The Old(er)
I have an embarrassing number of unread books sitting on the shelves in my personal library. Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books has given me the perfect excuse to spotlight and discuss those neglected books in her Books from the Backlog feature. After all, even those older books need a bit of love! Not to mention it is reminding me what great books I have waiting for me under my own roof still to read!
Detective Erlendur encounters memories of his troubled past in this gripping and award-winning continuation of the Reykjavík Murder Mysteries.
At a grand Reykjavík hotel the doorman has been repeatedly stabbed in the dingy basement room he called home. It is only a few days before Christmas and he was preparing to appear as Santa Claus at a children's party. The manager tries to keep the murder under wraps. A glum detective taking up residence in his hotel and an intrusive murder investigation are not what he needs.
As Erlendur quietly surveys the cast of grotesques who populate the hotel, the web of malice, greed and corruption that lies beneath its surface reveals itself. Everyone has something to hide. But most shocking is the childhood secret of the dead man who, many years before, was the most famous child singer in the country: it turns out to be a brush with stardom which would ultimately cost him everything. As Christmas Day approaches Erlendur must delve deeply into the past to find the man's killer.
Voices is a tense, atmospheric and disturbing novel from one of Europe's greatest crime writers. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: I really enjoyed the first two novels in this mystery series, and received this one as a Christmas gift in 2007. One of these days I will get around to reading it.
Have you read Voices or another book in this series? Does it sound like something you might like?
The New
Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by the marvelous Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss upcoming release we are excited about that we have yet to read.
Release Date: May 12, 2020 by Crooked Lane Books
Alexandra Daniels hasn't set foot in the quiet seaside town of Bellamy Bay, North Carolina in over twenty years. Ever since her mother's tragic death, her father has mysteriously forbidden her from visiting her aunt and cousins. But on a whim, Alex accepts an invitation to visit her estranged relatives and to help them in their family business: an herbal apothecary known for its remarkably potent teas, salves, and folk remedies.
Bellamy Bay doesn't look like trouble, but this is a town that harbors dark secrets. Alex discovers that her own family is at the center of salacious town gossip, and that they are rumored to be magical healers descended from mermaids. She brushes this off as nonsense until a local is poisoned and her aunt Lidia is arrested for the crime. Alex is certain Lidia is being framed, and she resolves to find out why.
Alex's investigation unearths stories that some have gone to desperate lengths to conceal: forbidden affairs, family rivalries, and the truth about Alex's own ancestry. And when the case turns deadly, Alex learns that not only are these secrets worth hiding, but they may even be worth killing for. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: I am dying to know more about Alex's family, not to mention all the secrets she's about to uncover in this great sounding cozy mystery.
Release Date: May 26, 2020 by Delacorte
Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.
But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.
Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.
Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: Doesn't this sound amazing? Not to mention the gorgeous cover. Just from the description, I find myself rooting for Deka, wondering what is in store for her.
Release Date: May 26, 2020 by Mira
Inspired by real places and events of WWII, Red Sky Over Hawaii immerses the reader in a time of American history full of suspicion and peril in this lush and poignant tale about the indisputable power of doing the right thing against all odds.
The attack on Pearl Harbor changes everything for Lana Hitchcock. Arriving home on the Big Island too late to reconcile with her estranged father, she is left alone to untangle the clues of his legacy, which lead to a secret property tucked away in the remote rain forest of Kilauea volcano. When the government starts taking away her neighbors as suspected sympathizers, Lana shelters two young German girls, a Japanese fisherman and his son. As tensions escalate, they are forced into hiding—only to discover the hideaway house is not what they expected.
When a detainment camp is established nearby, Lana struggles to keep the secrets of those in her care. Trust could have dangerous consequences. As their lives weave together, Lana begins to understand the true meaning of family and how the bonds of love carry us through the worst times. [Goodreads Summary]
Why I want to read this: I am always up for a good World War II story, especially one set in Hawaii. I am curious to know more about the people Lana takes in.
© 2020, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I have one of Sara Ackerman's earlier books on my TBR but I haven't read it yet. Will be curious what you think about this one.
ReplyDeleteMarg - I am eager to read Red Sky Over Hawaii. All her books sound like ones I would like. I'll have to give them a try too. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteA spell for Trouble sounds so good -- so many family secrets to unearth. LOL! I want to dive into this right now!
ReplyDeleteVerushka - I can't wait to read A Spell for Trouble. :-) Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteA Spell for Trouble and The Gilded Ones both sound wonderful. I hope you get a chance to tuck into one of these enjoyable reads soon, Wendy:)
ReplyDeleteSarah - I hope I will get to read them someday too! Thank you for visiting.
DeleteAll of these are new to me. A Spell For Trouble sounds like a good one for sure.
ReplyDeleteMy CWW
Jenea - Doesn't it sound fun? I'm eager to read it! Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteThe Gilded Ones looks and sounds soo good! I'm going to add that to my list.
ReplyDeleteAthira - I hope it will be as good as it sounds. I hope you enjoy it if you read it. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThe Gilded Ones is the one that catches my interest!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - It does sound good! Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteThey all look good for different reasons. With my mood right now, I'd probably pick the cozy up first.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I know what you mean. Certain books just aren't appealing right now, aren't they? With everything going on. The cozy does sound good right about now. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteThe Hawaii one looks good. And I've always wanted to try one of Indridason's novels.
ReplyDeleteLark - I am really looking forward to Red Sky Over Hawaii. Indridason's books are good--at least the ones I've read. I need to get back into the series one of these days. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteOooh, I need A Spell for Trouble. Magic plus a dog on the cover. It kind of screams "Barb read me!" Great choices.
ReplyDeleteBarb - If you do read A Spell for Trouble, I hope you enjoy it! Thank you for visiting.
DeleteI'm super excited for A Spell for Trouble. It sounds like just the type of cozy I love. :)
ReplyDeleteAshley - It does sound really good. I am looking forward to it! Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteThe Gilded Ones is on my TBR as well. Great list!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my Wednesday post
Lisa - I hope we both love it when we read it! Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThe Gilded Ones has the most beautiful cover! I'm definitely adding it to my TBR😁
ReplyDeleteTammy - I really like that cover too. I hope you enjoy it if you read it! Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI do recommend Voices! I've read several books in that series and it's a good one. It's been a long time since I followed up with it though so not sure how many books I'm behind. I was able to snag a copy of Red Sky Over Hawaii on netgalley so I'm looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteIliana - I hope you enjoy Red Sky Over Hawaii when you read it! I am not sure how many books are in the Inspector Erlendur series now either. I'm sure I have some catching up to do though. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteAll of these sound great, especially the cozy mystery and the WWII story. I'm always up for both of those kinds of reads. :)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - Me too! I hope they will be good. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteGreat choices. I have A Spell for Trouble on my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteYvonne - Thank you!
DeleteCool choices! I haven't heard of Red Sky Over Hawaii before but now I definitely plan o check it out.
ReplyDeletehttps://booknerdrambling.blogspot.com/2020/04/cant-wait-wednesday115incendiary-hollow.html
Melissa - I hope you enjoy Red Sky Over Hawaii if you read it! Thank you for visiting!
DeleteThe cover for The Gilded Ones is amazing! The story sounds sooo good too!
ReplyDeleteEustacia - I really like that cover too. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteAll the books sound good but I'm leaning more towards A Spell for Trouble. :)
ReplyDeleteMelody - That does sound like it will be a good one. :-) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThese look so good. I love the cover for The Gilded Ones. I am also looking forward to Red Sky Over Hawaii by Sara Ackerman
ReplyDeleteLily - I hope you enjoy Red Sky Over Hawaii when you read it! Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI have not read Osborne, but the setting is very appealing, and the description as well. Thanks!
ReplyDeletePattie - I think so too. I'm excited about reading the cozy. (Oh my goodness! I hadn't even noticed that the author's name was different on the bookcover than how it's being advertised now. They must have decided to go with a pseudonym after the first cover came out. I'm so glad you mentioned the name. I have corrected it now.) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThere are some fun covers, well, maybe not Voices, but it's the one that appeals to me most. Ha!
ReplyDeleteKay - Voices does sound good, doesn't it? It's a good series. At least what I have read of it so far. :-) Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI've seen The Gilded Ones' cover floating around. I might end up adding it to my TBR at some point ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Shell's Stories!
Shell - If you do read The Gilded Ones, I hope you enjoy it! Thank you for visiting.
DeleteSome of these sound pretty good.
ReplyDeleteMary - Thank you!
DeleteVoice is completely new to me and I must say that I am impressed by the fact that you know exactly when you received it! All of the upcoming releases sound good too! I just want to read everything!
ReplyDeleteCarole - I used to keep a log of when new books came into the house and the reasons why. LOL That was before my computer was stolen and I lost my records. I never got back into the habit of tracking them again after that. But I learned the importance of backing documents up and using Google Docs instead. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI am interested in Red Sky Over Hawaii. Being at Pearl Harbor and on the Arizona Memorial was very humbling. That aspect of WWII has always been one of my favorites to read about.
ReplyDeleteSarah - Yes! That is what it was like for me when I visited the Arizona Memorial. It was humbling. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteA Spell for Trouble sounds like it's gonna be a good cozy mystery.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in reading The Gilded Ones, too🙂
Katrin - I think so too. I can't wait to read these. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI love the cover for Red Sky Over Hawaii. I want to read it just for that but it looks like it'll be amazing regardless. That cozy is really calling my name which isn't shocking as I've been in a seriously cozy mood.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Isn't it beautiful. I miss Hawaii. I think I'm going to have to dive into a cozy next. Or a romance. I need something light. Thank you for visiting.
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