Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Amanda Flower

Title: Because I Could Not Stop for Death

Author: Amanda Flower

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Synopsis: January 1855 Willa Noble knew it was bad luck when it was pouring rain on the day of her ever-important job interview at the Dickinson home in Amherst, Massachusetts. When she arrived late, disheveled with her skirts sodden and filthy, she'd lost all hope of being hired for the position. As the housekeeper politely told her they'd be in touch, Willa started toward the door of the stately home only to be called back by the soft but strong voice of Emily Dickinson. What begins as tenuous employment turns to friendship as the reclusive poet takes Willa under her wing.
Tragedy soon strikes and Willa's beloved brother, Henry, is killed in a tragic accident at the town stables. With no other family and nowhere else to turn, Willa tells Emily about her brother’s death and why she believes it was no accident. Willa is convinced it was murder. Henry had been very secretive of late, only hinting to Willa that he'd found a way to earn money to take care of them both. Viewing it first as a puzzle to piece together, Emily offers to help, only to realize that she and Willa are caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse that reveals corruption in Amherst that is generations deep. Some very high-powered people will stop at nothing to keep their profitable secrets even if that means forever silencing Willa and her new mistress.... - Back Cover

My Thoughts

The title and the shelf note "Local Author" drew me to pull this novel off the library shelf. What a fun idea to have Emily Dickinson and her maid work together to solve a mystery. The reader learns about Emily Dickinson's background and gets a historically based murder mystery as well. I didn't know Emily's father served as a representative in Washington. It was interesting to read about her trip to visit him, which really happened, though the events of the trip are fictionalized. As a renowned recluse later in life, I enjoyed reading about Dickinson as a young woman moving in social circles in her town of Amherst, Massachusetts. The mystery of the murder of Willa's brother kept me guessing until almost the very end. I look forward to reading the next book in this series!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.

To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen

 

Title: The Games Gods Play

Author: Abigail Owen

Genre: NA Fantasy

Synopsis: "I have never been favored by the gods. Far from it, thanks to Zeus. Living as a cursed office clerk for the Order of Thieves, I just keep my head down and hope the capricious beings who rule from Olympus won't notice me. Not an easy feat, given San Francisco is Zeus' patron city, but I make do. I survive. Until the night I tangle with a different god.

The worst god. Hades.

For the first time ever, the ruthless, mercurial King of the Underworld has entered the Crucible—the deadly contest the gods hold to determine a new ruler to sit on the throne of Olympus. But instead of fighting their own battles, the gods name mortals to compete in their stead. So why in the Underworld did Hades choose me—a sarcastic nobody with a curse on her shoulders—as his champion? And why does my heart trip every time he says I’m his? I don’t know if I’m a pawn, bait, or something else entirely to this dangerously tempting god. How can I, when he has more secrets than stars in the sky? Because Hades is playing by his own rules…and Death will win at any cost." - Back Cover

My Thoughts

I was intrigued by the title and cover of this book on the shelf at the library. It is a little outside of my usual genre preferences, set in modern day in the US. But the addition of the Greek Gods and mythology had me interested. I’d say this is novel is a combination of Greek Mythology and The Hunger Games, but a little more grown up. (New Adult vs Young Adult is not super different, I even had to look it up.) 

 I looked forward to reading it every night. It is suspenseful, unexpected, and heartfelt. The cliffhanger ending is a killer, so I patiently await the publishing of the sequel.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above