Mark Stevens's Blog, page 7
February 23, 2024
George Pelecanos, “Owning Up”
My review of Owning Up, by George Pelecanos, for the New York Journal of Books.
February 10, 2024
Jess Lourey, “Bloodline”
Bloodline is slow-burn creepy—one part thriller, one part mystery, and one part psychological horror. Jess Lourey took a seed of a real-life story (it’s in the Author’s Note right up front) and exploded it into a haunting “what if?” By … Continue reading →
February 8, 2024
Linda Keir, “The Royal Game”
It wouldn’t bother me at all if the British monarchy went poof tomorrow, but I did watch and enjoy all of The Crown on Netflix. By definition, the royals are a story machine. And if there’s a better example of … Continue reading →
February 7, 2024
Ausma Zehanat Khan, “Blood Betrayal”
Blood Betrayal is layered. And wicked smart. It’s also rich—with both subtle and everyday themes that go straight to the heart of modern American policing, racism, and how marginalized communities are treated in the United States. But that makes the … Continue reading →
January 29, 2024
Ann Patchett, “Tom Lake”
Picking cherries and telling stories—Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake might not seem like much on the surface. But like Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” the play that serves as the energizing force for the memories told in Tom Lake, there’s a lot … Continue reading →
January 25, 2024
Karl Marlantes, “Cold Victory”
My review of Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes, for The New York Journal of Books.
January 17, 2024
Q & A #101 – Steve Weddle, “The County Line”
Ten years and one month after an appearance here on the blog to talk about the unforgettable and highly praised Country Hardball, Steve Weddle is back with the equally unforgettable and powerful novel The County Line. The two books are … Continue reading →
January 10, 2024
Meg Gardiner, “UNSUB”
Killer set-up. Even better execution. Of course I have no idea how the light bulb went off for Meg Gardiner, but when it did there must have been a powerful feeling—oh, I gotta write that. Who could resist? And it’s … Continue reading →
January 7, 2024
Barbara Kingsolver, “Demon Copperhead”
In an interview with Ezra Klein on his podcast, Barbara Kingsolver said she wanted to write “the great Appalachian novel.” She conceded, however, that the notion “probably sounds ridiculous.” In particular, Kingsolver said she wanted to write about the fact … Continue reading →
January 1, 2024
2023 Top Books
Highlights from reading in 2023. The order is irrelevant. Note: These are books I read last year, not necessarily published in 2023. NON-FICTION: FICTION:
