Review: Lost on a Mountain in Maine

Lost on a Mountain in Maine by Donn Fendler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An enjoyable and quick read. The true story of a young Donn Fendler who gets lost in the woods when he strays off a trail on Maine's Mt Katahdin. It tells the tale of his nearly 2 weeks in the woods trying to survive while dealing with unforgiving terrain, weather, bugs and animals. Likely an inspiration for Stephen King's tale The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.

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Review: Becoming the Boogeyman

Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Richard Chizmar has another winner in this follow-up to 2021's Chasing The Boogeyman. While you don't have to read Chasing The Boogeyman before diving into the new book, you should strongly consider doing so, as there are references to people and events from the earlier book that will make more sense if you do. Here's my spoiler-free review of the original.

In this fictional "true crime" story Chizmar delivers a suspenseful, even more personal tale full of unexpected action, twists and turns. A series of gruesome killings straight out of The Boogeyman's playbook are happening, and the Chizmar family and friends are right in the middle of it all. The tale is told with a mix of current event reporting, interview transcripts, photos and recollections that build to a satisfying and completely unexpected conclusion.

Review: Holly

Holly by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fantastic - and disturbing - story that showcases one of the things I love best about his writing. He always delivers great, memorable characters that you can't help feeling strongly about and become invested in.

Some folks love the Holly Gibney character, and others do not. I think there's something really special about her, and how her character has grown from her first appearance in Mr. Mercedes.

This should be on your to-be-read list, right after you catch up with her journey that began with the Bill Hodges trilogy, The Outsider and If It Bleeds.

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Review: A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A classic ghost story about selfishness and greed, and the possibility of redemption.

This is a book I re-read almost every year as a way to remind myself that change is possible.

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Review: Dune

Dune by Frank Herbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A science fiction masterpiece! Weaves religion, politics, ecology and mysticism together in a tale of treachery, resurrection, and redemption.

Young Paul Atreides must find a way to survive the harshness of the desert planet Arrakis, known as Dune, and find a way to avenge the wrongs done to his family by the Imperial Emperor and the Atreides' arch-rival the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen.

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Review: House of the Wolf

House of the Wolf by M.K. Wren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun, fast-paced read with plenty of plot twists/surprises.

 
Similar in many ways to the original Dune trilogy - science fiction, futuristic feudal system of government with a strong religious element for certain segments of the population.. not as grand in scope but well worth a read (along with the other two books in the trilogy)

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Review: Shadow of the Swan

Shadow of the Swan by M.K. Wren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun, fast-paced read with plenty of plot twists/surprises.

 
Similar in many ways to the original Dune trilogy - science fiction, futuristic feudal system of government with a strong religious element for certain segments of the population.. not as grand in scope but well worth a read (along with the other two books in the trilogy)

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