Auris by Vincent Kliesch, based on an idea by Sebastian Fitzek

I am a big fan of Sebastian Fitzek and even went to see a play based on his novel last year, at the Berliner Kriminal Theater - worth seeing it, and even to come back for more at this niche theater in Berlin. Therefore, when I´ve first seen his name associated with Auris, a thriller novel, I didn´t hesitate and just get it. 

In fact, the novel is only based on an idea by Fitzek, as the main author is Vincent Kliesch. Kliesch, who is also a stand-up comedy actor, is a relatively new name for me, but I am always grateful to discover new German authors. I´ve had access to Auris in the original German language, in the audiobook format, read by some good local actors thus was worth the experience. 

This is just the first installment from a long series featuring forensic phonetician Matthias Hegel and true crime podcaster Jula Ansorge. I don´t remember ever to have heard about such a character as Hegel in my whole crime-thriller reading experience, therefore I was fascinated to find out more about such skills. Hegel is able to gather forensic details useful for a crime, by just listening to the voice of a person and his or her background noise environment details. 

In the first volume from Auris, Hegel is about to spend a lifelong prison term, following the assumed guilt of having killed a homeless woman. However, Ansorge, specialized in finding unique crime details that may reverse court decisions, is decided to prove him innocent, no matter the price, and although Hegel himself seems to be reluctant to such a change of fate. Ansorge, as Hegel, are characters with a complex history, and those details are smartly inserted into the main story.

The audio format is on point, with so many audio details that are increasing the tension in life threatening situations. Maybe if I would have just read the book, my impression would have been one star less, but overall, it is a thriller that delivers what one may expect from such a genre: tension, many many surprising twists and deep delving into human darkness. I am definitely interested in reading or listening more of this series soon. 

Rating: 4 stars

After the Party by Cressida Connolly

I am very reluctant to too much historical fiction reading, but I also know that fictionalized historical moments may open up towards less known historical episodes. The fate of Nazi sympathizers in Britain during WWII, mostly associated with Oswald Mosley and their interment in the Isle of Man - where they may have neighbour Jewish refugees from Germany, labelled ´enemies´ only based on their German passport - is a topic I am curious to explore more about. 

After the Party by Cressida Connolly is exploring exactly this topic, an unique take I was curious to find out more about.

Told in an alternance between first and third person account - the third person covers the past, end 1930s, beginning of 1940s while the first is aimed to relate, diary-like, the current feelings of the main character - the book is exploring the feelings and memories of Phyllis, a middle-class housewife who went involved with the movement around ´The Leader´ aka Mosley. It is a story of multiple family betrayal but also of awakening in a changing world while being unable to grasp the new realities and react accordingly.

The book has a relatively short length - 260-page long - but it was really hard for me to go through it (bless the long train rides across Germany with not too much to do on my sleeves for the achievement). The story enfolds as a chronicle, with daily details from her life and the other characters - parties, her sisters - as there is no tomorrow and everyone has the time in the world to read it. There are details accumulating but no scoop and the characters are not getting more reflection or self-reflection depth either. The switch between different timelines do not bring any additional literary encounters. The language however is exquisite as it both reflects the historical timeline and adds a noble touch to the narrative.

I succeeded to read the book until the end, but there were no change in terms of both my opinion about the book and the plot. I may have some questions regarding the Nazi sympathizers in England during WWII - like how high was the percentage of women involved in the movement and eventually some sociological background in this respect - but After the Party was definitely not a great literary fit for me.

Rating: 2.5 stars

Rachel´s Random Resources: The Girls Next Door by Anita Waller

Jess, Erin, Melissa and Chantelle. Born in the same year and hot summer season. Meant to be together and maybe famous too, as their birth was mentioned in the local media. Thirty years after, they are still living in Larkspur Close and are as close as sisters may be. Time has passed, they are adults now doing adult things. But in between news about jobs and business, Chantelle is coping with a dramatic family situation: her husband is cheating on her. But shortly after sharing with few chosen one this secret, the cheater is found death. Does this tragical event have anything to do with her confession?

Anita Waller is an author I´ve featured before on my blog and I am glad to have been given the opportunity to continue exploring her writing.

I really enjoyed the psychological thriller taking place in the context of a girls´ friendship. The thriller part is growing up from one stage of the story to another, in a progression that is just advancing simply once the story is developing. It is like telling a story about four girls, one of which is hit by a family tragedy. The story is more important than its details and this is just one of the many merits of this book.

I´ve found the ending very intelligent and rather unexpected. 

I am definitely in to discover more psychological thrillers, or just novels, by Anita Waller and The Girls Next Door is definitely a book to remember.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

The Write Reads Ultimate Blog Tour: Takeout Sushi by Christopher Green

When my passion for short stories meets my love for Japan, the result is a couple of full hours spent reading. I am trying to feature on the blog as much as possible short stories, particularly with a contemporary touch, therefore Takeout Sushi by Christopher Green was a great choice for the week. 

The book, to be publish soon by Neem Tree Press, an edition house I had the chance to feature before on my blog, is illustrated by Rebecca Purton. I am a big admirer of smart and beautiful covers, and in this case, only looking at the cover without knowing too much about the content of the book, it may be enough to purchase it.

Green is based in Japan and also writes children stories, and Takeout Sushi is his adult writing debut. A collection of 17 stories, the topics are taken from the everyday life, inspired by his own experience abroad, and reflecting unique stanzas. There is a diversity of topics covered, but also quite different writing touches, maybe the stories were written at different moments of the author´s literary journey. 

With humour, nostalgy and heartwarming approach, Green put into motion characters and situations that you may rather ignore in the everyday life. There are stories that makes you both cry and laugh, strange encounters of a lifetime. Robots replacing humans, foreigners in a foreign city, humans longing for belonging. I really loved the diversity of topics and angles in these stories and at the end was definitely longing for much more. 

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources: The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou by Eleni Kyriacou

 

Inspired by a true crime story, The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou by London-born Cypriot author Eleni Kyriacou explores the intersection between crime novel and linguistic and communication challenges.

Accused of killing her daughter-in-law, Zina Pavlou will fight to prove her innocence, with the help of her young interpreter, Eva. The search for the truth and our curiosity, as readers to figure out the details of the crime story, do meet the challenges of being a stranger in a big city, unable to speak the language, and eventually the target of suspicions of all kinds, due to the ´foreign´ status.

As a translator myself, I share some of the challenges of Eva as well, especially when it comes to give voice to the voiceless, surpassing the simple professional role for more human endeavours of protecting and helping those who need to be made understood. 

The book is hard to be put down, and couldn´t stop myself from following the story without taking too many breaks. The two plans of the story - the psychological part of being a woman and a foreigner, respectively the crime part - do alternate and meet sometimes, which makes the story even more fascinating to follow. There is also a legal part of the novel - involving the legal proceedings surrounding the crime case which are carefully researched and add more crime consistency to the story.

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is a recommended read to any lover of crime stories, particularly with strong women characters.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

The Write Reads Ultimate Blog Tour: Guns&Almond Milk by Mustafa Marwan

´There are two types of humanitarians, I realized early in this job: those who run away from something, and those who are running toward something´.

I often cover literary events or movies featuring the war in Yemen, but unfortunately there is way too less information, in any other way about the unfolding tragedy happening there. Even less are novels set there, and Guns&Almond Milk by Egyptian-born Mustafa Marwan makes a difference for more than one reason. 

Set in the world of humanitarian aid workers, it is set during the most dramatic stages of the confrontations in Yemen. Luke Archer, an Egyptian-born aid worker is part of a mission aimed at offering medical support on the ground, and get caught into a hospital siege set by Western mercenaries. As in the case of any war thriller, the characters, especially Archer, may have lots of things to hide, and the dramatic circumstances he is in, may put him in exactly those situations he was expecting to run away from when he took the assignment in Yemen.

Unique for this book is the humour, dark humour to be more precise, reflected through both the game of words - ´Yemen got Guns´ - but also the situations and the circumstances as such, which at first may make you forget that the reporting is made in the midst of a humanitarian catastrophe. But life is never black and white, and those who really went through such situations they know that on the ground, humour is what saves humanity from its enemies. Marwan himself has an extensive experience in this respect, hence the authenticity of the character voices and the depiction of the ambiance. The different settings of the book are rich in details which gives a good foundation to the story while allowing the plot to develop.

I enjoy reading Guns&Almond Milk for the fast-pace and the story itself. As it is only his debut novel, I would be curious to read Marwan´s next novel(s) as well.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Palamedes PR: Bloggers are instrumental in the success of books

Book bloggers are no longer considered ‘fringe media’ but important vehicles to promote new titles, authors and publishers. Unlike mainstream news and feature outlets, which reach a wide but less targeted audience, blogs like WILDWRITINGWORLD are the go-to destination of choice for engaged consumers who return time and time again for expert reviews and advice.

According to Palamedes PR, the UK’s market-leading book marketing agency, bloggers can be instrumental in shaping the overall success of a new release and are an indispensable force in the public relations industry. As a long-time PR executive myself, I can only appreciate this switch of perception, as for a long time, bloggers, particularly in the bookish field, were rather considered as purely hobby writers, without getting the praise and appreciation that any written word made public usually deserves.

Here, we speak to one of its publicists, Anthony Harvison, to find out why book blogs are reshaping the literary marketing and sales landscape, and how they are an increasingly important advocate for underrepresented voices and genres. (material provided by Palamedes PR, the intertitles are mine - WWW)

´...a powerful force in book marketing´

Q: How has the landscape of book marketing evolved with the rise of book blogging, and what role does it play in promoting books?

Book blogging has become a powerful force in book marketing, offering a dynamic platform for readers to share their thoughts and recommendations. It plays a crucial role in creating buzz around books, reaching niche audiences, and influencing purchasing decisions.

Q: In what ways do book bloggers contribute to building a book's online presence and visibility?

Book bloggers contribute significantly to a book's online presence by writing reviews, hosting blog tours, and participating in social media discussions. Their authentic and personal recommendations can enhance a book's visibility and attract a diverse readership.

How to get in touch with bloggers

Q: How do book publicists identify and collaborate with book bloggers to promote specific titles?

Book publicists often research and reach out to book bloggers whose content aligns with the target audience and genre of a particular book. Collaboration may involve sending review copies, organizing blog tours, or facilitating author interviews to generate interest among the blogger's followers.

Q: Can you share examples of successful book marketing campaigns that heavily leveraged book blogging?

Successful campaigns often involve strategic partnerships with influential book bloggers. For instance, organizing blog tours with well-established bloggers, hosting giveaways, or encouraging book discussions on popular platforms can generate substantial online buzz and drive book sales.

´...unique ability to champion diverse voices´

Q: How do book bloggers contribute to the diversity and inclusivity of book promotion, particularly in highlighting underrepresented voices or genres?

Book bloggers have a unique ability to champion diverse voices and genres that might be overlooked in mainstream media. They can bring attention to underrepresented authors and stories, fostering a more inclusive literary landscape and broadening the range of books available to readers.

Q: With the prevalence of social media, how do book bloggers use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube to enhance their book reviews and recommendations?

Many book bloggers utilize social media platforms to share visually appealing book recommendations, snippets of reviews, and engage in real-time conversations with their followers. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube, in particular, provide a multimedia approach to book promotion, enhancing the overall impact of their reviews.

´Building genuine relationships is key´

Q: How can book publicists and authors effectively engage with book bloggers to ensure a mutually beneficial collaboration?

Building genuine relationships is key. Publicists and authors can engage with book bloggers by offering personalized pitches, providing relevant content, respecting their schedules, and acknowledging their contributions. It's essential to approach collaborations as a partnership that benefits both parties and their audiences.

Q: Looking forward, do you see any emerging trends or changes in the relationship between book blogging and book marketing?

As technology evolves, immersive experiences like virtual book clubs, interactive content, and multimedia reviews may gain prominence in book blogging. The relationship between book bloggers and marketing may deepen as influencers continue to shape literary conversations and bridge the gap between authors, publishers, and readers.

For more information about Palamedes PR and its book marketing services, go to www.palamedes.co.uk or call 0208 1036883