The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books (February 2016)

240 pages, eBook (provided by the publisher for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Mild Swearing and Implied Sexual Situations

Four teenagers face hardship and challenges that will change them forever, as they describe their lives in 1970’s Alaska. The story alternates between the four (Ruth, Dora, Hank & Alyce) as their stories move along until they all converge near the end. Moving, poetic prose that breathes life into a past era of Alaskan life, that many from the “Outside” would never have otherwise known about. Great story that deals with real teenage issues in an authentic way, not shying away from the nitty-gritty of reality. Definitely a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Hannah Mary Tabbs and the Disembodied Torso by Kali Nicole Gross

Hannah Mary Tabbs and the Disembodied Torso by Kali Nicole Gross

Publisher: Oxford University Press (December 2015)

230 pages, eBook (provided by the publisher for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

This is the story of a murder that took place in Philadelphia in 1887, and the disembodied torso that was found afterwards leading to an investigation and the arrest of two people. The story is largely told through newspaper articles and police reports from the time. It is likely that no one will ever really know what took place here, but you get enough of the story to speculate, and maybe even make an educated guess (the author relays their own opinion of the events at the end of the text). Interesting analysis of the effects of race on the outcome of the investigation and criminal trial of the two suspects, focusing quite extensively on the degree to which the ability to “pass” as white helped or hindered those involved (the conclusions not being what I would have expected). Interesting, but perhaps a bit dry at times.

Breaking Wild by Diane Les Becquets

Breaking Wild by Diane Les Becquets

Publisher: Berkley (February 2016)

320 pages, eBook (provided by the publisher for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing, Violence and Sexual Situations

This is the story of two women. Amy Raye is an elk hunter who goes missing after she wanders off on her own, and Pru is a ranger with a search and rescue dog who becomes determined to find out what happened to the missing woman. Much of the story is detailed descriptions of the hunt and Amy Raye’s efforts at survival. I perhaps could have done with a little less of the hunting, for my own taste, but then again a hunter may find it more of interest than I did. Amy Raye and Pru are both struggling with internal matters as they move along and it was interesting to see how they were at times parallel in their thinking, especially with the affect the grandeur of nature had on each of them. Interesting, contemplative read.