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razor girl

Swamp Justice, Florida-Style

Carl Hiaasen Read-A-Likes

Eco-terrorists are not your average dedicated environmentalists.  In Carl Hiaasen’s novels, they can be downright dangerous and emotionally unstable. They say “write what you know” and Hiaasen knows Florida and the politics of the Sunshine State’s real estate developments. As a longtime investigative reporter and columnist for the Miami Herald, Hiaasen spent most of his career in journalism ranting against real estate moguls and politicians responsible for altering the unique landscape of Southern Florida. 

Cover of Grave Mercy

Picture this!

Historical Young Adult Literature

Usually when one thinks of young adult literature, the first associations that may come to mind are magic or fantasy. It’s safe to say that realistic fiction comes in close second – slice of life drama or texts that illustrate compelling characters. But readers looking for something different should try adding a little history to their YA selections – these novels might just broaden your perception of the quality literature that this genre has to offer.

All is Not Forgotten

Books That Have Probably Been Called "The Next 'Gone Girl'" On Some Other List

Were you one of the many who devoured Gone Girl?  Rushed out and grabbed that next modern-mystery high with The Girl on the Train?

The Pale Horse cover image

Happy Birthday, Agatha Christie!

Celebrate the Grand Dame of Classic Mysteries

September 15 is Agatha Christie's birthday!

A Cookbook Conspiracy cover

Sun, Sand, and Sleuthing

These Cozy Mysteries are the Perfect Read for Your Vacation

Cozy mysteries allow readers to enjoy the fun of a murder mystery while avoiding graphic violence and gore. You still get the whodunit twists and turns, the fun of trying to sleuth ahead of the characters, and the sometimes surprising reveal of who really killed the victim – was it really the butler? These are the perfect light summer books for your August beach trip or family vacation. 

Streetcar Named Desire

Big Easy

Beyond Mardi Gras, Hurricanes, and Blanche

The first time I can remember reading about New Orleans, I was a high school sophomore struggling to relate to Blanche DuBois in Streetcar Named Desire. It didn't go very well.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

I Spy With My Little Eye

Novels Exploring the Art of Espionage

James Bond. Jason Bourne. Jack Ryan. Three of Hollywood’s biggest secret agent characters who began their fictional cloak and dagger lives as literary heroes. But there’s more out there than just these dashing spys-cum-action-heroes. And it takes more than just a compelling lead character to create a good spy story. Intrigue. Romance. Secret codes and hidden gadgets. Villains in disguise. A good espionage thriller will touch on all of these. So here’s a list of five novels that delve into the arcane world of secret intelligence. Some are praised for their realism, some less so.

Sycamore Row

You Can't Handle the Truth!

Novels that feature scenes in a courtroom

With television shows like Law and Order and How to Get Away with Murder bringing in amazing ratings, it would be no stretch to say that the average person enjoys fiction about the law. We all like to pretend we are involved in the case by defending the accused, piecing together clues, or even acting as a juror or judge handing down the final decision. We sit waiting until to the end of the episode to see what the truth will ultimately be.

Career of Evil Book Cover

Beach Reads 2016

When you think of summer books, does your mind go to the thriller that you can't put down while you're at the beach? Do you think of setting aside some time to finally get to that classic book you've been meaning to read forever? Or maybe you just want to read about two people who definitely won't be getting together at the end (wink wink). I think that the books on this list would fit very nicely with a cold drink and the unbearable humidity that we know and love.

Secret History

Killer Cliques

Friendships that go too far in Literary Fiction and Mystery

Tight-knit and exclusive, the groups of young people depicted in the following Literary Fiction and Mystery novels all become entangled to some extent with violence -- often of the fatal variety.   Formed for different reasons, these groups are similarly variable in their involvements in these acts of violence -- as well as in their members’ reactions, both immediate and ongoing.        

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