“The Book of Goose”

 

I’m confused…two teenage girls growing up in a small village in France in the 1950s. Both peasants. One is able to continue her education, the other not. Simple lives. What could go wrong?

Boredom.

What if these two create an alternate world for themselves? Pushing reality to the limit. Using their imaginations to find happiness where none may exist.

Selfish.

Finding a way to enhance their lives, but at the expense of others in their village. Ultimately pushing one of them out of the “nest” they created for themselves.

Opportunity. Jealousy. Comeuppance. Change. Friendship lost.

I suppose it was a matter of time before the girls' experiences changed their relationship. What they wanted in life no longer mirrored their teenage desires.

Separation.

I’m still confused…

“Silver Nitrate”

I know that reading Moreno-Garcia’s novels will take me on an adventure. I know that she will stretch my imagination. I know she will suck me in, chew me up, and spit me back out wondering the whole time; what the hell just happened?

Horror films. Occultists. Runes. Magic as technology. Murder(s). Spells. Nitrate film.

What could possibly go wrong? To believe or not believe. Take it all at face value? Study it? Dig deeper? Fear where your research may take you? Become a believer? Put your life on the line?

Not your everyday sleight-of-hand magic. Moreno-Garcia goes for the shadowy dark, evil, not to be trusted magic. Still wondering…what the hell just happened?

“Mother-Daughter Murder Night”

 

What happens when life lands you in a situation you have no control over? How do you make sense of all the chaos? How do you limit the damage? What do you do when you feel you’re not needed?

Pride. Control. Love. Family. 

How do you solve a murder and not end up a fatality yourself? When do you realize that everything you thought you needed is right in front of you? How do you mend relationships and not lose yourself in the process? How will the future you thought you wanted differ from the new one you’re creating? Will it lead to a “happily-ever-after” ending?

“The Fugitive Pigeon”

 

It’s never what you think it’s going to be.  A romp. A cop. A gangster or two. A love interest. A weird uncle. A friend.

Organized crime…murder. Spies and informants. I’M BEING FRAMED! This is all a big misunderstanding. 

Where this all started to where it ended was rather circuitous; but well worth it. Colorful characters. Interesting plot. Satisfactory resolution.