08/10/2026 Kerry E.B. Black Binges Books!
- Candace Nola
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Kerry is back with 2 awesome book reviews for this week!
The Last Ballard
by Kay Hanifen
Kay Hanifen’s novel, The Last Ballard, introduces a resilient, honorable character named Rhea, who begrudgingly inherits her family estate when her abusive grandparents die. These deceased old folks are beloved by the town for their philanthropy, which rankles our protagonist. She endures the funeral, befriends the two caregivers, is harassed by ancestral spirits, and accosted by poltergeists.
There’s a deadly spirit in the lake, poisons in the flowers, and snakes - both real and metaphorical. Rhea discovers family secrets, though, and hopes to undo the harm her ancestors perpetrated, but will she survive as the last in the family line? You’ll just have to read to discover.
Kill Your Darlings
by Peter Swanson
Told in reverse order, Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson approaches its darkly psychological story with a unique, deadly voice. It examines a dying marriage, an old secret, and a shared guilt while keeping a taut pace. The husband, an English Lit Professor, begins a novel. His wife objects to the subject.
But why? Are his serial indiscretions and alcoholism at the heart of their discord? Is there something deeper at work? This deep exploration plays with emotion, inspiration, and motivation in a sinister and real way, which makes for an unusual and interesting reading experience.
More about Kerry E.B. Black
Kerry E.B. Black writes from an over-stuffed little house situated along a fog-enshrouded river in the land where Romero's Dead roamed. Her children think she's dull, and their dogs agree, but the family cats, Poe and Hemingway, feel differently. The felines find a kinship with their nocturnal buddy and encourage Kerry to write.
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