Book Review: The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker

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The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker  was published on March 17, 2025. It opens with Detective Declan Shaw at a closed subway station trying to work up the nerve to commit suicide when he receives a call from his partner about a break in and homicide at the home of a true crime author. Shaw makes his way to the crime scene to work the case, and in a turn of events, Declan comes under scrutiny in another case loosely connected to this new case. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Writer  from NetGalley and Little , Brown, and Company for free in exchange for my honest review. I'm appreciative that my request for this book was approved. With this story opening with the main character trying to commit suicide, I almost didn't go any further with the book. However, I am glad I stuck with it as it took me on a fantastic ride and had my emotions all over the place. There were so many twists and turns that just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was ...

Book Review: Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2) by Deborah Harkness

Starting where A Discovery of Witches left off, in Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2) Diana and Matthew have traveled back in time to London in the year 1590 to search for the mysterious Ashmole 782 AND find someone who can tutor Diana in the art of witchcraft.

The opening quote that Deborah Harkness chose couldn't be more perfect as it sets the tone and theme of Shadow of Night. Throughout the novel, the reader learns a multitude of things about Matthew and the regrets he has about his past . . . things he would change if it wouldn't cause dire consequences to the future.

                               The past cannot be cured.
                                              - Elizabeth 1, Queen of England

There is a plethora of historical people who make an appearance in Shadow of Night, which enhances the reading experience and made me want to learn so much more about history. Historical people who are characters in this installment include, but are not limited to, Christopher Marlowe, George Chapman, Thomas Harriot, Henry Percy, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Mary Sidney. I can't wait to learn more about them!

We also meet Philippe De Clermont, Matthew's father. At first, I couldn't stand Philippe, but as I read on, I began to like him. I'm not sure at what point that I changed my mind, and at a point, I was crying my eyes out because of him. We also meet Diana's father, Stephen Proctor, who isn't as well developed as Philippe, but the pages that contain him are so bittersweet.

After reading Shadow of Night for the second time, I realized that there were a ton of things I missed the first time I read it. I won't reveal exactly what those things are as to not spoil anything for those of you who have yet to read this fantastic novel. I also enjoyed the book a lot more than I did with my first read through. Throughout all of the books in the All Souls Trilogy, readers find a lot of Easter Eggs . . . bits of information that allude to something bigger that will happen.

If books about vampires, witches, and daemons aren't normally your cup of tea, Shadow of Night will change your mind. Part romance, historical fiction, and fantasy, it casts a spell on readers, making it hard to put down.


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