Book Chatter

So Late In The Day: Stories of Women and Men
By Claire Keegan
Grove Press, 9780802160850, Nov 2023, 128 pp.

The Short of It:

There is something untapped when I read a Keegan book and it’s a tad exhilarating.

The Rest of It:

I recently read and reviewed Small Things Like These. It was a short novel that packed quite a punch but as soon as I was done reading it, I eagerly picked up another book by Keegan. Sue over at The Cue Card recommended this one to me and so I quickly found a copy and settled in.

This collection of stories is again, very brief. Only 128 pages. The three stories all deal with men and women and have a hint of something that sits just a little off kilter. You know what I mean? There is an uneasiness to the storytelling but it’s also just so compelling. There’s a little hint of danger, especially with the last story, Antarctica. The nuances of men interacting with women and the sharing of their internal thoughts, is riveting.

If you need a short, powerful, really well-written book to add to your end-of-the-year totals, make sure to add this one.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

The Midnight Feast
By Lucy Foley
William Morrow & Company, 9780063003101, June 2024, 368pp.

The Short of It:

In the end, disappointment.

The Rest of It:

“It’s the opening night of The Manor, the newest and hottest luxury resort, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And it’s not too long before the local police are called. Turns out the past has crashed the party, with deadly results.” ~ from the publisher

This story alternates between when these characters were young, and them as adults. As youths, I was taken in by the story. But the adult characters were such crashing bores. I’ve read two other Foley books and enjoyed them quite a bit, but this one lost me every time the story turned to the present.

As a mystery, nothing is surprising and some of the antics are quite juvenile and ridiculous. I’m okay reading a book for its entertainment value but about halfway through that desire left me but I pushed through to finish it.

I know some people enjoyed this one but I do not recommend it. Read one of her other books.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

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