The internet giveth and taketh away. It’s hard to tell sometimes if it’s a net positive, (more often than not, I would lean on the side of “no”) but it also helps one learn and discover things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to find on their own.
Take for example Wendy Heard. I wasn’t aware of her previous work, nor am I especially well-versed with the work of queer women in crime fiction. Fortunately for me, I found online a handy guide written by her lauding these women and their books. I definitely encourage you or anyone to check out the list.
Reading it got me interested in her newest book, The Kill Club. When I saw it in a bookstore a few days after Christmas with gift money burning in my pocket, I figured “What the heck?” I really appreciated that article and I tend to buy new books written by lesser known writers in order to support them.
I’m glad I did. This was a quality crime thriller written by an author who already has a confident style just two books into her career. I really liked Jazz’s character and while I can’t resonate with her struggles, I felt them deeply thanks to Heard’s authorship. Her desperation is real to the reader. I also liked how the story unrolled, taking twists and turns I genuinely did not expect.
If I had one quibble, it’s the ending. When I read an implausible plot, I need it to grapple with the world it’s created. This one fell a little flat for me. I can’t say why without spoiling so I’ll say that the premise of the book is undercut by events that unfold near the end.
Nevertheless, this was a good read. I added Wendy Heard’s other book to my Amazon wishlist and will certainly be checking out future work.