July 2024 Additions to My Digital Security Blanket

 

July was a strange month. Let me rephrase that. I was in a strange mood during the month of July. Part of me wanted to go wild on an eBook-buying spree, but another part slapped my hand whenever it hovered over the BUY IT NOW key. But I did manage to avoid the mental swats a few times, so let's see what books made it through the gauntlet!

My purchases are grouped by genre, and if you click on the links in the titles, you'll be taken to Amazon US where you can learn more if something intrigues you, too. I've also included links to the authors' websites where possible.

=== Historical Mystery ===

A Case for the Ladies by Maddie Day. Set in 1920s Boston, Massachusetts.

 

Synopsis: "Amid Prohibition, Irish gangs, the KKK, and rampant mistreatment of immigrant women, intrepid private investigator Dorothy Henderson and her pal Amelia Earhart seek justice for several murdered young women in 1926 Boston. As tensions mount, the sleuths, along with their reporter friend Jeanette and Dot’s maiden aunt Etta. experience their own mistreatment at the hand of society and wonder who they can really trust.

This novel brings a pre-fame Amelia Earhart to life in 1926, when she lived in a Boston suburb and worked as a teacher and social worker at a settlement house founded to help immigrant women. After Amelia meets fictional lady PI Dot Henderson, and more than one young immigrant woman is found murdered, the two put their heads together to seek justice for the less powerful. Meanwhile, Etta Rogers, a founder of the settlement house and a Wellesley professor, works with reporter Jeanette Colby to investigate the Irish gangs who are not only running illicit liquor but also seeking to take over the settlement house real estate." 

▲ For the most part, I tend to be leary of historical mysteries featuring real-life people, but sometimes I can't resist. This was one of them. A Case for the Ladies is about a time in American history that fascinates me, and-- as far as fascination goes-- Amelia Earhart has always been on my radar. 

=== Thriller ===

Wilderness Vacation by Todd Borg. Set in present-day Canada and Los Angeles.

 

Synopsis: "UCLA Medieval History Professor Josie Strong is one of the few Black women professors nationwide. She has succeeded very well in a challenging career. It remains to be seen if she can succeed as a single mother raising her 14-year-old daughter Samantha.

In hopes of deepening their mother-daughter bond, Josie plans a wilderness vacation out of cell phone range where they can have shared time and not be distracted by the internet.

However, Josie and Samantha don't realize they have witnessed a crime. As a result, powerful men want them dead.

A killer intends to follow Josie and Samantha into the wilderness and leave their bodies in the forest. But what the assassin doesn't know is that Professor Strong is an expert in the construction of medieval weapons. Josie can go into the dark forest and find materials to make a deadly weapon. The out-of-shape professor can become a warrior.Good luck, Mr. Assassin. You may have met your match..." 

▲ I'm a long-time fan of Todd Borg's Owen McKenna series, and when I found out that he had a new series, I immediately pre-ordered it. In fact, I've already read it, so feel free to read my review.

=== Police Procedural ===

Triptych by Karin Slaughter. Set in Georgia.

 

Synopsis: "From Atlanta’s wealthiest suburbs to its stark inner-city housing projects, a killer has crossed the boundaries of wealth and race. And the people who are chasing him must cross those boundaries, too. Among them is Michael Ormewood, a veteran detective whose marriage is hanging by a thread—and whose arrogance and explosive temper are threatening his career. And Angie Polaski, a beautiful vice cop who was once Michael’ s lover before she became his enemy. But unbeknownst to both of them, another player has entered the game: a loser ex-con who has stumbled upon the killer’s trail in the most coincidental of ways—and who may be the key to breaking the case wide open." 

▲ I read one of Slaughter's books a few years ago and thought it suffered from "too much middle." I hadn't read any further; however, I discovered the TV series Will Trent a few months ago and fell in love with it. (More on the TV series in an upcoming knitting post.) Since I enjoyed the series so much, I thought I'd take a chance and read this book which is listed as the first in which Will's character appears. 

=== Amateur Sleuth ===

Playing Dead by Peggy Rothschild. Set in California.

 

Synopsis: "Molly Madison has barely had a moment to catch her breath after moving to the sleepy beach town she now calls home. But as a former PI, she can’t help but notice the odd chemistry between members of Playtime Academy on the first day she and her loyal Saint Bernadoodle, Noodle, and golden retriever, Harlow, visit. When a trainer’s body is found on-site, Molly knows it’s her duty to put her ex-police skills to use. She can’t say no to temporarily taking in the deceased woman’s dog, either—not with those puppy dog eyes.

Relationships at the training facility are not as clean as the prize-winning agility runs, making it difficult for Molly to get a leash on potential suspects. And her personal life is just as messy—her boyfriend is hiding something, her agoraphobic neighbor needs help, and her number of four-legged friends keep growing as she agrees to dogsit a wriggly local French bulldog.
 
When Molly’s friend is arrested for the murder, she’s not sure who to believe anymore. Is the case as simple as the local cops make it seem, or is something more devious afoot?" 

▲ I enjoyed the first book in this series (A Deadly Bone to Pick) so much that I couldn't resist using some bonuses to purchase the second any longer. I really look forward to reading it.

Have you read any of these? Any recommendations? Or did I tempt you with any of my purchases? Inquiring minds would love to know!