The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Feb. 3, 2023; Forge Books
Genre: thriller
My thoughts: The plot was clever and the characters unusual. I was however disappointed in the personality of deceived wife, Alyssa, separated from unfaithful husband Bill. Alyssa feels Bill is playing tricks on her from afar, testing and harassing her from wherever he is hiding out.
My thoughts: The plot was clever and the characters unusual. I was however disappointed in the personality of deceived wife, Alyssa, separated from unfaithful husband Bill. Alyssa feels Bill is playing tricks on her from afar, testing and harassing her from wherever he is hiding out.
Her new house guest, Bree, is a strange one, and I was suspicious of her from the beginning, especially as she seems to be planning with her friend Dez, to maybe trick Alyssa in her home. Alyssa seems so clueless at times, unaware, and often too dense to take in her situation and dealing with the cops and Bree and Dez
There are plot twists that show the reader may not be always correct in making assumptions right off the bat. Yet Alyssa is naive enough that you have to root for her as the novel goes on.
Audiobook
Genre: psychological thriller
Pick a Color by Souvankham Thammavongsa, (September 30, 2025; Knopf Canada; NetGalley
Setting: Britain
I reviewed this book on another blog five years ago and gave it a solid five stars. Now on listening to the audiobook, I'm just as impressed as I was when I first read the book.
Mr. Nobody is suffering from fugue, retrograde amnesia due to psychological trauma, which means he does not remember anything from his life before he found himself wandering on a beach in the north of England. Neuropsychiatrist, Emma Lewis, is called in to the hospital to diagnose and treat the patient, which becomes one of the most challenging cases in her career.
Mr. Nobody seems to know Emma, however, and maybe even her secrets from her past. Mr. Nobody may be a military man who has lost his memory. Nobody knows for sure. I don't recall the ending of the novel and am enjoying the audio and anticipating a dramatic ending.
Finished reading
The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer; Sept. 9, 2025; Minotaur Books, NetGalley
This novel is about the disappearance of a famous Icelandic crime writer, Elin S. Jonsdottir, whose sudden absence is investigated by a young detective, Helgi.
The story is reminiscent of Agatha Christie's famous disappearance and reappearance, but the fictitious story of Elin is quite different. Elin's private life and the people involved in her life are key to the mystery, and the result of Helgi's search then becomes plausible.
Helgi's own private romantic life is a side story added to the main plot. It makes the detective more human, and contributes to the novel's interest.
This mystery is a traditional mystery and not noir, as so many Nordic mysteries are, but it was an enjoyable read, nevertheless.
Genre: adult fiction, Canadian fiction, Laotian
I enjoyed the realistic portrayal of a nail salon owner, Ning, how she deals with her staff and clients, and how she achieves the smooth running of her shop. Nings's observances of people and situations puts her on top of all possible scenarios that might crop up, and rewards the reader with astute and discerning commentary in this first person narration.
Ning is acutely aware of the biases and the stereotypes that the public makes of her occupation, even by her very own clients. This character driven novel is informative, giving us an inside look into a workplace and the staff and customers and their interactions or noninteractions as the case may be.
A highly recommended and unusual book.
Ning is acutely aware of the biases and the stereotypes that the public makes of her occupation, even by her very own clients. This character driven novel is informative, giving us an inside look into a workplace and the staff and customers and their interactions or noninteractions as the case may be.
A highly recommended and unusual book.
About the author: Souvankham Thammavongsa is the author of four poetry books, and the award winning short story collection HOW TO PRONOUNCE KNIFE. She was born in the Lao refugee camp in Nong Khai, Thailand, and resides in Toronto.
What are you reading these days?
Mr. Nobody sounds like a good read. And I like Ragnar Jonasson, so I'll be adding that one to my TBR list, too. :D
ReplyDeleteI haven't read her before but I did enjoy this clever book.
DeletePick a Color is intriguing. I hope you enjoy it. I have three new books this week. All are the previous book in a series of a book I was interested in. I've finished two of them and are on to the one that drew my attention in the first place. Reading is always interesting. You can see my books on my blog. https://stuckinbooks.com
ReplyDeletePick a Color is unique in the setting, the topic, and the main characters. I can't recommend it enough.
DeleteI think I am interested in finding out more about Pick a Color. The author's life experiences are sure to find their way into her story. I remember seeing your review of Mr. Nobody a few years ago. It's good to know the story holds up in a different format.
ReplyDeleteThe author doesn't refer to her experiences as a boat baby in the book but her observances of people are keen and probably fine tuned by her background.
DeleteI like many of Catherine Steadman books and Mr. Nobody kept me going. Great plot. Have you read Something in the Water by Stedman? That was also good.
ReplyDeleteI just started Something in the Water and have the audio of The Disappearing Act. I love her writing.
DeleteThese all sound interesting. I have a niece who is a nail technician, so I'm going to let her know about Pick a Color.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your niece will find the book interesting, especially how the owner runs her shop.
DeleteI enjoy Ryan’s books - she has a new one publishing this summer!
ReplyDeleteI'll look for it as I enjoyed this book.
DeleteI’m adding two of these books to my TBR list: Pick A Color and The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer
ReplyDeleteGood choices. Pick a Color is unusual but interesting and informative. The missing crime writer has a good mystery plot.
DeleteThe House Guest and Mr. Nobody sound really good. I'm going to add them to my list. Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll like both. I have been fascinated by novels featuring amnesia ever since reading Mr. Nobody.
DeleteThe Nordic mystery sounds especially interesting to me. I have had Mr. Nobody for ages and not read it. I was always intrigued that the author also played a key role in a season of Downton Abbey, which was what led me to it in the first place. Maybe I'll add it to the summer pile!
ReplyDeleteFascinating about the author. I have her other audiobooks from the library which she reads herself on the tapes. She's a great writer and I enjoy listening to her voice.
DeleteSounds like a good reading week. Have a great rest of you weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy. The air is bad outside from the wildfire smoke from Canada so I'll be in listening to audiobooks.
DeleteI love the cover for Pick a Color! Have a great week. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat cover, great read.
DeleteI'm adding Mr. Nobody to my reading list. If you liked it just as much as when you read it five years ago that is a BIG recommendation to me.
ReplyDeleteI may read it again in the future, as I still can't get my head around the type of amnesia Mr. Nobody has. He manages to be so manipulative even while he has forgotten his past and the day before. Writes himself reminders, I guess.
DeleteThe Housekeeper and the Professor, a Japanese novel, deals with a housekeeper who has to tell the professor every day who she is, as each day is a new day for him and his amnesia prevents him from remembering the day before. Fascinating read.
Interesting assortment of books. I'm most curious about Mr. Nobody. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteWould love to see your take on Mr. Nobody!
DeletePick a Color sounds really interesting! And looking at my hands I think it is probably time for me to visit the salon!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!