8 Short Book Reviews: Summer Picks and Pans

Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris -- Despite knowing pretty much what was going to happen (though not how it was going to happen), I really liked this creepy book about the seemingly perfect couple. As I said on Litsy: Narrator Georgia Macguire did an excellent job with the slow-building tension. Sucked me right in and had me by the earbuds until the end. (Macmillian Audio)

Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joana Cannon -- I loved this book! A great quote on every page. This is a combo mystery / coming-of-age story set in England in the mid-1970s. Ten-year-old Grace and Tilly are determined to find out what happened to the neighbor lady, who disappeared without a trace. This is one of my favorites of the year. (Scribner)

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead -- here's basically all I have to say: This book. It slayed me. Read it . . . now. Bahni Turpin was an amazing narrator; see my review in AudioFile. (Random House Audio)

Deadline by Mira Grant -- Book 2 in the Newsflesh series wasn't quite as good as the first one (Feed), mostly because it had a slow buildup. Nonetheless, I still got caught up in the conspiracy theory aspects of this zombie story and I love the way the 2040s aren't really all that different from today. Well, except, of course, for the zombies. The ending! Now I have to read Book 3. Narrators Chris Patton and Nell Geisslinger make a good team; kicking up the action and the emotions. (Hachette Audio)

Leaving Lucy Pear by Anna Solomon -- This Prohibition Era story of two women who love and want to mother the same young girl just didn't do it for me. I didn't really care what happened to any of the characters. If I hadn't been listening for a freelance assignment, I would have bailed. Basically, I was bored. Narrator Rebecca Lowman was unable to keep my attention. (Penguin Audio)

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena -- A good twisty thriller that I easily got caught up in, despite there being no one to really root for. I give this a solid 3 stars; worth the read. Kirsten Potter did a nice job keeping me invested and setting the pace. (Penguin Audio)

Still listening to: Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson and read by multiple narrators -- Not as good as the first book in the Remnant Chronicles (Kiss of Deception) because there isn't much going on. I'm just more than halfway done and no real progress has been made. Plus there's the issue of a lingering love triangle. ARGH. (Listening Library)

Still reading: I Will Send Rain by Rae Meadows -- I have only a few chapters left but life got in the way. Hope to finish this excellent novel tonight. Love the story of a family trying to survive the Depression and Dust Bowl summer of 1934. Beautifully written with vivid characters and easy-to-visualize setting. (Henry Holt)