Author Talk with Ashley Baker Wednesday, October 22 at Sharon Forks Library

 

The Ashes of Us by Ashley Baker

Dr. Ashley Baker returns to Sharon Forks Library on Wednesday, October 22 to talk about her latest psychological suspense novel, The Ashes of Us. In this morally complex story, a clinical pathologist taps into his own dark impulses when his daughter asks him to take the life of the man who raped her. 

Dr. Baker says her stories usually begin with an idea: what if a daughter asked her father to do something reprehensible (The Ashes of Us) or what if there was a novel about a killer that didn't focus on the murderer. (The Furious Others) 

Staff Picks: Mayra by Nicky Gonzalez

Mayra by Nicky Gonzalez

Despite her apprehension, twentysomething Ingrid accepts an invitation from her childhood bestie, Mayra, to spend a weekend at a remote house in the Everglades. But Mayra's hopes of reconnecting with her former friend are soon dashed by the presence of Mayra’s odd boyfriend Benji. This mesmerizing literary Gothic novel is as much about the complex dynamics of female friendships as it is about a spooky mansion with hidden windows, a staircase leading to implausible destinations, strange sounds, and other unusual features. Passages from a mysterious diary, excursions into the Everglades, and flashbacks to Ingrid and Mayra’s teen adventures give this spooky story extra depth. 

If you appreciate thoughtful suspense, check out Mayra by Nicky Gonzalez. Like her character Ingrid, author Nicky Gonzales is from Hialeah, Florida. Her fiction has appeared in McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Kenyon Review Online, Taco Bell Quarterly, and other publications.

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

Staff Picks: The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

 

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

Racial injustice undermines every aspect of life for African Americans living in Gracetown, Florida in 1950 and spirits, visible only to children often linger long after passings in the form of “haints”.  

When his mother passes away from cancer and his civil right activist father flees the state amid accusations and threats, twelve-year-old Robbie Stevens is left in the care of his older sister, Gloria. Defending his sister from the son of a powerful landowner earns Robbie a six-month sentence at the Gracetown School for Boys where his ability to see haints reveals a disturbing history. 

The Reformatoy is a spellbinding historical fiction novel based on the true story of the infamous Dozier School for Boys which operated from 1900 to 2011 in Marianna, Florida. Despite the dark subject matter, I really enjoyed this multi-layered and suspenseful story. 

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

Staff Picks: The Hike by Lucy Clarke

 

The Hike by Lucy Clarke

Burned-out by both her marriage and work, Liz is desperate for an escape. More than that, she craves an adventure, a total reset. So when she plans a vacation with her three best friends, she persuades them to spend four nights camping in the stunning mountains of Norway. Following a trail that climbs through lush valleys, towering peaks, and past jewel-blue lakes, Liz is sure that the hike is just what they need. 

But as they stride farther from civilization, it becomes clear that the women are not the only ones looking to lose themselves in the mountains. The wilderness hides secrets darker than they could ever have imagined, and if they’re not careful, not all of them will return. 

Staff Picks: How Can I Help You by Laura Sims

 

How Can I Help You by Laura Sims

A fugitive nurse with a history of hurrying patients to their deathbeds adopts a new identity as a librarian at the Carlyle Public Library. Margo keeps the patrons in line while keeping her dark secrets to herself—until a failed novelist becomes the new reference librarian and questions Margo about her abrupt career change. 

Staff Picks: A Simple Plan by Scott Smith

 

A Simple Plan by Scott Smith

What would you do if you found four million dollars? 

Three men in rural Ohio think they've hit the jackpot when they find the wreckage of a small plane, the body of its pilot, and a duffel bag full of one hundred dollar bills in a nature preserve on New Year's Day. Rather than notify authorities, they decide to split the windfall among themselves. As a precaution, they plan to hide the money until they’re sure no one will suspect them of taking it.  

Almost immediately tensions arise, confidences are betrayed, and promises are broken. Concealing the crime of opportunity becomes more complicated–and leads to a rising body count–in this suspenseful story about moral compromises that you won't want to put down. 

Staff Picks: The Last by Hanna Jameson

 

The Last by Hanna Jameson

A mixed group of international tourists, academic conference attendees, and staff members at a remote Swiss resort debate whether to remain at the lodge or face the unknown when a nuclear weapon detonates over Washington D.C., cutting off their communication with the outside world.  

Hanna Jameson’s The Last is a suspense story set in unprecedented times. American history professor Jon Keller realizes his marriage issues aren't as important as he previously thought when he finds himself among strangers during a global crisis. 

OverBOOKed to Read: The Dry by Jane Harper

The Dry by Jane Harper

Small towns hold big secrets. Agent Aaron Falk is called back to his drought-stricken Australian hometown to attend the funerals of his childhood best friend, Luke, and Luke's wife and son. Luke's parents have asked him to investigate the deaths, which appear to be murder-suicide. Aaron left town decades ago under a suspicious cloud surrounding another young woman's death. At that time, Luke and Aaron had been each other's alibi, but now it has become apparent that more than one person knows they weren't telling the truth.

Set against the backdrop of the worst drought in a century, The Dry is a suspenseful tale of anger and revenge. This debut thriller from Jane Harper is followed by the second in the Aaron Falk series, Force of Nature.

Join the overBOOKed book club for a discussion of this title on Thursday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cumming library. OverBOOKed meets at 10:00 a.m. every third Thursday of the month.

The eBook and eAudiobook versions off The Dry are available through OverDrive. Anyone with a Forsyth County Library card can sign up for a free OverDrive account. Sign up for a free card today to start enjoying FCPL's digital catalog from wherever you are!

Jen
Information Specialist
Cumming Library
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