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UnderratedReads is devoted to discovering underrated books and under-represented authors. We highlight hidden gems from around the world–honest reviews only, never pay-to-play.
Category Archives: Fiction
Curdle Creek – Yvonne Battle-Felton
(Reviewed by JD Jung) It’s around 1960 and the residents of Curdle Creek never leave for any reason. Black residents have lived there for generations and believe that anywhere outside this small remote town is dangerous. An exception to … Continue reading
Posted in Dark/Sordid/Bizarre, Horror, Sci-Fi/Speculative/Fantasy/Mythology
Tagged horror, magic, mystical, ritual
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California Rain – Frank McAdams
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Set against the backdrop of 1950s America, California Rain delivers a gripping noir thriller that blends the intrigue of political scandal, the fight for justice, along with the glamour of old Hollywood. With an evocative sense … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Historical Fiction
Tagged crime fiction, Hollywood, murder, noir
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Pieces: Maddy Reynolds in the Crosshairs – John Netti
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Detective Maddy Reynolds was so burned out from her job that she decided to take early retirement and move to the small, quiet town of Berry Lake, New York. Little did she know that her … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged Crime, New York, serial killers
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Low-Hanging Fruit: Sparkling Whines, Champagne Problems, and Pressing Issues from My Gay Agenda – Randy Rainbow
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Who would write a Dear John letter to social media in order to get control over his attention span and basically his entire life? And how do you even navigate the damn thing? Or how about … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Humor & Satire, Non-fiction
Tagged comedy, essays, social media, Social satire
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The Propagandist – Cécile Desprairies, translated by Natasha Lehrer
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Our protagonist had to navigate between truth and lies, reality and denial for her entire childhood. Now as an adult and a historian, she must face these truths and the role her mother played in Fance … Continue reading
Posted in French Literature, Historical Fiction
Tagged anti-antisemitism, France, Nazism, propaganda, WWII
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But Not for Me – Allison A. Davis
(Reviewed by JD Jung) It’s August 1958 and black renters, homeowners and business owners are getting kicked out of the Fillmore district of San Francisco due to redevelopment and urban renewal. Developers are using unfair tactics to enforce eminent domain. … Continue reading
Posted in Historical Fiction
Tagged beat generation, corruption, Crime, jazz, justice, Mafia, racism, San Francisco
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Pentimento Mori – Valeria Corciolani
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “It’s simply a matter of yellows, figs, vans, and kites…Why can’t I get a nice simple gang murder or an old-fashioned serial killer?” Public Prosecutor Jacopo Bassi has had enough of this murder case, the victim … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Italian Literature, World Literature
Tagged art history, cozy mystery, Italian literature
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Liars: A Novel – Sarah Manguso
(Reviewed by JD Jung) When Jane met her future husband, John Bridges, she was ecstatic. Since she was a writer, she was attracted to him being an artist and photographer. What she didn’t realize was that the demands of … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged marriage, relationships
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