Ashley Pohlenz – Derby Public Library's Blog

What’s Ashley Reading?: Boudicca

Boudicca by P. C. Cast

First line: For the rest of my life, when fog swirled in with the dawn, my stomach would tighten, and the small hairs on my forearms would lift.

Summary: In Roman controlled Britain, the local tribes are struggling to keep their autonomy. The Iceni tribe has a new queen, Boudicca, who is determined to not bend the knee to the occupying forces. After they are attacked and barely escape with their lives, Boudicca and the Iceni tribe gather their allies and plan a counter attack on three major Roman-held cities. As they prove their might through their victories they retreat for the winter and to strategize for the upcoming spring. However, the Druid seer sees that there is destruction in their future. With trust in her patron goddess, Boudicca and the Iceni hope to change their fate as the next battle with the Roman legions approaches.

My Thoughts: My interest in Boudicca and her rebellion are rather recent. Several years ago while visiting London I was able to visit the statue to Boudicca on Westminster Bridge. It is rather impressive as she looms over the bridge and raises her arms in challenge or maybe even triumph.

P.C. Cast brings the history and the woman who led an army against the Romans to life in her book. Boudicca was a fiery haired, powerful and passionate woman. She did what many men of her time would not have dreamed of doing. Through the narrative we see what led Boudicca on her mission to oust the Romans from Britain and the consequences of her actions. The story is not one that is easy to read, including the atrocities that were done to her and her daughters. As with many stories of war it is filled with death and loss but there is love and hope as well.

I found this to be an interesting first dive into Roman Britain and the Iceni rebellion. For anyone else who loves a strong female character and ancient history then I’d highly recommend picking this one up.

What’s Ashley Reading?: I’ll Be Gone In The Dark

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

First line: After processing the house, the police said to Drew Witthuhn, “It’s yours.”

Summary: For a decade someone was terrorizing Northern California. The perpetrator was responsible for over fifty rapes and assaults before moving south where the incidents escalated to murder. But suddenly the crime spree stopped.

Thirty years later, true crime author Michelle McNamara started looking into the case for her website, TrueCrimeDiary.com. As she interviewed victims, poured over police records and talked with other true crime sleuths she started piecing together the story and the culprits that the police had yet to catch.

Through her work she was able to bring more exposure to the case than had been seen since the time of the actual crimes. McNamara was not able to finish her work due to her untimely death but her devotion to finding the killer paid off when an arrest was made in the case. One woman’s obsession lead to the capture of the person she called, “The Golden State Killer”.

My Thoughts: I remember the hype of this book when it originally came out. It was huge! But for some reason I never read it until recently. It could be because I’m going through my true crime era and I’m watching all the documentaries Hulu and Netflix have to offer. So it felt like a good time to listen to McNamara’s book.

I enjoyed how it featured her own obsession with the crime, how the research affected her life and the details of the case she uncovered. Years of her life were spent piecing together the events of the decade long rampage of the Golden State Killer. She looked at all the original suspects and tried to link them to the patterns that were emerging. It was truly fascinating to see how diligent she was in her research. It is unfortunate that she was not able to see the culmination of the case before her death.

This truly deserved the attention it was given. The content is very dark and definitely not for everyone. But I am happy that her friends and family made sure that her work was completed and presented to the world. If you love true crime and haven’t picked this one up yet, I’d highly recommend it!

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Blonde Identity

The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter

First line: Here’s the thing about waking up with no memory in the middle of the night, in the middle of the street, in the middle of Paris: at least you’re waking up in Paris.

Summary: Waking up in the middle of Paris with a splitting headache and no memory of how she got there or who she even is, a young woman is being told to run because people are trying to kill her. As she and the handsome stranger race across Europe to escape the assassins they realize that she is the identical sister of the spy who is the actual target. In hopes of discovering why she is being chased and finding her sister the two pose as newlyweds. But as they learn more about the reason she is being hunted, the woman cannot decide who to trust, the man who rescued her or the sister she cannot remember.

My Thoughts: Having recently read Ally Carter’s newest book, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, and really enjoying it I decided to try another of her adult rom-com mysteries. This one I listened to rather than read which I feel like sometimes affects my reception to a story. I did enjoy this and plan to read book two this fall but it didn’t hit with me as much as the other one.

This is a fast paced romantic spy comedy. When I started I got The Spy Who Dumped Me vibes. I liked the banter between the characters but I struggled a little with the instalove. It all happened really quickly. But this could be because the plot had to move fast. It was a quick spy novel where they are running for their lives. There are several twists which may be a little predictable but all in all it was a fun read and kept my attention throughout. I hope to see the characters developed more in upcoming stories.

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Resurrectionist

The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap

First line: To hear my mother tell the story, my decision to abandon my studies at Oxford was enough to disgrace my father into an early grave.

Summary: James Willoughby has left his studies and life at Oxford for the chance at the new learning happening at Edinburgh University. In his hopes of becoming a surgeon he has enrolled in one of the private anatomy schools but it comes with a high price tag. Being short on funds he seeks employment with the school but the work is not exactly what he was expecting. In order to gain the specimens for the school, a group calling themselves Resurrectionists, are in charge of stealing fresh bodies from the cemeteries of Edinburgh. While not legal, the actions are necessary to the students seeking the knowledge of the human body and learn their trade.

However, there seems to be a new crew that has started to take over the body snatching market. This new crew seems to be able to procure the freshest of specimens and will not tolerate any competition. As James and his fellow Resurrectionists try to discover how they are pulling off these snatches they learn that this crew will even murder to keep their advantage. But they must do it before they are the next targets of the nefarious Burke and Hare!

My Thoughts: Until a few years ago I had never heard of Burke and Hare. These notorious “body snatchers” from the dark streets of Edinburgh were a big deal during their time. When I saw this book come across my desk I knew I had to read it.

I did really enjoy the story and the characters but I struggled with how loosely based on the facts the author was. So if you are someone familiar with the history then I recommend going in to this without too much expectation of historical accuracy. But the plot was interesting and exciting!

I thought the author did a great job bringing this dark underside of medical history to life. She explains the ways that families tried to stop body snatching from happening including metal collars, mort safes, tokens in the soil and watchmen but it did little good for many. It seems rather shocking that this happened but the laws around cadavers was very strict and the medical world was desperate. It definitely gives the reader something to think about in morality as well as innovation.

The atmosphere of the book is written well. It felt cold, dark and gothic. Just like the city itself. Having visited Edinburgh in April 2022, I was familiar with several of the locations mentioned in the story. As I read I could remember the cold, rainy days we walked up the cobbled streets and through the Closes all over Edinburgh’s Old Town. However, my favorite recollection while reading was our time spent wandering around Greyfriar’s Kirkyard. It is probably the best known cemetery in Edinburgh filled with old gravestones, mort safes and inspiration for several of J.K. Rowling’s characters. This place possesses a distinctly gothic atmosphere.

FYI: If you are looking for more information on Burke and Hare, I’d highly recommend the podcast episode, Burke & Hare: Scotland’s Most Notorious Serial Killers, done by After Dark on the History Hit channel.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

First line: Sit.

Summary: In St. Augustine, Florida, there is a home for wayward girls just like “Fern”, a young girl who is sent away by her family to deal with her shame in secret. When Fern arrives at the home she meets a dozen other girls in the same position. They have all been sent away to have their babies and forget that this ever happened. Miss Wellwood and her staff control every aspect of the girls’ lives because they believe they know best. That is until the day a librarian appears giving Fern a book on witchcraft and now the girls with no power have discovered that they can wield power against those who control them. But like with all things this power comes with a price.

My Thoughts: I have come to love Grady Hendrix’s books. He writes some truly creepy stories that don’t have to be bloody. And while he does that again here he also veers into something unlike he’s written before. Dealing with the stigma of unwed teenagers in the 1970s is a heartbreaking subject but I think he did it in such a great way. He shows how demonized the girls were and the lack of consequences for the male partner in the situation. In a post Roe era this really seems to be a book for the time.

Besides the horrible treatment of these girls he brings in a paranormal aspect too. The girls get their hands on a book for witches where they see a chance to gain some power in a powerless place. It seems rather innocent until they encounter other witches. From the beginning we know that the promises they make will not end well. Hendrix writes some absolutely spine-tingling scenes of suspense as the girls deal with backing out of their promises. I loved every word of those moments.

I found the characters very easy to sympathize with. The girls all had dreams but found that the world around them is tipped against them. The women around them seem to be there to help but many do not. It is a world that unfortunately was too real at the time. I would highly recommend this but be prepared to deal with some truly heartbreaking moments. It is not your normal Grady Hendrix but it is executed beautifully and worth the read.

What’s Ashley Reading?: A Year in Review

This was a busy year for reading! I completed 112 books in 2024 but there were a few standouts that I would highly recommend. Below are my top 10 books I read in 2024!

Murder Road by Simone St. James
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
The September House by Carissa Orlando
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
Heir by Sabaa Tahir
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

And I know that next year will have some great books for my TBR list. Here are the ones I am most looking forward too!

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis (01/07/2025)
Carving Shadows Into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer (01/28/2025)
The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare (03/04/2025)
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (03/18/2025)
Story of a Murder by Hallie Rubenhold (03/25/2025)
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (04/22/2025)
The Love Haters by Katherine Center (05/20/2025)
Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson (06/10/2025)
With a Vengeance by Riley Sager (07/03/2025)
Boudicca’s Daughter by Elodie Harper (08/28/2025)

What were your favorite reads of 2024? And what are you looking forward to the most in 2025? Leave us a comment!

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

First line: It wasn’t until the elevator doors were sliding open that Maggie realized she was about to come face-to-face with her three least favorite things in the world: Christmas. A party. And Ethan Freaking Wyatt.

Summary: Maggie accepts a mysterious invitation from her editor to visit her biggest fan in England at Christmastime. Unbeknownst to her, Ethan Wyatt, her arch-nemesis is joining her and her biggest fan is none other than her favorite author, Eleanor Ashley. Upon arrival a snow storm arrives stranding the writers and Eleanor Ashley’s other guests in her isolated mansion. As they settle in for the holiday Maggie believes that Eleanor plans to name a successor, or that is until she disappears from a locked room. Now Maggie and Ethan have to try to find out what happened to Eleanor and avoid whoever seems to be trying to kill them before it’s too late.

My Thoughts: This was the perfect mix of cozy mystery with a holiday romance! I had such a good time reading and trying to figure out the mystery. I loved the chemistry between Maggie and Ethan which was enhanced with the tension and miscommunications.

I’ve seen many people comparing this to Knives Out and I feel that it is a good comparison but I would almost recommend it more on the feel of an Agatha Christie novel. It has all the things I love from her stories with the added enemies to lovers romance trope. Plus, it plays on the real life Agatha Christie disappearance.

One complaint I had was the cover. It is cute (kind of) but it could be much better! There are so many fun covers anymore with the cartoonish characters but this one just wasn’t as good. But don’t judge this book by its cover. It is perfect for Christmas time and it reads very fast! I would highly recommend picking it up for your holiday break.

What’s Ashley Reading?: You Better Watch Out

You Better Watch Out by James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth

First line: Darkness had invaded Old Forge.

Summary: Eddie wakes up in what appears to be an abandoned town resembling Old Forge. The last thing he remembers is an elderly couple injecting him with a syringe while he was attempting to rob them. As he stumbles into one of the store fronts to escape the snowstorm outside he finds several others who appear to have been brought here under similar circumstances. The group cannot understand why or how they arrived here but they are determined to find a way out.

However, over the next few hours they realize that someone is watching them and the whole town is booby trapped. If they have any hope of surviving the night they need to find a way out of the town or discover who is hunting them in this Christmas village of horror.

My Thoughts: Well, this is not you normal Christmas book! It is dark, creepy and very bloody but I can say that it kept my attention the whole time. There was very little downtime in the story. The pacing was quick and keeps the reader from getting bored. From the very beginning I had Saw vibes, where the characters wake up in a strange place and they must play some twisted game to escape. And there is quite a big twist at the end which brings it all full circle.

The characters are rather undeveloped but the environment almost becomes a character on its own. It is a town that appears to be a work in progress or a movie set all decorated for Christmas, complete with a merry-go-round and Christmas decorations. It is a warren of traps in a quaint postcard setting.

My one complaint was that I basically figured out or guessed the twists. It took on some horror tropes but I still found it a thrilling read.

This book is not for the faint of heart. It has some rather horrifying deaths in it. I have seen my share of horror movies and true crime shows but this still made me a little queasy. But if you want something truly creepy for your holiday reading then I would recommend picking this one up!

What’s Ashley Reading?: Listen For the Lie

Listen For the Lie by Amy Tintera

First line: A podcaster has decided to ruin my life, so I’m buying a chicken.

Summary: Lucy has spent years trying to remember as well as escape the night she was found wandering along the road covered in her best friend’s blood. Lucy and Savvy were well known in their community and with Savvy’s death and Lucy’s apparent guilt, it rocked the town. But since Lucy is unable to remember what happened that night and no evidence she was involved it has become a cold case. That is until a true crime podcaster decides to showcase the story on his podcast, “Listen for the Lie”. As Lucy returns home for the first in years she has to face those who believe she murdered her best friend and the possibility that the podcast may uncover the truth she cannot remember.

My Thoughts: This book hit all the right buttons for me. It has a dark humor with a good mystery. Lucy, the main character, is plagued by her lack of memories from the night her friend died. She knows that many people do not believe her to be innocent and she cannot defend herself because she doesn’t know either. This lack of memory has led to her hearing a dark voice in her head tempting her to do terrible things. At times it could be annoying but others it is nearly laugh out loud funny.

I love the way podcasts have made their way into storytelling. I have been on a true crime documentary kick and I love a good podcast, making this a format perfect for my reading style lately. Throughout the narrative there are snippets of the podcast, usually interviews with townspeople or suspects. It all blended together smoothly and made the mystery even more intriguing as new information is revealed during these interviews.

I listened to the audio version and found it perfect for the storytelling style. I would highly recommend this format with this story. It was kept me interested and entertained throughout.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Love and Other Conspiracies

Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe

First line: Los Angeles is a city of believers.

Summary: Hallie Barrett has had a hard time lately. She recently broke up with her boyfriend who also happens to be her coworker and is currently in search of a new idea for a show in order to keep her job. On a drunken night she stumbles upon a cryptid docuseries hosted by an extremely handsome and enthusiastic host. In the hopes of reviving her career she approaches the cryptid hunter, Hayden Hargrove, with a proposition for a web series. But as Hayden’s on screen persona leaves much to be desired Hallie jumps in with her questions and skeptical remarks, sparking an instant connection and a huge fan following. As they search for Bigfoot, Mothman and other legendary creatures they find themselves discovering love rather than monsters.

My Thoughts: This was such a fun romance novel for the spooky season. Rather than being scary it was a humorous story about two people who just happen to find each other while hunting for Bigfoot. And the cover is so stinking cute!

I liked the characters. Hallie felt very relatable. She deals with doubt and rejection but becomes stronger as the story progresses. Hayden was the cute monster hunting nerd. He reminds me a little of Josh Gates from the shows, Expedition Unknown and Destination Truth. I loved their banter and chemistry. It felt natural and not forced.

This is the author’s debut novel and I feel like it was a great start. It had humor, quirky characters, romance tropes and a little bit of spice (mild/medium). Everything you want from good romance novel. I would highly recommend it!

FYI: This title is only available on Libby, CloudLibrary or through Interlibrary loan.