Reviews in Brief

Dirt Road Main Street by Cynthia L. Clark is an engaging rock ‘n’ roll dive into the world of music, memory, and the madness only love can inspire. Tano and Holly are star-crossed and time-cursed lovers, allowing this book to explore the challenges of true connection, the pain of life’s lonely roads, and the indescribable power of music. Written in simple prose, but edged with truck-stop grit, the dialogue is sharp and Southern, while the plot moves quick, unconcerned with excess descriptions or flowery language. Navigating life’s obstacles to hit the perfect chord of true love is no easy feat, but this melancholic ballad of a novel tells a universal tale with insight, honesty, wit, and a soundtrack you’ll think of long after the story is finished.

Obsession, love and dark flames of the past light up the pages of Boulder Girl, Remember Me When the Moon Hangs Low by author Cynthia L. Clark. In this compelling thriller, twisted memories and sinister schemes lay bare the rotten core of old envy, threatening two new lovers unexpectedly falling into happiness. Poignant narration and emotional complexity elevate this simple story of unrequited love to a complex examination of human nature, lust, and the delicate line between violence and passion. While the internal monologuing is occasionally melodramatic, Boulder Girl is a dark and thrilling escape that doesn’t disappoint.

A 2020 collection of savagely good writers, The VD Anthology, Vol. 2 brings together more than a dozen excerpts, stories and poems from Club Verbal Discharge. From letters to Coronavirus and nostalgic greasy spoon tales in London to modern-day bigotry and the trauma of losing one’s sight, these are hard-hitting and unpredictable pieces. Laced with British vernacular and colloquial speech, this eclectic gathering is well-edited and curated, without any notable weak points, and displays a masterful use of language. These stories come across as gritty, authentic and raw, yet they are also polished and precise, evidence of the obviously talented contributors behind this quick, impactful collection.

A shocking and multi-layered thriller, Perilous Last-Minute Christmas Shopping by Annie de Muynck is an unpredictable tale of terror, freedom, perseverance, and the occasional horror of the holidays. Written with a matter-of-fact, methodical tone that still pumps suspense into every scene, the plot moves quickly, giving readers a relentless ride through one woman’s seemingly endless nightmare. The dialogue is snappy and keeps the pace moving, although more emotion in the relationships and interactions could give the story more appeal. Despite the choppy writing and largely procedural narration, this is an expansive and spine-chilling read, and a perfect guilty pleasure for the holidays.

For fans of Jumanji, L.G. Cunningham’s The Game with No Name is a thrilling adventure for younger readers about a mysterious board game and a family in peril. The premise echoes its famous predecessor, but the story is highly inventive in its own right, with high stakes, chilling frights, and relatable lessons throughout, fronted by two engaging protagonists. The story has a creepy edge that is just right for the age range, and will keep readers turning the pages, as Cunningham is masterful at building and maintaining suspense. Cinematic and vividly written, the book should easily find an audience looking for a middle grade adventure with a slice of the macabre.

Crossley has written a very powerful work of fiction. His dialogue is sparse and serves to underscore the profound impact of his narrative. The images he paints are vivid, and the emotions visceral, especially as they center on his main protagonist. Poignant and painful, A Child is a Piece of Paper is one of those stories that will stay with you long after the last page has been read.