Book Review: Reflections & Echoes

Reflections & Echoes. Sandra M. Colbert. Windy City Publishers, Chicago, IL, January 2021, Print, 162 pages.

Reviewed by Lisa Lickel.

Chicago native Sandra Colbert's latest poignant short fiction collection features characters who make life-changing and life-challenging choices. Left behind and pushing forward are the answers and those who must come to terms with those decisions' effects.

Colbert explores forgiveness and confession, do-overs, and special people who run the good kind of interference in nine pieces. In the opening story, "The Forgiving," Marty is abandoned and left swimming in fury when her older protector and hero brother is murdered in an apparently senseless act. Colbert deftly weaves a series of points of view together as Marty learns that maybe the act wasn't as senseless as it appeared, and the echoes of her brother's heroism could ripple on if she chooses not to feed her fury. "Voyagers" portrays a well-adjusted young girl reaching out to an immigrant boy with a painful past. "The Letter" is the shortest tale, in which reading a letter became a solemn and cherished ritual over forty years. Other stories showcase a teenager's devastating secret and painful, lonely life in "The Truth." "A Confession – circa 1949" lightens the mood as we spy on a couple of friends whose paths went in opposite directions but merged later in a lively, messy manner. Through confession and a little nudging toward the road of responsibility, one friend challenges another. In "Second Chances," two best friends, Barb and Donna, confront Barb's past and prove that sisterhood is the last unbreakable bond.

Grandparents and guardians are centric to several of the stories. Babka Mary plays an unforgettable role in "Voyagers." Grammy steps in to love on Lucy in "November Gray." A widow who is finally free from a zombie existence gets to experience everything she missed, including a surrogate child, in my favorite, "Afterwards. Always on the verge of discovery, Colbert brings two gutsy ladies together who vow to protect each other. The final story, "Here I Am," plays on Simon and Garfunkel's "The Only Living Boy in New York" and is a loving, parental tear-jerker as a father shoos his child from the nest. "I can make it another day," is the father's self-encouraging mantra.

And that's Colbert's message through her thoughtful stories: we can make it. The stories are well-told from all perspectives from the 1940s to contemporary times as the reader is invited to jump into segments of people's lives. We are asked to reflect on our challenges and consider how our choices echo long after the words and events evaporate. I highly recommend this for those who love their fiction by the slice.

Book Review: Ghost Dancer

Ghost Dancer. Alan S. Kessler. Leviathan Books, 2021, Trade Paperback and E-book, 279 pages.

Reviewed by Kelly Fumiko Weiss.

Ghost Dancer tells the story of Eleanor Wilson, who from a young age feels uncomfortable in her own skin, her own family, and her own town. Hearing whispers from her doll and an intrinsic calling for something larger than herself, she begins to follow her instincts to find out who she is truly meant to be. As she opens this door, family and town secrets spill out, secrets that impact everyone around her, secrets I will not spoil for the reader in this review. 

What I will share is that many parts of this book are difficult to read, obviously purposely so, as the author holds nothing back in placing Eleanor in the heart of the racist 1950s and the scathing way that Klan members would talk to each other and others about anyone not white. The abuse of their hate spills into their children, creating a toxic world that open- and closed-minded characters alike must navigate. Let’s put aside any debate about #ownvoices for the sake of this review and give credit where credit is due. Kessler’s writing is strong, and he makes the racism of the era seem simultaneously commonplace and unbelievable, which it of course was. 

We follow Eleanor along her path of discovery and watch her stumble through her relationships (and man, did we cheer Knute on to be better than he was). The reader can’t help but hope that one day Eleanor will find her answers and will come out the other side less damaged than before. 

In the last few chapters, we get a very satisfying glimpse into Eleanor’s future and all that she’s accomplished and become—a triumphant end for her as a person, even if the battles she is fighting still bring her up against the systemic and personal racism that has defined her life. 

Kessler ambitiously decided to tackle issues of Native American rights, spiritualism, and endemic and systemic racism, while still providing the reader with a protagonist who, while not perfect, is someone who you are rooting for. Her relationships with Tom, Knute, Abnai, and Caleb—not to mention her parents—are complex and wholly their own. There is no cutting corners or cookie-cutter quality to Kessler’s writing. Page after page, the bluntness and layered contextuality of Kessler’s words kept me turning the pages, waiting to see what would surprise me next. 

With all of the discussion of race, Native rights, and the role of women in society that have come to the forefront in recent months and years, Kessler’s book will stand as a stark reminder of just how bad it was, is, and will continue to be if we don’t stand up and fight like Eleanor ultimately did. She carried the love of those who understood her and let her be her true self to fortify her along her journey, and what a journey it was. I’m glad I read Kessler’s book. It will stick with me for many years to come, and so will Eleanor Wilson.

Book Review: The Troubled Man

The Troubled Man: A Q.C. Davis Mystery. Lisa M. Lilly. Spiny Woman LLC, December 17, 2020, Electronic and Print, 352 pages.

Reviewed by Marssie Mencotti.

The Troubled Man: A Q.C. Davis Mystery by Lisa M. Lilly is a mystery starring Quille C. Davis, a civil attorney who uncovers subtle clues and is savvy enough to put them together.

This is also an unabashed “Chicago” mystery for three important reasons other than the fact that it takes place in Chicago, Illinois:

1. A Chicago mystery is about connections—get the job done right by contacting a “friend of a friend who knows what they’re doing”;
2. a Chicago mystery is without a lot of hoopla, like the FBI or Freddy Krueger;
3. and finally, a Chicago mystery is a “straight shot” to the conclusion. It’s smart, tight, and real, and it gets the job done right.

The Troubled Man is one of the best Chicago mysteries because it features interesting characters, neighbors, neighborhoods, and real people. Friends are more than friends. Family is sometimes a little less than family. Everyone Quille meets seems to be a little guilty of something but open to sharing information, if asked respectfully.

This is the third in Lilly’s Quille C. Davis series. Even though I am new to the series, Quille’s backstory was gently revealed and it can be read as a standalone. With a character backstory of life drama and stage drama, Quille combines what she knows about performance with her law degree to open doors.

The crime is only the beginning of her help for a troubled family. Fans of Law and Order take note—Lisa M. Lilly’s Q.C. Davis series is for you. She knows who she can talk to and what she can say, who can help her on her quest and who offers only incidental information. Or in Law and Order speak, what’s admissible and what is hearsay. She’s relentless and clever and lets nothing stand in her way—legally.

How troubled is Mr. Santiago, the “troubled man” of the title? Well, his wife Ivy is dead and he’s in jail accused of the murder; he and Ivy were in the middle of a divorce; he doesn’t have much money; his daughters Amber and Alexis are divided in their feelings about their parents; and if convicted, he stands to lose it all.

His youngest daughter has a friend who has a friend, and in enters Q.C. Davis, a smart, savvy, hard-working lawyer with empathy for this fragmented family. She’s a civil lawyer with connections everywhere, but she doesn’t come off as hard-boiled or film-noir sneaky; instead, she’s sensible and solves the mystery while she works on several other cases. I found myself admiring her ability to schedule her time and travel, mostly on the Chicago Transit Authority buses and subways. She even allows for stoppages and breakdowns!

Quille peels back this story in delicate and thin layers. For the longest time, no one looks quite innocent or quite guilty. The troubled man has our sympathy. All the way through, we search for a way to help him as we tag along through Chicago’s bistros and outdoor cafes and Quille’s meetings with friends and witnesses. Quille has friends, good friends, who help her all they can. This is another plus for the reader because we aren’t asked to waste our time with fake arguments or obstacles. This is Chicago crime detection, not flashy but unremitting and dedicated to truth. Tiny clues begin to pile up as the author takes us from interview to interview. Who knew that laws we know little about can make a significant difference in assigning guilt or innocence?

Everyone has a motive, but who has the motive and the opportunity? Who will tip their hand, and will Quille figure it out in time? This is an exciting read because it ties things up legally and emotionally. Although I had planned to read The Troubled Man at a leisurely pace, the underlying tension made it hard to put down. Hats off to you, Lisa M. Lilly, for making the processes of civil law not only interesting but compelling.

I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers with mean, beat-up scarred detectives (e.g., Norwegian author Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole) who are always on the verge of getting fired for breaking the law or prescient, upscale detectives (e.g., Canadian author Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache) who keep their information closer to the vest. Quille C. Davis doesn’t do drugs, drink to excess, torture anyone, or over-romanticize the underlying issues to get information. The suspects talk to her because she’s interested, and what’s more compelling than someone who wants to listen to you.

This is what I think of as a pure mystery. It’s about the way people handle their “baggage.” How the suspects struggle with their upbringing, their hidden aggressions, and their marginally functioning daily adult lives—until something happens that jumbles it all together and it leads toward an unacceptable and unconscionable crime. If you are a fan of a mystery that is devoid of literary clichés and presents a solid puzzle that needs to be solved posthaste, this Q.C. Davis mystery, The Troubled Man, has got to be on your list.

Book Review: Tales of the Plant Guardians: Backyard Adventures

Tales of the Plant Guardians: Backyard Adventures, Adam Kessel, Sunflower Trail Publishing, April 2021, Hardcover, Paperback and E-Book, 3,000 words.

Reviewed by Susan Gaspar.

“Once upon a time…”

Adam Kessel’s Tales of the Plant Guardians: Backyard Adventures begins with the familiar opening of classic fairy tales, but after two pages it’s clear that this book is more than that. Whimsical pen illustrations and lilting rhymes on these first two pages put you in the mood for a story, but read on, and you are introduced to a magical world full of fairies and the outdoor habitats they navigate—which happen to be places unknowing humans might tread at any time. Backyards, gardens, alleyways, city parks, country lanes—these are the places you will find the plants in Tales of the Plant Guardians.  

Lushly colored illustrations by Alanna Crisci are a treat for the eyes and pull you in, tempting you to linger on each fanciful curlicue, feathery leaf, curved blossom, and delicate dewdrop. I found myself getting lost in these pictures, and after reading the text, I would stare at the imagery and let the spirit of the story lift me away. Readers could look at this book solely as a lovely children’s tale that’s fun to read aloud because of its entrancing rhythms and rhymes. But that’s only half the story, and if you stay alert, there is much to learn from both the words and the pictures.   

For centuries humans have been intrigued with the idea that fairies live and thrive among us in a hidden world, but when you pause to think about how close that world might be, the idea truly comes alive. This book’s leisurely pace and rich detail invite readers to slow down, pay attention, and take notice of the small things that often escape our view. Midway through the book, you feel as though you have been let in on a secret. 

The text has a musical feel, with folksy references and suggested home remedy uses for each plant. The tone is gentle and patient, like the voice of a parent or grandparent speaking to a curious youngster. 

There is also a teaching angle that is often camouflaged beneath the charming pictures and poetry. The book shares valuable information about common plants, most of them considered weeds, that we see almost everywhere. But there is also a deeper current running through these pages about the undeniable connection between plants, people, and everything we cannot see—a hidden world of both science and folklore. We feel a connection between the natural world and our daily lives, which are often hurried and stressful. At its core, Tales of the Plant Guardians teaches the reader to take heed and, like the fairies who guard the plants, be a guardian of the earth itself. 

Author Adam Kessel is a teacher and naturalist, and his passion and enthusiasm is evident. To bring the botany lessons home, there are fast, fun quizzes to test your knowledge at the end of the book, as well as handy plant notes that give more information about the features and uses of each plant. I was fascinated enough to do further research online to confirm I’d seen the plants in my neighborhood.

Crisci’s illustrations beautifully serve Kessel’s words, and the plant close-ups, expressive fairy faces, and wild creatures (butterflies, ladybugs, bumblebees, and caterpillars) have their own personality. It makes it much easier to remember the plants when there is something visually definitive to represent each one. I was also entertained by the inclusion of everyday items strewn about within the images: a set of keys, a fork, a marble, which provide scale for the plants and fairies and also serve to further draw you into the hidden, ground-level environment. 

Kessel’s book is perfect for a read-aloud session with children, or as a take-along reference guide during walks and other outdoor excursions. The practical information within is entertaining and empowering for both children and adults. As an avid container gardener, this book made me long for a big backyard, but as the plant descriptions point out, city dwellers can experience these plants and enjoy their own outdoor adventures in public parks, alleys, and even by taking note of cracks in the sidewalk. The plant kingdom is vast, mysterious, and resilient, and has much to teach us if we are willing to learn and explore. 

Book Review: Penny Pinching Tips for the Morally Bankrupt

Penny Pinching Tips for the Morally Bankrupt. Libby Marshall, Atomic Vortex Press, January 5, 2021, E-Book, 254 pages.

Reviewed by Terrell Isselhard.

“Would you rather have a head the size of a grapefruit or a grapefruit the size of a head?” Short story author, Libby Marshall, asks the reader this in her hilarious and inventive new collection, Penny Pinching Tips for the Morally Bankrupt. This question is pulled from a short piece called “Very Easy Would You Rathers” and is one of a myriad of lines in the book that show Marshall’s brilliance, humor, and zeal. This is a funny short story collection. It’s also a collection that surprises, delights, and as is the case with the best comedic writing, pushes the reader past mere laughs to moments of self-reflection and genuine life-changing insight.

Marshall tackles a wide range of forms and themes to hilarious effect. Pithy humorous gems pepper the book. Each story is unique, revealing a variety that makes the collection intriguing. Two standout pieces are, “Very Easy Would You Rathers” and “Millennial Gravestones.” I found myself giggling over laugh-out-loud lines throughout the book, but “Very Easy Would You Rathers” had me in stitches. I opened this review with one of my favorite quotes from the story, but this second quote from the same story sent me over the edge, “Would you rather get murdered by a serial killer or be married to one, but he’s a nice family man and of course you’re horrified when you find out what he’s done, but no one suspects you had anything to do with it and Florence Pugh plays you in the movie version?”

This book is not just a snappy laugh-fest, as “90 Day Fiancé: Dracula” is a remarkable experience. In this story, Marshall dives into the epistolary form with an onslaught of texts and emails, as well as a modern representation of Dracula’s often-told story.  Despite a fair amount of competition, Marshall’s version of Dracula holds its own and even manages to be quite funny. Not making an epistolary story tedious is challenging, but making it funny? That is brilliant. Marshall also packs in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” type story. There is a piece called “RSVP Poems,” which (you guessed it) are poems. Proving comedic talents and a careful writer's eye, Marshall makes each story of this collection a delight to read.

The pleasure of reading a collection of stories often comes from particular stories resonating with the reader long after the book is completed. For me, “Garden Hermit” and “Make-Out Point” were those kinds of stories. “Garden Hermit” is a story about a billionaire’s wife who decides to resurrect the 18th-century trend of hiring a man to live on their property as an ornamental garden hermit. It is a strangely contemplative piece. “Make-Out Point”  is a wonderfully weird and imaginative story about a “pay-to-play” make-out spot. This type of thing is a common thread running throughout Marshall's longer pieces: taking a theme or idea and pushing it to its furthest reaches. The result is stories that are more than just quirky or commercial, they’re disquieting, challenging, and make for good reading.

Marshall is funny, insightful, and is a huge talent with a wonderful book. Recommended for anyone looking for a laugh, penny pinchers, and fans of short fiction. Penny Pinching Tips for the Morally Bankrupt is a laugh-out-loud delight. This is a book that can be consumed in a rush or read over time and enjoyed story by story. Don’t miss out, order yourself a copy today.