Book Review: The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes (It’s all going on at Number 66)

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Emma

I wrote this review when I first started my blog and thought I’d repost since I had about 3 followers back then: My sister, Lucy, my friend, Laura and myself :).  Also, Marian Keyes, one of my favourite writers ever, is releasing The Mystery of Mercy Close very shortly (her first novel in a few years), so I’d like to pay tribute to one of the wittiest authors around as I am very excited to read her new book!!!

As with all of her books, The Brightest Star in the Sky hooked me early on.  Mind you I wasn’t very sure what exactly was going on at the start, or who the unusual narrator was, but Marian’s typical wit and flair for comedy kept me turning the pages. I even missed Desperate Housewives because I had my head stuck in the book, and I should probably thank Ms. Keyes for this also.

The four flats of 66 Star Street are home to a mixed bunch of characters.  There’s babysitter for unruly rock stars, Katie, who’s turning the big 40, sharp-tongued, twenty-something, Lydia, a taxi driver by trade and forced to share a flat with two hunky Polish guys who detest the “evil pixie”, a young, sweet married couple, Maeve & Matt and 88 year old wise woman, Jemima temporarily living with her gorgeous TV gardener, Fionn.

But who is the invisible visitor watching the romantic goings on at number 66, and what is this narrator counting down to?

There are so many fun and varied characters to get to grips with, and as is usual with Keyes,  her women have strong personalities that vibrate from the page.  Katie is the sophisticated and independent woman we all want to be, living a hectic but entertaining lifestyle working in the music industry, while the feisty Lydia is coming to grips with having to become a responsible adult.   Then we have Jemima, who is hilarious as a telephone psychic and finally the quiet, still-waters-run-deep Maeve,who is married to Matt. They are a couple with obvious affection for each other yet are deeply troubled.  Their story is handled with sensitivity.

Fast-paced & fun.  This proved a great read.  Oh, and the blob of ice at the end was a lovely touch :) ****

Check it out on Amazon HERE

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Book Review: Be Prepared to Die by Mark Souza (Look out Stephen King).

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Emma

Mark Souza is an excellent writer.  Having already read two of his short stories, “Appliances Included” and “Second Honeymoon”, I didn’t hesitate to pick up this short story collection.  Of the seven tales, there was only one I didn’t particularly enjoy, but that’s down to personal taste.

In “The Comfort Shack” we have a father taking his wife and kids to an old fort to learn some history, and a tale of war and prostitution follows them into their present.  “Neath Lily Pond” brings us the disturbing case of a nanny tossing a child in a lake to drown.  The nanny has no memory of her appalling action and a local journalist decides to delve into the history of the lake. Turns out there have been many incidents of children drowning over the years.  Has someone placed a curse on the lake?  And if so, what child will be the next victim?

The corn maze story, “Cupid’s Maze” reminded me immediately of the landscape from the film Children of the Corn.   As soon as the protagonist noticed he hadn’t seen a car pass him by in an hour, I knew he and his fiancée were in for a night of terror.  “The Diary of Horatio White” changes things up. This tale, featuring zombies in the Civil War didn’t really capture my attention. Most of the story detailed the battle with a short supernatural ending.  Included among the seven stories are familiar gems: Appliances Included (chilling & possibly my favourite) and Second Honeymoon (dark comedy).   Lastly we meet Murphy, a man who never gets to enjoy any good fortune.  Despite getting lucky with a lady in red in a rundown bar, his good time is about to take a turn for the worst. “Murphy’s Law” can be a bitch sometimes.

If you’re looking for a happily ever after tale, stay clear of this book, but if you like your stories deliciously dark and terrifying, grab your copy now.  I’ve said it before and I’m mentioning it again, Souza is a gifted storyteller, and his tales of horror are intriguing and scary. I’m looking forward to choosing my next read from his work.  The nights are getting shorter, so it’s a perfect time to curl up on the couch, light a candle and immerse yourself in these spine-tingling tales. *****

Check it out on Amazon HERE

If you’ve been resistant to short stories in the past, try one of Souza’s!

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