Review: Campaign Widows

Campaign Widows

Aimee Agresti

This fun story follows a group of characters who work in Washington D.C. as journalists, campaigners, and socialites. The main character Cady has recently relocated to D.C. to be with her boyfriend, Jackson. The only problem, he's hardly ever around. Instead, he's with his boss out on the presidential campaign trail which leaves Cady mostly alone. Luckily, it doesn't take her long to meet new friends, not least of which is Birdie a local socialite, known for her great parties. She will be a useful ally for Cady to have as she tries to navigate her way through the cities array of prominent residents while she works for one of the cities morning television programs. When Cady finds that she has access to a potential first lady who isn't too keen to have the job her career takes off. And as she tries to work out her relationship with Jackson she relies on friends to keep her going when he isn't around.

Campaign Widows was a delight to read. It was fun, lighthearted and full of lively characters. So, if your tired of the current political scene let Agresti whisk you away to a more entertaining one.

Thanks to Graydon House Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Social Creature

Social Creature

Tara Isabella Burton

As soon as Lavinia meets Louise, it's like a train wreck waiting to happen. Lavinia leads a charmed New York life full of friends, parties and all the excitement one expects from a socialite. In fact, it seems like she has it all. The only thing missing is a best friend, which Lavinia finds when she encounters Louise, who has come to tutor Cordelia, Lavinia's little sister. Louise couldn't be more different, whereas she works two or three jobs to pay the rent on her subsidized rental unit and struggles to make ends meet, Lavinia doesn't work at all, nor does she study at the moment, plus she lives in her parents' fabulous apartment.

It isn't long before Lavinia convinces Louise to move in, but it's a move that leaves Louise more and more dependent on Lavinia and her goodwill, which ultimately depends on her moods. As soon as we think we have Lavinia pegged for the toxic, ego-fueled needy friend in the relationship, something happens and we realize that Louise isn't the long-suffering friend we thought she was. In fact, with the use of social media, she deceives all her friends,which were Lavinia's friends, to begin with, until one day it all falls apart.

Burton has created a page-turner of a book that has received a lot of attention recently. This one is dark but addictive, the kind of story that pulls you along at break neck speed, to the very last page. I can't wait to see what comes next from this author.

Thanks to Double Day for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Still Lives

Still Lives

Maria Hummel

Maggie Richter is a copy-editor at the Rocque Museum in Los Angeles. Reluctantly, she attends an opening of a new exhibition entitled Still Lives, in which the controversial artist Kim Lord appears painted as various famous female murder victims. Maggie didn't intend to make an appearance at the opening since Kim Lord is the reason for her breakup with boyfriend Greg Shaw Ferguson, but work comes first. The only problem with the exhibition is the missing artist. Kim Lord is nowhere to be found, and it isn't clear if it is a publicity stunt or if she has disappeared. When she fails to contact anyone for days, it becomes clear that something has happened to the artist.

Not long after, Greg becomes a suspect in her disappearance and Maggie is trying hard not to get swept up into events, but she finds it hard to believe that Greg could hurt anyone. It makes her think long and hard about who from the museum could be involved with Kim Lord. Of course the more involved she becomes, the more likely she is to become a target as well.

This smart, fast-paced mystery is filled with glimpses into the L.A. Art scene and the lives of those who make a living out of the creative process.

Thanks to Counterpoint Press for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.