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Lies, Lust, and Larceny
Lies, Lust, and Larceny, by Lisa Marie Shankles, is a satirical novella about twin sisters, Lilah and Laylah Larceny, whose retirement plans spiral into jealousy, identity theft, petty crime, Norwegian prison fantasies, and an unexpectedly strange adventure involving aliens, a mysterious cat named Dyngus, and a trip to Scandinavia. At its heart, this is a comic crime adventure with satirical and light sci-fi elements, built around sibling rivalry and the wild places envy can take a person.
What stood out to me first was the book’s sheer willingness to be odd. It doesn’t ease into its weirdness. It jumps. One moment I was reading about Dyngus Day in Buffalo, family tension, retirement, and salon life, and the next I was following a plan to use Norway’s humane prison system as a retirement strategy. That’s a bold premise, and I appreciated how fully Shankles commits to it. The humor is broad and often deliberately ridiculous, but there is an energy to it that keeps the story moving. It feels like the kind of tale someone might tell over coffee after saying, “You will not believe where this goes.”
I also found the contrast between Lilah and Laylah to be the book’s strongest engine. Lilah is more open, curious, and impulsive, while Laylah is driven by resentment and the ache of always feeling second-best. That emotional thread gives the absurd plot something real to stand on. The writing can be uneven at times, with long explanations and some jokes that land harder than others. It’s going for chaos, color, and momentum. The author’s choices are playful and unafraid, especially in the way she blends crime comedy, travel fantasy, paranormal touches, and alien strangeness into one offbeat package.
Lies, Lust, and Larceny is a light, eccentric satire for readers who enjoy strange premises, flawed characters, and humor that leans into the outrageous. I would recommend it most to fans of quirky novellas, comic crime stories, and anyone who likes their fiction a little unhinged, a little mischievous, and not too concerned with staying inside the lines.
Pages: 182 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C9S88LGB
The Fanny Upping
In this wild adventure, full of talk of buttocks and backsides, The Fanny Upping is not what one would call a typical science fiction adventure. Our story follows the tale of 16-year-old Pinky Bell Asano, a Japanese teenager whose life focus seems to be dodgeball. As the tale progresses, we see the emergence of the TittiButt, a creature who has an unworldly eyeball for an anus. As it goes around, sucking people up, one thing is for certain that after reading this book you will never be the same.
The Fanny Upping, by Michael A. Greco, is a novel written to make its readers think about the world differently. Cultural taboos, teenage dramas, and investigations into supernatural occurrences that would make the most dedicated science fiction readers pause. Filled with Japanese influences throughout, this book brings a unique perspective on the world of fantasy and fiction.
Greco’s infusion of Japanese terminology lends an authentic cultural flair to the narrative, adding depth and color to the tale’s tapestry. The distinctive character names, such as Pinky Bell and Candy Buppie, are a testament to the novel’s creative spirit, though they may require the reader to pay close attention to the unfolding story. This element of complexity in character development adds a layer of engagement, encouraging readers to immerse themselves more deeply into the world Greco has crafted. While the journey through the character arcs may be intricate, it invites a delightful challenge to the adventurous reader, making the experience of unraveling the plot all the more rewarding.
The narrative of The Fanny Upping joyfully defies a linear storyline, offering a mosaic of events that invite readers to piece together the plot in a way that is as engaging as it is unique. The novel’s liberal use of humor, including its cheeky references, is a bold choice that adds to its distinctive voice and charm. While the unconventional structure may seem like a jigsaw puzzle with its scattered pieces, this quality makes it an intriguing read for those who delight in assembling the bigger picture from the whimsical details. This book is a perfect match for readers who relish the opportunity to think outside the box and enjoy a narrative that keeps them guessing.
Pages: 234 | ASIN : B0CKPJ9LZM
In Herschel’s Wake
In Herschel’s Wake by Michael Wohl is a memoir that recounts the author’s journey to his father’s burial. He is accompanied by his siblings on this trip. The style is very intimate, and the subjects are delicate as it deals with death, complicated father-son relationships, grief, and forgiveness. The author’s realization of who his father was might remind the reader of The Stranger by Camus, in which the main character only comes to understand his mother when approaching his own death. This memoir belongs to a larger group of works wherein complex parent-child relationships are only understood when it is too late. It also explores dynamics between siblings which can be tough to navigate as well.
The strength of this book is how honest it is and raw. The reader will feel as though they are reading the author’s personal diary, which might be uncomfortable but also makes it even more beautiful and easy to read. It is truly a page-turner. Although the subjects that are tackled may seem heavy, the tone is humorous at times and make it easier to read. This is an emotional and profound memoir; any reader will find elements that will resonate with them and that they might relate to.
In Herschel’s Wake is an eye-opening memoir about family and relationships. It should be noted that it might need a trigger warning for people with a challenging relationship with their own family that they have not resolved. However, it is definitely a book I would recommend to someone who has gone through grief and has come to terms with it.
Pages: 258 | ASIN : B0B8PCKNZG
