Shutter | 
pickAn interesting novel which revolves around a Navajo family of photographers. Rita Todacheene is a forensic photographer for Albuquerque police force. She has the “gift/curse” of seeing and talking with ghosts. Rita has had these visions and visits beginning when she was a child. Currently, Rita is being asked to help the ghosts who have been murdered by some corrupt police officers.
#SpringSkies
A book with a #OneWordTitle from my TBR
The publishers blurb sounds intriguing:
“This blood-chilling debut set in New Mexico‘s Navajo Nation is equal parts gripping crime thriller, supernatural horror, and poignant portrayal of coming of age on the reservation.”
pickDebut novel and a definite pick. The MC is Rita Todacheene, a young forensic photographer in Albuquerque. Rita is talented and through her lens captures details that help solve cases. Since childhood she has seen spirits, most are harmless, but some insist she help them. A particularly gruesome death and unhappy spirit keep Rita from sleep and drive her headlong into danger. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of five.
pickMore than a thriller crime story, this one frames it through the lense of the generational, cultural, and social fallout from the erasure/genocide of Native Americans. The protagonist is a crime scene photographer who also can see and interact with ghosts, a major taboo in her family's culture but something she doesn't fully control. Overall a great story build up but it did feel a bit rushed at the end. Still highly recommended.
Had the great privilege of seeing Ramona Emerson in person yesterday at Gaithersburg Book Festival!! She talked about her book Shutter & how it‘s going to be a trilogy!! She also talked about her documentarian work & the Native American community. Fascinating panel. Shutter is on my to-read list!!
pick…and finishing it today too because, in truth, once you pick it up, it‘s hard to put down. It‘s the author‘s first novel but it doesn‘t read like it—it has it all, good writing, tight plot, interesting protagonist & excellent pacing. The story is about a crime scene photographer who has an uncanny knack for finding details that solve the case—in large part because she sees the ghosts of the crime victims. An entertaining, occasionally dark read.
pickBit of a departure for me - I wasn‘t sure about the opening crime scene - but am glad I kept going.
Really loved how the past and present wound together. How colonisation, religion and photography shaped so many of Rita‘s choices - and those made for her.
Would be great if this does end up being a series starter - I‘d love to see Rita find out more about her family and heritage - Grandma is definitely gatekeeping some secrets.
pickThe beginning of this book was super gruesome but it did tone down after that. I found Rita to be a remarkable character and some of the ghosts too. I enjoyed the Albuquerque and Navajo reservation setting. I also enjoyed the grandmother/granddaughter relationship.
pickThis was an unexpected gem. I can see why it is on the National Book award long list. I loved the prose. Trigger warning: graphic body horror. The book itself was incredibly heavy even though it is under 300 pages. I will definitely get anymore books by this author though.
pickI liked a lot of the elements of this debut, but in the end it was #GoodNotGreat. I‘ll be on the lookout to see what she does next though.
Rita grew up in the Navajo Nation and now works as a crime scene photographer for the Albuquerque PD. All her life, she‘s been able to see ghosts of the dead. When a particularly persistent ghost grabs her attention, she unwittingly becomes involved in a high-stakes investigation of multiple homicides.
pickThis is not a ghost story. That being said, this book is filled with ghosts. They are souls that cling to Rita Todacheene, begging her to solve their deaths. She is a forensic photographer and is almost too good at her job. If she doesn‘t solve this murder, she may be next. I love the details about her Navaho family and life on her reservation. I hope we will hear more from Rita and from Ramona Emerson. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enjoyed this debut novel. Set in Albuquerque, N.M. And the Navajo reservation. Navajo forensics photographer sees ghosts, from her past and some of the victims she photographs. They help her solve a string of connected murders. Great setting and writing, great characters. I will read future books by Emerson!
pickQuick read. It has a paranormal plot but I‘m the protagonist‘s ability to see ghosts actually didn‘t play any true part in solving the crimes she witnessed. But the ghosts she encounters do want peace and I did enjoy the story. There‘s a mystery man and a lost loved one who returns and i want more! If there was ever a sequel I‘d read it. I‘d like to know what happens next.
I have way too many books going at the same time but I can‘t resist a debut murder mystery this morning written by an Indigineous author and set in New Mexico. Dog on my lap, wood stove crackling, coffee in my mug.
pickI hope this will be the first in a series. Rita is a police photographer who grew up on the nearby Navajo reservation. She is burdened with the gift of seeing the spirits of the dead. Rita‘s character is engaging and complex, and the setting is well-drawn. I would love to see what comes next for Rita. The only weak spot is the plot. The mystery is easily solved, and not as interesting as Rita. I look forward to more from the author.
pickGood read. The opening chapter was kind of brutal though. Rita, a forensic photographer, is documenting a particularly gruesome crime scene. Loved the supernatural element, the strong sense of place (New Mexico) and the bits of Navajo culture. I thought the first half was stronger than the rest, but this is a good debut and I‘ll be interested to read whatever Emerson writes next.
I am so ready for a weekend of mystery reading! I love the mystery genre. Look forward to finishing The Bullet That Missed (so fun) and starting both the tagged supernatural crime thriller and the horror/mystery/thriller The Last House on Needless street.
#OminousOctober #Mystery
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
pickThis was fast-moving, intense, and delightfully dark and spooky. Longlisted for the National Book Award (though it didn‘t make the shortlist) and for good reason. I picked it up because it‘s rare for a thriller to make the list and I was very curious. It didn‘t disappoint.
Using my current read for #ScarathlonDailyPrompts #PhotoChallenge Day 2: #Creature! I‘m really enjoying this story of a Native forensics photographer who attracts the company of ghosts. 👻 #TeamSlaughter #Scarathlon2022
First book of #Scarathlon2022 for #TeamSlaughter! Finding lots of #ScarathlonWordSearch words already lol. And a strong opening chapter! 👻 🦴
pickWell, if this book is representative of the quality on the NBA fiction longlist, I just got much more excited about it! Rita is a crime scene photographer who has been able to see ghosts since childhood. We see scenes of growing up on the rez alongside the current events, making this a bit of a blend of thriller and character study while also showing a bit of Navajo culture. I thought it was superb.
National Book Awards list! And Shutter is on it. The 2022 National Book Awards Longlist: Fiction https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-2022-national-book-awards-longli...
so-soThis novel about a Navajo crime scene photographer who sees and speaks to the dead started off strong. The concept was interesting, as was the main character. Sadly, it wasn‘t long before it just became tedious and predictable. For a short novel, it took ages to get through. Recommended for the look at Navajo culture - just don‘t get your hopes up for a strong mystery.
pickGreat thriller with some really creepy vibes.
This book is centered around a forensic photographer, Rita, who sees ghosts. I loved the Navajo culture in the story and watching Rita grapple with her upbringing and the ghosts she has to deal with.
It's gritty, there's action, some twists, and great characters. I'd recommend this debut to thriller fans and I look forward to future works by this author.
