The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

Pages: 288

"The ornate reading room at the Boston Public Library is quiet, until the tranquility is shattered by a woman's terrified scream. Security guards take charge immediately, instructing everyone inside to stay put until the threat is identified and contained. While they wait for the all-clear, four strangers, who'd happened to sit at the same table, pass the time in conversation and friendships are struck. Each has his or her own reasons for being in the reading room that morning-it just happens that one is a murderer."

Author-ception is how I would initially describe this book. It starts out with a letter written to a fictional author by a fan who is writing a mystery novel about an author writing a mystery novel. That layering alone intrigued me but I stayed for the multiple mysteries the different authors were experiencing. It was also interesting to see how authors write things they see in everyday life as inspiration for their books seen both by the author writing back and forth with a fan at the end of each chapter and the characters of the mystery novel themselves competing for who gets to write the quirky neighbor into their novel. I really enjoyed the story overall though the characters read a little flat, the parallel story lines and the mysterious fan correspondence kept me interested.

The Maid by Nita Prose

 Pages: 280

"Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misinterprets the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by. But Molly’s orderly life is turned on its head the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself very dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?"

I have a lot of thoughts about this book and its representation of its characters. I was really surprised after reading it that it was a Goodreads Choice Winner. It really stereotypes the characters and Molly is a caricature of an Autistic individual. As a neurodivergent person myself, it was really overhanded and not very realistic. She misses so many obvious social cues at times and catches integral ones at others and isn't consistent with her actions and personality. That said there were some cute moments such as her flashbacks to her Gran and her found family at the end. Though I don't think it makes it worth the read, especially after the uncalled for explanation of Gran's death. So did not add anything and had no reason to exist.

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

 Pages: 416

"When Springville residents—at least the ones still alive—are questioned about what happened on prom night, they all have the same explanation... Maddy did it. An outcast at her small-town Georgia high school, Madison Washington has always been a teasing target for bullies. And she's dealt with it because she has more pressing problems to manage. Until the morning a surprise rainstorm reveals her most closely kept secret: Maddy is biracial. She has been passing for white her entire life at the behest of her fanatical white father, Thomas Washington. After a viral bullying video pulls back the curtain on Springville High's racist roots, student leaders come up with a plan to change their image: host the school's first integrated prom as a show of unity. The popular white class president convinces her Black superstar quarterback boyfriend to ask Maddy to be his date, leaving Maddy wondering if it's possible to have a normal life. But some of her classmates aren't done with her just yet. And what they don't know is that Maddy still has another secret... one that will cost them all their lives." 

This was a retelling of Stephen Kings Carrie with a twist that explores the racism still rooted in small communities. I really liked the podcast feel at the beginning of the chapters. I really fell for Maddy's character and kept hoping the ending would not come and everything would work out for her. Its a heartbreaking story and very well done.