Little, Brown and Company | September 2018 (Reprint) | 352 pgs

Source: Library 

This second installment of Joe Ide's IQ series was packed with more actions and intensity as we follow Isaiah Quintabe's investigation of a new case as well as unraveling the mystery of his older brother's death. 

For ten years, Isaiah still hasn't really let go of the news of Marcus's death. How could he when Marcus was a perfect role model and the only family he had had? He's never stopped his search for the driver who was responsible for Marcus's death; and the feelings of rage and despair nearly drove him to an edge until he received a call from Sarita. Isaiah has had a crush on Marcus's girlfriend since he was a teenager. But knowing that she's out of bounds and their expectations differ, Isaiah could only admire her from afar. She has not contacted him since Marcus's death until now and it seems she needs his help. 

Janine is Sarita's half sister and they aren't really close. Partly due to physical distance and the difference of mindset, Janine is often portrayed as the "wild" girl of the family. She's given up her studies to become a DJ, but given it's more of a gig so she's been running around clubs and having the best of her time. Her boyfriend, Benny, is a gambling addict and he has owed the loan sharks a number of debts and it seems Janine is in trouble too since she's also into it. There's a saying that love is blind, and this describes Janine's current relationship perfectly as she'd go along with Benny despite the dangers, even if it means going against the gangsters and blackmailing them. 

Once again, Isaiah finds himself partnering with Dodson, who is now into food truck business and a father-to-be. Isaiah and Dodson have come a long way and while Dodson has some reservations, he gave in eventually. So their search for Janine lead them to Vegas where they'll deal with various mobs and amid the mayhem Isaiah will unravel the mystery surrounding Marcus's death. 

I read the first book and find it enjoyable. This second installment was a lot more fast paced and there were more actions given the plot and the mob theme. While they were entertaining to read, I was more intrigued by the diverse cast of characters and their interactions which made this book such an interesting read. Isaiah continues to intrigue me; and I'm glad to see there's closure and justice pertaining to his older brother's death as this is what troubled Isaiah the most since the first book. I'll continue to follow this series with anticipation. 

William Morrow | March 2020 | 288 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss 

I always look forward to a new Peter Swanson book. Aside from being suspenseful and unputdownable, most often his characters intrigue me and this book is no exception. 

Our protagonist, Malcolm Kershaw, is a bookseller and he loves mystery books, although he hasn't read them for a while now. He's lived by himself ever since his wife passed from an accident and it seems his life only revolves around the bookshop. But distraction comes when an FBI agent, Gwen Mulvey, comes knocking on his door one day and question him about a list of book titles which he'd compiled on his blog years ago. Titled "Eight Perfect Murders", Malcolm had chosen eight books featuring various crime acts which he thought were clever and seamlessly executed. There's nothing wrong about the list, but it seems someone has started using Malcolm's list to commit murders. While they don't mirror the original acts from the books, it isn't hard to pinpoint the hints and the similarities. 

(To the inquiring mind, the titles are: Agatha Christie's A.B.C. Murders, Patricia Highsmith's Strangers on a Train, Ira Levin's Death Trap, A. A. Milne's Red House Mystery, Anthony Berkeley Cox's Malice Aforethought, James M. Cain's Double Indemnity, John D. Macdonald's The Drowner, and Donna Tartt's A Secret History. There's also a reason for naming these titles because they contain some spoilers and if you intend to read those titles, then perhaps you should do so before picking up this book.)

At this stage, Malcolm knew perhaps there's someone who's watching his every moves since the hints of targeting begins to get a bit too personal. To protect himself and to avoid being suspected, he decides to investigate on his own but is he ready for the truth? 

I thought this story was clever; and it'd definitely makes a bibliophile (or at least readers of the thrillers genre) very happy of the bookish references and yes, more titles to explore if you haven't read those eight books. Malcolm was an intriguing character; and it makes it more interesting to read because he's the narrator and at times you wouldn't know if you could trust their words. I'd fun following Malcolm's journey into his investigations; and I'd say the conclusion would leave many readers itching for a discussion. I wouldn't say more so I'd leave you with a favourite quote from this book: 

Little, Brown and Company | October 2016 | 336 pgs

Source: Library 

Isaiah Quintabe a.k.a. IQ, is an intelligent young black man who wouldn't mind helping his neighbourhood at East Long Beach in solving cases which the police wouldn't take for a small token of gifts, or whatever his "clients" could offer him. He lives with his older brother, Marcus, and their relationship is close considering they only have each other. But that bond is shattered after Marcus passed due to a hit-and-run and his death leave Isaiah devastated and determined in finding the driver. With this mindset, Isaiah drop out of high school and continues with his investigation gig despite he is good in his studies.  

His sidekick, Dodson, is on another different league and it is through chance that bring them together. Their characteristic or moral standards may differ, but funnily they complement each other in a way that makes their so-called investigations work. It is also through Dodson that Isaiah is given his latest case -- a rap mogul who is being targeted and someone wants him assassinated. This won't be an easy case for both Isaiah and Dodson, especially if it involves the hit man's monstrous attack dog alongside with other suspects like a vengeful ex-wife and a few other notorious characters. 

Isaiah is an interesting character and he's dependable and straightforward, the boy next door. He's proficient in observing people and things, and together with his logical reasoning he's the remake of the modern Sherlock Holmes, but of course Isaiah is very much on his own and though he's not perfect, he still easily catches a reader's attention through his demeanour and his perspective of seeing things differently. There are two timelines in this story -- 2005 and 2013 in which we'll learn about Isaiah's younger past and his encounter with Dodson while the later year will portray more of his investigations into the rap mogul case. Both timelines are equally satisfying to read and the language used fits the authentic mood amid the tough neighbourhood. This is Joe Ide's debut novel and I'll be sure to check out the rest of this series.

Montlake Romance | May 2019 | 444 pgs

Source: Library 

I started this book without knowing that this is book 2 of the Dark Lure series. That said, it works fine as a standalone and I'm glad to report that Loreth Anne White's books will be added to my "books-to-look-out-for" list after having read and enjoyed her latest release, In the Dark, and now this book which was published last year. 

Penguin Publishing Group | March 2020 | 432 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss 

Alma Katsu's previous novel, The Hunger, was an absorbing read mixed with true historical event and fiction of the Donner Party during the 1800s and I liked it that it has a horror twist aside from the historical facts. In this latest release, the author takes readers on board the Titanic and her sister ship, Britannic, set in 1912 and 1916 respectively. 

Annie Hebbley has been spending four years in an asylum after surviving from the Titanic tragedy. She isn't mentally challenged, but the place deems like a safe place given the traumatic experience she'd suffered from her past. When she receives a letter from her friend, Violet Jessop, to work with her as a nurse on Britannic, a hospital ship, she knew her days at the asylum is up and also she couldn't turn Violet down. After all, Violet is one of the survivors from the Titanic tragedy, too. 

But Britannic isn't a smooth sailing ride for Annie either; and to top it off, she meets Mark Fletcher again - a man whom she knew when she worked as a stewardess on the Titanic. Seeing him has conjured some memories during their days on the Titanic, her interactions with his wife and their little daughter as well as the strange occurrences that happened before the ship sunk. 

Alternate between two different timelines, Alma Katsu weaves a foreboding and a haunting tale (with a dash of supernatural element) about the dynamics and the complexity of a few key characters and how their acts and decisions would lead to unexpected consequences. I've to confess the first part took me some time to be immersed in the story. This is neither a flaw nor a complaint as the author took her time in introducing the characters and constructing the background settings. Once the pace pick up and there's a shift of directions, I was eager to find out what happened. Once again, Alma Katsu has proven that she's a wonderful storyteller and she could expertly blend historical events with supernatural elements and give readers something unique and refreshing from a new perspective. While I'd still choose The Hunger over this one as my favourite, overall it was still an enjoyable read. I wonder which historical event would the author feature for her next book, if she intends to do so, that is. 

Note: Violet Jessop may be a supporting character in this book, but she was truly one of the Titanic and Britannic survivors. 

Click the following links for more info on - 

1) RMS Titanic

2) HMHS Britannic

3) Violet Jessop

4) 12 Titanic survivors whose stories reveal the tragedy's true scope