As long-term readers of this blog know, I like to theme and categorise my TBR pile, so this last holiday season just past, I decided to have an ‘Orenda Books Christmas’!
I read a whopping 6 Orenda Titles over the Christmas period
I love Orenda Books – and NOT just because Orenda is publishing *my* novel, The Other Twin, this year either. I trust Orenda’s output (and even targeted them with mine) because its head honcho Karen Sullivan has the same taste as me, which is:
- Lean, literary-style prose
- Strong structure, with good pace throughout
- Dark and suspenseful tone
- Traditional mysteries, updated for modern times
- Characters & subjects ‘left of the middle’
Basically, I love that Orenda takes risks and will publish books that aren’t a carbon copy of everything else ‘out there’!
So, here’s all the titles I managed to get read and what I thought of them – make sure you click on the titles for my (non-spoilery) reviews in-depth:
1) Deep Down Dead by Steph Broadribb. This is SO VISUAL, so as a script editor for movies I just loved it. What’s more, Lori Anderson is a fab female lead, so I can’t wait to read more with her in the driving seat!
2) Six Stories by Matt Wesolowski. This is like a traditional whodunnit, very Agatha Christie-like, so of course I lapped it up! I loved the addition of the podcasts, which made it really relevant for today. Inspired!
3) A Suitable Lie by Michael J Malone. This is a really strong novel that reminds us domestic abuse doesn’t have be solely a women’s issue. It would have been easy for Malone to get up on his soapbox, but he avoids this and delivers a devastating tale of love gone awry.
4) Epiphany Jones by Michael Grothaus. They say, ‘Just because you’re paranoid, don’t mean they’re NOT after you’ — this is one BIZARRE novel, that almost defies description in a GOOD way! Everything pays off so perfectly, I’m in awe of the storytelling. Definitely worth a read.
5) The Mine by Antti Tuomainen. This one really captured my imagination. I love a story involving hitmen anyway, but this one has some really intriguing and thought-provoking points about fatherhood. Loved it.
6) Rupture by Ragnar Jonasson. I’ve never been to Iceland, but I tell you: I’m SO going! Jonasson does a brilliant job here, the abandoned fjord is so CREEPY — plus that Agatha Christie ‘feel’ is stamped all over this story, too. Kept me guessing right up until the end. Recommended!
Don’t forget, you can friend me on Goodreads, HERE.
See you over there!
