Books I Am Reading This Week plus Weekly Book Haul – May 31, 2023 #wwwwednesday #ReadersCommunity #BookTwitter #BookLover
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Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words. Just answer the three questions below and leave a link to your post in the comments for others to look at. No blog? No problem! Just leave a comment with your responses. Please, take some time to visit the other participants and see what others are reading. So, let’s get to it!
What am I currently reading?
What did I just finish?
What am I reading next?
The paperback version of Dirt Creek by Hayley Scrivenor came out yesterday and Flatiron Press offered to send me a copy that I received on Thursday of last week. I’m about 25-30% in so far and it is very atmospheric – which can be great or a death knell for my reading experience. The tag line on the cover pretty much sums up the atmosphere so far: “Dark crimes happen in dying places.” I do love that it is set in Australia. I don’t read nearly enough books set there.
Genre: Murder Mystery / Thriller
Pages: 329 pages
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: May 30, 2023 (paperback publication date)
Who’s lying about what happened at Dirt Creek?
“Blends a taut psychological thriller with a suspenseful police procedural…Fans of Liane Moriarty and Jane Harper won’t want to miss this page-turner.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A novel of sharp-edged tempers, accidents waiting to happen and dark inheritances.” —New York Times Book Review
When twelve-year-old Esther disappears on the way home from school in a small town in rural Australia, the community is thrown into a maelstrom of suspicion and grief. As Detective Sergeant Sarah Michaels arrives in town during the hottest spring in decades and begins her investigation, Esther’s tenacious best friend, Ronnie, is determined to find Esther and bring her home.
When schoolfriend Lewis tells Ronnie that he saw Esther with a strange man at the creek the afternoon she went missing, Ronnie feels she is one step closer to finding her. But why is Lewis refusing to speak to the police? And who else is lying about how much they know about what has happened to Esther?
Punctuated by a Greek chorus, which gives voice to the remaining children of the small, dying town, this novel explores the ties that bind, what we try and leave behind us, and what we can never outrun, while never losing sight of the question of what happened to Esther, and what her loss does to a whole town.
In Hayley Scrivenor’s Dirt Creek, a small-town debut mystery described as The Dry meets Everything I Never Told You, a girl goes missing and a community falls apart and comes together.
I think A Cornish Seaside Murder by Fiona Leitch is the sixth book in the Jody “Nosey’ Parker mystery series. Jody Parker is an excellent character. A former cop – she lives with her mom and “just entering those teen years” daughter. These books, especially this one, is so well-balanced between the personal story, village life, and the murder mystery that it is a series that should appeal to many different types of readers.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 270 pages
Publisher: One More Chapter
Publication Date: June 8, 2023
A Siren’s call… to murder
‘An absolute gem… Leitch’s characters are as engaging and clever as the mystery she’s concocted’ Lauren Forry, author of The Launch Party
‘Fiona Leitch is on fine form with this wrym twisty tale from the Cornish coast’ M.H. Eccleston, author of The Trust
Former Met police officer Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker is working a trial period as an auxiliary Detective Sergeant with the Penstowan police force. But living and working alongside DCI Nathan Withers – while still trying to grow her catering company – brings its own challenges, especially when Jodie’s attention is quickly taken up by the suspicious drowning of a local fisherman.
While tourists and locals alike are falling under the spell of the annual mermaid festival with its captivating legends of Sirens luring fishermen to their deaths, Jodie and Nathan fear they may have found themselves in the middle of a very real – and very dangerous – turf war. As the casualties start to stack up, they must face the likelihood that something sinister has been going on under their noses for some time…
The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley is described as “a breezy, escapist beach read” and that’s exactly what I am hoping it will be. I’m sure you realize that the setting/cover is what drew me to this book but I also love the sound of the plot.
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pages: 320 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s
Publication Date: June 6, 2023
“Anyone who’s ever wanted to turn the page on their old life or felt the whispered promise of a new dream, and a fresh start will fall in love with Pamela Kelley’s charming new novel.” ―New York Times bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews.
TWO LIFELONG FRIENDS.
Jess loves her work as a high-profile lawyer in Charleston. But when her marriage implodes, she retreats to her childhood home on Cape Cod with her thirty-year-old daughter, Caitlin, hoping to regroup with her longtime best friend, Alison.
ONE BOOKSHOP BY THE BAY.
Alison’s career has taken a hit after twenty years as an editor for the magazine Cape Cod Living. But when she learns her beloved bookstore on the Cape is looking for new ownership, a new dream starts to form.
AND THE SUMMER THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING.
As the two friends reopen the bookstore, they also open themselves up to the magic of second chances.
“A wonderful multi-generational story about mothers, daughters, and friendship set in a quaint seaside town on Cape Cod. If you love talk of bookstores, delicious food and coffee shops, this one is for you!” ―Rachel Hanna, author of the South Carolina Sunsets series.
I received 2 physical books this past week – First Position and Dirt Creek and 4 NetGalley books. I’m most excited for the newest installment in the Gunnie Rose series by Charlaine Harris. You all may remember that I have reviewed the whole series to date and I just love it.
I love the Nosey Parker mysteries but I didn’t like this latest one quite as much as the others. Some of the quirky humour seemed to be missing in this one. The Bookshop by the Bay sounds lovely.
You’re right – aside from the mermaid thing at the beginning- their was very little quirky humor. Though, I did love the ending! And I wonder if her decision will bring the humor back to the next book. 🤔
I didn’t know AlI Hazelwood wrote YA! Since I don’t read much in that genre, I’ll wait to see what you think, though it sounds interesting. Got my eye on that Kelley book, too. In my happy space right now as I’m listening to Deadly Fate by Angela Marsons.
I think this might be her first YA but don’t quote me on that. I seem to remember seeing something about that – I think 😂 And the Kelley book does sound good 🤞🏻
The Bookshop by the Bay is on my 20 Books for Summer, so it is coming up next week for me. Dirt Creek is on my TBR, so maybe it is time to get to it. Enjoy your upcoming books, Tessa.
It’s very well written and I got a sense that it was trying to illuminate some issues Australia is having with its dying small towns. Unfortunately, the author didn’t provide much in the way of explanation. It has many literary aspects to it but it’s a very challenging read.
I also don’t read enough books set in Australia. And a beach setting with a bookstore? Absolutely. Some friends mentioned the Gunnie Rose series at bookclub last night. Can’t believe I haven’t come across it before.
I love Gunnie Rose! You can search my site. I’m pretty sure I reviewed all four that are out. I think you’d like it too. There’s a YA storyline as well as a more adult reader storyline, which is cool. Even a magical school 🫶🏻
“Dirt Creek” sounds good, Tessa. Atmospheric and Australia are two things that pique my interest. And “All the Dead Shall Weep” has a great cover. Looks like you have some wonderful reading ahead.
I feel like Dirt Creek has a much deeper meaning pertaining to some social issues in Australia but I have no idea what kind of problems they are having over there.
It’s written like a modern Greek tragedy – even has a Greek chorus. I think the writing is definitely remarkable but as a tragedy, it is pretty dark. The atmosphere is also done very well.
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37 responses to “Books I Am Reading This Week plus Weekly Book Haul – May 31, 2023 #wwwwednesday #ReadersCommunity #BookTwitter #BookLover”
I love the Nosey Parker mysteries but I didn’t like this latest one quite as much as the others. Some of the quirky humour seemed to be missing in this one. The Bookshop by the Bay sounds lovely.
You’re right – aside from the mermaid thing at the beginning- their was very little quirky humor. Though, I did love the ending! And I wonder if her decision will bring the humor back to the next book. 🤔
That’s what I’m hoping
Great looking books this week, hope you enjoy them all 💕
Me too! Fingers-crossed 🤞🏻
I love crime books set in Australia as well, so looking forward to your review!
It’s compelling so far 🤞🏻
I didn’t know AlI Hazelwood wrote YA! Since I don’t read much in that genre, I’ll wait to see what you think, though it sounds interesting. Got my eye on that Kelley book, too. In my happy space right now as I’m listening to Deadly Fate by Angela Marsons.
I think this might be her first YA but don’t quote me on that. I seem to remember seeing something about that – I think 😂 And the Kelley book does sound good 🤞🏻
Dirt Creek looks really good. I still haven’t read Ali Hazelwood but so many people love her books. I hope you like them all !
Me too 🤞🏻
The Bookshop by the Bay is on my 20 Books for Summer, so it is coming up next week for me. Dirt Creek is on my TBR, so maybe it is time to get to it. Enjoy your upcoming books, Tessa.
So many good reads 🫶🏻
I haven’t heard of most of the books you have listed lol. Check & Mate has such a cute cover! I hope you enjoy it.
I need to see what I’ve been missing in fantasy
That’s quite a haul. I do like the idea of “atmospheric.” I wonder if it will be the death knell or not for you.
It’s very well written and I got a sense that it was trying to illuminate some issues Australia is having with its dying small towns. Unfortunately, the author didn’t provide much in the way of explanation. It has many literary aspects to it but it’s a very challenging read.
A murder Inside, about a prison governor in 1969, who investigates the murder of an inmate. A good book so far.
A Cornish Seaside Murder has such an amazing book cover aesthetic! I want to pick it up just on that. lol. I hope you have a wonderful week!
It’s a really good series. Very strong characters.
Check and Mate! This isn’t on UK Netgalley yet, I’ve been looking for it!
I hope they put it on the UK site 🤞🏻
I also don’t read enough books set in Australia. And a beach setting with a bookstore? Absolutely. Some friends mentioned the Gunnie Rose series at bookclub last night. Can’t believe I haven’t come across it before.
I love Gunnie Rose! You can search my site. I’m pretty sure I reviewed all four that are out. I think you’d like it too. There’s a YA storyline as well as a more adult reader storyline, which is cool. Even a magical school 🫶🏻
“Dirt Creek” sounds good, Tessa. Atmospheric and Australia are two things that pique my interest. And “All the Dead Shall Weep” has a great cover. Looks like you have some wonderful reading ahead.
I feel like Dirt Creek has a much deeper meaning pertaining to some social issues in Australia but I have no idea what kind of problems they are having over there.
That’s an interesting comment. I’m not aware of any details either, but I do like books based in other countries. 🙂
All books looks great. I hope you enjoy new books on your TBR. I’m reading zen by Shabnam.
[…] Wednesday, 5/31/23 – WWW Wednesday & Weekly Book Haul […]
Ooo A Cornish Seaside Murder and its series sounds like my cup of tea 😊 Happy reading in June!
It’s a very good series!
Bookshop by the Bay looks summery and fun! Have a great week.
It’s a very nice story 😊
I had started the Gunnie Rose series, but it fell by the wayside. I’ll have to catch up when I get a chance.
Definitely!
Great post! I never heard about Dirt Creek until recently. How did you like the book?
It’s written like a modern Greek tragedy – even has a Greek chorus. I think the writing is definitely remarkable but as a tragedy, it is pretty dark. The atmosphere is also done very well.