Dracul, by Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker (a re-read)

Nine stars

There are surely many who have wondered where Bram Stoker got his idea for Dracula. After creating an interesting sequel to his ancestor’s popular book, Dacre Stoker decided to team up with J.D. Barker to pen this prequel of sorts, though its exploration is less of Prince/Count Dracula than of a younger Bram Stoker. It is here that the seeds of all things ghoulish germinated, or so the reader is led to believe.

Bram Stoker was quite a sickly child, being bedridden for the first number of years of his life. The family’s nanny, Nanna Ellen, did all that she could to help, though caring for many children kept her occupied. It was only when Bram’s uncle came to bleed him with leeches that things took an interesting turn. At that time, Nanna Ellen also visited her young charge and, by all of Bram’s accounts, undertook a unique form of medicinal care through a small bite along his arm.

Soon thereafter, Bram was healed, though to everyone it was thought that the leeches did the job. Upwardly mobile, Bram and his sister, Matilda, begin exploring their environs in the Irish countryside, which includes a closer examination of Nanna Ellen. What they discover serves to shock and concern them, for she acts in such a unique manner. When she disappears one day, Bram and Matilda can only surmise that something extremely mysterious is going on and they might have witnessed a key that relates to her disappearance.

Moving forward more than a dozen years, Bram and Matilda are again witnesses to some odd happenings, both related to their nanny and some other folks from the town. Could the mysteries they uncovered as children be back again, in new and curious forms? As they press to understand what is going on, they discover the world of vampires and the un-dead, a realm that is highly dangerous for adults and children alike. However, nothing has prepared them for what is to come, or the residue it will have on their lives.

Contrasted nicely with a more ‘modern’ Bram Stoker, who struggles with some additional demons, Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker instil a significant chill into the narrative that is perfect for fans of the Dracula novel. Highly recommended, especially during the haunting month of October, when ghosts and ghouls begin to emerge!

I have some experience with Barker’s work and have come to admire Dacre Stoker, as he penned that aforementioned sequel to the extremely popular Dracula. Now, it’s time to look back and allow these two authors to paint some interesting pictures for the reader, taking their own liberties with Bram Stoker and his life, though they make clear that some of their story is based on his writings and early journals.

The authors handle Bram Stoker in a very interesting light here, even more interestingly than Dacre did his ancestor in the <i> Dracula </i> sequel. Bram is seen not only as a precocious boy, but one who is driven to understanding the mysteries of the world, particularly when oddities pop up around him. The reader will see his progression throughout the story, both in the ‘journal format’ and in his elder form, where he surely undergoes many events that shaped him before writing his novel about the prince from Transylvania. The attentive reader will see this progression and the crumbs of information in this text that relate to the best known work, utilizing many interesting themes and ideas.

Many of the other characters, who play strong roles as well as minor narrative flavouring, must also receive great recognition, as their presence keeps the reader enthralled until the final pages.

The narrative is wonderfully strong and filled with nuggets of wonderful speculation which, through to the authors’ note at the end, can be left to hang in the air, wondering how much was real. Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker dispel much of the fiction versus fact in their note at the end, as well as exploring how much of Dracula itself was based on real happenings, as opposed to a fictional account of a monster from history. While the use of journals and clippings may not be to everyone’s liking, it serves a wonderful purpose and is a true adage to Bram’s original work, deserving praise for that writing format. At this time of ghouls and monsters, this story hit the spot and will surely make it onto my annual reading list.

Kudos, Messrs. Stoker and Barker, for such an intense story. I am eager to see if you two will work together again, as this was surely a strong collaborative effort.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Dracula the Un-Dead, by Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt (a re-read)

Nine stars

After my latest re-read of Bram Stoker’s famous piece, I chose another story with eerie undertones, though this one is sure to stir up some controversy. It serves as a sequel to the classic original, in which Dacre Stoker works with renowned Dracula historian Ian Holt to bring this continuation of the story to life in fine form. Chilling and complex, this is surely a piece for Hallowe’en literature fans to add to their collection and which will not collect dust.

It is now 1912, twenty-five years since Count Dracula has crumbled into dust. Can this have been long enough for those who were directly involved in the hunting to have shelved their memories and moved on? Dr. Jonathan Seward, who was instrumental in the original chase, has turned into a washed-up medical professional, addicted to morphine and chasing demons all across Europe.

Young Quincey Harker, born in the final pages of the original novel, has been sent to France to pursue his legal studies, but is drawn into the world of stage acting. Quincey is further impressed when Shakespearean actor, Basarab, takes him under his wing, an honour the young actor could not have expected.

When Quincey stumbles upon a stage-play version of Dracula, directed by Bram Stoker himself, he begins to learn some of the long-buried secrets his parents kept from him. Trying to digest it all, there seems to be a presence in and around London, as the original collective who killed Dracula meet their ends in horrific fashion.

Meanwhile, 16th century Countess Elizabeth Bathory has returned to wreak havoc on those seeking to explore the Dracula question a little more. Bathory has a long history with the Romanian prince and may hold the answers that others seek, though she is more interested in new blood to satiate her extreme hunger. What’s brought Countess Bathory back to visit those whose adventure a quarter-century ago rid the world of blood-sucking evil?

With a new collection of characters and tapping into Holt’s expertise in the field of all things Dracula, Stoker does well to carry the torch for his great-granduncle and entertains curious fans throughout. Perfect for those readers who enjoyed the original Dracula and who can accept applying some of the history of this Romanian prince, alongside a continuation of a classic piece of 19th century literature.

I have heard it said that one ought never mess with the classics, which is why parody pieces get a major eyebrow raise from literary purists. However, this piece that seeks to act as a sequel to Bram Stoker’s classic, not only grounds itself in seriousness, but also has the blessing of the Stoker family (and was penned by a descendent).

Stoker and Holt look to progress the entire Dracula story by adding backstories to the well-established characters who brought to piece to life, as well as adding fresh angles to Dracula in this follow-up. The eerie nature of the original piece is replaced by a history that permeates the narrative, allowing the patient reader to discover much more and delve deeper than the late 19th century novel permitted.

The story itself differs greatly from the original, not only because it is told in true narrative (as opposed to journals and letters), but also serves to provide cameos for many famous individuals (Bram Stoker and John Barrymore, to name a few) as well as pulls on some of the history of the original novel’s reception and development into a stage-play.

Ian Holt’s influence can also be seen, as the story pulls on numerous Dracula stories from centuries ago and where Stoker may have developed his ideas for this vampire that became the go-to reference for all blood-imbibing creatures.

Some of the narrative and historical assertions do keep the reader wondering, but it is difficult not to downplay the tidbits as being wrapped in a way to fill cracks that time has not caulked. As I mentioned above, some purists will scoff at this book simply because it seeks to build on a classic that can survive on its own. Others will mock it for lacking the same flowing prose or spooky foresight. While I will not engage in trivial banter about this being ‘allowed’ or not, I will say that Dacre Stoker’s piece served as a wonderful complement to my recent reading of Bram Stoker’s classic.

Kudos, Messrs. Stoker and Holt for entertaining and engaging me at times as I made my way through this novel. I know there are massive footsteps to fill, even to stand alongside the classic novel and I applaud you both for the effort.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Dracula, by Bram Stoker (a re-read)

Nine stars

This is a classic monster tale I have enjoyed before, but could not wait to revisit as the season is rife with haunted ghouls and bloodthirsty readers!

Young solicitor Johnathan Harker finds himself travelling through the Hungarian countryside and into Romania, on his way to a castle in the heart of Transylvania. There, one Count Dracula awaits Harker and proves to be an odd, yet amenable, host. Seeking to finalise a land deal in England, Harker and Dracula talk long into the night, though the former feels that there is something odd about his host. It is only when numerous unsettling things occur that Harker realises that Count Dracula is nothing like any man he has met before and eventually escapes the confines of the castle.

Back in England, Harker’s fiancée, Mina, and her close friend, Lucy, are going through their own ordeals. Lucy Westenra suffers through significant bouts of sleepwalking. The two women travel to the seaside to clear their heads, but Lucy encounters someone the reader knows to be Dracula during one of her nocturnal jaunts and is eventually discovered with two minuscule puncture holes on her neck. Unsure of what to do, Westenra is sent to see Dr. Johnathan Seward, one of her suitors and director of the local mental hospital. When Dr. Seward cannot deduce all of these symptoms, he calls upon the renowned Dr. Abraham Van Helsing in Amsterdam to consult.

The Dutchman arrives and begins some of his early queries. He is highly interested, though cannot be completely sure that he has a diagnosis of yet. Slowly, Lucy begins to fade from this mysterious neck injury and eventually died of her injuries, though her body transforms into a vampire of sorts, paralleling some of the actions Count Dracula is known to have been committing.

Van Helsing works with Seward to locate the body and it is at this time that the Dutch doctor deduces that there is something eerie at work. Studying the situation before him, Van Helsing proposes the seemingly barbaric act of driving a stake through Lucy’s heart and then decapitating her, which is the only way to ensure that her spirit will be freed, according to some of his research and ancient lore.

Done with that issue, but still needing to resolve the larger concern at hand, Van Helsing gathers a group to hunt down the Count, who seems to have taken up residence in England, and drive him back to Transylvania. Lurking in the dark and gloomy areas of Eastern Europe, Van Helsing prepares for the fight of his life, armed with only the most basic medicaments, in hopes of slaying this monster once and for all.

Stoker lays the groundwork for a truly bone-chilling tale that has stood the test of time. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has the wherewithal to delve deep into the heart of a sensational 19th century story of horror and mayhem.

I am still kicking myself that I waited so long to read this sensational piece of fiction. Surely one of the early stories that has fostered such a strong tie between Dracula and Hallowe’en, Bram Stoker’s work provides the reader not only with thorough entertainment, but leaves a shiver up their spine every time they enter a dark room.

With a cast of powerful characters, Stoker weaves his tale in such a way that the story never loses its momentum. Harker, Seward, and Van Helsing are all well-crafted and provides powerful contrasts throughout the narrative, while Count Dracula is not only eerie in his presentation, but also one of the scariest villains in 19th century literature.

There need not be outward descriptions of gore and slaying to get to the root of the suspense in this novel, which seems to differ from much of the writing in the genre today, where gushing blood and guts pepper the pages of every book imaginable. The narrative is also ever-evolving, helped significantly by the journal-based writing that Stoker has undertaken. The reader is transported through the story using these varied perspectives (and some press clippings), rather than a straight delivery of the story from a single point of view. This surely enhances the larger package and does much to provide the reader with even more fright, at certain times.

There are surely many stories taking place here, some of which deal directly with the issue at hand (read: Dracula), while others seem to solve themselves throughout the numerous journal entries. Whatever the approach, Stoker captivates the reader such that there is a strong desire to know how it all ends and if Van Helsing lives up to his more colloquial moniker of ‘Vampire Hunter’.

I wish to add for those who wish to take the audiobook approach, as I have done, the Audible version, with a full cast (including Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, and John Lee), adds yet another dimension to this story and should not be discounted.

Kudos, Mr. Stoker, for such a riveting piece. I can only hope to find the time to read some of your other work, as well as that of your descendants, who seem to want to carry the torch and provide more Dracula for the modern reader.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Dracula’s Guest, by Bram Stoker

Eight stars

While poking around for new finds on the topic of Dracula (especially those told by both Stokers), I stumbled upon this short story by the elder Stoker. In rural Germany, a man is travelling by coach and chooses to stray off the beaten path. He makes his way to a manor house and into a sizeable cemetery, where one large tombstone catches his eye. With the sound of wolves filling the air, one such creature soon appears on the scene, as though it felt the need to mark its territory. Alone and in a foreign land at night, our protagonist might have met his match in a lupine enemy, but there’s a twist… read the story to find out a little more! A great addition to anyone who loves Dracula or Stoker’s writing.

As I read this piece, I felt as though I had already come across it in the past, though I cannot place where I might have done so. Without tipping my hand too much, the title of the piece might not be as truthful for those who skim through the story, though it does have a deeper meaning if you take the time to think about it. Written in 1914–or at least published at that time—it has quite the feel of the original Dracula story, though any reader who has delved into Dacre Stoker’s sequel to the Dracula piece will see some parallels there as well. The piece flows really well, though it seems to be done just as it is getting started. I’d almost have wanted more, though Stoker does a fine job with his descriptions and build-up. I would say that anyone handed this piece and told to ‘get into’ Dracula with it will likely not return to seek out the classic novel, but there is a definite horror aspect that only Stoker can create.

Kudos, Mr. Stoker, for such a great short story. I hope many will take the time to read this after they have invested time in your masterwork on the subject!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Eight stars

An re-read with a review worth posting once again.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s story of Frankenstein poses less the spooky and bone-chilling tale that it has received in subsequent permutations, but rather serves more as a warning in regards to scientific exploration.

The novel opens with a set of letters by Captain Robert Walton to his sister back in England. Captain Walton is travelling through the Arctic to further his scientific appetite. The captain and crew notice a large creature travelling over the ice and eventually stumble upon a nearly frozen Victor Frankenstein, who tells the story of his scientific struggles and tries to dissuade Walton from any such pursuits.

From there, the narrative shifts to Frankenstein’s story, who was encouraged by his parents to explore the world of science and nature. Armed with the knowledge of the ancient natural philosophers, he takes this passion with him to university in Germany, where he is introduced to more modern ways of thinking. Grief befalls Frankenstein after his mother’s death and he turns to science to assuage him, discovering how to bring the electricity of life to that lacking its spark.

Creating a being in secret, Frankenstein soon sees that it has gone horribly wrong, both the physical appearance of this eight-foot behemoth (tempered with translucent skin and pulsing veins) and the decision to play God. Frankenstein rages against his creation and flees for the city, only to return and see that the being has fled the confines of his flat.

Frankenstein becomes ill and recuperates over a four-month period before returning to his native Geneva. Upon his arrival, he discovers that his younger brother has been killed. Frankenstein sees the tell-tale signs of his creation having strangled the young boy, though the crime is saddled upon a nanny and she is executed by hanging.

Full of guilt, Frankenstein chases his creature and learns of the personal journey ‘he’ had over their time apart. The creature tells of how he learned the nuances of language and speech, the complexities of emotion as well as discovering of his hideous appearance. The creature vows to ruin the life of his creator unless he is gifted with a female companion. Frankenstein ponders this and promises to make one, having been threatened with more personal anguish if he fails.

Frankenstein travels to the far reaches of Scotland to begin his work, eyed by the creature from afar. When Frankenstein has a final epiphany that his hands can create nothing but increased terror, he disposes with his experiment, knowing the consequences. More agony befalls Frankenstein, who seeks to destroy his creation once and for all.

By the end, the story returns to Captain Walton’s ship and a dramatic set of events which solidifies the story’s underlying thread once and for all. A brilliant piece that is full of social commentary and much foreboding as it relates to science. Shelley’s original is less spooky than it is chilling for her thematic messaging. A wonderful read for those who like a good challenge.

Deemed the first ever piece of science fiction, Shelley’s story tell of the downsides of playing God with human life and creation. The themes that emanate from the story at hand are numerous and thought provoking. The reader can easily get lost in the narrative and its linguistic nuances, but it is the characters and their messages that permeate the text.

Victor Frankenstein and his creature prove to be two very interesting and yet contrasting characters, developed primarily through their individual narratives. Frankenstein is the bright-eyed scientific mind who seeks to alter the path of events by imbuing something of his own making with life, only to discover that thought and reality do not mesh. On the other hand, the creature tells of a struggle to find ‘himself’ and suffers through the reality beset upon him, forced to learn to adapt under the most problematic circumstances.

The plethora of other characters develop and support these two, with Captain Walton playing an interesting, yet seemingly background, role in the entire narrative. The attentive reader will see that this original piece lacks the ‘Hollywood’ flavour that has been placed upon it, where crowds with torches chase the protagonists and lightning is used to jolt the creature to life from his metal bolts in the neck.

This is a piece of social commentary that prefers to scare in its foreboding and provides a much more academic approach than might be suspected by the unknowing reader. I was pleased with the novel and all it had to offer. I am sure it will provide a wonderful soapbox for those who wish to open a discussion on the matter. I would welcome it.

Kudos, Madam Shelley, for this wonderful piece. That you started it at the ripe age of eighteen baffles and impresses me. I will be adding this to my annual late October reading list!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Journey to the Centre of the Earth, by Jules Verne

Eight stars

This novel by Jules Verne is not only deemed a classic, but also a jam-packed adventure set in the 19th century. Verne mixes the wonders of a story that would be considered fanciful in its day (and today, as well) with some scientific discussions to keep the reader on their toes. While I have steered away from classics for reasons all my own, I am pleased that I was nudged to read this book.

The story opens in May 1863, with Axel Lidenbrock living in Germany, alongside his uncle, Professor Otto Lidenbrock An academic in the field of geology, the elder Lindenbrock is quite focussed on his work and always open to new adventures. When Otto arrives home one day, he has quite the treat for his nephew, a manuscript by an Icelandic historian of some repute. Within the manuscript is a note that baffles them both, until it is properly translated and read, revealing a secret adventure made by another Icelandic fellow, Arne Saknussemm. It would seem that Saknussemm undertook a trip to the centre of the Earth, accessed through a crater in a dormant volcano. According to the document, one can only gain access for a short time each year and Otto determines that he must undertake this adventure, bringing Axel with him.

Upon their arrival in Iceland, Otto and Axel hire a local guide to take them to the volcano, where they will scale it and seek to access the passage at just the right moment. Beginning the adventure, the trio commence their descent, soon exhausting their water supply. Professor Otto begins expostulating about the various geological finds around them and making calculations to track their progress. The group comes across a subterranean body of water, solving one concern and helping to dash some of the scientific beliefs of the time. Temperature increases and means of travel are turned on their heads, while all three seek to understand what awaits them as the journey continues,

The adventure deepens when a larger body of water appears before them, forcing the trio to make some major decisions, which include building a raft and exploring some of the local terrain. Much of the area is filled with bones of long-extinct creatures that piques Axel’s interest, leaving him to wonder if the adventure might have been worthwhile after all. Much of the discoveries prove baffling to Axel, though he marvels at what he can see, as well as what might await him as they push onwards.

After constructing a raft, they set sail and encounter some truly harrowing creatures, as well as a few meteorological phenomena that baffle them all and leave them doubting their choice to take the voyage. However, determination wins out and they find themselves forging onwards, making new and exciting scientific calculations about their depth and what might be above them at the Earth’s surface.

Determined not to stop until they reach their destination, Axel and Otto convince their guide to keep moving, though the task gets more and more harrowing. It is only through grit and determination that they will be able to survive, especially when they discover a new set of remains that sends chills up all their spines. While the trip down has been anything but boring, how will they ever get back, without having to traverse the path already taken? Verne excites the reader with this and much more as the journey takes even more twists in the latter part of the novel.

While I am not well-versed in Jules Verne or his work, I did a little background reading and discovered that this was the second of his special voyages collection, which opens the minds of the reader to a world of adventure, scientific discovery, and analysis. It is said that Verne used novels like this to introduce the world to what is now science fiction, which is completely understandable. His penchant for showing that science is full of mistakes that are only corrected by hands-on attempts is echoed throughout the narrative.

Axel Lindenbrock is the narrator of the piece and becomes the presumptive protagonist of the story, though I would offer the dual role to include Professor Otto. Both learn a great deal from one another and help to foster an adventurous nature throughout the piece. While there is a great amount of hesitation at one point, the Linderbrocks grow closer throughout the story, their characters developing alongside the relationship they forge in this harrowing trip to places unknown.

While there are few secondary characters in the piece, Verne uses the history books and scientific tomes to inject species that serve as guideposts to a world long-ago extinct. This serves to educate and entertain the reader throughout, offering them a glimpse of how science presented things in the 1860s, as compared to the present. I did take much away from the descriptions, even though my background is not the sciences. Always nice to learn while enjoying a classic piece of literature.

The story itself proved to be highly alluring, even for one whose scientific mind sits somewhere in a glass jar. Verne is able to inject true adventure throughout, keeping the reader wondering what awaits them around the next corner. The characters complement one another well (going so far as to compliment each other, occasionally) and their banter propels the narrative forward. Using the Axel journal as the primary means of recounting the story offers a daily log of events, pulling the reader even deeper into the journey and hoping that they, too, will almost feel a part of events as they occur.

While there is a strong scientific flavour to the story, it does not engulf the text, keeping the reader reaching for reference texts or losing interest. There are terms peppered throughout, but they are explained well enough as to educate, rather than inundate. As mentioned above, Verne effectively combines the spark of adventure with the fuel of scientific discovery to create an explosive birth of the science fiction genre!

The book is not overly long, with its chapters propelling the reader forward with ease. Everything appears to flow effectively and the curious reader may even devour it in a day or two. I chose the Audible version because Tim Curry led me on the adventure, which added more to the story than simply guiding myself. I cannot say enough about how enjoyable this was and encourage those with a love of audiobooks to seek this version for themselves. Curry does a masterful job at every turn.

Kudos, Mr. Verne, for such a delightful story. While I may not rush to devour all your work immediately, I am curious to see if I might venture on another of your extraordinary adventures in the future.

This book fulfills a supplementary read for October 2020 in the Mind the Bookshelf Gap reading challenge.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose, by Joe Biden (a re-read)

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #34, a quick re-read, in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge

Back in 2016, when many politicians climbed onto soap boxes and publish pieces to extol their own greatness, former Vice-President Joe Biden released this short book that seeks to rise above the fray and offer a story of hope, despair, and personal reflection. It is perhaps the first book I have read where a politician talks of their choice to turn away from high office, but it is much more than that, as the attentive and dedicated reader will discover.

At the heart of the story is the struggle Biden had with his eldest son’s brain cancer diagnosis. This realisation puts everything into perspective for the vice-president, as well as the entire Biden family. Wanting to keep things private, no one would share the news publicly and Biden was still trying to serve the Obama Administration as effectively as possible.

Woven into the story are countless international crises that Biden was required to handle, sometimes an eager distraction while at other times an anchor that kept him from the focus on family and loved ones. Added to that, there was the 2016 presidential election to consider. Would Biden, a capable long-term politician and hands-on member of the Executive Branch, toss his hat into the ring? Those in Democrat circles watched and waited, the country soundlessly tapped their collective foot, still unaware of the chaos that brewed for the Biden family below the surface.

When Beau Biden did pass, it was both a relief and a blow to the entire Biden family, as the glue that held them all together was lost. The elder Biden tried to remember all the promises he made to his son, some in passing and a few heart-felt pleas to carry the torch. The most important of these was the promise not to let 2016 pass without a Biden running for president.

The latter portion of the book, with Beau gone and Joe trying to wrap his head around it all, turns to the 2016 race. Would he run? Should he run? Could he run and make a difference? It would seem that while Biden pondered his options, the country had already placed him as a front-runner. As Biden confides, it was his decision and his alone. GOP members and the media would only offer kid gloves for so long, as well as the Clinton camp that began cursing another heavyweight to neutralise.

In the end, Biden chose what he felt was best, a promise to Beau that he would do his best to be the man everyone knew. The Joe Biden who used compassion over a club, integrity over vicious words, and intelligence over knee-jerk reactions. Now, with 2020 here and the election at hand, it is time for Joe’s promise to Beau to come to fruition, allowing him to fight for another son’s honour as well!

This is a wonderful piece, suited for all readers who like the more human side of politicians, though can understand the rhetoric that goes along with having a role in the machine. Touching at times, Biden pulls out all the stops and tells a story that will not soon be forgotten.

When I first picked up this book, I had just finished a thorough examination of the 2016 presidential election, one in which I was left gagging at the atrocious actions of people vying to represent the entire American population. Returning to it a second time, my study of the Trump Administration allowed me to see the promises in this piece through a new lens.

I wanted to see more about the narrative from the Biden perspective, the man who chose not to put his hat in the ring back in 2016. While I expected a strong political discussion throughout, I was happy to find something more complex. Within these pages rests a narrative that wove together the power of American politics, international clashes, family interactions, and a man’s struggle to come to terms with his son’s eventual illness.

The reader is in for a piece where they must handle emotions and see how world events shaped the man who sought to keep it all together and away from the public eye. Biden does not pull punches in this piece, but does not make excuses either. He tells of world events (ISIS, ISIL, Ukraine, Russia), as well as domestic policies in the Obama Administration, but he also injects strong ties to family and the love they bring him. This is a piece that helps shape a man and his love for country, family, and self. It is impossible to divorce any of it effectively.

A few things that I took away from this book include the knowledge that life does not stop when tragedy knocks, promises to those who are going before us mean more than a simple nod of the head, and there is more to life than tossing mud in the eyes of one’s opponents. Anyone who has been through a personal tragedy will know that while they are numb, a simple look out the window will show that life is not prepared to stop for grieving, it moves along. Such is one of the key sentiments that Biden shares with the reader. Terror still occurs, state sovereignty is not respected, domestic issues do not solve themselves. Biden was forced to juggle all of it in order to mix his public and personal lives. It is obvious (but nice to hear) that others struggle with this as well.

The list of promises made to the dying can be heart-wrenching, as the reader may know. One always promises to do this and that, if only to bring a sense of ease to the one who will soon be gone. However, Biden did not take his promises to Beau as simple window dressing, those “yah, umm, sure…” moments. He felt that he owed it to the son who always supported him and whose political light shone just as powerfully. Biden shows that he is a different sort of man, looking to others rather than his own greatness, to shape the future of his own legacy.

Finally, one cannot deny that 2016 was one of the most divisive presidential election campaigns in recent history. That Biden sought to enter the race is commendable, especially looking at those with whom he would cross paths. The decision not to run, where he would be forced to face Clinton, Sanders, and Trump (and countless others), may have been determining factors. But, Biden seems less interested in gouging out the eyes of others and more about trying to build the country up.

Few readers would deny that 2016 was less about policy and more about how to denigrate others in the hopes of tearing them down (as 2020 has proven to be on the GOP side, again). Did a newly-wounded Biden really need that in his life? It is the ultimate sacrifice to bear one’s self to the electorate, especially in these days when no one holds back with their mud slinging.

While there will be some readers who want dirt-only with their political stories, I would recommend this piece to anyone with a heart or who has been touched with the loss of a loved one. It seeks to unite, as much as politics usually divides, and tells of the powerlessness one can feel at the hands of cancer, but offers the strength to persevere.

Kudos, Mr. Vice-President, for such a wonderful piece. After reading this, I would strongly like to read a thorough version of your memoirs, should you choose to pen them. I located a great piece up to 2008 and now it’s time for more!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Joe Biden: The Life, the Run, and What Matters Now, by Evan Osnos

Eight stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #33 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

As the time for the US Presidential Election creeps closer, I wanted to take some time to learn a little more about Joe Biden. I have spent much of my time exploring the dismantling of America from the perspective of the Trump Administration, but looked at the Democrats’ candidate only in passing.

Evan Osnos, who has written extensively for the New Yorker, took the time to hash out a concise political biography of the man for those who may be interested, dropping it on newsstands a short time before the election. Osnos uses his primer to give the reader a taste of what the Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. has done and where he stands, but leaves those who hunger for more (such as me) with an appetite to use this as a launching point. A decent piece that opens the door a crack, but does not (nor did it ever seek to) provide the complete story.

Biden was born between the Great Depression and the end of the Second World War, fitting into a time when he was too young to have remembered the struggles of severe limitations, yet too old to have become a practical advocate for the counter-culture. Osnos explores this briefly and provides the reader with some insight into how important work and staying the course could be for the Biden household.

With an upset victory in Delaware’s US Senate race in 1972, Biden headed to Washington as a young father with a great deal of ambition. Even before he’d been sworn in, tragedy struck when his wife and baby daughter were killed in a car accident, thrusting him into being a single parent. He struggled and grief overtook him, but Biden was able to prevail with help from many around him. Osnos explores this a little, but chooses not to use the tragedy as a crutch, nor did Biden appear to do so.

In a Senate career that was filled with ups and downs, Biden rose to prominence, even though he was from one of America’s smallest states, travelling into DC daily on Amtrak trains. Many will remember him on the Foreign Relations Committee, but his most notable role was as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, hashing out some of the country’s most conservative judges at the time. While discussion on this topic is minimal, mere mention of Anita Hill will leave many with chills down their spine and how Chairman Biden failed to heed to requests to fully explore the antics of Clarence Thomas in 1991.

After a failed run for the presidency in 1987 and again in 2008, Biden was sure he would end his days as a US senator. However, a young Democrat came knocking in 2008 and asked him to be his running mate in a presidential campaign that made a difference. The Obama-Biden partnership proved highly successful and Osnos looks at how these men complemented one another so well. While Biden was known for his long-winded speeches, he learned to button his lip and listen, serving as the Administration mouthpiece when asked and remaining active in battling many of the concerns that faced the country at the time. This service was not a dead-end for Biden politically, but served to educate him for what might be a final run for the presidency.

Osnos takes time in the latter portion of the book to look at Biden the candidate, seeking to see where he stands on numerous issues of policy, as well as some of the accusations tossed in his direction. Biden bluntly admits that had Donald Trump not been president, he would not have sought the Democratic nomination, happy to allow a younger person battle it out. However, as Trump continues to attack and dismantle everything from the Obama Era, Biden felt he owed it to the country and his former running mate to return to the fray, even as the country battles its worst health crisis in a century. Armed with formidable ideas and his own powerful running mate in Senator Kamala Harris, Biden is ready for whatever happens, knowing that the campaign and Election Night will be anything but peaceful. However, he’s made many a promise to others to do all he can to help.

While I have read a number of books in my challenge to date, this piece by Evan Osnos offered me some hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. While rumours continue to circulate about Hunter Biden, this book does not tackle them, so ever-Trumpers are out of luck. However, Osnos seeks to offer a foundation for the curious to learn a little more about the man who seeks to remove the first authoritarian leader the country has faced.

The research that went into this book proves to be quite thorough, trying to cram a great deal into a short period. Osnos never tries to sell this as a comprehensive piece, but it is both a penetrating and captivating snapshot of the man and his values. Part biography and part policy document, Osnos prepares the voter for what they can expect, using his years of research and article writing, rather than the empty rhetoric of a man who feasts on conspiracy theories and has babies for dessert. Told over eight decent-length chapters, Evan Osnos provides something of a primer for the curious reader, offering breadcrumbs that permit the dedicated individuals to explore more on their own. I may just do that, for myself, as well as those who read these reviews, as November 3rd is fast approaching!

Kudos, Mr. Osnos, for penning this piece. It’s nice to see that there can be something positive that comes from political reporting these days

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Rage, by Bob Woodward

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #32 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

Analysis of the 45th President of the United States (POTUS) proves to be a sport of conversations, insults, and downright headaches, particularly when scanning the published word. As I have done with the other books in my challenge, I sought to approach reading this text with an open and curious mind, as I did with the first tome on Trump penned by Bob Woodward.

The author remains a highly esteemed journalist in his own right, having been blunt in his assessments, no matter what the subject matter might be. While this may sting the ever-Trumpers, the smears hurled fall on deaf ears and Woodward’s Teflon suit. Eager readers should gather round, as this is yet another stellar piece of work, with more than simply the leaked COVID-19 tidbits to open an eye or two.

Woodward returns to the early time in the Trump presidency to explore some of the key cabinet selections he made. Those mentioned are men who would shape the Administration, but also serve as Trump’s puppets. As would become the case with all those who received special attention in the early chapters, the men were either fired or resigned because of the micromanagement of the president for reasons not entirely clear. It would seem that things would always have to run on the Trump-table, a guideline and timing that baffles many and is fuelled by consumption of Diet Coke.

The book moves between a number of themes throughout, offering the reader a glimpse into all of them on a rotating basis. Woodward explores the the ongoing development of some peace with the North Koreans. While Trump entered the White House with a warning from President Obama about how troubling North Korea and Kim Jong Un would be, the incoming Leader of the Free World was ready to make some noise and turn things into a political pissing contest. Woodward explores how Trump used his Secretary of State to show that America meant business, demanding a scaling back of nuclear weapons in the brashest terms. Only Trump could grab Kim by the proverbial ‘missile’ and not be called a political misogynist.

The warming of relations between these two did eventually occur when Kim agreed to denuclearise. Woodward speaks of a handful of ‘love letters’ (Trump’s words) between the two that were used as background research for the book and helped to promote two key summits. These letters were chivalrous and highly praise-worthy, according to Trump, something that would surely baffle many who see both men on television and how they comport themselves.

Trump also came out swinging on America’s military role in the world. He sought to pull troops from Syria, even though the civil war there was balancing precariously. He also sought to remove America from its NATO commitments, citing a fiscal imbalance, something that Woodward probes in some of his early interviews. The eternal businessman, Trump is so focussed on the ledger and the outcomes that he cannot see the game of political Jenga he’s playing.

When it came to the intelligence community, Trump was ready to dismiss America’s capabilities form the get-go, especially since much of the early (read: first week on the job) messaging sought to show that Russia interfered in the election that Trump won. Those with concrete proof sought to present it and show that there was an issue that needed addressing. However, as many readers will already know, Trump chose to stick his fingers in his ears and sing a loud song, thereby negating the intelligence as being fake and part of a leftist conspiracy.

As I mentioned in my review of Woodward’s last book, if there is a single theme that echoes throughout the pages of all well-documented chapters, it is that Trump wanted to do things his own way, choosing rarely to follow the advice proffered by those tasked with being the representatives or experts. Such renegade behaviour is enough to make anyone rage at such an ignorant leader. As seen above and on more occasions below, it was Trump’s way or no way, going so far as being a narrative that the president believed, with the alternative labelled #fakenews. Woodward challenged him on this numerous times, as appears in the narrative, though Trump always found a way to be boisterous and ignore the topic if it did not suit him.

Woodward explores some of the interesting backstory into the creation of the Special Counsel of Robert S. Mueller III, tasked with exploring Russian meddling and any collusion by the Trump Campaign. While this event was so sensationalised that there is not likely much ‘new’ information, the attentive and curious reader will see the blunt and egotistical responses to the investigation. Trump and his sycophants alike sought to diminish the importance of the process and neuter Mueller from the get-go, at times mulling over firing him. One can only imagine what might have happened had this taken place.

As the country remains in the grip of the COVID-19 crisis, Woodward uses many of his interviews with Trump to hash out what he knew and when. Much of it has been leaked now, but it is eye opening to see just how dismissive Trump was about things, which parallels some of the idiocy shown after he contracted COVID and still downplayed the severity of it. Woodward uses a significant amount of time exploring the needed backstory and reactions around the COVID-19 crisis, dispelling many of the myths that the White House has tried to shove down the throats of the general public. Many of the interviews with Trump for the book took place as things were developing, allowing for a great narrative and ongoing exploration of sentiments in almost real time.

While Woodward does offer praise where needed, especially when Trump agreed to a country-wide shutdown in March, he also explores how the president would not push for stronger safety measures and precautions. Interest to see how Trump felt it would not be good for POTUS to wear a mask ‘when greeting heads of state, queens, kings, and ambassadors’, as though this would show weakness. Fast forward to the autumn, as an infected president refuses to follow the guidelines, showing that there was likely some cerebral infection in the part of the brain where reasoning occurs (my sentiments, not Woodward’s). I suppose we should applaud him for being consistent (and reckless?)!

It would seem that Trump was scorned by other world leaders for his practices, as Woodward cites numerous examples within the text. Things were said to his face and then the opposite done thereafter. While perhaps not the laughing stock of the world, his bombast proved to be more than enough for some, who could not take his blowhard approach. Much of this can be attributed to his Trump-table approach, immovable and unwilling to accept that he could be wrong. This doesn’t to bode well for a political leader, particularly one representing a large population on the world scene.

Woodward should be applauded again for this second book, seeking to offer insights through the eyes of others, rather than rallying his own personal attacks with little substantive proof. While he does seek to challenge Trump to think and explore what he’s saying (as any good journalist would do), he permits the president to dig his own grave with a presidential shovel. This is not a book of ‘gotcha’ moments, unless the reader chooses to label such writing as one where direct quotes in open interviews serve to entrap the speaker.

I sought to secure my copy of this book the day it was announced as being ready for pre-order. This interest only grew when the leaked tapes emerged, so I could see the context in which Trump and others would box themselves into corners or speak frankly. From what I have seen and heard, some love the book for being open and exploring many topics, while others hate it for its few ‘aha’ moments. Still others are critical because it knocks POTUS down a peg or two at a time when we ought to rally around him (maskless and Proud Boy shirt visible) during this crisis. It is this latter group for whom I have the most pity, as someone has surely been lacing your Kool-Aid with ignorance powder!

The book opened my eyes in many ways and I felt as though much could be taken away from it by the dedicated reader. While I have read a fair number of books on the Trump presidency over the last month (all in preparation for the election), there are themes that come out in all of them. These include: obsession with television portrayals, refusal to read background materials for essential decisions, preconceived notions of effective governance, and a hatred for all who oppose him. Woodward explored this in the first book and revisits them again, showing that nothing has changed. Billy club in hand (in the form of his Twitter account), Trump forges on.

All of these and other perspectives were further solidified through the interviews Woodward undertook with those closest to Trump and the president himself. This was not Woodward dusting off the soap box and issuing criticism dreamed up in his own mind, though some will spin it as such. Woodward used the words and sentiments of many who were ‘in the trenches’ to garner a better understanding for the reader and to show that things were not always peachy behind the velvet curtain. These type of books are likely the best, as they provide truths that are hidden from the general public, or discounted on a regular basis.

Call me naive again, but I cannot see Bob Woodward using weak information to build his arguments, having written about nine presidents in his career. Woodward has shown time and again that he asks the tough questions, but seeks to be fair in his delivery. First hand accounts serve as the foundation of this book’s narrative momentum, which I applaud. As I mentioned above, he went so far as to document that he held Trump accountable, even when the man refused to see his ignorance wafting around his coiffed head.

There are moments of praise for Trump and others of complete mockery, but when they come from within, can be really call it a smear campaign by liberal media sources? I have never hidden my sentiments on this topic and have built up a foundation of understanding through reading and trying to better understand the situation. Of note, no one once approached me with any recommendations for great tomes on the right (see disclaimer at the top of the review), which leads me to wonder if there are any. I may be an outsider, hailing from Canada, but I do love my politics.

Should we, as citizens of the world, have lived in fear up to the 2020 elections, as many Republican senators did? Might the type of behaviour exemplified in this book lead to horrible things if the Russians collude again and skew the results? There is that possibility, but this book could also be a rallying cry for American voters to turn out to cast their ballots, while Intelligence agencies work to plug some of the gaping holes that permitted outsider influences in elections past. We’re almost there people and if you have not cast your ballot yet, I’ve spent a lot of time summarising a ton of information for you to consider (as well as countless others)!

Kudos, Mr. Woodward, for giving me something about which to think yet again. While this is not the final book in my challenge, I am glad I left it as one of the last!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Shelton Mill, by Elaine Gavigan

Seven stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Elaine Gavigan for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Looking for something a little more conspiratorial, I turned to this novel by Elaine Gavigan. The Shelton Mill offers readers a glimpse into a story that explores how greed and political corruption make for strange (and usual) bedfellows, leaving the ‘little gal’ to push back and fight for the truth. A decent read, though not as stirring as I would have hoped, given the dust jacket blurb.

Ellen Larkin enjoys working as an investigative reporter with the Boston Chronicle and has been compiling information on a major story about kickbacks in the construction industry. However, due to a massive diminution in advertising revenue, she’s handed a pink slip by the newspaper and sent on her way.

Her dreams of a Pulitzer dashed and a bank account on fumes, Ellen is forced to look for work. While her reputation precedes her, she knows that a job in journalism is a lofty ask so quickly agrees to a position at Gargantua, a recruitment company that has been siphoning the aforementioned advertising dollars from the Chronicle.Things are a tad strange when she arrives for an interview, but Ellen chalks it up to her own paranoia.

With Gargantua located in the Shelton Mill, a piece of property with a long history all its own, Ellen knows that she’s in for an interesting work experience. Early in her training, she comes across something that leads her to believe that Guarantua’s tied in with the construction scheme she had been investigating. Might her time here allow Ellen to covertly gather intel for the story of a lifetime, positioning her to be brought back to the Chronicle and offered a Pulitzer?

As organised crime in Boston is as intense as ever, with both the Irish and Italians happy to stick their fingers in as many corrupt pies as possible, Ellen will have to be attuned to those who may wish to silence her. One wrong move could ruin her chances and leave her footing in the Charles River, another crime statistic the Chronicle may not even cover!

While this appears to be the first published novel by Elaine Gavigan, there is a great deal of potential. The ingredients are there for something gripping, though it takes a little time for the narrative to heat up to the point that I was fully committed.

Ellen Larkin serves as a decent protagonist for this piece. Her dreams of reaching journalism’s elite halls may not have yet been realised, but she knows her stuff. With an interesting backstory, she puts all her efforts into earning her paycheque by being intuitive and gritty. Struggling to make ends meet, she does all she can to keep the money coming in and yet she cannot help but feel she’s owed something.

Gavigan uses a large array of characters to keep the story on point, pulling on Boston’s varying cross-section of cultures and socio-economic groups. Many of those who grace the pages serve to push the story along, though there are ties when things lag and I might have sought less backstory or tangential character development. Still, there’s something intriguing about her character choices, all of whom complement one another as the piece progresses.

The premise of the story worked well for me, with corruption embedded into the core of the city’s largest construction project, The Big Dig. While things started off well, there was a point when I was waving my hands in the air to get back to the central theme of the story and lessen Guarantua’s superficial public persona. Gavigan knows how to writer and can set a scene effectively, but it lacked the needed momentum for me to remain hooked with the plot.

Shorter chapters worked to keep me pushing onward, but I needed something more to hold my attention, rather than tap my finger as I tried to keep my attention focussed on the next major reveal. I’d likely return for another novel, as Ellen Larkin has some sass worth seeing developed on another occasion.

Kudos, Madam Gavigan, for a great debut (I presume) novel. You’ve got some talent that needs a little developing for greater success.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Shelton Mill, by Elaine Gavigan

Seven stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Elaine Gavigan for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Looking for something a little more conspiratorial, I turned to this novel by Elaine Gavigan. The Shelton Mill offers readers a glimpse into a story that explores how greed and political corruption make for strange (and usual) bedfellows, leaving the ‘little gal’ to push back and fight for the truth. A decent read, though not as stirring as I would have hoped, given the dust jacket blurb.

Ellen Larkin enjoys working as an investigative reporter with the Boston Chronicle and has been compiling information on a major story about kickbacks in the construction industry. However, due to a massive diminution in advertising revenue, she’s handed a pink slip by the newspaper and sent on her way.

Her dreams of a Pulitzer dashed and a bank account on fumes, Ellen is forced to look for work. While her reputation precedes her, she knows that a job in journalism is a lofty ask so quickly agrees to a position at Gargantua, a recruitment company that has been siphoning the aforementioned advertising dollars from the Chronicle.Things are a tad strange when she arrives for an interview, but Ellen chalks it up to her own paranoia.

With Gargantua located in the Shelton Mill, a piece of property with a long history all its own, Ellen knows that she’s in for an interesting work experience. Early in her training, she comes across something that leads her to believe that Guarantua’s tied in with the construction scheme she had been investigating. Might her time here allow Ellen to covertly gather intel for the story of a lifetime, positioning her to be brought back to the Chronicle and offered a Pulitzer?

As organised crime in Boston is as intense as ever, with both the Irish and Italians happy to stick their fingers in as many corrupt pies as possible, Ellen will have to be attuned to those who may wish to silence her. One wrong move could ruin her chances and leave her footing in the Charles River, another crime statistic the Chronicle may not even cover!

While this appears to be the first published novel by Elaine Gavigan, there is a great deal of potential. The ingredients are there for something gripping, though it takes a little time for the narrative to heat up to the point that I was fully committed.

Ellen Larkin serves as a decent protagonist for this piece. Her dreams of reaching journalism’s elite halls may not have yet been realised, but she knows her stuff. With an interesting backstory, she puts all her efforts into earning her paycheque by being intuitive and gritty. Struggling to make ends meet, she does all she can to keep the money coming in and yet she cannot help but feel she’s owed something.

Gavigan uses a large array of characters to keep the story on point, pulling on Boston’s varying cross-section of cultures and socio-economic groups. Many of those who grace the pages serve to push the story along, though there are ties when things lag and I might have sought less backstory or tangential character development. Still, there’s something intriguing about her character choices, all of whom complement one another as the piece progresses.

The premise of the story worked well for me, with corruption embedded into the core of the city’s largest construction project, The Big Dig. While things started off well, there was a point when I was waving my hands in the air to get back to the central theme of the story and lessen Guarantua’s superficial public persona. Gavigan knows how to writer and can set a scene effectively, but it lacked the needed momentum for me to remain hooked with the plot.

Shorter chapters worked to keep me pushing onward, but I needed something more to hold my attention, rather than tap my finger as I tried to keep my attention focussed on the next major reveal. I’d likely return for another novel, as Ellen Larkin has some sass worth seeing developed on another occasion.

Kudos, Madam Gavigan, for a great debut (I presume) novel. You’ve got some talent that needs a little developing for greater success.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Fear: Trump in the White House, by Bob Woodward

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #31 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

While the talk of the 45th President of the United States (POTUS) seems to be an endless cycle of conversation, insults, and downright headaches, I approached reading this book with an open and curious mind. I chose to let Bob Woodward —a highly esteemed journalist in his own right—guide me through some of his findings during the early period of the Trump presidency.

Woodward explores Trump’s candidacy and first year or so in the Oval Office, tackling some of the more controversial events and topics that came to light. Woodward offers the reader some insights into this time, where Trump was fuelled by a passionate hatred of President Obama and how he would do anything to derail or dismantle programs put in place, making promises at rallies and seeking to enact them as soon as he had a presidential seat.

There was also much talk of his attempts to make his own mark in the military, trade, sanctions, and even diplomacy, all guided by his Trump-centric mentality. Woodward clearly points that Trump was not alone, as he had a number of well-meaning—as well as completely useless—advisors around him, many of whom tried to guide him in a certain direction. While I may not agree with their politics, Woodward presents these advisors as those who sought to educate and guide Trump towards what could be done for America and how the Jenga blocks needed to be inched in a certain direction in order not to make things come cascading down, thereby heralding catastrophe.

The few sycophants who emerge from the text are those who are useless to the larger process, but entirely what Trump felt he needed on a daily basis. Armed with his narrow view on the world and with his Twitter account as a billy club, Trump tried to fix all things in a few characters, which usually failed to bring about presidential diplomacy.

If Woodward offers a single theme in this book that echoes throughout the pages of well-documented chapters, it is that Trump wanted to do things his way and will rarely follow the narrow and calculated path asked of him. A renegade to some and completely rogue to others, there is reason to fear.

America’s enemies are ready and willing to strike, which evokes added concern, when the man with his finger on the button treats it like his own personal toy, rather than listening to the reason of those who seek to advise.

Woodward should be applauded for this book, as he seeks to offer insights through the eyes of others, rather than rallying his own personal attacks with little substantive proof. Recommend for those who want a glimpse inside the West Wing without the baseless attacks of a jilted few who feed only negative information to sell books.

I have heard much about this book before I even began the opening sentence. Some loved the book for its openness and exploration of a number of topics, while others hated it for not revealing new smoking guns or additional finger pointing. Still others criticized it for poking fun at the POTUS in any way, as we should bow to him and allow him to create America in a new image.

I found the book to be intriguing in many ways and took much away from it. While I have read a few books on the Trump presidency—is it not indicative of something that so many pieces have come out so soon after he made it to the Oval Office?—there are themes that come out in all of them. These include: obsession with television portrayals, refusal to read background materials for essential decisions, preconceived notions of effective governance, and a hatred for all who oppose him.

What this book helped me see was that all of these and other perspectives were further solidified through the interviews Woodward undertook with those closest to Trump. This was not Woodward standing atop a soap box and issuing criticism dreamed up in his own mind, he used the words and sentiments of many who were ‘in the trenches’ to garner a better understanding for the reader. Call me naive, but I cannot see Bob Woodward as one who is all that interested in using weak information to build his arguments. Woodward has shown time and again that he asks the tough questions, but seeks to be fair in his delivery. First hand accounts serve as the foundation of this book’s narrative momentum, which I applaud.

There are moments of praise for Trump and others of complete mockery, but when they come from within, can be really call it a smear campaign by liberal media sources? I have never hidden my sentiments on this topic and while I try to get some of my foundation through reading and trying to better understand the situation, I am also an outsider. I admit to being happy that I have the right to expand my horizons and to better comprehend that which I argue against from my side of the (unwalled) border. Freedoms to express my sentiments cannot be taken, nor should they, so long as I am not fanning unfounded hatred for the sake of personally harming others. Worry not, Woodward handles this discussion in the book when he speaks of the supremacist rallies in the summer of 2017.

This was the first book I read on the subject where I was attacked by both pro- and anti-Trump folks. The former group sought to criticize me for reading about the negativity of the POTUS and how it all lies, while the latter bemoaned that I would waste my time reading about him at all. It is this ignorance that has pushed for me to seek a better understanding of the situation. I find many readers seek to ‘trump’ the ongoing discussions, in hopes that people will stop talking and trying to better understand things as they evolve.

Should we, as citizens of the world, live in fear until 2020? Might the type of behaviour exemplified in this book lead to horrible things? There is that possibility, but it could also be a rallying cry for American voters to turn out to cast their ballots, while Intelligence agencies work to plug some of the gaping holes that permitted outsider influences in elections past.

I encourage Bob Woodward to return to this topic after the Trump presidency has ended (however that will come about), as I would read that book, which can explore the entire experience in a single arc. Until then, I encourage all readers with an interest to give this book a try, ignoring the trolls on both sides who hurl insults at your choice. (Note, since reading and reviewing this book the first time, Woodward has added to the Trump White House series, my next major read, RAGE).

Kudos, Mr. Woodward, for giving me something about which to think. I feel enriched about what you have presented and look forward to where things will lead from here.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Girls of Brackenhill, by Kate Moretti

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Kate Moretti, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

When seeking a story guaranteed to offer strong plot lines, stellar characters, and twists at every turn, one need look no further than the work of Kate Moretti. She uses these and other ingredients to keep the reader on the edge of their seat in her latest thriller, Girls of Brackenhill, where a woman is forced to return to her past in order to put her present in order. Recommended to those who need a surprise or two in their reading experience.

It was a call out of the blue that shocked Hannah more than anything. Her Aunt Fae had been in a horrible car accident and Hannah’s presence was urgently requested. Agreeing to take the six hour journey, Hannah and her fiancé make their way to sort things out, which includes time spent at the Brackenhill, an isolated piece of property that locals call a haunted castle, but Fae and her partner call home. Brackenhill has a long and sordid history as being home to many mysterious goings-on over the years, which may be why the locals have given it such an ominous reputation. It is also the last place Hannah’s sister, Julia, was ever seen.

Once Hannah learns and comes to terms with Fae’s death in the accident, she must determine how to deal with her uncle, who has been clinging to life for a long while and still lives in Brackenhill. Hannah agrees to stay at on the property to put things in order, though the past comes bubbling back to the surface. Over a number of summers, Hannah and Julia spent their time here, getting into teenage trouble and finding love. However, after Julia went missing, Hannah left and never returned. It’s been seventeen years, yet for Hannah it seems like yesterday.

When Wyatt McCarran arrives at the door, another layer of Hannah’s past comes crashing back. While Wyatt is now a police officer investigating Fae’s accident, he was Hannah’s first love and the boy who broke her heart. Awkward and yet trying not to let it engulf them, Hannah and Wyatt seek to put the past in order while also deal with the issues at hand. This is further complicated when a jaw bone is found on the Brackenhill property, leaving the possibility open that it could belong to Julia.

As Hannah spends even more time at Brackenhill, some of her troubled past comes to the surface and she begins to question much of her life over those summers. New mysteries emerge and Hannah is not prepared to ignore things, which proves troubling to many. Hannah learns more about some of the gaps she could not have understood as a teenager, though these prove to be more painful than she could have predicted.

Hannah’s troubles with sleepwalking return while she is at Brackenhill, causing her more grief than she could have imagined. While trying to settle her uncle as he slips into his final days, Hannah remains determined to discover what happened to Fae and how it may relate to Julia’s disappearance. Brackenhill may have a sordid history, but it is a handful of locals who hold the key to solving the mystery, each possessing their own piece of the puzzle. It’s up to Hannah to bring it all together before she falls apart!

Having read one of Karen Moretti’s novels before, I knew a little of what I ought to expect with this piece. That being said, there is a constant curiosity as to what the narrative will bring and how things will come together in the end. Moretti strings the reader along with some great work in two time periods, meshing them together effectively when needed to add impact to her work.

Hannah’s role as protagonist is obvious, but there is a lot about her that remains veiled in mystery. The reader slowly discovers what they need to know throughout the narrative, which splits between present day and flashbacks. This builds a solid foundation of backstory, though the gaps are plentiful and the reader is forced to piece things together for themselves. Hannah’s growth in the present time hinges on her understanding of that past, as she reestablishes old connections and tries not to let them cloud her judgement.

Moretti’s use of supporting characters helps solidify the strength of the novel, in my opinion. The two timelines can be difficult to juggle while also being essential to understand the central plot. These characters both support Hannah in her discovery, as well as impede her on occasion. Moretti creates great development for all involved and injects effective banter to offer depth to her plot, without confusing the reader with too many threads to manage.

The story works well and builds throughout, using the two timelines to weave a strong foundation. There are moments the reader is thrust into the middle of one mystery, only to find themselves learning about another. The intensity of the narrative never dissipates, which is fuelled by Moretti’s use of short chapters to keep the reader on their toes. There is no time to breathe, let alone put the book down, which adds to the book’s allure. Mysteries intertwine and a set of characters leave the reader guessing about how Brackenhill might tie it all together. Those familiar with Moretti’s work and curious readers alike will take something away from this book, likely solidifying their desire to find more by the author in short order.

Kudos, Madam Moretti, for another strong piece. I can rely on you to always bring something unique to my reading experience.

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/review-girls-of-brackenhill/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Fresh Meat (DS Jamie Johansson #2), by Morgan Greene

Nine stars

Having devoured the opening novel in this series, I was eager to get back to it, particularly because Morgan Green left things so wide open with a cliffhanger. This second book is just as good, using another gritty story and spicing it up with strong character development. A dual plot line that keeps DS Jamie Johansson busier than she could imagine helps to propel the piece forward. I was highly impressed with the novel and hope others will take the time to read the series to date. Recommended to those who love a good police procedural where the action never takes a breather.

While the partner pairing of Detective Sergeants Jamie Johansson and Paul Roper is the talk of the London Metropolitan Police, the oddity has been diluted somewhat. DS Johansson is young, lithe, and health conscious, while DS Roper smokes like a chimney, but has curbed his love of drink. The age gap is also quite significant, but somehow they make it work and find a form symbiosis. After a somewhat rocky start in the first novel, they have found their stride and the ever-present sobriety of them both appears to be one factor.

After letting serial killer and illegal organ donor, Elliot Day, slip through their fingers, Johansson and Roper have tried to earn some credibility back. When postcards from around the world begin turning up in Johansson’s personal mailbox, she is curious. Is Day simply mocking her as he galavants all over, killing Interpol agents at will? When Day begins offering Johansson clues as to where she might find some local criminals, she undertakes the missions with much success, but keeps the news from her partner and the police brass.

A postcard arrives with a vague description of a victim, one that Johansson cannot pass up. She discovers the Jane Doe, a young Asian woman who was pregnant and shot in the back. After reading some of the preliminary reports, Johansson convinces Roper that they ought to work the case. However, it’s been assigned to a senior pair of homicide detectives and they have no way of explaining how they came to know of it. Working her magic, Johansson convinces the senior detectives to let her in on the case, though she is to take no credit for anything and must keep it from her superiors. She’s in and ready to ruffle a few feathers.

After learning a little more about the victim, based on a tattoo located on her wrist, Johansson enters the world of underground Chinese casinos. It would seem the victim worked at one called Jade Circle and was used to service clients when requested. Asking too many questions leaves Roper in the hospital and Johansson on the wrong side of the beat down, though she refuses to stand down, wanting to give the victim the justice she deserves. When Johansson discovers a name for the victim, Qiang, it gets the ball rolling and makes the investigation all the more real!

When Elliot Day re-emerges at Johnasson’s apartment, he shares some news that could put the Qiang case into better perspective. Jade Circle is surely much more difficult than it appears on the surface and surely must be stopped. Human trafficking and the abyss that emerges with it will impact Johansson greatly, but she cannot relent, needing to make a difference as only she knows how. Qiang may only be a single woman, but there are so many others who need saving, if only to justify keeping Elliot on the lam and defying every rule the Met has for DS Jamie Johansson. This is where the action picks up and the case gets even more dangerous, with Elliot lurking in the shadows as well.

Morgan Greene is a natural storyteller and lures the reader in with great writing alongside some well-developed characters. Both novels served to keep me pushing ahead and reading well into the night, so as to finish and learn a little more about what was to come!

DS Jamie Johansson is a wonderful protagonist yet again, as her character continues to blossom throughout the story. With a little more backstory about her father, a detective in Sweden before he took his own life, keeps the reader eager to learn more. While she is a young detective, Johansson has the passion her father instilled in her, though she is still fairly wet behind the ears when it comes to certain aspects of policing. When she’s not in the middle of a case, Johansson uses her personal time to burn a little energy with mixed-martial arts, something Greene explores in breakaway moments of the narrative.

The cast of secondary characters remained intriguing for me. Greene develops his supporting cast effectively in this police procedural, mixing people from all walks of life to complement our protagonist. Some are one-offs, which is to be expected, while there are a few who returned for this second adventure. I hope to see more of these characters as the series moves forward, seemingly with at least two more books.

This was a great follow-up novel and Morgan Greene is surely an author worth noting, as his confidence builds. The piece gains momentum throughout with great action and a well-paced set of cases. Exploring more of the darker underbelly of London, Greene offers his readers a piece they will not soon forget. Longer chapters pull the reader in with much plot development, alongside a few teasers to keep the reader forging ahead. There is still a lot to go in the series, as Elliot Day remains on the loose and Johansson cannot simply let that leave her memory. Two more books await the reader, according to the author’s note, which will surely make for some wonderful reading in the coming months.

Kudos, Mr. Greene, for another stellar piece. Keep them coming and let Jamie find her wings!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Bare Skin (DS Jamie Johansson #1), by Morgan Greene

Nine stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to Morgan Greene for providing me with a copy of this novel, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Approached by the author to review his debut police procedural, I entered the experience with an open mind and high hopes. As soon as DS Jamie Johansson made herself known, I could tell that this would be a gritty story with significant character development and a plot that would propel the piece forward. I was not disappointed with Morgan Greene’s work and hope others will take the time to read it. That being said, you’ll want to block off some time, as this novel will surely pull you in!

Of all the partner pairings within the London Metropolitan Police, that of Detective Sergeants Jamie Johansson and Paul Roper is surely the least likely. DS Johansson is young, lithe, and health conscious, while DS Roper smokes like a chimney and loves his drink. The age gap is also quite significant, but somehow they make it work and find a form symbiosis.

When they are called to investigate the death of a young, homeless man, Johansson and Roper can only suspect it will be another case that adds to the statistics. However, Oliver ‘Ollie’ Hammond presents as a long-time heroin user who appears to have drowned in the river, with a significant amount of torture to his body. Might it have been self-inflicted from years of drug use? That’s the question that no one seems able to answer.

When DS Johansson tracks Ollie back to a shelter, she discovers that he has a girlfriend, Grace, who has been living on the streets with him, battling the same heroin addiction. While there are few leads, once DS Johansson finds Grace, she is in bad shape. Rushed to the hospital with an overdose, she will be of no help to anyone for the time being.

DS Roper takes him job seriously, but is also realistic about the chance that a pair of homeless people will be top priority for the Met. His pig-headedness clashes greatly with his partner, as DS Johansson refuses to give up. She’s sure there is a drug angle here, as many of the dealers and drug kingpins likely have Grace and Ollie on their radars. Working every angle they can, Johansson and Roper discover a possible suspect, though they try to handle things on their own, much to their own demise.

Suspended for putting themselves and other cases in jeopardy, Johansson and Roper go their own ways for the time being. Johansson uses her time away to reflect on some of her own personal problems, including a budding connection to one of the witnesses that has helped shape the case. It’s only when a substantial lead comes to fruition that DSs Johansson and Roper will be called on assist in bringing a ‘big fish’ down. However, not everything caught in the net proves helpful, and this leads to a stunning cliffhanger as the last chapter comes to an end.

Morgan Greene not only has a way with storytelling, but can lure the reader in with a strong plot and some well-developed characters. There was no point during my reading that I was lulled into a sense of boredom, as I was always wanting a little more, turning pages well into the night.

DS Jamie Johansson is a wonderful protagonist and her character is hashed out effectively throughout the story. A transplant from Sweden in her teens, she idolises her father, who was also a detective before he took his own life. The animosity between her parents left Johansson with a gaping hole in her life, something serving on the Met only hopes to fill. While she is a young detective, she has a knack like few others. Her mix of workplace professionalism and desire to better herself through diet and exercise make her a well-rounded character that Greene explores in breakaway moments of the narrative. There is still much to learn about her, making the fact that this is a series with some momentum all the more exciting.

The cast of secondary characters kept me intrigued throughout as well. Greene is able to paint a wonderful picture in this police procedural with strong supporting characters from all walks of life. The police, drug world, and medical folk are all presented in a believable fashion and help to hash out the multi-faceted plot that never seems to lag. With the cliffhanger at the end of the novel, we’ll likely see many of these faces again in the sequel, though how they will impact the story is left to be seen.

This was a great debut novel and Morgan Greene is surely an author worth noting. A strong plot gains momentum throughout with a strong setting on the gritty streets of London. Using some of the darker underbelly of the city, Greene offers the reader something well worth their while. The use of longer chapters pulls the reader in with much plot development, only to be countered with a few short, teasing chapters to keep the ‘a few more pages’ mantra on the lips of many. With a cliffhanger, I have no choice but to reach for the sequel to see how things resolve themselves. In truth, Greene writes so well that I’d be happy to rush to find another DS Jamie Johansson novel no matter the topic!

Kudos, Mr. Greene, for a great beginning to what looks like a gritty series. I hope others stumble upon your work and see just how addictive it can be.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Proof of Corruption: Bribery, Impeachment, and Pandemic in the Age of Trump, by Seth Abramson

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #30 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

This reading challenge has led me along some eye-opening paths. With Election Day almost at hand, I have decided to tackle some more legal and analytical tomes that explore the most sinister aspects of the Trump Administration and their dealings with others. Seth Abramson has penned three decisive books about Trump and those around him, arguing claims of collusion, conspiracy, corruption in the years before he became president and into his authoritarian reign. This is the final of those books, where the corrupt practices receive their time in the limelight. The tome offers a powerful narrative with copious amounts of research and proof to support the arguments, something Trump finds difficult to produce when pressed. Recommended to those who enjoy the political history game and uncovering the deceptive nature of the current White House cronies.

Continuing to develop the foundational statements made in the previous tomes, Seth Abramson effectively argues that corruption was one of the key languages spoken in the Trump Campaign. While the reader familiar with the previous two books will understand that Russia and the Red Sea Conspiracy countries (namely Saudi Arabia and the UAE) played key roles in helping Trump win the White House, the idea of the 2020 re-election campaign was never off the radar. Key to that would be for Trump to be able to sink his likely opponent, who appeared to be Joe Biden by as early as 2018. Trump and his cronies would need to find a way to skewer the longtime politician, honing in on his family. Hunter Biden’s activities in Ukraine became a key focal point, which proves to be a central theme of this book.

Abramson offer a brief backgrounder to readers about Ukraine and how it was the victim of Russian aggression in 2014, when President Putin forcefully annexed Crimea. This act was condemned by the United States at the time, under President Obama, which led to significant sanctions that remained in place. This Russia-Ukraine strain would prove to be a key turning point later in the narrative, as American policy seemed to change under incoming President Trump.

Ukraine may have been an American ally through the early years of the Trump presidency, but the ambassador there was not keen on how things were being handled. Marie Yovanovitch was quite outspoken when it came to her issues with the Trump Administration, leading the president’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, to poke his head into the country and begin setting up a plan to have her removed. Always one to inject a smear when he could, Giuliani began defaming Yovanovitch amongst senior Ukrainian officials. Giuliani returned to the White House to whisper in Trump’s ear, hoping to have her removed so that her meddling would no longer be an impediment in the region. Trump backed his recommendation and Marie Yovanovitch found herself fired in true Trump fashion, left to speak openly about the issues she uncovered.

The Ukrainian presidential election saw television actor Volodymyr Zelensky win in surprising fashion. Well out of his element, Zelensky relied heavily on those around him. The Trump Administration were not entirely sure of this man or how he would alter the regional dynamic, which included a Russian Government that was still eyeing more territorial acquisitions in Ukraine. Abramson outlines many of the discussions between Trump and his new Ukrainian counterpart, including some of the messaging that came back from Kyiv during the inauguration. The ball was rolling and Trump needed to use his new political ally to help dig a little deeper into the goings-on with Hunter Biden, in hopes of uncovering some dirt that could be used against presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, ahead of the 2020 presidential election. The pressure increased during a call in July 2019, where a quid pro quo discussion arose. Trump would send earmarked military funding to Ukraine (helping to fend off the Russians) if an investigation into Hunter Biden could be green-lighted. Many of those who were part of the call or read the transcripts saw that this was abuse of power, though how it would be handled may shock the reader, as it did some of those journalists covering the events.

Abramson opens up a long discussion about the Ukrainian angle into Hunter Biden, producing many characters who served in a number of roles. Rudy Giuliani was a key member of the assault, though he had no White House role or connection, serving solely as Trump’s personal attorney and lapdog. US Ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, appeared repeatedly and appears to have been one of the first who endorsed the quid pro quo idea, but was not the only one who thought it made a great deal of sense. While some of the inner circle supported the approach Trump took, many others did not and made those objections known. True to form, these individuals found themselves fired or stepping down as media outlets began to report on this.

It was a hot potato issue for Congress, to say the least. The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives undertook some thorough investigations, much to the chagrin of the Republicans. Using their majority in the House, Democrats pushed to explore Trump’s actions and found that there were strong abuses of power. Tied into some of the findings from the Mueller Investigation, House Democrats pushed for and presented Articles of Impeachment, which Abramson depicts in an interesting narrative. While the vote on the Articles fell almost entirely along party lines, it was only the first step in the process. Trump was the fourth president to be impeached, with his fate left to the Senate, which would act as jury. Abramson has much scorn for the way the Senate handled the impeachment, arguing that the Republican-led House abused the role assigned to them by the US Constitution. It makes for some interesting reading, though is less revealing than much of the remaining narrative Abramson offers throughout.

While the previous tomes offered a few strong villains on which the reader could affix their attention, much of the negativity in this tome rests with Rudy Giuliani. While many will know him as the blowhard who is espousing countless odd conspiracy theories, he also seems to be pulling strings behind the scenes and serving to start fires for his client, President Trump. Abramson illustrates that Giuliani sought to smear anyone he could and bring down those who were not entirely dedicated to Trump. Giuliani also served to keep secret pathways open for Trump with international leaders deemed ‘enemies of America’. One of these would be Venezuela, where Trump was publicly critical of the government, but was seeking to help the country, as it worked to create ties with Russia. Astounding in some regard, but also to be expected when it comes to Trump dealings.

Abramson does not hold back when it comes to Trump either, showing that he was invested in areas he ought not to have had any role. The recent revelations of a Chinese bank account for Trump are substantiated here, as Abramson discusses how Trump real estate deals were ongoing once he became president. While divesting or using blind trusts would be the norm, it seemed as though this was something Trump never thought he needed to do, which is shown in other examples throughout the narrative as well.

Following the lead of his Red Sea conspirators, Trump sought to vilify the Iranians and pushed to engage in military strikes to kill some of their high-ranking leaders. Abramson illustrates how the president wanted nothing more than to stir up trouble and then make it seem as though he were helping out in the region. His incessant need to flex American control, but in ways that lacked any usefulness in advancing geo-political success baffled many, including those within the Republican Party. Many senior members of Congress openly criticised his decisions, going so far as to call them ‘stupid’, ‘poorly executed’, and even, ‘counter to American foreign policy’. And yet… he still got away with it.

Trump’s ties to Turkey created chaos as well, though Abramson draws strong parallels to a pro-Russia sentiment when liaising with the Turkish leader. Much of their connection was tied to Syria and how to handle the civil war there, as well as some of the Middle East strife. Readers will be able to see how Trump linked his views with those who have never espoused democracy, making decisions that left American allies abandoned. Military personnel reacted to seeing how they were being used as chess pieces and received abuse on the ground when told to leave the region, all in an effort to offer Russia and Turkey control of Syrian land in the ongoing dispute.

One domestic issue worth exploring is the COVID-19 response, which Abramson leaves for the final chapter of this book. As the chapter opens, Abramson discusses of a virus simulation done in 2019 by American officials. This simulation offered symptoms that mirror what would come to be called COVID-19. Trump received the simulation report, but was not interested in much, dismissing it as ‘unlikely’. Abramson also explores some medical information that shows China hid the emergence of COVID-19, which began appearing as early as November 2019, perhaps even before that. News emerged in Trump’s daily briefings on January 3rd, 2020, but he appeared less than concerned. As the virus gained momentum, xenophobic comments emerged from the West Wing and Trump continued to downplay the severity. Abramson spends some time discussing the discrepancy between numbers Trump touted to the general public and those the Centers for Disease Control had in reports that made it to the Oval Office. Clearly, there was a desire to shield truths from the public, but for what reason? Abramson may not have the answers, but he certainly offers some strong facts as they relate to the virus, which have only worsened since publication of the book.

Leave it to Trump to politicise a pandemic on the domestic front. While many will know and have heard about much of what Abramson writes, it is telling that one can read something that has already been published and feel as though this is a live stream of things taking place even today. One may have expected that once President Trump contracted COVID-19, he may have had the epiphany that many on the right have had, seeing the light (to hell?) and choosing to sober up. Alas, the rallies are still taking place, the masks are still deemed for “the weak” and funding is tied to kissing the Trump ring. One can hope that, if for no other reason, people will use reaction to COVID-19 within the United States as a key reason to choose wisely at the polls.

Looking at the trilogy as a whole, what does this say about Trump and his band of merry hucksters? A great deal, at least for the attentive (and patient) reader. There is no doubt that collusion, conspiracy, and corruption follow Trump around like an oil slick. He has his fingers in so many pies, both domestically and internationally, though he continues to downplay his role and distances himself from those who are proven to have done something wrong. That Donald Trump does not colour within the lines should shock no one. However, the depths to which he does so surely makes Richard Nixon appear ‘Picasso-esque’. Seth Abramson has shown in as thorough a way as he can, without drowning the reader in information (debatable), just how troubling things have been with Trump since he announced his candidacy for president in 2015.

There is no way to ignore it, particularly as it has been reported so transparently. Some will surely want to scream #fakenews, though I really cannot grapple with how the conspiracy of media outlets can be so all-encompassing. I will ask those who believe the aforementioned assertion to please offer me some proof (as Abramson has done for his points) and not simply vomit up “many people say” or “I’ve read somewhere”. Such vapid responses only show that there are still those drinking the Kool-Aid and cannot engage in an intellectual discussion on their own. Sad, really, as I am always up for something where facts supersede blind ostriching.

This trilogy has opened my eyes to a vast amount of detailed information. While many may have become numb to Trumpers and their conspiracy tweets with nothing to back them up, Abramson’s writing cannot easily be dismissed, substantiated with countless documents and admissions under oath. Each book became progressively more detailed with subtleties about which I was not aware, which added a depth to the learning experience I was not expecting. Each chapter is themed on an event or personality, much shorter than the form used in the previous two tomes. This makes for a more easily digested read and is not as daunting to the curious reader. There are many threads to follow (characters and dates), which can get a little intense at times, as well as moments of overlapping and repetition. Some may find this annoying, but there is a need to revisit portions of the narrative on occasion to see how the pieces fit together. I am pleasantly stunned by the work Seth Abramson has put into this trilogy of Proof tomes. He does a masterful job and had me spellbound throughout as I read it. This is a collection that deeply dedicated political junkies will want to read, leaving them stunned and wanting more.

Kudos, Mr. Abramson, for a stunning series that had me learning with the turn of each page. I can only wonder what else you have in store for readers and if it might be a final roasting of how the end to 2020 led to the first time a president was carted off in chains!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Proof of Conspiracy: How Trump’s International Collusion is Threatening American Democracy, by Seth Abramson

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #29 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

This reading challenge has surely taken me on some very interesting paths. With only a short time before the formal Election Day, I now turn to some more legal and analytical tomes that explore some of the most sinister aspects of the Trump Administration and their dealings with others. Seth Abramson has penned three decisive novels about Trump and those around him, arguing some substantial claims of collusion, conspiracy, corruption in the years before he became president and into his authoritarian reign. This is the second of those books, where conspiracy takes centre stage. The tome offers copious amounts of research and proof to support much of what is argued, something Trump finds difficult to produce when pressed. Recommended to those who enjoy the political history game and seeing how to connect some of the dots that many likely did not know were even on the page.

Building on some of the foundational statements made in the opening tome, Seth Abramson effectively argues that there was collusion between the Trump Campaign and others, but it went deeper than Russia. In fact, one could say that it all relates to the Red Sea Conspiracy, hatched in the summer of 2015. The players include: Russia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain. Their goal, to ensure a presidential candidate for the upcoming American election can be chosen that will benefit them all in various ways. Abramson explores how each of these countries will benefit and what their leaders will have to do in order to pave the way to a successful win by Donald J. Trump. This will, as the tome argues throughout, create a reliance and sense of being beholden by Candidate (eventually, President) Trump, which will ensure massive changes to US Foreign Policy occur, moves that baffled many unaware of these nefarious ties.

Abramson rehashes some of the early Russian involvements, as far back as Putin-Trump bantering over the Miss Universe Pageant. This, as the reader who is familiar with the first book will know, created a strong sense of blackmail that will keep Candidate Trump in line as he makes his way through the Republican primaries. The reader also learns that Russian ties to Paul Manafort exist, one of Trump’s 2016 campaign managers, who will eventually fall on charges of bribery and witness tampering when the Mueller Investigation takes centre stage in the United States.

Abramson explores other actors who develop close relationships with the campaign, all while representing foreign governments and trying to shape upcoming US foreign policy. George Nader, a convicted paedophile, emerges repeatedly as a representative for the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi (UAE) and pushes forward many strong views that could benefit the region. While the complexities of these benefits can, at times, surpass my understanding and easy explanation, Abramson does a wonderful job laying them out repeatedly. The UAE seeks stability in the region, something that cannot be done with Iran treated so fairly by the American Government, stemming from a nuclear del negotiated by President Obama. Nader serves bridge the gap and seek to push Emirati views in the early stages, which are already echoed by others within the Red Sea Conspiracy.

Erik Prince is a mercenary whose policy ideas come unsolicited to the Trump Campaign. His ties to armies for hire will become a highly important position for the UAE and Saudis, as they seek to neutralise some of their regional enemies, small fish in the larger sea of the Middle East. Prince has ways of making progress and can help curry favour between Trump and these Middle East partners, though it will not be easy. Abramson posits that Prince will also be key in securing an American withdrawal from Syria (much to the benefit of Russia), seeking to install a mercenary army answerable only to President Trump, but off the books and thereby outside the purview of the US Congress.

Jared Kushner, son-in-law to Trump and a real-estate tycoon will play a strong role in the entire debacle. He has no foreign policy background, but is looking for money to fund his numerous enterprises. He looks to the Emir of Qatar, who has been a strong financial ally in the past. However, those days appear over and Kushner is not happy about the lack of money flowing into his hands. He uses his animosity to help develop a policy to sink the Qataris, longtime allies of America, by ensuring the Emiratis and Saudis get what they want and uses his keen business sense to violate proper channels and speak directly to members of the Red Sea Conspiracy to make promises that will completely turn US foreign policy on its head. Protected by Trump himself, Kushner has little fear of reprisals, as those with the titles fall by the wayside and earn the repeated ire of the president. The reader will see just how dangerous Kushner proves to be as it relates to legal and diplomatic processes within the United States, though no one has reined him in, even though scores of security reports have red flagged his actions.

The tome explores not only the actors, but the decisions that occurred to help create the 2016 electoral win and subsequent changes in US policy that leave some baffled to this day. Abramson presents proof that it was an Israeli software program the Russians used to ensure they could hack into the Democrats emails and lay the groundwork for social media disruptions throughout. As the Kushners have strong ties to the Israeli prime minister, this is no leap to make the connection. Israel has long sought an ally when it comes to the Middle East and Trump could be used to push back against those who might try to push for a softer solution, carving Israel up even more than it has already been.

Of particular interest is that Trump issued the travel ban list early in his presidency, those six countries whose citizens were no longer welcome to visit any part of the United States. Abramson tries to understand the list, with none of the six having citizens accused of plotted any domestic terrorism on US soil for the preceding four decades. By contrast, one country left off the list is Saudis Arabia, where a number of the September 11th terrorists were born. That may be because there were plans for Trump to head out to see the Saudis and sell them over $100 billion in arms for their upcoming push to defend the region. It would seem that money talks and policy walks in that direction, no matter who is at the helm.

The attentive reader will recognise many of the names that repeat themselves throughout the discussions in the book, which builds on a larger group being complicit in turning the Trump candidacy into a collection of collusive acts to ensure massive changes would occur to US foreign policy in the months after the 2016 election. The were also numerous violations of the Logan Act (a piece of legislation that bars private citizens from negotiating with foreign governments with whom the country has an active dispute) by many close to Trump, especially Jared Kushner and brief National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Abramson proves much of it through his research and testimony made to the Mueller Investigation. While rarely enforced, there was no chance that anyone would be prosecuted in a Trump Justice Department, just as the pleas for Russian interference fell on ignorant and deaf ears.

Sitting in power, President Trump knew those who had done him favours and it was time to pay the piper. Abramson shows how the tune changed and the tweets turned docile towards some and venomous when directed at others. If the reader needs any examples of this, Abramson offers a thorough and intense discussion surrounding the murder of Washington Post journalist, Jamal Khashoggi. As he did when Putin dismissed claims of Russian election interference, Trump assures Americans that the Saudis were not involved when their government denies any ties to the killing. Even when the truth came out, Trump refused to take action and blocked any move by American investigators to get answers. It is both mind-blowing and sickening to read this!

It is with the aforementioned evidence and substantiation that things begin to make a little more sense and some of the decisions the Trump Administration made can be explained away (but not accepted). The Red Sea Conspiracy has deep roots and can surely continue to work effectively for as long as Trump is in the White House. There may only be a short time left before Election Day, but you can be sure it’s no holds barred when it comes to keeping the puppet in the Oval Office, even if it means blurring the lines and making the impossible occur. With this information, I am a little more worried. I’ll turn to Seth Abramson’s third book on the corruption that befell America, to see how things can be explained there. I am hooked and cannot wait to see what else there is to learn.

This reading journey has opened my eyes to much, with Seth Abramson’s books serving to expand my understanding of a great deal more. While many may be used to hearing Trumpers spewing conspiracy theories with nothing to back them up, Abramson presents a narrative that cannot easily be dismissed, substantiated with countless documents and admissions under oath. Whereas the first book was filled with information about which I was aware, much within these pages was completely new and jaw-dropping to me. Each chapter is broken down into a time period, which makes the larger narrative palatable, though still stunning with every turn of the page. The chapters offers both the substantial arguments and then an annotated section to include more information, creating long chapters for the reader. This should not be overly daunting to the curious reader, as the writing is clear and easy to understand. There are many characters and dates, which can get a little intense at times, as well as much overlapping and repetition. Some may find this annoying, but with so much to cover and things intertwined on numerous levels, there is a need to revisit portions of the narrative on occasion. I am eager to continue into some of the deeper and darker areas of the Trump story, sure to be blown away yet again, particularly as we enter the domestic chaos that comes from much of the meddling from these first two books. Seth Abramson does a masterful job and had me spellbound throughout as I read it. This is a tome that deeply dedicated political junkies will want to read, leaving them stunned and wanting more.

Kudos, Mr. Abramson, for a stunning continuation of your political trilogy. Glad I left some of the heavy mental lifting until now, as much of what you reveal is best told to voters as close to Election Day as possible!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Without Her Consent, by McGarvey Black

Eight stars

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/review-without-her-consent/

Always one who enjoys a mystery, this particular medical thriller caught my attention. McGarvey Black writes about a horrible crime perpetrated against a defenceless woman in a coma. Who could have done it and how long will it take to discover the perpetrator? A quick read, perfect for those who love the genre, as well as the reader who’s keen on piecing it all together.

Oceanside Manor is home to a number of patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, including Eliza Stern. Eliza’s been a patient for many years, having been the sole survivor of a horrific car accident that claimed the life of her family. When a nurse discovers that she’s in labour, it’s all hands on deck.

Dr. Angela Crawford may not be actively practicing as an obstetrician, but has done well as the acting head of Oceanside Manor. The news of Eliza’s pregnancy and birth of a baby boy creates more headaches than she could imagine. Rushing to put out any fires she can locate, Angela tries to handle the situation on her own, though the Chair of the Board is sure to remind her how incompetent she can be.

When Angela reaches out to the police, it becomes a full investigation into the rape of Eliza Stern. It will take a massive effort to create a list of all possible men who have found themselves within the facility in the last ten months, but Angela will cut no corners to locate the rapist. She works in concert with the police, keeping the Board at bay throughout the process.

As the investigation progresses, the police work their magic, though not without news leaking. Headlines begin to appear around the world, making Oceanside Manor the talk as far away as New Zealand. A mysterious overdose by one of the staff leaves everyone wondering if the killer is back, trying to cover their tracks. Angela makes a decision that will benefit herself, though she justifies it as being a help to the investigation.

Eliza Stern may never wake up from her comatose state, but she deserves a voice. Angela promises to offer her that and bring the rapist to justice. It would take an especially heinous person to subject an unconscious woman to this fate, something that sits on Angela’s mind as the investigation reaches its climax.

This was my first novel by McGarvey Black, though I hope it is not the last. The writing was quite easy to digest and the story kept me interested throughout. There are medical, ethical, and criminal questions with which the the reader can wrestle, alongside a plot that is full of decent twists.

Angela Crawford proves to be an interesting protagonist in the story. This criminal act has fallen into her lap and she is forced to juggle everything on the fly. Her own backstory is a mix of happy times and some personal struggles, though she seeks to find the best it all of it. While she cannot be said to have complete control of the situation, Angela does her best to steer things in the right direction.

Black provides the reader with a slew of great secondary characters, offering different perspectives of the crime and investigation. From the medical professionals to the police and even the reporters covering the story, Black injects many personalities to keep the reader intrigued from every angle. With crisp dialogue and some small bouts of character development throughout, the reader can connect with many of those who fill the pages of this book.

The central plot of the book is one well worth the reader’s attention. A simple act of rape turns into an issue that will take the reader throughout many perspectives of the event. Told through the eyes of many—the police, the hospital administrators, journalists, and the Board of Directors—the story gains depth with each passing chapter. Black uses short chapters to hook the reader and keep them forging ahead, which is a great way to keep the momentum of this piece. The reader is sure to be entertained throughout, while left to consider where they stand about the various revelations found within this story. The final fifty pages alone make the book, as things come to a climactic reveal, something many will not have seen coming!

Kudos, Madam Black, for a great piece of writing. I will be looking into some of your other work, with hopes that it is just as intriguing.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Proof of Collusion: How Trump Betrayed America, by Seth Abramson

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #28 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

While this reading challenge has taken me on some very interesting paths, I chose to turn to some more legal and analytical tomes before I run out of time. Seth Abramson has penned three decisive novels about Trump and those around him, arguing some of the substantial claims of collusion, conspiracy, corruption in the years before he became president and into his authoritarian reign. This is the first of those novels, where collusion is discussed and some strong arguments made to substantiate it. Recommended to those who enjoy the political history game and seeing how to connect some of the dots that Mueller could not make and that Trumpers refuse to acknowledge.

Even from the opening pages of his book, Seth Abramson effectively argues that business tycoon Donald Trump had a relationship with Russian oligarchs, which would have paved the way for a tie to Vladimir Putin. Trump has long been interested in putting his mark on Russia with one of his hotels, though the chance did not occur while the USSR was clinging to life. However, once Russia came into its own, Trump sought to sweeten the deal, which included helping to pull some strings and ensure that Putin noticed him in ways that could make things happen.

Abramson discusses the hoopla around ensuring Putin was pleased when his mistress won the Miss Universe Pageant, an event Trump says he was able to rig because he is that powerful. That began a bartering to make sure that Trump had doors opened for him for a Trump Tower Moscow, as well as sending the Miss Universe Pageant to the Russian capital for another of its interesting permutations.

It was at this time that there ‘may’ have been some less than germaphobe-approved events with Russian prostitutes, which could have left Trump beholden to his Russian friends, things that could (and surely would) be used to blackmail him in years to come. It was also around this time that Trump decided that he needed to curry added favour with Russia by running for office, something that may have been a long-shot, but showed that he was serious about helping Russia on the international front.

Abramson shows that Trump’s political ambitions were only part of what was going on at the time. The push to curry favour with the Russians was ongoing with various members of his family and entourage. While financial dealings were only part of the reason, it became apparent that there were fingers in all sorts of pies and Trump was aware of them. As he became a more serious contender, Russians from all walks of life came out to support or broker their own possible connections to him, which appeared only to add momentum to the connectivity, which would one day turn out to be colluding of a sort.

The tome tackles some of the proof around Russian involvement in trying to sway the election results, as they had already tipped the scales in the BREXIT vote to their favour. While Trump never thought that he would win, it appears his campaign worked hand in hand with Russians and other highly influential social media gurus to create a targeted system of ensuring that false news and fictitious events reflected poorly on Clinton, thereby paving the way for his success.

The knowledgeable reader will recognise many of the names that come out of the discussions in the book, which shows how complicit a larger group was to the collusion and helps to prove that this was not a single man’s idea. Trump could never have pulled it off, nor did he. When he miraculously won in November 2016, the wheels began to turn and the Russian promises were subtly made, inching America towards a strong and more open relationship with Russia. The were also numerous violations of the Logan Act (a piece of legislation that bars private citizens from negotiating with foreign governments with whom the country has an active dispute, which would include Russia at this time) by many close to Trump, as Abramson proves, though nothing was ever done by the Obama (too few days left) or the Trump Administrations (for obvious reasons). There was more, all of which would benefit Russia, but also create new and lasting ties with other nefarious countries whose help Trump would use to strengthen the connection to Moscow.

Now in power and having attain that spot because of Russian interference, Trump had to decide how to play things. He and Putin had, albeit through intermediaries, colluded to ensure Russia gained more power on the international scene and the only notable superpower did not stand in their way. With all this power and refusing to acknowledge that anything out of sorts happened, Trump needed to move forward and foster this friendship, while dodging any and all pitfalls that might await him. This leads into Abramson’s second tome, where conspiracies abound (those with substantiation, not of the Trump variety where ‘people are saying’)!

While this reading journey has opened my eyes to a great deal, Seth Abramson’s book has done that and more. Speaking of collusion is one thing, but seeing it presented in such a clear-cut fashion is another. Abramson opens by discussing that the term may not hold water in a court of law, but the definition fits like a glass slipper and he runs with it. Much of the information within the tome is not new to me, but it was connected so well that I can finally see how all the pieces fit and the larger narrative makes total sense. Within each chapter is a time period, which makes the larger story more digestible. The chapters open with a summary, move into the facts, and end with the annotated history, all of which paint the picture that Abramson seeks to offer the reader. The writing is clear and easy to understand, though there are many characters and dates, which can get a little intense at times. However, I am leaping at the chance to continue into some of the deeper and darker areas of the Trump story, sure to be blown away yet again. This is one of those books that deeply dedicated political junkies will want to read, as it opens the mind and the eyes in equal measure.

Kudos, Mr. Abramson, for a stunning beginning to what is sure to be a stellar trilogy. I am glad I left some of the heavy lifting until now, as it will make the most impact on American voters, some of whom I hope are still reading what I have to say!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir, by John R. Bolton (Re-post)

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #27 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

Perhaps one of the most anticipated political books of the summer, I chose to leap on the John Bolton memoir before reviews filled Goodreads and other platforms I frequent. Written based on his time working inside the White House, Bolton not only brings first-hand knowledge of events, but also offers insights into what he witnessed during his time as National Security Advisor. With a long history of work within various Republican administrations, John Bolton was not a man wet behind the ears when being considered for a position in the Trump Administration. His experience and hawkish approach to international politicking surely caught the attention of Trump and some of those within his inner circle. Bolton hit the ground running, explaining that every day in the Trump White House is fraught with chaos and ever-changing views on hot button issues. Bolton sought to steer the president in a few directions that would follow policy to support those views that arose in the campaign, at times doing anything to reverse the Obama trajectory. From America’s role in the Syrian civil war to Russian involvement on world events, Bolton showed how Trump’s opinions would change with the blowing of the wind, wanting America out of military involvement and yet not letting its greatest adversary to think it weak. This Russian sentiment baffled me throughout, as Trump would speak poorly about Putin and yet relied on him to win his seat in the Oval Office. Bolton also explores issues with China at length, clashing with one of the world’s economic superpowers at every turn, and yet Trump offered them the chance to keep him in power by ‘helping’ with the 2020 election (a la Putin 2016). Dismantling NATO and contemplating destabilising the leftist Venezuelan autocrat also played heavily on Trump’s agenda while Bolton was National Security Advisor, with many offhand and somewhat outlandish ideas coming up regularly before POTUS could be talked away from the ledge. Bolton spends much time throughout the book exploring the Trump view at finally getting some concrete progress with the North Koreans, with in-depth discussions of their two summits and the ‘love affair’ the media explored through the flowery diplomacy that took place, yet nothing substantial came to pass. Of equal interest and importance is the means by which Trump sought to dismantle the nuclear weapons treaty with Iran that had been negotiated during the Obama Administration. Trump seemed keen to change the rules and make sure America came out on top, while making sure that many new how horrible Obama was as POTUS (second only to Bush 43, whom Trump appeared to loathe even more). Bolton is happy to offer blunt views of Trump and those in the know, at times sharing views with other Cabinet officials as they watched the continued implosion of all things Trump. Bolton also sheds light on the constant sentiment that Trump is one who holds firm views of people, fleeting as the interactions change from day to day, including a strong dislike for some of America’s greatest allies, while praising those who are firmly in the column of ‘enemies of the state’. Bolton provides some insight into the Ukrainian interactions that fuelled the fire towards impeachment, offering his own ideas from the facts he knew. That Bolton and Trump eventually fell out is of no shock to anyone, as those who refuse to be sycophants are apt to become, but the recent vilification of anything Bolton might have to say only furthers my belief that there are hard truths in this book that many who nurse from the presidential teat would have us deny as a new round of false news. This book is full of detail and great narrative that will be ideal for those who want some additional insights into how the Trump White House ran things, both from an international and domestic perspective. I’d recommend this to those who enjoy all things political, as well as the reader who has no trouble hearing truths that may run counter to the POTUS circus.

I have never hidden my dislike of the current American administration, particularly the ringleader of the shenanigans. While I understand that media outlets will offer their own spin on events, I have come to appreciate those on the inside who offer up books about the events they witnessed. Some would call it smear campaigns or falsehoods to trip up POTUS, though I wonder how many people could have colluded with such a similar narrative, as well as what purpose it would serve to exert such energy to bring down a man who seems able to do it on his own. Bolton is by no means a Democrat seeking to dismantle the GOP machine, which only makes some of his views all the more insightful. He offers praise where it is needed and critiques things that seem to lack the insight to keep America from running amok (alas, we are well past that). Bolton does come across as a know-it-all at times, feeling that he is the smartest man in the room and all others should bow to his intellect, which is seen in many tongue-in-cheek sentiments expressed in most chapters, as well as in recollected conversations with others. While that may be the case, Bolton’s views are steeped in some well established views of international politics and diplomacy, something that adds to the flavouring of the book and leaves the reader to wonder why someone would purposely skew things that can be substantiated so effectively. With thorough chapters that explore many insightful areas that are sure to pique the interest of the politically minded individual. While some may call Bolton too close to Trump, it is this closeness that offers the reader some of the many views from behind the curtain. Why would someone like Bolton want to find himself on the outside with this book, upsetting POTUS, thereby making him an enemy of the administration? Knowing Trump’s penchant for such things, Bolton’s better off pissing from outside the tent inwards and letting the truth ‘hang out’.

Kudos, Mr. Bolton, for such a refreshing book about the inner workings of Trump’s Administration. I could not ask for anything more!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

What Were We Thinking: A Brief Intellectual History of the Trump Era, by Carlos Lozada

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #26 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

Carlos Lozada took on a Herculean task of his own accord, beginning in the summer of 2016. With the rise of the ‘Trump’ factor, he looked to read as many pieces of non-fiction surrounding the media icon that he could, allowing him to amass an idea what people thought of the man through their published writing. After a Trump victory, this became a massive undertaking, but one the reader is able to enjoy as they sift through the pages of this phenomenal book. A significant literary review, if ever there was one, Lozada proves much by weaving together strong themes throughout this piece, while also giving the reader a snapshot of what others are thinking.

While I like to pride myself as trying to get a better idea of what people are saying ahead of the November 3rd election, Lozada has done so much more and put it all together in a digestible piece. His exploration of the America that helped elect Trump is one of the early themes, looking at how people who supported Trump think and live. Their socio-economic backgrounds, personal needs, and even family histories all come together in a series of book published that may not have have Trump in mind at all. The reader is able to take away a little more about the Trumpers, or at least what led them to choose him over Clinton in 2016, and how this could repeat itself in a few weeks.

From there, the exploration of institutional distrust, particularly from the Administration, comes to light. Many writers show how the head of the Executive Branch is purposely and intentionally eroding confidence in the other branches, while also using them for his own personal gains. Lozada exemplifies the lengths to which Trump has gone to vilify those who oppose him as lazy, useless, or out of touch with the people, while piling praise on those who suckle from the teat of his crazed sentiments.

Lozada spends a great amount of time focussing on the immigration policies that the Trump Administration has made their cornerstone during the term they have served. While the chants for hoping that America will return to greatness can be heard at rallies and throughout policy announcements, there is an utter lack of understanding that immigration was what helped America become the country it is today. Even though some within the Administration refuse to accept that the Statue of Liberty symbolises the importance of outsiders seeking refuge, many who write about this are happy to scoff at the silliness that erupts from the ignorant mouths spewing forth the lies.

There are some strong themes on womanising, lack of leadership, and even a propensity to bow to foreign control over the American ideal. All these come out in numerous books penned throughout the almost four years that Trump has held office, told from a variety of perspectives with strong examples dripping from the pages. All are painting with layers of conspiracy and twisted logic, something that neither Lozada or the authors of many books can decipher. It is troubling to read, but I am reminded that this is a strong cross-section of writing that is all coming up with some of the same outcomes.

So what?! Many Trumpers will come away from reading this and wonder why they wasted their time on this piece. I would ask that they either take a second to re-read the book or sit back and accept some scary truths. Many who support Trump would call this a collection of #fakenews or conspiracies based on lies (even alternate facts). However, Lozada has done something that many writers have tried to do on their own, substantiate the claims being made. This is not just three sources supporting a reporter’s claims in a story. This is not a single person’s sour grapes and fictional account of events to smear the president. These are countless books, telling numerous stories that all mesh together. If the conspiracy were that wide-spread to create lies and disservice, we would have to call it a Trump Rally. Not that I needed this book to believe this, but the truth seems much harder to deny when piled together with so many other accounts. To see that it is being supported with facts and not just “people are saying” or “I have heard”, adds depth to the piece that is lacking from the Trumpian diatribes (worry not, Lozada has an entire chapter about conspiracy theories and half-assertions that Trump has been making, as well as deconstructing it).

This book came highly recommended to me through my best friend. She had read some stuff about it from the Washington Post and was sure that this was right up my alley. She was right, but I cannot offer all the praise to her. I must applaud Carlos Lozada and his in-depth analysis as he read and synthesised a great deal of work within this piece. The attention to detail and thoroughness could not have been accomplished by anyone seeking to rush their work to publication. The chapters and themes are full of information and use a plethora of sources to substantiate the statements made. Lozada also includes a reading list at the end of each chapter, helping the curious reader to have direct reference to what they need to whet their ever-browning appetite on the subject. I would love to see a follow-up or second edition of this book once the smoke settles on the Trump Administration, as new and detailed exploration of COVID-19, 2020 Presidential Campaign, and Transition of Power is sure to beget many more books, all of which will surely have a story to tell. I can only hope that 2022 will be enough time to add to the already great things that this book brought to the surface.

Kudos, Mr. Lozada, for a sensational analysis. I bow to you with my lowly reading challenge and will be cherry picking from your list for my personal reading pleasure.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Case Against Impeaching Trump, by Alan Dershowitz (re-post)

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #25 (a re-read) in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

Having read a great deal about recent topics surrounding presidential impeachment, I thought it appropriate to explore a little more about sentiments against the constitutional removal of President Trump. There are surely many Trump supporters who oppose impeachment talk, even those not employed by Fox and Friends. However, I sought something with more teeth and legally grounded. Enter, Alan Dershowitz, who makes strong and repeated assertions that talk of impeachment is not only premature, but also legally unfounded. Dershowitz presents arguments that he makes clear to the reader that he’s held for over fifty years and offers them repeatedly throughout this tome. Interestingly enough, I have read many of the texts Dershowitz hopes to debunk with his arguments, citing that these legal scholars and academics suffer from tunnel vision and could not support their assertions if the ‘shoe were on the other foot’, one of his tests to credibility. Dershowitz, an admitted civil libertarian, extols the necessity that impeachment and bringing criminal charges against opponents should not be a club to remedy ideological differences. Dershowitz also spends much time trying to erode the entire current impeachment process as being anything but supported by law. He cites strong concern about the hiring of a special prosecutor to undertake investigations into all the alleged activities that fuel the calls for impeachment, explaining that bias has rotted the core of the exploratory system. With a less than stellar Robert Mueller, an Attorney-General in Jeff Sessions who tried to play two roles, and members of Congress who are fixated on loose claims, Dershowitz goes almost so far as to call the entire process a sham. Narrow interpretation of the US Constitution is another area where Dershowitz tries tirelessly to nullify the need for considering Trump’s actions as worthy of impeachment. A firm believer of literal interpretation of the Founders’ words, Dershowitz cannot see where Trump has done anything to contravene the limits set out by those who created the political rulebook for the United States. The repetitive nature of Dershowitz’s arguments leaves the reader to wonder why he needs to constantly provide an air of self-aggrandizement, as though others could never contribute as effectively. Dershowitz shows why he is the ideal criminal defence attorney, pushing smoke into the eyes of the layperson while concocting bouts of browbeating to confound someone who simply wants some basic arguments to offset much of what is being said in print and on television. Dershowitz is to be applauded for holding firm to his ground, but makes few arguments that come across as substantial without being condescending. An interesting read for those who can comprehend his complex and highly academic views, though sure to miss the mark for many other readers.

I admit that my impeachment binge may have been one-sided, though I did learn quite a bit from the constitutional and legal areas of the matter at hand, which have helped shape my opinions. However, while I respect some of the sentiments made by Dershowitz, his approach seems to be very troubling or extremely narrow-minded. While there are some who assert that the US Constitution lays out rules that must be followed and we cannot stray from them, I have always been a ‘Living Tree’ believer, that laws, even of a constitutional nature, must grow with the society they oversee. I always marvelled at how former Justice Scalia could make rulings based on the Founding Fathers original intent without taking modernity into account, but he seemed to do so effectively. Dershowitz takes that same approach in that he tries to tie the reader into knots about believing those who call for impeachment without clearly defined reasons in the Constitution. Taking this approach not only confounds those who seek to have modern discussions, but also closes the door on having an evolving exploration, when one mind is stuck in the late 18th century. Additionally, Dershowitz offers up a rebuttal of those who speak of collusion or obstruction, refusing to see anything in federal statutes that supports claims. Again, he is happy to parse the laws to his literal favour, rather than allowing his mind to expand and work in the modern exploration of a living constitutional document. Infuriating as it is, this pales in comparison to his oft-repeated sentiment that he is the sole legal mind who has held firm and would sat the same things no matter who was being slandered. This self-aggrandizement does little to warm the reader up to his arguments, as they are forced to watch Dershowitz pat himself on the back, yet continue to call himself entirely neutral. This is likely because this text is a set of short essays published over a short time, in which Dershowitz repeats his key arguments. While this could be used effectively, the reader forced to hear that same arguments (i.e. shoe on the other foot) over and over, things quickly become mundane. I had truly hoped for some strong arguments refuting the sentiments made by the other side, but was subjected to inane arguments that chose more to mock others for being too invested rather than provide counter-claims that could sway arguments. For all this intelligence and the stellar work he has done in criminal defence, Dershowitz seeks not to help the common American turn their opinions, but wants to blather on in law school classrooms and in the clouds with those academics who can handle his banter.

Kudos, Mr. Dershowitz, for your long-winded arguments. If mockery and tying the reader in knots is your attempt to confuse people into agreeing with you simply to stop the circular arguments, you have succeeded. Heaven forbid that you change your mind and agree to help Trump on the Senate floor with the impeachment trial, for that could be as brain-numbing as watching them shampoo the carpets ahead of the trial itself.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Case for Impeachment, by Allan J. Lichtman (a re-read)

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #24 (a re-read) in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

To simply peruse bookshop shelves and lists on Goodreads, one can assert that much has been written about Donald J. Trump since he announced his candidacy for President of the United States (POTUS). The number of publications since he ascended to the White House is likely exponentially larger than any other POTUS during the same short time in office. Within both those groups of books, there sits a sub-group of books about Trump’s impeachment, citing various sources and reasons. It’s not yet been two years since he has been in office—at the time of this review—and I baffle myself that I need not rely on #fakebookstats to make this assertion! Enter, Allan J. Lichtman, a distinguished professor at American University, who predicted Trump’s victory months before it took place. He also asserts that, using his own formulaic means of picking a winner, he has not been wrong over the past eight presidential elections. Not as well-published was his prediction that Trump would be impeached even before he lay his hand on a Bible before reader, please choose your preference of the true/fake number Americans watched in person on that January day. Publishing this piece months into the Trump presidency, Lichtman offers up a convincing case about why Trump should and will be impeached by Congress for deeds he undertook. Lichtman explores the historical use of impeachment for the curious reader, particularly on three sitting presidents. He uses the examples of Andrew Johnson—who was saved from having his impeachment upheld in the Senate by a singe vote—and Richard Nixon when discussing the role Congress played in investigating both men and how Trump’s actions paralleled those of his Oval Office brethren. Effectively laying out some of the changes brought against the Johnson and Nixon, Lichtman explains how they could be used against Trump, replacing the arguments with modern examples. From treasonous activities to collusion, through to crimes against humanity and abuse of presidential power, Lichtman reveals how Trump the man entered into the fray with so much baggage that Congress has much that can be used to bring forth Articles of Impeachment that can receive bipartisan support. While all this may be damaging, Lichtman also brings up an argument that I have not heard previously about the timing of acts and how they play a role in presidential impeachment. He effectively shows how acts that took place before Trump ascended to POTUS can and should be used to fuel an impeachment, citing examples of a recently removed federal judge. If this is the case, there are new and interesting angles to be discussed when it comes to the topic. As I mentioned before—something else that will stoke the fires—this book came out in April 2017, with only a few months of Trump presidential fodder and yet makes strong and convincing arguments for egregious acts that include treason and collusion with the Russians. No Mueller, no white supremacy, and no mass exodus of Cabinet officials (save Michael Flynn). These arguments are based on pre-White House acts that should not be ignored as partisan rhetoric. Worry not, Trump fans (or undecideds), as Lichtman offers some clear and foolproof ways of steering clear of impeachment, which will require only the same sacrifices as others who became president. As of now, it seems Trump has steered clear of any and all recommendations, sullying the office in new ways each day!u An interesting and eye-opening read for those who want to explore the topic a little more, particular by a man Trump praised for predicting his victory in November 2016.

I admit that I have been on a binge when it comes to American politics of late, exploring some of the more controversial aspects of Trump and his 2016 presidential campaign. I have also long had an interest in impeachment and read about the topic when I can. To see an academic of such high regard lay out the systematic reasons for Trump’s impeachment, I cannot help but perk up and listen. Many can say this journalist or that lawyer is biased and has no right to make such sweeping comments, but I have come to wonder if so many recognised people in their fields are making varied, yet similar, arguments, can we all be blinded and singing out of the same fake hymn book? With a man who makes double-speak an Olympic event, can the citizenry of the world sit around and make assertions that they are being duped by all but Fox and Friends? Lichtman offers the reader sound evidence, weaving together both recently happenings and those in history to assert that Trump has been acting in ways that Congress could and should push for impeachment. We have all heard the rigging of elections and the handing over information to the Russians, which are strong arguments, but Lichtman also introduces ideas about crimes against humanity. These parallel some of the ideas used by Congress to push for Nixon’s impeachment, though the rationale is vastly different now. The reader should go into the book with an open mind and allow themselves to be pushed in one direction or another. I did and find a lot of it quite revealing and convincing, without feeling a degree of inculcation. While the topic is quite academic and, at times, esoteric, Lichtman writes in such a way that the layperson is not lost when trying to follow the arguments. Headers and simple background for each topic guides the reader effectively. However, this topic requires some balanced approach, which is why I will next turn to a leading legal scholar who offers the opposing view, before making my final opinion. It seems the only fair thing to do, under the circumstances and is better than trying to shut out the opposition and call them fake!

Kudos, Mr. Lichtman, for opening my eyes up to new and revealing reasons that the US Congress should open impeachment proceedings soon. You make some convincing arguments for the case and I wonder, Mike Pence in the wings aside, if there are effective reasons not to proceed. Let me have a look now!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Impeachment: An American History, by Jon Meacham, Peter Baker, Timothy Naftali, and Jeffrey A. Engel (Re-post)

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #23 (a re-read) in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

The term ‘impeachment’ has taken on a life of its own, particularly in the American political system. It has been bandied about numerous times, by legislators and media alike, to add fuel to a fire when an individual in a position of authority appears to stray from their constitutionally-permitted role. While many federal positions use impeachment to remove the office holder, only the three men who held the position of President of the United States (POTUS) are discussed in the essays that comprise this collection, along with some sentiments about potential future impeachment, based on the furor that appears to be growing. The scholars who penned these essays offer their own insights into the events that led to impeachment proceedings, or the potential of them. Jeffrey Engel offers the reader a primer on the basis of impeachment and how it found its way into the US Constitution, including the struggles the Founding Father’s faced when outlining the rules surrounding qualification and its use by Congress. As with with much within the US Constitution, the rules are vague and open to interpretation. Thereafter, Jon Meacham opens with an essay on the impeachment process of Andrew Johnson, the first POTUS to be thrust into this political drama. Strongly against Reconstruction after the Civil War and having been handed the job when Lincoln was assassinated, Johnson was vilified by many and it took three attempts to bring forth Articles of Impeachment before any would pass, tossing the case to the Senate. Johnson was firm in his beliefs and used southern sentiment to have the case fall a single vote short, in what Meacham aptly calls a ‘partisan impeachment’. One hundred years later, new impeachment threats were levied against Richard Nixon, in an essay penned by presidential historian Timothy Naftali. Arguing that it was not the Watergate break-in, but the cover-up and firing of the independent special prosecutor that pushed Nixon into the firing line, Naftali contrasts this situation with that of Johnson. While there was a strong partisan push for impeachment, Republicans joined the Democrats to call for Nixon’s removal, thereby creating the bipartisan momentum lacking in Meacham’s earlier essay. Naftali develops a wonderfully detailed narrative to expose the developing process whereby Congress took steps to rid themselves of a ‘crook’, though the man was able to read the tea leaves and left when hope seemed all but lost. Peter Baker takes up the torch in examining Bill Clinton’s actions, culminating in 1997-1998, which led to numerous Articles coming from the House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee. While some would deem the entire situation salacious, Baker explores how perjury by a sitting president could push the realms of acceptable and lead some to draw parallels to the rule-breaking that Nixon did at will. Executive Privilge became the buzzword, leaving the Special Prosecutor and some within the Republican controlled House Judiciary Committee to launch into a form of witch hunt with the intent of embarrassing Clinton as he had America on the world scene. With a partisan split during Article voting, Clinton’s impeachment went to the Senate, the first in the era of television. Such drama evolved on screen, much like the trial of OI.J. Simpson did five years before. In the end, both sides agreed that substantiating the impeachment claims were never intended, but rather a wrap on the knuckles. As Jeffrey Engel returns to conclude, one must look at present circumstances to decide if impeachment is worthwhile, though it is surely not an act to be taken lightly. As is argued throughout, impeachment is a political, not legal, tool. It is also defined as whatever the majority of House members choose it to be. While many wait to see if Articles will come, now that the Democrats have control of the House, it should not be the central focus of the country’s legislators. At least for the time being, one has to worry about keeping the ship on course, as it enters murky waters. Highly recommended to those readers who enjoy political discussion and historical analysis of events, as poignant today as when they occurred.

There is no doubt that impeachment has been on the lips of many, especially since the Russia probe has begun to gain momentum. One need only look at publications of tomes and essays released since 2016 to see how many academics have weighed in already. Understanding the process is as important and the end result, something that the layperson in America may not fully comprehend. Impeachment, as is seen through the three central essays in the collection, as well as an introduction and conclusion, is a messy business that divides both along party and political lines. The three men whose names have come up in impeachment proceedings did something sever enough that the Founding Father’s might have agreed with the use of this stop-gap measure to keep America great, though it was the interpretation at each instance that led to different approaches to the same set of vague constitutional rules. While impeachment is a weapon used to threaten regularly, few holders of the Oval Office have had their names dragged through the constitutional mud. Why is that? Likely a heightened degree of seriousness that accompanies the threat, as well as the difficulty to enact it—which is not altogether a bad thing! Interested readers can bask in the details offered in this collection, as well as the poignant arguments made as threats of impeachment surface again. Is there enough to bring Articles? Would the Senate support it? While things tend to be political when it comes to Congress, the reader can decide for themselves, after receiving the plethora of information found in this book. The essays are not only penned by scholars, but they are easily digested, allowing the lay reader to fully comprehend the issues at hand. This is essential in an era where media spoon-feed the electorate at every opportunity. I await news from the Special Prosecutor and how the White House will react to it. That may—and precedent shows that it will—prove either the last nail in the coffin or used to disperse discussion until November 2020, when the electorate can speak with democratic voices. That being said, there remains a question as to how fair that venture might be. However, that is a discussion for another scholarly tome.

Kudos, Messrs Engel, Meacham, Naftali, and Baker, for this insightful piece. I learned so much and understand the system a lot better now. These insider explorations of events, left out of the history books, has helped me create a more grounded opinion on whether impeachment should rear its head again soon.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Trump on Trial: The Investigation, Impeachment, Acquittal and Aftermath, by Kevin Sullivan, Mary Jordan, and The Washington Post

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #22 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

While many will say the impeachment of Donald Trump was fairly cut and dry, the authors of this book prove that the process was anything but simple or based on a single event. Working to amass a narrative from a slew of published articles in the Washington Post, Kevin Sullivan and Mary Jordan bring the story to life, as the momentum increases from early mention of issues at the American Embassy in Kyiv through to the Senate vote on the Articles of Impeachment. Many readers will likely agree that the story is long and drawn-out, but never boring (save perhaps those whose blinders rate firmly affixed and who have been drinking the Trump conspiracy-Aid). This book is surely for those on both sides of the political aisle, just to show how things progressed and the political machinations early in an election year.

While an ambassador serves at the pleasure of the president, it would seem American Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was destined to be fired from the outset. Trump personal attorney and hack man, Rudy Giuliani, began making waves in hopes of ensuring her quick demise. The early chapters of the book hint at the attempts to neutralise Yovanovitch, which proved to be a precursor to other things that would shake the American presence in the region.

After the election of a new president in Ukraine, the Trump Administration sought to get a feel for the man and his ability to work on the international scene. Volodymyr Zelensky came from a similar background as Trump, in that he was a television personality seeking to make a difference to the general public and rose to prominence with his large star power. Still, his lack of a strong tie to Russia could make for some troubles in Trump circles, but this could be remedied, should the need arise.

On the other side of the US capital, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was working with her large, yet divided, caucus. Still reeling from the somewhat toothless Mueller Report, Pelosi sought to keep those screaming for impeachment at bay, while providing a cohesiveness to the cameras. Her disdain for President Trump was palpable, though she would never let the man get the upper hand. Through her strong will and extensive political experience, Pelosi proved a thorn in the president’s side, unable to rein him in when he got too out of hand.

Talks began about how Trump could use the new Ukrainian leader to help him in a plot hatched outside of the American sphere. This included US Ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, who was sure something could be pulled off, even as senior Cabinet members were dead set against it. The chum was in the water and the danger appeared to be just too much. When, in a call between the two party leaders led to Trump holding back key military aid until some investigations into Hunter Biden had been completed, some sat stunned in the room, while others were happy to see this twist in the script. Had Trump just offered a quid pro quo for his own political benefit?

The fallout was stunning from the call, so much so that many who read the transcript were sure it was misconstrued. However, it would take a well-placed whistleblower complaint that would leave the media rushing to confirm the message. Had Trump just used congressionally apportioned monies as a carrot to ensure he had enough dirt looking ahead to 2020? This would pique the interest of both Pelosi and some other high-ranking members of the House Intelligence Committee, as this could surely be the fodder needed to open a strong and plausible impeachment investigation. However, the decision would surely divide members of the House, primarily along party lines. It would also fuel the Trump Machine and his #fakenews rhetoric.

After a fairly party-line vote, the impeachment had been solidified, only the third president who had ever been given the ominous label. But, the politics were not over quite yet, as the Republican-held Senate had a few tricks up their sleeves. Witnesses or none? Timing? It would all come down to this, though no one was entirely sure if the supermajority needed could be ascertained. The narrative takes on a great spin at this point, with the stakes even higher.

The authors offer up an interesting take on the Senate Impeachment Trial, turning it into a circus and preparation for the 2020 campaign, particularly for those seeking to hold onto their Senate seats. With extensive arguments by the House Managers and Trump’s own legal team, senators were forced to sit through lengthy arguments that appeared to be less about the legal facts and more a smear by both sides. The drama came in how some of the moderate Republicans would vote, which could open the floodgates to others who were less than impressed by Trump’s antics. Alas, it was for not, leaving many to spin this as a waste of taxpayers’ money. And yet, they refuse to substantiate their sentiments, in true Trumpian fashion.

Was the Impeachment process uncalled for in a country that would be going to the polls to select a president in November? It’s possible, though the core reasons seemed sound from the perspective of ‘high crimes’ from a congressional perspective. Remove the constitutional lawyer’s sentiments and look at how an elected official might see the bartering for promised monies to an area in need of protection. Remember also, this is a president who has never agreed to rules or limits to his power, which fuels the argument that he is authoritarian and uses his lackeys to get what he wants. A censure would have done nothing and there seems never to have been a time when Trump took these events seriously, choosing instead to tweet his way out of a hole. But that is what this man does… he tries to offer a conspiratorial bauble for people to focus upon, denying the truths as they pile up. With an all but impossible task of getting the ⅔ majority needed in the Senate, House Managers (and the Pelosi-led House in general) likely knew they could not make a difference, but wanted it out there. They wanted to public to see what had been done and let Republicans argue their way out of a paper bag, in hopes that it would shed light on twisted logic ahead of November 2020.

In a book cobbled together months after the Impeachment process, the authors do well to create a sound narrative. Using reports from a number of well-versed reporters, the story coming together effectively. Told from various perspectives, the reader is able to discover the important aspects of the story as it developed. This was no ‘from on high’ bashing of Trump, as I felt there were some strong attempts to offer insights and views that could best explain what happened, directly from those who were involved. Some will call it #fakenews, but it is only because the message is not from the Trumpian hymnal. Funny, how truth can only sprout from the bullshit he disperses, otherwise it is faked or spun. Thorough chapters keep the reader engaged and involved throughout the process. While I would never call this a ‘stunning, smoking gun’ book on the subject, it held my attention until the very end and left me with a better understanding of many aspects I did not see throughout the process. I can only hope something will be written about Campaign 2020, which is sure to make this circus look like a fifth grade production.

Kudos, Mr. Sullivan and Madam Jordan, for opening my eyes to a great deal. This time in US Politics is rife with scandal and drama, leaving me to read books like this, which will also be perfect for historians a century from now.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Mueller Report, by Robert S. Mueller III (a re-posting)

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #21 (a re-read) in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

I purposely waited for the dust to settle with the media hype before choosing to read this piece. Now, with the threat of impeachment back and the reasons even more concrete, I wanted to see what Robert S. Mueller III, and those who worked with him in the Special Prosecutor’s Office, found during their lengthy investigation. While I choose not to examine all the specifics found within this massive tome, I would encourage anyone with the patience and curiosity to take the time to discover just how damning the facts can be when strung together in a powerful and #fakenews-free narrative, stemming from interviews of those closest to Candidate (eventually President) Trump. The language is legal and the footnotes alone could sink the Titanic, but it is a clear-cut report and offers what Mueller felt were the factual elements in order to create this substantial narrative. Mueller looks to make some links between Russia and their cyber-involvement in swaying the election, as well as numerous meetings between the Trump Campaign and the Government of Russia during the active presidential election. Mueller draws many assertions from the interviews he undertook and connects only those dots where the linkages are made by others. The mind-blowing assertions that come from this first volume of the report could never be cobbled together by the greatest fiction writer, they are too intense and there are too many. One can substantiate not only that Russia illegally tampered with the electoral process at the deepest levels, but also that there were countless meetings and dealings between members of the Trump Campaign and those in the highest positions of power in the Russian Government. These meetings and substantiated interactions have led many to be charged and jailed, including members of Trump’s most inner circle, all while working on his campaign or in his Oval Office. Whether the candidate himself was involved is not clear in the report, but Mueller does not indicate that there is a canyon that separates the two dots that require connecting.

The second volume of the report looks at the possibility that Trump obstructed justice in trying to meddle and interfere with the FBI investigation into Russian involvement, which might prove ‘juicier’ to some readers. While Mueller does not find Trump culpable, he also refuses to exonerate him, which is telling unto itself. Exploring the role that the FBI played and how former Director James Comey refused to dilute the investigation likely led to his firing is quite apparent, even if Trump says it was related to other business and poor morale. Mueller cites discussions and interviews, as well as public statements, made that contradict one another at every turn. Deeper in this volume, Mueller explores the actions of Trump and those around him, which proves even more troubling. The story changes with each passing day and there is no clear endgame, other than to ensure that the president is protected, something he demands from those around him above all else. Discussion spins into pushing then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to un-recuse himself so that he could steer the investigation in a ‘protect Trump’ direction, as well as discussions as to how to fire Mueller to stop the investigation from gaining momentum. Parallels to the Saturday Night Massacre are mentioned and those will knowledge of the event will likely not dismiss the connection. Still, Mueller could not find the needle in the legal haystack and could not cite definitively that Trump obstructed the investigation, according to the standards of law or legislation. This black and white approach, which may not sit well with some, may prove useful should any of this report be used during impeachment proceedings.

No one can say that I have hidden my dislike of the 45th President of the United States, even as I sit here on my (unwalled) side of the Canadian border. That being said, while I do follow some of the journalistic enemies of POTUS and listen to the stories that are churned out like rancid butter from Twitter, I can say that this report opened my eyes to many things I did not know and connected many dots about which I have only speculated. The strength of this piece is not only in its damning nature, but that it is extracted from facts and interviews with those closest to Trump. These are the people from his inner circle, who saw and experienced many of the things that find their way into this report. Sure, many may have lied, but even still, it blows my mind to see what has been revealed and the lengths to which certain people went to ensure this man made it to the Oval Office. America is suffering on the international front and, to a degree, domestically. There is heightened division and the democratic process seems to have brought about an oligarchy in short order. Looking at how Trump and his closest advisors sought to handle the obstruction allegations is baffling, humorous, and downright scary all at the same time. This is like a bad political thriller where the protagonist cannot keep his story straight from chapter to chapter. And yet, we are to believe that the tweet of the day is the new gospel. If I were that gullible, I would have rushed to ensure I had a Kool-Aid moustache at Jonestown. Things are a mess, the country is politically divided and there is no leader to bring them together. Divide and conquer is the new motto and only patience will bring about some truth, one can hope. I am reminded of the adage, ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire’ to offer up some context to all this talk of obstruction and Russian interference (as well as the larger view of anything the Administration finds troubling). The more Trump hears that he does not like, the more scapegoats he finds and caustic attacks he makes. What does he have to hide? Where is the leadership as people exert their right to speak freely? It seems Trump must always be on the defensive by being offensive to others, simply to deflect from truths as they leak out. Everyone knows that Trump suckles at the teat of Paranoia, and that he loves to ‘milk’ it for all its worth, but how long will everyone continue to allow this to happen? With 2020 just around the corner, Trump is surely lining up new friends and allies to infiltrate and cause havoc. It will be another mess and I can only hope there is someone out there to put the world out of its misery and send Trump back to suckle alone, laying on those Russian hotel beds he seems to love so much.

Kudos, Robert Mueller, for doing your country proud and not letting the threat of being fired or muzzled stop you from relaying the narrative as you knew it, through the facts you and your staff diligently collected.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation, by Andrew Weissmann

Nine mind-blowing stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #20 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

There’s nothing like getting some insider knowledge about the contents and processes of important documents that play a significant role in the political process. While it may be my political background, I was pleased to find Andrew Weissmann had written this book to educate the reader a little more about the ins and outs of the Mueller Report, a document that divided the country (though not equally) and caused such a stir over the last few years. Weissmann seeks to help the reader better understand all the steps of the process, as well as some of the findings of the Report, dispelling the myths propagated by the misleading memo by Attorney-General Barr and not fully refuted by Robert Mueller himself. Recommended to those who may have an interest in the Report and its findings (including those, like me, who read the public version of the document), as well as some strong conclusions that never made it to publication.

Andrew Weissmann opens the book offering some background about his legal training and some of the early work he did within the US Attorney’s Office in New York. He also explores some of the key work he did during the Enron investigation, which is where he cut his teeth on high-profile prosecuting that involved wheeling and dealing, which makes his selection as part of the Special Counsel’s Office all the more understandable. The curious reader can read more about this, as it does lay an interesting groundwork for the bulk of the book.

Weissmann explores his history with Mueller as well, having worked together when the latter was Director of the FBI. Their friendship, predominantly professional, allowed both men to understand one another and forge a great relationship, such that the selection of Weissmann to head up one of the three arms of the investigation was almost a foregone conclusion. The early days of cobbling together a team saw Weissmann work to vet the best possible candidates to fill key roles and prepare the groundwork for an effective and thorough analysis of the topics under the purview of the ask from the Department of Justice.

Weissmann’s primary focus was exploring the role that Paul Manafort played in the larger scheme of Russian involvement in the 2016 US Presidential Election. There is a detailed analysis of many findings surrounding Manafort’s meetings and financial dealings as they related to Russian involvement. Manafort was, it should be noted, Trump’s campaign manager, tying many of his actions directly to the candidate and those in his inner circle. Weissmann drives this point home repeatedly throughout, though there are times when it would appear some of the actors (the Trump children, especially) pled ignorance to any wrongdoing, which made the investigation even harder.

While Weissmann’s role was specific, he does discuss the other arms of the investigation and their findings throughout. Much of this is quite eye-opening, including the digital breadcrumbs of Russian involvement and successful skewing of the 2016 campaign, particularly through social media. The reader will, should they pay close attention, see some of the proof that Weissmann and the Mueller team uncovered repeated examples of Russian meddling and involvement that violated key American laws. When this came to light after the election, nothing was done and, at times, it was dismissed as being ‘fake news’ or sour grapes. There is an apt parallel between the proved interference by Russia in the election campaign and the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor, where a foreign government attacked America. While the examples are quite chilling, the results were completely different, which only exacerbates the corruption within the Trump Administration, as they refused to cede to the intelligence presented, dismissing it as useless or lies.

Throughout the investigative process, Weissmann mentions the worry about a Mueller firing, which served to rein in many of the actions. Pushing too hard on the Trump children could easily have ended the investigation with one choice by the president. Choosing to pressure or ask too many questions could also have helped fuel a White House desire to disband the Special Counsel Investigation. How a thorough and forthright investigation could move forward with the constant veil of imminent firing eludes me (and, at times, Weissmann) though it would seem Mueller and his team did their best to cobble together truths in order to present a complete investigative document.

Weissmann adds a wonderful narrative surrounding interviews that came to light about a serious push to fire Mueller when the investigation was gaining momentum. There are some damning moments in which Trump sought to have Mueller fired, while the White House Counsel refused to comply. Parallels between Watergate’s Saturday Night Massacre and the potential for a similar event here appeared repeatedly, where President Trump sought to block progress within the Investigation by neutralising the Special Counsel. Slanderous sentiments about Mueller and those in supervisory roles emerged, as though this was a political witch-hunt out to defame a righteous political leader. That Mueller was not fired appears shocking after reading some of the accounts that Weissmann provides. One can only imagine the added political drama should Mueller have been fired (and the spin on the right about such an action).

Weissmann comments throughout on the role that President Trump did play throughout the investigation, which served to be more interesting than many of the actors who were directly involved. His constant tweets and public statements, hinting at how people should act in regards to the investigation served to cause issues and opened the door to discussion of obstruction charges. Weissmann rightly draws parallels between Trump and a mafia don, offering the power of pardons to those who were convicted, rather than the promise to ‘off’ those who snitched. That this was done blatantly and without regard for the rule of law is chilling and disgusting at times. What’s worse, no one within Justice sought to muzzle it, but rather went along with the obvious violations, which only furthers the mafia/lapdog relationship the Trump Administration appears to promote.

One of the interesting narratives that emerge in the book is the decision not to subpoena President Trump as part of the investigation. Weissmann lays out his legal and investigative reasons for why he felt it was important to do so, going to far as to explain how it would have changed the final commentary of the submitted investigation. There is, however, also a frank discussion of some of the concerns that arose about making such a move, namely that it would be rejected by the Deputy Attorney General, which could also lead to a Mueller firing. While Robert Mueller weighed all his options, he chose not to take the gamble and the final investigative report drew on testimony and evidence that did not include direct (or indirect) answers from President Donald Trump.

There is surely a fine line between a partisan publication and one that espouses the rule of law. Weissmann’s book will appear to some as coming down harshly against the Trump Administration and therefore being ‘pro-Democrat’. Weissmann argues throughout, with strong substantiation, that his arguments are supported by the law and the evidence that came to light. His thorough analysis of the legal and political arguments come not from the corner of a smear, but rather the collection of evidence and testimony that he uncovered within the Special Counsel’s Office. His scathing attack on the whitewashing by Attorney-General Barr is both believable and substantiated, which elucidates that Justice is nothing but a laptop for the corruption spewing from the Oval Office and West Wing. Each chapter offers the reader a clear and layman explanation of the evidence and choices made by its members, especially Robert Mueller. That the final report did not turn out at Weissmann might have liked does not lessen the content of the book, nor should the reader think that this is sour grapes. It is a look behind the curtain for those who may not completely understand the process or final decisions made in the published report. I took so much away from this book and can better contrast it with some of the key aspects of the Mueller Report. Was the final submission a failure for those who were sure that Donald Trump played a role in colluding? Is there a clear and decisive path to show that Russia interfered in the 2016 US Presidential Election? Did President Trump obstruct justice through his sentiments and tweets? Take Weissmann’s analysis and the wording of the final report to draw your own conclusions. However, before trying to vilify Mueller for being too restrained or iron-fisted, realise that the Court of Public Opinion offers a verdict with greater ease than those with legal standing. While the second National Nightmare is not yet over, one can hope it will end soon. One drama done and only the next, Election Night 2020!

Kudos, Mr. Weissmann, for a thorough and sensational look at all things Mueller Report. I’ll scan the final report again to complement this book. It’s sure to open my eyes!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Sisterhood, by John Nicholl

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to John Nicholl for providing me with a copy of this novel, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

John Nicholl is back with another chilling psychological thriller. Working with some of his strongest characters, Nicholl crafts a story that shows the lengths to which ‘girl power’ can go when someone’s in trouble, even if it’s not entirely legal. Those who like quick paced thrillers will want to check out the work by John Nicholl. It’s one recommendation you’ll not regret following!

DI Laura Kesey knows that she can only do so much when it comes to victims of domestic violence. When she goes to see Sally in the hospital, Kesey says everything she can, though the victim is anything but convinced. However, there is a glimmer of hope, as Sally agrees to move to a domestic violence refuge, where she can be safe and live with other women who have been through some of the same experiences.

Back at the office, DI Kesey and her partner, DS Raymond Lewis, are handling the case of a body that was found on a rural Welsh road. It appears the man was run over multiple times, though the forensics lean towards it not being an accident. Using witness statements and some video leading up to the event, it would seem that the vehicle involved has been located, though it’s torched and left to burn. When the owner calls in the missing vehicle the next morning, Kesey and Lewis try to piece it all together, as they learn the victim has a long history of violence and abuse. Everything traces back to the aforementioned domestic violence refuge, where the women are able to alibi one another.

Within the facility, these women may have been through a great deal, but they are resilient. So much so that they have created The Sisterhood, a group determined to work to target abusers and offer them the ultimate punishment. They plot their revenge and make sure no one’s the wiser as their marks meet untimely deaths. All in the name of empowering women and keeping the scum at bay.

While Kesey and Lewis are getting nowhere fast, their competence is questioned by superiors. More victims emerge, all with ties to the refuge, but Kesey seems too quick to point fingers. With little to go on, Lewis tries his hand at extracting information his own way, which raises a red flag or two amongst The Sisterhood. Might his discovery of what’s going on paint a target on his own back?

As Sally’s attacker is released from prison and tries to confront her at the refuge, it’s high time she is brought into The Sisterhood, where she will be able to put this all behind her. After an initiation, Sally realises that this is not simply ‘girl power’ but a group of ruthless killers who will stop at nothing while abusive men roam the streets. Will DI Kesey arrive in time with concrete evidence to dismantle them, or will new victims fuel The Sisterhood’s continued bloodletting well into the future?

I have long enjoyed the work of John Nicholl, as he delivers some of the most chilling stories compacted into shorter novels. His pieces hit to the core and tie in some of his past work experience, leaving the reader wanting more, while also feeling the depths of despair some of the plots present.

DI Laura Kesey has been a central character in a number of Nicholl’s past novels, having risen through the ranks and honing her skills. While she tries to move from the shadows of her predecessor, Kesey has a style all her own that proves to be as gritty as any cop in such a series. Her new responsibilities have taken a toll on her family life, though Kesey attempts to juggle it as best she can. Focussed on the case at hand, Kesey proves to be a wonderful role model to her partner, even if he is not yet ready to accept her guidance.

Nicholl uses his dark plot to introduce a number of great secondary characters, all of whom enrich the story in their own way. From other coppers through to the unique group within The Sisterhood, each flavours the story and pushes the narrative in multiple directions. There’s a great sense of thrill, fuelled by strong characters in all aspects of the story.

It takes a talented writer to be able to write a dual narrative, where the reader can see the killer from the outset. Nicholl does this effectively, pushing things along and offering clues to the cops as they seek to assemble the case. The Sisterhood is a unique gang and one whose antics will continue until DI Kesey is able to cobble together enough for an arrest. With alternating chapters that explore the story from both sides, Nicholl keeps the reader abreast of developments and yet leaves the door open as to when the final piece will fall into place. Short chapters push the story along and the writing adds momentum to an already gripping piece. Nicholl has proven he is at the top of the genre and I can only hope he has many more ideas to keep his fans coming back!

Kudos, Mr. Nicholl, for another winner. Wales has never been such a great thriller locale, though you seem able to bring it to life with ease!

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

Review: The Sisterhood

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Serial Killers at the Movies: My Intimate Talks with Mass Murderers who Became Stars of the Big Screen, by Christopher Berry-Dee

Seven stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Christopher Berry-Dee, and Ad Lib Publishers for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

There’s something about the chills that race down the spine when speaking about serial killers. While their actions may leave some feeling a tad ill, there’s that pull towards knowing more, at least for many of the people I know. Christopher Berry-Dee, an investigative criminologist who has spent a number of years studying and writing about serial killers, takes that knowledge to pen a book exploring how well serial killers are depicted on the big screen. Packed full of information and references, those who love the world of serial killers and true crime may want to give this tome a gander.

Berry-Dee pulls not punches throughout the book, making it clear to the reader that not all serial killer movies get it right. By that, he means that some are complete flops in their delivery, while others seem quite outlandish or poorly depict the killers they are supposed to represent. This is a problem for true fans of the genre, as a great serial killer is one who is not only a master at their crimes, but who can scare the reader/viewer with ease.

In his study, Berry-Dee explores some of the big screen’s best-known killers and tries to hash out some of the real life influences that may have led to their depiction. Few can fault the emergence of Hannibal Lector or Norman Bates, though there is more to them than the creative minds of the authors who put them in a book. They were an amalgam of some great killers over time, though rarely can a literary or cinematic killer be attributed to a single person, sometimes for legal reasons. Berry-Dee draws some wonderful parallels and invites the reader to sit back as he presents what knowledge he has on the subject.

There are some great interpretations of notorious serial killers who make it directly onto the big screen, including the Zodiac Killer and the antagonist from Se7en. These killers emerge as both creepy and downright geniuses, leaving the reader to wonder where the writers came up with such a great idea. The former was, surely, a killer of some regard in the 1960s and 70s, though they have never been formally named or caught. There is a significant psychological aspect required to pull the viewer in, rather than a great deal of gore and death.

Berry-Dee is also first to point out the poorly devised cinematic presentations when it comes to serial killers, those who were either shortchanged when their stories made it to the screen or a delivery of their crimes was somehow lost in translation. Berry-Dee models himself as quite the critic and can see a dud a mile away, choosing to point these out repeatedly for the reader. While Ted Buddy and John Wayne Gacy were chilling killers of the 1970s, when someone chose to depict their kills for a viewing audience, it was either too cheesy or simply a boring rendition, which lessens the impact and keeps the reader from feeling what really happened.

Christopher Berry-Dee surely knows what he’s writing in this piece, taking the time to extract the truths or tie-in some of the research that he was able to complete. There is a strong narrative in the opening few chapters, as he tackles some of the best known serial killer movies (series, actually). He builds up the discussion of both the film and the true events, drawing the needed parallels for the reader to digest, then leaves it for some quiet contemplation before moving along to the next topic of discussion. This is helpful, particularly those of us who are not fanatics, but simply fans of the dark and macabre world of serial killers. The book began with some great chapter lengths and discussions, though this petered off, as I will mention below. With lots of outside references, the curious reader can surely find more to whet their sadistic appetites, which is always helpful.

If I had to offer a critique the book, it would surely be that Berry-Dee seeks to pack too much into the tome, offering as many killers as he can, rather than going into great detail with a handful. By the middle o the book, he offers an ‘intermission’ section, where some editorializing can occur. Thereafter, it seems to be a rush of movies and short commentaries as the book must fill a quota of pages. I would much rather have felt an impactful collection of strong movies with thorough analysis, rather than a few pages here and there of some films who have either made it or fell short.

Kudos, Mr. Berry-Dee, for this interesting look at the world of serial killers on the big screen. You reference some of your other work regularly, which I will have to explore, when time permits.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Night the Doorbell Rang, by Chalon J. Harris

Nine stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Chalon J. Harris for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Storming onto the scene with her debut thriller, Chalon Harris pens a wonderful short novel that will keep the reader guessing as the story unfolds. Told from two perspectives, this is one piece that will keep readers hooked throughout while dodging any random ringing of the doorbell. Recommended to those who love a quick and gritty story.

Jerry Bishop had a long history with the Boston PD, solving many tricky cases and making a name for himself. However, one slipped through his fingers, the disappearance and murder of a teenage girl. After all the leads dried up and the case went cold, Jerry could not stomach disappointing the family, sending him into retirement.

Jerry is now settled in New Hampshire with his wife, Cheryl. When someone rings the doorbell in the middle of the night, neither can be entirely sure what’s going on. Jerry goes to greet the insistent ringer, a decision he will soon regret. What follows is likely something out of the Bishops’ worst nightmare.

Two masked men storm the house and begin torturing both Jerry and Cheryl. It is only after much blood is shed that the reason for their presence is revealed. Both attackers seem hell bent to exact a form of revenge, while the Bishops do all they can to stay alive. It will take all of Jerry’s skills to get the upper hand, but even that could lead to issues when the police arrive at the scene.

In a story that forces Jerry to revisit many of the details surrounding the cold case that left him feeling inadequate, the reader must prepare themselves for a tale that will run through a series of emotions. If there is a silver lining to it all for Jerry, one might look to the stellar cliffhanger Harris provides in the closing pages.

I love a great thriller, especially by a new author on the scene. Chalon Harris has all the ingredients for a great piece mixing strong plot lines with well-developed characters. I am shocked that this is her first novel, as it flows so well and lacks the sluggishness some debut authors exhibit.

Both Jerry and Cheryl Bishop serve as wonderful protagonists in this piece. They each bring a wonderful story, with the novel split between their perspectives. Jerry’s experience with the cold case is an essential part of the thrill ride, while Cheryl’s detailed explanations of what is taking place keeps the reader feeling as through they are in the middle of the action. While this is likely a one-off piece, Harris leaves the reader wanting more from the Bishops in the future.

There is a handful of strong secondary characters as well, each of whom pop off the page and serve an integral part of the larger narrative. From the two thugs who appear on the doorstep through to the police and medical staff, each help push the story forward and help secure the reader’s interest.

While the premise of a stranger on the doorstep may not send chills down the reader’s spine, Chalon Harris is able to build on this to keep the reader hooked. Told with great detail and some painful depictions of the treatment of others, the narrative flows well and there is always a twist lurking around the corner that leaves the reader guessing. Harris uses a mix of chapter lengths in this short novel to keep the reader on their toes, or at least flipping pages until they can discover how everything comes together. Trouble is, that cliffhanger pulls the blocks out and sends the entire happy ending into disarray, at least for some!

Kudos, Madam Harris, for a stunning debut. I will keep my eyes open for more of your work and encourage others to do the same.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Parisian Professor, by Joseph Sciuto

Seven stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Joseph Sciuto for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

In this thriller with a great deal of ‘current event’ moments, Joseph Sciuto keeps readers intrigued with a story that has a little of everything. A decent plot and well-crafted characters work in the author’s favour, keeping the reader entranced throughout, even if things get a tad hokey at various points. Recommended to those who need something a little off the beaten path when it comes to a suspense novel.

After spending some time in the CIA’s Kabul office, Nick leaves under a cloud of suspicion and lands in Paris for another assignment. Asked to pose as a university student, Nick’s target is a young Abdul Haqq, a suspected terrorist with lofty plans. While it may seem easy enough, Nick’s conscience gets the better of him and he befriends Abdul, who does not appear to be the staunch Muslim some might expect.

While Nick seeks to learn a little more of Abdul’s plans, he meets and instantly falls in love with Abdul’s adoptive sister, Gabrielle. The two siblings could not be more opposite, something they both make perfectly clear to Nick during countless conversations. Nick works through the emotions he has for them both and comes to a decision, he will have to finish his work for the Agency, flee Paris with Gabrielle, and settle down in America.

Along the route to completing the mission, Abdul confides in Nick what he’s been selling, but feigns any wrong doing and ensures that these small bombs are for the personal protection of those who can afford them. Abdul insists that Nick drop the obvious love interest he has for Gabrielle, a woman not worth any man’s time.

Meanwhile, Nick learns some harrowing truths about Gabrielle, which will help him solidify the need to get her out of the country. All the while, there is a larger and more sinister plan for Abdul, one in which Gabrielle may have a hand in creating. This includes a new destination for Abdul and a wily professor who is calling all the shots as a well-placed member of the Agency. All Nick wants is out of this game, though he may have left himself beholden to something even more troubling. When the professor take matters into his own hands, Nick surmises that there is something nefarious taking place, all the way up the chain of command.

This is my first novel by Joseph Sciuto, though it seems he has numerous others that have been published over the years. There is certainly something unique about the piece, both in its presentation and the topics covered. While not entirely what I expected from the dust jacket blurb, the story does work and kept me wanting to forge ahead with every page turn.

Nick is one of those protagonists who reveals much, but sometimes not enough. His ability to connect with the reader is present, though not always complete. With an interesting backstory, both before and during his time within the Agency, Nick’s growth within the novel is surely the means by which he is noticed by the reader. Slightly focussed on the next chapter in his life, the reader may not see Nick’s actions as being much more than a conduit to get Abdul into the hands of the real movers and shakers who’ll make a difference.

There is a strong core of secondary characters, including the young Gabrielle. The reader, alongside Nick, are left to wonder if she is a clueless pawn in the entire mission, though it is her horrifying past that becomes what defines her. She presents herself as vulnerable, while others around her are as cold as can be, which proves to be an interesting contrast throughout the piece. Sciuto utilises a handful of secondary characters to flavour the narrative and keep the reader from falling into a lull throughout the story. It is primarily these interactions that push the story into a ‘hokey’ domain at times. Silly dialogue and what appears to be outlandish decision-making (ie marriage at the drop of a hat) that lessens the impact of the story for me.

While the premise may not be unique, Sciuto does not rest on the laurels of the Agency man trying to foil a terrorist plot to push the story along. There is much more to this piece that is only truly revealed through dedication and a great attention to detail. With some wonderful political commentary of what is going on around the world at present, Sciuto injects added reality to a story that seems plausible at times. There are some eye-rolling moments, but they come primarily from some of the character banter and the mysterious tough guy demeanour of the professor, as well as some of the aforementioned silly comments that arise in dialogue. With a mix of chapter lengths, the reader is pushed to read on and see how things will reveal themselves, though it is surely a tangential journey.

Kudos, Mr. Sciuto, for this interesting spin on what is surely a great story. I’ll likely return to try out some more of your work in the months to come, primarily to see how you craft your other work in comparison with my first impressions.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Hidden in Plain Sight (Detective William Warwick #2), by Jeffrey Archer

Nine stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Jeffrey Archer, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Jeffrey Archer returns with another stellar novel in the William Warwick series. Taking readers back to the glory days of the 1980s, this police procedural is sure to impress many, particularly those who have a great affinity for Archer’s Clifton Chronicles.

William Warwick has been given a rare treat at work, a long overdue promotion to Detective Sergeant. However, with this comes a move to the Major Drug Squad for an intense case that could bring much notoriety. Large amounts of heroin have made its way into London, a drug that has crippled 1986 England and sent waves throughout the Metropolitan Police. 

Warwick’s promotion brings a new member to the team, DC Paul Adaja, whose interest in getting things done helps pave the way to a successful addition to the team. Working through the handful of confidential informants (CIs) at their disposal, Warwick and the team learn that there is a weekly meeting that could garner a great deal of potent arrests, though the location of the Viper remains a well-guarded secret. Through a series of mad car chases, working off crumbs of CI intel,  Warwick is none the wiser when it comes to landing this big fish, but refuses to give up too swiftly. 

On a personal note, Warwick and his fiancee, Beth, are eager to share their nuptials, planning a small ceremony that turns out to be anything but calm. Well-known criminal mastermind, Malcolm Faulkner, makes his presence known and tries to destroy any credibility Warwick might have, though the power of love appears to prevail.

When news comes that Faulkner is about to receive a shipment of drugs that could end him away for the foreseeable future, it’s all hands on deck to make the bust. Faulkner cries foul and does anything he can to keep the changes from sticking, though the prosecutorial team is none other than Sir Julian and Grace Warwick, the father and sister duo of our beloved William. The case proceeds and the jury is empanelled, leaving the courts to decide the fate of Faulkner once and for all.

When Warwick discovers where he can find the Viper’s Nest, he’s quick to rush in that direction, though it won’t be a peaceful arrest by any means. Casualties could be massive as these are the roughest of the rough, Warwick will soon learn that this is the least of his concerns. Entertaining throughout, Archer shows that he is still at the top of his game.

I have long been a fan of most anything that Jeffrey Archer puts to paper, having amassed a large quantity of high quality novels. This new series, which is actually the collection of writing referenced repeatedly throughout the Clifton Chronicles, may be set in the 1980s, but can easily hold the attention of the dedicated  thriller fan.

William Warwick returns and plays a wonderful protagonist. While he is a sensible cop, his outgoing nature endears him to many. Always looking for the next big break in a case, Warwick works his magic in ways only Jeffrey Archer could connive. With his strong ties to family and his workplace, Warwick’s character develops throughout this piece and there are hints that he will have to branch out in the upcoming novel, as he is sure to take on a new role or two.

Archer does well developing some of his secondary characters as well, who surely help enrich the story in many ways. From the others in the Warwick clan to those who work within the Met, each flavours the narrative effectively and advances Archer’s ever-developing plot. While some are recurring characters, there are a handful of strong one-timers, all of whom keep the reader entertained throughout.

The book proves highly entertaining, advancing the series well while keeping things highly realistic. Set in the late 1980s, Archer uses this backdrop to develop a strong story with numerous plotlines that are sure to keep the reader guessing. There is not a ‘dated’ feel to the book, though surely the lack of technology mentioned is sure to be noticed by those scouring the narrative. Archer uses his wonderful style to take the reader on this twisted journey, as they lose themselves in the strong narrative. With decent length chapters, Archer uses his style to inject detail into the story, leaving the reader to picture things as they occur. Cliffhangers throughout and some great subplot development that makes wishing for the next book all but essential.

Kudos, Lord Archer, for another success. I can’t get enough of your books and look forward to the next publication.

Please have a look at my review on the Mystery & Suspense site, where many other reviews and information can be found.

Review: Hidden In Plain Sight

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Liberal Privilege: Joe Biden and the Democrats’ Defence of the Indefensible, by Donald Trump Jr.

NO STARS

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #19 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

I sought to read some books on both sides of the political spectrum, in hopes that it would enrich the challenge experience for me. Unfortunately, this backfired with this book, in the largest possible way. While I had hoped to get a strong and complete argument from the right about how things have been going well and what we have to look forward to, it was a hot mess from the get-go.

Imagine holding a voice-to-text app up to either Donald Trump and then publishing what spewed out of their mouths. This book is just that, full of rants and non-sensical blather about a variety of topics. Toss in a few slanderous comments and curse words and you have the entire book. This is not a book seeking to explore America from the right, but rather a smear campaign in the shadow of the worst president America has seen. It was painful to read… oh wait, I bailed after the first chapter because my head hurt so much.

I am all for books and self-publication. I applaud those who seek to use their own blood, sweat, and tears when it comes to getting a book to market. However, in the case of this book, it speaks volumes that it was published by Donald Trump, Jr. No one else would touch it! And.. the audiobook was read by Donnie’s own girlfriend (something he repeats throughout the portion I could read while dry heaving). If this is not a red flag, I am not sure what could be.

For those of you who want to try something that has no merit and little substantive value, go ahead. I cannot believe I am saying this… but I may actually need to find Lou Dobbs’ book. It CANNOT be worse than this one!

Kudos, Matt Pechey, for suffering through this pile of steaming Trumpism.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Threat: How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and Trump, by Andrew G. McCabe

Eight stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #18 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

When Andrew G. McCabe assumed the role of Acting Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in May 2017, he could not have known the full mess that he was inheriting. That he lasted only a short while was likely not a surprise to him, though it could have been a blessing in disguise. In this book, McCabe not only discusses some of his memories during that brief time on thin ice, but also his life within the Bureau and some of the interesting things he was able to accomplish in his two decades of dedication. Blunt and to the point, this is a great piece to shed some light on how far off the rails things got and how the current administration will stop at nothing to bastardise one of the key intelligence agencies in America. Recommended to those who have an interest in FBI history and are able to keep an open mind throughout.

McCabe seeks not only to tell his story, but to explore the importance of the FBI in the larger American intelligence community. He goes into great detail about the vetting he underwent and how he was forced to lay it all on the line and provide honest answers if he wanted to make any progress with his application. Ready to commit himself and eager to move wherever he was needed, McCabe and his wife took the plunge and prepared for an exciting life.

McCabe began in Organized Crime, dealing in the New York area. He recounts how he got his hands dirty by handling Russian mobsters who were setting up their own territory and trying to put pressure on those in the region for their own benefit. McCabe explores how he had to work within the parameters of the FBI to weed out those who were the bigger fish and might prove to be the most problematic, ushering them up the line and making sure that justice was met. His discussions are not only insightful, but help to educate on topics that seem only to appear in the latest headlines of newspapers and in magazines.

Thereafter, McCabe moved to counter-terrorism, where he was able to see some of the threats that could have crippled the country. These were crafty people, working both within the United States and on foreign soil. McCabe was able to work effectively to dilute the threats and to keep America as safe as possible, while also finding itself short on intelligence when it was needed most. The reader who has a great interest in this area can enjoy many stories and in-depth information about the role the Bureau plays in sharing intelligence and pushing it up the line within the Department of Justice.

When McCabe assumed a senior management role in Washington, D.C. he prepared for some of the roles little known or discussed with the general public. Preparing intelligence documents for high-level briefings and liaising directly with the Attorney General proved to be two areas that helped McCabe blossom, though it was also the start of his seeing where politics and the Bureau can walk a fine line. McCabe argues throughout that there should be a clear separation, even if some wish to meld the two. Frank comparisons from the Obama Era and into the Trump Administration are made and strong editorialising occurs, though it is well grounded to provide true contrasting with how the Bureau has been turned away from its intelligence role and into a personal army of brown shirts for the current president and his Attorneys-General lackeys.

There is a great discussion of the Russia Investigation and the Clinton email scandal, both of which McCabe found himself working within. This moves into how the Trump Administration sought to politicize the Bureau, as did Director Comey in some regard. The fallout from the Trump-Comey clash takes centre stage, which led to a sickening attempt at a loyalty pledge by the president. This, in McCabe’s opinion, may have been the beginning of the end. As Acting Director, McCabe sought to keep the lines clearly drawn, though his lack of sycophancy proved to be too much for the Egoist in Chief to handle. That McCabe refused a loyalty pledge and was too aligned with the views of Comey proved to be his downfall. Only Trump could have been so vindictive… or simply a dick!

There will be some who call this book sour grapes and riddled with fake stories. Those people have the right to their opinion, though I felt Andrew McCabe handled himself well and shot from the hip only when it was needed. His insight into life within the FBI helps to educate the curious reader, while also showing just how much pressure can befall someone who is gathering intelligence on a daily basis. The book is divided into strong chapters, all of which are full of great information, even if there are moments of editorialising. While I would have loved a more detailed memoir, this was likely not the time or place, as McCabe wanted to get his message out for all the hear. If I am to believe much of what McCabe says, the Bureau is but one pillar in the intelligence community that is in trouble, forced to reinvent itself when a megalomaniac seeks to pressure for things done his way and to forget those things that do not benefit him. As scary as this sounds, things will only get worse if something does not change soon.

Kudos, Mr. McCabe, for your honest opinions. I am eager to see what others have to say, though reading your book and that of Former Director Comey, I can see a lot hit the fan since January 2017!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Wicked Sister, by Karen Dionne

Eight stars

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/review-the-wicked-sister/

After thoroughly enjoying one of her previous novels, I was pleased to get my hands on the latest work by Karen Dionne, which proves to be just as eerie. Telling a family’s story in two time periods, Dionne keeps the reader enthralled as pieces of the larger narrative slowly fall into place. Those who have enjoyed Dionne’s past work will not want to miss this one!

Fifteen years ago, Rachel Cunningham was locked away in a psychiatric facility. She murdered her parents at the age of eleven and refuses to allow herself any reprieve. The flashbacks are as vivid as ever and she refuses to talk about them with anyone else. When a reporter arrives to chat with her about telling the story, he explains that the evidence shows Rachel could not have committed the murders and that her self-imposed isolation can end if she wishes to sign herself out.

In a second narrative, two decades earlier, Jenny and Peter struggle with the death of a neighbourhood child who drowned in their pool. While their daughter, Diana, denies having anything to do with it, the evidence Jenny discovers says otherwise. Worried about the ongoing shaming that might occur, they reluctantly pack everything up and move into Peter’s family cabin, deep in the woods. There, Diana can thrive on her own, or so her parents hope. When Jenny reveals that she’s pregnant, she can only hope this change in the family will be best for everyone.

The new baby proves to be the polar opposite of Diana, something Jenny and Peter secretly enjoy. As Rachel grows, her sister is constantly pushing the limits and trying to harm her. Diana’s diagnosis as psychopathic makes it impossible to leave the girls alone, even for the shortest time. When Diana acts out once again, it is Rachel who reveals the truth to her parents, causing them to have to make a significant decision that is sure to make ripples throughout the entire Cunningham family.

As present day Rachel comes to terms with some of these suppressed memories, she encounters her sister once again. Rachel reveals what she knows about the day their parents died, leaving Diana to act in the only way she knows how. As the truth comes to the surface, wickedness receives its true name and a family is torn apart anew.

The story reads like a well-crafted psychological thriller with hints of evil throughout, as the title suggests. Karen Dionne creates a wonderful tale that works along parallel timelines, revealing just enough to keep the reader guessing, though keeping the pieces from falling into place until all is said and done.

Rachel Cunningham proved to be a worthy protagonist. Having locked herself away at a young age, she has no one but herself and the animal kingdom to keep her company, part of her upbringing in the woods. She seems enveloped in a mental fog, something that slowly reveals itself, only to create new chaos for her. Rachel remembers scraps her her life with Diana, though it is only when they reconnect that the truth begins to flow freely, which may not be the best thing for her.

Dionne’s use of strong secondary characters keeps the story moving, particularly as the other Cunninghams fill many of those roles. The reader can learn a little more about the strains that occur within the family, as Jenny serves to recount the flashback narrative, though it is Diana and her actions as far back as being nine that almost steal the show. Completely devoid of emotion, this child is a parent’s worst nightmare, as can be seen throughout the book.

While it took me a while to connect the two narratives, the plot thickens from the outset and the reader can surely forecast what is to come. In a story told through the eyes of Rachel and Jenny, there are many ‘aha’ moments in both the modern plot and that from years ago, when the parental murders took place. Dionne uses alternating chapters to tell of both time periods, forcing the reader to split their attention, though as things gain momentum, everything makes sense in both timelines. Chilling reveals throughout and the final face-off between Rachel and Diana offers the best of all the plot lines, with a twist at the end to tie it all together!

Kudos, Madam Dionne, for another winner. I cannot wait to see what else you might have in store for your fans.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Nothing Good Happens After Midnight, Jeffrey Deaver (editor)

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Jeffrey Deaver (editor), and Suspense Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

I have always found that you can discover the true mettle of an author by how well they can handle writing with strict parameters. Jeffrey Deaver tosses the challenge out to twelve other authors (as well as himself) to pen a short story apiece with a ‘late’ or ‘midnight’ theme. Each entry in this collection differs greatly from one another, with a stellar collection of published authors offering something for the reader to enjoy. A great collection of pieces that read with ease, perfect for those who are familiar with the authors or enjoy something a little shorter.

There is such a great cross-section of ideas in this collection that each reader will surely find something to their liking. Some will likely flock to Alan Jacobson’s piece about a death row inmate who may have some key information about a copycat. Others will enjoy Kevin O’Brien’s recounting of a man who hates technology, while still others may find the antics of Linwood Barclay’s piece about a graveyard shift at a newspaper something that tickles their fancy. Each piece is unique and entertaining in its own way and Deaver ensures there is no repetition at all. Quick reads on their own or a decent binge of shorter writing for those who wish to indulge. Whatever your fancy, watch out, as you’ll surely be sucked in, much like some of the characters in Deaver’s own entry in this collection.

The short story allows little time for character development, even if it is an offshoot of a series some will know well. Jeffrey Deaver does well at finding some wonderful contributors whose styles and abilities are surely second to none. Each story contains some strong characters, a few who are part of a larger series, others dreamt up for their debut in these pages. At approximately the same length, each story used plots and developments effectively, though uniquely, begging the reader to choose some of their favourites. With some strong writing overall, this is a collection not to be missed and I would love to see more of this in the future, as I know Jeffrey Deaver has created some wonderful and witty writing projects for many in the genre before.

Kudos, Mr. Deaver and your twelve other contributors, for a great collection of stories that really get to the heart of the midnight hour.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Treasure, by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Eight stars

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/review-treasure/

In the final piece from the original HUSH collection, Oyinkan Braithwaite offers readers a unique story that speaks more to the lure of social media than anything else. Quick and with her native Nigerian tilt, Braithwaite keeps reader on their toes until the final reveal. Recommended to those who enjoy something a little unique, particularly readers who have read the other stories in this collection.

Treasure enjoys the camera and it would seem the feeling is mutual. Her choice of fashion and the means by which she dolls herself up is perfect for the Instagram account she’s created. The many followers of her account agree, based on the number of likes Treasure gets with each day’s posting.

One follower in particular, @Sho4Sure, has been following Treasure for as long as he can remember. He’s fixated on everything she says and is happy to see that she’s gone so far as to respond to his comments. He makes sure everyone knows that this is the woman he’ll marry, as soon as he can ask for her hand.

When Treasure lets slip her location in a post, @Sho4Sure feels it’s a sign and treks over there with his social media companion. Who knew she was so close? When Treasure and her greatest fan come face to face, it’s like nothing either of them could have imagined. However, this is only one of many surprises that await them both in this story, where, like social media, the truth is not always as it appears.

This was my first piece by Oyinkan Braithwaite, and certainly different from much that I have read of late. There is certainly an African feel to things, both in the description and the dialogue, though this uniqueness is refreshing and quite alluring. It adds something to the story that left me wanting more.

Treasure appears to be the typical social media starlet, dreaming big and using Instagram as her stage. She does well to present herself to those around her, though the truth about it differs greatly, as the reader discovers throughout the piece. A Nigerian #queen, she basks in the attention she gets, hoping her fan base will increase the more her presence is felt.

Braithwaite appears almost to be offering a tale of warning in this piece, providing the reader with a set of cautions about the use of social media. Both Treasure and @Sho4Sure present opposing sides of the same coin, the star and the fan, both wrapped up in their roles and yet deceived by the other. This becomes apparent in the latter portion of the story, as the truth comes out and both are forced to admit something.

With short chapters and a plot that seems focused on a single event, Braithwaite quickly develops the thread of the tale and leads the writer as it all plays out. Perhaps the least complex of all the HUSH stories, but still an enjoyable piece that has me debating about reaching for the author’s full-length novel. Likely to be one that divides readers, though most decent writing does that.

Kudos, Madam Braithwaite, for this intriguing piece that kept me wondering throughout. I am eager to see what others thought and where your next writing project might take you.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism, by Anne Applebaum

Eight stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #17 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

As a student of politics, I often look back on the 2016 US Presidential Election and wonder what happened. While I could (and should) inject discussion about Russian bots or outsider influence, there had to be a base of people who chose Trump, allowing outsiders to build on an already present momentum. While thinking about how America got to the point of even considering Trump (and, taking a step back, the Republican base to choose him as their candidate), there must have been a spark that ignited the desire to look outside the norms of the democratic ideals on which America has held firm for centuries.

Enter Anne Applebaum and this brief book that explores that desire and push towards a more authoritarian state. While not an examination of America on its own, Applebaum looks at the shift towards a more controlling state in America and some parts of Europe, drawing on her experience as a journalist in these regions. Applebaum does not offer airtight answers, but has great commentary based on her career. She explores the move away from methodical democracy and towards something that is more state-centric and easily digested by the general population seeking a resurgence of ‘the way it was’. While I cannot say that I liked all I heard, it does make a degree of sense. If not something I would recommended wholeheartedly, this book certainly provides me with an academic analysis of how and why Trump seemed to appeal to so many in 2016 and still holds sway today.

The spark of conspiracy can ignite a population like no other. Being able to fabricate a story and have it take on a life of its own is a fabulous way to get a message across while injecting fear in the possibilities. Applebaum explores how this has worked, without concrete substantiation, across the various states explored in this tome. There appears to be a strong push to use immigration as that topic that could tear the state apart, should it be allowed to continue. While European fears lay with the Syrian refugees fleeing a civil war, it has also been used with the constructed ‘caravan’ from Central America worked its way through American conspiracy channels. There is no proof of the bold statements and yet people lap it up, sure that the country they have come to know will disappear with the dilution of national values, while jobs will be handed over to others. There is little attempt to think logically and so the governing party uses this to tighten rules and keep ‘others’ out, thereby strengthening the core and keeping change from making its way onto the agenda.

A sense of nostalgia is also a driving force to push towards authoritarian rule, looking back to a time when things were better and life was more in tune with how things ought to be. Many will know the rhetoric about creating a great America once again, which looks to regain what was one formidable but has gone to the wayside. Looking to days of old that are lost can only be brought back by toughening stances and limiting some of the looseness that democracy permits. Interestingly enough, I have never heard when America was ‘great’ in the eyes of the current president and what era he wishes be replicated, though one can imagine slavery and white supremacy would be a sure Utopia. I also remain baffled when there was a previous Polish or Hungarian greatness that has since been drowned. Even a UK of the past that soared above it all remains confusing to me, for the push towards the authoritarian state was to commence BREXIT, something that buoyed the country up, while forcing it to share itself among its continental cousins. Then again, here I am in Canada, trying to comprehend something outside my area of interest.

The move towards authoritarian rule must include the erosion of democratic foundations, as Applebaum explores throughout the piece. While this appears to be somewhat contradictory, for it is these same democratic institutions and beliefs that brought those leading the state to power. Yet, there seems almost to be a rage against the system that is needed, one that pokes holes in all that the state has been following that slowly morphs things into an authoritarian regime and forges a leader in place who cannot be removed with ease. Discounting the importance of legislatures as being too focused on their own interests, dismissing rules as being outdated and attempting to stifle growth, as well as erasing checks on power through elections as being fraudulent if the results sought do not come to pass. Applebaum cites speeches made by many leaders who have taken bits from far right and left thinkers, glueing them together, and leaving the general public to feel as though this is the new normal. The move to deconstruct seems to be the only way the state can run effectively, forcing a suspension of the rules, many of which are mocked along the way. How leaders get away with this defies the imagination, but there are tools mentioned above that help bring about this blind trust. Once gone, it is close to impossible to get it back without turning the state on its head and appearing just as dictatorial to the general public.

While I knowingly came into this read with a preconceived notion about authoritarianism, I did want to see if I could be enlightened about what could have led the world to search out something that was so vile during the 1930s-70s. Anne Applebaum does well to analyse and provide her own ideas, all of which are rooted in what she’s seen and reported. Her experience and analytical nature helps push the book forward, where she seeks to better understand how the conservatism she espouses has become less than what is needed, turning her views almost centre or centre-left. The use of multiple states helps to show that this is not an ideological Petri dish when it comes to exploring the shift, though it is hard to get to the root of the issue in a shorter book. Applebaum is keen to provide concrete examples and show how they fit into the larger narrative to offer the reader something on which to grasp while trying to decipher the truth. The chapters are laid out in a clear and concise manner, permitting the reader to see how things moved from A to B, without inundating them with information or leave them to feel lost in a sea of statistics. There is no doubt that this is an academic discussion, told through the eyes of a well-versed political reporter. That said, the discussion is quite intriguing for those who have a mind for the subject matter and can sift through some of the high-brow analysis of European politics. It may not offer hope of a quick fix, but it does show that this is not only an American phenomena, meaning that others can understand the craziness that appears to occur on a daily basis in the United States. Let’s hope that something can be done to take a little air out of the tires of the authoritarian movement. I’ve tired of it already and am prepared for some return to greater days!

Kudos, Madam Applebaum, for opening my eyes to better understand some of the issues that have made democracy less desirable to many, while filling the power vacuum with something more daunting. I will have to look into more of your work, allowing me to become better educated on a number of subjects.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Buried, by Jeffrey Deaver

Eight stars

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/review-buried/

In a gripping thriller that pulls the reader into the middle of a handful of crimes, Jeffrey Deaver shows that his skills at short story writing are second to none. Intriguing in its delivery, Deaver is sure to leave the reader wanting more in one of the best pieces within the HUSH collection.

There are times when old journalism tricks, like listening to a police scanner, can produce the greatest scoops. That’s the theory Edward ‘Fitz’ Fitzhugh uses when trying to stay relevant in today’s digital world of newspapering. Fitz learns of a man whose been kidnapped, with a clue to his whereabouts. The alleged perpetrator calls himself The Gravedigger, an entity who struck a few weeks before in another state.

While Fitz is close to retirement, he’s come to realise that his style is a dying art, where pounding the pavement and checking with sources has been replaced with quick Google searches and mass-market news stories that are splashed across the Internet. He clashes with one of the hires that will take the paper into its digital era, unsure if he will be able to withstand the pressure to conform and write about what sells to the attention-deficit reader. There’s little time to lose, as Fitz tries to piece it all together in time for the editorial deadline.

Finding a witness to the apparent kidnapping, Fitz works the angle, while the clue to finding the victim proves fruitful. However, there is something more and Fitz cannot shake that flashing beacon in the back of his mind. Parallels between both kidnappings must exist, though nothing is as easy as it seems. When Fitz begins to peel back the truth, he becomes entangled in a web that could blow the Gravedigger case wide open. He’ll have to convince someone to listen to his arguments, or face a less than glorious ride into the sunset of his journalistic retirement. Nothing worse than having an important story buried for none to see!

I have read a few pieces by Jeffrey Deaver before and enjoyed them all. Each has a chill factor and a quick pace that does not permit the reader to sit back and simply absorb. Clues are embedded throughout and the action never stops, which made this longer story flow with as much or greater ease than its other HUSH collection cousins.

Fitz proves to be a useful protagonist, particularly as he tries to shine in an era when everything is cut and paste, surrounded by digital advertisements. The old school of journalism may be on the out, but Fitz refuses to conform and finds himself eager to make a different the only way he can. Deaver offers little backstory for the man, though there is decent character development throughout, culminating in an unlikely twist that ties the plot together.

With little time to develop them, Deaver tosses a few key secondary characters into the mix, all of whom play their part. The various perspectives of the plot allow these personalities to shine, shedding light on a plot that has little time to lag. While not everyone fits together in a nice package, the characters do well complementing one another effectively and keep the reader wanting more.

I always find that an author shows their abilities when writing short stories, as there is little time for slow reveals or pointless plots. These pieces are raw and require movement from the get-go, something that Jeffrey Deaver has no issue doing. A strong plot is pushed along by a well-crafted narrative that keeps the reader wanting more. Clipped dialogue and characters who are placed in key spots offer that secondary momentum with so much going on. Deaver has chosen not only the chapter, but the multi-part style of writing, offering cliffhangers and short segments to keep the reader forging ahead. I enjoyed how things went in directions I would not have expected, yet still came together effectively. Makes me want to open my reading schedule and hunker down with some series work by Jeffrey Deaver to understand him a little more.

Kudos, Mr. Deaver, for another wonderful piece. I have often told myself that I should take the time to read more of your work. This is proof that my instincts are spot on!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #16 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

In the aforementioned reading challenge, I have come across a number of hot button topics that are sure to play a role in the election process currently underway in the United States. When I embarked on this path, a few people recommended this book by Isabel Wilkerson as being a key read that may help me understand something that resonates at the core of the American psyche and serves as a highly divisive issue. The racial and caste divide in the United States is neither new nor isolated to this country, as Wilkerson states throughout this tome. However, it is something that has become as accepted and forgotten so as to fade into the background, while re-emerging when times are especially tough. Exploring the heart of the caste system in the United States provides a raw truth, albeit a painful one, that cannot be ignored and that is more than just a #BlackLivesMatter discussion. This book both enthralled and disturbed me deeply, to the point that I want to recommended it to everyone and no one at the same time. I hope I can do it justice with the review below.

The issue of a caste system in the United States is perhaps best hidden behind race, an incorrect label. While race refers more to the physical appearance (read: skin colour) of a person, the inherent issue in America is the relegation of certain people to a status or ‘place’ in the country’s hierarchy. It cannot be solved simply by wanting people to be ‘colour blind’ and is not solved by changing political leadership. It is, for the lack of a better word, baked into the mindset of the people, spurned by the political and leadership arms of the country, and propagated by norms of society. Isabel Wilkerson tries to understand and peel back the layers of this caste thinking, but never justifies it or points blame at a single person.

The idea of caste is not new and its origins are not found in a recent text. The tome’s overall study of caste looks to three societies where it was (or is) used with a great deal of success. The caste system of India, America, and Nazi Germany all showed how relegating certain groups to an expected set of tasks, while refusing them the ability to live as others did. This becomes apparent throughout the book in the numerous examples Wilkerson offers, some of which I will touch on below.

If the idea of caste is not new, from where did it originate? Wilkerson explores how certain religious texts in India laid out the key castes and offered people there an understanding of what was expected of each. Those born into a caste were not able to simply will themselves out of it, but rather had to understand their place and live in it. The American example was also spurned from a religious text, namely the story of Noah (of the Ark fame) and how one of his sons was banished for offending his father. This son was seen to be the representative of the African race and, through European imperialists, their punishment began in the form of being taken as slaves. Wilkerson explores how as far back as the first slaves brought to the New World in the early 17th century, those from Africa were always treated as the least worthy and most downtrodden. This continued and became a part of the American psyche, much as the Indian understanding of caste continues today.

Wilkerson explores the Nazi caste system as not being text based, but rather a mirroring of a certain country. She posits that Nazi leaders used the means by which Americans subjugated the African American population and turned it towards the Jews, as well as other groups they sought to objectify. This parallel is both fascinating and disgusting, as it goes to show that the mistreatment of a portion of the population was a trigger for one of the worst societies of the 20th century to thrive. While Americans and their allies fought against this treatment, it continues today with nuanced parallels.

With these foundational understandings, Wilkerson explores how caste has been used to perpetuate subjugation across these three societies, with a focus on America over the others. The idea of scapegoating, blatant delegating of societal scraps, and socio-economic suppression became norms, leaving little room for equality to flourish. While America tries to rid itself of the stigma of caste-thinking, Wilkerson shows that marches and legislative initiatives can only add lipstick to a pig that stands in the middle of the discussion. The standards are deeply ingrained and it will take more than words or superficial actions to change them. This is perhaps the scariest revelation I found in the book, even as an outsider.

While there is a need to heal, the strongest push back against trying to do so is a lack of understanding that this is not a race issue, this is not solely a need to recognise the importance of all people who are a part of the melting pot America prides itself in being. There are so many issues that go to the core of the American psyche and have been accepted for centuries. It is made worse when political and social leaders fan the flames and permit an ongoing subjugation through support of supremacy and violence and then try to justify it as being ‘what the people want and believe’. How can the nation get healthier when its top leaders purposely open wounds and pour salt into them, turning around and saying that this is how it ‘is’ and the mindset of America cannot be turned?

I have spent a long time thinking about this and, with the help of Wilkerson’s tome, feel that this is not something that can be solved with a single election, or even a dozen. This is not a Trump program that was not there beforehand, nor will it end when he leaves office. I do not point the finger at any single politician, nor do I feel there is a saviour out there who can solve it all. However, it is an issue that cannot continue. That said, this is not only going on in America. Canada has its own issues and there are inherent caste systems here too. Australia, England, France, and many other countries where there is a prominent heterogeneous population will have it as part of their psyche and I am sure people there will see it in their daily lives. It sickens me to acknowledge it, but I cannot pretend that it is not the case.

Those who approach Isabel Wilkerson’s book should be warned that it is not simply an exploration of a sociological issue across three countries, but a study of how abhorrent people are towards others. That being said, it is a necessary pulling back of the curtain so that we can stop what is going on, rather than continuing the horrible treatment of others. No one is free from blame, as Wilkerson repeats, so this is not a stone throwing experiment. Wilkerson may explore this from an academic perspective, but her writing is very digestible and the examples are concrete. The topics discussed resonate with many and serve to open the eyes of the reader with each page turn. Organised effectively into well-documented chapters, Wilkerson pleads with the reader to see just how deeply things have become a part of the everyday, which makes them even more troubling. While she does use examples from a post-2016 America, there are also many from as far back as 1610, making this an issue that transcends any one party or leader, though it is apparent that she wishes to show how it is being exacerbated and validated as ‘what the people want’ even today. I loved and hated this book at the same time, just as I have come to adore and vilify myself. What the hell is going on and how do we fix it?

Kudos, Madam Wilkerson, for making me look at myself in the mirror and not simply walk away. Your book disturbed me more than anything I have read in a long time, but I needed it. I just hope others will not be deterred and open their minds to what you have to say!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time: Decoding History’s Unsolved Mysteries, by Brad Meltzer

Seven stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Brad Meltzer, and Workman Publishing Company for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

One would think that I might tire reading about conspiracies, as we are in the midst of some doozies in the form of COVID-19 and the 2020 US Presidential Election. That being said, when I noticed Brad Meltzer was putting something together, I could not help myself. A longtime fan of Metlzer’s fiction work, I was eager to see what he would uncover, which might prove to be highly entertaining and easier to digest, while still being non-fiction. Likely pleasing to many who love conspiracies, but perhaps a little too primer for my liking.

Brad Meltzer has spread himself out greatly over the last number of years, including a television project called Decoded, which explores conspiracy theories. This book is almost a published account of ten of the largest conspiracies that Meltzer and his team discovered. They look at John Wilkes Booth’s life post- Lincoln assassination, a supposed gold cache still hidden throughout the US as part of a Confederate stockpile, and even the truth behind what’s actually going on in Fort Knox. Meltzer and his team offer some interesting theories, seeking to balance them out for everyone to feel appeased, without getting too meaty in their analysis. Tossing out a few more, which include Roswell and Area 51, as well as the JFK Assassination, Meltzer and his team seek to win over a larger audience by pulling back the proverbial curtain and tossing out many ideas that could hold some truth to them. Interesting, for sure, but not what I would call a compelling read for me.

While I have never had an issue with Brad Meltzer and his writing, I may stick to his fiction going forward. While I love his inquisitive mind and how he could likely weave it into a great piece of fiction, I found this too ‘made for television’ to really hold my attention. It read almost like a script for one of his shows (admittedly, I have not seen it, so I cannot speak with confidence). The theories are sound and the proof seems plausible, but this is a primer and I needed more meat. I have been forced to digest so many conspiracies of late (see above) that I want proof and not just supposition. Presented well, this will appeal to those who have a strong love of Meltzer’s television work and I applaud him for targeting his audience. For me, just not a stellar piece.

Kudos, Mr. Meltzer, for a great effort and some significant work. I hope many find something they enjoyed herein.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump’s Testing of America, by Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #15 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

Working to share a large and overarching narrative of life inside the Trump White House, Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig provide readers with this book. The clear narrative and large number of sources, as well as a familiar set of tales, help the reader to feel as though there is little to call this fake or completely misrepresentative, but rather a strong depiction of just how chaotic things were and how many people feared for themselves, having to speak under veil of anonymity. Very enlightening for those who have the time and wherewithal. The title of the book also provides a great foundation for the content of the book, using a phrase Trump has used to refer to himself on numerous tweeted occasions.

As is commonly said, working inside the White House under Donald Trump is anything but calming. Rucker and Leonnig substantiate that from the opening pages of the book, but also provide a strong sentiment that, even to the candidate, it was a shock that they made it past Election Day. While many were pushing to dismantle much of what the American political landscape had seen, there was still a great deal of shock when the results emerged. This surprise, almost a shock that the ‘plan’ had worked, would prove highly indicative that other schemes could be tried, in hopes that no one would catch them once they held the reins of power.

It was a rush to fill spots in the opening days of the transition. As the authors explore, senior positions were being handed out like candy at the Wonka Factory, with little regard for a best fit or strategic placement. Ivanka Trump played a key role, not only in doling things out, but in ensuring, alongside her husband, that she was close enough to the trough to really be able to keep her finger on the pulse and whisper in her father’s ear. As troubling as it was, there were times this was more a game of favouritism than well-plotted decision-making. That being said, it would seem that at least some of the key positions had a scent of meritocracy, with a wafting of staunch conservatism.

While there are countless fires and issues that arose in the early days of the Administration, some of the key themes that emerged provide strong plot lines throughout this narrative. Case in point, the Russian Election Tampering Investigation, which morphed into the Mueller Investigation. This proved to be one of significant importance. Discussions from many angles of the actors and the means by which things came together proved highly interesting throughout. There is a significant discussion about what Trump wanted to do about how Robert Mueller was able to get such access and how he ought to be fired, though many also talked down this idea. Others worried about the probe itself and how Trump would be cornered into answering questions. There is no apparent ‘smoking gun revelation’ that Rucker and Leonnig might have hoped to reveal to the reader, but there were certainly those who panicked at the thought of what could happen. The authors offered up an excellent analysis of the struggles amongst many of the actors ahead of the public release of the findings, which were spun and bastardised nonetheless.

What comes across as quite intriguing is the need for solidarity to Trump in order to keep one’s job. The book explores so many of the ongoing issues that arose and how the actors were always teetering on the brink. Trump not only expected fidelity, but also proved fickle about his choices. The turnover rate of senior positions, both Cabinet and staff related, proved to outsiders as a sign that there were issues inside. The authors depict this well throughout, as Chiefs of Staff and National Security Directors, as well as senior Department of Justice officials all proved to be in the spotlight and had heads rolling. Perhaps most troubling of all was that Twitter became the new pink slip generator, as though publicly announcing a firing made sense. There is no shock here, but one would have hoped that a business as prominent as the US Government would have a better system, or at least one with a little more class.

One final theme that emerged throughout is the treatment of world leaders. The authors divide this into two camps, both of which are highly troubling. Trump would attack long-standing allies of the United States when they sought to offer an opinion that differed from his own. He felt the need to mock them in person, berate them over the phone, or turn to scorn through his tweets. Trump misses the gist of diplomacy at all levels and leaves his aids to clean up many of the messes left, or have other leaders counselled to turn the other cheek. The other treatment would be complete adoration or trust without substantiation. These include Russia and the Putin response to election rigging, the almost amorous relationship between Trump and Kim Jong Un when it came to North Korea, and the support for the Saudis when they denied killing one of their journalists. As these issues emerge throughout, the narrative depicts this completely baffling view that Trump takes.

When historians look back on the time of the Trump presidency in decades or perhaps a century from now, many will surely gasp at the reporting and presentation of books penned in the era. This is not shocking, for Donald Trump himself sought to redefine the role of POTUS and the America in which everyone lived. As this book has done, it shows a reckless man who wants nothing more than to get his own way and let everyone else fall into line. Whether that is sound for a man who chose not to play by a pre-ordained playbook is up to the reader, but it just does not sit well with me.

Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig offer the reader a great deal of insight throughout this book, substantiating many of the narratives that have emerged in the past, both in media outlets and other books, as well as some strong tidbits of their own. The vast array of people who contributed to the book, some attributed and others anonymously, helps to bolster the narrative and keep the reader on their toes throughout. With chapters of well-documented evidence told in an easy to digest manner, the reader can see many of the key points being made and find something to their liking. I see this less as a tell-all and more a shining light of what was actually going on, which may leave some worried about exaggeration or over-dramatisation, but that sentiment only raises more red flags about truths many would rather have hidden. By this point, I cannot discount all the similar stories as being #fakenews or a conspiracy to smear the man and the administration. They only help to strengthen the argument that the truth is that prevalent and the spin doctoring cannot hide what goes on behind the walls. Then again, I am only offering my own opinions!

Kudos, Mr. Rucker and Madam Leonnig, for an insightful piece on a man who dubbed himself a real genius. I think the smartest people out there will take what you have to say with more than a grain of salt and think before casting a ballot by November 3rd.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Invisible Girl, by Lisa Jewell

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jewell, and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

In a story that pushes the reader to ask how well we really know someone comes this thriller by Lisa Jewell. Told from numerous perspectives, it is a piece that races along, offering insights and misdirection in equal doses. Daunting and spine-tingling from the get-go, this is a ‘jewel’ in the genre.

As the novel begins, Saffyre Maddox lays the groundwork for herself and hints at an as-yet undisclosed ‘horrible event’, which saw her spend a significant amount of time in therapy. She appears quite private, but has a secret that has pushed her to self-harming, something her therapist is trying to better understand.

Meanwhile, Roan Fours is a successful child psychologist with issues outside the practice. His wife, Cate, is hyper vigilant about Roan’s every movement, after a marital issue that appears to have involved another woman. Now, Cate surmises that Saffyre might be making a play on her husband, when a mysterious card arrives on Valentine’s Day. Could this be a new round of panic for Cate?

All the while, Owen Pick’s life is falling apart. A geography teacher who’s been suspended after some complaints by students, Pick has little going for him. A virgin and living with his aunt, Pick presents as quite creepy and socially awkward. He happens to be a neighbour to the Fours family, where the teenage girl reports creepy feelings when making her way home from the Tube one night. There have also been a number of sexual assaults in the area, which puts many on high alert.

When Saffyre Maddox goes missing, the last person to have seen her is Owen Pick. With his past, Pick is a likely candidate for having done something. He is known to gawk and his past sticks to him like an indelible letter.

As the story progresses, the reader sees the narrative peel back many layers and shines the light on a potential few who may want to see harm come to Saffyre, as well as insights by the victim herself. The plot thickens and the chill factor arises, leaving the reader to guess until the final reveal.

Having never read Lisa Jewell before, this was an interesting sampling of a new author with a large following. While I have read many thrillers, Jewell presents a unique perspective that had me curious from the outset. I wanted to know more and can only wonder if many of the other novels follow this successful recipe.

It’s hard to choose a single character to place in the role of protagonist. Jewell offers many through a rotating narrative in the novel. At times, Saffyre takes the central role, offering the reader an in-depth look at her personal struggles. This is contrasted by both Cate and Owen perspectives, both of whom have their own pile of issues. There is a peppering of backstory and some character development throughout, allowing the reader to get a better understanding of all the players in this complex story. Jewell does well keeping all her characters working together to build up a stronger story, with numerous subplots advancing simultaneously.

Jewell does well juggling the various perspectives in this piece, keeping plot lines clear and characters stories from blurring. The reader does need to remain attentive throughout, keeping everything straight, though the pieces do eventually fall into place with ease. Chapters of various lengths help move things along, bundled together to offer significant advancement for one character before moving on to another. A clipped narrative and cogent dialogue help pull the reader in and turn this into a page turner that will have the reader wanting to burn the midnight oil, if only to learn Saffyre Maddox‘s fate. I’d try another Lisa Jewell novel, given the opportunity.

Kudos, Madam Jewell, for this insightful novel. You have me curious about what else you’ve written, as I can see you have a significant fan base.

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/review-invisible-girl/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Let Her Be, by Lisa Unger

Eight stars

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/review-let-her-be/

In a story that takes the reader on an emotional exploration of a broken man, Lisa Unger offers a roadmap that is anything but linear. A great short story that delivers an impactful punch but remains placid throughout. Perfect for a warm and cozy getaway from the busyness life offers up!

Will is an author who’s looking for his first book deal, though this seems to be the least of his worries. His life has been without a clear purpose since his suicide attempt and he still marvels that the woman he pushed away so violently was the one who saved him. Anisa’s long gone, but her spirit still populates his every thought.

While meeting with a mutual friend, Emily, Will seeks to determine if any recent news of Anisa exists. Of course, there is the strong social media presence that she has left—a digital breadcrumb trail—but it is not enough for Will. While his psychologist wants him to push out the emotions and start fresh, Will cannot help but pick at this one scab. Emily has nothing concrete to offer, as though Anisa has built a wall and left everyone on the outside.

In an attempt at some closure or to pique his curiosity, Will and Emily embark on an adventure of their own to find Anisa. Their travels help Will come to terms with other issues from his past, though emotions still circle the drain and he is none the wiser to what happens. Yet, Emily has her own emotions that she is trying to decipher, as well as a secret that might help Will let Anisa be, once and for all!

As with all the other HUSH collection I have read to date, Lisa Unger’s writing is entirely new to me. I came upon this book and thought it was best to start with something a little quicker before committing to a full-length novel. Now that I had the chance with this story, I am eager to see what else there is to discover.

Unger creates her Will character as someone who is full of complexity and yet proves to be quite simple. He is still emotionally vulnerable from the loss of Anisa and stunted from the attempt to end his life. Trying to make a name for himself, Will relies on others to keep him stable, from parents who protect him to Emily, who seeks to help him fill in all the blanks. There are glimpses of backstory here, though much is lived in the present. As with many short stories, Unger has little room to develop her character, forcing the reader to love or hate him from the get-go.

The story itself clipped along fairly well. It was more an emotional onion peeling than one of action and adventure. Unger uses the slow reveal of Will and his sentiments to fuel the larger Anisa mystery. The plot does evolve and the reader can see a few twists in the road, though much happens below the surface and it is the shifting of emotional headspace that proves to be the most significant ‘aha’ moment in the piece.

While the story is a single entry, there are a few section breaks that help provide a rest stop for the reader. Will seems to need this as much as the reader to gather thoughts and process what’s come to light, though Unger does well without the need for chapters. The narrative worked well and the dialogue pulled out the needed sentiments to keep the story from becoming a sob story for a lost love and a man mourning his mistakes. Not my usual fare, but I want to see what else Lisa Unger has to say, perhaps in something a little longer and full of action.

Kudos, Madam Unger, for this piece. I will be back to see if you’re one to add to my list of authors to follow!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Shadow Sands (Kate Marshall #2), by Robert Bryndza

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Bryndza, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Adding to his successful new thriller series, Robert Bryndza delivers another Kate Marshall novel that will keep readers turning pages well into the night. Not only is the plot one that has great potential, but the characters come to life in a mystery that spans many years. Recommended to those who know and love Bryndza’s past work, as well as the reader looking for high quality police procedurals.

Kate Marshall is a former cop with the Met who’s been trying to reinvent herself. A full time lecturer who went out on a limb as a private investigator, Marshall keeps herself busy and away from some of the vices that cost her custody of her son years ago. 

When Kate and her son, Jake, go diving in the Shadow Sands reservoir, they find more than they bargained for. The body of Simon Kendal is drifting deep in the water, covered in various scratch markings. After calling the authorities and being interviewed by DCI Henry Ko, Marshall and her son continue on with their lives, unable to do much else.

When Marshall’s approached weeks later by the boy’s mother, she listens to the impassioned plea of a woman who needs her help. While the death was ruled an accidental drowning, something does not add up for Marshall, who pulls some strings and has a medical examiner review the notes. The oddity is there in black and white, leading the police to reopen the investigation. A quick arrest of the boy’s camping companion all but puts the case to rest.

While Kate and her university colleague (and sometimes investigative assistant), Tristan Harper, discuss the case, they wonder if Shadow Sands could be as dangerous as past media accounts suggest, where a number of people have drowned over the years. Tristan meets a new professor as part of his daily work and learns that she has an interest in Shadow Sands as well, based on some of the urban legends. Magdalena Rossi and Tristan seem to hit it off and he begins to wonder if there might be a link to the aforementioned drownings.

While Magdalena is out furthering her research, she is attacked and taken captive by a man who seeks to drug her and let her “touch the stars”. The disappearance is noted by others and Tristan is concerned that something might have happened. Working with Kate, they try to retrace her steps, only to learn that there have been other disappearances around Shadow Sands, as well as a few bodies that emerged decades ago. When one victim speaks of getting away from an attacker, Kate and Tristan take her word for it. No one else is keen to listen, including DCI Ko, who had her locked away in a psychiatric facility for months.

As Kate wonders about a killer around Shadow Sands, she also has to worry about crooked cops, yet again, who may be trying to sweep this all under the rug. It will take all her skills to find Magdalena and get to the root of these past disappearances, all while dodging those with the power of the force behind them. What’s out there and how can the cops turn a blind eye?

Robert Bryndza has kept his fans enthralled with a previous series that took crime investigation to a new level. Now, with this series, Kate Marshall is trying to fill some large shoes and doing well. Only two books into this series and Bryndza has already done a masterful job of things.

Kate Marshall is a great protagonist, balancing a busy work life with a personal history she would rather forget. Her life at the Met was going so well, until an affair with a superior (while learning he was a serial killer) turned all that on its head. She battles the bottle and lost her son because of it. However, even as she has put police work behind her, Kate has it in her blood and helps as she can. Her off the cuff investigative work keeps her busy and the reader can see her passion blossoming in this second novel, with more to come.

A great set of secondary characters keeps the story on point. With Tristan Harper’s return, the reader is able to learn a little more about him. There are some poignant moments in one of the subplots that enrich the larger story and keeps the reader connected to him. The entire cast does well and propels the narrative forward, in a case that spans decades, with much to hide. 

Bryndza dazzles readers with this piece, offering great plot development throughout the novel. The story takes many twists, growing from the location of a simple body during a dive into a larger mystery and an apparent serial killer. The narrative builds throughout, as the reader is pulled deeper into the story. The subplots that occur throughout help the reader to see the larger and more personal side of those characters to take centre stage. 

Bryndza offers a mix of chapter lengths, helping to push the story along and then keep the reader hooked with more detailed aspects of the case at hand. All this is done with such ease that the reader soon finds themselves devouring the story and losing track of time. This is the sign of a superior novel handled by a great writer. I can only hope that Robert Bryndza’s next Kate Marshall thriller packs just as much punch. 

Kudos, Mr. Bryndza, for another stellar piece of work. Fans, new and longer-term alike, will find something  worth sharing with others.

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

Review: Shadow Sands

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon

Eight stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #14 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

At a time when politics is up in the air and no one seems to know who’s in which column, Richard Condon presents this riveting political thriller that has all the key elements to the early Cold War years. Somewhat satirical in its delivery, it may leave some scratching their heads as to what this has to do with anything. There is an element of brilliance in the concept that a ‘sleeper’ could be put into the American political system with the sole purpose of bringing the country to its knees. As apt today as at first publication, Condon gives readers something about which to think, much as Trump does today.

While serving in the Korean War, Sergeant Raymond Shaw is one of a number of America soldiers who are captured by the Chinese. During their incarceration, they are brainwashed and Shaw is utilised as a ‘sleeper agent’ to wreak havoc back home. After creating a narrative whereby Sergeant Shaw saved his fellow G.I.s, he is sent back stateside and wins the Medal of Honor. Shaw rides the high of this while America is in the height of its anti-communist crusade.

A fiery Senator John Iselin is ready to destroy anyone he deems even partially left-leaning, which adds another layer to the Cold War drama. Alongside his wife, deemed by some to be the most loathsome villain of the time, Iselin begins outing anyone he can, which fuels communist sentiment on the other side of the world. The Russians see their chance to being knocking over the dominoes, with the US president in the crosshairs.

While America ramps up its communist hatred, a single call turns Shaw from a passive man into a deadly killer, and no one is the wiser. There’s no time like the present to strike, leaving the world to watch a country fall from grace, its leader gunned down by a man everyone called a hero.

Despite being written long ago, this book packs as much punch today as it did in the 1950s. Condon uses a vast array of characters and personalities to tell his tale, pushing the reader to think hard about what they see develop before their eyes. Raymond Shaw remains at the centre of the story throughout, the unwitting soldier of the communist movement, used to strike the first major blow in the Cold War. His heroism is what wins him over with everyone, yet there is little doubt that he is the most intense of all the characters who grace the pages of this book.

The selection of many other characters not only add depth to the story, but they represent the vying factions of the day, where America was hell-bent on washing itself clean of having any ‘red’ amongst the populace. This comes across clearly to the attentive reader. While the sentiments may have differed into the 21st century, there is surely a strong anti-Russia feeling amongst those who are not sycophants in the Oval Office.

The book is not overly long, allowing many to enjoy it in short order. However, there is a great deal packed into its pages and the reader will not able to easily divorce themselves from the themes as they emerge. Most chapters clip along and keep the reader wanting more, though there are parts dripping with detail and begging for deeper analysis. While I have not read anything else by Richard Condon, I can only wonder if he handles other political situations with such aplomb.

Some will ask why I chose to add this, a piece of fiction, amongst my election preparation books heading into November 2020. It has become apparent to me that there is some form of sleeper cell that has infiltrated its way into American politics, whereby a foreign power appears to be calling the shots, if not pulling the strings. While no US president is about to be killed, America faces assassination of its autonomy, something that cannot be rectified with a single trip to the ballot box. It is high time to end the madness, exterminate the sycophantic attitude that has Russia using America as its plaything. Then again, maybe you see things in another context. I’m eager to hear those views as well!

Kudos, Mr. Condon, for allowing me to think a little as I projected your 1950s thriller into the present time. The more things change, the more they stay the same!

This book fulfils the October 2020 requirements of the Mind the Bookshelf Gap reading challenge.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Slow Burner, by Laura Lippman

Eight stars

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/review-slow-burner/

Returning for another HUSH Collection short story, I sought out Laura Lippman’s piece that shows how affairs in the technological age can be even more problematic. Filled with interesting discussions on the emotions of infidelity and its various levels, Lippman leaves the reader to consider how destructive one man’s actions can be to a wife who’s not new to the game.

It all began fairly harmlessly for Liz Kelsey, when she was preparing to launder her husband’s pants. Liz found a basic cellphone in Phil’s pocket and curiosity got the better of her. She opened the phone to reveal a text string with a woman from their past. Eighteen months ago, Phil had strayed from the marriage and commenced an affair with a woman he labelled as ‘HW’ in his contacts folder. Now, with her initials back on this secondary phone, Liz is sure her husband’s up to no good.

As the story progresses, Liz reads the text exchanges between the two, in which Phil is pushing hardcore for a resumption of the interaction, while ‘HW’ seems to have cooled her jets. Liz adds her own editorialising for the reader’s benefit, while also showing that Phil has surely learned nothing from his past. Counselling did little, though it is almost as though the neutrality ‘HW’ shows in the text conversation pushes the Kelseys back to seek marital assistance. When Phil tries to justify that his decision to divorce Liz is solely for his own happiness, the text responses ‘HW’ offers leave some questions as to whether she believes him.

Setting up a meeting in San Francisco, Phil and ‘HW’ agree to see one another face to face, though something goes wrong and Liz learns some horrible news. It’s as the story closes that everything comes together and Liz must face the storm.

Having never read any of Laura Lippman’s work before, I came into this piece fairly open minded. I hoped something would pull me in from the opening pages. This happened, though I was waiting for the action to kick into high gear. Instead, the slow and methodical development of the plot turned action into revelation and served up a few twists that left me eager for more.

Liz and Phil play dual protagonist roles. They both share centre stage, though never with one another. Liz serves as the grounded character, offering the reader all they need to understand the bigger picture, while Phil shows an online presence that pushes the story forward. Obviously, they need one another for this story to work, which Lippman does well in their respective realms. While there is mention of ‘HW’ throughout, her role is minimal and serves only to offer an emotional wall for Phil, leaving him to spin his tires.

The premise of the piece was quite well planned. Emotional affairs and the sharing of feelings by text is a newer, but by no means radical, form of infidelity. Lippman shows the power it can have, even when only one player is part of the game. She also provides some social commentary about how it takes only one to be fully committed to derail something, causing missed cues that usher in a false reality. Lippman moves well between ‘text’ and reality, giving the reader just enough to get a sense of what is going on, while also leaving much in the air. The closing pages bring things together effectively, though the reader will have to take the time to see what’s meant by that.

Kudos, Madam Lippman, for this great story that kept me thinking. I will have to look into some more of your work, when time permits.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man, by Mary L. Trump

Seven stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #13 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

Lucky enough to have selected this book at this point during the reading challenge, I can explore an insider’s look at President Trump, penned by one who has kept a low profile. Mary L. Trump, niece to The Donald, provides readers with a look at the man that will surprise few, while offering some insights into how he became the crooked businessman whose deceit and empty lies paved the way to an unlikely victory in 2016. Full of stories that provide a family history many would want collecting dust in the attic, Mary is forthright and honest, offering readers that gift.

Donald Trump did not acquire his business sense and ruthlessness in a vacuum, at least in the eyes of his niece. Mary L. Trump, a clinical psychologist, has a story to tell, not only about Donald, but the entire Trump family. This familial examination sheds light on the patriarch, Fred, and his children. This includes the aforementioned Donald, but also Mary’s own father, Freddie. The reader can see throughout the narrative just how Fred treated those who crossed him, instilling in his second son the business acumen to kick a man when he’s down and insult his way through those who stand in his way. The observant reader will see how this works today, as Trump runs his White House like a family reunion, belittling anyone who is not sycophantic enough.

A detailed family history provides the reader with the needed backstory before focussing on some of the key events in Fred Trump’s life. His children feared more than idolised him, including the eldest son, Freddie. After trying to branch out on his own, Freddie’s vices got the better of him and he ended up losing much of what he had left, including both a position within the Trump Empire and his own family. As Mary discusses, Freddie’s alcoholism left her feeling abandoned while she watched her grandfather and uncle (Fred and Donald, respectively) scheme and make their money, yet never have anything to show for it.

The middle portion of the book looks more at Uncle Donald and his start to being a businessman in his own right, dating back to the 1970s. Fred had instilled in his son all the deceitful tricks he could, while making sure to create a persona that would make everyone take notice. Mary discusses her father’s final hospitalization, which led to his death, contrasting how the family handled in against the reactions of the Trump businessmen. Fred and Donald appeared put out by having to express emotion over it all, choosing to turn to the recent birth of Ivanka as a ‘new cycle’ worth celebrating.

Peppered amongst much of the rest of the book is a list of the various Donald Trump acquisitions and ill-timed downfalls that cost the businessman millions. Fred was caught numerous times trying to bail his son out through illegal donations, but the failures seemed only to create a need for more by Donald, with similar fiery crashes. These were part of the Donald Trump narrative, though hidden from any public discussion, as he published books to promote his brand. Mary played an early role in the third book, with her university background, but was fired when she could not sensationalise enough of her uncle’s exploits.

Mary Trump uses the latter portion of the book to step back and look at her uncle through the eyes of a psychologist, particularly during his time in the White House (up to publication of the book). She offers some wonderful parallels between Donald and Fred, drawing not only on the history she presented in the earlier portion of the book, but decisions as president, not forgetting to add her own barbed criticism. With the treatment of her own father by two family narcissists, Mary Trump seeks to salvage her father’s name, as well as that of the Trumps who do not bow to Donald, in hopes that the public will not equate everyone as part of the sycophantic flock.

Many would say that this book was an attempt by Mary L. Trump to make money off the back of her family name and insider knowledge. This would not be a lie, though not for the ways one might think at first glance. After Fred cut out Freddie’s family from much of anything, Mary and her brother fought the rest of them to the end, seeking only to ensure fairness, since the maniacal businessman (Fred) was dead and could not protest. This is a look behind many of the curtains and under the proverbial beds to share tales about growing up in the shadows of Fred and Donald Trump. Some criticise it for being without anything that was not known before, which is again misconstrued by the impatient reader. That Mary Trump can replicate many of the stories that people know goes to substantiate their truths, rather than being piled up as fake or misunderstood. There is no doubt that Donald acquired his father’s tendencies when it comes to business and treating others, which does not bode well for anyone hoping that he will soften with age. His misogyny was strong throughout, as was the entitlement, according to Mary. With decent writing and some interesting family vignettes, the narrative moved along well, though there was an obvious pall to the book when discussing the poor treatment of Freddie and his struggle with addiction. More of a backgrounder primer for my challenge, this book substantiates some things and can serve to educate the reader as to just how clueless Donald was about social and financial situations, which leaves many to wonder what happens if Donald develops Fred’s dementia. Will jars of jellybeans or Starbursts appear in every room? God help us all!

Kudos, Madam Trump, for having the courage to share, knowing that some will tar and feather you for it. Real news shines through, even if rally-goers drink too much Kool-Aid already.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Justice on Trial: The Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Supreme Court, by Mollie Hemingway and Carrie Severino (a re-posting)

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #12 (a re-read) in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

In this highly detailed piece about the Supreme Court confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, Mollie Hemingway and Carrie Severino take the reader not only through the lead-up and full-on circus of the event, but also provide some poignant history to place the entire experience in context. When Justice Anthony Kennedy secretly met with President Trump at the end of the 2017-18 term of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), the president knew he had a major coup on his hands. Able to not only to place another legal mind of his choosing to the Court, but also tip the balance in the oft-cited ideological split, Trump hurried to choose a nominee. He was sure the strong legal mind of Brett Kvanaugh would be an easy pick that both Senate Democrats and Republicans could support. Little did he realise the fight that the Dems were ready to put to Kavanaugh in the hopes of stalling a SCOTUS nomination only months ahead of the mid-term elections, slated for November 2018. Thus began the war that Hemingway and Severino depict in this well-crafted piece. From the early barbs about his past working in the Starr Special Prosecutor’s Office and in the Bush White House, Kavanaugh was forced to defend himself in private meetings with senators, as well as in the Judicial Committee. It was only when things were running smoothly that some Democrats urged the release of a damning letter that turned the hearings from a simple partisan division of views into something that caught the attention of the world. The discovery that Christine Blasey Ford remembered being sexually assaulted by Kavanaugh when they attended a high school party in the 1980s opened a can of worms few expected. As the narrative moves from legal and judicial questions to those of the allegations, the authors make an interesting parallel to the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas skirmish the Judiciary Committee faced in the early 1990s. Both sides held firm that the truth was on their side, with a few Republican senators serves as fence-sitters throughout. Smears and mud throwing came, as the nominee sought to distance himself from the allegations, relying on political barbs of his own and a president willing to Tweet the truth into oblivion with his own smears. When the dust settled, a truth the majority of the Judiciary Committee and Senate as a whole could stomach emerged, allowing Trump his second nominee. A wonderfully written piece that Hemingway and Severino use to push their own perspective. Recommended to those who want an insightful look into the process of Supreme Court nominations, as well as the nitty-gritty of what took place in the summer of 2018.

I had no idea what to expect when I opened this book, having lived through and thoroughly enjoyed the drama that was the Kavanaugh nomination process. Never one to hide my dislike of the current POTUS, I was eager to see how the authors would handle his involvement, as well as the spin taken on how a man accused of assault would spin it and seek to shine his halo. The authors painstakingly offered not only a strong narrative of events, but also injected poignant backstory to put the current events into context, which serves to strengthening the process as a whole. With inside information that fills in many of the gaps that media reports at the time likely did not know, the authors give a full view of events, even if they choose to use some of their own smear tactics. The subtlety of their attacks is to be applauded, though it does not take away rom the overall reading experience, as many attentive readers will sift through this and see truths as they emerge. It is not for me to stand atop a soapbox and explore the two sides of a sexual assault, which includes knee-jerk reactions to a victims statements and the accuser’s replies. Hemingway and Severino do that, both in their own words and through the voices of the senators on the committee. That being said, there is much to be attributed to the narratives offered by both sides, as well as the reaction of the public. As mentioned before, the parallels drawn between this and the Hill/Thomas clash are quite strong and I applaud the authors for doing so. Whatever the truth might be, when one removes all the lies and spun truths, the reader will be able to decide for themselves, irregardless of the authors’ repeated himpathy—recently discovered word that fits perfectly here—which drips from each page. Politics at its most entertaining and to be expected when King of the Misogynists sits in the Oval Office. Is everyone ready for 2020 and the next big battle? One can hope RBG is and can hold onto her SCOTUS seat until then!

Kudos, Madams Hemingway and Severino, on this book I could not stop reading. It goes to show that even with an agenda, you two can pen a wonderfully insightful book on a contentious subject.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Shortlisted: Women in the Shadows of the Supreme Court, by Renee Knake Jefferson and Hannah Brenner Johnson

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #11 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

The selection of Amy Coney Barrett by President Trump to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) led me to push this book higher up my list than originally planned. That being said, it is an interesting and essential look by Renee Knake Jefferson and Hannah Brenner Johnson into the world of women in the law and the US judiciary. Their exploration of how women were treated when it came to appointments to the bench (at any level, but ultimately SCOTUS) proves to be not only sobering, but enlightening. The authors pull on some obscure research to piece together this tome, looking at some of the women who made lists for appointments but were not given the position, called ‘shortlisted’ in the vernacular. Jefferson and Johnson also look at those women who went from listed to nominated and how their struggles continued when pushed into the limelight. A timely and thorough analysis that anyone interested in the Court ought to read.

Jefferson and Johnson use the first part of the book to look at how women were treated, not only when it came to the profession of law, but also as they sought to enter the world of judgeships. The American legal system is divided into those judges who are elected by the people and those who are appointed. Not being an American and (admittedly) having other passions in the realm of US politics, I won’t try to lecture on how things are divided. The authors offer some interesting insights into the role various US presidents handled senior appointments. While some bandied about the idea of putting a woman into a senior judgeship, no names even made it to a SCOTUS list of appointees until FDR. The suffrage movement pushed for more women in positions to represent them in the various branches, though the authors posit that some of the names that emerged were tokens, even with strong qualifications. We will return to this idea below. It would seem that some presidents did not even want women to have the right to vote, let alone have a seat on SCOTUS, as is revealed in the text, with the press repeatedly highlighting sexist and misogynist views, including a potential nominee’s cooking skills and bathing suit body (Mildred Lillie). The authors offer a detailed biography of all the women who made shortlists for SCOTUS spots and how they were treated by all involved in the process, both selection and reporting. This, alone, adds a depth to the book and heightens its importance. Some women did make the cut and were chosen for positions, beginning with Sandra Day O’Connor in 1981, but the issues did not end there. Rather, this opens a new discussion about handling of women at the Court that proves just as troubling, even into the 21st century.

The second half of the book seeks to explore what I would call the ‘post-first hurdle’ struggles for women and SCOTUS. As mentioned above, Sandra Day O’Connor’s nomination and confirmation in 1981 by President Reagan and the US Senate paved the way for others to follow, but it did not put to rest the issues of women in positions of judicial power. If anything, it opened more cans of worms, including asinine positing surrounding sexual orientation, ability, and work-family balance. Furthermore, as Jefferson and Johnson discuss early in this part, it created a question of token appointments, a selection to assuage guilt and shut the mouths of critics who spoke of a need for women on the Court. That balance between representation and ability enters the debate and dilutes the nominee in ways it should not, as is discussed with all five women who were nominated (four were confirmed). Token appointments appear to erode validity, while leaving the nominee feeling like some bauble or place card, which should never be the case.

The authors also tackle the problematic issue of double binding or dual expectations put on females within the judiciary. The wife/mother-judge balance is one in which many women are thrust, with the expectation put upon them that their male counterparts would never (stereotypically) have to face. The authors explain that this is not only found within the judiciary and is a common complaint in the larger workforce. There is also the struggle to come across as ‘not too manly’ but also follow the norms of the position, so as not to be the proverbial sore thumb. This proves to be more of a struggle, as though muting one’s self while not negating a uniqueness that is inherent. Tied to the tokenism, the selection of these women due to their gender and then trying to quash it proves to be a dichotomy that cannot be sensibly rendered. Glass ceilings and opaque boxes lock female judges into a position of trying to define themselves without bucking trends. Even into today, views are not equally shared and there is a dismissal rate of expressed ideas until it comes from the mouth of a man, so the authors have uncovered in their extensive research. The issue is by no means settled, even at the highest court!

If there is a crux of the book, other than to locate the numerous issues faced by shortlisted, nominated, and confirmed judicial candidates, it is that their presence at the Court does make a difference. Jefferson and Johnson take an entire chapter to cull through decisions and public sentiments related to Court business to highlight just what impact the four female Associate Justices have had. While it is obvious that the role Amy Coney Barrett will play cannot be extrapolated here, the attuned reader may be able to cobble together their own feelings on the issue (jot down some ideas and see how it plays out, should the GOP hijacking of the appointment process continue). While many Justices have brought unique perspectives to the Court’s discussions and decisions, only those seen through the eyes of a woman have been debased as problematic, say the authors. An example of Ruth Bader Ginsberg seeing things through the eyes of a teenage girl during one decision appeared lost on her colleagues and the press stymied her as trying to dilute a cohesive legal perspective. Sonia Sotomayor presented a Latina perspective to another case, but her voice was drowned out and her sentiments in dissent negated. Yet, there is no way to discount that the female perspective is present and important. It can, at times, cross partisan lines, though the Court has gone so far away from strict legal rulings to be a partisan circus, as is seen as recently as the Trump Court’s pushes further to the Right, as though it were feeding off the teat of the Federalist Society.

While there is no doubt that the SCOTUS has long been a bastion of men and their legal perspectives, the slow inclusion of women in the process has been apparent over the last three quarters of a century. While Renee Knake Jefferson and Hannah Brenner Johnson are not foolish enough to think that parity is right around the corner, their decade-long study has shown that progress, albeit incremental, can be seen. Still, the road towards more representation in all levels of American jurisprudence for women is sure to come, though I am shocked that someone as outwardly misogynistic as Donald Trump might be an active player in the process. This is not simply a book that serves as a soapbox to bemoan issues that need adjusting, as the authors offer concrete solutions in the latter portion of the book. This is a compendium of research, strong sentiment, and thorough analysis, perfect for the curious reader. The writing is somewhat academic, but also highly digestible for those who wish to explore it. Each chapter is clear in its direction and they link together to formulate a cohesive path from issue to solution. While some may say that this is not a strong issue in the 2020 US election, representation at any level should include discussion of women, especially those in added visual minority groups. The book does not permit the reader to sit idly by, as it seeks to rally everyone to take action. Parity and affirmative action may not be entirely interchangeable, but both are core to the premise of this book, taken women from names scratched off a shortlist to becoming the one circled and hailed as a voice for new and effective change.

Kudos, Madams Jefferson and Johnson, for this insightful study. I took so much away from this, especially when you revealed the stories of those who lingered on the lists and never had their time in the national spotlight.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Gift, by Alison Gaylin

Eight stars

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

Review: The Gift

Returning for another short story in the HUSH collection, I chose Alison Gaylin’s piece. With a kidnapping of a little girl and someone who has premonitions of the truth, the reader will be hooked as they try to piece it all together in short order. Lyla McCord is used to the lights and glamour of being a screen actress, but it would mean nothing without her family. When Lyla learns that her daughter, Felicity, has gone missing from school, she rushes back home. Panicked and unsure what to do, Lyla breaks down in front of her husband, Nolan Carnes, who’s also been away. With no ransom note or contact from Felicity, both Lyla and Nolan begin to worry, unsure how their eight year-old will handle things on her own. Lyla has a history of disappearing as well, walking off set years before.

When Nolan suggests going to see a psychic at the request of someone on staff, Lyla agrees, though seems somewhat sceptical. They attend and Lyla cannot deny that this man surely has some powers. The psychic begins offering up a vision he has, knowing that Felicity is alive and dispensing some added tidbits that offer vague clues, while chilling Lyla to the bone. Scrambling to piece it all together, Lyla is baffled at what she’s been told, but returns to get more information. It’s only then that Lyla realises that with psychic powers comes the ability to open doors in her mind she’s always wanted locked away. A chilling piece that finds twists at every page turn. Recommended to those who are familiar with Alison Gaylin’s work, as well as the reader who enjoys a short story with a punch.

With no previous experience reading Alison Gaylin’s work, I hoped that I would quickly find myself in tune with her style of writing. In a short story, there is little time to acclimate, which made the easy writing style and quick dialogue banter helpful as I dove in. Lyla remains at the centre of the story, with her own past driving the search for her daughter. A panicked mother who wants nothing but to protect her chid, Lyla needs to focus on the present, rather than her past, a time she has tried to lock away from everyone else. The struggle becomes central, as the attentive reader will quickly surmise. Gaylin fills the story with a few other characters to help move things along. Each plays a key role and becomes an integral part of the larger story by the final page. The story worked well, divided into ‘days’ for the reader to compartmentalise the case’s progress. Gaylin’s limited space forced her to rush through some aspects, though one cannot fault her for that. The twists in the latter half work well and will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, as Felicity’s safety is of the utmost importance to everyone. I’m inclined to keep reading these short stories and try at least one of Alison Gaylin’s novels, if only to see if she can sustain the buzz I felt throughout this piece.

Kudos, Madam Gaylin, for a great product with strict limitations. I’m eager to put you on my list of new authors to watch, as you have something that intrigues me in your storytelling.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Death in the Cloud (Michael Nicholas #4), by E.J. Simon

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and E. J. Simon for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

In a series that has grown exponentially in its depth and degree of action, E.J. Simon brings what is surely his best work to date with this novel. Working angles of artificial intelligence and nuclear warfare, Simon injects a thriller that will have readers flipping pages simply to determine how things will resolve themselves. A series to note for those who need something lighter, but still seek reading entertainment throughout!

Michael Nicholas took on more than he expected when obtaining the laptop belonging to his deceased brother, Alex. Not only wanting to be a fond memory for his younger brother, Alex also sought to communicate with Michael in the age of technology. The laptop, full of programs that create an artificial intelligence version of the elder Nicholas, permit Alex to communicate in real time using many complex algorithms. With a constant connection to the internet and ability to pull things from the cloud, Alex grows smarter and provides Michael with key information on essential topics, wherever possible.

The brothers know who had Alex killed and even the depths to which the Vatican tried to cover it up. There remains a group who seek to utilise this technology for themselves, creating a neo-Nazi group that will be able to topple any government and run effectively by using the technology Alex held dear to withstand anything put in their way. Its leader is the conniving Claus Dietrich, with Monsignor Kurt Schlegelberger, a former member of the Vatican, as its loyal foot soldier. Schlegelberger may have met an untimely death at the hands of Michael Nicholas, but the acquisition of the artificial intelligence that Alex uses has made the monsignor even more powerful, ready to act and leave the world trembling as it watches.

When a previously missing aircraft emerges in the skies over Washington, it’s a mad scramble to determine where it had been and what the plan is now. A skittish pilot, given a mission to crash land, is having second thoughts, which is not entirely what Kurt Schlegelberger wants to hear. Able to commandeer control of the aircraft, the White House its target, Schlegelberger does all in his power through computer controls to create damage of incalculable proportions. Only the last-ditch efforts of the US Government can bring it down, where certain truths seem to surface soon thereafter.

The plane was full of passengers, including Russia’s leading opposition member who has a long history of speaking out against the current regime. All eyes turn to Moscow and a leader ready to wrest world control away from the Americans. And yet, Michael Nicholas may hold all the answers, bundled into the laptop he possesses. When Nicholas is summoned to the White House, he presents what he has to the president, though Alex is not entirely on board with the display. This is, after all, still his secret from the world.

A reluctant Alex does make an appearance and surmises that this may not have been the Russian attack it appears to be on the surface. Still trying to piece it all together, Alex and Michael wonder if Monsignor Schlegelberger could be behind this, as there was a time he knew of the technological capabilities that Alex possessed. Extrapolating from there, with the ability to control things through the cloud, might Schlegelberger be able to play a game of chess between the American and Russian governments, thereby allowing his neo-Nazi regime to waltz into a power vacuum?

While all this is coming together, Michael remains firm in not revealing Alex’s secret to the world, even those closest to the brothers. However, Alex’s widow is becoming quite suspicious and no longer accepts all that she’s been fed. The coffin with Alex’s body has been unearthed and an unknown body sits therein. A secretive priest offers up a box of ashes, citing Alex’s desire to be cremated, though this does not sound like Alex at all. Is Alex Nicholas dead, or in hiding and perpetrating some fantastic ruse elsewhere?

When Schlegelberger is able to pull off an amazing hack on American soil, he’s ready to enact the final part of his plan, one that will see the two great powers on the verge of complete annihilation. Top officials have only one solution to stop Schlegelberger once and for all. With nuclear warheads in the equation, nothing is off limits, even if it means sacrificing Alex Nicholas’ artificial intelligence in the process.

The journey on which E. J. Simon has taken me in this series proves to be highly entertaining and thought provoking at the same time. Some might call it lighter fare, though this does not diminish the impact of the novels and actually leaves me to ask some things of myself. Questions surrounding technological phenomena, such as artificial intelligence and its usefulness moving into the 21st century, balance nicely within this thriller genre that has become more complex as the novels progress. Simon posts many questions within the narrative while also showing just how seamless the transition can be, as he peppers some morality in there for the reader to consider as well.

Michael Nicholas remains a strong protagonist, having morphed into a man on a mission, rather than the international financier of the early novels. His role to discover the truth behind his brother’s action finds him answering questions he has not pondered, while also being pushed to provide solutions to the Leader of the Free World in his spare time. Michael struggles with it all, pulled well outside his comfort zone, though he seeks to be as helpful as possible to those who seek his assistance. He’s grown throughout the series, both as a character and with the reader, especially as he plunges deeper into the plot.

Yet again, Simon uses a cast of secondary characters to keep the story moving through its full-fledged dedication to the thriller genre. Kurt Schlegelberger remains the dastardly villain, paired with an equally problematic Claus Dietrich, both of whom offer a needed counterbalance to all the Nicholas Brothers are doing throughout the story. The Schlegelberger-Alex clash at the artificial intelligence level is supported, in a way, through Michael and Dietrich, providing an interesting flavouring of how things come together towards the latter portion of the book. There are also a number of recurring characters, all of whom offer the reader some advancement in subplots that round out a highly entertaining read.

As the series morphs from a technological ‘what if’ into a true ‘edge of your seat’ collection, E.J. Simon leaves the reader with much to ponder throughout. There are moral and social issues that emerge, as well as a strong thriller theme throughout. While reading the summary alone may give the impression of something a tad ‘light’ or ‘hokey’, Simon pens a piece that is anything but. His attention to detail and short chapters keep the reader wanting more. The writing is fluid in the series, making one book easily move into the next. These are not standalones, though Simon does offer some flashback summaries in the early part of the book. My bingeing of them helped me see just how strong things can get and the reader is surely in for a wild ride. With a teaser for a fifth (!) book, I am eager to see how things will progress, in new and exciting theatres. This is surely a series curious readers ought to try, if only to give themselves something a little different from their usual fare.

Kudos, Mr. Simon, for another great novel. I am truly intrigued as to where you intend on taking the plot and what other topics are left to broach!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Death Logs Out (Michael Nicholas #3), by E.J. Simon

Eight stars

Continuing with the work of E.J. Simon, I got pulled into the third novel in the series, which moves into some meatier material and a number of great twists to add plot depth. Building off the cliffhangers from the second novel, Simon forges ahead and shows that he’s able to pen a great thriller that strings the reader along. Recommended for those who liked the first two novels, which are important to understand the nuances found herein.

Michael Nicholas has surely taken on more than he can chew when he obtains the laptop belonging to his recently deceased brother, Alex. It would seem that Alex not only wanted Michael to remember him fondly, but be able to communicate with him. The laptop is full of programs that create an artificial intelligence version of Alex, permitting him to communicate in real time using many complex algorithms. With his constant connection to the internet, Alex can also keep growing smarter and provide Michael with key information on essential topics.

While the brothers have determined who had Alex killed, questions as to why officials in the Vatican might be involved persist. Michael is sure that there’s something he does not yet know, some mystery that will tie it all together. When he’s inched in the right direction, the news not only blows him away, but Michael discovers the truth about a personal tragedy he’s held onto for years. This changes the entire narrative and makes learning the truth all the more important.

Meanwhile, Monsignor Kurt Schlegelberger is playing his cards close to his chest. The man dubbed Monsignor 007 has a history of being ruthless in protecting the Vatican, with ancestry tied to the Nazis in his native Germany. The more Michael Nicholas pushes, the more ruthless Schlegelberger becomes. Some secrets are too important to have see the light of day, something Schlegelberger handles in whatever way he can, even if it means silencing those closest to him.

While Alex is able to help his brother in countless ways, questions about his death persist and Michael finds it harder to keep a lid on what he knows. Alex’s wife is made privy to something startling, leading her to wonder just how real the funeral and burial of her husband might have been. Could Alex be using this artificial intelligence gambit as a ruse? If so, where is he now? It will take some maneuvering, but an exhumation may be the only things that settles the truth about Alex’s death, since no one saw the body at the funeral.

While Michael inches closer to the truth, he comes head to head with Kurt Schlegelberger, a man not used to losing. Much hangs in the balance and neither man wants to stand down. It may take the ultimate sacrifice to end his dispute, or at least some new evidence with Alex’s abilities. Only time will tell!

I have enjoyed the journey on which E. J. Simon has taken me in these three novels to date. While it might be called lighter fare, this does not diminish the impact of the novels and actually leaves me to ask some things of myself. Questions continue about certain technological phenomena available and its usefulness moving into the 21st century, which is likely some of what Simon seeks while he develops a fast-paced thriller. Going into the fourth novel, there are many queries I have, some of which I hope can be answered in short order.

Michael Nicholas resumes his role as protagonist, though he seems more a man on a mission than one who is happy behind a corporate desk. There is so much that remains unanswered for him, particularly with what Alex reveals to him, leaving a need to travel around the world and protect those closest to him. Michael’s interactions with many throughout the novel not only adds depth to his character, but coaxes out some needed sub-plots that will work well in the larger story arc.

The cast of secondary characters keeps the story moving, which is now in full-fledged thriller mode. Kurt Schlegelberger emerges as a new and dastardly villain, though he is able to orchestrate many things without getting his hands dirty. The clash between Schlegelberger and Michael Nicholas proves to be long-lasting and offers the reader something to enjoy throughout this piece, though there are many characters who flavour the story effectively and who should not be ignored.

This is finally turning into an ‘edge of your seat’ series, something I sought since the debut. Its strong entertainment factor is paired with a decent plot that helps pass the time for any reader who wishes to take the plunge. A few ‘aha’ moments combine with some decent twists and an evolving plot, leaving the reader unsure where to look next for the action. The book is built on short chapters that push the reader to try ‘just a little more’. I can devour these books, not only because they flow well, but the writing is easily digested. I look forward to reaching out for the fourth novel, an ARC I was requested to read, which got me interested in reading the past novels. To answer the question many have, these books should NOT be read as standalones. Each builds on one another and it is essential to understand how things fit together.

Kudos, Mr. Simon, for a great continuation of the series. I am eager to dive into the next piece right away.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Death Logs In (Michael Nicholas #2), by E. J. Simon

Eight stars

After recently discovering the work of E.J. Simon, I chose to continue with the series, which builds on a jam-paced debut. Yet another gritty tale that weaves some technological subplots into the larger narrative this time around, Simon substantiates himself as a viable addition to the genre!

After he discovered his dead brother, Alex, was still ‘of this earth’ through some artificial intelligence and emotional software on a specialised MacBook, Michael Nicholas was not sure how to process it all. Now, having determined who was behind Alex’s murder, Michael seeks to find Joseph Sharkey and level the playing field. However, Sharkey appears to have fled to Italy, where a twisted quid pro quo has senior Vatican officials harbouring him.

While Michael tries to determine how to discretely get to Europe, he’s forced to juggle both his legitimate business in international finance and Alex’s loan sharking empire, which brings in quite the penny. He’s approached by a woman who is happy to act as a corporate bodyguard, but the lines are soon blurred with Sindy Steele, forcing Michael to panic with a guilty conscience, while his wife is home and clueless to it all.

After a Vatican hitman is dispatched to locate Michael Nicholas and terminate him, Alex does everything he can from within his MacBook home, offering his brother as much help as he can. They learn that the ever-evolving nature of Alex’s software may permit him to discover new things every day, there are other updates that could push things into an awkward realm. If that were not enough, people begin to sense that Alex is still around, as though his presence can be felt. Michael has been dodging questions as best he can, but he can only pull so much wool over everyone’s eyes.

As the steamy affair with Sindy continues, Michael discovers there is trouble brewing every way he turns. He is on borrowed time and more bodies have turned up dead, each with a loose connection to his business dealings. With the Alex secret almost blown and a killer looking for him, Michael has one last hope to keep things together, but who is left that he can trust and how long will he control his own destiny?

I enjoy finding new authors that pique my interest, even if the writing is less than intellectually stimulating. E.J. Simon poses some great questions about certain technological phenomena in this book and packs a fast-paced thriller around it. I’m intrigued enough that I will have to keep reading, if only to see what else there is lurking in the shadows of this series. While the summary does lend itself to being a little ‘light’, the action keeps things grounded and worth a second look.

Michael Nicholas returns as a great protagonist, though his role is less a sharp and witting business figure in this piece. He has so much going on and the reader is forced to compartmentalise all that is going on with Michael to effectively comprehend the development that takes place. This novel is less about the backstory, though there are some very brief mentions of the past interspersed with how he will handle all the pressure laid at his feet.

Another strong cast of secondary characters provide the ability for the narrative and plot to keep pace. Simon keeps some of the stereotypical gangster roles, if only to provide some of the more violent aspects of the story, while adding the Vatican angle to provide some of that seedy cover-up at the highest level.

This is no ‘edge of your seat’ thriller, as I mentioned in the series debut. Rather, there’s a strong entertainment factor and a decent plot that helps pass the time for any reader who wishes to take the plunge. Without the ‘aha’ moments, there are still some decent twists and a darker plot as Alex comes to understand what has been created to ‘keep him alive’ while others begin to sense that he is not altogether gone. The book is balanced on short chapters that push the reader to try ‘just a little more’ before setting the book down. I find myself devouring the books, not only because I have the fourth as an ARC to complete, but due to their pure entertainment factor. Best for those lazy days or a trip to fill some time. E.J. Simon’s an author to watch for those who need this sort of book on their shelves.

Kudos, Mr. Simon, for a great second novel in the series. I want to see what’s about to happen, after yet another cliffhanger left me wondering.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Death Never Sleeps (Michael Nicholas #1), by E. J. Simon

Eight stars

New to the world of E.J. Simon, I took a chance with the series debut. A gritty tale with a little technological subplot, Simon proves himself as a viable option for those seeking an entertaining, quick read.

Alex Nicholas is a hard-working, rule-bending kind of guy. While he may not always land on the right side of the law, Alex is never one to rest on his laurels. That said, he’s racked up quite the debt load amongst some of the sketchier characters around NYC. When a young man shoots him at point blank range in a bar, Alex becomes the latest murder statistic. This kid could not have done it alone, but who’s targeted Alex Michael, and why?

Enter younger brother, Michael Nicholas, who is the complete opposite to Alex. Michael is a successful business man who has control of a high-stakes financial operation. He returns for the funeral and is approached by one of Alex’s conquests, confiding in him that there’s a laptop that may reveal a great deal. While Michael is not entirely sure where to look, he’s determined to get to the bottom of his brother’s murder.

While Michael and his wife are soon targeted by this as yet unknown killer, there’s little time to stand down. Michael soon discovers the laptop and is able to liaise with Alex from across the divide. The brothers sift through the evidence and try to make progress. With a host of possible suspects, including three women who once were Mrs. Nicholas, Michael looks to some of the shadier folks who may have tried to erase their debts with a few well-placed bullets.

As the story races along, Michael is targeted again, indicative that time is running out. Not even Alex can protect his brother in this fast-paced thriller that mixes grit with technological know-how. Recommended to those who like stories with a dark underbelly, as well as the reader who needs a quick read with an entertaining plot.

It’s always nice to find a new author whose writing jives with what you seek at the time. E.J. Simon is able to deliver a great debut in this series that appears to have some tech themes woven into the plot. The early introduction of the Alex Nicholas laptop may return, in which case I am eager to see how it will be used effectively.

Michael Nicholas proves to be both entertaining and completely out of his depth when it comes to the dark side of New York loan sharking. He proves not only to be an interesting protagonist, but some of his backstory helps to define him as the story progresses. Determined to help his brother, while differentiating himself from Alex, helps enrich his character and may create an initial bond with the series reader.

A great cast of secondary characters add needed flavour to the story, pushing both some of the stereotypical individuals one would expect from the seedy underbelly, as well as those who help push the story along. The various interactions work well and Simon is able to introduce plot development at various points with those he populates across the pages of the book.

While I would not call this an edge of your seat mystery, there’s a strong entertainment factor throughout the piece. People get roughed up and tempers rise, though one should not expect well-placed clues in a narrative that offers the ‘aha’ in the final chapters, but rather a lingering twist that turns into a cliffhanger. Still, there’s a great pace and E.J. Simon uses the technological angle well to keep the reader wanting a little more. With three more novels in the series (the fourth, an ARC I received that put me onto this collection), I am interested to see how plot and character development are sustained throughout.

Kudos, Mr. Simon, for a great debut. Let’s see what else you have to offer and how Alex might play a role.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Truth Be Told, by Kia Abdullah

Eight stars

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

Review: Truth Be Told

A great fan of legal thrillers, particularly those that leave the reader contemplating the law and societal norms, I turned to the latest novel by Kia Abdullah. Full of gritty story telling and tackling the issue of consent, Abdullah pulls readers into the middle of this piece and allows them to become quasi-jury members. Kamran Hadid has everything he could want, living at a prestigious prep school in the London suburbs and recently accepted to read at Oxford. While his family is quite strict with their Muslim beliefs and their wealth denotes a stoic demeanour, Kamran has found a way to let himself go. When he overindulges at a party, Kamran finds himself slinking back to his room to sleep it off. In a partial stupor, he feels someone else get into the bed with him and finds that the haze in his brain leaves him somewhat unable to react. He’s sure that he’s been sexually assaulted, though when he wakes up the next morning, he’s still shocked to see Finn Andersen in bed with him. Kamran tries to piece it all together, but is unable to justify it to himself. He seeks out Zara Kaleel, a counsellor for sexual assault victims who made a name for herself previously when she helped bring four young men to court for another rape. Kamran not only struggles with understanding what this rape might mean about his sexuality, but how it might fit in the face of a Muslim upbringing. While he oscillates on what to do, Zara does her best to counsel him as a victim and they agree to take things through legal channels. While the school pushes back, Zara and Kamran are adamant that the truth must come out. Finn Andersen has his own narrative, one in which Kamran did not refuse, thereby implying consent. As the case proceeds, mud slinging begins and Kamran is forced to weather the storm, particularly as his family tries to downplay it to uphold their reputation. Zara, too, must deal with some demons in her past, as she tries to use the courts to rectify an error that has tarred her. Both sides provide strong arguments, but only one can prove victorious, It is in the hands of the jury, though the reader is invited to offer their own opinion as the narrative builds to the climactic reveal and a final twist. A strong story that will keep readers wondering throughout. Recommended to those who love a great crime thriller, as well as the reader who needs some social commentary to fuel their love of courtroom dramas.

This is the third novel that Kia Abdullah has written that left me wondering. While the easy route would be to present a case and have it easily sail through the courts, with the victory all but guaranteed. Instead, Abdullah pushes the reader to think and provides some social issues that cannot be ignored along the way. Kamran Hadid proves to be a great protagonist in this piece, suffering greatly as he tries to come to terms with what’s happened. He hates to be called a ‘victim’ or ‘survivor’, and yet he is not about to let his entire life be defined by something he does not feel he brought on himself. Struggling to define himself while his conservative parents sweep it under the rug and begin branding him, Kamran does his best to hold his head high when justice intervenes. Abdullah offers readers an in-depth look into the young man’s struggles without over sensationalising it. Zara Kaleel proves to be a needed second protagonist in the book, returning in her role as counsellor and legal advocate. Readers who read the first book in which she was a main player will remember the end to that case, something that still haunts her. Zara’s struggles with addiction and constant branding by those within the South Asian community prove troublesome, though she refuses to ignore the need for justice to protect those who have been harmed. Her determination and struggles are equally helpful as the piece progresses, showing her many sides and that she, too, might be a victim of something not easily handled. There are a number of secondary characters whose presence helps push the story along while shaping the direction in which things go. Abdullah does a masterful job of flavouring the narrative with these individuals, using dialogue to help shape her social commentary throughout. The story was strong and held my attention throughout, with legal and social issues peppered throughout the narrative. While the piece is not entirely courtroom based, the strong undertones of legal rights and social understanding of norms are essential pieces, sure to provoke active thinking as the story unfolds. Larger chapters might have been better whittled down into shorter ones, as there is no clear understanding why there must be so many separate vignettes of the different plot twists under the single numerical heading. That said, things move along well and the reader will likely find themselves demanding more, particularly when the verdict is revealed and its aftermath ensues. Kia Abdullah is an author worth noting and her work helps bolster the legal thriller genre a great deal. I’ll definitely read more of what she writes when I can.

Kudos, Madam Abdullah, for another winner. I love when a book makes me think, while entertaining me so thoroughly.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Ice Killer (DI Barton #3), by Ross Greenwood

Seven stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Ross Greenwood, and Boldwood Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Returning for the latest (and last) in the DI John Barton series, I turned to Ross Greenwood and this gritty police procedural. Known for writing the dual narratives of cops and killers, Greenwood seeks to pull readers onto the streets of Peterborough and tell a tale. While the delivery is there, some may say it lags a bit. Decent enough to keep my interest as the trilogy comes to an end!

After convalescing from injury during one of his recent cases, DI John Barton is thrust into the chaos that is known as Major Crimes in Peterborough. His first day back sees Barton sent into the DCI chair, replacing his superior who has taken maternity leave. Now, DCI Barton not only has to learn the ropes of the job, but also help hone the next generation of inspectors to see how they might make the leap into a more independent role within the police department.

Elsewhere, Ellen Toole is struggling to stay afloat. Her mother is ill and there is little that can be done. Working her dead-end job, Ellen does the best she can, but cannot help wishing she had it better. After her mother’s death, Ellen slips into a state that sees stress levels mount and self-care dwindle, which fuels poor judgment and a return to some of her old ways. As Ellen’s choices blur, so do some of her inhibitions and she finds herself engaging with people from her school days. This has violent and deadly ramifications, which only trigger Ellen’s mental health issues.

Acting DCI Barton seems to be making headway in the department, hoping to forge a new path all his own. When the team are called out to the scene of a triple murder, things look fairly gruesome. However, these are by no means salt of the earth people, leaving Barton and his team to wonder how much of an effort must be put into the investigation. Still, there are dead bodies and some video to indicate that a burly man might be behind it, so it is worth at least giving it all a try.

After Ellen lashed out at some of her old mates, she tries to justify the act as defence against rape. She cannot believe that she’s acted so harshly, but holds firm that past treatment led to this and kept her from being able to hold her temper. Ellen appears ready to take back her life and right all the wrongs that befell her, not caring who stands in her way. Medication be damned, she refuses to let herself be subservient to anyone!

Acting DCI Barton learns of a DNA hit that might help lead the team towards the killer, though it is familial. This takes the case down some interesting rabbit holes, as they discover the hit belongs to a man who had a psychotic break and turned his rage on others. Could this trait have been passed along to his offspring? Barton hones in on one Ellen Toole, but has little to concretely connect her to the case. He wants to walk a fine line, knowing that if the team strikes too soon, it could mean ruining the case and leaving them with nothing.

As Ellen comes to terms with what she’s done, she is not prepared to go without a fight. Her own mental illness and recent revelations about a past that was anything but calm leaves her ready to scapegoat anyone she can in order to stay two steps ahead of the cops and a certain arrest. What happens next is anyone’s guess. It’s up to the courts to decide, if it ever gets that far!

I have come to enjoy the past novels in Ross Greenwood’s series. This one worked well for me, though I did have a sense that there were some drawbacks that kept me from enjoying it as much as I would have liked. Decent characters and a plot that had potential buoyed the novel, though series fans will have to think on it a but before committing themselves to praising this piece. Not sure this was the series swan song Greenwood may have wanted.

DI John Barton returns for another decent protagonist role. He slides into his new job with ease and is able to keep the reader interested with everything that he has going on. His personal life seems to be reflected a tad more in this piece, though his rise in rank does see him less prominently displayed in this piece. There is some development of his character, but nothing stunning, which is somewhat saddening, as he ends the series back where he started.

Greenwood offers up a decent number of strong secondary characters, including Ellen Toole. Each brings their own flavouring to the story and keeps the reader entertained throughout. I did enjoy learning about their personal struggles and development, some of whom have played key roles in the past two cases, while others are new to the scene. Greenwood paints the Ellen story well here, tossing in those who shaped her as a person and it helps to see how her downfall was a long road to despair.

I must compliment Roos Greenwood for tackling the thorny issue of mental health well throughout this piece. While many convicted criminals do suffer from some form of mental health, it is also something many in the general public have to face daily. While there are dark and menacing sides, Greenwood tries not to tie mental health with criminality. He also tackles the inherited argument of mental illness and whether a parent can pass traits on. Interesting internal discussion for any reader curious enough to pick up the thread.

The story itself had moments of brilliance and others that lagged. There was a strong underlying plot, which permitted the reader to see both the killer and the hunt for her developing simultaneously. This developed in short, alternating chapters that kept the book’s momentum and offered varying sides of the same story arc. However, even with these ingredients, there was a sluggishness to the piece that I could not shake. Greenwood’s use of the ‘know who we hunt for’ has worked well in the past, but seemed to come up short. I found the story dragged at times and I just wanted the Ellen-Barton clash to occur, leaving the courts to offer the final verdict and see if there were twists therein. Perhaps it was just me, but this story seemed much longer than it needed to be and kept the reader tapping their finger between page turns. With the end of the trilogy and Greenwood promising a fresh standalone next, this may be a chance to tap the refresh button and explore new areas of the genre.

Kudos, Mr. Greenwood, for a valiant effort. I’m keen to see if things continue with this series and how you’ll take the piece in new directions, should some of the feedback mirror my own.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Repeal the Second Amendment: The Case for a Safer America, by Allan J. Lichtman (Re-posting)

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #10 (re-read) in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Allan J. Lichtman and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

As I sit north of the 45th Parallel, I look down and notice that there is an issue with gun violence in the United States. No matter where one gets their news, it is plastered all over the place and has been for decades. Guns killing innocent people for no reason. Yet, as the blood flows and creates rivers of red across floors and asphalt, politicians have done little but ask for prayers directed to the families of victims, while gun manufacturers and the National Rifle Association (NRA) spouts that it is people killing people, not guns. Other countries have been able to notice the gun violence and legislate strong measures against it—take, for example, New Zealand in 2019–but America chooses to do nothing, citing something called the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. Known as the ‘right to bear arms’, this has been the battle cry of the NRA and the hardcore right in America, but there’s something that’s missing here; something that Allan J. Lichtman professes throughout this book and I have said all along. It was never an individual right in that amendment, nor should it be. But, that’s the controversy behind Lichtman’s desire to see the Second Amendment repealed a new measures put in place.

The premise of the book is quite simple, people do not understand the amendment and spew inane falsehoods spoon-fed to them. Lichtman opens the book with a chilling discussion of some recent episodes of gun violence and how everyone was quick to point blame at a deranged killer, rather that discuss the issue of gun availability. From there, he takes the reader back to look at how guns were introduced into the region, brought from Europe, and how the firearm found a home in the Thirteen Colonies. After the play towards independence, the political figures sought to enshrine when and how guns should be made available, presenting the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. Lichtman discusses how the constitutional conventions and speeches by the Founding Fathers shaped the intention of this amendment, laid out as being the right of the collective to bear arms in the form of a militia, particularly at a time when invasion was still possible. Moving forward, Lichtman explores how guns were of little issue in America for decades after that. Politicians began seeking to regulate guns in the early 20th century, which led to some questions about how to define the Second Amendment in contrast to this. The early NRA had no issue with the collective idea of gun ownership for the greater good, fixated on its role of promoting gun ownership for sport and education. However, with the rise of assassinations in the 1960s, there was a greater push to legislate gun control, keeping firearms out of the hands of just anyone. This was met with a newly politicized and fiery NRA, who turned their views towards the individual right to possess firearms. With massive amounts of money used to influence politicians, any meaningful change seemed paralyzed. Lichtman discusses these issues at length, culminating in challenges wth legislation violating the Second Amendment in the courts, some reaching the Supreme Court of the United States. Shockingly, when things reached that point, one of the Court’s great intellectuals and originalist thinkers, Antonio Scalia, completely forgot his long-held views of accepting laws through original meaning of the Founding Fathers. Instead, Scalia sided with this view of individual rights and the ongoing accessibility of people to possess firearms, in the pocket of the NRA.

As Lichtman scans the horizon to see where things have come in America, seeing an NRA bound and determined to use the Second Amendment’s bastardized interpretation to fill their coffers and hand guns over to anyone and everyone, the need for change seems dire. Citing former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, John Paul Stevens, Lichtman explores how Congress might go about dismantling this thorn and repeal the Second Amendment. It will not be pretty or easy (with threats of money and slander by the NRA), but will rid the country of a horribly misconstrued constitutional crutch that has helped fuel the bloodshed. Paralleling the repeal with that of Prohibition in the 20th century, Lichtman shows how it would work and which actors would need to stand tall. He ends with a post-repeal America and the need to tighten or create laws to keep America from falling into the hands of the NRA or their apparent abyss of money. Whether it will work is another question, but it is always nice to speculate.

When I was asked to read this book by the publisher, I could not wait to sink my teeth into it. These were the arguments I had long made in my own discussions of the Second Amendment and I found myself agreeing with a lot of what Lichtman had to say. The tome is full of wonderful facts embedded into an easy to comprehend narrative. While there are aspects that have academic explorations, Lichtman keeps the arguments simple enough that anyone could understand. He does not hide his bias, though I cannot see how one could remain entirely neutral on this topic, offering up some fiery criticisms of those who stand idly by and spout vapid sentiments when people—children especially—are dying in senseless ways. While the chapters are not massive, the information encapsulated within them makes for an impactful read and kept me nodding throughout. I was especially interested in Lichtman’s proposal to repeal the Second Amendment, knowing how difficult a process it is (as any constitutional change should be) and where the pitfalls lie with enemies waiting. This is a sobering read for anyone looking to stir up a little controversy at the dinner table or amongst those with strong opinions. If only a discussion could be had where both sides agree on the wording of the topic at hand, leaving well-rounded and firmly grounded ideas to sway opinions.

Kudos, Mr. Lichtman, for not shying away from the controversy. This will take longer than November 3, 2020 to make America great again, but if we can oust the clown, surely this circus can be quelled.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

A Lot of People Are Saying: The New Conspiracism and the Assault on Democracy, by Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #9 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

I have read a number of books already on my book challenge, with a great deal more to cover before November. Many have been insightful and some have been downright educational, but when I got my hands on this tome by Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, I knew I was in for something even more intense. Muirhead and Rosenblum seek not only to discuss that there are conspiracy theories floating around the American political system, but that there has been a significant shift in them over the last five to ten years, fuelled less by those who offer their own spin on certain facts and more in an attempt to derail legitimacy and creat chaos of the democratic system. So what? These conspiracies and the creation of the larger conspiracism has eroded the everyday way that Americans (and others) see the world and question truths that have long been self-evident. This is no longer simply questioning truth and using concrete facts to promote other ideas. By exploring the system of new conspiracism, the modes by which they are professed, and how to debunk them, Muirhead and Rosenblum do their best to wrest control of truth back, hoping the reader can help see through the haze and keep the masses on the same page.

Many still wonder what happened to John F. Kennedy in Dallas, citing their own views that they substantiate with photographs and testimony from witnesses. Others have seen objects flying around in the air and might have photos or documents that show a place in Nevada or New Mexico that seems to be in the same vicinity. These may be conspiracy theories, but those who present it use fact and argue from a substantiated (albeit shaky) perspective. In the new conspiracism, the authors argue that people have begun creating their theories, not on concrete proofs, but the elusive “many people say”. At the time of this book’s writing, the country was still trying to volume to terms with the Trump victory and such conspiracies as the child sex ring being run out of a D.C. pizzeria. This conspiracy that Clinton was involved in it was propagated by some and cited that “many people say” it’s true, yet none of these many seem ever to pull themselves before a microphone to substantiate it. Other aspects of this new conspiracism is the flirting with reality through something called “true enough”, where outlandish comments are made, the speaker agrees that they may not be true, but that “they sound within the realm of plausibility”, thereby making their assertion true enough to be actual. This veiled attempt to get lies injected into the everyday is both sly and completely asinine, yet people take it as gospel truth and push it around like a farmer fertilizing their fields. The authors cite many examples of how this is becoming the norm, with people accepting things simply because a vague collective seems to believe them and they wish not to be left on the sidelines in a movement towards ‘the new truth’. How this spreads is just as troubling, but also part and parcel of readily available technology.

The only way that a conspiracy runs is by fuelling it with acknowledgement. This is the crux of the argument made in this portion of the book, though the authors choose to roll out a great deal more to discuss this with the reader. At the head of this is commentary by people in positions of power. People, like Trump, stand up and make these comments, citing the forms above, and spread the word that they are hearing or seeing things that the general public needs to understand. This gets people talking and the word, albeit inherently lies, spreads. There is no need to substantiate or seek information to solidify it, just that they heard it. Like a poorly played game of Telephone, the message gets out and is (likely) bastardised even more. One person tells ten, they each tell twenty, and soon enough the world is talking about sex rings in pizza parlours and how the Clintons are trying to ship kids off to Uganda. Other, and more dangerous means, of transmission include social media, where a tweet or posting can go viral and people are blindly accepting without a shred of evidence. The authors express how this is where Trump gets a lot of his conspiracism fuel, sending out blatant lies and it gets people talking. He would never bend the truth, would he? He says that he has seen the documents, heard the people talking about it, so it must be true.

This is where QAnon started and how America jumped onto the bandwagon of looking under rocks. A post on a webpage has left many scrambling, as the anonymous person cites that they are an insider, so it must be true. This anonymous drop of information, again without substantiation, is the greatest way to promulgate the lies that conspiracism is seeking to promote. There is no end to it and, as the authors make clear, those in positions of power (read: the Republicans as it relates to Trump comments) do little but stand by and wait for the wind to change. Trump is no team player, but they keep nodding and running with it, in hopes that their electoral base will support them while continuing to wear their tinfoil hats.

Again, we ask, so what? It’s not harming anyone to let others rattle off some of their inane comments and hope nothing sticks. This is where the authors posit that it is doing damage by deligitimising the democratic process. While democracy permits a clash of ideas, by tearing someone down on the whole, it removes any chance that what they say could hold any value. Alternatively, institutions are painted with the same brush, thereby instilling distrust in something like the CDC when it comes to rates of transmission of COVID-19 or findings by the FBI on domestic insurrections. These are no longer small pebbles being tossed at the grand door, but battering rams that decimate and no one is seeing the bigger picture. No one is able to counter the attack, which only whittles down the already thin distrust in the political, governmental, and social fabric of America (and, by extension, the world). Something has to be done, but is there an answer, other than reading books like this?

The easiest reply to counter the delegitimisation is to fight back and stand up for truth. While it seems inherently sensible to do so, so does denying all the lies that have been swirling around, and yet too many people forget to do so. As the third section of the book explores, leaders need to stand up and debunk these empty truths, breathe air into the fact that this is all baseless conspiracy, and try to show that it is nothing more than someone trying to use a shiny bauble to distract from the reality of the situation. The authors push for this throughout, if only to educate those who are on their way to complete Kool-Aid ingestion. Perhaps it is those core disbelievers in all this new conspiracism who stand with their heads in the sand, but it seems to be the only way to pull democracy back from the brink and to end the horrors that are being perpetrated. There is no democratic way to silence the speech of the speaker, but to counter it with substantiated truth can go a long way. We owe it to ourselves to remain vigilant and to challenge authority, but also to live in a world of facts and not empty sentiments that “other people” have already unearthed or espouse half-realities by floating an ides out there and letting it linger in the air. Americans—no, anyone—is better than that and it only takes a moment, as the authors posit, to stand up for truth and let it all come out. Challenge the garbage that is being espoused, demand concrete proof, and require substantial deligitimising comments before simply tearing it all down. If not for you, for your country!

I have read many great psychological thrillers (one of my favourite genres) in my lifetime, but this book opened my eyes to a lot of scary stuff that even I cannot stomach. The depth and widespread nature of the new conspiracism is mind-boggling, though I see it on a regular basis. I have friends who personally are riding the Trump Train when it comes to COVID-19, sending me videos to show how China created the virus and the CDC is profiting by pushing for testing, while companies who make masks and other protective gear see their stocks rise. Funny enough, these same people stand by these videos and will not speak with any of their own evidence. They feel it is on me to show that the medical and scientific breakthroughs are not fabricated. This is the core issue with this entire movement, that there is no truth to mainstream thinking without personal proof. When did society become to sceptical as to disbelieve everything they read? A little academic mindedness and challenging authority is great, but only when research is behind it. Now, we are supposed to not only substantiate proven scientific knowledge, but be able to speak on it, or we are part of the Dark State seeking to tear down America. As soon as Trump calls for his passengers, they push and shove to get a seat and drink copious amounts of the Kool-Aid on a trip to Jonestown all over again. Sitting idly by is no longer an option, as this cancer continues to spread. It must be handled and people must realise what’s going on. Sure, there is free speech and I would never hope to abrogate it. But, just like not being allowed to cry ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre, one should not be able to erode the basic tenets of democracy because they are not to your liking. One should not be able to deligitimise the entire system and then walk away while it is in shambles. This is not a four year issue that will end with the loss at the polls in 2020 (do not get me started on the refusal to leave office, but do find me something academic to read about the legal options, as I want to review it before November), it is something that will pervade democracy for as long as people are able to communicate with one another. Democracy thrives on differing opinions and yet those opinions ought to be seeped in truths or proofs. Otherwise, we just trump all the Founding Fathers brought and thumb our noses at the democratic process the world over.

John Donne said it best when explaining that no man is an island. However, building a bridge from one’s own beliefs and selling it as the only truth is too extreme. This tome seeks to shine some much needed light on the issues with new conspiracism in America and likely even the larger world community. There have been too many actions—sanctioned and birthed at the top of the American political system—that seek to remove legitimacy of the system and the foundation of the country as a whole. While Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum cannot debunk them all, they can help the reader discover just how problematic things are getting, while also providing some solutions. This is not a tome to decry the loss of academic challenging to a man who gets his truths from inside his head when not sipping Coke with Fox and Friends, but a warning that America is in a full-fledged war with itself about keeping democracy. The book is laid out effectively, presenting strong arguments and providing numerous proofs to support the sentiments. The authors do not profess to be soothsayers, but simply academics who can see what’s going on and how it might be resolved. While there is an academic nature to the writing, it is easily digestible for those who have an interesting in learning. It is chilling to see how inherent the indoctrination has been and I can only hope that many will read this to counter the brain-numbing rhetoric that is taking place. The only way to take back the democratic ideals on which America was founded is to cut the head of the Hydra, bury it, and begin healing. This is more than Trump, but also his lackeys who will do anything to promote him and sail in his slipstream. Succinct and to the point, this book pulls no punches, though it may leave many readers wanting to thrust their fists into the throat of those who spew poisonous comments without any backing. Then again, what do I know?

Kudos, Mr. Muirhead and Madam Rosenblum, for finally explaining much of what I have been feeling for so long. It is scary to watch from the sidelines, though this stupidity seeps into Canada, particularly the province in which I live. I can only hope your message will make its way into the mainstream. It is badly needed.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Let the People Pick the President: The Case for Abolishing the Electoral College, by Jesse Wegman (Re-posting)

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #8 (a re-read) in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

The current selection process for the election of the American president is undemocratic, argues Jesse Wegman in his book. While the Founding Fathers devised the Electoral College to keep the general public from skewing the results with their uneducated choices, they did so at a time that differs greatly from today. This arcane means of election is, as Wegman argues, unknown or misunderstood by many Americans even today. In the early part of his tome, Wegman explores the situation in colonial America that led the Founders to create this buffer system for election of their leader, as well as the arguments at the time. The Founders were not unanimous, though the strongest proponent of direct and popular election of the president—James Wilson—has fallen out of the history books for reasons Wegman presents in Chapter 1. Use of this Electoral College—which allocates all of the state’s electors (totalling the number of their representatives and senators sent to Congress) for the candidate who wins the most votes on Election Day—tended to create situations where certain factions or regionally populous areas could be powerhouses in choosing the winner. Even still, as Wegman argues, the discrepancies between a large state (California) and small one (Wyoming) actually benefits the smaller one in voting power, should one look at the population representation. Throughout history, this Electoral College has created some noticeable issues when it came to choosing the president (1800 being the first and largest soap opera for 200 years). Additionally, there were times (five in total) where the Electoral College winner did not capture the popular vote, meaning fewer people voted for the winner. In layman analysis, Wegman seeks to argue that the Electoral College promoted racial divide and national division, with the power-holders refusing the give up the advantage to level the playing field. However, much as many of the modern versions of racism and xenophobia in American politics, it is shrouded in loosely cobbled together arguments that make it smell more like a rose than the pile of dung it truly tends to be. Wegman explores some of the momentum to abolish the Electoral College, including a constitutional amendment that was begun in the late 1960s, but failed to pass muster in the strong US Senate. More recently, there has been a movement to shift talk to using the popular vote and yet still staying within the constitutional framework in which the Electoral College resides. Making ‘every vote equal’ seems to make sense on some level, but the arcane machinery in use is wrapped in that constitutional bow that many feel is too sacred to touch. After most presidential elections, the Electoral College gets an op-ed or two before disappearing for four years, only to rear its ugly head while many Americans (and people around the world) are baffled with how it all works. Wegman’s arguments are worth exploring and I would recommend anyone with an interest in the political machine of elections seek to read this, preferably before November 2020.

Many would say this book was penned as sour grapes after the 2016 election, or even those who are still smarting from 2000. However, even the current POTUS espoused the undemocratic nature of the Electoral College over popular vote in his Tweets from on High, until he realised the College (and the Russians) helped him defeat the system. Wegman argues throughout the book that the College failed masterfully in 2016, by allowing the candidate the system was designed to block to rise to victory. A filtered choice should have kept mob rule from choosing unqualified people to serve, and yet this is what happened. By unqualified, Wegman (and I… even the Founding Fathers) argues that it is someone who rides the waves of the politically detached elector, rather than he/she who is connected to the machinery and understands governing. The chapters in this tome are laid out clearly and allow for a layperson’s understanding, mixing history with modern discussions without going down an overly academic rabbit hole. It seeks not only to offer issues and blatant criticisms, but provides solutions to both sides of the argument. Wegman pulls no punches in arguing for the abolition of the Electoral College, feeling that the people should have the right to choose their president directly. Much like some of the Founding Fathers’ original ideas (male-only suffrage, slavery), the Electoral College was something that worked in late 18th century, but has outlived its usefulness. At a time when most of the Western World prefers the people to speak in as democratic a way as possible, one can hope that America will follow (or lead with a powerful statement) and dismantle or rejig the Electoral College to reflect the popular sentiment. Perhaps then it would truly be collegial!

Kudos, Mr. Wegman, for opening my eyes to this topic, which has long been of interest to me. As I sit inside a parliamentary democracy which has its own popular vote issues, I am always open to discussions of electoral reform!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Thank You for Voting: The Maddening, Enlightening, Inspiring Truth About Voting in America, by Erin Geiger Smith

Eight stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #7 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

The most important part of election is the vote. It’s what it all boils down to, no matter what anyone else tells you. Erin Geiger Smith uses this as her premise in this interesting primer about voting in the United States. Smith looks at three areas of voting that will likely be of the greatest interest to the reader: the history of voting in America, populating the electorate, and the politics of voting. Each of these are broken down to better analyse and synthesise the significance in the overall scheme of voting.

Smith’s exploration of the history of voting is more to explore the suffrage moment in all its forms that discussing why America votes the way they do (form of elections, not trends in choices). She spends a great deal of time looking at disenfranchisement, which is key to understanding the importance of voting and how it was not always available. Highlighting some of the best-known disparities (those of Blacks and women) take up much of this section, though there are some wonderful tidbits about other groups (Native Americans and Asians) who received the vote later than their Caucasian counterparts. Smith seeks to educate the reader on the long fights needed to lessen the gap between groups, though she does not blindly presume that all is well, even into 2020. There is some key discussions about the Voters Rights Act (1965), which was the central piece of legislation meant to pull down the barriers erected by many. The reader will do well to understand this background information, which serves as a useful springboard in the coming sections.

Smith’s second area of analysis is getting out the vote, including getting people onto the electoral list. How does America (federally and at the state level) get people onto the list of voters and then out to the polls to have their voices heard? She explores the most underrepresented groups, most especially the young, and discusses ideas about how to get them on the lists and out to the polls. Many of these are not new, though the emergence of social media has helped to make communication faster and interest higher. Further discussions in the section discuss getting on the voter’s list and how some states have placed some burdens for people to stay on the list, as well as thresholds to register. It is in this section that Smith admits, perhaps mistakenly, that the US Supreme Court has weighed in and helped to block voters from being able to vote with ease, by gutting the Voters Rights Act (1965) in some recent rulings. I’ll let the reader check this out, but it seems that this is one of the only times that Smith’s attempts to be non-partisan is less effective. I would argue that bringing this up is both important and needed, so it all balances out.

The final section of the book discusses the politics of voting, which seems both straightforward and an oxymoron. Exploring voting districts and how they are formed by elected officials to benefit them proves to be an interesting way to open the discussion. Smith discusses such buzzwords as ‘gerrymandering’ and ‘partisan decision-making’ to educate the reader as to how some continue to play fast with a people’s right to express themselves (and we’re not even delving into Russian bot farms here!). She seeks to close her book by helping the reader to understand political discussions and polling, both of which are highly persuasive and likely the first line of influence the voter will encounter in the months leading up to an election. While it has to be some of the basic nuances, Smith does well to lay out the facts as neutrally as she can, steering clear of offering Fox News as anything fact-based. It seems helpful for those who are not entirely clear about what they see on television or are bombarded with whenever social media comes into play. And then there’s the Electoral College, that beast that messes simply voting up. I’ll leave it to Smith to handle (though it has always been a favourite area of mine to examine!).

For a primer, this is an excellent depiction of the voting system in the United States. Erin Geiger Smith is able to clearly define major topics that are important to the reader without getting dragged into anything too murky. Her examples are clear and the pace of the discussion is constant. There are not only some reminders for the reader throughout the discussion, but a great checklist for reference before heading to the polls. Chapters are laid out well and keep the reader engaged, not permitting them to lose interest, with quick topic changes and poignant examples from as recently as Spring 2020. As an editorial aside, reading this as a Canadian, I was intrigued with the amount of politicisation surrounding voting. While there are surely some partisan aspects to the voting process in Canada, it is minimal when compared with our southern neighbours. Yet another reason to be happy I’m here and away from the headaches. A great book for those who are curious about the voting system in America, as well as the reader who, admittedly, wants to get up to speed before November 2020. However you lean politically, I think the author and I can agree… you need to vote!

Kudos, Madam Smith, for an informative piece that I thoroughly enjoyed. Likely the least biased piece I will read during this challenge, but nice to see that people can turn to something for some facts not marred in spin!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Holy Conspiracy, by Kristi Saare Duarte

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Kristi Saare Duarte for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Looking to expand my reading parameters, I chose this interesting piece of historical fiction by Kristi Saare Duarte that explores early Christianity. While the subject matter may not be for everyone (and could offend those who are staunchly religious and hold firm to what they are told from the pulpit), this is an eye-opening interpretation of events from a woman who admits to not being deeply religious. The book opens the months after Yeshua (Jesus) has left the earth, leaving the disciples to determine how to continue the ministry. Yakov is Yeshua’s brother and has taken on the role of leading the group, in hopes of spreading the Good News and keeping the movement afloat. While he is surrounded by others who strongly believed in Yeshua, the group politic is anything but passive. Included in the collective is Miriamne, Yeshua’s wife and the woman carrying his son. Her presence, much as it was during the early year of the ministry, is controversial and puts a strain on how to proceed. Much of the book explores the connection between Miriamne and Yakov, especially with the custom of the latter taking the former into the household going forward. As the years pass, the group encounters Saul of Tarsus (Apostle Paul), who speaks of a revelation he had along the road and how he is now ready to preach the Good News as it was relayed to him by Yeshua. This causes a great deal of strain, as the disciples and Saul (renamed Paulus) speak of different forms of Christianity. Both feel they know ‘the True Word’ and the clashes are by no means minor. As the years progress, the reader can see how these messages serve as shepherding acts to plant the early roots of Christianity. Yakov must make some tough choices as to how he wants his brother’s legacy upheld, while Paulus feels his power of the written word will surely expand the grassroots movement. A telling piece that allows Duarte to offer the reader some of the early nuances in differing Christian messaging, without seeming too blasphemous. Recommended to those who enjoy Christian fiction, as well as the reader whose mind remains open and intrigued about what might have happened in the early, post-Jesus days.

I will be the first to admit that when I saw ‘conspiracy’ in the title, I expected something a lot more suspenseful and likely scandalous. That said, I kept as open a mind as I could when reading the novel and came out of the experience better for it. Kristi Saare Duarte provides the reader with a great piece of writing that highlights some of the key events in the early years of Christianity, including its struggles to get a message to the people. The core group of characters were well represented and the reader who has some background knowledge of them from their own religious education will likely enjoy what’s Duarte has done here. Of greatest interest to me was the representation of Miriamne (Mary Magdalen) as the wife of Yeshua, going so far as to depict her as being with child. While this will likely ruffle the feathers of some, the character fits in perfectly with some of the larger messages. Equally interesting is the depiction of Saul (Paulus) and how he took his own approach to how Christianity would develop. Duarte offers some interesting questions as she writes, leaving the reader to wonder which path might be the most accurate, based on where things stand today. The story is slow, let’s be perfectly honest here. There is little action or suspense, as it flirts with the line of non-fiction in its accounting. However, I am sure Duarte was going for the historical depiction over swords and violent clashes angle in her writing. I struggled at times, looking for a spark, but was happy to pull out some tidbits of historical interpretations on which I could feast as I digested much of what I read. A fair warning (and another struggle of mine) is that Duarte seeks to keep things as authentic as possible by using Aramaic versions of names, not the traditional ones many readers of the Bible may know. While this is a useful brain exercise (there is a reference sheet at the start), it was an added thinking process as I read, keeping everyone straight and remembering what I learned in my past education to match up with this. Still, Duarte did an amazing job in her final product. The amount of research that surely went into this piece is amazing and allows the reader to bask in some of the early years with a degree of confidence that things are not bastardised to meet a certain plot point. Perfect for the open minded reader who is interested in some of the early forks in the road, before the Catholic Church came in and set out their own decrees. I gave it my best and hope I did the book justice with this review!

Kudos, Madam Duarte, for not being afraid to rock the boat a little. I may have to look into some of your other work, as there were some intriguing moments for me during this read!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Water Tales: Ten Life Lessons from My Water Buddy and Family, by Dr. Michele Wise Wright

Seven stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Michele Wise Wright, and Carpenter’s Son Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

In an attempt to expand our horizons, my son (Neo) and I decided to read this collection of brief stories together. The Water Buddy and Family are apparently the creation of Dr. Michele Wise Wright and help children better understand the importance of water, as well as the key body parts that promote a healthy lifestyle. In this collection, Dr. Wright focuses on the importance of water in the world, as well as within the body. She explores how diverse the body’s intake of water can be, from creating a stronger immune system to aiding in blood circulation and keeping the brain lubricated. These story focus on real-life issues that children have, as well as discussing what certain triggers might be saying, as though the young reader should be able to see the signs. Each story focuses on a single part of the body, something Neo found especially helpful as we made our way through. Easily read in an evening, as we did, Dr. Wright puts it all out there for readers and adds some wonderful illustrations to keep things stimulating.

While I was not sure what I ought to expect from the book, I was pleasantly surprised to see that both Neo and I could read and ask questions of one another throughout. Dr. Wright boils things down well and keeps the jargon simple, yet does not make things too simplistic. While I am not familiar with Dr. Wright’s work or the website to which the Water Buddy and Family play a key role, I can see the book as being a great part of a larger education factor in promoting healthy living for young people. With stories that can usually be read in under five minutes, there is not a lot of filler to get to the point of what Dr. Wright is trying to say. This is key for young people to stay interested. Neo seemed to find most parts educational without getting preachy, which is another key factor for success. Neo and I agreed that we will have a look at the website to see if there is something there we can learn. Here’s hoping other children follow suit and help create a new generation of healthy kids!

Kudos, Dr. Wright, for an interesting book that is geared at keeping children feeling happy and healthy.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Judge and Jury (Daniel Pike Thriller #5), by William Bernhardt

Eight stars

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

Review: Judge and Jury

William Bernhardt is back with another legal thriller that pushes Daniel Pike and the Last Chance Lawyers into the middle of quite the quandary. After much string pulling in the background, Conrad Sweeney is forced to face Daniel in court, though justice may not be as blind as it claims to be. While on sabbatical to clear his father’s name of a murder for which he was convicted, Daniel Pike helps to upend a major organ trafficking ring. When the local leader is gunned down in court, Pike cannot help but presume that Conrad Sweeney, local philanthropist, may have something to do with it. Goading Sweeney into making some slanderous comments in public, Pike leaps on this and files a civil suit, hoping to both clear his father’s name and get Sweeney’s involvement with much of the crime in St. Petersburg on the record. However, while Pike turns to his colleagues at Last Chance Lawyers, he is not immune to issues of his own, having been involved with known murderers—both personally and professionally—and tried for the crime himself. As the legal wheels turn, Sweeney and his defence team seek to create as many blockages as possible, still plotting to ensure Pike never works in town again. Meanwhile, a cartel with ties to Sweeney is still riling after losing their latest black market scheme, all because of Pike. Someone will have to pay and blood will be shed. This is yet another instance where fancy legal briefs and well-timed objections cannot save the day. Another decent addition to the series by Bernhardt, who’s looking at new angles to keep the novels fresh. Recommended to those who have enjoyed the series to date, as well as readers who enjoy the fast pace any trial and investigation brings a well-balanced book.

I am a longtime fan of William Bernhardt and his legal thrillers, which have taken things to new heights in a genre that appears supersaturated. His newer Daniel Pike series has grown on me, with its unique approach to defence work on the Florida streets. The premise of this piece leads itself to being the climactic novel where Pike can finally challenge Conrad Sweeney and air all the accusations, after seeing so many negative things with the philanthropist’s fingerprints on them. Pike has been through much in the series, but always seems to grow as an individual. While the central focus is character development and how to foil the ongoing plots of Sweeney, there is a great deal of important backstory that attentive readers will want to learn. Bernhardt has held out, offering only tidbits in the past, but this is where it all comes together, forcing Pike to digest much more than even he expected. The cast of strong secondary characters provides the reader with some great support as the story progresses. Pike’s peaks and valleys are certainly complemented by those who fill the pages of this thriller, offering a flavouring all their own. The story began a little slowly, seeking to flesh out some of the issues with the blackmarket and (another) scheme in which Conrad Sweeney is acting as puppeteer. However, once the civil law theme emerges and the narrative gains some momentum, it is a strong story that finds a decent groove. With a mix of boardroom and courtroom legal drama, there is much for the reader to enjoy while getting their dose of the law. Mid-length chapters allow the story to develop without offering too many teasing cliffhangers, though things move along quickly enough that the reader wants to keep going. It’s anyone’s guess how the series will progress from here, with an ending that leaves the reader somewhat in suspense and the title of the next book offering what might be a sense of closure. One can only guess what William Bernhardt has in store next, but it is sure to be something worth the wait.

Kudos, Mr. Bernhardt, for another winner. I can only hope you can balance your writing workshops and publications, as both are quite important to ensuring great novels emerge.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Most Dangerous Branch: Inside the Supreme Court’s Assault on the Constitution, by David A. Kaplan

Nine stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #6 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

The recent death of US Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg highlights the importance of the Judicial Branch as a place for advocacy, offering up many perspectives. The asinine attempts to fill the void (and mention it not two hours after her passing) by Senate Republicans and a president who is fixated on his own image is both disgusting and abhorrent. However, as David A. Kaplan effectively argues in his book, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is by no means solely an arbiter of the laws, but also a highly political machine keen to churn out decisions that will shape the country for decades to come. Kaplan’s thesis, that the Court has gone troublingly conservative, is not lost on the reader, with mention of the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch and early hinting of the Brett Kavanaugh debacle. With the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, the Court is sure only to become more troubling and could harm the country, as well as its citizens for decades to come. If this is not a wake-up call to the electorate that simply four years of Trump will have a lasting and destructive effect, I am not sure what could be deemed a better example.

Kaplan uses the first part of his book to lay out some background on the actors involved in the Court, particularly those who have shaped the right-leaning move over the last number of years. Interestingly enough, the opening chapter explores the Merrick Garland foible, where President Obama sought to nominate him for the vacancy left on the Court with the death of Antonin Scalia. The Senate, held by the Republicans and trying to be stoic (pardon me as I vomit), said that the people ought to have a say in the presidential election, refusing to have hearings on Garland until after the election. (Funny, these are the same men who are now adamant that there is a need and a duty to fill the seat, even 41 days before the next election). This brought about the nomination of Neil Gorsuch once Trump won the election and created the first in a long list of scandalous confirmation processes that the Court has had to face over the years. Kaplan not only goes through the Gorsuch circus, but also looks back on how the other eight members of the Court fared as they sought to secure a spot in the most elite legal club anywhere in the world. Some received easy passes, while others were grilled and humiliated to the point of almost withdrawing their name from contention. What Kaplan makes clear throughout is that these ‘impartial’ arbiters bring out some of the most vehement political sentiments in order to secure their positions, leaving little wonder that they are key political players, even as Justices deny it. That recent appointments have (and will) reflect a significant move to the right of the political spectrum is clear, but how that will shape America is anyone’s guess. If it’s anything like the president who nominated them, the country is in for some dire legal decades.

Kaplan uses the second half of his book to explore key themes and cases that have come before the Court, showing how the nine Justices have made their mark and used political sentiment to shape major policies. While there is no doubt that a number of cases heard by SCOTUS are mind-numbing, there are always those whose results offer key direction in the way the laws of the land are to be interpreted. The themes may change over time, but they are sometimes revisited, especially when the Court has had a significant ideological shift and some feel it is best to get a new (better?) take on the results. Kaplan explores some key areas like abortion, voting rights, and gun control, taking a broad historical look at how the issues arose and the legal arguments that brought about a trip to the Court. He is then keen to explore some of the arguments made by the Justices in their decisions, including how the Court split, and the ramifications of these decisions on American law and its interpretation. There are some decisions that, years after the fact, end up being the albatross that some Justices feel they would have chosen differently, while others scorn the ‘incorrect outcome’ their colleagues came to and how that will keep America from being a bastion of legal greatness. Kaplan digs deeper to look at some cases the Court took on with no real necessity other than to flex its political muscle, contradicting the neutrality that is said to be part of this third branch. While Kaplan pulls no punches, he is quite clear that the move to the right is grounded in some, albeit shaky, legal standing and close-minded interpretation of the law. In an era of 5-4 decisions, there were times when one could not tell which direction the Court would land. The push for a super-majority to the right will surely leave the minority of the population happy and the smaller group on the Court grasping to hold their ground.

This is not a glitzy piece that seeks to gloss over the fundamental arguments and skewer those who hold conservative views. This is not a book that wants only to show to bumps and bruises of Trump, his nominees, and those on the Court whose ideology is rooted in staying the course. Rather, it is a highly informative piece that seeks to explore the Court and the impact it has and will have on an America that is already highly divided. Kaplan seeks to show that the Court is not neutral, cannot be divorced from the political process, and seeks not to simply interpret laws as they come. As Kaplan relates, Chief Justice John Roberts often refers to the role of SCOTUS as ‘calling balls and strikes’, but this is not the case. There is much nuance and a great deal of politicisation on the Court, more than the general public likely understands. The law is political, there is no doubt. The US Constitution is political in its interpretation, of that we cannot deny either. However, it is how those who are tasked with controlling the interpretation choose to use their power that will have the greatest impact on the country as a whole. Kaplan uses not only key cases to strengthen his arguments, but offers the reader a thorough analysis to better understand what’s going on and how these Justices wield a pen that has so much momentum behind it, shaping how the country will move for decades. Kaplan uses detailed chapters to make these points, offering the reader insight and a quasi-academic analysis of how things have progressed/regressed. His attention to detail is second to none and there is a great deal to learn from soaking up the arguments made herein. While likely not for everyone, it is written in an easy to decipher manner and leaves the reader hungering for more.

Be it a woman’s right to choose, integration of the races in schools, or even the right to marry, the Court has done some remarkable things in its decisions. However, it is the electorate that must stand up and say how they want the country to move forward and, for the time being, the selection of a president and senators seems to be the only way to do that. Whatever duty the elected officials say that they have and however they choose to bastardise decisions to fit their own political stage play, it is the electorate whose vote has the strongest impact, as diluted as it may seem. It would seem that the Court is headed in a troubling direction, at least in my eyes. Marked with the stamp of, perhaps, the worst president America has ever seen. However, we must soldier on, for Ruth Bader Ginsburg if no other, and protect what rights we have left. The national nightmare can end, if we want it to… but its lasting effects will remain with the Court as it currently stands!

Kudos, Mr. Kaplan, for a stunning piece that kept my mind racing throughout. I can only hope to read some more of your work soon and discover even more on this topic.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy (Harold Fry #2), by Rachel Joyce

Nine stars

Returning to the work of Rachel Joyce, I chose the companion to her well-written The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. In this piece, Joyce provides the reader with the other side of the story, in which Queenie Hennessy tells her tale of meeting and connecting with Harold, while sharing some secrets she has never revealed over the years.

Having penned a note to Harold Fry from her hospice, Queenie Hennessy hopes that the news of her cancer and likely terminal diagnosis will be met with some understanding. It has been two decades since Queenie has seen Harold, but she feels that the news must be passed along. Soon thereafter, Queenie decides to write a second, much more thorough, letter to Harold, which will likely explain a great deal that she has been holding back.

As Queenie begins her writing, she provides much of the backstory relating to how she came to work at the brewery alongside Harold those many years ago. The reader is able to obtain a more thorough understanding of the chance encounter—albeit not entirely agreed upon by Queenie and Harold—as well as some of the blossoming sentiments Queenie developed but never shared. As the narrative continues, Queenie’s connection to Harold grows stronger, at times during their workplace interactions, but also when David Fry, Harold’s son, inadvertently meets her around town. The Queenie-David friendship adds a deeper connection to Harold, though Queenie never shares this with the object of her affection.

As news of Harold’s pilgrimage to see Queenie becomes known, talk of this cross-country adventure has the hospice abuzz. Between her entries to Harold, Queenie interacts with others and shares some heartfelt moments with a few residents. However, much like the unrequited love she has for Harold, the death of others around her leaves Queenie in a state of sorrow. She knows that Harold is coming, though her own life hangs in the balance. She wants a clean slate before she passes, but debates how much she wants Harold to know while she is still of this earth.

With a great deal of dramatic build-up in all areas of the narrative, Rachel Joyce does a masterful job at keeping the reader curious about how things will come together, or fall apart, as Harold Fry’s pilgrimage reaches its climactic conclusion. Fans of the first novel know what’s to come, though only through the eyes of a tired Harold. This is Queenie’s story, and what a tale it is. Highly recommended to those who enjoyed the first novel, as well as the reader who finds joy in something that plucks the heart strings.

It was a strong recommendation by a dear friend that had me attempt this emotional duology. I was quite taken with the first novel, though left that reading with many questions. Rachel Joyce appears to have read my mind as she penned this second one, filling in all the gaps while keeping the reader entertained throughout.

The reader only really got a glimpse of Queenie in the first novel, as Harold was somewhat clueless about her true intentions. However, the focus on Madam Hennessy in this piece is both refreshing and essential to put all the pieces together. Queenie is quite a complex woman, full of white lies and causal deceit, though never a malicious being. Her ability to love is apparent throughout, as her compassion creates a tether to Harold, though never blurring the workplace-personal lines. Queenie’s admissions in her letter to Harold are highly important to the larger narrative, though it is only one part of many that will impact the reader.

The cast of secondary characters helps to develop the deeper meaning of this book. From the Harold Fry that was missing in the first novel to the handful of hospice residents with their own stories and who help Queenie prepare for the arrival of the wandering pilgrim. Perhaps the most interesting secondary character is David Fry, a young man who has so much potential, though is lost to many. Queenie breathes much life into him and their connection is almost able to overtake that of Queenie and Harold. Readers who are familiar with the first novel will want to pay close attention to this subplot, as it is highly important and offers a quasi surrogate parent/child interaction.

Rachel Joyce has a special writing gift in this duology, using a vignette style that offers readers bite-sized chapters to better understand the narrative progress. The story is itself a pilgrimage of emotional growth and death, in a form. Joyce has a style that is easy to understand, yet also dripping with sentiment, which becomes apparent for those who read both novels. I had not expected to be as moved by this duology as I was, though I cannot thank my friend enough for her recommendation. It speak volumes to me that few other readers could understand. Perhaps I am a Queenie Hennessy all my own in this regard.

Kudos, Madam Joyce, for another great piece. I hope others take as much away from this piece as I did. I’ll be sure to look for more of your work soon.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Harold Fry #1), by Rachel Joyce

Eight stars

Looking for something completely different, I turned to Rachel Joyce’s novel that offered some humourous moments peppered with a deeper and more sentimental meaning. Harold Fry is a recent retiree whose days are filled with mowing the grass and trying to find sundry ways the pass the time. When he receives a letter in the post from a long-ago acquaintance, he is quite taken aback. Even his wife, Maureen, cannot fathom why Queenie Hennessy might have written. When Harold opens the letter, he learns that Queenie is dying of cancer and wishes to say goodbye. Harold does the only thing he can think to do, pens a short note, and heads off to send it to the hospice centre. Along the way, Harold speaks to a villager and realises that he might be able to help Queenie by going to see her. On a whim, he begins the trek towards Queenie, on foot, across the English countryside. He meets many people along his journey, some of whom offer their own insights as they encourage Harold along his pilgrimage. Meanwhile, Maureen reacts less than enthusiastically to her husband’s news, which she receives during one of his payphone calls, and must wonder if there is more to the story than meets the eye. As Harold’s adventure continues, news travels and he soon develops a following, encouraging him to make the five hundred mile journey to see Queenie. Harold comes to terms with a great deal, having an epiphany of sorts as he inches closer to his final destination. As Maureen and Harold each reflect on their lives, marriage, and connection to one another, this journey may take on a deeper meaning. A great story that will warm the heart of many readers. Recommended to those who enjoy something a little lighter, as well as the reader who finds pleasure in stories from the heart.

It was a strong recommendation that brought me to this book and I am so pleased to have heeded the request. Rachel Joyce offers readers a wonderful glimpse into the world of friendship, love, and determination, layered around a somewhat humorous story set in rural England. Harold Fry seems like the down to earth sort of fellow, which is surprising when he decides to travel across the country at the drop of a hat. His long marriage and somewhat strained relationship with his adult son cross his mind as he seeks to make the journey, as does the somewhat vague workplace acquaintance he had with Queenie Hennessy. However, the reader is along for the entire trip and can see the burgeoning epiphany as Harold comes to terms with a great deal. Many of the secondary characters in the piece enrich the narrative and keep the story moving along quite effectively. Joyce uses her power to paint a word picture with those who grace the pages of this book, leaving the reader not entirely sure where things will go next. Joyce keeps the premise of her story fairly straightforward, yet offers only tidbits of the central plot as the reader begins the journey alongside Harold Fry. Who is Queenie? How will this change the Harold-Maureen dynamic? What awaits Harold at the hospice centre? Joyce has answers for these and many other questions throughout this story, which has me wanting to locate and read there sequel soon. A delightful and touching story that cleanses the palate for me after some heavier reading.

Kudos, Madam Joyce, for a great piece. I can only hope the sequel holds my attention as easily.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Traitor: A History of American Betrayal from Benedict Arnold to Donald Trump, by David Rothkopf

Eight stars

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #5 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, David Rothkopf, St. Martin’s Press, and Thomas Dunne Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

The hurling of invectives towards the current President of the United States is surely nothing new, though the degree to which it is done seems to have reached new highs of late. David Rothkopf, former editor of Foreign Affairs, takes things even further by calling POTUS a traitor, as he sifts through some of the actions undertaken in the lead-up to the 2016 election and into the presidency. Rothkopf seeks not only to offer this, but presents a book in which he compares Donald Trump’s actions to others in American history who have been given the moniker ‘traitor’ to see how The Donald matches up. What arises in the analysis is both interesting and, at times, a tad unnerving. Still, it does leave the reader with a great deal about which to think!

Rothkopf pulls no punches and dives right in, exploring how some targeted George Washington as a traitor before the ink reporting his first inaugural message had dried. He was seen as too soft when it came to appeasing a declared enemy, though nothing came of it, even as impeachment was suggested by some. The actions of Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee during the Civil War were also highly traitorous, turning against the Republic and seeking to tear out apart for racial means caused significant wounds to America and left it in tatters, before an assassination plunged a dagger into any hope of a smooth reunification. While Rothkopf does not make direct parallels between the unrest that continued to simmer and the issues with the new social movements today, there is a faint call that this might be the case. The onset of the Cold War brought a new and sinister enemy out, namely the Russians. As Rothkopf argues, this led to a new round of traitors who sought to appeal to the enemy and sell America short. There are some strong ties between those who were discovered, tried, and convicted with the current president, though it would seem that many within the Trump inner circle refuse to see the parallels, hiding behind their own sentiment that this is all fabricated. However, while all these traitors differ from Trump in the role they played within the country, there is a section of the book that brings it all home, tying Trump in with his fellow traitorous presidents who stared down the barrel of impeachment.

There is no greater power that the people hold over their Commander-in-Chief than to impeach. As America is a representative democracy—and I am not going to offer a political science lecture here to explain all the terms—it is through members of Congress that the people’s voices are heard. Presidents Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Donald Trump all faced investigations into their actions that could be deemed as traitorous, making the comparisons both apt and worth exploration. I acknowledge (as does Rothkopf) that Bill Clinton was also investigated, but find his lying less a traitorous act than a stupidity and attempt to hide his libidinous ways. Johnson sought to sow renewed distrust in the newly reunited Union and was punished for his crimes, only to have the vote fall short in the Senate. Nixon’s lies and deception proved to be too much for him and Congress as a whole, particularly as he continued to obfuscate the process inherent to weed out issues. This was the last time both parties could agree on something so egregious and would have acted accordingly. While the Articles of Impeachment were just as strong for Trump, it would seem that partisan politics blinded the people’s representatives, ignoring the traitorous actions of the sitting president and hoping that it would all go away in time for the electorate to return the Republicans to office this November. Rothkopf makes some strong arguments and comparisons between these three presidents and how the House of Representatives sought to brand them as traitors, even if there was a sense of partisanship. It’s up to the reader to decide if any of this holds water, though one cannot sweep it all under the rug and pretend it does not exist.

In the closing chapter, Rothkopf ties everything together with a set of broad pronouncements, ones that hold firm to the vilification of Trump as a traitor, while also spreading some of the blame around. He posits that it is not only the man at the centre who is the problem, but also those who serve as blind sycophants. While officials within the Administration ought to be doing their jobs, they choose to protect Trump and encourage his behaviour. The protective check of Congress is also lost—at least in the powerful Senate—when drunk partisanship supersedes protecting the people from a tyrannical leader. This not only poses to be a problem for now, but permits a precedent that could have long-lasting fallout. However, by then, things could be so dismantled that it would take years to fix them, long after many who sit and preen are dead. Rothkopf seeks not to paint a dystopian view of America, but feels compelled to act as a herald to what lies ahead, offering the elector the chance to stand up and have their voice heard, for what it is worth. It is not enough to cut the head off the Hydra, but requires getting to the core of the issue and stopping it, while baffling what led the country down this path so swiftly and completely. Therein lies the rub and it’s definitely something that will require some academic analysis by historians. A sobering book for any with the time to pay it some attention. Recommended to those who enjoy a look at history and modern politics, as well as the reader with the astute mind to synthesise the theses presented.

While it can sometimes be harder to read a book that comes out in his opening pages to offer such a strong and negative approach to its theses, I found that David Rothkopf tried his best to prove a point. Working backwards, from convicting Trump as a traitor and then showing how he compares with others in history proved to be less effective than letting history speak for itself and then comparing Trump to these actions thereafter. The first part of the book proved to be a little ‘toss it all on the wall and see what sticks’, but once the narrative got moving, I could see that a great deal of effort had gone in to proving a strong set of core arguments. Even as a believer in the traitor argument, I felt that certain parts were a little too ‘look at me’, even as they made total sense. This is one of those times when personal sentiments can blind a writer from trying to let their reader connect the dots, much like those on the other side try to ram ‘no collusion’ down the throats of many, rather than presenting some valid points and leaving it open to interpretation. While that is the case, the research done and presented in this book is second to none, serving to educate the reader throughout the highly detailed discussions. The chapters clearly presented the arguments sought and built on one another effectively, culminating in the analysis of the theses and providing a clear idea as to how bad things truly are at this point. On the verge of being academic in nature, the book is at least one that will likely appeal only to those whose passion for the discussion is high (I am one of these people), this does not lessen the work put into Rothkopf’s work. He pulls no punches and gladly flays many within the Republican Party, including Cabinet officials who are supposed to act for the country, but serve to protect Trump and suckle from the teat to keep themselves from being guillotined by The Donald. While it seems pretty clear that there have been some traitorous activities committed and that President Trump has knowingly done these things, it is up to the American public (and the hackers on both sides) to decide what happens next. One can only wonder what might happen in a legal and judicial arena, should Donald J. Trump leave office. But, that’s a story for another day and perhaps could be the focus of David Rothkopf’s next book!

Kudos, Mr. Rothkopf for providing readers with some great moments in history that elucidate traitorous activities. One can only hope your views are not drowned out as the election inches forward. With time running out, will there be a chance for more traitorous acts to take place?

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons