Out West Books suggests books to get into October’s scary spirit
Each week as part of SunLit — The Sun's literature section — we feature staff recommendations from book stores across Colorado. This week, the staff from Out West Books in Grand Junction recommends some scary — and fun — titles for the Halloween season.
Soho Crime $29.95 October 2024 Purchase
From the publisher: A dual-voice cat-and-mouse thriller, told from the points of view of a killer who has created his own deadly religion and the only person who can stop him, an embattled young detective who sees the ghosts of his Native victims.
In Gallup, New Mexico, where violent crime is five times the national average, a serial killer is operating unchecked, he targets indigent Native people whose murders are easily disguised as death by exposure on the frigid winter streets. He slips unnoticed through town, hidden in plain sight by his unassuming nature, while the voices in his head guide him toward a terrifying vision of glory. As the Gallup detectives struggle to put the pieces together, they consider calling in a controversial specialist to help.
Rita Todacheene, Albuquerque PD forensic photographer, is at a crisis point in her career. Her colleagues are watching her with suspicion after the recent revelation that she can see the ghosts of murder victims. Her unmanageable caseload is further complicated by the fact that half the department has blacklisted her for ratting out a corrupt fellow cop. And back home in Tohatchi on the Navajo reservation, Rita's grandma is getting older. Maybe it's time for her to leave police work behind entirely.
From Didi Herald, bookseller: With the powers that be in the police department refusing to believe what she has been experiencing, Rita seeks respite by going home to her grandmother but crimes in Gallup suck her back into investigating an unusual serial killer. As the story jumps between Rita and the life story of a serial killer, suspense intensifies. This is a mystery not to be missed. In addition to it being an enthralling story I love that this contemporary mystery combining police procedure, photo technology, and a bit of the paranormal with a complex protagonist was written by a woman who is, herself, Diné and was actually a police photographer in Albuquerque.
A Sorceress Comes to CallBy T. Kingfisher Tor Books $27.99 August 2024 Purchase
From the publisher: Cordelia knows her mother is . . . unusual. Their house doesn't have any doors between rooms—there are no secrets in this house—and her mother doesn't allow Cordelia to have a single friend. Unless you count Falada, her mother's beautiful white horse. The only time Cordelia feels truly free is on her daily rides with him.
But more than simple eccentricity sets her mother apart. Other mothers don't force their daughters to be silent and motionless for hours, sometimes days, on end. Other mothers aren't evil sorcerers. When her mother unexpectedly moves them into the manor home of a wealthy older Squire and his kind but keen-eyed sister, Hester, Cordelia knows this welcoming pair are to be her mother's next victims. But Cordelia feels at home for the very first time among these people, and as her mother's plans darken, she must decide how to face the woman who raised her to save the people who have become like family.
From Didi Herald, bookseller: I always think of autumn as a good time to read scary stories. Kingfisher has once again produced a smart, savvy, dark fairy tale with delicately horrific elements that demonstrate peril but don't inspire nightmares. This regency era re-imagining of the Grimm's fairy tale, "The Goose Girl," is exquisitely crafted. Cordelia, a believable teen heroine, is trying to survive the machinations of her mother, an evil sorceress, who plots to snare a wealthy husband or two. As she becomes aware of what her mother actually is and how everyone who comes too close to her is in deadly danger, Cordelia strives to stop her and survive. This tale of murder, mayhem, demonic possession, and found family is an unputdownable scary story.
We Solve MurdersPamela Dorman Books $30 September 2024 Purchase
From the publisher: Steve Wheeler is enjoying retired life. He still does the odd bit of investigation work, but he prefers his familiar routines: the pub quiz, his favorite bench, his cat waiting for him at home. His days of adventure are over. Adrenaline is daughter-in-law Amy's job now.
Amy Wheeler thinks adrenaline is good for the soul. Working in private security, every day is dangerous. She's currently on a remote island protecting mega-bestselling author Rosie D'Antonio, until a dead body and a bag of money mean trouble in paradise. So she sends an SOS to the only person she trusts . . .
From Marya Johnston, owner: I tend not to review the bestsellers because you've read about them everywhere, but I just have to join the multitudes recommending this book. How can a reader resist a reluctant retired police investigator, his kick-ass bodyguard daughter-in-law, and the tag-along, "age-fluid," "second best-selling" thriller writer (after Lee Child) in the world, Rosie?
So often books will say "laugh-out-loud-funny" and they're not. I chuckled sooo many times over this madcap high speed race around the world; I've got a goofy grin just writing this review! Yes, there is murder, with mostly young people pulling the trigger first and asking questions later, and thrills and twists for sure, but it is Osman's clever dialog and characters that really make the story. I've already decided who should star in the movie, and it would make a great movie. If people ask you to describe the book, just say "People get killed, but it's funny!" I actually liked this better than "The Thursday Murder Club"! Richard Osman has another hit series on his hands and I couldn't be happier.
