An UnderratedRead Revisited:The Blue Is Where God Lives – Sharon Sochil Washington

Posted on February 12, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

Exceptional


“If Satan is successful, the family’s history will end with the blue baby girl.”

It is currently 2008, and Blue (referenced above) is grieving the murder of her daughter. She questions God’s existence, which leads her to travel from her home in Houston south to The Ranch, a retreat run by a Catholic order that was exiled from Rome over one hundred years ago. She feels that she’s been here before, though she’s sure she hasn’t. In any event, she is seeking answers to her life.

1848 at a party in New Orleans, one attendee, Palmer is seeking revenge for the man who sold his father into slavery. Another guest, Amanda, challenges the hostess, Ismay, to a social experiment which will affect generations. Ismay, who is a daughter of a slave and an aristocrat, cannot understand why slaves and free men cannot escape their dire circumstances of bondage and poverty. Will her beliefs eventually change?

Amanda is aware of a curse that will plague her family for generations. Can she break it? Her magical abilities as a shapeshifter and puzzle maker help her through this journey to change the seemingly inevitable.

Throughout this novel, we meet famous nineteenth century people, such as Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, anthropologist Johann Kant, and French Catholic priest Eugène de Mazenod.

You may question how these two stories over a century apart relate to one another, but they will all come together as we travel between the two time periods and in between throughout the book.

Though I am not generally a fan of this genre of magical realism, this book is an exception. The elements of folklore and mysticism enhance the storyline. We learn about the role of class within race in the pre-Civil War South. More importantly, we are reminded of the effects of slavery throughout later generations, as well as the intolerance of those who maintain that everyone can pull themselves up no matter what their circumstances. This is one I just couldn’t put down.

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My Killer: A Supernatural Crime Thriller – Gary Sherbell

Posted on February 8, 2024 by J D Jung

(reviewed by JD Jung)

NYC assistant district attorney Joel Marcus has made a lot of enemies as a prosecutor. Add to that, he is unhappily married, but stays because he loves his young son. To get through all this, he’s in a love affair with a fellow prosecutor, Karen, whom he often works cases with.

One day, he intervenes in a mugging involving an elderly Haitian woman, Sophie. In repayment, she performs a voodoo ceremony on him, whereby if he dies before the next full moon, his soul will pass into the body of the one physically closest to him at the time of death.

Her prophesy comes to pass, as Joel is soon killed by a hitman, Frank Davis. As in Sophie’s prediction, Joel takes over Frank’s body and Frank ceases to exist. He also takes on his speech pattern but not his history or point of view.

Karen, who was a witness to the murder, positively identifies Frank, so how does “Joel/Frank” hide from the law, and live Frank’s criminal and personal life? How does he convince Karen and others that he is actually Joel? How does he try to protect the innocent while finding out who ordered the hit?

While the premise might echo familiar themes, My Killer distinguishes itself through its well-crafted storytelling. The author weaves a compelling narrative that goes beyond the typical crime thriller. Joel’s quest to uncover the truth behind his murder leads him to confront the harsh realities some individuals face, simply to survive. He also discovers how some black men fall victim to police prejudice.

This well-written and structured novel provides more than thrills to crime novel enthusiasts. The author successfully delivers a fresh take on a familiar genre,

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Forest for the Trees & Other Stories – Mathieu Cailler 

Posted on February 5, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch)

Exceptional

I’ll admit that I have never been into short stories – or collections of them, but Mathieu Cailler’s Forest For The Trees, changed my mind.

The writing here is fresh and poetic, the stories as varied as they come. Like many great writers, Callier knows how to tap deep into human emotions and foibles. Most importantly, many of the stories have surprise endings that I did not see coming.

A great read, and one that I certainly recommend.

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Mission Churchill – Alex Abella

Posted on January 30, 2024 by J D Jung

(reviewed by JD Jung)

1933-Havana Cuba: Irishman Marcus Riley’s objective is to kidnap the visiting Winston Churchill and hold him hostage in exchange for IRA members serving time in London prisons. However former Detective Inspector Walter Thompson, now serving as Churchill’s bodyguard, thwarts his plans.

Fast forward to 1940. London is under siege by Nazis bombers. Prime Minister Churchill refuses to sign a treaty with Hitler, even after massive public and political pressure. Thompson finds himself constantly on guard to protect Churchill against possible Nazi agents, domestic and foreign.

Meanwhile Riley is alive and well in London, and has become obsessed with Churchill, seeking to kill him as retribution for the Irish people and his own family.

From pacifists to Nazi sympathizers to IRA fighters, Thompson soon realizes that Churchill is in danger on so many fronts, even to the point that maybe the MI5 and security branches could be involved.

Though Mission Churchill features Thompson as its protagonist, Riley and his deteriorated emotional state play a key role in this fast-paced thriller. The supporting characters are just as fascinating, some playing into Riley’s scheme and even become collateral damage. I also enjoyed the portrayal of Churchill himself, exposing his numerous idiosyncrasies.

This story was inspired by and serves as the prequel to the novel Target Churchill, written by the late Warren Adler and James C. Humes. If it’s as good as this one, I think I’ll pick it up.

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The Shining – Dorothea Lasky

Posted on January 27, 2024 by J D Jung

(reviewed by JD Jung)

The Shining, a collection of over thirty poems, takes us to places similar to those that the Overlook Hotel made famous through Stephen King’s novel and Stanley Kubrick’s film of the same name. Though just as haunting, this journey is different.

These eerie tales take a feminist perspective, as the protagonist grapples with societal expectations and strives to simply take control over her own life. The poems unravel the intricate layers of her identity, along with her need for validation as an artist, mother, and woman. The exploration of trauma and the impact of destructive relationships adds a poignant depth to the poems, making it a gripping and emotionally charged collection.

What sets these poems apart is the nuanced portrayal of the protagonist. She doesn’t always play the victim; in fact, she occasionally takes on the role of the perpetrator. These contradictions challenge readers to admit that life isn’t just black and white, it’s complicated.

Whether the poem’s story takes place in a single room, the ballroom, a banquet room or even a hallway, it leaves you constantly looking over your shoulder. The Shining is a powerful and thought-provoking collection that lingers in the mind long after the last poem is read. It is a testament to the author’s ability to weave together complex themes with skillful prose that is intense and deeply unsettling.

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Forgottenness – Tanja Maljartschuk, translated by Zenia Tompkins 

Posted on January 23, 2024 by J D Jung

(reviewed by JD Jung)


“I was an inconsequential being who had suddenly become deathly afraid of life.”

Our present-day narrator suffers from mental/psychological disorders: frequent panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, substance abuse, and changing levels of agoraphobia. Eventually she breaks off all social contact and won’t even leave the house.

Her most bizarre belief though, is that she feels a kinship to the point of obsession with Ukrainian social and political activist Viacheslav Lypynsky (1882 – 1931), who came to prominence just after WWI.

The chapters change between her perspective and that of Lypynsky’s. We peek into her life and thoughts and how by her studying him, she hopes to discover herself.

However, the true allure lies in the portrayal of Lypynsky and his idiosyncrasies, along with the story’s approach to Ukrainian history. Forgottenness transforms what could have been a dry historical account into a riveting tale. In fact, I found myself researching not only Lypynsky, but also his contemporaries in the book, such as Yevhen Cykalenko, Ivan Franko, and Mykhailo Drahomanov.

This dual narrative works well with no confusion and serves multiple purposes. Readers with an interest in the human condition will find themselves engaged with the protagonist’s struggles. Simultaneously, Forgottenness serves as a fascinating window into Ukraine’s past, shedding light on the nation’s history and its possible relevance to its present-day struggles.

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How Not to Kill Your Plant – Magda Gargulakova and Lenka Chytilova, Hannah Abbo (Illustrator)

Posted on January 19, 2024 by J D Jung

(reviewed by JD Jung)


For those of you who have thought about maintaining an indoor plant but don’t know where to start, How Not to Kill Your Plant is the book for you.

This guide is comprehensive and will provide everything you will need, as well as choosing the right houseplant. This includes what to look for when you are buying a houseplant, even from the most reputable garden shop. The encyclopedia of houseplants will detail particular demands and care.

What about fertilizing, watering, transplanting, and propagating? What tools will you need? How do you choose the right pot? What about soil composition? What about pests? How is location important? There’s even a section on troubleshooting problems with your plant.

The authors convinced me to try a houseplant to add some serenity to my bedroom. Since I am a complete novice, I needed the Glossary of terms, which answered my questions on terminology.

Though the illustrations may gear towards younger readers, I felt that the instructions were at my adult level…maybe because this is totally new to me?

In any event, How Not to Kill Your Plant will inspire you to start growing plants to enhance the beauty and tranquility of your home.

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Ilium: A novel – Lea Carpenter

Posted on January 16, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)


“The game of espionage, at its essence, is observation, seduction, patience. And a fluid relationship with your sense of self. To commit espionage at the highest levels you have to be willing to forget who you are in order to inhabit someone else.”

Our protagonist, a young and single British woman leading a mundane life in London, followed the same unexciting routine every day. She even felt she was boring, wishing that she was not averse to risks. So, why would this make her the perfect asset for covert agencies, like the American CIA, Israeli Mossad and The British M16, to close an assignment that was several years in the making?

She realizes that her life is about to change when she meets a wealthy, attentive American man, thirty-three years her senior. When they marry just shy of her twenty-first birthday, he asks for her help. She is to assume another identity and merely “listen” to certain individuals and report back to a man named Raja.

What ensues is a series of methodically plotted encounters she is involved in, the details of which she is not privy to. What keeps us in suspense is not only the unfolding events and their potential repercussions, but also the uncertainty of how this new lifestyle will be resolved for our protagonist.

Amidst the captivating plot, the supporting characters are expertly developed and seamlessly integrated into the narrative. The reader gains a deep understanding of their personalities and motivations.

Author Lea Carpenter’s intent to infuse a personal dimension into the espionage tale is masterfully achieved. She emphasizes that events and characters on both sides are not simply black and white. The story proves to be utterly mesmerizing, making it a challenge to put the book down. I’m looking forward to reading more from this talented author.

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Where have we been?

Posted on January 12, 2024 by J D Jung

(by JD Jung)

You may wonder why we don’t post reviews more often. Yes, we realize that “Content is king”, and we know that you want to see         it all the time.

However, there is so much out there to get our eyes on. We are constantly searching for those literary gems to share with you. They may be from direct submissions, publishers or even an unexpected jaunt to a bookstore. It’s not 24/7 though. We still work our day jobs to feed our families. (Remember this is an unpaid gig. There’s no “pay-to-play” here.)

Anyway, back to my point. We are constantly reading. We receive a lot of submissions, but after reading, most of them don’t meet UnderratedReads’ standards of at least “highly recommended”. And yes, we know it’s all subjective. You may find a book that you consider to be a real find, whereas another reader may be struggling to get a quarter way through the book. We get it.

So, even if you don’t see any new posts from us, it doesn’t mean we’re asleep. We’re still looking for exceptional books and literature to share with you and the search is constant.  Please be patient.

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Broadcast Blues (Clare Carlson Mystery Book 6) – R.G. Belsky

Posted on January 2, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)


Clare Carlson, news director for Channel 10 News in New York City is experiencing a mid-life crisis. She’s about to turn fifty years old, three times married, and still looking for Mr. Right. Let’s also not forget that she is trying to repair a relationship with her adult daughter.

Added to that, the TV station is about to be sold to a media conglomerate, where ratings are king as opposed to responsible reporting. Clare has a close professional relationship with the current owner, who allows her to go after the big stories and appear on the news. She has a terrible relationship with her new boss, Susan Endicott, who backs up the new owners who believe that a news director should just do that—direct and stay out of the weeds.

When the car of a former NYPD officer turned private investigator, Wendy Kyle, is bombed, Clare wants to investigate. Wendy specialized in exposing cheating spouses, mostly high-profile individuals, so there are many who would want her dead. She also had enemies in the NYPD, including top brass, as she would carry on about department wrongdoing, coverups, and corruption.

There appears to be a coverup brewing in this murder case and Clare refuses to let it go. This could get dangerous, as it may not only involve those from the NYPD, and affluent individuals, but even a candidate for governor.

Broadcast Blues will take readers through a wild ride with so many twists and turns that you’ll be in complete suspense as to how the story will end. Add to that, the quirky supporting characters that add depth and humor to the story.  For instance, there are the married co-anchors who bring their personal lives to work and the female sports reporter who really doesn’t care for sports and instead politicizes her stories. Author R. G. Belsky reveals that the newsroom scenes are based on his years of experience working in New York City newsrooms.

This is the sixth installment in the series. Though I enjoyed Broadcast Blues, I don’t think that I’ll read the others. I have a personal preference for dark and gritty crime fiction. I can overlook that if I find myself truly invested in the protagonists, which I was not.

However, for those who don’t share my partialities, but still enjoy a strong plot, this series may just be what you’re looking for.

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