Summer Reading 2: Dawn of the Dark Books
Okay, both of these are fairly dark. Not books to read if you’re looking for something light and happy.
SHADOW OF POWER BY STEVE MARTINI
This book was recommended to me with a description: a legal whodunit. At first, I was reluctant to read it. I like mysteries, but usually the legal ones are confusing and/or overdone and/or cliche. The prologue did nothing to assuage my fears. But as I continued reading and got used to the writing, the plot picked up and turned into a not-too-shabby story chock full of intrigue and suspense. So there’s this guy. His name’s Terry Scarborough. He’s a lawyer turned author, and his first book is a bestseller. The reason? It exposes the fact that *gasp* the language of slavery is still in the Constitution (which it is). His book has caused riots and destruction all over the country. And then he gets killed. And Carl Arnsberg’s fingerprints are found on the scene. How will defense lawyer Paul Madriani prove that Carl, a simple hotel employee, didn’t commit the crime? I wouldn’t give it a rave review, but I certainly enjoyed reading it.
REBECCA BY DAPHNE DUMAURIER
This book is not like any other I’ve read. It’s a love story, a mystery, and a lot of the time it’s just downright creepy. A young, mousy girl is accompanying her loud and rude cousin on a trip in Monte Carlo when she meets Maximilian de Winter. Her companion informs her that he owns Manderley, a huge mansion on the Cornish coast, and that his wife Rebecca died a little over a year ago. The girl (whose name we never find out) falls in love with de Winter and on the day she is supposed to leave, he proposes. When the happy couple arrives back at Manderley, the new Mrs. de Winter meets the creepy housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who is still devoted to Rebecca. Everywhere, Mrs. de Winter feels the presence of Rebecca, who was the perfect hostess and an even more perfect wife who Maximilian hasn’t quite gotten over. But was she really that perfect? At turns bonechilling and heartbreaking, this is a masterpiece that never disappoints. Some may find the writing a little odd, but for me it contributes to the story. Read this. You won’t regret it.
