Reviewed by Claire Hamner Matturro Gale Massey burst into the literary scene two years ago with her acclaimed debut novel, The Girl from Blind River (Crooked Lane), which won a 2018 Florida Book Award, among other accolades. Prior to that novel, some prestigious publications had published her short stories. So it’s no surprise to see […]
January Read of the Month: “Wrecked,” by Mary Anna Evans
January 5, 2021 by 1 Comment
Reviewed by Claire Hamner Matturro Writing a successful mystery series is a hard thing to do well. Not only must series authors continue to create intriguing and original plots time after time, but they must also keep the recurring characters fresh while rotating in new villains, alternate heroes, and supporting personalities. It also helps to […]
December Read of the Month: “The Revelators,” by Ace Atkins
December 3, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Reviewed by Claire Hamner Matturro Author Ace Atkins proved a long time back that he is a gifted storyteller and disciplined writer capable of building suspenseful plots and creating intriguing characters. He also knows how to write a sentence with punch and sizzle. The author of twenty-six books, including numerous best sellers and multiple-award winners, […]
November Read of the Month: “Tampa Bay Noir,” edited by Colette Bancroft
November 3, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Reviewed by Claire Hamner Matturro Akashic Books has long made a name for itself with an impressive string of award-winning original noir anthologies; thus, it is no surprise that its latest, Tampa Bay Noir, continues in that edgy, first-rate, compellingly dark tradition. Edited by Tampa Bay Times Book Critic Colette Bancroft, Tampa Bay Noir contains […]
“The Red Dirt Hymnbook,” by Roxie Faulkner Kirk
October 29, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Reviewed by Claire Hamner Matturro The Red Dirt Hymnbook (Fine Dog Press 2019), by emerging author Roxie Faulkner Kirk, is a chilling story of an innocent young woman tangled in a snare of religiosity, domestic abuse, and her own claustrophobic fears. The writing and perceptions in this book are bold, tasteful, and exceptionally well done. […]
“The Summer House,” by Lauren Denton
October 13, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Reviewed by Claire Hamner Matturro On one hand, The Summer House (Thomas Nelson, June 2020) has a simple plot—an unlikely friendship between two women sparks a second chance at happiness for both. On the other the hand, the plot is as complex as human emotions. And that is where the richness of The Summer House […]
Claire Hamner Matturro interviews Susan Y. Tanner, Author of “A Whisper of Trouble”
September 24, 2020 by 1 Comment
CHM: Good morning, Susan, and congratulations on your newest book, A Whisper of Trouble (KaliOka Press Sept. 2020), which is the 12th book in the Trouble, black cat detective series, and the fourth book you’ve written in the on-going Trouble collection. For readers who aren’t yet familiar with this series, it’s the brainchild of Alabama […]
August Read of the Month: “Old Lovegood Girls,” by Gail Godwin
August 12, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Reviewed by Claire Hamner Matturro Gail Godwin is a Southern treasure who is both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, counting five best-sellers and three finalists for the National Book Award among her many novels. Born in Alabama, raised in North Carolina, and educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (and later […]