All books but the phonebook are worth reading

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr

Dead Money Book Cover Dead Money
Jakob Kerr
Mystery
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
January 28, 2025
other
416



"Dead Money" by Jacob Kerr plunges readers into the heart of Silicon Valley, where ambition and innovation collide with the ruthless pursuit of fame and wealth. We find ourselves in the cut throat world of companies reminding of Facebook, Uber or Tesla.



Mackenzie Clyde, a sharp lawyer with a knack for uncovering secrets of powerful people, finds herself unexpectedly playing the role of sleuth after the CEO of a promising tech company is mysteriously murdered. As she delves deeper, Mackenzie uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal. Meantime, we discover her character and life story.



The novel keeps readers guessing about the true motives behind the murder, with the plot twisting and turning at every page. Just when you think you've figured out the culprit, Kerr throws in another unexpected revelation, making "Dead Money" an unpredictable and thrilling read. You will not be able to put down until the secret is fully revealed.



I have received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review from NetGalley. The links in this post contain affiliate code.

The Burning by Linda Castillo

The Burning Book Cover The Burning
Kate Burkholder
Linda Castillo
Mystery
Minotaur Books
09 Jul 2024
Hardcover
320

Linda Castillo delivers another gripping installment in the Kate Burkholder series with this chilling mystery! We find Kate, newly a Chief of Police, pulled into a horrific case – a brutal murder with a disturbingly symbolic twist.

The victim, Amish man Milan Swanz, is found chained and burned alive. The close-lipped Amish community offers little help, forcing Kate to navigate a complex web of secrets and simmering tensions. As she investigates Swanz's troubled past and recent excommunication, a crucial question arises: Why are the Amish so reluctant to speak about him?

The case takes a personal turn when Kate's own brother becomes implicated, throwing her loyalties into question. But the danger doesn't stop there – a mysterious threat emerges, targeting Kate herself.

Castillo masterfully weaves suspense with cultural exploration. We delve into the often-unseen depths of Amish life, uncovering a hidden history that challenges everything Kate thought she knew about her community and her own roots.

This is a must-read for fans of the series and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery with a unique setting. Buckle up for a thrilling ride as Kate races to uncover the truth before it's too late



I have received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review from NetGalley. The links in this post contain affiliate code.

Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron

Pitch Dark Book Cover Pitch Dark
Mike Bowditch
Paul Doiron
Mystery
25 Jun 202
Hardcover
304

Fans of the Warden Mike Bowditch series won't be disappointed with this one. We're back in the heart of the Maine woods, this time facing a chilling mystery and a whole lot of danger.

Newcomer Mark Redmond and his young daughter raise red flags for Bowditch. He decides to investigate, but a shocking murder throws everything into chaos. Now, Bowditch finds himself alone and unarmed in the wilderness, playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with a cunning fugitive.

The suspense is killer (pun intended!), and Doiron's writing makes you feel like you're right there with Bowditch. You'll be battling the harsh Maine elements and trying to stay one step ahead of his enemy. Bowditch is his usual resourceful and determined self, but the stakes are high. He needs to quickly sort friend from foe, even when alliances shift on a dime.

If you're looking for a thrilling read that will keep you guessing until the very end, Pitch Dark is a must-grab. Doiron delivers another winner, and I can't wait to see what Bowditch gets up to next!



I have received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review from NetGalley. The links in this post contain affiliate code.

Locked room mystery, Agatha Christie style

Murder at Black Oaks Book Cover Murder at Black Oaks
Robin Lockwood
Philip Margolin
Mystery
Minotaur Books
November 8, 2022
e-book
288

The author herself summarizes the story the best in the words of one of her characters: "Spooky mansion, escaped madman and locked room mystery". And for Robin Lockwood fans, this newest novel delivers all of those, and more, in a story full of twists and turns. Robin is invited to a dinner to remote mansion of an eccentric retired district attorney. The night is stormy, and Oregon-style mud slide makes return to civilization impossible. In that time, three people are murdered. How are those murders connected to each other and what they have to do with the curse hunting of the mansion? Or do they? You will have to find out for yourself.



I have received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review from NetGalley. The links in this post contain affiliate code.

Murder in Amish county

The hidden one Book Cover The hidden one
Katie Burkholder
Linda Castillo
mystery
Macmillan Audio
05 Jul 2022
audiobook



In "The Hidden One", the newest mystery by Linda Castillo, Chief of Police Katie Burkholder takes a trip to Pennsylvania’s Kishacoquillas Valley. Katie is asked by community elders to help prove innocence Jonas Bowman, who just happens to be her first teenage love. Jonas is accused of killing beloved bishop, whose remains were just found after over decade of being missing.



But who really was Ananias Stoltzfus?



I have received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review from NetGalley. The links in this post contain affiliate code.

“Awakening Your Creative Soul” by Sandra Duran Wilson

Awakening Your Creative Soul: A 52-Week Journey to Artistic Discovery Book Cover Awakening Your Creative Soul: A 52-Week Journey to Artistic Discovery
Sandra Duran Wilson
Arts, Crafts & Hobbies
North Light Books
October 17, 2018
paperback
624



"Awakening Your Creative Soul: A 52-Week Journey to Artistic Discovery" by Sandra Duran Wilson is partially an inspiration, partially step by step mixed media book. Sometimes it is hard for me to distinguish where you should follow your own concepts when even the paint colors are names in the details section, and when you should go on your own, exploring own creativity and values.

Beautifully illustrated with the author's example arts, the book is deeply personal and encourages travel down your soul while working on the visual art projects. In fact, one of the projects evolves around a piece of the music, and how you do respond to it. The book is also a very spiritual one, although drawing equally from Native American as from India or other Eastern cultures. Its organization, weekly chapters grouped by the seasons, reflect concepts of Easter philosophy itself.

What I did not appreciate at first, but later realized is a part of the mix media art, is how many different suppliers are required to finish any of the projects. Papers, glues, paints, and this is just a beginning. And after you came back from the visit to the local art supplies store, you can also incorporate a number of items found around the house to create three-dimensional construction. At the same time, I recall at least one sculpture project.

I would recommend "Awakening Your Creative Soul to people wanting to explore visual arts on the more intimate, spiritual level.

I have received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review from NetGalley. The links in this post contain affiliate code.

Entrepreneur Voices on Emotional Intelligence

Entrepreneur Voices on Emotional Intelligence Book Cover Entrepreneur Voices on Emotional Intelligence
The Staff of Entrepreneur Media, Inc.
Self-help, Productivity
Entrepreneur Press
October 30, 2018
paperback
254



"Entrepreneur Voices on Emotional Intelligence" turned out totally not what I expected. Being a middle manager in a corporation, emotional intelligence is something I want to learn.

However, as the series title implies, the book is more geared towards the entrepreneurs, owners of small businesses, which gives the book a slightly different focus. Sure, basic concepts remain the same... I ultimately decided to read the whole book.

"Entrepreneur Voices on Emotional Intelligence" is written as a series of short chapters, almost like a collection of blog posts, each written by a different author. They are easy to digest and full of bulleted lists for quick reference. My favorite chapter? The one on recognizing emotions, taking cues from body language. Also, using emotions to market yourself or your product was very interesting.

Even if you are not a sole proprietor of a small company, you are going to learn a thing or two - and if you are, you will be able to put instantly in practice the lessons on surviving difficulties with clients and employees.

I have received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review from NetGalley. The links in this post contain affiliate code.

“Painted Botanical Collage” by Tracey English

Painted Botanical Collage: Transforming Mixed-Media Papers into Cut Paper Blooms Book Cover Painted Botanical Collage: Transforming Mixed-Media Papers into Cut Paper Blooms
Tracey English
Arts, Crafts & Hobbies
Quarry Books
October 16, 2018
paperback
96



"Painted Botanical Collage: Transforming Mixed-Media Papers into Cut Paper Blooms" by Tracey English is a small, colorful and fun to-do visual arts books. It encourages you to look at the plants around - and see how you can turn what you see into an evening project. Its sole purpose is to give you step by step instructions to build 33 collages representing single flower arrangements. The detailed tutorials are proceeded by a section on preparing the materials, most importantly the papers from which you then make the collage elements. While it feels a little bit like painting by the numbers at first, I appreciated the art when I actually tried to make one of the projects myself. And the projects shown in detail in the book are just a beginning, an inspiration to get out and find your own ideas to execute.

"Painted Botanical Collage" is beautifully illustrated, full of color and interesting shapes and forms. It is a really fun gift book for somebody who wants to do some simple, but rewarding art projects. Even if just wants to browse through.

I have received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review from NetGalley. The links in this post contain affiliate code.

“Watcher in the Woods” by Kelley Armstrong

Watcher in the Woods Book Cover Watcher in the Woods
A Rockton Novel (Casey Duncan Novels Book 4)
Kelley Armstrong
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Minotaur Books
February 5, 2019
hardcover
368



Kelly Armstrong is a Canadian writer, known for her series of fantasy and paranormal books.
"Watcher in the woods" is, however, not one of those. The Rocton series, with "Watcher in the woods" being fourth in the series, is a more reality-based suspense novel. No werewolves here.

The story happens in a small village in the middle of Canadian nowhere. There is an eerie atmosphere in the book, with hostiles and overall feeling of isolation, albeit on purpose. The story shows a couple serving as a police force for the outlaws' community pulled me in. The appearance and murder of US Marshall reveal plenty of secrets hidden by the community members, even if each one of them had to undergo careful screening before being brought to Rockton. The main characters have to sort it all out, meantime dealing with other communal issues and personal lives.

"Watcher in the woods" is a page turner, although at times I was getting lost among all the characters used to build the story. I enjoyed the unexpected bursts of humor in characters dialogs, a big plus for me. I was happy I reached for the book, even of the author outside my usual reading list.

I have received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review from NetGalley. The links in this post contain affiliate code.

“Conscious Creativity: Look. Connect. Create.” by Philippa Stanton

Conscious Creativity: Look. Connect. Create. Book Cover Conscious Creativity: Look. Connect. Create.
Philippa Stanton
Leaping Hare Press
December 4, 2018
paperback
160



In a very short time, I read ""Conscious Creativity: Look. Connect. Create." by Philippa Stanton and "Awakening Your Creative Soul: A 52-Week Journey to Artistic Discovery" by Sandra Duran Wilson. The two books, while on surface talk about the same thing, could not be any more different.

"Conscious Creativity" is far more general in terms of the target art you want to develop and practice. In fact, it does not talk about the act of artistic creation at all - it is what you do in your "other time". And while many exercises use photography to document (and the book is full of great photography), I would not necessarily limit the book audience just to photographers. The exercises are designed to make you look, see and make sense of the world around. There is no step by step instructions, just ideas, and assignments. There are simple observation tasks, doing, like collage or photography, or even hearing - making it applicable to all arts, is it music or writing or visual arts.

I myself started to incorporate the exercises into my daily life. For example, instead of picking up a phone the moment I have nothing to do, I select the first color I lay my eyes on and then scan my surroundings for other objects of the color. Surprisingly, if I go around a few more times, each time I discover more and more! Clearly, I have a long way to go to get my observation skills up to speed.

"Conscious Creativity" is beautifully illustrated book with color photographs and could serve as a coffee table book (if it was not published as the paperback). And some of the photos were clearly taken with an iPhone, showing you that you do not need any special tools to do the assignments in the book, just set out to follow the instruction.

"Conscious Creativity" is simply a great gift ideas for a creative (or aspiring to be a creative) person in your life.

I have received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review from NetGalley. The links in this post contain affiliate code.