I found myself plunging into a maelstrom of thoughts that kept me awake for days, questioning my own grip on sanity while reading William J. Mann's riveting nonfiction release, Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood ^[*]. I lost track of time, crossing the threshold of late-night hours, a period traditionally reserved for the likes of vampires, witches, and serial killers. Even when I finally set the book down and placed a trusty bookmark to mark my place, sleep eluded me. My mind raced back to Elizabeth Short, known to the world as the Black Dahlia. I found myself time-traveling to January 1947, imagining the last moments of her life as she stepped out of the Biltmore Hotel. Where had she gone? Who had she encountered? What secrets lay buried in the six days before her lifeless body was discovered on the morning of January 15, 1947, cruelly severed at the waist, drained of blood, and left in a vacant lot in Leimert Park, Los Angeles, her mouth twisted into an eerie Glasgow smile? The identity of her killer or killers remains a haunting enigma after nearly eight decades, their anonymity a cruel twist in a tragic tale. Many have claimed to unravel the mystery—detectives, amateur sleuths, and researchers peddling the thrill of their theories for a quick profit. Yet I refuse to buy into the claims tying the Zodiac Killer or George Hodel to her tragic demise. What we have here is an unsolved murder, and the darkness it casts lingers still to this day.

Elizabeth Short has been unjustly painted as nothing more than a wayward wannabe actress or a wandering prostitute—a stereotypical femme fatale in a film noir flick deserving of her fate. Mann shatters these misconceptions with his extensive research, revealing her as a spirited young woman of curiosity and resolve, daring to push against the confines of a postwar society that expected women to settle down, marry, and raise children. It’s high time we reexamine the woman beneath the Black Dahlia moniker. Through a modern lens, Mann intricately weaves Short’s narrative into the fabric of a nation grappling with shifting ideals, demographics, and the ghosts of old fears masquerading as new ones. Only by situating her story in this tumultuous landscape can we grasp the tragedy of her existence.

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

This Week's Prompt:

What drives you to read? 

My Answer:

You’ll have to excuse me; I'm at a loss for words this week. I honestly don’t know what drives me to read. Maybe it’s escapism or something else entirely.

Changing our perspective over time can reshape our attitudes toward the authors we've previously dismissed. It’s an intriguing phenomenon, reminiscent of the adage that a person evolves every seven years. Perhaps this evolving mindset explains my renewed appreciation for the works of Joyce Carol Oates, an author I had once cast aside. My initial dismissal stemmed from a rather unfortunate experience: I had read her 1995 horror novella Zombie, inspired by the notorious Jeffrey Dahmer, for an eighth-grade book report. Despite my passion for horror movies, the novella sickened me profoundly, causing me to overlook Oates's works for nearly two decades. However, with the passage of time and a broader literary palate, I've revisited her writing and found value in much of it, even though I don't always connect with her narratives on a personal level.

Oates is a prolific author known for her explorative and often dark storytelling, and like many writers, she has adopted various pen names throughout her career, notably Rosamond Smith. Her latest work, Double Trouble, published by Hard Case Crime, is set to be released tomorrow in hardcover ^[*], paperback ^[*], Kindle ^[*], and other eBook formats. This collection features two previously released complete novels, Starr Bright Will Be With You Soon and Soul/Mate, alongside two rare short stories, The Murderess and An Unsolved Crime. 

Starr Bright Will Be With You Soon, the seventh novel under the Rosamond Smith pseudonym, is a noir-infused crime thriller first published in 1999. It delves into the life of Lily Merrick, a seemingly devoted housewife and mother in upstate New York, who teaches pottery classes. When her estranged twin sister Sharon reappears after fifteen years, seeking refuge from her life as a Las Vegas stripper, the family initially welcomes her with open arms. However, Sharon, under the alias of Starr Bright, harbors a sinister secret—she’s the most wanted female serial killer in the country. 

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

This Week's Prompt:

Do you struggle to start a new read after finishing a truly amazing one?

My Answer:

Absolutely! I often find myself reflecting on a book that left a lasting impression on me, especially when it's exceptionally well-written, and the story continues to linger in my mind as I move on to a new read. It's a bit of a double-edged sword, really. I know that comparing the two can cloud my judgment, and it feels unfair to let the brilliance of one author overshadow another's work. Yet, it’s nearly impossible not to make those comparisons, as I weigh the unique styles and narrative techniques against each other. However, I try to keep those thoughts from influencing my final rating of the new book.

〜B.J. Burgess

It’s all too easy for intriguing titles to slip beneath the radar, often eclipsed by more prominent releases or overlooked due to lackluster cover art. This brings us to Paper Cut ^[*], a thriller by debut author Rachel Taff, published by William Morrow. I might never have read it had I not received a heads-up in a press release and an eGalley to review. The cover, while it transports me back to a vague late '90s aesthetic, lacks the punch to compel casual browsers. As for Rachel Taff, her name was new to me, though I later discovered her background in television production.

Paper Cut centers on Lucy Golden, a true-crime celebrity forever marked by the brutality of a murder she committed while escaping a California cult two decades ago. In the ever-watchful public eye of Los Angeles, Lucy is haunted by the specter of fading notoriety. As she grapples with the perils of fame—from an obsessive stalker to a simmering feud between her mother, a celebrated photographer, and her rock-star sister—she finds herself in a precarious balance between the past and present. Online trolls are rehashing the dark details of her infamous crime, amplifying the anxiety that’s already woven into her existence.

When a brash documentarian approaches her about making a film that centers on her case, Lucy perceives a golden opportunity to reclaim her narrative and quell the swirling doubts about her past. However, this venture demands a return to the California desert, where her history is as thick and deceptive as the sands themselves. Unraveling buried secrets amidst present-day perils, she must fight to protect the story she has long sold to the world. 

The heart of this book lies in the tension between public perception and personal truth—a dance between the various layers of identity, all while examining the obsessive fascination with the true-crime phenomenon itself.

Key Takeaways: 

• Early orthodontic evaluations, recommended by age 7, can identify and address potential dental issues before they become more complex. 

• Proactive assessments can guide jaw growth, correct harmful oral habits, and improve overall oral hygiene. 

• Timely interventions may reduce the need for more invasive treatments in the future, leading to cost savings and improved self-esteem. 

The Importance of Early Orthodontic Evaluations 

Lifelong oral health starts with proactive habits and timely professional guidance in childhood. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, as this is an age when developing issues with jaw growth or alignment can be reliably detected, even while baby teeth remain. Catching these dental challenges early is crucial, as it enables orthodontists to intervene while facial bones are still developing, which leads to better long-term results. 

If you're seeking trusted local expertise for your child’s first evaluation, visiting a reputable Omaha orthodontist such as McAllister Orthodontics can make all the difference. With a longstanding presence in Omaha, McAllister Orthodontics specializes in early assessments, tailored treatment plans, and family-centered care throughout the metropolitan area. Their clinical team leverages advanced diagnostic techniques and a compassionate approach to ensure every child receives the highest caliber of preventive orthodontic care.

Early orthodontic evaluations provide parents with peace of mind, while giving children the best opportunity for a healthy and beautiful smile as they grow. By identifying subtle jaw discrepancies or improper eruption patterns early, it’s often possible to simplify—or even avoid—more complex treatments in adolescence. This approach supports not only oral health but also saves on costs and reduces the risk of disruptive procedures later in life.

Well, here I am again, riding back into the world of Westerns. Now, some of you might have thought I’d hung up my spurs and ridden off into the sunset, abandoning the Western genre entirely. Fear not! Life sometimes pulls me in different directions, but I assure you, I’m still firmly planted in the saddle. This week, I’m tackling The Gunsmith: The Jingle Bell Trail ^[*], a “Special Christmas Edition” adventure published in 2020. And yes, I hear your thoughts: "Isn’t Christmas over?" Technically, yes, the tinsel has been packed away. I planned to read this under the glow of twinkling lights, but fate had other designs. I finally got around to it between January 1st and 2nd—about a month ago now, so my recollection may be a bit dusty, but let’s give it a shot!

As the holiday season approaches, our rugged hero, Clint Adams, rides into Buckley, North Dakota—a town that appears to have been pulled right out of a snow globe—festooned with garlands draping from light posts and adorning the windows and balconies of every building like a Christmas card come to life. But before Clint can even hang his hat at the local hotel, he’s intercepted by Sheriff Owens from neighboring Goodwill, who is desperate for assistance in tracking down three cold-blooded killers. The sheriff's wish? To get home to his young boy in time for Christmas. Clint, ever the good Samaritan, agrees to lend a hand. But as fate would have it, things take a dark turn, thrusting our gunslinger into a treacherous journey along the Jingle Bell Trail. The stakes? Not just saving one little boy’s Christmas, but also rescuing an entire town that teeters on the brink of a fatal holiday.

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

This Week's Prompt:

Which book pairs perfectly with a certain snack in your opinion?

My Answer:

Absolutely nothing! When I read a book, the last thing I want is a pesky snack threatening to mar the delicate pages with unsightly stains. It’s a sacrilege in my mind. The same goes for my Kindle—one smudge on that pristine screen and my heart sinks. If coffee counts as a snack, then I suppose I’m guilty as charged; there’s something beautifully indulgent about sipping a rich Java while lost in the labyrinth of a good story: just me, my book, and a steaming mug.

〜B.J. Burgess

Hello, my fellow Friday 56ers! 

I've decided to take a short break from reading ARCs and make room for a classic. With a snowstorm expected to begin tonight, I probably won’t have anything else to do but read anyway. So, why read a classic?

This week’s pick for Friday 56 is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Published in 1966, the book tells the true story of the 1959 murders of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, along with the subsequent capture and execution of the killers, Richard "Dick" Hickock and Perry Smith. The book was adapted into a feature film in 1967 and a television miniseries in 1996. I’ll be reading the Modern Library edition published in 2013, which I received as a Christmas gift from a friend.

Let's take a moment to explore a thought-provoking question: What motivates an author or a team of authors to create a prequel for a long-running series? Is it merely a cash grab? A clever marketing strategy? A signal that they’ve run out of fresh ideas? Or perhaps it’s a story they’ve long been eager to share with the world? No matter the reason, Pendergast: The Beginning by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is set to hit both physical and digital bookstores on January 27th, courtesy of Grand Central Publishing. This marks the 23rd installment in the Agent Pendergast series and the first prequel, a journey that began in 1995 with the enthralling Relic.

The pequel kicks off with a brief prologue set in 1989, but the bulk of the story unfolds in August 1994. The plot centers around Special Agent Dwight Chambers, whose life has shattered into pieces in just six short months. First, he loses his partner in the line of duty, and then the cruel grip of fate snatches away his wife. As he returns to the New Orleans Field Office, Chambers finds himself burdened with the unenviable task of mentoring a fresh-faced FBI agent—one A.X.L. Pendergast. As Chambers grapples with his personal demons, Pendergast's enigmatic and often infuriating personality does not make things easier. He quickly finds himself drawn into a reckless stunt that costs them both their jobs.

I often find myself drifting through the literary landscape without much awareness of the buzz surrounding upcoming releases, which means I occasionally miss out on noteworthy titles. This brings me to Queen Esther by John Irving, an intriguing sort of prequel/sequel to his 1985 The Cider House Rules. That novel was adapted into a film in 1999, a project that Irving scripted himself and for which he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. It’s one of my all-time favorite movies— rare is the case where the film surpasses the book, but in this instance, I think it genuinely does. Admittedly, I have a copy of the book tucked away somewhere on my shelf, gathering dust.

I wasn’t even aware of Queen Esther’s existence until it appeared as a Christmas gift, which took me by surprise. How had it flown under my radar? My usual sources—other book bloggers—seemed to have little to say about it. After a quick look at Goodreads, I found the reviews were decidedly mixed, with many verging on negative. This contradiction piqued my curiosity. What could elicit such a range of responses? I intended to read just a few pages that Christmas afternoon, but the story quickly drew me in, compelling me to devour much more than I had planned.

However, as I turned the pages in the ensuing days, my initial intrigue began to fade. After a staggering forty-year absence, Irving returns to the world of St. Cloud’s orphanage, where Dr. Wilbur Larch first encountered Esther, a Jewish girl whose life has been irreparably scarred by anti-Semitism.

The Sunday Post, Issue #288

The Sunday Post is a weekly event hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer.

The Editorial

It’s been a minute since my last Sunday Post... No excuses here; I simply took a break from blogging to clear my mind and recalibrate. I embarked on a two-week expedition through my beloved book collection, a journey that culminated in a car trunk brimming with volumes I no longer needed, all destined for the local Salvation Army. Amongst them was an impressive stack of James Patterson titles—some I'd never contemplate reading again—mixed with a hodgepodge of other authors. Why the purge, you ask? Well, my shelves are overflowing, and let's face it, I don't have the luxury of infinite space. I would have given up more, but alas, I ran out of boxes—not exactly the ideal situation for a bibliophile!

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

This Week's Prompt:

Is there a book or series so precious to you that you wouldn’t want it adapted for screen, fearing it might be ruined? If it did happen, would you still find yourself watching it?

My Answer:

These days, there's a 90% chance that Hollywood will mishandle any book-to-film adaptation. However, as long as the adaptation brings attention to the book, I don't mind if the movie is good or bad; in fact, I probably won't watch it anyway since I don't see many new films. That said, I never want Hollywood to remake Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. To me, the original film is perfect, even though it omits a few scenes from the book. There are too many producers involved, and they often lack the necessary understanding of the material. Regardless of who the director is, the remake is likely to fall short compared to the 1962 original.

〜B.J. Burgess