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The Pact
Title: The Pact
Author: Sharon Bolton
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Published: 2021
Obtained: Audible
Six friends spend the summer together before embarking on their bright futures. The six of them have a secret game, however, that is dangerously risky; while they lucked out the first 5 times, they aren’t so lucky on the 6th turn. Privileged, young and self-centered, they panic. Megan, one of the six, agrees to take the blame for the accident–with a catch. Her friends soon turn their backs on her, leaving her to rot in prison. Twenty years later, she is a free woman and is out to collect on their part of the deal…and revenge.
Let me start of by saying that Sharon Bolton is one of my favorite authors. And The Pact starts off in true Bolton fashion–tense and suspenseful. I loved the premise of the story and the building tension. Of course, I also love the twists and turns Bolton writes. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, so I found myself surprised that I was so quickly engrossed in the novel. I was disappointed, however, by a few things–including the ending.
The Pact is almost like a character study that looks at how people deal with trauma and guilt in vastly different ways. Each one of these characters has flaws and ugly habits/tendencies that stem from the horrible accident they caused; this leads to the various dysfunctional ways they dealt with the aftermath. The only person I was rooting for was Megan, and that was mostly on principle. I disliked the other characters so much I wanted her to destroy them in vengeance. I was disappointed when her plan was revealed, as it was anticlimatic.
Bolton is the absolute queen of twisty thrillers. I devoured this book for it’s mounting suspense and the idea that I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. I enjoyed watching the five friends squirm as Megan always seemed to be a step ahead of them. I liked the way Bolton revealed more depth to the history of the friends. But, some of the plot devices seemed out of left field–unbelievable and disappointing. While I typically enjoy the surprising endings to Bolton’s books, they always seem to work. When I reach the end of her novels, I can look back and be mindblown that there were clues all along that I just didn’t grasp or pick up on along the way. I didn’t guess the ending to The Pact. But, in all fairness, I don’t think it made any sense. It felt cheap; I felt blindsided and cheated. There were so many other directions the story could have taken, and I was left feeling let down. Not every story can be everyone’s cup of tea and I can totally see how some people loved this novel entirely.
I am giving The Pact 3 out of 5 stars. I liked the book, but I didn’t love it. Maybe because I’ve gobbled up so many of her other books and felt consistently mind blown by the twists—I was just expecting so much more from the ending! But, as I’ve said, I can see why some readers wouldn’t have my same complaints. I paired this book with a rosé prosecco. La Marca was fitting as it made me feel like I was sitting by Tal’s lavish pool…minus the reckless joyride! It’s a perfect bubbly beverage for reading—it’s dry and crisp with hints of peach and berries. Honestly, I think I’d take the zesty prosecco over this read any day! Happy reading (and sipping)!
Rating: 3/5
Wine Pairing: La Marca rosé prosecco
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Verity
Title: Verity
Author: Colleen Hoover
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Published: 2021
Obtained: Barnes & Noble
Lowen is a struggling writer who is hired to complete a famous, but incapacitated, author’s novel series. What she signs on for is more than she bargains for, however. She finds herself in a strange house, with a vacant and debilitated Verity, her husband, Jeremy, and their five year old son. As she begins to dive into the task of finishing the series, she discovers something far more sinister. It’s clear to Lowen that Verity never intended for anyone to read her autobiography, but the confessions are unsettling–particularly those about Verity’s children. Lowen must decide if showing the work to Jeremy, who she is falling for, is the right answer–while wondering if Verity is as harmless as she seems.
I had a hard time setting Verity down. I devoured it in 24 hours. I read somewhere that it was a modern day Rebecca and I definitely picked up on that vibe. But, this was far more disturbing. The tension runs rampant from the very first chapter–which was a huge plus in my book (pun intended). I love a novel that leaves you questioning everything right up until the very end, and Hoover accomplished that with Verity. I really enjoyed how she incorporated the written manuscript within the storyline and the way she made the narrator a little skeptical of what she was seeing since the secret autobiography was certainly taking a toll on her. My only complaints on this book are minor.
This book was intense! I love that about Hoover’s writing. The opening chapter sucked me in right away. And I liked that the pace didn’t stall too much; before I knew it, I felt like I was in the meaty part of the novel where Lowen is settled in that big creepy house haunted by a woman who is still alive. I appreciated that I didn’t know at first if Lowen was reliable or not, and I think there were still times throughout the whole book where you sort of question it as a reader. I had a really difficult time digesting the manuscript confessions. As a mother, it was so much more disturbing and upsetting than a lot of things I’ve read lately. I needed a strong drink to wash parts down.
The way the novel was set up was also super creative. I liked how the manuscript was woven into the rest of the story. At times I was annoyed to be going back to a chapter about Lowen when all I wanted to do was find out what this crazy Verity lady did next; but then, Hoover would reveal her next horrific confession and going back to Lowen and Jeremy was a welcomed breath of fresh air. The ending was done just right, in my opinion. It was ambiguous without leaving loose ends flying around. As a reader, I felt like I had all the necessary information, it was just a matter of deciding which version of events was the truth.
I rate this book a 4.5/5. I loved it, truly. The sex in the manuscript was an overkill–I understand that it was there to exemplify how unbalanced Verity was as a person, but I got really tired of reading about all the ways she could get her husband off. I also felt like the sleepwalking bit was underutilized; I understand that it set up an important scene, but it was underwhelming. Otherwise, I have no criticisms of this book. I suggest sipping on Conundrum, a red blend from California. It’s a strong wine at 14.6% ABV to get you through the disturbing thoughts and confessions of Verity. It’s also one of the better red wines I’ve had lately–full of flavor, potent and smooth. I’m really interested to hear opinions on Verity. Whatever you wind up believing in the end, I hope you enjoy the read!
Rating: 4.5/5
Wine Pairing: 2018 Conundrum, California red blend
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The Devil All the Time
Title: The Devil All the Time
Author: Donald Ray Pollock
Genre: Fiction/Southern Gothic/Thriller
Published: 2011
Obtained: Barnes & Noble (soft cover) Audible (audio version)
The Devil All the Time follows several individuals post World War II from Ohio to West Virginia. The novel includes a troubled war veteran trying to impart his hard-learned lessons to his son, a few twisted preachers with questionable and disgusting ways and a married couple embarking on killing sprees as a form of vacation. This dark and gritty tale explores how far some will go to protect what’s important to them.
Wow. I’m still settling into my feelings after finishing this novel. Gritty seems to be the key word when trying to find a way to describe it. It’s a highly engaging story, although it’s not uplifting. I was completely drawn into the story with its real, complex and often disgusting characters. The writing itself is superb—the plot and the descriptions were detailed and impressive. The themes that run through the story are both relatable and, sometimes, off-putting. I didn’t want to put the book down at night, and yet, I was apprehensive to continue…I constantly felt it couldn’t get darker and I was repeatedly proven wrong.
If you’ve read my reviews before, you know characterization is critical for me as a reader. Let me tell you—these characters seemed so real as I read this book. I could visualize every single person. I didn’t like a majority of them, but I somehow still managed to feel something for them other than dislike—pity, understanding, sadness. Arvin Russell, the young son of the war veteran, is the only character I found myself rooting for; I wanted him to find some kind of hope or happiness at the end. His father did some pretty messed up things, but, I think anyone who has struggled with trauma and loss can see him with some understanding…even if his actions were appalling.
The preachers throughout the story are unsettling. The lengths they go to in order to convince others of their faith, like eating spiders, to using their position to take advantage of the young women and girls in town, are revolting. The married couple on a killing spree are written so well that you can smell their rancid body odors and sweat page after page. Pollock has created complex characters that are grounded in real and violent substance. They felt tangible and terrifying.
The way Pollock weaves these separate stories into one riveting and winding tale is awesome. His imagery is exceptionally vivid; the images of blood and dirt and grime are clear, as are the ripe smells of decay, whiskey and filth. The backwoods altar Arvin’s father makes near their house—a place for prayer and blood sacrifices—is intense. I felt claustrophobic in the stifled church with people packed elbow-to-elbow, watching some rough looking guys plucking guitar and ranting about sin. Pollock’s writing gave me the heebie jeebies, but I wanted more.
I can’t quite put my finger on what is at the core of this novel. There’s the notion that a person ought to protect the ones they love—and avenge them if need be. But, there’s something more than that. The characters in this book go to great lengths to preserve and protect what brings them pleasure—whether it’s their family, their faith, their joy in taking virginities, their joy in hunting and killing or their own greed. I think it’s uncomfortable because the reader doesn’t want to think they could ever do such awful, vile things. But, Arvin and his family (both those who died and those who take him in) are seemingly God-loving people who don’t start out trying to cause harm. But, one uncomfortable truth that is explored here is that just because you don’t go looking to get into trouble, doesn’t mean trouble doesn’t find you. And I think that’s why it was so troublesome as a reader—you don’t want to approve of the revolting things that happen, but you also want some kind of justice to be found.
The Devil All the Time is dark, captivating and riveting. The violence, both physical and emotional, is strewn about the pages as if it is the normal thing in the world. The images, characters and tension will stick with me. Netflix is soon releasing a film based upon this novel, and I am beyond excited. I give The Devil All the Time 5/5 stars. I started out with a white wine, but quickly gave way to a bottle of The Four Graces, a pinot noir; I needed something dark to go with this read. This wine is earthy, dry and gritty; it pairs really well with Pollock’s novel. I highly recommend The Devil All the Time read if you enjoy a good story consisting of complex characters and thrilling content.
Rating: 5/5
Wine Pairing: The Four Graces Pinot Noir 2018
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The Split
Title: The Split
Author: Sharon Bolton
Genre: Mystery/Psychological Thriller
Published: 2020
Obtained: Amazon
*This post contains affiliate links. This means if you clink on the link and purchase, I will receive a commission at no cost to you. My opinions in this post are my own!*
Felicity Lloyd is living in fear of her ex-husband, Freddie. She is so afraid that she pursues a job opportunity that takes her from Cambridge to South Georgia, a remote island in the southern Atlantic Ocean. Her doctor, Joe Grant, senses that she is hiding or repressing some pertinent information regarding her past (and her ex), and is eager to help. Will Joe and his detective mother, Delilah, be able to reach Felicity in the frozen Antarctic island before Freddie?
Sharon Bolton does it again! The Split is another thrilling masterpiece crafted with a deliciously woven plot, convincing characters and consistent tension. Bolton kept me turning the pages, even when I was sleep deprived and up at all hours with the baby. With every chapter I was swept up into Felicity’s confusing and eerie world.
Bolton’s storytelling is what I love most about her novels. She pulls you into an adventure that is never quite what you think it is—full of twists, surprises and mounting tension. I love that she plays with perspectives. The Split does this well; Bolton tells the story from the viewpoints of Felicity, Joe and Freddie. You see the mystery from different angles with little bits of new information at every chapter. I know nothing of the island of South Georgia, but I can tell you that I was able to see it in detail with her descriptions. The frozen and ice-cold landscapes add to the pressure of the mystery.
Bolton’s ability to craft well-rounded, convincing and complex characters is another one of my favorite things about her writing. She has perfected the art of not revealing too much too soon about her characters. Instead, she peels them back like an onion…layer by layer as you get deeper into the novel. This strategy helps build up to those famous twists Bolton is known for in her stories. I love that every time I think I definitely have a character figured out, I’m hit with a curveball. As a reader, it keeps me on the edge of my oversized armchair.
The tension throughout The Split is insane. Bolton even weaves it into the side plot. She creates suspense without gory horror—which is what draws me to her writing. The novel flows with the right amount of anticipation page after page. Bolton slowly reveals the past of her characters in order to help the reader speculate the ending—but, the ending is never quite what the reader expects.
I give The Split a 5 out of 5 for being a damn good story. The characters are robust, as usual. The story itself is well-crafted and written with the right amount of suspense. This was another Bolton thriller of which I could find no faults. I recommend sipping on Primal Roots Red Blend as you read this novel; it’s a dark blend that pairs well with the complexity of the story and the characters. It’s smooth with rich flavors. The 13.5% alcohol content may also keep up with your racing heartbeat as it thunders along with this engaging and spine-tingling story. Overall, It’s a great (affordable) wine to pair with a great story!
Rating: 5/5
Wine Pairing: Primal Roots Red Blend 2016
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The Craftsman
Title: The Craftsman
Author: Sharon Bolton
Genre: Mystery/Psychological Thriller
Published: 2018
Obtained: Amazon
Florence Lovelady was an up and coming female officer in the late sixties when she made her career by arresting Larry Glassbrook for the disappearances and grizzly murders of local teens. Thirty years later, as she attends Larry’s funeral, she stumbles across new evidence suggesting that the mystery is, in fact, unsolved after all these years. Unable to live with a potentially wrong conviction, Lovelady must begin to investigate the case again…this time, however, the investigation becomes much more personal.
I picked up this book while I was recovering from a laparoscopy procedure, and it definitely helped keep my mind occupied. This book is fantastic! Bolton has created another masterpiece. The storytelling, details, suspenseful plot, three dimensional characters and overall mystery weaves the threads of this novel together. I had a really hard time putting this book down and when I did, my mind was still wrapped up in the story.
Sharon Bolton definitely knows how to keep the reader on the edge of his/her seat. I read this book after Little Black Lies, and while they both consist of exemplary storytelling, The Craftsman was much creepier. I loved the actual set up of the novel — it’s told in three parts. The first part is in the year 1999, following Florence Lovelady who is returning to the place where she first was investigating and, as it becomes apparent, arrested a man named Larry Glassbrook for the murder of missing teens. The eerieness seeps in fast with the initial setup, as the reader learns that Larry was a casket maker at the local funeral home — an alarming and harrowing career, especially as Bolton reveals details surrounding the mystery and deaths of victims. The second part of the story goes back to the last 60’s to tell Lovelady’s story of the missing teens and investigation, to the sexist treatment from Lovelady’s male coworkers, to the involvement of witches and finally to the arrest of the Larry Glassbrook. The final segment of the novel is set again in 1999 where Lovelady and her teenage son happen upon new evidence that leads them down a suspenseful, dangerous road. Lovelady is torn between her own safety and the truth from all those years ago. Bolton, naturally, crafts the story in such a way that the reader is lost in this case and the dark, grimy world she has created.
Bolton’s characters are wonderfully portrayed. Bolton has a knack for writing characters both with depth and mystery; you think you have them figured out, but leave each chapter questioning how much you actually know about them and their motives. Lovelady was a spectacular protagonist. She was tough and yet vulnerable — encompassing qualities that are familiar and relatable. She faces the men and women who scoff at her presence in the police force straight on without an inkling of giving up on the whole ordeal. She is intelligent, determined, open-minded and resilient as all hell. I’m super excited that Bolton will be creating a series with Lovelady because she is, quite frankly, a badass.
Bolton has a way of easing you into her mystery in such a way that, as a reader, you hardly notice your descent into her words. One moment I was on my couch, heating pad and tea, and next moment I was digging up a freshly mounded grave, sweating and questioning right along with the characters. My friend that recommended Bolton made a comment that as an author, she has a habit of hiding clues and information in plain sight; I couldn’t agree more. As with her previous novel, every time I thought I had the mystery and plot untangled, there would be another twist or another truth-bomb exploding off the pages that made me question everything I thought I had solved. As someone who largely enjoys mystery and thriller fiction, this is exciting! There is nothing more disappointing than reading a mystery novel and not being remotely shocked or surprised by the ending. Bolton does not disappoint in this aspect (in any aspect really, if you want my whole truth); again, up until the end, I was trying to figure out what the protagonist had decoded that I had not…what clue was she given to solve the case that I had not discerned? And, as my dear friend pointed out, it was a clue that was planted in the open that I had simply overlooked.
If you can’t tell from the review thus far, I recommend this book one thousand percent. It had the right amount of creepy without crossing the line into horror. It was beautifully written both with the language and with the creation of the plot. The characters are multi-dimensional and incredibly crafted. Most importantly, The Craftsman is an intriguing mystery that unfolds in a suspenseful way and leaves the reader contemplating the twists and turns even after the book has been set down. I give this book a golden 5 out 5 stars; it was gripping and deliciously eerie. I recommend Saved Red Blend as the wine pairing for The Craftsman. This wine consists of a few various wines, including Malbec and Syrah (two of my favorites) and has a fig-gy, spiceful taste. The soft tannins and explosive flavor pair well with the thrilling storyline and the combination of strength and vulnerability in Florence Lovelady. As a bonus, this wine has an alcohol content of 15%, making it well-suited to the spine-tingling story. Once you pick up a Bolton novel, you’ll be hooked on her writing! Enjoy!
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Wine Pairing: Saved Red Blend 2014
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The Hunting Party
Title: The Hunting Party
Author: Lucy Foley
Genre: Mystery/Psychological Thriller
Published: 2018
Obtained: Amazon
A group of friends meet for the new year, as they do every year since they graduated from school. This time, the location is at a remote lodge in the Scottish highlands. They become snowed in following a blizzard. As the snow builds up around them, so does the tension as old regrets and secrets come to light. One of the friends winds up dead and it’s obvious that it must be one of the individuals staying in the lodge. But who?
I was so looking forward to this read, after reading the short synopsis about it. The story takes place in the Scottish Highlands, involves a mysterious death among friends and had what was, overall, a super creepy premise. I was sorely disappointed, unfortunately. Lucy Foley has a way with words, her writing was strong. I felt unattached to the characters as they were lacking depth. I was disappointed that there was not more focus on the amazing setting and I found the mystery to be lacking of vitality.
Scotland is place near and dear to my heart. I’ve been twice having strong family ties to the country. From personal experience, I can sincerely state that the landscape is some of the most beautiful country I’ve ever seen—rich in colors, fog and mist and rolling hills in shades of green I didn’t even know existed until I saw them with my own eyes. Perhaps I hyped this all up in my own mind, but there was none of this really in the book. The characters were from London, so I guess I was expecting the highlands to be a major focal point. I honestly forgot about halfway through that the book was taking place in Scotland, as the writing didn’t transport me there.
The characters were relatively vapid. I felt no real connection to anyone—I didn’t root for anyone. Granted, there were all significantly flawed in regards to their history and personalities (nobody cares for perfect characters). But, I just didn’t feel any pull towards any of them, and sometimes got the men confused. As the mystery unfolded, I predicted a lot of the outcomes and wasn’t really blown away by anyone’s big secrets.
The plot was extremely similar to Ruth Ware’s In A Dark, Dark Wood. Several acquaintances hulled up in a remote location where a mysterious death occurs and everyone is suspect. It played out similarly, though not exact. But, the “big reveal” was flat and anti-climatic. I was on the edge of my seat for a while, but that didn’t last very long. I felt like I had read this story before, and when the ending was slightly different I was left feeling unsatisfied.
Lucy Foley can turn a phrase quite well. Her book consisted of really beautiful writing. Her mystery was pretty well crafted and didn’t have any major plot holes or gaps that I could spot. The problem for me was that the writing seemed to tell me most things instead of showing me or leaving some of it up to the imagination. There was a lot of potential for a really great story, it just lacked some luster overall in the build up of the mystery. Overall, I gave this book a 2 out of 5 stars. While I appreciated her writing and style, I was disappointed in the lack of character depth, overall setting and mystery. I recommend sipping something dark and dry to pair with the dry, and sometimes terrible, personalities of the characters and the mystery surrounding them. I enjoyed a malbec called Tall Dark Stranger, which I thought went well with the whodunnit-feel of this book. It contains a strong alcohol content of 12.5%, which helped me digest the unfavorable aspects of the book.
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Wine: Tall Dark Stranger Malbec 2017
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In a Dark Dark Wood
Title: In a Dark Dark Wood
Author: Ruth Ware
Genre: Mystery/Psychological Thriller
Published: 2015
Obtained: N/A (Unknown)
Nora is a hermit writer, isolated from of the outside world with the exception of her daily runs. One day, she is shocked to receive an invitation to her old friend, Clare’s, hen party. Making a pact with her other old friend, Nina, she attends the celebration reluctantly. The hen party weekend is spent in a glass house in the woods where the characters lives intertwine and Nora tries to solve why she has even been invited after all of this time. The tension builds with the weaving of past and present storylines, winding down until the time Nora will have to face the answers to her questions.
In a Dark Dark Wood was an excellent page turner! It was by far the best of Ruth Ware’s books that I have read. It wasn’t as “terrifying” as it was marketed to be, but I found it suspenseful and well-planned in regards to how much information is given to the reader at one time. It had a very similar feel to The Woman in Cabin 10 in terms of the claustrophobia and the intensity built from the feeling of missing pieces and tension between characters who are trapped in small quarters. The mysterious pasts of old friends was familiar to the one we see in The Lying Game, but distinctly better orchestrated In a Dark Dark Wood.
Initially, I had reservations about the main character, Nora. She was extremely private and isolated from the world; as a writer, she primarily worked from home and only ventured out of the house to go running. Her life is altered forever when she receives an invitation to a bachelorette party for an old friend, Clare. She hasn’t seen or spoken to Clare in years since she left school. Though confused and struggling with anxiety about attending the party, she makes a pact to attend with her other old friend, Nina. Nora came off a little obnoxious to me at first, as a girl who just can’t get over old relationships and conflicts. But by the end of the novel, I didn’t feel so critical of her.
The tension in the plot builds as the bachelorette party (or “hen” party, as Ware calls it) unfolds. The Maid of Honor is a hysterical, want-to-be twin of the bride-to-be, Clare. Clare is more complex, demonstrating both roles as a caring friend and also someone more manipulative. Tom is the only man present, a gay playwright who enjoys stirring the pot just as much as Nina. Melanie is also present, an old friend of Clare’s, and also the only mother in the bunch. The characters were fairly well developed—at least enough to carry the reader through the plot. Nora makes for an unreliable narrator in the present plot line (which intervenes with the past story line of the hen party). She has suffered some injuries during the unraveling party storyline and doesn’t have clear, trustworthy memories on which to depend. While the idea of the unreliable female narrator really bothered me in Ware’s other book, The Woman in Cabin 10, it was primarily because of the character’s clichéd reliance on alcohol. Nora, on the other hand, didn’t quite fit in this category, and I found the idea of her being unreliable due to her head injuries more believable and less annoyingly over-used. Nora initially irritated me not only because of her inability to move on from her ex, but also because of how she allowed that break-up to dictate the rest of her life. However, near the end of the book, once it’s revealed what she was really hiding, it led me to feel sorry for her with a little more compassion. Nora’s character arc moved in a way that led to me to start to like her in the second half of the book.
The structure of the novel is strong. I enjoyed how the past and present weaved together; Ware blends the plot lines nicely. I also enjoyed the slow build of tension between the characters trapped in the house. Each one seems to have their own personal drama and secrets to which the reader isn’t always privy.
This wasn’t as complex or frightening as I anticipated. It was, however, suspenseful and fun to read. I figured out the ending prior to the big reveal, but I was thrown off course a couple of times by the different actions of the characters in the timeline of events. I read this book while on a plane and it had me engrossed through its entirety. I recommend this book if you enjoy a good mystery—I don’t know if I consider it as a thriller, but it’s full of tension and suspense. It also isn’t a challenging read having only a few characters and physical settings in the story; the mystery lies in the secrets the individuals hide from each other and their puzzling motives behind various actions/decisions. I am giving this book a 3.5/5; overall, I really enjoyed reading it and it had me on the edge of my seat. It isn’t particularly inticrate and sometimes the characters are a little unbelievable or unconvincing. They move the story foward, but they don’t always add to the plot in any exciting way. I recommend Paranoia Pinot Grigio 2017 to sip while you read this novel. I selected this bottle simply because of the name and the art on the lable; I wanted to pair this read with a wine that was both crisp and light to balance out the deeper, mysterious content of the book. This pinot grigio certainly paired well with the paranoia and tension in A Dark Dark Wood.
Rating: 3.5/5
Wine: Paranoia Pinot Grigio 2017
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The Next Person You Meet in Heaven
Title: The Next Person You Meet in Heaven
Author: Mitch Albom
Genre: Fiction/Psychological Fiction
Published: 2018
Obtained: Amazon
In The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Albom’s prequel to this novel, we met Eddie. Eddie was an elderly war veteran who died saving a child at a pier; Albom took the reader along on Eddie’s journey to Heaven where he met five people who helped him understand his purpose in life. In the sequel, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven, we are introduced to the child Eddie saved, Annie. Annie’s life was forever changed by the accident on the pier that took Eddie’s life; after tragedy strikes again, Annie ventures to heaven to meet her own five individuals who help her find the meaning of her time on Earth. Full of emotional and profound life lessons, we learn that all lives are connected and that each life is significant.
This is the sequel to The Five People You Meet in Heaven—which is one of my favorite books of all time. Albom’s second installment does not disappoint. The opening of The Next Person You Meet in Heaven was much more difficult for me to get through. Eddie’s death in the first novel was horrible, but he was also an elderly man who died trying to protect a child. In this book, we read about Annie, the little girl Eddie saved at the pier. Annie is a young newlywed; as the premise of the story is about her journey through heaven, it was hard to read the opening chapters that counted down her final hours. Perhaps being near Annie’s age and also recently married, I found her storyline comparable (in some ways) to my own life and, therefore, found it more difficult to digest.
Similar to its predecessor, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven follows a similar plot with the main character, Annie, meeting five people in heaven who help her understand her purpose in life. I think what readers will find immediately intriguing is the underlying theme of the novel—that each person serves a purpose on Earth, even if we don’t understand it until after our life is over. It’s one of the great questions of the world, isn’t it? We’re constantly trying to figure out our life’s meaning…trying to determine if everything happens for a reason or if we’re all just drifting about aimlessly. As someone who was not raised religiously, I can say that The Five People You Meet in Heaven gave me hope and inspired a way of thinking about the afterlife and the time I have left in the world. The Next Person You Meet in Heaven builds upon this vision; while I find I wanted more from the story (more depth from the various characters’ teachings) I also found comfort in the lessons and tales.
Albom has a way with storytelling. The Next Person You Meet in Heaven is full of beautiful prose and moving dialogue. This novel isn’t long and didn’t take me much time to read—with the exception of having to re-fill my wine glass and tissue stash every other page. Albom weaves together not only the lives of those in this book, but those from the previous novel, as well. The idea that we are all connected is strongly rooted in this novel. Albom writes in a tactful, imaginative and beautifully simplistic way…a way that forced me, as a reader, to look into my own life with a more open and optimistic mind. As I was reading, I found myself thinking of all the time I (and those around me) have wasted holding onto grudges or being angry when it is, ultimately, so much more rewarding to let all that go. This book is a strong reminder that our lives here are short and we’re better off spending this time finding ways to be happy rather than to hold on to those things that fill us with anger, fear and doubt. Perhaps more importantly, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven serves as a reminder to hold on to those you love and to make it known how you feel as often and sincerely as possible…for we never know when our time will end.
When I was in college earning my degree in English Literature, I took a senior class that concentrated on the concept of “grace.” I was unfamiliar with this topic. As I said before, I wasn’t raised religiously one way or another, and was woefully ignorant on the subject. We read texts and wrote papers all about different theological ideas of grace. It was because of this class that I learned to expand my reading genres. As someone who can remain fairly objective when reading and talking about religious topics, I absolutely love this idea of heaven that Albom has created. Some people may say this book is corny or that it reads like a fluffy Hallmark channel film…full of lessons of love and what we can learn from heartache and tragedy. But, that makes no difference to me. His vivid storytelling brings me comfort and a sense of hope…hope for what lies ahead and comfort that my loved ones who are gone are waiting somewhere where they are at peace, full of the exhilarating and fulfilling emotions they cherished in life. Albom creates this world without agenda of cramming it down the reader’s throat, but with an air of one showing the reader a glimpse of a possible answer to one of our greatest questions: What happens after we die?
I recommend this novel (along with The Five People You Meet in Heaven) to anyone who enjoys a real tear-jerker with a feel-good message. My initial complaint was that there wasn’t enough backstory to the main character, Annie, and her husband, Paulo; but, as the story continues, Albom reveals more about their relationship and history in a poignant style. My only other criticism is that it was much too short! I wanted the book to last longer and I found myself taking more breaks between chapters to expand my reading time. On the other hand, I appreciate Albom’s ability to pack such a powerful and compelling story into such a small book. I gave this book 5/5 stars—I just can’t help it! I love it! The vivid and emotional braiding of characters and storylines was far more memorable than any flaws that may exist in the novel. I reserve my 5 star rating for books that I find stellar and impeccable, and The Next Person You Meet in Heaven fits the glove. I recommend pairing Albom’s novel with a pinot grigio; I sipped (or gulped between heavy sobs) Dark Horse Pinot Grigio while reading. I took a break from red wine for this read as I wanted something refreshing to help digest some of the more emotionally-saturated parts of the story. This wine is crisp and airy and pairs well with the delicate and peaceful feel of Albom’s heaven.
Rating: 5/5
Wine: Dark Horse Pinot Grigio
Snag your own copy: Amazon or Barnes&Noble
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The Lying Game
Title: The Lying Game
Author: Ruth Ware
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Published: 2017
Obtained: Barnes and Noble
When three women receive a mysterious message from their friend, Kate, they all rush to her side as they promised to do as girls. However, as told from the point of view of Isa, the women soon realize that not only did their childhood game have terrible consequences, but they are also missing pieces pertinent to a situation that occured years ago…a situation that they all agreed to keep secret. Now, it’s time for the friends to face their past head on—but will they all adhere to the old rules of the game when it comes to being truthful with one another?
Ruth Ware’s novels, that I have read, are full of beautiful prose and suspenseful plots. The Lying Game starts out strong; however, it loses its luster pretty early into the story. I love the premise of the novel focusing on four girlfriends and their mysterious history, but the plot unravels like molasses. While the narrator, Isa, is fairly well-developed, the other three girls are lacking in depth. Ware starts with such a sturdy premise—her opening chapter hooked me into the mysterious text message from Kate and had my mind reeling about what kind of trouble in which these four, seemingly normal, girlfriends could be involved. That enticed feeling was short lived.
Ware writes with such lovely phrasing and poetic justice. I felt this writing was perfectly suited for her novel The Death of Mrs. Westaway with it’s old-school, gothic feel; I did not, however, feel that it worked in the Lying Game. This book is one of four friends who attended a boarding school together in their youth, where they spent their time breaking rules and drinking. The lengthy, flowery writing (while very appreciated as a reader and writer) is distracting from the story itself. So many times I grew frustrated and just wanted the narrator to get to the point! Furthermore, I think what was so frustrating, as a reader, was that the elaborate prose was often in regards to details that either didn’t matter or had no real connection to the actual story.
Isa is a frustrating narrator. She is slow to expose the reader to important details about her past and her relationship with the three other girls. Isa’s character build wasn’t particularly interesting to me—while reading, I found her dull and, at times, obnoxious. Kate is slightly more developed, but still falls short. Fatima and Thea are incredibly weak characters, which is a shame because I was so curious about them at the start of the novel. A majority of the scenes with the women focus on them drinking and reminiscing, pieced together with flashbacks and memories from the narrator; however, it comes off choppy to me, as a reader, with very little meat and details that could help build up the mystery of the story. While a rule of their game is to never lie to each other, they are constantly lying to each other! Moreover, it still bothers me that they seem to lie to each other for no substantial reason. Again, the idea is there, but the story just doesn’t build or come together very well.
As beautiful as Ware’s writing is, the story unravels in a very tedious manner. The pace is slow and the story is full of subplots and scenes that just don’t really have much to do with crux of the novel. I was excited by the premise of the book and by the introduction, but the rest of the novel was underwhelming. There are scenes and phrases from The Woman in Cabin 10 and The Death of Mrs. Westaway that still stick out in my mind, but I don’t feel that same way about The Lying Game. It was a fun and easy read with, I reiterate again, beautiful writing; but, I think readers who are familiar with Ware will find that it falls short of her other novels. I gave The Lying Game a 2 out of 5 stars. I have one more of Ruth Ware’s books to read and I still have high hopes for it! As far as the wine pairing with The Lying Game, I recommend The Stag by St. Huberts, which is a Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a full bodied, smooth, dark red that has hints of berries, oak and spice. I picked this up due to liking a dark, flavorful red to go with a good mystery full of perplexing characters; admittedly, I will say that the flavors in this wine are more complex than the characters in The Lying Game (which was disappointing as a reader, but fantastic as a wine-drinker).
Rating: 2/5 stars
Wine Pairing: St. Huberts The Stag (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Snag your own copy of The Lying Game at Barnes and Noble or Amazon
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The Man in the High Castle
Photo is a screenshot from my Audible app
Title: The Man in the High Castle
Author: Philip K. Dick
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian/Alternate Fiction
Published: 1962
Obtained: Audible
It’s the early 1960’s in the United States, which has been divided since the end of World War II; one half is under Nazi control, while the other is under Japanese rule. The only hope that really manifests for the individuals living under the German or Japanese rule is in the form of a novel called, The Grasshopper Lies Heavy—a banned book depicting a world in which the Axis Powers lose the war.
Photo is a screenshot from my Audible app
Let me start by stating that this review does contain some small spoilers; as hard as I tried to avoid spoiling anything too profound, it was incredibly difficult to discuss this book without exploiting some details. I have such a complicated view on this book which mirrors the complicated feelings I experienced while reading it. I selected this book after I started watching the series on Amazon Prime. The show is gripping despite it’s slow start. The television series has definitely taken some liberties from the novel, but the skeletal foundation is there. The Man in the High Castle takes place in a world where the Axis powers won World War II. It opens in the early 1960’s where half of the United States is under rule of Nazi Germany in the Greater Nazi Reich and the other half is under the influence of Imperial Japan in the Pacific States of America. The story opens with unsettling details through the eyes of a few primary characters—slavery is once again legal, individuals are persecuted based on race and those of Jewish descent are forced to live under new names to survive in secret. The author, Philip K. Dick, takes the reader on a journey through a parallel universe that depicts how our world might be if the U.S. had lost the war. The novel is both terrifying and ingenious. While Dick’s theories and ideas are both strong and dynamic, they tend to drown out the characters and the subplots in the book.
I am not typically drawn to science fiction or dystopian novels. As I mentioned, I picked this book up after I was sucked into the show. However, I was compelled by the exploration of race, alternate realities and destiny/fate. I think I was most struck to see how the world could be if World War II had a different outcome. What I find terrifying is the thought of how easily our world could slip into this type of intolerant, violent society as depicted in The Man in the High Castle. I found it interesting that so many characters in this novel utilize the I Ching to help guide them as they make decisions. The I Ching literally pops up in every plot and subplot of the novel; it is the connection between various characters. More incredibly, however, is the idea that the I Ching allows the reader glimpses into these alternate universes that some of the characters experience. The book gets even more mind blowing with the introduction of The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, which is a book within The Man in the High Castle; The Grasshopper Lies Heavy is a book written by a character named Hawthorne Abendsen. Abendsen’s novel is a refreshing piece of fiction for many of the characters in The Man in the High Castle because it depicts a world where the Axis powers lost World War II; though not quite the world as we know it now, many characters are drawn to the book because it offers a glimmer of hope. Now, here comes a spoiler (sorry!): Abendsen admits to using the I Ching to write The Grasshopper Lies Heavy—implying that there is a truth regarding the outcomes written in it. Because The Grasshopper Lies Heavy ends with some differences compared to our own history, the reader is left wondering if Dick is implying that our real world is also an alternate universe in a sea of possible worlds. If your brain hurts, welcome to the club!
A big glass of Fortress wine to help the brain pain!
As the reader, I did have my issues with the book. While the alternate universe and the connections of fate kept my mind reeling and invested, I felt very little connection to a majority of the characters. I’ve said this before in my reviews, but characterization is a big deal to me as a reader. I enjoyed some of the inner-monologues, like Frank’s or Childen’s, that offered some insight into their perspectives of that world and the shift in culture…but these instances were far and few between. Aside from the fascinating world Dick created, I felt lost and bored during many parts of the book. Perhaps I made the mistake of starting the show first; I was expecting more from the characters and much more action. The novel consists of a lot of “almosts” —there was almost an assassination and there was almost a horrible tragedy in store for an important character. However, a lot of these “almost” things don’t come to fruition. In fact, the ending of the novel, while establishing a profound and thought provoking possibility, is extremely anticlimactic in terms of action and closure.
All in all, The Man in the High Castle consisted of intriguing sub-plots that are introduced and then nicely woven together as the story progresses. The scary world that Dick has created offers a lot of opportunities for the reader to imagine how differently our lives could be…and, arguably, draw parallels to the events occuring in real time. The ideas of alternate realities and fate are well developed and are written philosophically and profoundly. Yet, Dick delivers an underwhelming novel. He fails to cultivate any real connection between the reader and the characters. The lack of action left me wanting more from the story; truthfully, some of the monologues and passages felt mind-numbing and had me itching to put down the book. While the initial glaring presence of exterminations, persecutions and violence were terrifying, the idea of American culture being destroyed and non-existent was incredibly unsettling. I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is the most demanding book I’ve read—meaning, it required a lot of focus and mental effort to read it, understand it and appreciate/enjoy it. As a book-lover, it pains me to admit that I am enjoying the show far more than I enjoyed the novel (insert Septa Unella following me with her bell saying, “Shame! Shame!”). But, it’s true. I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys alternate universes, dystopian-type books and profound thoughts on truth and fate. I also recommend giving it a try if you are currently watching, or have interest in watching, the Amazon Prime series. And I highly suggest watching The Man in the High Castle—I have found that the writers and developers of the series have really expanded on the characters, giving them more depth and more meaning. As far as the wine pairing, I suggest anything that contains a high alcohol content, for your brain will surely thank you. Specifically, I recommend Fortress Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, which has a 14.5% alcohol content to help swallow down the atrocities of the Axis alliance. This wine provides a bold, dark and strong flavor that pairs well with the dark and, often, cryptic aspects of The Man in the High Castle. Enjoy!
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Wine Pairing: Fortress Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Snag your own copy: Audible or Amazon
Pick a book, pour a glass
