K.N. > Recent Status Updates

You’ve gotta read the preface(s) - it provides a poignant backdrop before diving into the book! I’m an “optimistic skeptic” like the co-author, so I’m very intrigued!

I’d love to finish this tonight but I’m exhausted after a long workday and keep drifting off, my head bobbing then jerking me awake! I suspect someone but there’s still SO many possibilities…

I like this main character, Aaron, and his need to solve the mystery his deceased journalist wife left behind. His reverie into flashbacks are seamless and there are tense moments when I’m uncertain if his wife is haunting him… or the murderer he’s trying to uncover has actually been stalking him.

Only on page 7 & the tone of this book is already haunting and eerie!
“And, of course, I can still hear you saying it, over and over, like a curse or maybe a prayer: Come with me… my presence with you on that morning, had I gone, may have changed the outcome of what happened.”

Wait, what? What the heck did Roswell just see? That’s terrifying.
And, darnit, Marshall is too young to be played by Margo so now I’m seeing Kaitlyn Dever! She was in the series Justified & has the right vibe… this book NEEDS to be a limited series! It’s creepy and I want to see what Roswell just saw captured by more than my imagination… or maybe not *gulp*

Back to this book - it’s been calling to me! Did I already mention I see character Marshall as actress Margo Martindale? I gotta know the truth behind this bizarre mystery.

Oh my. The chaos and violence is now widespread- I’m not sure where this will end as it feels very apocalyptic at this point!

I’m seeing this book in the style of a darker White Lotus series! If you’ve read it, who do you think should be Charlotte, the journalist grad student? How about Seth, the world-weary 45-year-old professor? Starting chapter 28 and just met the leader of the Sons of Stone… no idea what might happen next!

This book would make a great limited series! Uber wealthy characters you love to hate - in the vein of White Lotus - and unique main characters doing their best to figure out what the heck is going on and stay alive on the way… I don’t know how this will end!

Starting chapter 10… pace has slowed a little so I’m hoping it picks up again. Good scenes but all the dialogue not needed. The 2 main characters have a good rapport and I’m still curious where the plot’s headed!

Dramatic opening scene definitely hooked me! Now I’m starting chapter 3 after the shocking event mentioned in the blurb… this is slowly burning and I’m wondering what Charlotte has gotten herself into.

Now I’m not so sure who the culprit is! I’m thinking it’s someone else now… but I won’t ruin it here!

So I’m not liking Linda much but I guess I know women like her… her lack of tech savvy makes her seem older than stated. I’m not sure if my suspicions about Alison are correct or not? Have you read this one?

“I’d prefer a dumb home” Ugh, Linda, I must be an odd bird of Gen X - I love lots of tech… is it ok to pity the main character? Do others only read books if you love the main character or are you ok with their humanly flaws?

Uh oh, Linda is sounding like she’s not tech savvy… I’m afraid this will be her downfall…

Each chapter is a different character’s point of view but it’s labeled so it’s not too overwhelming to track them. There’s some eerie folklore behind the rumor that a horse gave birth to a baby - this is so solidly written I’m surprised this is a debut novel…

Each chapter is clearly labeled which character’s POV it will use - interesting cast of characters so far…

Wow, this book has atmosphere! I’m seeing the journalist Marshall as the actress Margo Martindale… I can really see this as a limited tv series! It’s checking my boxes for eerie and strange so far.

I’m gonna LOVE this main character!
“She wondered if she made them uncomfortable. She was a big woman, and made no attempt at being pretty. Her hair was short and often uncombed, and she didn’t bother with makeup. She was bitterly comfortable inside her own body in a way women often weren’t, and sometimes that unsettled people.” pg18

Um, wow, just reading the introduction has set an eerie folk horror vibe - exactly what I was hoping for! And other reviewers who loved it “get” folk horror and are excitedly chanting “horror for horse girls!” Happy this will be my first book of 2025.

I’m in chapter 5 - each chapter explains one of the aspects behind “being the weight behind the spear.” Readers who resonate with examples from film, sports and military will appreciate this author’s style. McConkey has a firm belief in the leadership potential of the next generation.

I’ve read the introduction and 1st chapter… the author is ex-military, physician and the opening has explained the meaning behind the title using references to popular films and military missions. This will be an interesting perspective.

Jumped into my next winter break book! It’s an American Fiction Awards Finalist and the main character already begins her story in an authentic voice. - curious how this will escalate!

She’s got 3 timelines - wait… present day, August 2020, and, yes, a 3rd that doesn’t let the reader know if it’s in the past or concurrent. But it totally works and keeps the action going. I just can’t step away from it too long or I need to backtrack so best to binge this one!

First 2 chapters really set the main character and scene - this is a good one to start reading during a snow storm!

Oh my, there are cassette tapes in the case file?!? Of the interrogation from 20 years ago?!? I CANNOT go to bed now!

Heard good things about this author so thought I’d start with one of her earlier novels. Right now, I’ve got just enough suspicion of at least 5 characters! This should be good….

If you normally skip introductions, I recommend setting that pattern aside if you find yourself tumbling into this book. These initial 13 pages set the tone, allowing the reader to dip a toe into the ineffable story that is House of Leaves. It’s not for everyone but I’m venturing in nonetheless…

I usually read spooky books this month but we’re leading up to a nerve-wrecking Election Day so I’m reading this book next- I’ve heard good things!

Yes!! I had a sneaking suspicion… not exact but very nice reveal on one plot line… what will be revealed next?!?