Jan Walker is an author from my home town of Gig Harbor Washington and this is the second book I have enjoyed of hers. I really liked this story, and admire Jan for her self-published works and her love of writing. Here is my book review The Whiskey Creek Water Company by Jan Walker

Pacific Northwest

Last summer I enjoyed Jan’s book Rain Shelters and Ghost Gods which was based in two places I love; Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest. This novel, The Whiskey Creek Water Company is also based in the Pacific Northwest, and in fact in the small county where I grew up.

Set during prohibition, the small fictional town of Burke Bay is loosely based on the area of Kitsap County called Brownsville. The people of Burke Bay are primarily of Scandinavian heritage and work off the land and sea for their livelihood.

Small Town

The heroine of the story is local school teacher Maeva Swanson. Determined and hardworking Maeve keeps herself and her mother afloat with her teaching salary. But the small town has new residents in bachelor brothers Hauk and Lang Nordlund, and another new more sinister guest Farley Price. Though Farley’s wife Eleanor and his daughter Hannah are warmly welcomed by the community, Farley is an angry firecracker on the verge of exploding. And when he does, all hell will break loose.

The character development in this story is really well done, from illegal distillery operator Orval Blevins to arrogant brother Jonas and all the cast of people who make Burke Bay the friendly town it is. How will all these folks come together to keep everyone safe when violence erupts? Find out in The Whiskey Creek Water Company by Jan Walker.

And if you are from Kitsap County and of Scandinavian heritage, I think you will particularly enjoy this story. Thanks for reading my book review The Whiskey Creek Water Company by Jan Walker.

See last week’s book review Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer.

A follow up story to the Pulitzer Prize winning novel Less, Andrew Sean Greer once again takes this lovable character out of his comfort zone and on an unexpected road trip. Here is my book review Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer.

Arthur Less, gay and moderately successful, finds his world turned upside down once again when his former lover dies and with the death come financial hardship. Less must earn some serious cash and seriously quick and so he takes on some literary gigs that send him road tripping around the USA.

Running from or into his problems it’s hard to tell with Less, as he packs up and leaves behind his current love Freddy, his reasonable sister and his ghost of a father. Less finds himself escorting a sickly author who doesn’t seem to know who Less is, then following theatrical troupe who are performing one of his works, all while regularly “zooming” online with a literary critique group. All because he needs money to save his home.

But along the way from New Mexico to the South then on to the mid-Atlantic, Less begins to find himself. With Pug Dolly in tow in the old camper van called Rosina, Less learns a lot about the world outside the small box he has hidden in for years. And in the process, he learns a lot about himself and the demons he faces.

Funny and profound Less is Lost shows the enigma of America through the eyes of this quirky character who like all of us, just wants to be loved.

Four stars for Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer.****

Read last week’s Book Review The Guncle by Steven Rowley.

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A super fun and moving family story that will have you falling in love with all characters in this award winning novel. Here is my book review The Guncle by Steven Rowley.

Gay Uncle Patrick (Gup) also known to his niece and nephew as Guncle, finds his world turned upside down when a family tragedy back home in Connecticut has him caring for his niece and nephew all summer in Palm Springs. Can he handle this?

“GUP” is a washed up former sitcom star, whose been hiding in Palm Springs since his show was canceled and the love of his life Joe was killed by a drunk driver. Uncle Patrick is flamboyantly gay, has a gay “threesome” living next door, loves a good mimosa (light on the OJ) and lives life to his own drummer. Not exactly the perfect role model for young Maise and Grant.

But the sudden death of Maise and Grant’s mom and the unexpected drug rehab stint for their father, Patrick is thrust into a parenting role no one thinks he can handle…including himself. But armed with a set of Guncle Rules, GUP and his charges will fill the summer with adventure, love and healing…not just for Maise and Grant but for Uncle Patrick too.

A very heartwarming, funny and easy read about family and so much more. Everyone will love The Guncle. Thanks for reading my book review The Guncle by Steven Rowley.

Five stars for The Guncle***** A film is definitely in the future.

See last week’s Book Review The Bloodless Boy by Robert J. Lloyd.

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The New York Times gave this novel it’s Best New Historical Novel in 2021. A wonderfully imagined tale based partly on fact and actual characters…like so many historical novels. Having just read and loved Act of Oblivion this book was reminiscent and set in the same era. Here is my book review The Bloodless Boy by Robert J. Lloyd.

London 1678. The city is still in upheaval 12 years after the Great Fire and 18 years since the fall of Oliver Cromwell. No one trusts anyone and papist plots are rumored daily. But then the body of small boy, drained of all blood, is discovered on a cold and snowy night and suspicious grow.

Lloyd introduces us to several real life characters, such as Robert Hooke, scientist, engineer and curator of the newly formed Royal Society. Hook’s assistant, the young and ambitious Harry Hunt is by his side when they retrieve the bloodless boy from the river bank.

A well defined story-line makes this novel a page turner as large cast of characters come and go…who is the real villain? Is this a plot against King Charles II? And what of more young bloodless boys they learn about?

During a time in history where science is just coming into play, but paranoia and witchcraft remain, Lloyd takes the reader through the complicated facts and fiction of this engrossing story. If you liked Wolf Hall or The Name of the Rose you will enjoy The Bloodless Boy.

Thanks for reading my book review The Bloodless Boy by Robert J. Lloyd.

Four stars for The Bloodless Boy by Robert J. Lloyd****

See last week’s book review The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman.

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British Author and Comedian Richard Osman is the creator of The Thursday Murder Club book series. The Man Who Died Twice is second of the series, but you don’t need to have read previous book to enjoy this fun novel. Here is my book review The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman.

A group of retirees, and long-time friends, who at first blush seem a bit of a misfit bumbling group are actually the heroes of this book. Unassuming solvers of murders all.

Osman introduces us to Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim who are trying to quietly enjoy their later years at the Cooper’s Chase retirement village. But this eclectic cast of characters can’t seem to keep out of the murder-solving world, along with their close friends from the local police.

A rollicking set of circumstances keeps the plot moving forward as reserved yet brilliant Elizabeth and demure but observant Joyce lead the charge to find the murderer…and as more murder victims are discovered Ron goes undercover. Meanwhile is a violent attack on Ibrahim part of the murder plot?

Questions are numerous, diamonds are missing, people are dead and suspects are numerous. The Thursday Murder Club to the rescue.

Light, fun and simple read everyone will enjoy. Thanks for reading my book review The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman.

****Four stars for The Man Who Died Twice.

See last week’s book review Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

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One of America’s greatest and most prolific modern day authors, Kingsolver brings to us another masterpiece. I loved her work in Unsheltered and in Flight Behavior, but my all-time favorite is The Poisonwood Bible. Even at 20 years old it’s still very readable and if you haven’t read it you should. But her latest work is really remarkable…here is my book review Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

I’m actually struggling a bit to write this review. This book was disturbing in many ways…for it’s gritty and real portrayal of drug addiction in the United States…specifically in the mountains of southern Appalachia.

Kingsolver

Apparently Kingsolver used David Copperfield as inspiration of this novel…but it wasn’t something that came through strongly for me as a reader. What did come through though is Kingsolver’s incredible talent for descriptive narrative, palpable and often painful. There was one passage in this book that I had to set the book down and take a minute it was so real and alarming to read.

But don’t let me scare you away…because this is a must read. It’s deep, factual and substantive.

Meet Damon

Damon is our narrator, only eleven when we meet him, dealing with a single mother who is addicted. Damon has faced things in his short life most of us will never deal with; addiction, starvation, neglect, abuse and violence. There are very few stable adults in his life…not even the Department of Social Services representative cares about him.

As Damon bounces around several unsavory, neglectful and dilapidated foster care homes, he dreams of being an artist. A dream so far beyond his reach he can’t even imagine getting there. Penny less, homeless, motherless – Damon encounters a variety of distrustful characters and only has a tiny handful of friends.

When he finally finds his Grandmother she will get him set up in a foster care home that seems stable on the outside. This is when Damon will become a football star, loose it all when injured, get addicted to opioid painkillers, fall in love with an addict and spiral totally out of control.

A Cry for Help

How can so many horrible things happen to one child? It’s a eye-opening testament to our underfunded welfare, child and social services system not to mention the deep prejudice and misunderstanding of the rural region of southern Appalachia. But don’t fret. Damon “Demon” will get his shit together and you will be astonished at how this book unfolds. A new American Masterpiece with a message we all need to hear. Thank you for reading my book review Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

See last week’s book review The Book of Goose by Yiyun Lee

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Fabienne and Agnes are best friends growing up in a provincial French village during the post war WWII. Poor beyond words, both girls cling to each other for the affection neither get at home. But life is about to take a big twist, and neither girl will ever be the same. Here is my Book Review The Book of Goose by Yiyun Lee.

Agnes can’t imagine her life without Fabienne, she is everything to Agnes. While Agnes’ parents are preoccupied with her dying brother Jean, Agnes hangs on Fabienne’s every word.

Fabienne has her own troubles at home, with a drunken father and brothers who expect her to cook and clean, she finds solace in fantasy stories she creates. But Fabienne is also manipulative, demanding and often rude to Agnes…while Agnes does anything Fabienne wants to please her.

But when Fabienne hatches a plan to write a book and say that Agnes is the author, neither girl has any idea how many people will be hurt and scandalized as they fall deeper and deeper into a world of lies.

Yiyun Lee is a unique writing talent, and her character development of these two adolescent girls, one a leader the other a follower, their choices, mistakes and ultimate outcome will have you sad and joyful, amazed and astonished. If you had a best friend forever as a child, you should read The Book of Goose.

Thanks for reading my Book Review The Book of Goose by Yiyun Lee.

Four stars for The Book of Goose by Yiyun Lee.

Read last week’s book review The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz.

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