The Fair Weather Friend by Jessie Garcia, Jan. 20, 2025; St. Martin's Press, NetGalley
Description: The next gripping domestic suspense novel from Jessie Garcia, author of The Business Trip.
It's always sunny in Detroit for Faith Richards. The popular TV meteorologist, endearingly referred to as "The Fair Weather Friend" by her viewers, has the world by the tail. But one night, Faith leaves work on a dinner break and never returns. Her body is found the next morning.
It's always sunny in Detroit for Faith Richards. The popular TV meteorologist, endearingly referred to as "The Fair Weather Friend" by her viewers, has the world by the tail. But one night, Faith leaves work on a dinner break and never returns. Her body is found the next morning.
The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia, Jan. 14, 2025; St. Martin's Press, NetGalley
I enjoyed the narrative told in several voices, notably those of Jasmine and Stephanie, two women who meet on a plane with startling results. Jasmine's clever way of escaping from a controlling and abusive boyfriend includes stealing Stephanie's ID on the plane, and then her complete identity later. Friends of theirs back home try to keep up by emails and text messages with the two women. Stephanie seems to have become a different person with an unbelievable reason for why she is not back at work.
The entire suspense plot rests on the machinations of Jessica to plot and get away with stealing Stephanie's identity so that she can escape to Mexico, her ideal final destination. Stephanie's next door neighbor and cat sitter, Robert, is a main character too, who even tries to fly to San Diego to find Stephanie.
Showing unbelievable ways to fool people, this is a great book for travelers on what to look for to protect themselves from scammers and thieves. Jasmine is a truly Machiavellian character.
Great plotting and character development.
Books from the Library
I borrowed quite a few books this time, being tired of reading only ebooks and wanting to have a physical book in hand for a change.
The Rivals by Jane Pek, Dec. 3, 2024; Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor
Description
ONE OF THE WASHINGTON POST'S 10 BEST MYSTERY NOVELS OF 2024 • A witty and thought-provoking mystery that reimagines the spy story to explore the nature of relationships in a digital age: the follow-up to Jane Pek’s “thoroughly modern twist on classic detective fiction,” The Verifiers (New York Times Book Review)
“Jane Pek’s writing is really fun and will keep you hooked.” —Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Jane Pek’s writing is really fun and will keep you hooked.” —Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Claudia Lin has scored her dream job: co-running Veracity, a dating detective agency for online New Yorkers who want to know if their prospective partners are telling the truth. She and her colleagues uncover a far-reaching AI conspiracy. And the corporate matchmakers may be resorting to murder to protect their secrets.
Description:
Chinese New Year is supposed to be a time of fresh beginnings and celebrations of good fortune to come. Naturally, the shop owners of Asia Village jump at the chance to create a memorable holiday event for all.
However, when a member of the Lion Dance performance group is found shot, festival planner Lana Lee agrees to solve the murder before anyone else gets hurt.
What are you reading, watching, or listening to this week?
Memes: The Sunday Post, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday, Book Blogger Hop
You have some good reads going on here. The business trip both draws me and revolts me. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you for your feature of some fascinating reads - The Rivals, in particular, sounds like it's confronting an issue we're all going to have to deal with in one way or another...
ReplyDeletePresently reading 'The Hundred Years War - The English in France 1337-1453' by Desmond Seward (although I'm due to finish a George Orwell novel on Monday). Next up will be 'The Hundred Years War on Palestine - A History of Settler Colonial Conquest and Resistance' by Rashid Khalidi.
ReplyDeleteOh, and amused by the 'Peking Duck and Cover' title. Funny... [grin]
Love that title, Peking Duck and Cover.
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of The Rivals. I'm always intrigued when a book gets rave reviews like it has. I get tired of ebooks, too, at times, and I go crazy checking out books from the library.
ReplyDeleteI love having the book in my hand. I don't mind the ereader every once in a while, but think I will always prefer the paperback.
ReplyDeletePeking Duck And Cover LOL
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental