This is a book I normally wouldn’t have picked up. I don’t really read mysteries, except cozy mysteries… which I guess this turned out to be. A historical version of a cozy mystery, that is. I like NEVER read American historical fiction. But this was a book up for book club and it was the only one I could quickly grab from the library. And it did have an interesting synopsis.
I am very thankful because it sucked me in!!! What an incredible set of characters and I just loved the way the author exposed so many of the issues of late 19th century NY city! We see the various ways that women are trapped – poor and rich alike – and the ways they’re starting to break free. We see new technology, science, and journalism. We see tenements, poverty, orphans, pick pockets, madame’s houses, mad houses, and more I’m sure I’m forgetting. Despite being an amazing lens into this world, it never felt too historical. It was housed behind a great mystery, sweet romance, and an empowering tale of how Jo Montfort finds herself, her voice. Loved it and will have to pick up this author again. Surprised me in a very good way!
Dead of Night by Jonathan Maberry Narrator: William Dufris
Series: Dead of Night #1
Published by Macmillan Audio on October 25th 2011
Genres: Horror, Zombies
Length: 13 hours 49 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Borrowed
Goodreads
With the exception of White Trash Zombie, I don’t really do zombies. And I most DEFINITELY do not do horror. And yet this was so strongly recommended that I gave it a go. And was surprised, because I liked it.A prison doctor injects a condemned serial killer with a formula designed to keep his consciousness awake while his body rots in the grave. But all drugs have unforeseen side-effects. Before he can be buried, the killer wakes up. Hungry. Infected. Contagious. This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang… but a bite.
It was kinda a slow starter for me but I really enjoyed the second half. I love Dee and Billy Trout and the idea of telling bits of the story from the zombie’s point of view is pretty genius. Ended on one hell of a cliff hanger!
The narration was pretty good and the narrator William Dufris handled the varied voice well.
Fall of Night by Jonathan Maberry Narrator: William Dufris
Series: Dead of Night #2
Published by Macmillan Audio on September 2nd 2014
Genres: Horror, Zombies
Length: 15 hours 2 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Borrowed
Goodreads
I was really excited to get into this book after the way the first one ended (Dead of Night above). But it didn’t pick up where the last one left off… in fact quite a bit recapped and bored me. And it just didn’t pull me in. I made it to the half way point and set it aside for weeks with no desire to continue. So I’m calling it. Despite a great 1st book and lots of recommendations this one surprised me by being a DNF.Stebbins Little School is full of bodies. It's unthinkable to Desdemona Fox. Children are sobbing as panicked teachers and neighbors beat down their family members outside of the school - or the things that used to be their family members. Parents don't eat their children do they?
Officers Fox and Hammond, along with journalist Billy Trout, are calling it the beginning of the end. This is the zombie apocalypse. An insane escaped serial killer is infecting Stebbins County with a deadly virus, and now the whole world is watching while Fox, Trout, and the remaining inhabitants of Stebbins fight for their life against - what? The undead?
The President and the National Guard are ready to nuke Stebbins, PA off the map and cut their losses. But the infection is spreading and fast. Worse, the scientist who created the virus is missing. It's a numbers game as the body count rises; Fox has to contain the infected and evacuate the living before it's too late, and the clock is ticking.
Fall of Night, Maberry's nail-biting sequel to Dead of Night, picks up where the first novel left off - on a wild goose chase for a madman and the missing scientist who gave him new "un"-life. Chilling, gory, and hair-raisingly scary, Maberry fans won't be able to read this fast-paced thriller with the lights off.
©2014 Jonathan Maberry (P)2014 Macmillan Audio
Don't Tempt Me by Lori Foster Narrator: Will Damron
Series: Guthrie Brothers #1
Published by Blackstone on July 26th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 11 hours 33 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Don’t Tempt Me surprised me because I had already read a Lori Foster book and, despite the raving, it was just Meh for me. But Don’t Tempt Me was so good – I arrived at work with mascara running from listening while on the way. I finally see the fuss about Lori Foster – it’s a shame I didn’t start with this book! The relationships and characters were so complex and well developed, it was so easy to connect with them. And her ability to write the most devestating emotions! Well, like I said, mascara running down my face. So glad I gave Lori Foster another try! The narration was also quite good and probably really helped me get attached to the characters – I remember initially being surprised to have a male narrator for a female character, but we get both POVs in this book and he does a great job.Love comes along when it's least wanted Jason Guthrie has no time for entanglements--between helping out his widowed brother and teenage nephew and getting his hometown back on its feet, his days are spoken for. But his nights are another story. And when his lovely new neighbor, Honor Brown, reluctantly accepts his help in remodeling her house, Jason finds himself wishing his handyman skills could knock down the defenses she keeps building around herself. Martial arts teacher Sullivan Dean knows real danger when he sees it--even when it takes the form of the gorgeous blonde helping her friend move in across the street. After putting his wayward past behind him to focus on teaching control to troubled kids, Sullivan has learned to avoid party girls like Lexie Perkins. But Sullivan can't seem to keep his hands off the real woman behind that flirty charm--or keep his heart from landing at her feet.
I don’t do zombie either – and definitely not horror – however I have found a couple good versions. One is the Deadtown series by Nancy Holzner. Her zombies aren’t mindless and prefer junk food over brains. I also recently read the URBAN ENEMIES anthology and I took note of a short I really enjoyed. I looked the author/series up on GR and found out it was a zombie series. I’m still debating.
Lol I know, I’m so hesitant about picking horror and Zombies. I do like the sounds of junk food Zombies 🙂 may have to check that one out!
I rarely read American historical fiction either. Never really appeals to me these days. Glad you liked These Shallow Graves. I’ve been wanting to read it for awhile 🙂 I really love Lori Foster, though I haven’t read Don’t Tempt Me yet!
Yeah American historical really isn’t my thing, but I do recommend These Shallow Graves 🙂 I hope you get to read it!
I want to read These Shallow Graves so glad you liked it. To bad about liking the first book but not the second on the zombie. Did you listen to them back to back? Some times they do that recaping for those who don’t reread but then some times they go into it a bit to much too.
Yeah I did, and the recap really killed it for me. It was such a cliffhanger, and it didn’t get addressed for quite some time. :/ I really recommend These Shallow Graves though 🙂
Dead of Night looks freaky! I don’t usually do horror but every once in a bit I get a hankerin for it, or one gets recommended that turns out to be awesome. Have you read The Rains by Gregg Hurwitz? Pretty freaky too.
Dead of night is definitely freaky! I know several people who enjoyed the series more than I did. No, haven’t see The Rains, but I also don’t tend to horror… Will have to take a peek and see if it’s one I may want to try.