I read three books last week. The first two were mysteries. First up:
This was good! Two detectives are called to investigate a murder that has taken place in a house on a private island. A major storm is underway, and various other plot points make this a “locked island” mystery- i.e., you know the killer has to be one of the seven or eight people in the house that night.
I mean- this wasn’t a literary masterpiece. But I liked the character of the main detective, a woman working through some of her own past trauma, and I liked the fact that it was truly a mystery. You don’t know who the killer was until the end. Fun read. Next up was this one…
You know, I really have to be more discerning in my book choices. This book was… okay. It’s a police procedural that takes place in New Zealand. There’s a lot of backstory about the main detective (again, a woman) which I like. But there were two things I didn’t like about it.
One- it wasn’t a mystery. By the middle of the book, we know who the killer is, the detectives know who the killer is, and it’s just a question of whether they’ll catch him before he kills again. I started to feel a little bored- I was PRETTY SURE the killer wasn’t going to murder a zillion people and then get away, so I felt like I knew the ending- I didn’t know all the details, but I had the basic idea.
Second… this is tricky because I don’t want to come off as a spoiled, superficial woman steeped in white privilege, but here we go. The plot is VERY heavy on Maori history- the lead detective is Maori, and the motivation of the killer ties in with the way the indigenous people were screwed over. I kind of just wanted a mystery… and the fact that indigenous people were treated terribly wasn’t exactly a shocking discovery to me.
Get ready for this next one:
It was kind of like the universe heard me complaining about predictable endings, and sent this one my way. IT IS SO SO SO SO SO SO GOOD! The basic plot is this: A plane flying from Paris to JFK hits a bizarre patch of turbulence, emerges unscathed, only to land and discover that… this exact planeload of people already landed 100 days ago.
It’s a mystery (as in, what the heck is going on?) and fantasy (as in, this can’t happen in real life!) There are philosophical and theological questions, as well as practical (what are we going to do with 200 people who now have an exact duplicate?)
The writing is incredible. The book starts with introducing about 10 characters, which isn’t normally something I like. Each character has a short chapter. By the end of the chapter I was totally immersed in each person’s life and felt like I knew them so well. Later on when they all started interacting with each other (because, they were all on the same flight) I had that feeling you get when you see your kid’s teacher at the grocery store. Wait- Victor is talking to Lucie? Oh, David is the pilot! In spite of the bizarre setup, every person felt real to me.
The ending… in a million years, you would not be able to predict this ending. I actually had to google “What happened at the end of The Anomaly?” I had my own idea, but wanted to see what other people had to say. But don’t let that put you off- the ending was ambiguous, but also perfect.
What are you reading now? Who has read The Anomaly?
Top photo by Abinash Jothimani on Unsplash
25 Responses
Oh wow, “The Anomaly” sounds incredible!
It reminds me a little of “Manifest” on Netflix – where a plane hits turbulence, but lands safely. Only then, the passengers realize that five years have passed for everyone else, but only a few hours for them. The show dives into all the consequences that come from that time gap.
Crazy stuff, but very captivating, just like your book sounds.
That sounds VERY similar! And fascinating.
Jenny…my TBR is already way too long and now you’ve gone and made me order TWO MORE BOOKS. I’d be grumpy about it, but I just can’t because I am excited for both of these books. I love books where I can’t predict the twists and it sounds like both of these deliver.
Mid-way through this post I went right to my library system, put both books and hold and REFUSED to look at how many books I already have on hold/ready for me to read.
Oh I’m glad! But I know- my TBR is absolutely exploding. i guess it’s a good problem to have- until all the holds become available at the same time and then I get stressed out.
Sign me up for The Anomaly! Like Catrina said, it does sound like Manifest or Lost, and I am always here for that. As long as the rest of the book is stellar, I don’t mind an ambiguous ending – instead of me passively turning the pages, that just means that I get to join in and do the work to make my own ending.
I’m reading The Lion Women of Tehran and it’s just OK. The only reason that I’m still reading is because it’s for book club. I haven’t bonded with the characters, and the setting is leaving me cold. Oh well.
It’s so, so good. As I was reading I was trying to think of possible endings, all of them being disappointing… this one was not!
I have not read The Anomaly, but I do love those kinds of books, where every character has a different chapter and they all come together. That’s such clever writing! I also love an ambiguous ending, that’s my favourite.
I am reading Audition and I LOVE it. I don’t think it would be something you would love but oh! I am loving it so much. I just finished Everything Is Tuberculosis and it was fascinating, if depressing.
I’ve heard of Everything is Tuberculosis- a lot of people have really liked it, in spite of the depressing-sounding title. I think you would like The Anomaly??? The writing really is stellar.
Anne Bogel has talked about The Anomaly but I’ve held off on reading it. But you’ve convinced me to add it to my TBR! It does sound intriguing.
I’m reading “The Poppy Fields” right now which is the 2nd book from the author of “The Measure.” I have some quibbles with the set-up. Like 3 of the characters meet at an airport in Kansas City, MO and end up driving together to this place in southern CA where people struggling with grief sleep for 4-8 weeks and wake up with their grief resolved. One of the character is from Boston and there is ZERO CHANCE YOU WOULD CONNECT TO LAX THROUGH KANSAS CITY!! I know it’s such a small detail but it is just a very dumb set-up. Pick a different city that is an actual hub for multiple airlines – or any airline. Kansas City is NOT A HUB. *steps off soap box* But I’m intrigued enough to keep going. I’m also reading “Range” which is my book club selection for September and I’m sad to say that it is so very dry and boring. I feel bad when I pick a dud, but we did all vote on it and it gets over 4 stars on Goodreads.
I read The Measure! I remember liking it. The Poppy Fields sounds interesting. You’re the second person commenting here saying they’re reading a “meh” book for book club. How annoying!
I requested The Anomaly and I hope it gets to my library before this weekend so I can take it with me for a car book!
Oooh! I think you’ll like it.
I read Anomaly back in 2022, and I remember enjoying it, but I can’t remember the ending. Maybe a reread is on the cards at some stage.
I cannot believe you don’t remember the ending!!! Yes, you might enjoy a reread.
It does sound like a good book. I don’t generally like sci fi genre, but you are pretty convincing. I’ve just started Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and I’m reading Holes to Kay.
I think you could enjoy it even if you don’t like sci fi. It’s basically like a completely normal book with one very weird thing that happens. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of Heaven and Earth- I’ve heard mixed reviews.
Okay, now that you describe The Anomaly, I think it might be a great book for me. I’d need to read it at the right time (and maybe take notes of the characters!), but it sounds very intriguing and I love your ringing endorsement!
Yes, it’s not heavily sci fi or fantasy- just a really, really interesting book.
I read The Anomaly and remember it being very strange! I see that I gave it three stars on GR, but I don’t really remember details as to why exactly. I do love a good murder mystery so will definitely check out the first book (and maybe the second despite it not really being one!)
OMG, now I HAVE TO READ THE ANOMALY!
I finally did read that Lianne Moriarty you wrote about a while ago (Here One Moment) and thought your take was spot on.
Between you and Wendy, my TRL is getting long. I need to quit my hob so I can read more.
I just put The Anomoly on hold at the library, thank you!
I have! I’ve read The Anomaly. I loved it, but I’m not sure I’m remembering the ending correctly, it’s been a while. I also love a good locked room/island mystery. (Have you read Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane? LOVED that one).
Interesting books! It’s a difficult balance when people try to introduce Indigenous / social justice themes into book, isn’t it, esp ones in genres like crime – it can be superficial and bolted on or too detailed. I’ve just read the autobiography of Tommy Jessop, who is a British actor who has Down syndrome, which was just such a kind book, and one about travelling the world on night trains, just to keep things very varied!