Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle

November 12, 2025

Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle

Vera Norrie has just been hired as the youngest professor of statistics and probability at the University of Chicago. To celebrate, she and her girlfriend have invited their closest friends along with Vera's mother to brunch at their favorite cafe. But Vera and her mother quarrel, and her mother runs of the restaurant with Vera chasing her. Outside, they find a scene of unexplainable chaos.

I worry about what goes on in Chuck Tingle's mind, I really do. His brand of horror is so original and out there, I can't think of anyone to compare him to. There are overtones of The X-Files as well as Lost. I don't know if this is a fugue state or a fever dream. Possible triggers include violence, death, suicide, animal death, depression, and annihilation. I love the cover art.

Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing an eARC for review.

City in Ruins by Don Winslow

June 1, 2025

City in Ruins by Don Winslow

After leaving Hollywood, Danny Ryan has landed in Las Vegas. He is now a multi-millionaire, a legitimate businessman developing luxury hotels. But his past is never far behind, and it finally catches up with him.

Winslow concludes his saga of Danny Ryan with its combination of Greek tragedy and the Godfather. Not my favorite book in the trilogy, but Winslow wrote a conclusion to the series that wound in all the various threads and characters. Themes include moral ambiguity, revenge, crime and punishment, fathers and sons, honor, and the importance of family, whether they are your biological family or your chosen family. Although Winslow does some recapping, you really need to read the first two books to appreciate this one. The audio version is excellent. Winslow has announced that this will be his final novel. We'll see. Recommended for readers who enjoy the crime fiction of Michael Connelly, John Sandford, and Lee Child.

The Riviera, one of the oldest hotels in Las Vegas