Ripper by Shelley Burr

Ripper by Shelley Burr is a worthy sequel to WAKE. Well written, twisty, a page turner almost impossible to put down. Lane Holland is fast becoming my favourite book person, I hope to continue getting to know him in future instalments. 

Blurb:

Gemma Guillory knows her once-charming town is now remembered for one reason, and one reason only.

That three innocent people died. That the last stop on the Rainier Ripper's trail of death seventeen years ago was her innocuous little teashop.

She knows that the consequences of catching the Ripper still haunt her police officer husband and their marriage to this day and that some of her neighbours are desperate - desperate enough to welcome a dark tourism company keen to cash in on Rainier's reputation as the murder town.

When the tour operator is killed by a Ripper copycat on Gemma's doorstep, the unease that has lurked quietly in the original killer's wake turns to foreboding, and she's drawn into the investigation. Unbeknownst to her, so is a prisoner named Lane Holland.

Gemma knows her town. She knows her people. Doesn't she?

"Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro

"Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro is speculative fiction book that delves into the nuances of what near future could bring. Set in a future both familiar and fantastical, the story centers around Klara, an Artificial Friend designed with exceptional observational skills. Through her eyes we discover a world where technology meets human emotion in unexpected ways.

Ishiguro's novel is a timely exploration of the heart's capacity for affection, the enigma of artificial intelligence, and the eternal question: What makes a life worth living and remembering? 

The reviewers seem to love or hate this book. What do you think?

 

Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner

I was captivated by the narrative created by Susan Meissner in "Only the Beautiful". The novel weaves together the lives of two women, separated by time and circumstance, yet bound by an unbreakable thread of courage and determination.

Set against the backdrop of California in 1938 and Austria in 1947, the story introduces us to Rosanne, a young woman whose life takes a heart-wrenching turn. Her journey becomes a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the resilience of the heart. Rosanne's ability to see colors when she hears sound adds a unique layer to her as a story character.

In Austria, we meet Helen Calvert, whose experiences during World War II have left an indelible mark on her. Her determination to uncover the truth about Rosanne's fate reveals the depth of her compassion and the lengths she's willing to go to seek justice. 

Susan Meissner writes beautiful prose capable of evoking emotions in the reader. This is a story of love, loss, and the unyielding spirit of those who dare to defy the odds.

Heartfelt.

Uplifiting.

Read it.