Welcome to Litsy!

This 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.

I 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.

This 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!

Quick 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.

I 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.

Good 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

This 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! 👻 🦴

Part 2 of my #bookhaul. Looking forward to more Lucy and, wow, that Atkinson cover is even more stunning in person. Tagged is on the National Book Awards Longlist for Fiction. Sounds fantastic!

Well, 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...

This 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.

Great 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.