Dog Island By: Philippe Claudel Translation by: Euan Cameron

I have to admit, I didn't think I would like this one as I started to read.  It was a little too esoteric for my taste at the beginning, however, the more I read the more I realized how brilliant it was.  An Every Man tale centered on an island in the Dog Island chain, character's with no names, only named descriptors. A tragedy is discovered, a tragedy is manufactured to cover it up-a tale of corruption, small town mentalities and the good guy getting shafted.  It could be set at anytime at any place.  Characters that aren't likeable, yet the reader can understand (not empathize) with the decisions they each make, even if we don't agree with those decision.  Quite an extraordinary little book!

 

Margot Mertz for the Win By: Carrie McRossen & Ian McWethy

 

This was incredibly fun and funny-yet beneath the layers is a thoughtful and insightful look at so many timely topics.  Margot is a quirky, smart, snarky, conflicted and deeply feeling character and it was a joy to spend time with her as she navigated life, teen angst, love, cyber stalking, revenge porn and a wounded eye!

City of Orange By: David Yoon

Oof!  This did not go where I thought it was going to go. This is a stunning read.  At times, a brilliant character study, sometimes a bit of a mystery, dystopian, a survival story, and several gut punches of raw emotion.  Contemplative in the way its laid out, it is simply brilliant in it's it scope.

 

Mystery of the Samurai Sword By: Franklin W. Dixon

This will be the last Hardy Boy Mystery that I collect.  I had wanted to get the original canon, which is comprised of books 1-58, but being anal, I needed to have a whole number in the collection, so bumped it up to includes numbers 59 & 60.  The Mystery of the Samurai Sword made me nervous, considering how racist previous books in the series were, but this one surprised me.  There were hardly any stereotypes pointed out in this book.  The mystery was pretty well done, and the "Agatha Christie, everyone in one room big reveal" type ending actually worked and didn't feel too pat.

Chameleon By: Remi Adeleke

An adrenaline fueled thriller with great action, fascinating plot lines and exciting and innovative characters.  A fantastic start to this series!

Night of the Werewolf By: Franklin W. Dixon

You can tell that this one is the "new" Hardy Boys. The original canon of books are numbers 1 through 58. This one uses a recycled plot line, is INCREDIBLY un-P.C., even for the Hardy Boys, and the ending was too quick and convenient.  

 

The Things We Do To Our Friends By: Heather Darwent

What an utterly creepy, eerie, deliciously malevolent story!!  I can't write anything more about this book without giving away plot points.  Suffice it to say, if you want a really good read. that will f**k with your mind, this is the book for you!

 

The Sting of the Scorpion By: Franklin W. Dixon

Meh...too much happening in this one.  Didn't really hold my attention, and the ending was a little too pat, even for a Hardy Boys mystery.

Western Alliances By: Wilton Barnhardt

I didn't know what to make of this book when I tarted reading it. I couldn't tell if it was a family drama; a treatise on finance; and art history book; a European history book; a mystery...and after a while I didn't care what it was...I was having a blast following Roberto around Europe and would go where he went.  A mess, in the best possible way, Roberto is charming, a touch evil, sympathetic and someone I enjoyed spending time with.  This was a great surprise and a great read.

 

The Firebird Rocket By: Franklin W. Dixon

I have to say that this one, harkened back to the beginning of the series. It was a well plotted mystery that didn't veer off into a bunch of side stories or tangents.  Added bonsu with this one, they Hardy Boys and Chet got to visit Australia.