so-soI had high hopes for this, as I LOVED The River. This just didn‘t do it for me, though. The story itself was decent (although what happened with Grant, and Jason at the end, was quite silly), but I just didn‘t connect enough with Jim to care about his running monologue, especially when describing his paintings.
⭐️: 3/5
Reading this delightful book at a heavenly spa in Santa Fe. I‘m reading and listening to the audio version. Warner‘s language is lovely, and the narrator of the audio is excellent.
#summer #summervacation #spalife
pickPeter Heller's writing is amazing. Descriptive, poetic, and makes me want to leave my coastal home and move to the mountains, and take up fly fishing. Jim is a painter with a violent past. When he sees a man abusing a horse, his violent tendencies return, setting off a cat and mouse game between the good guys and the bad guys. But who is good and who is bad? Jim is not even sure himself. 4 stars 🌟
pickPeter Heller is a stunning writer. This book has it all: beautiful prose, but also suspense. Character development that blurs the line between light and dark in one man‘s soul. Philosophical musings on art, life, and grief. I think I‘m going to have to read anything else he writes.
Choosing the next book can be hard, but this one was easy —
Daughter: Why are you staring at your books?
Me: Trying to decide what to read next.
Daughter: *grabs book* You‘re reading this one because you‘ve been painting things!
Picture is the shelves I repainted. ❤️
pickThis was interesting to read immediately after Vultures in the Sky, by Todd Downing (also an American Mystery Classics reprint); they have similar settings and hot, stifling atmospheres. This book is more of a suspenseful character study, though, whereas Vultures is a closed-circle mystery.
pickPeter Heller writes in such a unique style; it makes me love reading his physical books. The story of the painter is filled with grief and sadness; how poorly he coped with those emotions. He‘s very insightful as he learns about himself and his blind, immediate response to physical threats. The painter is a raw character with plenty of flaws and a man who only dreams of a simple life. 🎨 👨🎨 #MountTBR Art credit: https://www.poesoulstudio.com
pickTitular painter Jim witnesses a violent episode that triggers another and a cat-and-mouse game. This book weaves together a portrait of a man and his losses in life with a taut thriller that builds tension masterfully. It has one of the best chase scenes I‘ve ever read. If you know Heller, this book combines elements of The Dog Stars and The River quite well.
pickExactly what it is. Perfectly fun cozy mystery set in Santa Fe during October. Liked all the side characters, although the ex-husband was so mean and hyper masculine that he seemed more like a characiture than a person. Writing and pacing were good. Will read the next one.
Work in progress...paint by numbers + listening to bookish podcasts has been helpful for stress reduction. My apologies for not being very active here lately. Anxiety and depression is an ongoing issue as I‘m self isolating on my own. Especially concerned I won‘t be able to be present for my first grandchild‘s birth. On a positive note, my “should I retire early or not” decision has been made for me. Love you All, my Litsy family 🤓
