Friday, January 31, 2025

January Reading Wrap Up




January 2025 Wrap Up

Hard to believe January is on the way out. It was a relatively quiet month for me. I spent the last half recovering from surgery. That’s probably why I was able to read 16 books this month. Thank you tagged publishers for gifted books!  

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved ‘em
🎧The Frozen River 
🎧 The Big Empty
🎧 The Wedding People
πŸ“– The Ghostwriter 
🎧 The Three Lives of Cate Kay

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - really enjoyed ‘em
πŸ“– Some Die Nameless
πŸ“– Funny Story 
🎧 Five Star Weekend
πŸ“– Runner
πŸ“– Extinction
🎧The Lodge
πŸ“–The Trap
πŸ“– Nobody’s Hero
πŸ“– You’d Better Watch Out
πŸ“– Black Sheep

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - just ok for me
πŸ“– The Bog Wife

It looks like I’m going to be really generous with 5⭐️ this year. πŸ˜€ Everyone in my book club loved The Frozen River & we had a fantastic discussion about it. Put The Ghostwriter on your tbr list now. It comes out June 3 and it’s πŸ”₯. The Big Empty features a missing person case that turns into so much more. The Wedding People is a fabulous story of moving on and friendship. The Three Lives of Cate Kay had the Evelyn Hugo vibes. 

QOTD: what book are you starting February with? 
I’m reading The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren and listening to The Note by Alafair Burke. 

#readingwrapup #monthlywrapup #januarywrapup #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #audiobook #reader #bookworm #readmorebooks #booknerd #bibliofile #booklife #crimefiction #contemporaryfic #historicalfiction #mysteryfiction #thrillerfiction 
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Thursday, January 30, 2025

Sweet Fury

 
Author: Sash Bischoff
Narrator: Sash Bischoff 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Year: 2024

Thank you Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook. 

Lila, one of Hollywood’s leading actresses, and Kurt, her filmmaker fiancΓ©, are making a feminist adaptation of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night. It’s sure to be box office magic. As the movie’s production ramps up, Lila begins seeing Jonah, a therapist noted for doing good work with trauma victims. Lila’s perfect life begins to unravel in Jonah’s office. Secrets, lies, and obsession are revealed. 

This is a twisty debut psychological thriller set against the backdrop of moviemaking and Fitzgerald. The beginning was a little slow for me, but it picked up towards the end of the book when the big twists happened. This wasn’t the best fit for me, but I know many readers will be riveted throughout the story. Author Sash Bischoff also provides the narration for the audiobook and does admirable work. Psychological thriller fans and Fitzgerald aficionados will find a lot to like about this one. Just be aware there are trigger warnings before diving in. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: How do you decide which book to read next? Do you go by mood, recommendations, or something else?

I usually decide by availability, obligation, and then mood. Availability is usually library holds becoming available. Obligation is usually book club or review commitments. After that, it’s whatever captures my attention. 

#sweetfury #sashbischoff#simonaudio #audiobook #audiobookreview #audiobookstagram #bookreview #psychologicalthriller #crimefiction #fscottfitzgerald #tenderisthenight #reader #alwaysreading #booksbooksbooks #debutnovelist #thrillerthursday

About the Author

Sash Bischoff is a writer and theater director. She has written plays that have been developed at theaters throughout the US. As a director, she has worked on Broadway and off. Broadway/National Tours include Dear Evan Hansen, The Visit, On the Town, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Shrek. Sash grew up as an actor and won the National Arts Award (NFAA) for Acting. She currently lives in New York with her husband and their many pets. Sweet Fury is her first novel. 

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Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Deadbeat

 
Author: Adam Hamdy

Narrator: Chris Henry Coffey

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2024

Thank you Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook. Appreciate it! 

Peyton Collard’s life derailed when he killed a young woman in a drunk driving accident. He served his time, but can’t get his life straightened out. He’s divorced, jobless, and a drunk. Things aren’t looking up for him until an anonymous benefactor offers him life changing money to kill a bad man. Peyton is torn. If he does the job he’ll have money to pay his ex-wife the child support he owes, put some money away for his daughter’s college fund, and maybe find a better place to live. Is Peyton desperate enough to kill for money? 

I really liked this one! I thought the premise was interesting and I really liked Peyton’s character. A deadbeat dude who makes terrible life choices isn’t usually a very likable character. Author Adam Hamdy gives Peyton a self awareness and a touch of self deprecating humor that drew me in. I couldn’t help rooting for him. The story keeps moving as Peyton wrestles with his guilty conscience while trying to figure out who his mysterious benefactor is. Narrator Chris Henry Coffey does a fabulous job bringing the characters and story to life. This was an engrossing story and I enjoyed every minute of it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

Let’s play predictive text- I’m so desperate for money_______. 

I’m so desperate for money, I’d be willing to give you my number. 😳

#deadbeat #adamhamby #simonaudio #audiobook #audiobookreview #audiobookstagram #crimefiction #mysteryfiction #thrillerfiction #bookstagram #alwaysreading #books #reader #bookrecommendations #bookish 

About the Author
Adam Hamdy is an international best seller author and screenwriter. His other novels include The Other Side of Midnight, Black 13, Red Wolves, and Pendulum. He enjoys rock climbing, skiing, sailing, and competitive shooting. Adam lives Mauritius with his wife and children. 

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Sunday, January 19, 2025

Murder Takes a Vacation

 
Author: Laura Lippman

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication date: June 17, 2025

Thank you William Morrow Books & NetGalley for the e-arc! 

Laura Lippman takes a turn to the cozy side of the mystery genre in her upcoming book. Not to worry, there’s still an enticing murder to solve. 

Muriel Blossom is a grandmother,  a widow, & recent lottery winner. She’s at an age where many women blend into the background, which helped with the bit of private investigative works she’s done. Mrs. Blossom is on her way to Paris when she meets handsome & charming Allan. He’s the first man to spark something in Mrs. Blossom since her beloved husband died. She didn’t expect to see Allan again, let alone for him to turn up dead in Paris. She also keeps running into a young man named Danny who tells her Allan was involved with smuggling a precious piece of art. Danny thinks Mrs. Blossom knows more than she letting on about the smuggling & the murder. As Mrs. Blossom embarks on a cruise up the Seine, she has more questions than answers & more men flirting with her. As the cruise progresses, the danger increases. Can Mrs Blossom find answers before it’s too late? 

I love Mrs Blossom! Kudos to Lippman for giving us a mature female detective. I loved seeing this character literally bloom throughout the her journey. She found strength & courage when she needed it most. I also enjoyed Mrs Blossom teaming up with Danny. They made an unlikely, but engaging pair of investors. This is a well constructed whodunnit sprinkled with Lippman’s usual wry wit. I found the whole book absolutely delightful. And I want more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Murder Takes a Vacation publishes June 17 just in time to be your perfect beach read. 

QOTD: do you read cozy mysteries or do you prefer more hard boiled? 
I usually prefer hard boiled mysteries. 

About the Author

Laura Lippman was a reporter for twenty years, including twelve years at The(Baltimore) Sun. She began writing novels while working fulltime and published seven books about “accidental PI” Tess Monaghan before leaving daily journalism. Her work has been awarded the Edgar, the Anthony, the Agatha, the Shamus, the Nero Wolfe, Gumshoe and Barry awards. She also has been nominated for other prizes in the crime fiction field, including the Hammett and the Macavity. She was the first-ever recipient of the Mayor’s Prize for Literary Excellence and the first genre writer recognized as Author of the Year by the Maryland Library Association. She was recently named a 2025 Grand Masters award recipient by the Mystery Writers of America. 


#murdertakesavacation #lauralippman #williammorrow #netgalley #crimefiction #cosymystery #mysteryfiction #thrillerfiction #parisfiction #vacation #bookstagram #reader #bookrecommendation
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Saturday, January 18, 2025

Book Mail

 
Author: Logan Terret

Publisher: Sparkpress

Publication date: January 21, 2025

Look at the book mail I got this week! Thank you @booksparks for sending it & the cool agate bolo tie they included! Agates Are Forever by Lagan Terret is out January 21. I couldn’t wait to dive in and already started it. 
Here’s the blurb:

π‘΅π’Šπ’„π’Œ π‘ͺπ’‚π’Žπ’†π’“π’π’ π’Šπ’” 𝒂 𝑷𝒉𝑫 π’ˆπ’†π’π’π’π’ˆπ’Šπ’”π’• 𝒐𝒇 π’Šπ’π’…π’†π’‘π’†π’π’…π’†π’π’• π’Žπ’†π’‚π’π’” π’˜π’‰π’ 𝒃𝒐𝒙𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒖𝒏, π’‘π’‚π’„π’Œπ’” 𝒂 π‘ͺ𝒐𝒍𝒕 π‘ͺπ’π’Žπ’Žπ’‚π’π’…π’†π’“, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂 π’Œπ’π’‚π’„π’Œ 𝒇𝒐𝒓 π’‡π’Šπ’π’…π’Šπ’π’ˆ π’ƒπ’π’…π’Šπ’†π’”—𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 π’‚π’π’Šπ’—π’†.

𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒏 π’‚π’ˆπ’‚π’•π’† π’‰π’†π’Šπ’“π’†π’”π’” π’‚π’“π’“π’Šπ’—π’†π’” π’Šπ’ π‘Έπ’–π’‚π’“π’•π’›π’“π’π’„π’Œ, π‘¨π’“π’Šπ’›π’π’π’‚, 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 π’ˆπ’†π’Ž π’”π’‰π’π’˜, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 π’‚π’”π’Œπ’” π‘΅π’Šπ’„π’Œ 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 π’”π’†π’π’π’Šπ’π’ˆ π’”π’π’Žπ’† π’ˆπ’†π’Žπ’”π’•π’π’π’†π’”—𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒐𝒏 π’ƒπ’†π’„π’π’Žπ’†π’” 𝒂 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 π’Šπ’ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’ƒπ’Šπ’›π’‚π’“π’“π’† π’Žπ’–π’“π’…π’†π’“π’” 𝒐𝒇 π’•π’˜π’ π’‘π’“π’π’Žπ’Šπ’π’†π’π’• π’π’‚π’‘π’Šπ’…π’‚π’“π’Šπ’†π’”. π‘Ίπ’•π’‚π’π’Œπ’†π’… π’ƒπ’š 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’Žπ’šπ’”π’•π’†π’“π’Šπ’π’–π’” π’Œπ’Šπ’π’π’†π’“, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 π‘΅π’Šπ’„π’Œ π’…π’π’…π’ˆπ’† π’‘π’π’π’Šπ’„π’† π’˜π’‰π’Šπ’π’† π‘΅π’Šπ’„π’Œ π’˜π’π’“π’Œπ’” π’˜π’Šπ’•π’‰ π’‰π’Šπ’” π’‡π’“π’Šπ’†π’π’… π‘­π’“π’‚π’π’Œπ’Šπ’† π‘©π’†π’π’‚π’π’π’š—𝒂 𝑡𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒋𝒐 π’‹π’†π’˜π’†π’π’“π’š π’‚π’“π’•π’Šπ’”π’• 𝒂𝒏𝒅 π’ƒπ’“π’Šπ’π’π’Šπ’‚π’π’• π’‚π’“π’Žπ’„π’‰π’‚π’Šπ’“ π’…π’†π’•π’†π’„π’•π’Šπ’—π’†—𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒆. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 π‘­π’“π’‚π’π’Œπ’Šπ’† π’Šπ’” π’”π’•π’–π’Žπ’‘π’†π’…—π’–π’π’•π’Šπ’, 𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒏 π’Šπ’”π’π’π’‚π’•π’†π’… π’‰π’‚π’„π’Šπ’†π’π’…π’‚ 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 π’Šπ’ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒕, π‘΅π’Šπ’„π’Œ π’Žπ’†π’†π’•π’” 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’ˆπ’“π’†π’‚π’•-π’ˆπ’“π’‚π’π’…π’…π’‚π’–π’ˆπ’‰π’•π’†π’“ 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒂 π’˜π’‰π’ 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒅 π’˜π’Šπ’•π’‰ 𝑷𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒐 π‘½π’Šπ’π’π’‚’𝒔 π‘«π’Šπ’—π’Šπ’”π’ŠΓ³π’ 𝒅𝒆𝒍 𝑡𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒆.

π‘¨π’π’π’π’ˆ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’˜π’‚π’š, π‘΅π’Šπ’„π’Œ π’ˆπ’†π’•π’” 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 π’‡π’“π’π’Ž 𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒍𝒅-π’‡π’‚π’”π’‰π’Šπ’π’π’†π’… π’ˆπ’†π’π’•π’π’†π’Žπ’‚π’ π’”π’‰π’†π’“π’Šπ’‡π’‡, 𝒂 π’„π’“π’–π’”π’•π’š π’‚π’“π’Žπ’š π’“π’†π’•π’Šπ’“π’†π’†, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒇 π’‡π’†π’Šπ’”π’•π’š π’…π’‚π’Žπ’†π’”. 𝑯𝒆 π’π’‚π’—π’Šπ’ˆπ’‚π’•π’†π’” 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕 π’•π’˜π’Šπ’”π’•π’” 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒅 π’‰π’†π’“π’“π’Šπ’π’ˆπ’” 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 π’˜π’π’–π’π’… π’Žπ’‚π’Œπ’† π‘Ίπ’‚π’Ž 𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’‚π’”π’‘π’Šπ’“π’Šπ’. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 π’Šπ’• 𝒂𝒍𝒍 π’˜π’Šπ’•π’‰ 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒑𝒂𝒏 π’‰π’–π’Žπ’π’“ 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒍𝒍 π’Žπ’‚π’Œπ’† π’šπ’π’– π’”π’‘π’Šπ’• 𝒖𝒑 π’šπ’π’–π’“ 𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒃𝒐𝒏.

About the Author

Logan Terret grew up in Northern Michigan but has lived in the Southwest for the last twenty years. Formerly the chief software architect for one of America’s largest financial firms, he is now retired and devotes himself to desert wanderings, mystery novels, machine learning, dog walking, and other pursuits. He is an inventor and licensed attorney. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.


#agatesareforever #winterpopup #epicwinterreads #thrillerbooks  
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Friday, January 17, 2025

The Close Up

 
Author: Pip Drysdale

Narrator: Billie Fulford-Brown

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2024

Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for the gifted audiobook! 

After Zoe’s debut novel about a stalker doesn’t become a best seller, she’s plagued by writer’s block. She reconnects with Zach, a former weekend hookup, who’s now a famous Hollywood star. Zoe looks to Zach’s glamours life for inspiration for her second novel. The media scrutiny of dating a star becomes intense and then alarming. A stalker, obsessed with Zach, has set their sights on Zoe and begins recreating terrifying scenes from her novel. When does the price for fame become too much? 

This starts off as a slow burner, but then revs up to lots of suspense as Zoe realizes someone is literally bringing scenes from her book to life. Is one of Zach’s fans crazed enough to try to scare Zoe off from dating him? Is she in real danger? 

I liked a lot of things about this book especially it being about an author and its Hollywood setting. I thought Zoe’s character started off very 
woe-is-me, but she was stuck in a dead end job and her dream of being a writer was slipping away. She rallied for me though as the story progressed and the danger increased. I knew Zach was hinky from the jump and not just because he wanted to keep his relationship with Zoe on the down low. There were lots of twists and turns as Zoe tries to figure out who her stalker is. I honestly didn’t see some of them coming. I enjoyed Billie Fulford-Brown’s narration. She did a great job conveying Zoe’s emotion and vulnerability. With a listening time of just over 10 hours, I had no trouble flying through this thriller. This a a great choice for readers looking for deadly thrills amid the glitz of Hollywood. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: Do you think fame can corrupt people, or does it just reveal their true nature?
I think it more often than not reveals true nature.

About the Author

Pip Drysdale is an author, musician, and actor. She grew up in Africa, Canada, and Australia, became an adult in New York and London, and lives on a steady diet of coffee, dreams, and literature. All four of her previous novels—The Sunday Girl, The Strangers We Know, The Paris Affair, and The Next Girl—have been bestsellers in Australia.


#thecloseup #pipdrysdale #simonaudio #audiobook #audiobookreview #audiobookstgram #crimefiction #thrillerfiction #mysteryfiction #hollywoodfiction #stalker #stalkerfiction #bookstagram #alwaysreading #bookrecommendation #bookworm 
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Thursday, January 16, 2025

This Book Will Bury Me

 
Author: Ashley Winstead

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Publication date: March 25, 2025


Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the digital review copy! 

Jane Sharp, a college student grieving the loss of her father, becomes obsessed with true crime. She joins forces with a group of other armchair detectives, investigating crimes and becoming online friends. When the murder of 3 college girls in Idaho takes over the headlines, the group springs into action and travels to Idaho to meet in person and investigate the murders. Jane and her group aren’t the only amateur sleuths in Idaho. Far too many true crime junkies have made the trek to try to solve the murders too. Jane and her group find more questions than answers. They soon realize the killer is far worse than anyone imagined. 

The story is told through Jane’s point of view. She’s writing a book and recounting the events a year after they take place. This is a character driven thriller. That doesn’t mean there weren’t a lot of twists and turns, because there were tons. My heart broke for Jane at losing her father and her life was derailed by grief. Her friendship with her fellow sleuths and the distraction of the investigation gave her something to focus on instead of constantly turning inward. 

Author Ashley Winstead kept me guessing trying to figure out whodunnit. It’s also an interesting take on the popularity of true crime and its dominance right now. I really enjoyed this compelling and engaging thriller. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This Book Will Bury Me comes out March 25. Add it to your tbr now! 

QOTD: do you have a favorite true crime documentary or podcast? Give it a shout out.
Although I love mysteries and thrillers, I actually don’t have any. I guess I prefer fictional crimes to reality. 

About the Author
Ashley Winstead is the bestselling author of Midnight is the Darkest Hour, The Last Housewife, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife, The Boyfriend Candidate, and Fool Me Once. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages worldwide and optioned for television. Ashley holds a Ph.D. in contemporary American literature and lives in Houston.

#thisbookwillburyme #ashleywinstead #sourcebookslandmark #netgalley #truecrime #crimefiction #mysteryfiction #thrillerfiction #truecrimejunkies #idahofiction #bookstagram #bookreview #alwaysreading #grief #bookworm 
#thrillerthursday
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Wednesday, January 15, 2025

The Collaborators

 
Author: Michael Idov

Narrator: Santino Fantana

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2024


Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for the gifted audiobook! 

I like espionage thrillers, but they often take along time to unfold. There’s lots of time spent on the set up and not enough time spent on action. Luckily, Michael Idov’s The Collaborators isn’t like that. It’s a globe trotting, action packed adventure. 

Ari Falk is a young CIA operative who just lost his best asset, an outspoken critic of Russia. Ari sets out to find out  who killed his best asset and why. Along the way he meets Maya Chou, the daughter of billionaire who allegedly killed himself. Maya’s looking for answers too. Ari and Maya realize their quests for answers are somehow connected. But can they evade assassins to find the truth? 

I really liked the fast pace of the story. With a listening time of just over 8 house, this was an easy binge read for me. Both Maya and Ari are likable characters who are attracted to each other and work well together. There were lots of twists and turns throughout the story that kept me guessing. I also really enjoyed the various locations the characters visited. Their country hopping really kept the story moving. Santino Fantana’s narration was excellent. He really brought the characters and the settings to life. This is a top notch thriller and I’d love to see these characters again in the future. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: Do you think you’d make a good spy? What skill set or characteristic do you have that would be useful for being a spy? 

I’m getting to be a woman of a “certain age” who’s often overlooked in public. I’d blend right into a crowd. 

#thecollaborators #michaelidov #simonaudio #audiobook #audiobookreview #audiobookstagram #espionagethriller #espionagefiction #thrillerfiction #bookrecommendation #audiobookreommendation #alwaysreadingm

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Tuesday, January 14, 2025

The Butcher

 
Author: Jennifer Hillier

Narrators: Chris Henry Coffey, Corey Brill, Raquel Beattie, Zac Aleman

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2024


Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for the gifted audiobook! Truly appreciate it! 

The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier is a dark and twisted thriller. Three decades ago Police Chief Edward Shank killed the notorious“Beacon Hill Butcher” ending the serial killer’s reign of terror. Now retired, Edward has moved to a retirement community and given his longtime home to his grandson Matt. While doing some backyard renovation, Matt uncovers a dark family secret. 

I really enjoyed this one! This isn’t a whodunnit type thriller. It’s an omg what crazy thing’s going to happen next type of thriller. Honestly the less you know going into this book, the better. The story is told from multiple points of view and it’s full of suspense. Hillier keeps ratcheting up the tension all throughout the book and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The multiple narrator cast did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: How do you feel about unreliable narrators in thrillers? Do you enjoy them or find them frustrating?
I like unreliable narrators. I like they make for more complex characters and are more interesting. 

#thebutcher #jenniferhillier #simonaudio #audiobook #audiobookreview #audiobookstagram #crimefiction #thrillerfiction #seattlefiction #bookstagram #bookish #serialkillerfiction
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Monday, January 13, 2025

Carson the Magnificent

 
Authors: Bill Zehme and Mike Thomas

Narrator: Johnny Heller

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2024


Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for the gifted audiobook! 

Johnny Carson was a cultural phenomenon. He revolutionized late night talk show television and made it must see tv. Yet for all his popularity and fame, he was a very private man. He rarely talked about himself or his private life durning his 30 year reign as the king of late night tv. He also rarely gave interviews. Carson gave only one interview after his retirement from television to writer Bill Zehme for Esquire. After Carson’s death in 2005, Zehme began working on a Cason biography. He spent years doing extensive research and interviewed dozens of Carson’s friends and former colleagues. Zehme died before he finished writing the extensive biography. Zehme’s friend and former research assistant, journalist Mike Thomas completed the book which was published in November 2024. 

The biography is a deep dive into Carson’s life - from his boyhood in Nebraska, his military service during WWII, his early entry into radio and television, and his rise to highest echelon of the entertainment industry. It’s also a stark look at his personal life which included a somewhat dysfunctional relationship with his mother, four failed marriages, his troubles with alcohol, and the loss of one of his children. This is a comprehensive look at Carson’s life and career. It doesn’t shy away from the examining Carson’s failings and imperfections. The book really does attempt to let readers know the real Johnny Carson, a very shy and private man who also happened to be the greatest host in television history. 

I enjoyed the audio version of this book. Johnny Heller provides a great narration to the book which has a listening time of just over 9 hours. This is an incredibly well researched and detailed biography. It’s a great choice for readers who are especially interested in the early days of television and the rise of late night tv. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#carsonthemagnificent #johnnycarson #billzehme #mikethomas #heresjohnny #latenighttv  #audiobook #audiobookreview #audiobookstagram #bookstagram #simonaudio #biography
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