Category: Literary Criticism

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: A Class Apart (A Matter of Class #1) by Susie Murphy

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Review: A Class Apart (A Matter of Class #1) by Susie Murphy

When I first started book blogging (almost 10 years ago!), I used to read a ton of indie and self published books but now that I have been blogging for so long, I tend to read a lot more books from publishing groups or established authors.

One of the things that I liked most about reading these self published or indie books was so that I could give constructive criticism. I hate when I read a book review and it just says something like ‘your book sucks’. Why not offer some suggestions to help guide them or praise where praise is due?

Most of the self published or indie books that I read were a little on the bland side but ever once in a while I found one that was a diamond in the rough. As I said, now a days I don’t read a ton of self published or indie books, but I do get pitches for them on a regular basis. As I have said before, I read every single pitch that comes across my desk and if it catches my eye, indie or not, of if it’s something I think my readers will be interested in, then I pick it up.  Continue reading “Review: A Class Apart (A Matter of Class #1) by Susie Murphy” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Competence: Custard Protocol (The Custard Protocol #3) by Gail Carriger

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: Competence: Custard Protocol (The Custard Protocol #3) by Gail Carriger

I came upon Gail Carriger in 2011 when I had entered a Steampunk reading challenge. She was an author I would never have picked up on my own but as soon as I read the first book, I was completely hooked and so thankful that I had stumbled upon both the reading challenge and her books!

Since then I have read just about everything she has put out, with the exception of The Custard Protocol series. When this book came up for review, I was a little worried because it’s the third in the series…..a series which I haven’t even read though the world sounded the same and Carriger’s writing is always top shelf so I decided to give it a go.

Accidentally abandoned!

All alone in Singapore, proper Miss Primrose Tunstell must steal helium to save her airship, the Spotted Custard, in a scheme involving a lovesick werecat and a fake fish tail. Continue reading “Review: Competence: Custard Protocol (The Custard Protocol #3) by Gail Carriger” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Prisoner in the Castle (Maggie Hope Mystery #8) by Susan Elia MacNeal

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Prisoner in the Castle (Maggie Hope Mystery #8) by Susan Elia MacNeal

I first discovered Maggie Hope back in 2012 when the first book came across my desk for review. The cover was initially what drew me in and I was never once sorry for judging a book by its cover!

Over the years, Maggie’s character has gone in a number of different directions and none of them were directions that I saw coming. For me, that’s one of the things that keeps this series exciting. You have this American typist how somehow ends up becoming a super high-level spy…..I love it!

Thought the series she has tracked down murders, saved the queen, broke codes, parachuted into France, and had her heart broken. This series always keeps me guessing and I absolutely love it! So what is to be in store for Maggie this time?

Maggie Hope is being held prisoner on a remote Scottish island with other SOE agents who know too much for the enemy’s comfort. All the spies on the island are trained to kill–and when they start dropping off one-by-one, Maggie needs to find the murderer… before she becomes the next victim (summary from Goodreads).  Continue reading “Review: The Prisoner in the Castle (Maggie Hope Mystery #8) by Susan Elia MacNeal” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Review: I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

This book was on my radar well before the Golden State Killer’s capture in April 2018. My sister had listened to the audiobook when it first came out in February 2018 and raved about it to me.

But like a big sister, I listened and promised to read it soon. But honestly, I had no real intention. I love true crime, but Ann Rule is the true crime queen for me, and no one can come close. Basically, I haven’t branched out to any other true crime authors so my intention of reading this book was minimal.

Then the news hit in April that he had been arrested and this author’s book was a huge contributing factor in his arrest. So I headed to my local library and put a hold on it. Three months passed before it was finally my turn to read this book.

In the mean time, the hype grew and grew. Finally it was my turn and I was eager to start reading it the second I got home. Continue reading “Review: I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna by C.W. Gortner

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna by C.W. Gortner

I have been a fan of C.W. Gortner for quite a few years. He always writes about interesting women in history. Though he writes historical fiction, his novels have just the right amount of fiction and history to make them both readable and realistic.

Not to mention every single one of his book covers are to DIE for. Whoever his cover artist is, has a fantastic eye for color, detail, and mood. When THE ROMANOV EMPRESS came up for review, this was a no brainer—100% yes.

Even from behind the throne, a woman can rule. Continue reading “Review: The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna by C.W. Gortner” →