Catherine Coles
Coles Notes
The staff of the County of L&A Libraries are avid readers and always eager to share their most recent hits. Here we bring you a list of some of the reads we’ve enjoyed this month, which includes mysteries, romantic suspense, a compelling memoir and a true crime story that will soon be released as a movie adaptation. Hopefully you’ll find something that piques your interest!
-Marg suggests Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell-
Fifteen-year-old Ellie Mack disappears without a trace one afternoon on her way to the library. An intensive search for her turns up fruitless leaving her family in shambles. Ellie’s parents Laurel and Paul ultimately end up divorcing and the Laurel’s relationship with her other two children becomes strained as she struggles to cope with the loss of her golden child. Ten years later Laurel meets and becomes involved with a man named Floyd whose daughter Poppy bears an uncanny and disturbing resemblance to Ellie.
As the relationship with Floyd intensifies Laurel makes some shocking discoveries about Poppy’s mother and her connection to Floyd and to Ellie. The events that transpire next will change all of their lives forever. The author Lisa Jewell, does an excellent job of winding this dark, twisted and suspenseful tale keeping the reader at the edge of their seat!
-Patricia suggests Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts-
Eight minutes of carnage, chaos, fear, death and strength changed the lives of hundreds of people forever.
Three teenage shooters didn’t live to tell the tale. But those who did made their way into the future, never forgetting – some made a success out of their lives; some lived with bitterness and hate.
Reed was working at a waiter at the mall the night of the shooting –he dedicates himself to law enforcement. Simone was at the movies with friends her 911 call from the washrooms was the first call to police – she shuts the world out and focuses on her art.
As the survivors slowly heal, find shelter and rebuild they will discover that another conspirator is lying wait – and this time, there might be nowhere safe to hide. Shelter in Place is a thrilling romance by Nora Roberts that will keep you up past bedtime.
-Kelly suggests Devil in the White City by Erik Larson-
This leisurely paced book is the true crime telling of the lives of two men set against the backdrop of the 1893 World’s Colombian Expedition in Chicago. One man is set to revolutionize architecture in order to compete with Eiffel’s towering art piece in Paris; while the other seems determined to scam, seduce, and kill the residents of Chicago as one of America’s first known serial killers.
Lawson draws from historical facts, images, and some supposition to draw the lives of these two men. There is little overlap between the two stories and it is possible to read each compelling storyline separately and still get a sense of each.
There is a Canadian connection as some of the alleged crimes of Herman Mudgett were committed in Toronto. The details of the delays and aggravations of the creation and operation of the fair are interesting in that they expose how much trouble there was even though the fair was wildly successful.
Likewise, the details of H.H. Holmes’ life and crimes are equally absorbing as he was well-known to be defrauding people and yet his charm got him out of much trouble; until it didn’t. This suspenseful book is a richly detailed and non-emotional look at this fascinating time in American history.
-Julie suggests The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Warmariya-
The Girl who Smiled Beads is not your typical refugee story. Clemantine Warmariya was a six year old when she and her sister fled war torn Rwanda and wandered through seven African countries over the period of six years looking for safety before being granted asylum in the U.S.
Despite finding success from talking about her life as a refugee and being an advocate for human rights (and meeting Oprah Winfrey, Elie Weisel and Barack Obama), she also harbors a lot of resentment and at times a clear lack of faith. This makes for a refreshing and honest discussion about her plight as a refugee.
-Shelby suggests The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens-
The Life We Bury is mystery/crime novel published in 2015. Its relatable characters will keep you hooked, and interesting sub plots of family issues and romance add depth to a great read. The novel follows college student Joe Talbert who must interview a stranger and write a biography of them for an assignment.
His subject of interest is Carl Iverson, a convicted murderer and rapist dying of cancer in a retirement home. Carl denies the crimes he was charged with, and Joe soon begins to dive deeper into the life of Mr. Iverson. Along with help from next-door neighbor Lila and his younger brother Jeremy, Joe is determined to declare Carl an innocent man.
This book is a moderately paced read, alternating bursts of action with backstories and interesting information about the case Joe is solving. Its mid-novel plot twist is one you definitely won’t see coming, and its conclusion wraps up all loose ends which gives the novel great closure. If you are a fan of crime, this is novel you won’t be able to put down.