Tomcats: Killers of Innocence
Patsy Shook 325p, mass market, $15.95, ISBN 979-8-218-37334-4
Shook’s debut novel finds a young woman,
Sarah, grappling with her autonomy in a midcentury American South that affords her little.
After her father’s death, her family is exploited by Al Cantlin, her new stepfather, and Sarah only narrowly escapes his abuse. Sheltered by her grandparents, Sarah faces further trauma at 17 when assaulted by Frank Honley, a military man, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy.
Heeding her grandmother’s advice, Sarah marries Frank to protect her reputation and ensure her financial security. Unexpectedly, the abuse she anticipated from Frank actually wanes after marriage, yet Sarah senses a deeper malevolence in him, compelling her to remain vigilant in their tense marriage while pursuing her dreams of education and freedom for both her and her children.
Tomcats: Killers of Innocence meticulously navigates the life of a young woman grappling with her own vulnerability amidst dehumanizing circumstances. As Sarah endeavors to comprehend the depths of her husband’s cruelty, she confronts the daunting challenge of securing a path to freedom for herself and her children. Shook deftly portrays the intricate dynamics of a woman ensnared in a marriage with her abuser, demonstrating with psychological acuity how Sarah grapples with a sense of complacency and recurrent struggles to trust her instincts, though the plotting and relationship dynamics at times prove predictable, in a true-to-life way. Still, Shook illuminates, with compelling lived-in-detail, a time where societal norms often discouraged women from pursuing lives outside the confines of the family home.
Shook skillfully depicts Sarah’s resilience, capturing the essence of her struggle toward independence. While some readers may struggle to empathize with Sarah’s character, perceiving her as a passive observer of events rather than an active participant, others will find this passive aspect adds complexity to her character, enriching her depth and authenticity, resonating with readers drawn to real human depictions of resilience amongst uncertainty.
Great for fans of Minka Kent’s The Stillwater Girls, B.A. Paris’s Behind Closed Doors.
Cover: B | Design & typography: A- | Illustrations: – Editing: A- | Marketing copy: A
Shaprio’s followup to The Raven’s Cry finds Kate Zoe Thomas now managing the local community television station on Canada’s tiny Wynter Island when now-famous actress Rosalie Morgan requests an interview to let the island know she’s come back home, with entourage in tow. Islanders are not rolling out the welcome mat, as Rosalie left after dalliances with many eligible—and not eligible—men, leaving a trail of angry wives with axes to grind. This puts Kate in a tough spot: take advantage of the boost this interview will bring the station, or support friends who are none too pleased to see Rosalie again? But just as Rosalie begins to discuss, on air, why she has come back, the unthinkable happens: Rosalie collapses and dies. Now, Kate must help find Rosalie’s killer to save the station and the reputation of her friends.
The stakes are high in finding the killer before innocent people are accused and Kate’s livelihood is destroyed. The story embraces a classic mystery format, offering a host of potential suspects: women who feel
An on-air murder shocks the world in this brisk island mystery.
Rosalie ruined marriages and lives, members of Rosalie’s entourage, old lovers from Rosalie’s past. Seasoned sleuth fans may not find the ending too surprising, but Kate’s journey is fun and surprising, powered by crisp dialogue, a strong sense of local dish, and a fascinating milieu. The Kate readers meet in this second book is recovering from the trauma of all that came before, including being accused of killing her fiancé, a charge some people still find credible, complicating her life. Keeping backstory and relationships straight will prove daunting to new readers, who are advised to start with the earlier entry.
Kate stands again as a strong protagonist, one with a passion project that rewards checking in with her over the course of a series. She’s highly dedicated to her television station and a loyal staff of volunteers. Once news of Rosalie’s murder on live TV hits, the press is everywhere, and the station’s rich, anonymous benefactor threatensto pull tfinancial support, a dilemma that adds real urgency. The Loon’s Song is a fine mystery and quick read, given welcome depth by the woman at its heart.
Great for fans of Lara Dearman’s Jennifer Dorey Mystery series, Thomas King’s Dreadfulwater Mysteries series.
Cover: A- | Design & typography: A | Illustrations: – Editing: A | Marketing copy: A