The last couple of weeks brought a few new advance review copies to my mailbox and I’m finally getting around to talking about those titles. Before we get into them, do you see the crocodile on the topmost book? I know that might be hard to see but what great marketing. I’m planning to use the “Evidence” tape in one of my art journals. Anyway, let’s get into the books:
Crimson Lake by Candice Fox. Set in Queensland, Australia, this is a dark thriller about a girl gone missing and the eccentric private investigator looking for her. I haven’t read many mysteries set in Australia so I’m excited about this one.
Frat Girl by Kiley Roache. A young woman decides to infiltrate a frat house to expose their behavior but of course complications soon come up like maybe falling in love? I didn’t read any YA last year so this might be a fun book.
Rainbirds by Clarissa Goenawan. Set in an imagined town outside Tokyo, this debut novel follows a young man’s path to self-discovery in the wake of his sister’s murder. Gorgeous book cover.
The Black Painting by Neil Olson. An old-money East Coast family faces the suspicious death of its patriarch and the unsolved theft of a Goya painting rumored to be cursed. I love books with a art as a backdrop and I know Jenclair recently gave this one a thumbs up so I’m excited to have this book.
Someone to Love by Melissa de la Cruz. Another YA book this one dealing with a teen who is battling an eating disorder, self-doubt and having to live up to her family’s expectations.
Everything Here Is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee. Told in alternating points of view, this is the story of a young woman’s quest to find fulfillment and a life unconstrained by her illness. I think I’ve read some very positive reviews of this one already.
The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey. 1920s India: Perveen Mistry, Bombay’s first female lawyer, is investigating a suspicious will on behalf of three Muslim widows living in full purdah when the case takes a turn toward the murderous. I’m very excited about this one because I was a huge fan of Massey’s Rei Shimura series so I’m hoping this one will be just as great.
So I know what I’ll be doing this weekend, hopefully opening up one of these. What about you? Got some bookish plans?
Oh, these all look lovely. I’ve seen a few of them around and thought they would be worth checking out. Great idea to use the ‘evidence’ tape in one of your journals. And I really want to read Sujata Massey’s new book as well. She will be at Malice Domestic and I’d like to meet her when I go this year. Enjoy, Iliana!
Looks like a good haul of books. Enjoy!
Ooh, The Black Painting is one I really want to read this year. As for this weekend, I’m happily ensconced in the middle of A Gentleman in Moscow. Happy Reading!
I want to read The Widows of Malabar and Crimson Lake. Taking note of the other titles as well! New authors, new titles–a new year of books to keep us all engaged. 🙂
Since some of my favorite books in the last several years have been nonfiction, I plan to make a point of reading more. Reading fiction can point to real people and events to help guide my nonfiction choices. 🙂
So many great sounding reads ahead of you!!! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on all of them 🙂 Enjoy!
That’s a lovely haul for the new year! I hope you’ll enjoy reading them all and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on them. 🙂
So many great books, enjoy them! I saw The Black Painting by Neil Olson somewhere online and it caught my eye right away because of the Goya reference.
I’m dying to know which one you decided to start with! These all sound so good, Iliana. I hope you enjoy them all.
Kay – That’s great that you’ll get to meet Sujata Massey at Malice Domestic. I bet you are so looking forward to that. I’ll definitely be looking for your report. It’s so fun to read about all the activities!
Kailana – So glad to see you blogging and around the blogosphere. You’ve been missed!
Lark – Hope you enjoyed your weekend with The Gentleman in Moscow! I’ve heard that’s a good one.
Jenclair – I am too that one is high on my list and might be the one I start next. I think pairing a fiction with nonfiction is a great way to keep learning about things so I’ve no doubt you are going to have a fun year ahead with your reading! And, yes so many books to look forward to!
Samantha – Now if I could just read a bit faster right? 🙂
Melody – Most of these were nice surprises but I’m quite happy with all of them and think they could be great reads!
Bookworm – I know right? It’s got such an eye catching cover and of course a mix of art and fiction is a winner in my book!
Literary Feline – I haven’t started one yet but will keep you posted 🙂
I don’t often get ARCs these days, which is probably a good thing really as I have too much to read anyway, but I must say I am very envious of the Sujata Massey book which I can’t wait to read. I am in line for it at the library and hopefully the wait won’ t be too terribly long. Enjoy your new discoveries–looks like you have some treats in store.
I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts on Crimson Lake. I’m reading The Dry (another mystery set in Australia) and I’m loving the setting as much as the puzzling whodunit.