The Nesting by C.J. Cooke

First Sentence: Aurelia sprints through the dark forest, her white nightdress billowing like a cloud, her strides long and swift across the carpet of bark and brambles.

Lexi Ellis has a troubled past but grabs an opportunity. She becomes Sophie Hallerton, nanny to the daughters of architect Tom Faraday on an isolated property in Norway. Far from an idyllic situation, there are things that can't be explained and the suspicion that Farraday's late wife didn't die by suicide after all.

This is one of the rare times the prologue actually works. Cooke's descriptions, metaphors, and inclusion of Norse folk tales add to the pleasure of the story. Tom is an annoying and perhaps inept architect, but his youngest daughter, Gaia is delightful. One appreciates how Lexi/Sophia grows through the story. She is strong; a survivor. When she commits acts traditionally thought of as "too stupid to live," it makes sense and is in keeping with her personality.

Cooke is very good at seeding doubt about the characters. While not a huge fan of unreliable characters, it works perfectly here. The story alternates between two time periods, but in a way that is clearly indicated and not at all confusing.

For those who enjoy a bit of paranormal mixed with suspense, this is very well done. Norse folktales, elk, spectral figures are a few of the bump-in-the-night elements. The story sends shivers up the spine without crossing into horror. Best of all, it serves a purpose to the plot.

There are inconsistencies and a questionable ending. There is quite a bit of foreshadowing, but it works. However, the twists, metaphors—"Grief is not a mere felling—it's an isotropic space.", pacing, characters, plot, concept and heart-pounding climax completely offset those issues. Her descriptions make both locations and emotions real.

The Nesting is far from the typical Scandinavian noir. It's a book one doesn't put down, and an author to be read again.

THE NESTING (Susp-Sophie-Norway-Contemp) – G+
Cooke, C.J. – Standalone
HarperCollins, Oct 2020

The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor

First Sentence: "It's an unfortunate situation."

Reverend Jack Brooks and 14-year-old daughter Flo have been transferred to Chapel Croft in Sussex. A community with a very dark past, including the burning of martyrs, the disappearance of two girls, and the suicide of a priest. With no one being who they seem and not knowing who to trust, can Jack and Flo survive while exposing closely guarded secrets?

The best books grab you from page one and don't let go. This book does just that. One thing to know; there are a lot of bodies; new, old, spectral, and real. The story is more suspense than mystery, and never boring.

Tudor has a compelling voice. It's engaging and conversational in both outward dialogue and internal thoughts. Jack and daughter Flo hold one's attention and curiosity to know more. It's nice that Flo acts appropriately for her age. However, both occasionally suffer from going into danger alone, yet both are also smart, brave, and interesting.

Beyond the elements of voice and character, there is a plethora of memorable passages: another indication of a talented author. Tudor makes one stop and think—"We all have our hiding places. Not just physical ones. Places deep inside where we put away the things we don't want others to see."

Rather than having an unreliable narrator, this is the case of "trust no one" in the best possible way. No one is who they seem and everyone has secrets.

There is an abundance of very effective plot twists and revelations from beginning to end. Some of them scare, some cause one to gasp, all of them a surprise.

It's hard to say much about the plot without saying too much and spoiling the suspense and the fun of reading it. The only problems were a couple silly, editing issues. Ignore them.

"The Burning Girls" is a great, escapist read, especially for those who like a bit of dark, eepy-creepy. There is a supernatural element, but that only enhances this being an enjoyably engrossing, page-turning book that keeps one reading way too late into the night. One may, however, want to leave the light on. The story holds one's attention from the first page to last and makes one happy Tudor has more books to read.

THE BURNING GIRLS (Thriller-Reverend Jack Brooks-Sussex, England-Contemp) – VG+
Tudor, C.J. – Standalone
Ballentine Books, Feb 2021, 352 pp

State of Terror by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny

 

First Sentence: "Madame Secretary," said Charles Boynton, hurrying beside his boss as she rushed down Mahogany Row to her office in the State Department. "You have eight minutes to get to the Capitol."

Secretary of State Ellen Adams is flying back from the first diplomatic assignment of her term, a failed meeting in South Korea. Given no time to freshen up, she is summoned to the Office of the President of the United States, a man who would love to see her fail at her job. State Department employee Anahita Dahir receives a cryptic text which she originally dismisses as spam. A terrorist in London, suddenly makes the message clear to Anahita, which sends the Secretary on an international diplomatic mission to stop a monster from destroying cities, and lives, around the world.

What is the sign of a good book? Starting it, intending to read only the first two pages but ending up continuing past midnight. That is a good book. Waking up at 4 a.m. and reading for several more hours, that makes a winner. So it was with "State of Terror." The writing is wonderful in that one can hear the voices of both Clinton and Penny. There are classic touches of humor, and lines one wants to remember—"The true nature of terror is the unknown. The truly terrible thrives in silence."

How nice to have protagonists be women of a certain age who aren't young, gorgeous, and don't need a man to rescue them. They are strong, capable, smart, and very determined. At the same time, they are human; willing to question their own judgment, while trusting their own instincts and reason. In other words, these are women one would want to know and even better, be.

This is not a political book, but one of true suspense. It is a fascinating look at the role, albeit, we hope, somewhat exaggerated, of a Secretary of State. There is an excellent building of tension every step along the way. The inclusion of a family member in danger could be trite but was not. For fans of Louise Penny, there are clever Easter eggs scattered along the way and crossover references to her Three Pines series. With each chapter, there's a new twist; with each page, the tension mounts.

State of Terror is an exciting, suspenseful roller-coaster ride with wonderfully done twists and a compelling plot. Just when you think things may be okay, there is an intriguing hint of uncertainty and a possible hint to the next book. One certainly hopes there is a next book. One of the best reads of 2021, it is highly recommended.

STATE OF TERROR (Suspense-Ellen Adams-International-Contemp) – Ex
Clinton, Hillary / Louise Penny – Standalone
Simon & Schuster / St. Martin's Press, Oct 2021, 486 pp.