Reviews in Brief

A revelatory dive into an overlooked, unnamed figure of biblical lore, A Notable Woman by Don Anderson expands an anonymous tale into a timeless, long-form parable. Reading between the lines of the biblical text and summoning the historical context of the day, Anderson brings “Marta” to life, celebrating her trailblazing attitude and fierce independence as a Gentile rebel through this Scripture-derived narrative. For readers who prefer nontraditional heroines and spiritual stories layered with empowering themes, this direct and deeply researched read is both moving and enlightening. Anderson brings poignant detail to a seemingly inconsequential person who nonetheless left a lasting impact, which feels more human and relatable than other stories in the Old Testament.

Savagely succinct and off-the-cuff insightful, People I Know by David Joseph is a potent dose of short-form fiction that pokes at the meaning of minutiae in our lives. From nostalgic recollections of oddball neighbors and tales of youthful innocence to gritty portraits of grief and violent vignettes of small-town life, this is a visceral collage of snapshot experience. At times dissolving the line between poetry and prose, the writing is stark and poignant, revealing the idiosyncrasies and intimacies of human nature with casual storytelling grace. Relatable, vivid, and intricately layered with simple wisdom, this openhearted offering is a dark-horse knockout of short fiction.

A lyrical and transportive epic drawing deeply on Celtic mythology, The Way of Salmon Moon by D. Firth Griffith is a dreamy exploration of being, beginning, and becoming. Cairbre is a primordial protagonist, discovering identity and seeking purpose in the new epoch of man, after Earth Mother has shaken off the chill of an icy age. Weaving a melodic tapestry of language, folklore, and mysticism, Griffith challenges readers to embrace a setting outside of time and space, where the sacred work of breaking and birthing is revealed in all its chaotic beauty. This is not a novel to be passively observed, but a sprawling, visceral history to be engaged as one would instructive non-fiction, with Griffith melding established myth and original fiction into a uniquely transformative work of mythic fantasy, which unpacks the concept of creation in all its forms.

A youthfully spirited work of middle-grade to YA historical fiction, Save the Patriots! by Abby Reilly is an absorbing second installment of the Colonial Courage series. In the strategically crucial city of Williamsburg, the conflict between Loyalists and Patriots is a constant but quiet struggle, so when Sam, Mary, and their friend Abraham uncover a dastardly plot to cripple the colonial forces, they leap back into the line of fire to save the future of America. Providing a vivid portrait of everyday rebellion and patriotic resistance that rings with timely import, this is an engaging and enlightening adventure, striking a deft balance between educational detail and creative, character-driven storytelling.

An encouraging collection of wisdom on everything from personal presence and purchasing power to organization and mental clarity, Minimalism Simplified: Better with Less by James Joseph is an effective primer for reshaping your life by removing mental and physical clutter. Concise introductions to key concepts such as attention, time, discipline, effort, excess, desire, and attachment are then paired with interactive practices to help readers identify what matters, release what doesn’t, and strike a healthy balance in all aspects of their lives. With a comfortingly pragmatic tone that is supportive without overpromising results, accompanied by numerous adages and sage snippets that transcend the bromides common to self-help, this is a unique guidebook with a special focus on reevaluating your worldly outlook and possessions.

A red herring mystery with immensely satisfying twists and cozy, character-driven energy, The Disappearance of Maxwell Ellison by Jacob Armatage is a small-town police procedural exploring the weight of mortality and the price of purpose. From the moment Sheriff Ben Caldwell begins investigating a missing person case in his scenic Idaho town, something feels amiss. Max Ellison is a wealthy investor with a complex local legacy, a dementia diagnosis, a quartet of untrustworthy children, and a valuable estate that some might kill for, complicating the investigation considerably. Suspenseful, engaging, and layered with mercurial motives beneath slow-burn clues, this is a comfortably captivating novel about living – and dying – on your own terms, standing apart from other cozy mysteries for its precise attention to character and setting.