Book Reviews by Barb

LaRose

Fiction

Louise Erdich 2016

“LaRose” is the 18th novel by award winning author Louise Erdrich. This is a soulful story of justice, retribution and love, written in Erdrich’s familiar native storytelling style.

It is set in 1999 in the dying prairie town of Pluto, N.D., a reservation border village, and is the tale of white vs. tribal, and catholic vs. traditional native spirit ways.

Landreaux Iron is an Ojibwe who is a catholic who is also following tribal ways. Out hunting, he accidentally shoots and kills Dusty, his neighbor Peter Ravich’s young son. It is determined to be an accident by tribal police, but strong familial emotions arise, as Dusty’s mother Nola and Landreaux’s wife Emmaline are half sisters.

In accordance with tribal ways of justice, Landreaux must give his own young son, LaRose, to the Ravich family. Dusty’s older sister Maggie devotes herself to keeping Nola alive, with the help of LaRose.

Animosities must be worked through between the half sisters while following tradition. * * * * *

The Little Red Chairs Fiction

Edna O’Brien 2015

“The Little Red Chairs” is Edna O’Brien’s 17th novel and the first in 10 years. O’Brien’s writing as always is moving and lyrical. It is set in the hamlet of Coonoila, Ireland, after the Bosnian war.

Dapper and intriguing Dr. Vlademir Dragon, a poet and holistic healer, arrives and the town folk are smitten — particularly Fidelma McBride, unhappily married to an older man and wishing for a child. She falls under his spell and turns to him, becoming pregnant after a brief encounter.

Fidelma’s illusion is shattered when Dr. Vlad is arrested and revealed to be a war criminal and mass murderer in Bosnia, which he denies. The Cloonoila residents are at first devastated but as the truth comes out, Fidelma is forced to leave her home. She first journeys to London and then to the Hague where he is being tried. She confronts him and he denies her and proclaims his innocence in the crimes.

O’Brien touches on some of the Bosnian Civil War, but focuses on Fidelma and her trial from romance to horror. * *

The Boy Fiction/thriller

Tami Hoag 2018

“The Boy” is Tami Hoag’s sequel to “The Thin Dark Line,” with young married couple Detective Nick Foureade and Detective Annie Broussard teaming up again to solve a gruesome murder.

The story is set in Bayou Breau, La. On a hot and steamy night, single mother Genevieve Gauthier’s 7-year-old son KJ is brutally murdered. Genevieve is injured and flees their home.

A second mystery comes into play when KJ’s 12-year-old babysitter Nora Flourette disappears the next day.

The plot thickens as it comes to light that Genevieve is a convicted criminal. Genevieve is both victim and accused, and it comes to light that babysitter Nora has a questionable background.

The story is full of intrigue as Annie and Nick struggle to solve the mysteries, sometimes at odds with each other as the romantic couple they are.

(Note: Remember Tami Hoag began her writing career with Silhouette romance novels in the 1980s.) D