Ep. 154 "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley; "Below" by Laurel Hightower

Transcript: JESSICA:  Hi, this is Jessica Russell. I'm the assistant director of collection services at Sno-Isle Libraries. And welcome to Book Buzz.  Today's two reading recommendations will introduce you to handpicked favorites that have captured the hearts and minds of our staff. We'll give you the inside scoop on titles you may not have heard about.  First, we're going to hear from Jennifer, library associate at the Camano Island Library, for a tale of a wedding gone wrong. Over to you, Jennifer.     JENNIFER:  Thanks, Jessica. Lucy Foley wrote "The Paris Apartment," my previous review, and like "The Paris Apartment," "The Guest List" ending had me gob smacked! Even more this time!  So one struggle I have in reading is that if there are too many characters, I get lost and forget who's who. In this novel, each chapter is presented in a different character's voice – brilliant! If you have the same struggle, you will easily follow along to the slowly building plot and keep close track of the braiding of characters together, to understand the potential motives for "whodunit."  The story is set on an island off the coast of Ireland, where two "perfect people" are getting married. He, an up and coming "Survivor" style star. And she, an "in control of everything" magazine publisher. And boy is this wedding the stuff of magazine pages!   Every detail is thought out, perfection permeates everything. Along with copious amounts of fine alcohol. With the champagne flowing, resentments, jealousies and suspicions begin to float to the top. The groomsmen have boarding school secrets. And one bridesmaid, the bride's sister, holds a secret that could ruin everything. Even the resident wedding planner has a history!     JESSICA:  Thanks, Jennifer! As we approach wedding season, this book sounds like a wonderful spring or summer read.   Next, let's hear about a chilling tale of supernatural suspense, from Emily, library associate at the Marysville Library. Take it away, Emily.    EMILY:  The novella "Below" by Laurel Hightower is 106 pages long and I loved every single one of them. Part supernatural survival-horror, part creature-feature, this harrowing tale puts our main character through a nightmare. And it's the way Addy reacts to all she faces — gradually growing gradually growing more courageous despite her unsettling circumstances — that made this book so satisfying.  While on a long, solo drive through the mountains of West Virginia, she narrowly avoids crashing into a stalled van. Catching sight of the driver, she's unnerved to see that he's smiling at her. Wisely leaving the stranded man behind, she guns it to the closest, well-lit roadside diner. There, she meets a friendly trucker named Mads. Worried about the difficult drive ahead of them both, Mads talks her into accepting a portable C.B. radio so they can stay in contact.  The two swap stories as their mini-convoy winds through the night towards an old bridge. But, as Mads's rig starts across it, both drivers are suddenly submerged in impossible, total darkness. Adrift in a starless void, the truck careens through the bridge's guard rails and into the valley below. When Addy decides to climb down after Mads, she doesn't know if he's alive or if she can even help. And she definitely doesn't know this might all be a trap.    JESSICA:  Thanks, Emily! This book sounds like a gripping and haunting read.   Our recommendations this week are: "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley and "Below" by Laurel Hightower.  Join us next time, when we'll explore more great reading recommendations — interesting books you can find at your favorite local bookstore or at your local library.    Until then, I'm Jessica Russell from Sno-Isle Libraries.   Thanks for joining us for Book Buzz on KSER.   [END]