Book review – Derby Public Library's Blog

What’s Ashley Reading?: Tourist Season

Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver

First line: I’m sure nobody goes on vacation expecting to be dismembered and put through a woodchipper, but some tourists are just assholes and deserve their fate.

Summary: Cape Carnage looks like the perfect vacation town. It leans into its unique name with unusual local shops and seasonal events. Harper Starling has spent the last several years endearing herself to the locals while taking care of her elderly landlord and mentor. However, to keep this town in order she sometimes has to deal with an annoying tourist or two. Then Nolan Rhodes rolls into town and Harper’s life turns upside down. Nolan is not the only threat to Harper and Cape Carnage this tourist season, an amateur filmmaker is hoping to discover the secrets of this quaint town and its dark past.

My Thoughts: I was not sure how I would feel about Brynne Weaver’s work. I know that she can be rather spicy and these books are very dark too. Over the last few years, I have started reading more romance so I was more used to the spicy bits by this point. I can see this book being a love it or hate it read. There are very serious trigger warnings listed at the beginning. There is romance, humor and murder but to the extreme. It will most likely be too much for some readers.

With that all being said, I found this to be so much fun! I loved the enemies to lovers vibe. The banter and manipulation between the two main characters gave some lightness to the serial killer stuff. I absolutely want to visit Cape Carnage but I would be a good tourist so I do not end up visiting Cookie Monster (IYKYK).

With all these other strong points, my favorite part had to be Arthur. The curmudgeonly old man that Harper takes care of. Whenever he makes an appearance, I smile. He may have some memory and murder issues but he truly cares about his town and Harper.

If you want something different and can handle the trigger warnings, then you should add this to your TBR for your fall reading.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Getting Away With Murder

Getting Away With Murder by Shari Lapena

First line: He said it would be the perfect day for it.

Summary: Ted and Jill love their home. They have worked for years to make it the perfect sanctuary. They have everything they could want, that is until Ted’s inheritance runs out and a line of bad investments leaves them nervous for their future. To them the solution is obvious! They need to kill Ted’s brother and then his millions will be theirs. How hard can it be to commit a murder as long as they stick together?

My Thoughts: This book was so disappointing! I liked the start. It seemed like a good premise but then everything just seemed so flat. The characters were horrible and unlikeable. The story just felt like it was going in circles and repeating things. The “twists” did not feel that shocking. This could have been a short story. It did not need a whole novel to get through the plot. I dragged my way through it with the hope of redemption but it was not there. Looking back on her past works, my ratings have dropped with each new book. I may just need to give up on her and give my time to a new author instead.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Wild Goose Chase

Wild Goose Chase by Sarah Adler

First line: I arrive at my ex-girlfriend’s house at ten o’clock at night with the prelude to a tension headache and mere dregs remaining of my self-respect.

Summary: Callahan Leitner has spent years working for and then owning an antique store. He takes pride in his career and his shop. However, this all is in jeopardy by an illegal taxidermy goose in his apartment. With the help of his temporary assistant and burgeoning small business owner, Annie, he tries to find a way to return the goose without being arrested. Unfortunately, for them, the goose disappears, sending them on a wild goose chase to find the bird that could ruin both of their careers.

My Thoughts: Like Adler’s other books, this was just a lot of fun! The witty banter between the two main characters, the chemistry and the weirdness were just a perfect mix. I loved the characters. Annie sitting on the counter singing to her sub sandwich. Cal’s nerdiness and vulnerability. It was just so wonderful from the very start.

I had no idea about the laws surrounding taxidermy geese. I really appreciated how the author started the book with information on this law to give context for the story.

I loved the dual timelines as well. This structure is one of my favorites in novels. I like to see the history and the present day mixed in to give deeper meaning to the story. It added such a fun layer to the plot and made even the goose a more fleshed out character.

Sarah Adler does such a great job of writing a funny romantic story. She is definitely a writer I will continue to automatically request on Netgalley or from the library.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Whack Job

Whack Job by Rachel McCarthy James

First line: Early on in the process of writing my first book about axe murder, I took a job working in an after-school program.

Summary: Over the millennia the axe has changed. It is an important tool used in hunting, building and creating other tools. Along with it being a tool of survival, it became a tool of murder too. As time progressed the types and style of axe has evolved with human’s needs. Told by moving through history from prehistoric to the modern era, we are shown different types of axes and how these axes played a part in history and true crime. Ranging from the executions of Henry VIII to the trial of Lizzie Borden, the author brings the role of axes to the reader in a completely new way.

My Thoughts: I remember seeing this book a year ago when we first purchased it and find it very intriguing. I knew I wanted to read it someday but until I picked it up again recently, I had completely forgotten about it. In May 2026, Whack Job was recognized as a Kansas Notable Book. This award brought the book back to my attention and I decided it was a great time to give it a go.

I found the layout and structure of the book to be a creative way to explore this microhistory. Each chapter begins with a different historical type of axe and explaining its uses at the time in question. These sections are then followed by a historical event in which this type of axe may have been used.

In the first chapter, we find a stone axe and what appears to be a murder of a prehistoric human. Using cranial reconstruction the scientists were able to see that a sharp blow to the head was the cause of death and could have come from one of these stone axes. Science is so remarkable in what it can tell us. As we progress through time, events become more documented and well known but no less interesting.

I found this book to be completely fascinating and I wanted to read “just one more chapter” each night. For fans of true crime and microhistories, this is the perfect addition to your TBR list.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Cocked and Boozy

Cocked and Boozy by Brooke Barbier

First line: Without thinking about it too much, conjure up an image of Benjamin Franklin–whatever comes to mind.

Summary: In Brooke Barbier’s new book she takes a look at how alcohol shaped the early years of our country. Using primary sources, she delves into the importance of alcohol in policy making, networking and financing the new nation. Spanning the years after the French and Indian War to the presidential election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800, we learn how “drink helped transform British subjects into Americans.” At the end of each chapter, Barbier provides a recipe for an eighteenth century cocktail that is adapted for modern audiences.

My Thoughts: When most people think of the American Revolution and drinks, you would assume their first thought would be tea. I know I do. After reading Cocked and Boozy I have a completely new view of what helped drive the founding fathers.

One of the most controversial taxes on the American colonies was on sugar and molasses. Since it affected the production of rum and small beer, it caused riots and increased smuggling. These drinks had become part of the everyday lives of the population. Adding the extra expense became too much for the colonists.

However, the production costs were not the only way alcohol played an important part in our nation’s founding. Many gatherings of the founding fathers happened in taverns. Celebrations for the ratification of the Constitution featured copious amounts of beer, cider and brandy. The amount of wine Thomas Jefferson purchased from France each year is astounding. George Washington started to produce thousands of gallons of whiskey at his plantation after leaving office. There is no denying that alcohol played an important part in our nation’s birth.

If you were looking for an unconventional book about the American Revolution then I would steer you to this one! It was a fascinating read about the little discussed part of our history. It also will might give you some inspiration for your Fourth of July party plans!

What’s Ashley Reading?: Marilyn and Her Books

Marilyn and Her Books by Gail Crowther

First line: In Western culture there are few people more sought after than Marilyn Monroe.

Summary: Marilyn Monroe has fascinated the world since her film debut and over sixty years since her death. This year marks what would have been her hundredth birthday. In this new book by Gail Crowther, we get a look at one of the most important parts of Marilyn’s life, her books. Having been mocked as the dumb blonde who could not possibly read books like Ulysses, we actually get to see what books she owned and discussed with those around her. Marilyn had a love of reading and thirst for knowledge that reached into all genres, from literature to popular fiction to gardening and sociology. Told through an analysis of her interactions with famous writers, interviews with those who knew her and her personal library we see the reader behind the movie star.

My Thoughts: My interest in Marilyn Monroe started in high school when I read a book by her half-sister, Berniece, called My Sister Marilyn. It is a fascinating look into the personal life and real person behind the movie star persona. I found this book to be similar in that sense. Throughout we are shown a Marilyn who reads, discusses and loved acquiring books. At her death, she had a personal library of over 400 books. Like many readers, we have books we have not read or have started and not finished. Likely Marilyn did the same but the number of tomes is astounding. In the end notes, we are given a list of the books that were packed away and later sold at auction after Marilyn’s death.

While some chapters feel like speculation, the author also supports many of her claims with quotes from interviews. Many of the people that actually met Marilyn thought her to be an intelligent and kind individual. Unfortunately, today people still assume that the characters she played on screen reflect the real life woman. From everything I have read about her she seemed far from dumb. She was a trailblazer in many aspects of Hollywood. She spent years looking for security and acceptance.

It has been over twenty years since I read my first biography of Marilyn and I still admire her. With all the challenges in her life, she still persevered. After closing this book, I think it is time to start a Marilyn Monroe movie marathon!

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Land and Its People

The Land and Its People by David Sedaris

First line: The year my sister Amy was invited to play Mrs. Claus in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was the same year Hugh had his hip replaced.

Summary: In David Sedaris’ newest collection of essays he explores things from caretaking of his partner Hugh, traveling to new countries and the struggles of keeping up your Duolingo streak.

My Thoughts: I was so excited for a new David Sedaris book! I could have received an early digital copy from Netgalley but decided to wait because I would much rather listen to the audiobook. It was worth the wait. I was laughing aloud constantly. Coworkers probably thought I was crazy laughing to myself. Cars passing me on the roads might have wondered why I was smiling so big. It was all because of David.

A few of the stories I know I had heard before when he was work shopping them at his book signing. Hearing them again did not make them any less enjoyable. He has a way with bringing ordinary life to his readers in a humorous way. It is just outstanding. Who knew that a story about a dog bite could be so funny? David did.

If you want something to make you laugh during a road trip or on your daily walk, I would recommend all of his books but this one was lots of fun and real quick. Perfect for your summer TBR!

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Shippers

The Shippers by Katherine Center

First line: Mrs. Richmond’s wedding gown was itchy, for one thing.

Summary: After leaving her groom at the altar, JoJo Burton has decided she is going to finally break her cursed love life. With the help of her sister and her former childhood best friend, Cooper, she is determined to catch the eye of her teenage crush. Luckily, he happens to be attending her sister’s wedding cruise. However, with her sister busy with wedding details most of the scheming falls to her best friend. As they spend time together, she remembers all the things leading up to their falling out years before. JoJo hopes that this time together will help her and Cooper’s friendship but with each passing day, there seems to be something more between them. Will she need to abandon her plan or is she willing to lose Cooper forever?

My Thoughts: Again, such a wonderful summer read from Katherine Center. I had so much fun with this one. It took me back to the days when I spent summers outside with the neighbor kids until the sun went down. It was funny, charming and heartwarming.

The book begins on JoJo’s wedding day. She is stuck in a horribly itchy wedding gown belonging to her future mother in law. It seems like a sign and then her childhood best friend, Cooper, shows up to save the day! What a wonderful start to a rom-com, then add to it a cruise ship, former crush, a plan to seduce said former crush and a lot of miscommunication.

As readers, we watch her make mistakes when it seems so obvious to us what she should choose. However, while feeling exasperated with her choices I laughed along at the ridiculousness of it. In the end, everything always works out but the middle full of messiness kept me reading until the end. While sitting by the pool or enjoying a summer getaway this should be in your reading pile. It will make you laugh and remember your childhood summers spent with all your neighborhood friends.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block

Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto

First line: All her life, Mebel Tanadi has always had a fear of – not so much death as much as situations that eventually lead to death.

Summary: Mebel expected her life one way, the trophy wife of a rich man. This was all going to plan until one day her husband of forty years decides he is leaving her for their much younger live in chef. Mebel cannot believe what is happening but she is determined to win him back. From what she gathers, he wants someone who will cook for him, meaning she should take cooking lessons. As luck would have it, a class is starting in just a few days at an excellent cooking school. Unfortunately, it happens to be in a small village in England rather than Paris.

Upon arrival, Mebel finds the school and her classmates to be more of a challenge than she first thought. As she struggles through the first weeks, she befriends a group of students who encourage her in her lessons and the changes in her personal life. With each passing day, Mebel starts to wonder if she has found what she has been looking for in an unlikely place.

My Thoughts: Like Sutanto’s other series, Vera Wong, this book is all about found families. This is one of my favorite things about the author’s work. She has characters that need each other but do not realize it. With these strong themes of friendship, there is lots of humor too. While I was listening, I was laughing aloud at Mebel and her antics. She starts the book as a trophy wife who only cares about facials, clothes and her lavish lifestyle but she transitions to someone who wants to be her own person and take care of those she loves. I found this to be such a fun story with a great message. I would highly recommend this for your summer reading list. It will make you smile all the way through!

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Caretaker

The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer

First line: The trail of muddy footprints led off the front stoop, tracked across the gravel driveway, and disappeared into the darkened woods.

Summary: Macy Mullins has bills to pay, groceries to buy and a younger sister to take care of. Unfortunately, the job market is not promising. Then one day she stumbles upon a job listing on Craigslist. Three days of house-sitting for several thousand dollars pay. What could be easier? All she has to do is follow the instructions and she will get a few weeks of relief. It all seems too easy until her first night. While trying to follow the rites she discovers that whatever inhabits the house is trickier than she believed. With each passing hour, the nightmare becomes more and more sinister. Will Macy make it through this weekend? Will the world survive if she cannot follow the rites?

My Thoughts: This book. Dang. I had to remind myself to relax while reading it. I was so tense. Clenching my jaw and muscles tight. I loved every minute of it.

I have been waiting two years for this book to come out. Ever since reading Kliewer’s debut, We Used To Live Here, I could not wait to see what he produced next. This one was just as good as the first. While I struggled with the main character Macy, I completely believed that this is how someone would react in these situations. As a reader, I wanted her to do certain things differently but who can say if we all would follow the rites precisely either. With each new threat, the tension ramped up. Nevertheless, I felt I could never fully trust what we were told. Is this all real? By the end, I was exhausted. It was so much fun and a thrilling ride!

I wish I could say more but I really do not want to give too much away. I could not recommend this one enough to horror fans. I wish I could re-read it again for the first time. Now I have to wait again for Kliewer’s next books.

FYI: Depression, self harm.