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.
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Published on February 23, 2024 12:12

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 →
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Published on February 10, 2024 08:42

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 →
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Published on February 08, 2024 07:43

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 →
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Published on February 07, 2024 11:30

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 →
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Published on January 29, 2024 05:54

January 25, 2024

Karl Marlantes, “Cold Victory”

My review of Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes, for The New York Journal of Books.
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Published on January 25, 2024 05:47

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 →
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Published on January 17, 2024 07:02

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 →
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Published on January 10, 2024 14:29

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 →
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Published on January 07, 2024 13:09

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:
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Published on January 01, 2024 06:58