Kate’s 2¢: “Merder In the Dark” by Margaret Atwood

“Murder in the dark short fictions and prose poems” by Margaret Atwood

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   Well, we are entitled to our opinions. I agree with some of what Atwood wrote in several of her mental meanderings.

From the WEB:

   Margaret Atwood was born in 1939 in Ottawa, and grew up in northern Ontario and Quebec, and in Toronto. She received her undergraduate degree from Victoria College at the University of Toronto and her master’s degree from Radcliffe College.

   Atwood is the author of more than forty books of fiction, poetry, and critical essays. Her latest book of short stories is Stone Mattress: Nine Tales (2014). Her MaddAddam trilogy the Giller and Booker prize-nominated Oryx and Crake (2003), The Year of the Flood (2009), and MaddAddam (2013) is currently being adapted for HBO. The Door is her latest volume of poetry (2007). Her most recent non-fiction books are Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth (2008) and In Other Worlds: SF and th…

From NLSBARD/LOC           :/

 Murder in the dark: short fictions and prose poems DBG00452

Atwood, Margaret Reading time: 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Murder in the dark: short fictions and prose poems DBG00452

Atwood, Margaret Reading time: 1 hour, 40 minutes.

AILEEN SEATON. A production of CNIB.

Short Stories

General

This book contains the writer’s thoughts, fears, giggles, precise conclusions, and impressions–an intelligent interview with an intelligent person done by that person herself. Some strong language. 1983. Unrated. Marrakesh title.

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Kate’s 2¢: “Death In Cold Water” by Patricia Skalka

“Death In Cold Water” by Patricia Skalka

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   I liked the narrative arc of this story. It moved right along, adding new characters to keep up the pace, but the Sherriff was steady as she goes, and, of course, gets the job done.

   With so many male characters, I think I’d like to hear a male reader.

www.patriciaskalka.com

About the Author. Patricia Skalka is the author of the award-winning Dave Cubiak Door County Mysteries. Currently there are six books in the series: Death Stalks Door County, Death at Gills Rock, Death in Cold Water, Death Rides the Ferry, Death by the Bay, and Death Washes Ashore. Skalka turned to fiction following a successful career in nonfiction

   Hailing from Chicago, the world renowned American writer Patricia Skalka is highly regarded for her mystery novels. Weaving character and suspense together with the greatest of ease, she manages to create mysteries that are at once enticing and compelling in equal measure.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Death in cold water DBC15443

Skalka, Patricia. Reading time: 6 hours, 56 minutes.

Read by Megan Hindman. A production of Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library.

Mystery and Detective Stories

Gerald Sneider, a self-made man, has gone missing after leaving a Packer game. Ransoms, greedy relatives, and the FBI, Sheriff Cubiak has to rely on his instincts to solve the case. Book 3 in the Dave Cubiak Door County Mystery series. Adult. Unrated.

Downloaded: September 27, 2021

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Kate’s 2¢: “You’ll never know, dear: a novel of suspense” by Hallie Ephron

“You’ll never know, dear: a novel of suspense” by Hallie Ephron

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   I enjoyed this light mystery and knew the perp early on, but that didn’t deter my interest in finishing the story, which got more exciting toward the end.

From the web:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF DOMESTIC SUSPENSE Edgar Award finalist and five-time finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award, writes books she hopes readers can’t put down.

Her newest suspense novel, Careful What You Wish For (August, 2019),

FROM NLS/BARD/LOC:

You’ll never know, dear: a novel of suspense DB92952

Ephron, Hallie. Reading time: 8 hours, 40 minutes.

Read by Amy McFadden. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Suspense Fiction

Psychological Fiction

Seven-year-old Lissie and her four-year-old sister Janey were playing dolls in the yard when Lissie chased after a puppy–but when she returned, Janey and her doll were gone. Every year their mother offers a reward for the one-of-a-kind porcelain doll, and now–forty years later–she gets a response. Some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2017.

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Kate’s 2¢: “A Cup of Joe” by Sandra Balzo

“A Cup of Joe” by Sandra Balzo

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   I enjoyed the narrative arc, the introduction and development of each character, but, perhaps the way Tom Littelmann read could have been smoother. I found the stilted oration distracting.

   I liked the subtle humor and loved the ending lines.

From: sandrabalzo.com

  Balzo has managed publicity for three Bouchercons (World Mystery Conventions), as well as the International Association of Crime Writers, and has served as a national board member of Mystery Writers of America. A native of southeastern Wisconsin.

   Sandra Balzo is an award-winning author of crime fiction, including fourteen books in two mystery series–one set outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the other in the High Country of North Carolina. MURDER a la Mocha, the eleventh Maggy Thorsen Wisconsin coffeehouse mystery, will be released in January, and the series has been optioned for development as a TV series/film.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

A cup of Jo DBC15434

Balzo, Sandra. Reading time: 9 hours, 44 minutes.

Read by Tom Littelmann. A production of Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library.

Mystery and Detective Stories

Maggy Thorsen seeks to reopen her coffeehouse Uncommon Grounds with new business partner Sarah Kingston in Brookhills, Wisconsin. However, trouble ensues when the event manager turns up dead. Book 6 in the Maggy Thorsen Mystery series. Adult. Unrated.

Downloaded: September 27, 2021

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Kate’s 2¢: “We All Fall Down” by Robert Cormier

“We All Fall Down” by Robert Cormier

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   Cormier high-lights teen alcoholism and the devastation it can wreak. It also shows a comparison between a dysfunctional family to a family that is bonded to survive the rigors of life’s complications.

   I read “The Chocolate War” and “Beyond the Chocolate War” before I read “We All Fall Down”. I was so turned off by the first two, I wasn’t looking forward to reading the other book; however, I’d already down-loaded it.  My policy is the read for half-an-hour, then decide to read on or delete it. I read on and found it a much better story than the first two stories. It was less offensive, leass potty mouth language, and posed interesting aspects of teenage life.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

We all fall down: a novel DB37011

Cormier, Robert Reading time: 6 hours, 59 minutes.

Don Emmick A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Young Adult

Jane Jerome and her family come home to find that vandals have destroyed their possessions, urinated on their walls, and left fourteen-year-old Karen in a coma at the bottom of the stairs. A deranged neighbor, who styles himself The Avenger, has witnessed the trashing and secretly vows to track down the four teens. Jane meets and falls in love with Buddy Walker, one of the vandals. Violence. For junior and senior high and older readers. 1991.

Kate’s 2¢: “Shelter Mountain: A Virgin River Novel” by Robyn Carr

“Shelter Mountain: A Virgin River Novel” by Robyn Carr

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   I like finding nuggets of wisdom in the stories I read. For example, Mel says to Jack, “It’s not your bone to chew. I’ll try to remember that whenever I feel the urge to interfere in someone else’s business.

   Since the author has a nursing background, it is understandable that there are many details of a mid-wife’s experiences dealing with a still-born baby  of a very young teenager,  a miscarriage due to spousal abuse, and the delivery of her own baby.

   One of the scenes I like is where the mid-wife, Mel, is home alone in the cabin, the storm has cut off the electric and telephone. She realizes she’s in advanced labor and gets towels and other things ready. At nearly the last minute, her husband, Jack, runs in to find her ‘in a mood’. He tries to tell her to wait for the doctor, but she snaps at him:  There are only two people in this cabin. One of us is going to push. The other one is going to catch the baby. Which job do you want?

www.robyncarr.com/biography/

Robyn Carr was a young mother of two in the mid-1970s when she started writing fiction, an Air Force wife, educated as a nurse, whose husband’s frequent assignment changes made it difficult for her to work in her profession. Originally from Minnesota, they lived in all four corners of Texas, Alabama, Florida, California, Utah, Arizona and Nevada.

   Born July 25, 1951, in St. Paul, MN; daughter of Ronald E. and Bette Henrichs; married James R. Carr; children: Brian, Jamie.

   Robyn Carr is a writer and producer, known for Virgin River (2019) and Love Between the Covers (2015).

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Shelter Mountain DB70281

Carr, Robyn. Reading time: 11 hours, 50 minutes.

Read by Jill Fox. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Romance

John “Preacher” Middleton, ex-marine-turned-cook at Jack Sheridan’s Virgin River tavern, assists a battered woman and her son. On the run from her abusive spouse, Paige remains in town to work and gradually falls in love with Preacher–but her husband finds them. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2007.

Kate’s 2¢: “A dog’s courage: a dog’s way home novel” by W. Bruce Cameron

“A dog’s courage: a dog’s way home novel” by W. Bruce Cameron

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   In the beginning, it was a bit disconcerting to realize it was a dog that was speaking with such a great vocabulary. After a while, though, I relaxed and really enjoyed what this loyal pit bull terrier experienced.  I can only imagine the fear and horror of getting trapped on all sides by a rampaging forest fire, being stalked by a bear, having to adopt cub mountain lions (cougars) when all I wanted to do was to go home. A well written animal story without anthropomorphizing the dog qualities.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William Bruce Cameron (born February 2, 1960) is an American author, columnist, and humorist. Cameron is most famous for his novel A Dog’s Purpose,[1] which spent 19 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. The book is the basis for the movie version[2] starring Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson, Peggy Lipton, K.J. Apa, Juliet Rylance, Luke Kirby, John Ortiz, and Pooch Hall, and released in theaters on January 27, 2017.[3] A Dog’s Purpose is followed by a sequel called A Dog’s Journey,[4] which Cameron, along with Cathryn Michon, adapted into a film of the same name.

His books have been translated into over 60 languages.

Cameron was born in Petoskey, Michigan. He is also the author of the best-selling self-improvement book which was later adapted into the ABC sitcom of the same name that aired between 2002 and 2005. His book, 8 Simple Rules for Marrying My Daughter, was released in 2008, and already had a Hollywood movie deal before its publication, with 89 Films and Wendy Finerman, producer of The Devil Wears Prada.

Cameron is also the author of How to Remodel a Man, which was excerpted in the August 2005 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, and was the subject of the November 1, 2005 Oprah Show. His novel, A Dog’s Purpose, was published July 2010 by Tom Doherty Associates.[5] It was 19 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list in its hardcover release. The softcover version was released May 24, 2011.[citation needed] In total, A Dog’s Purpose has spent a year on The New York Times Bestseller list (hardcover and paperback combined).

He wrote a weekly column for Creators Syndicate[6] from 2001 until 2015 that appeared in around 50 newspapers in the U.S. and Canada, including Hawaii’s MidWeek; “8 Simple Rules” told his humorous cautionary tales and memories of his life and was named after his bestselling book. In 2012, overwhelmed with other work, Cameron put it on hold after 689 editions.[7]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

A dog’s courage: a dog’s way home novel DB103252

Cameron, W. Bruce. Reading time: 10 hours, 20 minutes.

Read by Ann Marie Lee.

General

Animals and Wildlife

Bella was once a lost dog, but now she lives happily with her people, Lucas and Olivia, only occasionally recalling the hardships in her past. A weekend camping trip turns into a struggle for survival when the Rocky Mountains are engulfed by wildfire. Sequel to A Dog’s Way Home (DB 88104). Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2021.

Downloaded: June 13, 2021

Download A dog’s courage: a dog’s way home novel

Kate’s 2¢: The last widow by Karin Slaughter

“The last widow” by Karin Slaughter

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

      I enjoyed this story, although, it was difficult to figure out what Willbert was about. Perhaps, if the GBI dossiers were in the beginning, instead of the end, the story would go deeper sooner.

   “The Last Widow” seems to draw from various real scenarios that have been in the news. Is this fiction following fact or fact following fiction?

From her website:

ABOUT KARIN

Karin Slaughter is one of the world’s most popular and acclaimed storytellers.

Published in 37 languages, with more than 35 million copies sold across the globe, her nineteen novels include the Grant County and Will Trent books, as well as the Edgar-nominated Cop Town and the instant New York Times bestselling novels Pretty Girls and The Good Daughter. Her most recent novel, The Last Widow, features Sara Linton and Will Trent. A native of Georgia, Karin currently lives in Atlanta. Her novels Cop Town, The Good Daughter, and Pieces of Her are all in development for film and television. 

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The last widow DB96209

Slaughter, Karin. Reading time: 16 hours, 43 minutes.

Read by Kathleen Early.

Suspense Fiction; Mystery and Detective Stories

Unknown assailants grab a CDC scientist in a parking lot. One month later, a ground-shaking blast shatters a Sunday afternoon. Medical examiner Sara Linton and GBI investigator Will Trent rush toward the scene, but they’re waylaid by the escaping perpetrators, who kidnap Sara. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.

Kate’s 2¢: “The Next Wife” by Kaira Sturdivant Rouda

“The Next Wife” by Kaira Sturdivant Rouda

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   As long as you remember who is speaking, there is enough fore-shadowing to keep you on your toes as to the true perpetrator in this ‘who done it’, ormaybe not.

   This well written narrative develops the three, strong women’s personalities as they go   teat-to-teat, kind of like a wet tee shirt wrestling match, but on the corporate level.

From her website:

Kaira Sturdivant Rouda is an accomplished business leader, entrepreneur, national speaker and internationally bestselling and award-winning author.

A former magazine editor, and society columnist, Kaira won the Stevie Award for Women in Business for creating the first female-focused residential real estate brand, Real Living, and growing the brand to more than 22 states before its sale to Berkshire Hathaway.

Her first book, Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, led to a national speaking tour where she inspired thousands. Turning to a full-time writing career, Kaira has become a USA Today bestselling author, an international bestseller, and an Amazon Charts bestseller. Her books have been translated into more than ten languages. Recent releases, including Best Day Ever, The Favorite Daughter, and The Next Wife have been called “chilling satisfying suspense” (Good Housekeeping), “exceptional” (Publishers Weekly), and “an examination of the darkest betrayals” (Brit & Co.).

Active in the areas of homelessness, food security, and empowering women and girls, in her

twenties, as a volunteer, she created the first walk-in emergency shelter for homeless families in Central Ohio.

Kaira has received numerous awards for her community service, including the national Kiwanis Service to Mankind Award, among many others. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Congressman Harley Rouda, and her four twenty-something children.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The next wife DB103991

Rouda, Kaira Sturdivant. Reading time: 9 hours, 24 minutes.

Read by Lindsey Pierce.

Suspense Fiction

Psychological Fiction

Kate Nelson had it all, with a flourishing company, a happy marriage with John, and her daughter Ashlyn. Enter Tish, John’s mistress and, now, new wife. Tish thinks she has it all, despite Kate still being in the picture. Not everything is golden, though. Strong language and some violence. 2021.

Kate’s 2¢: “The Chocolate War” and “Beyond The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier

“The Chocolate War” and “Beyond The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

“The Chocolate War”:

   I understand how authors of YA (middle school to high school age students) narratives strive to draw readers into the narrative, to address their inner and outer social and moral issues; however, I am appalled and disgusted on so many levels with this story, I can’t possibly list them all here.

   I also understand that this story is listed as a novel, which means it is fiction, so, why does it upset me?  It bothers me because YA are supposed to read this and identify with the kernels of truth that resonate with the reader.

   In this fictional story, I object to the false role model of Brother Leon, the bully portrayed by Archie, the student body of this fictional Catholic school that enables the bullying to continue, the potty mouth language, and the cruelty of boxing.

   While YA novels may try to reflect reality, I find this novel is lacking in any redemption. Apparently, there is a sequel “Beyond The Chocolate War”, which I’ll read next,  but I’m not looking forward to wasting any more of my time.

BTW:  Whenever our children had school fund raisers to sell, we bought their quota.

“Beyond The Chocolate War”:

   What a horrible story!  I rue to think that teens reading this story take it to heart, that anything in this school is appropriate behavior. I suspect psychologists could have a field day with these characters.  

From Wikipedia:

ISBN 0-394-82805-4

Beyond the Chocolate War 

The Chocolate War is a young adult novel by American author Robert Cormier, published in 1974. It was adapted into a film in 1988. Although it received mixed reviews at the time of its publication, some reviewers have argued it is one of the best young adult novels of all time.[1] Set at a fictional Catholic high school, the story depicts a secret student organization’s manipulation of the student body, which descends into cruel and ugly mob mentality against a lone, non-conforming student. Because of the novel’s language, the concept of a high school secret society using intimidation to enforce the cultural norms of the school and various characters’ sexual ponderings, it has been embroiled in censorship controversies and appeared as third on the American Library Association’s list of the “Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books in 2000–2009.”[2] A sequel was published in 1985 called Beyond the Chocolate War.

Jerry is a freshman attending an all-boys Catholic high school called Trinity, while coping with depressive feelings and existential questions that stem largely from his mother’s recent death and his father’s enduring grief. Jerry is quickly recruited onto Trinity’s football team, where he meets Roland “The Goober” Goubert, a fellow freshman and instant friend.

Vice-principal Brother Leon has recently become acting headmaster and overextends his rising ambition by committing Trinity to selling double the previous year’s amount of chocolates during an annual fundraising event, quietly enlisting the support of Archie Costello, the genesis and leader behind The Vigils: the school’s cruelly manipulative secret society of student pranksters.

Archie arrogantly plans to alternate between betraying and supporting Leon in a frenzied series of power plays. His first “assignment” is to incite Jerry to refuse to sell any chocolate for ten days. However, Jerry, inspired after reading a quotation inside his locker: “Do I dare disturb the universe?” from T. S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” feels strangely determined to sell nothing even after the ten days have passed, thus estranging himself from both Leon and The Vigils.

At first, Jerry’s refusal to cooperate with the corrupt school culture and fundraiser is seen by many classmates as heroic, but the gesture threatens Brother Leon and The Vigils’ ability to coerce the student population. Leon presses Archie to put The Vigils’ full force behind the chocolate sales, so they set up Jerry as an enemy for the rest of the student body to harass through bullying, prank calls, and vandalism. Only The Goober remains Jerry’s friend but does little to protect him. Ultimately, Archie enlists the school bully Emile Janza to beat up Jerry just outside the school, but, even in the aftermath, Jerry maintains his defiant nonconformity.

Finally, Archie concocts a showdown: a boxing match at night between Jerry and Emile. On the football field, the match is watched by all students, who can select which blows will be laid during the fight through a randomized lottery system; however, the fight ends when a teacher shuts down the electrical power on the field, and Jerry is brutally injured in the ensuing darkness. Half-conscious, he tells The Goober that there was no way to win and he should have just complied, conceding that it is best, after all, not to “disturb the universe.” Though Archie is apprehended as the mastermind of the fight, Brother Leon intervenes on his behalf and privately praises his efforts in the unprecedented success of the chocolate sales. Leon implies that next year, if he is officially made the new headmaster, he will work to preserve Archie’s power.

Critical reception[edit]

The book was well received by critics. The New York Times wrote, “The Chocolate War is masterfully structured and rich in theme; the action is well crafted, well timed, suspenseful; complex ideas develop and unfold with clarity.”[3]

Children’s Book Review Service said, “Robert Cormier has written a brilliant novel.”

Cormier explained in an interview that he was “interested in creating real people, dramatic situations that will keep the reader turning pages.”[4] He went on to say that although some adults dislike the book because of the topics discussed, “the kids can absorb my kind of book because they

According to the American Library Association, The Chocolate War has frequently been banned and challenged in the United States due to concerns about the book’s sexual content, offensive language, religious viewpoint and violence.[11] The book landed on the list of the top ten most banned and challenged books in 2001 (3), 2002 (3), 2004 (1), 2005 (4), 2006 (10), 2007 (2), and 2009 (10).[12] as well as the top one hundred books from 2000-2009 (3).[13] When the book reached the number one spot in 2004, it marked the first time in five years in which the Harry Potter series did not top the list.[11]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The chocolate war :: a novel DB33593

Cormier, Robert Reading time: 5 hours, 20 minutes.

Bruce Huntey National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Classics

Growing Up

Young Adult

A freshman in a parochial high school for boys discovers the devastating consequences of refusing to join in the school’s annual fund-raising drive. His decision provokes the wrath of school bullies and the revenge of a sadistic teacher. Strong language. For junior and senior high readers.

Download The chocolate war :: a novel DB33593

Beyond the chocolate war: a novel DB23087

Cormier, Robert Reading time: 7 hours, 20 minutes.

Bruce Huntey A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

School Fiction

A few months after the astounding events recounted in “The Chocolate War” (RD 8430), the secret society known as “the Vigils” is still operating at Trinity High. Two of the Vigils’ key members are becoming increasingly disenchanted with the devious mastermind, Archie, and each turns against him in his own way. Strong language, some violence, and some descriptions of sex. For junior and senior high readers.

Download Beyond the chocolate war: a novel DB23087