A Copycat Murder, or Not?

 

After twelve years, Greer Dunning is back in Ludlow, Kansas. Fourteen years ago, her older sister, Eliza and her boyfriend were murdered. Greer and her parents were overwhelmed by grief. Even though the killer was caught and has been executed, Greer is unable to accept that the killer didn’t have an accomplice. Now there has been a second murder. Two teens have been murdered in similar circumstances.

Greer has come back determined to find out whether the questions and concerns she had about her sister’s murder can help to solve the latest crime. Once home, she teams up with an unlikely ally and together they set out to discover the truth even if it puts them in danger.

This is primarily a character driven mystery. Greer is still tormented by things she thinks she knows about her sister’s murder. and she is determined to find the truth. In addition to her determination, Greer is still grieving. It keeps her apart from even her parents who are also stricken by the crime. I thought the author did a good job exploring how grief affects families, not only of the victim, but of the killer as well.

The background of the small town of Ludlow is perfect for the story. It’s a close knit community where everyone knows their neighbors. It’s also a town where there are secrets. The plot is good and there are plenty of twists. The ending was not a surprise for me. There are plenty of clues along the way. However, the character development adds a dimension to the novel that keeps you reading. If you enjoy character driven mysteries, you’ll like this one.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Retelling of the Trojan Was Starring the Women

 

The Bronze Age, from what we know of Homer’s Iliad, was a male dominated society. The women were mere shadows. This book changes that perspective. The focus is on the women: Andromache, Rhea, and Helen. Andromache, Hector’s wife comes to the fore as a leader during the siege. Rhea is a war refuge who finds her place working with the horses. Helen, who’s capture started the war, is portrayed as a captive, and Cassandra, the prophetess, who has the last word.

The novel while remaining basically true to the original story, gives the women a chance to show how their actions affected the course of the conflict. I thought the author did an excellent job giving each woman a distinct character, revealing her emotions and thoughts, and getting to see the other characters through the eyes of these women.

The background of the Bronze Age society was well researched and gave an immediacy to the story. The descriptions drew you into a different time and made the story more realistic. Generally, I don’t like retelling myths with a new focus primarily on the women. I feel it gives a false picture of the age. However, this book was very well done. The characterizations were realistic giving each woman a distinct voice. I recommend this book as an alternative way to view the Trojan War.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Genetic Test for Male Aggressive Behavior

 After scientists discovered that in a prison population most of the males had the M+ gene, they decided that the boys with that gene will be trouble makers. Boys with M- gene will not have this characteristic. After they develop a test for the gene, the next step is to test all boy babies to determine which type of the M gene they possess. This leads to differences in treatment for they boys depending on which variant they have. The M- boys receive all the perks including getting into good schools. The M+ boys are giving menial jobs and treated as outcasts. In this two tier society, parents want to assure that their sons are M-.

Two sisters, Antonia and Bea, have sons born at about the same time. Antonia is married to a wealthy doctor; Bea is an unwed mother who lives with her partner. Antonia has her son tested and exalts in his M- status. Bea refuses to test her son not wanting his life to be determined by a single test. The boys are treated differently. Antonia is a protective mother. Bea wants her son to face the trials of life. As the boys grow up their paths diverge in a way that brings heartache to both families.

This story has a shocking premise: a world where genetics is destiny. By separating boys into good and bad groups at a very early age they are almost begging for bad things to happen. The tension in the book is very strong. It pulls you into this world. The conclusion is hard to see coming and for me reinforced all the bad things about treating children this way.

I received this review copy from Net Galley and the publisher.

Horse Racing in the Civil War Era

 

One of America’s greatest Thoroughbred racehorses and shires, Lexington was born, raced, and stood stud during the Civil War Era. Horse racing was different in that era. Horses raced a mile as they do today, but they might have to race four times and win twice to be declared a winner. Stamina was very important. Lexington set a record for the fastest four miles.

Unfortunately he was going blind that meant that he was eventually put to stud. Here also he was an outstanding performer. In fact, twelve of thirteen triple Crown winners were descended from Lexington. Even after retiring from racing, life wasn’t easy. The Civil War erupted and the need for horses drove men not only to pay exorbitant prices for them, but also to steal them. I found this historical part of the story extremely interesting.

The book also dealt well with the question of slavery. Being born in the South and owned by a plantation owner, slavery was part of Lexington’s life. His groom was a slave named Jarret. Lexington formed a deep bond with Jarret. It’s one of the most delightful parts of the story.

The book is very well written and based on a huge amount of research. It’s also a long book, but well worth the time to read it and learn more about both Thoroughbred racing and the Civil War.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

Hysterical Women of the Salpêtrière Asylum

 

In the late 19^th century, Doctor Jean-Martin Charcot, director of the asylum was famous for his study of hysterical women. Women were sent to the asylum for a variety of reasons from socially unacceptable behavior to unwanted pregnancy. The asylum was divided between those women considered insane and those diagnosed as hysterics. Doctor Charcot’s area of research was the hysterical women whom he treated with hypnosis. The unfortunate women were hypnotized and presented at Charcot’s lectures where under hypnosis they were made to demonstrate their hysterical symptoms.

This story follows two women, Laure and Josaphine. Laure is a former patient. She was declared cured and now is an attendant. Josaphine was brought to the hospital covered with blood. She was diagnosed with hysteria and turned out to be an excellent hypnotic subject. Carcot used her in many of his demonstrations and she becomes famous. Laure takes care of Josaphine and becomes fond of her. When Josaphine’s symptoms veer toward insanity, Laure decides that they need to escape.

This is an extremely well researched historical novel. It has a dark undertone because of some of the treatments these women were subjected to. Some of the scenes were quite difficult to read. Although well written, the pace is often slow and the prose feels more like a non-fiction book than a novel. I recommend this book particularly if you’re interested in psychiatric care in the late 19^th century.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for this novel.