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The Living and the Dead by Christoffer Carlsson

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The Living and the Dead by Christoffer Carlsson
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Christoffer Carlsson writes another moody, fast-paced Swedish crime thriller. The time is Christmas Eve 1999, just before Y2K. Police are called to the grisly scene of a wrecked car with the body of a teenager beaten to death in the trunk. The small community has many secrets of passion, envy, and fear, and the police never fully solve the mystery. Then, 20 years later, another murder occurs that seems connected to the first. An edge-of-your-seat mystery that keeps you guessing and an ending that I did not see coming!

The Living and the Dead by Christoffer Carlsson, (List Price: $29, Hogarth, 9780593733059, December 2025)

Reviewed by Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

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A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar
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An extremely well-written novel set in near-future India, as climate change has decimated the country at all levels. A family is attempting to follow the Dad, who has already been accepted with a work Visa in the United States. Megha Majumdar provides us with a story about how far a mother will go to provide for her child in dire circumstances and how we might judge others while avoiding our own mirror. It is a timely novel that weaves in how policies and politics abroad can also derail your best-laid plans.

A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar, (List Price: $29, Knopf, 9780593804872, October 2025)

Reviewed by Jim Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey

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Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey
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Birdie is a single mother, barely making ends meet by waitressing in a small Alaskan town. Arthur is a shy, mysterious loner who lives in a remote region of the area. When she becomes involved with Arthur, Birdie thinks this is her chance to get closer to nature and finally change her life for the better. But when she and her daughter move in with Arthur they begin to uncover dangerous secrets. An ominous novel that highlights the beauty and dangers of the Alaskan wilderness and begs the question, What chances will you take to change your life?

Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey, (List Price: $29, Random House, 9780593231029, February 2025)

Reviewed by Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

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Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
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Charmaine Wilkerson is quickly becoming a must-read author for me. I loved Black Cake and her new novel is equally as good. The book follows the journey of a clay jar that was made by an enslaved potter in South Carolina. The jar stays with the African American family for decades and sees their escape to freedom and the prosperity of future generations. But there are tragic consequences for the family when, over time, the jar becomes a valuable artifact.

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson, (List Price: $30, Ballantine Books, 9780593358368, January 2025)

Reviewed by Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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Memorials by Richard Chizmar

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Memorials by Richard Chizmar
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What a creepy, look over your shoulder, slow burn novel! Three college students set off on a school project to shoot a documentary on roadside memorials. Things start out fairly smoothly, but as they get farther into Appalachia, strange events begin to occur. Angry townies, people lurking and watching from afar, and a menacing symbol drawn at the site of the memorials. Fans of Stephen King won’t be able to put this one down. Warning: It will keep you up at night.

Memorials by Richard Chizmar, (List Price: $29.99, Gallery Books, 9781668009192, October 2024)

Reviewed by Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez

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Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
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A deeply moving book of art, race, feminism, and power in relationships. Raquel is a Latina woman at Brown, when she decides to base her senior thesis on famous minimalist artist, Jack Martin, she uncovers his artist wife, Anita De Monte. Martin was accused of murdering Anita and successfully erased both her and her art from history after he was acquitted. A gripping story told from the multiple perspectives of Anita, Jack and Raquel.

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez, (List Price: $28.99, Flatiron Books, 9781250786210, March 2024)

Reviewed by Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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James by Percival Everett

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James by Percival Everett
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Before reading this novel, I went back and re-read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Since it had been close to forty years since I read the book, I was glad that I did because not only had I forgotten much of the story, but after reading the synopsis of James, I read it with a different viewpoint. James starts out closely following the story in Huck but about halfway through, veers off. I thought this was a powerful and thought-provoking story and I expect it to be one of the most critically acclaimed books of the year.

James by Percival Everett, (List Price: $28, Doubleday, 9780385550369, March 2024)

Reviewed by Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy by Emmanuel Acho

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Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy : Racism, Injustice, and How You Can Be a Changemaker by Emmanuel Acho
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Stop what you are doing. Download this book and listen to it with your children while you drive around town. Ask Alexa or Hey Google to play it while cooking dinner. Discuss it around the table or at game night. Make time for this book that dives into an incredibly important topic. It’s worth it. With everything that’s happened in our country this year, kids (and adults!!) need to understand what racism is, how to be anti-racist and where racism comes from (a great history lesson!). If ever there was an essential book… this is it! Recommend for ages 8 as “together read”.

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy : Racism, Injustice, and How You Can Be a Changemaker by Emmanuel Acho, (List Price: $17.99, Roaring Brook Press, 9781250801067, May 2021)

Reviewed by Michelle Uhlfelder, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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Chenneville by Paulette Jiles

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Chenneville by Paulette Jiles
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Paulette Jiles has written another amazing book on post civil war Texas. John Chenneville comes home to Missouri after a devastating head injury that left him hospitalized for over a year. Upon returning home he finds that his beloved sister, her husband and new baby have been murdered. Chenneville sets out on a journey to bring the killer to justice. Along the way he encounters all types of people trying to make their way in the world after the devastation of civil war. The author does an outstanding job of bringing these characters to life, the same as she did in News of the World.

Chenneville by Paulette Jiles, (List Price: $30, William Morrow, 9780063252684, September 2023)

Reviewed by Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

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The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
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Loved this book! Jack Masterson, the famous author of the Clock Island children’s series has finally written another installment after years as a recluse. He announces a contest where the winner will receive the only copy of the new book. Lucy Hart is a down on her luck teachers aide in California. She wants nothing better than to adopt Christopher a bright 7 year old orphan that she has become attached to. But with her financial instability it looks like that may never happen. Unexpectedly Lucy receives an invitation to come to Clock Island and be a participant in Jack’s contest. Could this be the miracle she and Christopher need? A heartwarming book that has an absolutely gorgeous cover.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer, (List Price: 28, Ballantine Books, 9780593598832, May 2023)

Reviewed by Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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World Made of Glass by Ami Polonsky

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World Made of Glass by Ami Polonsky
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World Made of Glass has the exact range of emotions tweens need and crave – sorrow, love, laughter, tears, regret – in deep swings. And more importantly, this historical fiction novel tells a story that few really know – I didn’t – about the prejudice, misinformation, and rampant fear surrounding AIDS in 1987 – told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Iris. She’s a character who experiences life-shattering circumstances beyond her control – yet with the help of her family and friends, she rises to the occasion. Our youth should read this book because it will build empathy and acceptance of marginalized groups of people, educate a new generation about the AIDS epidemic and LGBTQIA History – an area sorely under-represented in literature and inspire people of all ages to use their voices to fight for justice in their communities. As a bookseller in an indie bookstore who sees firsthand so many young adults purposefully seeking out books that provide a safe place to explore a range of emotions and tackle challenging, complex subjects, I cannot wait for this novel to do just that and find so many readers. Ami Polonsky will inspire the upcoming generation to use their voices for good!

World Made of Glass by Ami Polonsky, (List Price: $16.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316462044, January 2023)

Reviewed by Michelle Uhlfelder, Sundog Books in Seaside, Florida

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The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

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The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
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It is an accomplishment when a novel can take on heartbreaking situations and also contain so much humor as well. Geeta’s husband left without a trace five years ago. All the villagers think she has murdered him. So when her women’s business loan group members start having problems with their drinking, abusive husbands, they naturally go to her to enlist her help in murdering them. A fun story about the ability of women friends to stick together and the joys of motherhood (not really). I will highly recommend this one.

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff (List Price: $28.00, Ballantine Books, 9780593498958, January 2023)

Reviewed by Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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