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OutsmartYourShelf
Misery Plaza | J J Alo
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Pickpick

Joseph Griffin, notorious outlaw, has been laying low & hiding out, but when he gets the news that bounty hunters are on his trail, he packs up his two children & sets off for the remote Missouri Plaza (aka Misery Plaza). Now going by the name, William Potter, he hopes that he's run far enough for now, but when something odd is found buried on the land he is now living on, he realises that bounty hunters are not the only thing after him. (cont'd)

OutsmartYourShelf I agree with other reviewers that this isn't really a horror book, it's a western crossed with sci-fi: Men In Black meets Bonanza!

I've never been a fan of westerns either on the page or onscreen, but it's definitely an interesting take. Although the first 30% or so was really slow & I was wondering when the action was going to kick in. once it did there was a lot happening at once.
6h
OutsmartYourShelf I also wasn't a fan of the ending but I could see what the author was going for. Finally, there was also a whole lot of 'smirking' going on - nearly every character was smirking at least once & it became odd.

It was an entertaining read once it got going but overall the pace was slow until nearly halfway through, & the ending was a bit lacklustre after all that had happened before. The Roswell nod was well-worked in. 3.75🌟
6h
18 likes3 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
Murder: The Biography | Kate Morgan
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Pickpick

A look at the development of the English judicial system on the topic of murder, & the cases that contributed to changing aspects of the law. From well-known cases to more obscure crimes, each one helped either set a precedent or provided the need for updating current case law.

Given the subject, I wondered if it was going to be quite dry to read, but I needn't have worried. It was a really interesting read from start to finish. (continued)

OutsmartYourShelf As the book moves through the centuries from the Tudor legal bigwig, Sir Edward Coke, to the present-day, the author focuses on a particular aspect of the law from domestic murder to holding companies responsible for decisions which lead to the death of employees or customers. A comprehensive look at the evolution of English law. 4.5🌟

My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, HarperCollins UK/Mudlark, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
3d
32 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
The Devil's Colony | Marie Lestrange
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Panpan

This is of course loosely (very loosely) based on the missing colonists of Roanoke who disappeared between 1587 & 1590 leaving behind the word 'Croatoan' carved on a tree. Although theories have abounded ever since, there has been little solid evidence of what happened to them so the scope for imagining their fate is quite wide.

This one started off quite well before descending into chaos which left me feeling 'What the heck did I just read?'.

OutsmartYourShelf Although it did keep my interest enough to finish reading it, it became a bit unhinged towards the end. I was also a bit disappointed that it relied on the usual stereotype of witches being ugly, old women. A miss for me I'm afraid.

TWs: death of a child, infidelity, scenes of a sexual nature, animal death, cannibalism.

Thank you to #NetGalley & publisher, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
4d
29 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
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Panpan

A collection of short stories, inspired by the music of the alternative era, from contributors including Josh Malerman, Meg Gardiner & Paul Tremblay.

I like the music of the era (Depeche Mode, Garbage, New Order, The Smiths etc), these short stories based on the music - not so much. Whatever the authors were aiming for with this collection, I just did not 'get' it, however, other reviewers really enjoyed them so don't let me put you off.

OutsmartYourShelf Standout was 'Superstition' by Silva Moreno-Garcia, & honourable mentions to 'All My Life' by Meg Gardiner & 'Never Let Me Down' by Brian Francis Slattery.

TWs: suicide, animal death, sexual assault, homophobia, infidelity.

My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, Ruadan Books (IBPA), for the opportunity to read an ARC.
6d
DieAReader 🎉🎉🎉 6d
dabbe That cover! 😱 6d
OutsmartYourShelf @dabbe The stuff of nightmares! 5d
25 likes5 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
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Pickpick

Returning from an army tour in Iraq, Nate Hankes feels adrift & so decides to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. At almost 2,190 miles long, it would take between 5-7 months & involve meeting with unpredictable weather & challenging terrain. Nate is joined by his brother, Ben, & initially this seems a mistake as Ben is not 'all in' initially. As the miles tick by though, the brothers make friends with other 'thru-hikers', (continued)

OutsmartYourShelf find that strangers can be welcoming & hospitable, & may just find what is missing in their own lives.

I really like books about hiking long trails or climbing mountains as, unfortunately my chronic health issues mean it's something I will only be able to do vicariously. This one was a middle-of-the-road read. I enjoyed the hiking bits, found the flashbacks to the author's tour in Iraq interesting,
6d
OutsmartYourShelf but I must admit I speedread through the 'ruminating on life' bits, just because they were not as interesting as the other two topics & I wanted to get back to them.
3.5🌟

My thanks to #NetGalley & publisher, BooksGoSocial, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4145542724
Read 4th-8th Apr 2025

#ReadAway2025 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES
6d
DieAReader Excellent review! 6d
25 likes3 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
We Were Warned | Chelsea Ichaso
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Pickpick

This was rather entertaining. I love anything in abandoned resorts/theme parks so the setting was a plus. Yes, there was some of the usual YA stuff: two characters not communicating & assuming what the other was thinking, an historic misunderstanding to start off the animosity, & the almost ubiquitous love triangle, but it all worked here. (continued)

OutsmartYourShelf There were one or two good twists & turns in the plot & the ending was strong. Overall it was a good YA mystery thriller & I enjoyed it. 4🌟

My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, Sourcebooks Fire, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7364768581
Read 4th-6th Apr 2025

#ReadAway2025 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES
1w
DieAReader 🎉Fantastic! 1w
38 likes1 stack add2 comments