Yaddith Times

Pat Barker's Women of Troy series finishes strong with this novel, which turned out to be as much a ghost story as a mythological one. Narrated mainly by Cassandra's slave woman -- but occasionally by Cassandra herself, or by Queen Clytemnestra --it relates Agamemnon's doomed return to Mycenae with his unwilling concubine. Most who read this novel will already be aware of the ending . . . but, as usual for such retellings, it's the viewpoint that makes the difference. And, in the queen's case, her motivation.

The primary ghost in this retelling is Iphigenia, Agamemnon's eldest daughter whom he sacrificed to assure a fair wind to Troy for his invading armies. She haunts the entire novel, but is joined in the palace at Mycenae by other, older child ghosts -- and their own reasons for vengeance. Unfortunately, the children's appearances are accompanied by occasional very English nursery rhymes, which can be jarring for the reader. I enjoyed this one on Audible, and had no problem with the British narration otherwise. The rhymes simply damaged my suspension of disbelief, removing me from ancient Greece to a malignant English nursery

That point aside, this one is definitely worth a full credit purchase for those who have been following the series. I preordered mine, and wasn't disappointed.

Serial Killers: Real and Imagined by Emily Zarka

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a rather short Great Course -- all lectures are well under 30 minutes, & only 10 lectures that I recall. It's an Audible Original, written & presented by Emily Zarka. She is listed as a "public scholar," with no university credential listed. That said, she does a very entertaining & informative job of covering the serial killer trope -- & its actual history -- beginning with 17th century cases & working up to the 21st. Along the way, she examines the origins & continuing popularity of the true crime genre, & offers the suggestion that how we view serial killers is very much a reflection of how we view our own society, & what we fear in our lives.

Depending on how much of a true crime fan you are, there is probably only a moderate amount of new material here -- but it's presented well, & the course is available free with Audible membership. I didn't feel as though I'd wasted my listening time, though I would definitely not consider this as a full credit purchase.









View all my reviews

Ghosts of Zenith by Larry Correia

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A right-sized, straightforward SF police procedural novella. Second in a series -- Lost Planet Homicide was the first --set on a hellscape of a colony world no one was ever intended to settle. Or were they? That answer isn't quite provided, though it's hinted at. This is a nice fast-paced mystery that doesn't take itself too seriously or waste the listener's time. Some excellent worldbuilding, too. Good for anyone who enjoyed Outland or similar SF movies.

I got this as part of my Audible Plus subscription. Not sure it would rate a full credit purchase, but worth picking up for a two-hour break from the 21st century.



View all my reviews

Wolves and Werewolves in History and Popular Culture by Shannon Scott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This 10 lecture Great Courses Audible Original was a fun & informative mini-course, though it suffered somewhat from cramming too much into too few lectures. This resulted in less depth on certain topics than the listener (assuming a geeky, dark-lit-obsessed listener!) might wish. Still, it did cover the subject pretty comprehensively, with a feminist focus to some lectures.

I was happy to find out about a few authors & films I'd missed out on, & enjoyed the sweep of information. The lecturer has apparently done a similar course for actual university students, & is quite enthusiastic about her subject.

I acquired this as part of the Audible Plus catalog, free with my membership. As such, I found it very worth my time -- though perhaps not meriting a full credit purchase. Most werewolf enthusiasts will probably find something new here, & medieval or Victorian lit lovers might enjoy it as well.






View all my reviews

Network Effect by Martha Wells

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Murderbot's first full-length adventure (mission?) combines its continuing journey toward full "personhood" with the kind of fast-paced action this series reliably delivers.

In this one, everybody's favorite rogue SecUnit gets trapped into helping a friend -- OK, the sentient bot-pilot of a university ship -- rescue its humans from kidnapping and worse. Of course, Murderbot's own humans get dragged into the situation. As does yet another rogue SecUnit, barely aware of its own possibilities until Murderbot explains them -- and, despite itself, acquires another friend.

The worldbuilding in this one seemed exceptionally good, but I'm not sure that Murderbot at novel length works quite as well otherwise. The rest of this series have been novellas, & their plotlines felt somewhat crisper. That said, I'll be continuing to read or listen to the Murderbot Diaries at whatever length they are offered!





View all my reviews

the way she spoke by Isaac Gomez

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A powerful, bleak, but ultimately confusing one-woman (though written by a man) drama about the femicides in Juarez, Mexico. I suspect I might have gotten more out of it if I knew some Spanish or had at least seen the play performed onstage. As it was, the horrific details of the playwright's research trip (or was this an actual trip?) as narrated by the female performer were eclipsed by my uncertainties about what was going on. A little less untranslated Spanish might have helped.

That said, however, this was one of the more frightening things I've listened to or read in some time. I thought I was somewhat familiar with the situation for women in Juarez, but I also thought it had improved in the past few years. Now I know better. Well dramatized & very effective, but not for everyone.

This was an Oct. 2019 free selection on Audible. Since it is well under two hours, I wouldn't recommend it as a credit selection. For those who can deal with the material, however, it would be well worth the listening time as a free or discounted item.



View all my reviews

The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This Audible audiobook (short novel length) is a holiday treat for folks who can't get enough Victoriana in their Christmas.

First published in 1894, this is a slightly predictable but still enjoyable tale of country house holidays in Cornwall, with all the requisite trimmings. Brooding, aging lord of the manor with complicated family problems? Check. Disowned & widowed daughter? Check. Desperately ill child with sickbed drama? Check . . . It's all done with a certain amount of wit, however. And who couldn't use a happy ending these days?

Recommended for incurable Anglophiles, Dickens fans, Janeites (slightly wrong time period, but similar social commentary) -- & anyone up for Victorian holiday fiction, melodrama & all. It was free from Audible when I acquired it, & I'm glad I did.



View all my reviews

The Secret Place by Tana French

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’d never even heard of the Dublin Murder Squad series before picking up this book (in CD format, from my local library), but decided to give this one a try after reading a rave mention in Time.

And I am so very glad I did.

This tightly structured story of a cold case reopened at an elite girls’ school is one of the most remarkably elegant mysteries I’ve read or listened to in a long time. Switching back & forth between the actual investigation (which takes a single day) and the events leading up to the murder (which occupy an entire year at St. Kilda’s), this narrative offers so much more than a whodunit. It’s also an examination of friendship – both adolescent and adult – and the sacrifices we’re willing to make for it.

In its depth of characterization, its attention to procedural detail, and its consistently lovely prose, this one reminded me very much of reading the late lamented P.D. James.




View all my reviews

Double Share by Nathan Lowell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Not sure why I haven't done a text review for this series yet, but it's past time -- because Golden Age of the Solar Clipper is a remarkable immersive experience (in Podiobook form, anyhow) for those of us who enjoy space opera.

The premise is simple: follow a POV character (the improbably named Ishmael Wang) through his career in a spacefaring version of the merchant marine. Lowell's world-building -- or universe-building -- is detailed, & his characters have depth. This series has gotten me through many treadmill miles and house-cleaning sessions.

Until this volume, however, I was finding the plot a bit mild. No fear this time around! Double Share is the edgiest of the series thus far, placing Our Hero as a newly minted third mate aboard a nastily dysfunctional ship.

I've already put a bit in the Podiobooks tip jar for this one, & downloaded some of Vol. 5 to my iPod. Fans of Lois McMaster Bujold, David Weber, or C.J. Cherryh should definitely try this series, if they haven't already.



View all my reviews