Practical Jean by Trevor Cole

Jean Horemarsh lives in a quaint small town, where she owns a ceramics shop. She’s been married for 29 years to Milt, a substitute teacher, and they live a quiet, ordinary life. When Jean’s mom becomes terminally ill, it’s up to Jean, as the only daughter in the family to care for her, and the experience leaves Jean with a new perspective on life – and death. No one should have to suffer the way her mother did, so Jean determines that she’ll be doing her best friends a favor by sparing them the indignities of aging and illness, and one by one, sets out to kill them.

Cole addresses the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters, as well as women and their friends in this darkly humorous tale. A quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly

Karen has led a relatively sheltered and scholarly life. On the verge of her graduation from university, she has a chance meeting with Biba, and she is immediately drawn to the free-spirited young woman. Soon, Karen is living with Biba and her brother Rex in their falling down mansion on the edge of the Queen’s Wood, and having a secret fling with Rex. Karen is thoroughly entranced by her new bohemian friends, and the summer is filled with non-stop parties and drama. It all comes to a shocking end one evening however, and everyone’s lives are forever changed.

Fast forward ten years, and Rex is released from prison, where he has done time for murder. He goes home with Karen, and nine-year-old Alice, and the little family tries to pick up the pieces. But the past continues to haunt Karen, and now she must risk everything to keep her family intact.

Taut, suspenseful, and a very compelling read. Couldn’t put this one down!

The Hidden Man by David Ellis

I just love a book that makes me say “Ooh, didn’t see THAT coming!”, and with “The Hidden Man” you get that and a lot more.

Jason Kolarich is a young, successful lawyer. He’s struggling to come to terms with a tragedy that’s threatening to take over his life. When a boyhood friend is charged with murder and asks that Jason be his lawyer, old loyalties prompt him to take on the case. It soon becomes clear that not only will he have to revisit some unpleasant events of the past, but also try to solve a 30-year-old murder.

Lots of delicious twists and turns will keep you guessing right up to the end. David Ellis’s writing reminds me a bit of early Grisham, and I mean that in the most complimentary way.

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

Early one morning, seven-year old Calli and her best friend Petra go missing. Their families wake up to find the girls gone, with no clues at all as to where they might be. Calli is a selective mute, and she hasn’t spoken out loud for four years, when at age three, she witnessed an unspeakable tragedy. Petra helps her to communicate, almost seeming to be able to read Calli’s mind.

Calli’s mother, Antonia, now finds herself questioning the wisdom of her decision to stay in her violent marriage, as she tries to defend her husband against allegations that he is the one responsible for the girls’ disappearance. Petra’s father fights an inner battle that has the potential to change all of their lives forever.

This one is well paced, unfolding family secrets slowly, never giving away too much, so that even right up to the end, you probably will be surprised at “who done it”. I can’t wait to read Ms. Gudenkauf’s new book!