October’s Books Past and Present

‘The Whistler’

“Don’t whistle at night… it attracts bad things.” You’ve been warned. Just in time for Halloween is Nick Medina’s creepy The Whistler;  a chilling tale wrapped in Indigenous myths, a ghost story with a twist. When a young ghost-hunting man on the cusp of success screeches to a halt, he must learn to deal with dashed dreams, physical limitations, and the haunting of the Whistler. This one is not only scary but packed with heartfelt emotion. Dive in. 

‘Slashed Beauties’

First, this has one of the most beautiful and intriguing covers, a woman dressed in 18^th century clothing trapped inside a gilded bird cage. A. Rushby’s Slashed Beauties is the perfect feminist horror tale about a trio of Anatomical Venuses (wax figures used for medical studies back in that day, and looking chillingly lifelike. Set in both 18^th century London in a brothel where men are disappearing, and modern-day England where a hunt for the Venuses is on, this one will transport you to a gritty and dangerous London as the women fight amongst themselves – and for themselves – to be free.

‘End Game’

I recently interviewed with legendary author Jeffrey Archer who has a new book out. End Game: The Final William Warwick Novel is sure to be a bestseller. The Summer Olympics are coming to London in 2012, and Commander William Warwick is in charge of security. However, there are forces planning to disrupt the games. Russia and China are plotting against the Olympics which leads to a climax that will keep you turning pages. There is a reason Archer has sold over 300 million copies of his books worldwide; he knows how to tell a compelling story. 

‘Fiend’

For those missing the series Succession you will love dipping into the world of Fiend by Alma Katsu. The Berisha family runs a wildly successful and wildly corrupt import-export company aided in their fiendish antics by a 1000-year-old demon. With a cast of characters you will love to hate this one is delightfully dark.

‘Been Wrong So Long It Feels Like Right’

Walter Mosley’s latest Been Wrong So Long It Feels Like Right is like sipping a crisp martini, extra dry. Private Investigator Joe King Olvier is back and this time the case is personal. When his beloved grandma comes to him and asks for what might be her last favor, King is thrown on the trail to find his missing father; released from prison, unbeknownst to King. Mosley is the master of pace and dialogue, his prose razor sharp and the atmosphere pure modern noir. I recently interviewed Mister Mosley and he is not slowing down anytime soon. He is, in fact, coming out with a romance this spring.

‘Joyride’

Reminiscent of Joan Didion, Susan Orlean’s new memoir Joyride delves into the origins of her love of both words and of discovering people. Orlean is an extraordinary writer, and this book is a masterclass in storytelling, imbued with her ebullient style of finding the profound in the ordinary. As Orlean states “The story of my life is the story of my stories.” And what a story it is.

‘The Hong Kong Widow’

A remarkable read from Kristen Loesch is The Hong Kong Widow. The story begins in 1950s Hong Kong. Labeled a historical horror novel, Loesch explores secrets and ghosts and “collective hallucination.” With a gift for talking to ghosts, Mei is a refugee from Shanghai trying to survive under the Chinese Communist rule. Set in a creepy mansion where a massacre does – or does not – occur, this is a thrill ride, yet deep and poignant. I am a big fan of Loesch’s prior novel, The Last Russian Doll.