2022 #9 The Ruin (McTiernan) - Cormac Reilly #1

 

The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There's a lot going on here, perhaps too much, in some respects. A bit slow to get started, McTiernan spends quality time on character development, which I appreciated. Set in Galway, the book ties together the fates of DI Cormac Reilly and Aisling Conroy fairly artfully, across the span of roughly 30 years. Reilly is a good enough character to warrant a series, and his humanity runs underneath the surface -- subtly revealed by his actions, whom he trusts, and his concern for children. McTiernan spends a good amount of effort helping us appreciate Aisling and Maude, the two central characters of this story. Initially Cormac's experiences at the Galway police (Garda) station seem like inconsequential background, but there are few elements of the story that don't somehow connect to the main mystery. Some of the characters are underdeveloped (Emma), but in so doing, actually turn out to be useful for understanding the main protagonist (Cormac).

Occasionally McTiernan's descriptions are overwrought -- Emma putting her knickers on, the cabinetry in a minor character's house--as if a writing teacher got a hold of the manuscript with a red pen and forced her to embellish the descriptive language. She also seems to have a strong dislike of Google, despite the fact it ends up helping solve the main mystery (I was surprised to hear an actual product criticized as opposed to a more general statement about internet privacy).

Ultimately, the story is one to invest in. I didn't love the rationale behind the culprit's (one of them) behavior, and the only "thriller" like moment really happens right at the end. It disrupted the rhythm for me, this move from police procedural/detective story to thriller, but that's a small quibble. One of the best aspects is how McTiernan does NOT wrap everything up with a nice little bow. The events that transpired years ago in the crumbling mansion are, sadly, ever-present in some village, or city...resulting in ruined lives. McTiernan offers that justice is as complex as the nature of evil, and certainly any "system" of justice is just as flawed and, at times, ineffectual, as the humans within it.

Aoife McMahon provided an excellent narration, moving deftly through all the different characters and regional Irish accents. She very much helped bring the characters to life --the gloomy Cormac, the ambitious and loving Aisling, the strong Maude, and a host of more minor characters (Domenica Keane was extremely noteworthy).

I'm looking forward to listening to more in the series.

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2022 # 8 Oracle (Pyper)

 

Oracle by Andrew Pyper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm relatively new to the audiobook world, so I don't totally trust my objectivity, but this really grew on me. It was free to me on Audible so I figured, what the heck. I was a big fan of Joshua Jackson from Fringe and it seemed like he might work here as the protagonist. Nate Russo. Even the name seems like a Jackson-type character.

He doesn't disappoint and his vocal characterizations are quite good for the most part, even extending into the evil supernatural. I liked that the story opens by situating us in the past, and Pyper does a good job of connecting all the dots with a slow burn. That said, I found the ending disappointing on a few fronts, especially in terms of the "whodunnit"--that character was too convenient to the story. But there are subplots a-plenty -- Russo's unrequited love interest (more interesting because it is a reflection on both his damage AND his ethics that it hums along quietly in the background rather than being a major plot device), Russo's relationship with his family and his older brother, etc. His interaction with the two FBI agents was truly enjoyable, and Russo makes a great character who struggles with his "gift" (and rightfully so) but is fundamentally a decent human being who is trying to help children.

I enjoyed it much more than I expected and was excited to see that there was a sequel. I listened to the preview on Audible and was surprised to hear a full cast and music. It is actually a serial podcast, so essentially a radio play. That's a very different medium, it turns out--even the use of foley and music changes the experience (not unlike a book with illustrations). I'm not sure I'll listen, but the story looks like it will holdup for the sequel, so I'm tempted...

It truly is a good blend of the sort-of detective "noir" classic tale meets supernatural, and Jackson sells the character really well.


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2022 #7: Blink (K.L. Slater)

 

Blink by K.L. Slater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great beach-read mystery/thriller. About three-quarters of the way in I felt that I must have figured it out, and I was a bit irritated because the protagonist (Toni) hadn't yet clued in. Then one major plot twist sets the world spinning and things move very quickly from there. That's a bit frustrating if you like more subtlety and a slow roll out of revelations, but the roller-coaster ride of the last quarter of the book is worth it. It is also the best kind of plot twist--the facepalm plot twist. The drawbacks have some spoilers, so don't keep reading if you don't wish to! I have referred to characters by the initial of their first name, so that nothing pops out at you if your eyes drift there. Overall it was an entertaining read and the performance by Lucy Price-Lewis is excellent (although I found the voicing of little girl Evie to be quite cloying at times).

[SPOILERS BELOW]



What the heck happened to B? Was she just a plot device and diversion? If so, that was fairly obvious. It was disappointing to have so much investment in her character and then have her not really be involved at all.
The "Three Years Earlier" titles of the chapters were confusing and a bit annoying in the audiobook. Only necessary if the preceding chapter was the present day or a different character's perspective.
I might be wrong here (harder to confirm with an audiobook), but it seems there is a continuity issue--why would H be expecting T to pick E from school that day? She didn't know that T's mom was in the hospital. Unless I missed some definitive decision to have T do the pickups (I remember them discussing it)...quite possible.

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2022 #6: Emily Dickinson is Dead - Audiobook (Langton)

 

Emily Dickinson Is Dead by Jane Langton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Oofdah.
Let me start with this: I love Jane Langton's Homer Kelly mysteries--this is certainly not my first one. This was my first time listening to one on audiobook, which I'll address in a bit. The book itself was written in 1984, and that may explain the archaic use of the word "oriental" and it might even explain (not excuse) the sort of stereotypical portrayal of Winnie Gaw as the fat girl who eats her feelings. A stereotype would be annoying, but it is the utter and inexplicable fixation on fat-shaming as a source of humor that is really obnoxious here. Langton relies on a certain amount of parody in general, and there are the usual suspects: all variety of academics--the bumbling, the pompous, the sketchy--, and then there is the ingenue (of sorts) in Allison. Presumably Langton was going for some sort of overblown contrast between the two characters, but it does not land well. Really, it is to the point of distraction. In reading other reviews, I know it isn't just because I was listening to it on audiobook.

It is a real shame because there are several other elements of Langton's wonderful mystery at play--the tangled web of surprise connections, the subtler humor (e.g. Homer Kelly's "gourmet" meals for Owen Kraznik), and of course the historical/New England connections and peppering of Dickinson's poetry. The audio book, if I had to guess, was also recorded for "Books on Tape" back in the day (and I was alive then, so I'm not making assumptions about the 80s), so presumably folks might have found Derek Perkins' fake Japanese accent less offensive. Aside from that, however, Perkins reads the book well, subtly imbuing most characters with individual personas, but not to the point of farce.

Did I like aspects of the book? Absolutely--it has the cozy mystery aspect that I was looking for, but the misogynistic bigotry made it a sour read, sadly.

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2022 #5 Colu Cooks: Easy Fancy Food (Henry)

 Cross-posted at Lady of Shallots

Colu Cooks: Easy Fancy Food by Colu Henry
My rating: 4.5  out of 5 stars

This is the cookbook I've been waiting for.
Easy, Fancy, Food. YES.

This lovely volume is filled with inviting and welcoming text that celebrates humanity as much as food, and in multiple contexts: when we need comfort, when we are on vacation, when we are coping (or not) with a pandemic (that's not a chapter, but it is in the narrative), when we are feeding a crowd, or enjoying the joy of re-imagined leftovers with close friends.

If you don't grow your own herbs, Colu Henry will make you want to start. Her recipes abound with fresh herbs and ingredients that are simple, but fancy in the right context. The Smoky and Spicy Shrimp with Anchovy Butter and Fregola (110) is a new favorite, and I'm here to tell you frozen shrimp works just fine and you should have a bag in your freezer at all times. Recipes like Cumin, Ginger, and Citrus Roasted Salmon with Cabbage, Dates, and Creamy Tahini Dressing pull together what is logical, but special enough that you needed someone to tell you when your own creativity stopped at "salmon and dill"...again. Roasted cauliflower seems to continue its internet popularity (unlike the cupcake, whose days of glory seem to have dimmed), and I will tell you that Henry's Cauliflower with Anchovy Oil and Crispy Capers is the first roasted cauliflower recipe I've actually been excited about--and I've tried most of them. (Also, splurge on some anchovies for your pantry). You can't sell me on the whole head roasted in the oven, no matter what you pour or rub on it--sorry. There are also recipes that can be made with small substitutions or things you might actually have on hand if you are a person with a standard-not-professional pantry (or one cupboard, as in my case). I will admit that my spice collection may be a bit non-standard, so the Fava Bean and Cucumber Salad with Feta & Sumac was a great way to use sumac (and I used edamame--again, something I usually have in my freezer). The Pan-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Asparagus and Charred Scallion-Sesame Salsa were fantastic on that night where my husband (who does the shopping) brought home some asparagus and chicken, with no thoughts about how to use it. Easy Fancy Food to the rescue!

The narrative is a joy to read, and I could really relate as, like Henry, I am not a dessert person. I respect that she included a dessert section full of other people's recipes. I am not a baker, and I loved reading: "..if you too do not bake or don't bake well, I suggest you feel no shame..." Like the recipes and the narrative, the photos are not overly "styled" and offer a sense of bright and wholesome everyday-ness. There are a few style elements I don't love (the italicized prepositions in the titles bugged me) and one small copyediting oversight, but these are truly nit-picky quibbles. But I have to include them so you don't think I work for the publisher (according to the laws of engagement on social media book review sites, evidently).

Truly -- this is a book for the person who likes to cook with interesting and fresh ingredients, but doesn't want to plan a month ahead to get the ingredients shipped from around the world. This is a book for the tired and overworked person for whom cooking is their one creative and artistic outlet, but the "tired and overworked" part means celebrating the "easy" part of "Easy Fancy Food". I plan to make every recipe in this book at some point, and I'm grateful for ease and the chance to make my food "fancy" -- just because. Every meal can celebrate something.

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2022 #4: Fall Of Giants (Follett)

 

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a massive achievement, no question. "Epic" certainly describes the scope of this novel that manages to narrative the lives of five different families, in multiple places, across the span of several years, beginning in 1911 and stretching into the aftermath of WWI. Follett creates characters who are flawed, and remarkably human in those flaws, against a backdrop that changes all the rules (war). I really appreciated the multiple perspectives from different players as they grapple with or uphold the various party lines. That politics is messy is no revelation, but Follett manages to remind us that while the history books recount war as a hegemonic chess game, there are thousands of lives down on "ground level" that are impacted in myriad ways. I labored to get through some sections about war strategy and the battlefield scenes, but found myself roped back in as the stories of love and loss emerged. I'd say I found the book too long, but admittedly I can't tell you what parts I'd cut (objectively). I'm not sure I love historical fiction or ~1000 page books enough to read the others in the trilogy, but for those who enjoy sagas that strike a good balance between characterization and historical narrative, I'd definitely recommend this.

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2022 #3: Taste: My Life Through Food (Tucci)

 Cross-posted at the Lady of Shallots

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn't know a thing about Stanley Tucci beyond "he's an actor" when my best friend recommended this book to me. Since I had a few free Audible credits, I decided to make this my first audiobook experience as well. I'm not sure it was the best choice on that front, as having recipes "read" to me is not that fulfilling (and if I'm listening to an audiobook I'm not going to be in a position to write them down). On the other hand, hearing Stanley Tucci recount his own memoir was wonderful and entrenched me in a deep nostalgia for my own Italian-American roots. Having spent considerable time in Italy, Tucci's pronunciation is more European than the particular East Coast American Italian er...dialect...that I learned from my father, but he nods to it on more than one occasion. Given his wry humor, hearing him say "fagioli" correctly (as opposed to "fazool") seemed a bit incongruous. The only truly annoying aspect of the audiobook, however, was the dialogue, which Tucci reads like a script, announcing the speaker ("Mom", "Me", "Felicity") before every single utterance. I did not feel this was necessary and Tucci is a good enough actor to have made a distinction between the "characters" (without resorting to farcical vocal characterizations as we also sometimes hear in audiobooks). But enough about My First Audiobook. I will be buying the print version for the recipes.

Again, knowing nothing about Tucci or his life, I wasn't quite prepared for the last segment of the memoir. As the publisher's blurb says nothing of it, I won't provide a spoiler here, but suffice it to say, the "journey through good times and bad" is legit, particularly on the "bad" front. Let's just say that under normal circumstances hearing a VERY LONG litany of foods he can eat, which he provides near the end of the book, would be taxing, but I found tears welling up in my eyes. It really is a beautiful celebration of food, family, and life. I am also grateful (I think) for the fact that he helped me recall a food that had been sitting in the deep abyss of my most buried memories: timpano. My mother and father, who divorced when I was eleven, did make one Christmas, a timpano. I had forgotten all about it, but the memories came rushing back, and while my mother did not likely curse about it -- even behind closed doors--I firmly believe she probably wanted to do so. I remember thinking it wasn't possible to put so much food at once into a single dish and then into my digestive system. Tucci says it is like cilantro--you either love it or hate it. I love cilantro. I cannot say the same for my memories of timpano.

The book is full of little treasures of food trivia (that martinis were often made with scotch in lieu of more expensive vermouth was a revelation), but it really is a rather moving and humorous account of life and food. I enjoyed listening to it while I cooked, and it helped renew my energy for what I know to be an act of love, but sometimes has felt more like a chore. With Tucci's words and voice, the simple and sweet truth of food's power to both center and be at the center of our lives is beautifully resonant.

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