A Night To Die For
by Lisa Schroeder
“A Night To Die For” by Lisa Schroeder is a YA mystery. While I am a senior, I find them uncomplicated in a good way. Relational, but not a lot of sex, lots of personal drama, but escapist in a non-adult bills and taxes way. Just what I want to get away from covid, politics, and ALL the bad news on CNN.
PLOT: A group of friends having fun at prom, what could be more natural? Well, there is the dead prom queen and the fact that the prom king, not her date, is accused of killing her. Now Mario is in jail. So much for helping his mother out by taking her boss’ daughter to the biggest social event of the season. First dates can be deadly…LITERALLY!
CRITIQUE: This book has a lot going for it. Small town politics, social class issues, and while not explicitly stated racial/ethnic conflict. So normal. The good guy gets in trouble for just being a nice, helpful guy. Realistic in the fact that characters aren’t honest. They lie… A LOT! Makes for a more challenging mystery. I never figured out who did it or even how they did it until the end and the great reveal.
FINAL ANALYSIS: WOW! Great book! This is a keeper! Even if you think you know who did it, you can’t figure out how. The truth is hidden under so many lies. I will read it again just to follow the depth of lies and see if anyone messes up earlier in book.
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The Group
by Mary Mccarthy
“The Group” by Mary McCarthy has been on my reading bucket list for decades. It was a book I had heard whispers about since I was a child. I learned that the biggest shocker was that one of the characters was a lesbian. By 2022 standards, it is a shocker if one of the characters is NOT a LGBTQIA+ character. So here’s my review:
PLOT: Eight women of the Vassar class of 1933 head out into the world. They face the trials of deflowerment, careers, marriage, motherhood, and finally, death. Each chapter looks at a different woman and her particular challenges. The book begins with a wedding and ends with a funeral.
CRITIQUE: The book reads like a college class gossip blog. Minor characters are introduced according to their college and year of graduation…even family members. (Mother, Mary Flanagan (Vassar ’04) There is considerable name dropping of people, places, and products. (Lunch at the Plaza in my new Bendel’s floral wrap.) Yes, it is graphic – if you consider sex and breast feeding that reads like a description from an auto repair manual. (Grasp wrench firmly, rotate clockwise, if stuck, tap lightly with rubber mallet.)
Honestly, if you want to understand the plot, save yourself the agony of reading almost 500 pages of small print, and rent the 1966 movie. (I did!) It is accurate and complete. I am sorry to say, “The movie is better than the book.”
FINAL ANALYSIS: Frankly darling, if you want a salacious read, pick up Peyton Place by Marie Grace DeRepentigny. You remember her, married George Metalious (UNH ’48) right out of high school. (What else could she do, but write?) Goodness, those New England farmers really got up to it. I guess there’s not much else to do once the chickens roost for the night. Well my dear, off to Macy’s for a fitting. Ta ta for now!
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