Any educators out there?  I’m behind in my reviews (my apologies) due to this insane start to the year.  How are you getting your reading time in?  I’ve found myself on the bus and even walking to/fro to get as many pages in as possible.  Thanks for returning to the reviews, and as always, let me or Maureen know any books you’re loving! @glossinbossin, @caughtinsouthie, @josiegl

Pretty Girls By: Karin Slaughter

Dear Readers, Karin Slaughter has a million books, but if you’ve never picked up one of hers – October is the month to do it and Pretty Girls is a great place to start.   However, her books aren’t for the faint of heart  – as you’ll encounter graphic descriptions and horrific-Jeffrey Dahmer-level serial killers.   But if that’s your thing (it’s mine… yikes) then I think Pretty Girls will make you pretty happy!

A pair of sisters – Claire and Lydia – lead lives that are as different as different can be.  Claire has come up in Atlanta as the wife of a charismatic millionaire, yet her voice is one that is hardly heard.  She defers to Paul (husband) for all decisions and thoughts – and is content with this (for the time being).  Her sister, Lydia, spent years struggling with addiction and finally has put her life together for herself and her daughter.  After years of being estranged, they reunite when Claire’s husband is murdered right in front of her in a back alley with odd circumstances.

Things to know:

• Their sister disappeared years ago causing large amounts of stress within the family.

• Claire’s husband is accused by Lydia by assault setting the estrangement (on top of the sister’s disappearance) into motion.

• At Paul’s funeral, their home is broken into – leading Claire to finding extremely disturbing videos and images of tortured young women.

• A young girl within their neighborhood recently went missing and is still missing.  One of the young women in the video also has disturbing similarities to her.

• This sets Claire and Lydia into a whirlwind reunion and chase down of trying to figure out Paul… and these tapes.

I don’t want to go into many details of this book because I think if this is the kind of book you’re into – you’ll be very happy.  As someone who reads thriller upon thriller and watches nonstop murder documentaries on Netflix, I think this is one of the better books that is truly “messed up.” So if you’re into that kind of thing, 1.) let me know and 2.) grab this one.

Note:  I immediately continue to add Karin Slaughter to my must reads if I see them on Kindle sales, used book sales or if I see a new one pop up.  I think you will too, but start here!

Margo’s Got Money Troubles By: Rufi Thorpe

Margo isn’t the only one with money troubles.  Tell it to the girl living in a teeny-tiny one bedroom for thousands in Southie.. Sigh.

Our main character, Margo Miller, is a lovable and quirky twenty year old who finds herself pregnant with her professor’s child.  Of course, a professor who decides he doesn’t want to leave his wife and family to take care of his responsibility – so therefore Margo must figure out how she’ll take care of her new mini-me.   Not only that, she’s also trying to manage an overbearing mother, a retired-pro wrestler father and sharing an apartment with a roommate.

Margo learns from her father that his colleague started a successful OnlyFans account and her interest is piqued.  Who hasn’t joked about selling feet pics for money, but then actually considered it?  Can I truly make money drawing people’s names with lipstick online with my feet?  She starts with taking topless photos and rating male body parts but soon realizes she needs to have her own schtick to really bring in the cash.   She decides that fulfilling fantasies of those into fan-fiction and incorporating it into an OF lifestyle is the way to go.  To be honest, I’m not sure exactly what she means here but I imagine an OnlyFans based on those characters I see walking into the convention center a couple of times a year.  Nearly immediately she begins to get offers and works through them to decide how she will entice her viewers – including writing them back scenarios, sending photos and updating videos throughout the week.

It’s not just a book about body parts and OF.  At the heart of the book is Margo and her journey through life really trying to figure it all out.  This was a book unlike any I’ve read recently that will have you laughing out loud while scratching your head at the same time.  I’d recommend if you’re looking for something outside of the thriller world, have joked about selling feet pics and are just looking for a quick fun read.  However, the jokes are a little out there so if prude is in your vocabulary, you might want to pass.

All the Colors of the Dark By: Chris Whitaker

WHAT A BOOK.  To start, I only grabbed this one because multiple Caught in Southie readers suggested it to me in the comments section of my last reviews AND I kept seeing it all over bookstagram.  However, I have big book phobia and at 592 pages, I was shaking.  It made its way with me on vacation to Maine, however with all the people watching, I barely cracked it open.   When I returned to Southie, I knew I had to buy it on my Kindle :(

WHAT CAN I SAY.  I almost think readers should go into this blind.  I want you to know that it starts off as my usual love – “a disturbing thriller” – but turns into a slow burn of a detective, cat & mouse game.   The book bounces back and forth between two main characters – a young pirate named Patch – who experiences heroism and tragedy within one breath – and his best friend Saint – the thoughtful neighbor girl who finds a best friend in the oddest character.  Their friendship is the common thread throughout the whole book that has you rooting for everything they touch and say.  I’ve never felt so deeply for both of these characters – everything they say is correct, everything they do – I support.  I’ve never fallen in love with two characters like Patch and Saint.

The book takes us from young to old and across multiple state lines.  Your mind will bounce back and forth but it will all make sense at the same time.  There is an emptiness to Patch based on what happened to him and he will never feel full until he finds what he’s looking for.  It is that same emptiness that has a grip on Saint, as she searches for how she can help her friend.  Her whole life revolves around him which invigorates her yet scares those around her.

It is one of the most thoughtful mysteries I’ve come upon in ALL my years intertwined with an “epic love story” just as the inside cover states.  How the author is able to combine both of these so smoothly, pulling at your heart strings, pushing at your frustrations, and whispering hints along the way is magic.  PURE MAGIC.  How does the author do this?

I’m devastated that this book is over. For all those that suggested it to me and those that encouraged me to read it, let’s discuss in the comments. Should I buy his previous book? What can hold me over now?

I’m currently finishing:

• The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave (thriller) – so far a slow burn where I think I know what’s happening but I’m pushing myself to finish so I can see if I’m right or not.

• Broken  by Karin Slaughter (thriller, mystery) – not as graphic as Pretty Girls and more a detective / mystery one, but definitely can’t put down as even on my walks from the T I’m reading!

FYI:  I’ve seen lots of “newer”  books lately in the Free Little Libraries around town.  Don’t forget to bring one, take one & keep them tidy.  My favorite spots include the ones in the parking lot of Julie’s Learning Center, the Laboure Center and at the bottom of G/8th Street.  Also check out the library’s book sales and the used section of More than Words over the 4th Street bridge!

If you got this far, thank you!  Let us know what you’re reading via the comments on @glossinbossin, @caughtinsouthie, @josiegl