April Reading Challenge Discussion

April’s Reading Challenge was to read a novel with a number in the title.

A Thousand Cuts by Simon Lelic is a riveting mystery that is also quite poignant.

Detective Inspector Lucia May’s latest case is supposed to be an open and shut investigation of a London school shooting.  There is no doubt that history teacher Samuel Szajkowski walked into an assembly then shot and killed three students, a fellow teacher and turned the gun on himself. But as Lucia interviews the students and staff at the school, she knows there is more to this incident than a cursory look reveals. But will her boss, Detective Chief Inspector Cole, permit her to continue her investigation?

Lucia is troubled by the picture that is beginning to emerge as she investigates Samuel and the months leading up to the shooting.  There is no disagreement that Samuel was a bit of a loner who kept himself to himself after his relationship with a fellow teacher ended.  He also had an antagonistic relationship with a fellow teacher that continued to deteriorate. Samuel failed to gain control over some of his students right from the start and his complaints to headmaster Mr. Travis fell on deaf ears.  His situation at school grew worse in the new year but Samuel seemed to be coping despite the pressure he must have been under. So Lucia is determined to unearth exactly what precipitated his unfathomable decision to fire upon the students and co-workers.

Lucia’s chapters are written in third person and alternate between her interviews with Samuel’s fellow staff members and students.  The investigation begins to hit a little close to home as Lucia realizes there are a few parallels between her life and Samuel’s. She struggles with confronting a co-worker on his repugnant behavior that is worsening by the day. Lucia is also very frustrated with her boss as he pressures her into writing her report to support his viewpoint instead of reflecting the facts.  When the case is taken out of her hands, what, if any, action will Lucia take to ensure the truth emerges about the school shooting?

A Thousand Cuts is a very compelling mystery with an innovative storyline and an appealing lead protagonist.  Lucia remains true to herself no matter the consequences  as she endeavors to uncover the truth about what drove Samuel to kill. The witness chapters are written with an authentic voice for each character and some easier to read than others. With an unexpected plot twist, Simon Lelic brings this incredible story to an unpredictable, yet completely satisfying, conclusion.  An absolutely outstanding mystery that packs an incredible punch.

Please click HERE to learn more about A Thousand Cuts.

Ten by Tia Fielding is a surprisingly angst-free gay romance.

Makai Stone is starting over after serving ten years for a crime he did not commit. Estranged from his mother and the rest of his family, he decides to move to Acker, WI. Makai does not want any trouble so his first stop is the local sheriff office. He then begins settling into the small lakeside home he purchased. Makai is hopeful he can move past the abuse he suffered in prison but he is not planning on starting a relationship any time soon. But will he change his mind after meeting the sheriff’s son Emil Newman?

Emil is still trying to recover from the harrowing ten days he spent after being kidnapped five years ago. He lives with his parents as he deals with myriad issues from the abuse he suffered at the hands of a sadistic criminal. Emil sometimes takes two steps forward and one step back as he tries to manage his eating problems, panic attacks, and anxiety. While unable to work in a traditional job, Emil fills in as a babysitter for a precocious young child.

Makai and Emil’s romance is a slow burn that takes a backseat to their surprising friendship. Initially shy and reticent around Makai, Emil gradually feels comfortable spending time with the newcomer. The two men  have fully mastered meaningful conversations in which they fully discuss their pasts and residuals problems.  With attraction slowly creeping in, are both men healed enough to explore the possibility of a future together?

Ten is an enjoyable gay romance which features two emotionally wounded men.  The characters are well-developed and their respective issues ring true. Their friendship is mostly free from unnecessary drama and conflict.  Their attraction simmers on the back burner for the most of the story, but it is nice to see their emotional relationship firmly in place before they give in to their desire. I enjoyed this first installment in Tia Fielding’s Love by the Number series and I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series.

Please click HERE to learn more about Ten.

Did you enjoy the book you selected for this month’s challenge?

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Check out May’s challenge HERE.