Newly Developed Comedy By: A Friend

I was lucky enough to be given a copy of this new play which is currently in production and still being developed.  I really hope that this piece gets picked up, because it's smartly written, funny as hell and moving. It is a two hander about two famous folks, one of whom was pretty much silenced in their industry, and this play gives them back their voice.  Just really beautifully done! 

Marble Hall Murders By: Anthony Horowitz

I will forever hear Lesley Manville's voice when I read a book in the Susan Ryland series, and luckily she actually encourage Mr. Horowitz to write another book in the series, and I'm so glad she did!  Marble Hall Murders is another book within a book, mystery within several mysteries and was great fun. I greatly encourage anyone who has a love for mysteries to read this series.  They are all damn good reads!

50 States of Murder: An Atlas of American Crime By: Harold Schechter

I can always count on Schechter to deliver a dispassionate telling of facts. This book is a cleverly laid out by state, but does not include the crimes we would expect.  As Schechter states in his introduction, those crimes have been covered.  Some of the crimes are remarkable for the changes in the laws that they lead to, some are more famous for other reasons in their particular state.  All of these curated crimes give a feel for each state and time period in which they occurred.  Very clever! 

 

The Appeal By: Janice Hallett

READ THIS BOOK!! A modern day epistolary murder mystery, The Appeal is so inventive, intricate, and brilliant. I was absolutely floored at how Hallett managed to give the reader complete characters simply through emails and text messahes. A stunning piece of writing, a fascinating character study and a wonderful mystery!

Soon to be Published 3rd Installment of a PI Series. By: A Friend

I was lucky enough to be asked to be a first reader for this 3rd  installment of a PI series. Fascinating main characters and a well structured story.  Fans of the series will enjoy when it's finally published. 

The Children By: Melissa Albert

I was sucked into this story from the get go and it never let go.  Melissa Albert has accomplished an amazing feat: she had to have the fictional series in this story written in her head in order to allude to it convincingly within the main story of the book; plus there was the additional story of the cunning woman; she pulled off a story within a story within a story, without missing a beat; without losing the pace; without losing the reader! The Children is heart breaking, wondrous, scary and at times downright creepy, but it is great fun to read!

Liberation By: Bess Wohl

A brilliant, but sadly necessary play about women; the more things change the more they stay the same! A memory play, told in a wonderfully 4th wall breaking way, told lovingly, told angrily, told tenderly, told boldy, told pleadingly and most important TOLD!  A fantastic piece!

Little Bear Ridge Road By: Samuel D. Hunter

Wow!  Deeply wounded people trying to find their places in the world and with each other...and they are related!  A human drama, wrapped in a family drama.  Deeply moving, and utterly universal. A wonderful read! (Luckily seeing a production of this in the Spring!)

The Man in the Iron Mask By: Alexandre Dumas

The last book in the Three Musketeers series, and it didn't disappoint. It picks up where the last book leaves off, and despite having read the last book over a year ago, I had no problem remembering who has who and who did what to whom.  Dumas writes fascinating characters, realistic dialogue and has an incredibly snarky side, which is too delicious!!  I've had such fun reading this series!

 

Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir By Jeffrey Seller

While this is Mr. Seller's memoir about his life, it also manages to be my life, and the life of every person who has ever been touched by the theatre.  A fascinating look at producing and how to listen. I feel seen!!