Welcome to Cracking the Spine!
"You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book." Dr. Seuss
Mystery Solved…The Who, Why & How Of It All
“The writer of murder, like all writers, must be a miser, conceding revelations bit by bit; for every novel is a puzzle, every writer a murderer, and every reader a sleuth.”
Ah, the allure of a tantalizing, twisty plot! In these curated titles you will find no swift resolution, no failure of the writer in keeping you glued to the page, no lack in the pushing at the bounds of plausibility. You will find yourself in the company of characters that are all plotting in one way or another; to further their ambitions, for true love, for revenge, and even for sheer entertainment. Certainly, for your entertainment dear reader.
Familial(ish) Sagas Of The Fictional Kind…
Finding oneself part of an ideal family or friendship must be a kind of harmonic bliss. The traditions! The matching sweaters! The heart to hearts! But where’s the fun in that? Write about such euphoric contentment and you’re at risk of putting people to sleep. Where’s the misbehaving parent, the pesky sibling, the friend who sucks you into their drama, the crush you love from afar, the drama queens and the bad boys who keep readers turning pages? The spectacle and the discord that propel the plot forward? Right here, that's where!
Books For A Glimpse Into Another Persons Story…
My Christmas wish for you is this, let books be the gift you choose to give. To others, and to yourself. May they provide an escape, a door into a world of wonder, a glimpse at an everyday hero’s inspirational tale, a reminder that laughter is indeed the best medicine, and that words and stories are sustenance for the soul, and in our darkest moments, a soft place to land. Find a cozy spot, crack open a book and have a wonderful, joyous, and peaceful holiday season.
Books Get The Holiday Treatment!
Sweet Holiday treats in the form of mystery novels! Gathered are bitesized seasonal instalments from beloved series that miss none of the byzantine plotting or quirky characters and new offerings that are full of witty banter and charm. Any (or all) of them a perfect escape from the hectic holiday preparations all of us undertake at this time of year. All the seasonal vibes with none of the work…what are you waiting for!!
Fiction
Rating: 8/10
Brink cannot resist the urge to solve a puzzle put in front of him, no level of difficultly is insurmountable. Nervous energy will overcome him until he can put right the disorder. His brain will latch itself on to patterns or sequences without his consent or, at times, his awareness. His unique skillset has now put him in harms way. Fun fact (or is it fiction?), ones and zeros will become replaced with qubits. Information will be able to exist here, and there. Be black and white at the same time. Makes my head hurt…
Horror
Rating: 7.5/10
Bodies drop like flies in this book. I won’t elaborate on the irony of that, but you know, the title. As the saying goes, there is no honor among thieves. Our tale of terror begins with Anne narrowly escaping a botched bank heist with a wounded team member and a cop she has recklessly taken hostage. And that’s only the beginning of her mistakes. From there the story takes a dark, otherworldly, and very yucky turn. The gore factor is worthy of a Tarantino film!
Creepy Reads To Curl Up With…Keep The Lights On!
A blood splattered dissection of the uber rich, where fury flows as freely as champagne. And on the menu? The family’s just desserts. A robot, William, has begun make decisions outside of its programming, forming appetites, gaslighting its creator. And now, he (it?) wants out. A sleep deprived women who can’t understand why she is so tired all the time, until she films herself. This trio of novellas clears the most difficult hurdle in horror fiction, ensuring the fear on the page is felt by the reader!
Reading Now
Bookish Art
True Story…
From Me To You!
Looking for some book recommendations? Tell me a book or two you have loved and I will put a list together for you. Totally gratis!