave, is…
Short-Story Review: The Lottery
Shirley Jackson‘s The Lottery was published in 1948. Apparently, she knocked out this this piece that will forever (it seems) remain on reading lists in college, in a mere afternoon. That’s pretty darn impressive. Premise of The Lottery A small village is preparing for the annual lottery. The majority of the story is the buildup…
Survivor Stories
The Stories Survivor stories capture our attention, for better and worse. On the one hand, we celebrate that someone survived such a horrible ordeal. We’re happy they made it home. On the other, we feel gross. What’s wrong with us reading about such harrowing events? Yes, there are some who read for entertainment. I think…
Neighbor Feuds
Things I learned from watching true crime shows, Part 2 (Part 1) Have you ever had neighbor feuds? We’ve all had our fair share of neighbor issues. For the most part, the issues aren’t big enough to warrant a full-scale Hatfield’s and McCoy’s battle. Usually, the worst thing we do is swallow our seething annoyance…
Happy Endings Do Happen
Despite all the fears and warnings, some true crime stories end with some semblance of happiness. I’d like to say Happy endings but that would only take into consideration that a loved one didn’t die. It wouldn’t tell of the anguish the person suffered and the torment she will battle for the rest of her…
Why I Watch True Crime
I watch true crime to learn, to pass on helpful tips, and to warn others. There’s a desire to reconcile a wrongful death (no matter how innocent or not-so-innocent) with a lesson to help save others from the same fate. I guess it’s my way of saying to these souls and their families and their…
Working on Vices – Lack of Patience
One of two vices I chose to work on is Patience, or rather, lack of patience. If I was patient it would be a virtue. However, I lack patience so it’s a vice that needs tending. Patience and Selfishness As a youngster, I had all the patience in the world…so long as I was doing…
Virtues: Courage
Last week I worked on Courage. When you only leave the house twice in the week and nothing happens, it’s hard to practice courage. Apparently, courage is a virtue you can’t force yourself to work on unless the opportunity presents itself. Don’t buy that last sentence. That’s a lie. Read on to find out how…