Just beyond the Gilded Age, in the mist-covered streets of New York, the deadly Spanish influenza ripples through the city. But with so many victims in her close circle, young socialite Allene questions if the flu is really to blame. All appear to have been poisoned—and every death was accompanied by a mysterious note.
Desperate for answers and dreading her own engagement to a wealthy gentleman, Allene returns to her passion for scientific discovery and recruits her long-lost friends, Jasper and Birdie, for help. The investigation brings her closer to Jasper, an apprentice medical examiner at Bellevue Hospital who still holds her heart, and offers the delicate Birdie a last-ditch chance to find a safe haven before her fragile health fails.
As more of their friends and family die, alliances shift, lives become entangled, and the three begin to suspect everyone—even each other. As they race to find the culprit, Allene, Birdie, and Jasper must once again trust each other, before one of them becomes the next victim
My review! 5 Stars
With pre-prohibition New York as a backdrop, this murder mystery is layered with luscious settings and unsavoury characters who are perfectly flawed and despairingly human in their sense of want and rationalisation. Between history and chemistry lessons, Kang effortlessly weaves a story of betrayal and guilt through the varied points of view of the three main characters. Part Sherlock, part Agatha Christie, and part tragic romance, A Beautiful Poison hits all the right notes, leaving the reader satisfied, but with a melancholy weight that accompanies the sorrowful calamity at the end. From the crystal chandeliers of Upper Manhattan to the crowded and pungent tenements in Brooklyn, Ms. Kang's mystery feeds off the desperation of its characters, pulling the reader in further until you have no choice but to gasp at the final reveal.
An excellent read for those who enjoy a richly imagined world with textured writing and characters who slip under your skin like a tiny splinter—whether you like it or not.
I usually post this the end of December, but I was knee deep in revisions for two different books, and then Christmas came ... and Netflix.
Anyway, the 'year in review' post has become a bit of a tradition for me. I recommend all writers (published and otherwise) take on this annual exercise. I've found going through the year a great way to re-examine my original goals and help set new ones for 2016. Plus, there's all those 'oh yeah, that happened' moments.
Here are my posts for 2012, 2013, and 2014. So ... grab your popcorn folks, here's what happened in 2015.
Sent off final edits for JUST JESSE (companion novel to BUTTERFLIES DONT' LIE) to Nimbus Publishing.
Met with Fierce Ink Press to discuss cover ideas and book launch venues (whoo-hoo) ANNNND signed contract for book two of the series, DIADEM OF DEATH! (double whoo-hoo)
Traveled with family to Barcelona! So, so, so wonderfully gorgeous and delicious. I recommend the bikini sandwich at Tapas 24.
Halifax has two crippling snow storms three days apart. No one can remember why we still live here.
Most popular blog post that month is my recap of Once Upon A Time, Season 4, Episode 16 "Poor Unfortunate Soul"
April Happy Easter!
Worked on first draft of DIADEM OF DEATH.
The last of the snow finally melts. No, seriously.
New title for JUST JESSE is *drum roll* ... GIRL ON THE RUN. The editor and I discuss cover options. Good times!
A few rejections roll in for NIGHT SHIFT. It's still a featured novel on Wattpad and has consistently ranked in the top fifty since it was posted a year before.
Lovely weekend spent in Old Quebec city. Let me tell you, they do poutine and coffee like nobody's business.
Had book blitz and cover reveal for GIRL ON THE RUN. The fantastic publicist at Nimbus, Tom Ryan (who also happens to be a prolific YA author) made the snazzy trailer.
Celebrated Word On The Street at the bee-u-tee-ful Halifax library, or as Sarah Sawler likes to call it, Halifax's Book Palace. I had the opportunity to share a YA panel with the effervescent and hilarious, Melody Fitzpatrick. I don't have a picture of us together, but here's the Nimbus gang working hard at the book signing booth.
Had book launch for GIRL ON THE RUN! Some of the prizes included ...
Received four stars, highly recommended reviews for both ASP OF ASCENSION and GIRL ON THE RUN from the CM Magazine!
"...an amazing mix of reality, mystery, and fantasy. Asp of Ascension is a really gripping tale that will keep readers on the edge of their chairs right to the end."
"Quick-paced with lots of twists, readers will love Girl on the Run."
I celebrated with sushi from Wassabi House.
Most popular blog post of month is Once Upon A Time, Season 5 Episode 1 "Dark Swan"
October
Now that all the books had been launched, it was time to get to my reading pile. I was thrilled to discover, AMRITAby Banana Yoshimoto. I also finished GIRL ON THE TRAIN, and THE MARTIAN.
Most popular blog post for month is "Once Upon A Time, Season 4, Episode 5 "Dream Catcher"
Went to my first Hal-Con and signed copies of ASP OF ASCENSION; fitting since Star Trek is mentioned in the dedication.
November
Book signings galore! I love book signings when the store is all decked out for Christmas. I was especially grateful to have three books on the table this time.
Received my last EVER rejection for NIGHT SHIFT. That's because I made the decision to stop querying and self-publish the series. *takes deep breath, plugs nose, jumps from high diving board*
Lucky enough to enlist Penelope Jackson (editor super star) to edit NIGHT SHIFT.
Worked on creative portfolio for cover artist.
Began work on final edits for NIGHT SHIFT!
Got a sample of covers that are all beautiful. Picked the one that was a perfect mix of style and mystery. (I'd love to show you, but you'll have to wait for the reveal).
Tackled first round of edits for DIADEM OF DEATH. I can't wait to make book art for this one!
Enjoyed getting my skates on again as the Oval opened for another season.
Most popular blog post of month is Once Upon A Time Season 5, Episode 11 "Swan Song"
Goals for 2016
Write a combined novel for both Kelsey (BUTTERFLIES DON'T LIE) and Jesse (GIRL ON THE RUN).
Skate on the Oval more.
Somehow get chosen to be a parade marshal.
Outline third novel for The Nefertari Hughes Mystery series.
Find the agent who is the right fit for my secret project.
Ok, I'll admit it, it's my own fault. I bought the movie ticket.
There were a lot of things that bothered me about this movie. I mean, did the British assistant have to die in such a long and brutal fashion? And if you're going to recycle a script, make sure to keep the good parts of that original script—you know like characters with depth and a plot that makes sense.
The one change that would have made this movie one million times more interesting would have been to switch Dallas Howard's and Chris Pratt's characters so that she'd be the dino trainer and he'd be the uptight corporate manager.
Anyway, let's get started....
Here are the top ten ridiculous moments in Jurassic World:
#1. The opening scene shows a kid looking at dinosaurs through a view finder. A view finder? He's on his way to a park with live dinosaurs and magic bubble cars and he's captivated by a toy from the 1950's.
#2. Chris Pratt's character is like the velociraptor whisperer or something. Where did he learn this skill to train dinosaurs? He used to be in the navy. No, really, that's the explanation in the movie.
#3. Vincent D'Onofrio from Law & Order: Criminal Minds, shows up and his character makes even more outrageous conclusions based on connections between random facts than detective Goren ever did. Remember the episode when detective Goren looked at the murder victim's teeth, determined her gums were flossed more vigorously on the left and therefore she was right handed and couldn't have grabbed the gun during the struggle? Sorry, my mind wondered there. That happened a lot during the movie too.
#4. The main reason the lab has created this monster dinosaur is to keep people interested in the park with new and scaring animals. They claim kids are getting tired of the T-Rex. Um...no. Sorry, I don't buy that. People are still waiting up to a half hour in line to go on the Flying Dumbo ride at Disney.
#5. The only one guarding the cage where the super secret and deadly huge dinosaur is kept is an overweight guard eating a donut. Spoiler: when he and Chris Pratt are running from the dinosaur, he's the one who gets eaten.
#6. After the brothers survive being almost eaten alive and a jump into a ravine, they collapse on the shore and laugh and punch each other in the arms as soft piano music plays. Whhhaat? Shouldn't they be crying and covered in their own sh*t?
#7. While I enjoy Jimmy Fallon, his guest spot was so weird since it took place right before the kids are about to be eaten. It's like the movie couldn't decide if it was scary or funny. The characters seemed to only have two emotions: scared and running or scared and being frozen to the spot, depending on the type of background music.
#8. There is only one helicopter to escape the island.
#9. I think three hundred Starbucks close up shots were enough, don't you?
#10. Dallas Howard's white dress didn't get dirty until the last ten minutes of the movie. The woman is running through the jungle!
BONUS: With all the technology on the island, cell phones and walkie talkies never work when it's crucial to relay information.
