The Alphabet Book Challenge: H

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                                                             The "H" Books


Book 1: The Way of the Bear by Anne Hillerman

Anne Hillerman has picked up where her father, Tony Hillerman, left off. She continues the stories of the characters he created. In this one, we find Navajo Tribal Police Officers Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito on location at Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Jim is there to meet with a paleontologist, but before he can meet with him, the man disappears. His house appears to have been broken into, and there is a dead body at the entrance.  Where is the paleontologist? And what were the thieves after?

Bernadette is having her own issues. While hiking to ancient petroglyphs, she discovers that the site has been defaced and an illegal dig is underway. Returning to her truck to report the incident, she is almost run down by two men in a dark vehicle. She ditches her coat and hides. They fire at the coat and leave when they discover she isn't there. 

Two dead bodies. Two mysteries to solve. And then there is a third body. What is going on in Bears Ears? 

Anne Hillerman does a great job of painting the picture. She does her best to bring the characters to life, but to me, something was missing. She TOLD a good story, but I never felt like I was in it. I felt like it was being recited to me. I fell flat. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but lacking something.

I give it *** 1/2 stars.

Book 2: Our Kind of Cruelty by Araminta Hall

This is a twisted tale of obsession and desire. The main character, Mike Hayes has done his best to leave his brutal childhood behind. Luckily, the foster family he ends up with cares for him. He is able to graduate from school and attend college, where he meets and falls in love with V. Mike dedicates his life to making her happy. They play a twisted game he calls "The Crave," where the two go to a seedy bar and pretend they don't know each other. When a man starts flirting with her, Mike breaks the scene up. He and V leave to enjoy a night of sex. The game escalates. V sends Mike off to New York to learn job skills. Is it part of the game? Is she trying to test him? 

When Mike returns, V lets him know she is engaged to be married to a wealthy man. He doesn't believe her. This has to be a new form of "The Crave." Or is it? Mike ignores what V is saying and prepares a life for them. He buys her a dream house, decorates it in her favorite colors and themes. He tells his co-workers that V is his wife. He follows V, confronts her, and when she tells him it's over, he believes it's just part of the game. V wants him to save her. 

When V marries the man, Mike is still not convinced. It's all a charade. When V returns from her honeymoon, Mike is waiting for her. He tells her she needs to stop playing the game, tell her husband the truth, and come home with Mike. Arguing turns to kissing, and he knows when she embraces him that he's right.

But is he?

This book is very well written. Mike Hayes is a complex, troubled, and emotionally scarred character. Even at the end, I wasn't sure if it was a game or not. 

If you are looking for a thriller with an edge of sex that will keep you guessing, pick this one up.

I give it *****








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