Mark Stevens's Blog, page 5

Willy Vlautin, “The Horse”

Any band out there looking for song titles to snag as inspiration, grab a copy of The Horse. And in your search for song titles, you’ll absorb one of Willy Vlautin’s best novels. And that’s saying something because I’m a … Continue reading →

Maureen Callahan, “American Predator”

“A new kind of monster, likely responsible for the greatest string of unsolved disappearances and murders in modern American history. And you have probably never heard of him,” states the preface of American Predator. His name was Israel Keyes. American … Continue reading →

James Ellroy, “Killer on the Road”

Who has something new to write about serial killers? Where is the plan to see if there’s a way to identify potential serial killers and, well, help them avoid following their urges? If we’re giving up on fixing climate change, … Continue reading →

Pam Houston, “Without Exception”

There’s a war on women. There’s always been a war on women. This country, that country. Well, by many accounts Denmark is doing a pretty good job with pay equality but according to what I read, it’s not perfect. Afghanistan … Continue reading →

Ken Jaworowski, “Small Town Sins”

Small Town Sins gets three characters up and running in brisk, efficient fashion. Twelve-plus pages for Nathan, seven-plus pages for Callie, and five or so for Andy.  All told in first-person. Nathan tells us about his failed effort to get … Continue reading →

Will Hermes, “Love Goes To Buildings On Fire”

Diving into Love Goes to Buildings on Fire: Five Years In New York That Changed Music Forever, I was wary at first that Will Hermes was weaving in the rise of Bruce Springsteen with the onset of punk music in … Continue reading →

Kristi MacKenzie, “Better to Beg”

A writer pal told me about Better to Beg. He messaged me: “It’s quite good. Super voice-y, with characters hair-pullingly frustrating that you can’t help rooting for.” Yep.  That about sums it up. Viv.  And Hux. You won’t soon forget … Continue reading →

Rebecca Makkai, “I Have Some Questions For You”

Clever. Layered. Energetic. A certain spirited ease about the style–glib and unforced. And a nifty combination of elements—podcasters, true crime analysis of a decades-old cold case, and the allure of prep school antics among the privileged. I Have Some Questions … Continue reading →

Meg Gardiner, “Shadowheart”

The best of the four in this ripping series, Meg Gardiner’s Shadowheart has a diabolical set-up and action-packed plot. Sure, go ahead and read the fourth book as a standalone but it will pay even bigger dividends if you start at the … Continue reading →

Elka Ray, “A Friend Indeed”

The premise sounds over the top, but A Friend Indeed will take you for a ride. It’s all right there in the first six pages when Jo Dykstra gets a call from her friend Dana McFarlane asking for help. Jo … Continue reading →