From the Booking Desk:
Making time to read during the holiday season can be challenging, but do not worry. Here are three excellent books that can be read in just a few sittings that will also make great last minute holiday gifts for the readers in your life.
The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum by Valerie Wilson Wesley
Valerie Wilson Wesley’s new historical, The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum transports readers back to the Harlem Renaissance without ever losing sight of the fact that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Harriet Stone and her biracial, orphaned charge Lovey have only recently moved into Harriet’s cousin’s boardinghouse when an unexpected death sends Harriet off to investigate. This blend of cozy (amateur sleuth) and historical will be catnip for those readers who enjoy sinking into the past, surrounded by period details that both entertain and educate. At roughly 225 pages, this one reads quickly and effortlessly. Despite some weightier subject matter, The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum manages to feel like a lighter read and seems to be the start of a new series, which is great news for readers looking to know more about some of these fascinating characters.
Fun City Heist by Michael Kardos
The work of Michael Kardos has always been challenging to categorize, with the one consistency being unforgettable characters filled with heart. In Fun City Heist, Michael Kardos gifts readers with the Rock & Roll attitude and the robbery shenanigans they never knew they were looking for. It’s hard to imagine that blending a past-its-prime band aiming for a comeback, a shattered father/daughter relationship on the mend, and a newly diagnosed terminal illness together can result in a book that is best described as FUN, but that’s exactly what is on offer here. Readers who enjoy rooting for the underdog will love this ragtag group of middle-aged men (and one vastly underestimated young girl). At just around 200 pages, Fun City Heist passes with lightning bolt speed and keeps the reader’s attention focused on the plot twists, allowing for the emotion and surprise of the ending to sneak up out of the blue.
Rumoured by Kelly and Kristina Mancaruso
If ever there was a crime fiction book “Taylor-made” for Swifties, Rumoured by Kelly and Kristina Mancaruso is the one. Featuring a pop starlet who embeds clues to her personal life within her lyrics, the novel centers on a pop culture journalist (with a surprising connection to her subject) who sets out to prove this diva innocent of the crime for which she has been arrested. The style of writing here harkens back to the days of Jackie Collins and those Hollywood insider exposés, but this time the subject matter is the sometimes-toxic music industry and the often-unhealthy bond between fan and artist in the days when social media makes everyone feel closer than they really are. This debut novel is a fast read that will have fans anxious to see what these two sisters deliver next.
Disclaimer: An e-galley of all title was provided to BOLO Books by the publisher. No promotion was promised and the above are unbiased reviews of the novels.
