While 'My Heart Is A Chainsaw' had a slow burn to its violence, 'Don't Fear the Reaper' revels in danger and fear right off the bat. Stephen Graham Jones knew this, and boy, do things go off the rails immediately. As a sequel, it should be bloodier, wilder, and more audacious than its predecessor, with both a new antagonist and a few throwbacks to past dangers. I had high hopes for 'Don't Fear the Reaper'. 'My Heart Is a Chainsaw' was one of my favorite books of 2021 it's knowing, self-referential tone mixed with its wonderful heroine, Jade Daniels, reminded me of my favorite slasher films of times past. She also effortless intertwines the joy and love that can be found from family and community. What I love about Sadeqa Johnson's books is that she is a passionate researcher and takes tough topics and shines a light on them. Even more importantly it shines a light on the heartbreaking ideologies society has put on women who become pregnant and are unwed not just during the past but also present day as well. It also spotlights the shame and ridicule some young women experience as they are coming-of-age and exploring their sexuality. Even though the setting is the 1950s, it has relevance to the present day since Ruby and Eleanor are pushed to make tough decisions in order to have a family, advance their careers, and follow their dreams. It is a captivating, powerful story of the strength and resilience of women and the sacrifices they make for themselves and their families. One of my favorite books is Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson, so when I found out the author was releasing a new book, I had to read it! The House of Eve does not disappoint. I found the whole thing to be entertaining without being too terribly over the top, and the short chapters make it easy to keep turning pages to find out what happens next. The tragic love stories add an extra layer to the mystery, and every time I thought I had everything figured out, there was yet another twist. You as the reader are along for the ride as the women individually try to piece together for themselves the full story of the four characters and how their lives intertwine. The novel is narrated by two women, Pippa and Amanda, whose marriages seem complicated in very different ways, but the women themselves have a couple key things in common: each wife is very much in love with her husband and, just as importantly, each wife is determined to uncover her husband’s secrets. With clever twists and reveals, this one kept me on my toes and I devoured the entire book in a weekend.

If you’re a fan of this genre, The Soulmate won’t disappoint. I knew I had to pick this one up as soon as I heard that Sally Hepworth had written a new book.

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