The Books I Read in December

The Intruders, by Michael Marshall

Most of the time I was reading this thriller, I had no clue what was going on. And I liked it. The book opens with a hit on an unsuspecting mother and son. Somehow this is related to a child wandering away from her mother, a man who suspects his wife is having an affair, and a super creepy dude posing as an FBI agent. It was a fun ride, but the big reveal was incredibly disappointing and not very well executed, in my opinion.

Favorite Quote: "Those who share their lives with someone dead know that there is nothing as loud as the recounting of all the things that now can never be said, or the memories of events that will never take place."

Crashers, by Dana Haynes

Wow. This was really good. The tale of an NTSB go-team investigating a bizarre plane crash, the two crashes and the by-the-seat-of-your-pants landing would make this a great blockbuster movie.

Texas Gothic, Rosemary Clement-Moore

Fun ghosts-and-witches YA. And Texas is not a typical setting for paranormal fiction, so that was fun. The only issue I had with was that the climactic action was a little frustrating because there was too much introspection slowing it down. No one is that introspective while they're fighting for their life.

A Clash of Kings, by George R.R. Martin

I had to get the next book in the Song of Ice and Fire, a fantasy series chronicling the land of the Seven Kingdoms and the chaos that ensues after the reigning king dies. After the way things ended in A Game of Thrones, I needed to know what happened next. Just when I think the story is getting predictable, something totally unexpected happens. As soon as I closed the book, I put the next one on hold at the library. It will appear on my January list.

Favorite Quote: "Lord Varys, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may kill you yet, but I think I'd feel sad about it."

Moon Called, by Patricia Briggs

Werewolves and shape-shifters, with the occasional vampire and witch thrown in for good measure. This is the first in a series recommended to me by a friend. It was pretty good, without a lot of cheese or overblown romance. The protagonist, Mercy, is a female mechanic. Her family background strains credibility more than the whole shape-shifting into a coyote thing, but I rather enjoyed it.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs

This author is repped by my first-choice agent, so I thought I'd check it out. This was like a CleanPlace Extra Credit Project, like Picture a Fantasy Quest or something, with a handful of bizarre old photos interwoven into the story. It was also kids with superpowers to some extent, which I LOVE. Sometimes the story left something to be desired, but it was a really cool idea.

Favorite Quote: “I discovered Emerson's soporific qualities by falling asleep with my face in the book, drooling all over an essay called 'Self-Reliance'...”