The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

A master class in ambition…taught by someone you’d never want as a friend

 

This novel is the next ManiScripts book club read. We're meeting in September to discuss the book, so I found some book club questions to answer ahead of time. If you've been following my blog at all, you know I am more murder and mayhem than romance and flowers, putting this novel outside my usual genres. I did enjoy it however. Even though I didn’t like Evelyn Hugo. At all. 

Evelyn Hugo glamorous and fascinating, but peel back the glitter, and you’ve got a woman who manipulates everyone within a ten-mile radius until the very last breath. That includes journalist Monique, who thought she was getting the scoop of a lifetime and ended up with a one-way ticket to Trauma Town.

The husbands are introduced with little monikers: Poor Ernie Diaz, Goddamn Don Adler, Disappointing Max Girard. Honestly, they read like Evelyn’s Yelp reviews of her own marriages. Ernie was a stepping stone out of poverty. Don was the charming abuser. She set Max up to be a disappointment and he didn’t bother proving her wrong. The only one who came out looking decent was Agreeable Robert Jamison, who was willing to do anything to protect his sister’s happiness. He was a rare honorable character in this novel, and frankly, too good for Evelyn. And so was Harry.

Harry Cameron was my favorite. Brilliant, kindhearted, and tortured Harry. He loved Evelyn as much as anyone could possibly love Evelyn, which is to say, with compromise and quiet suffering. A gay man in a time when being himself could have destroyed his career, Harry broke my heart. He was her true partner, and she still found ways to use him when it suited her.

Monique, meanwhile, started off as a drifter, letting life push her in whichever direction it wanted. Then along comes Evelyn with her “let me teach you how to bulldoze your way through life” routine. By the end, Monique is sharper, bolder, and a little more manipulative, because if Evelyn Hugo left you with anything, it was a lesson in how to play people. I’m still not sure that qualifies as personal growth, but it definitely counts as a crash course in ambition.

And let’s not forget the phrase Monique coins: to “Evelyn Hugo” someone. It should be in the dictionary. Definition: to manipulate people like pawns on a chessboard while acting like you’re doing them a favor. Ugh.

Surprisingly, I did trust Evelyn as a narrator. She was blunt about her worst moments, sometimes almost bragging about them. She didn’t sugarcoat her ruthlessness, and she didn’t seem to see much point in lying at that stage of her life. If anything, her candor made her even less likable, but at least she was consistent.

The fake news clippings sprinkled throughout were a fun touch, and they drove home just how much Evelyn controlled her own image. Every scandal was staged, every headline manipulated. She would have been a TikTok queen today, and I’d still roll my eyes at her.

Evelyn’s attitude toward love and sex was shaped early on, when she learned that sex was currency. She spent it like Monopoly money, and it left her with a warped sense of intimacy. As for her moral compass, it basically boiled down to “if you’re fine in the end, then I don’t have to feel guilty.” By that logic, she probably thought Ernie should send her a thank-you note.

I did not like Evelyn Hugo even a little. She’s selfish, manipulative, and exhausting. By the time I closed the book, I was less dazzled by her gowns and more impressed that anyone stayed friends with her at all. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is juicy historical fiction wrapped in sequins and scandal, but Evelyn herself is a cautionary tale in high heels.

Miranda Warning by Heather Day Gilbert

Some secrets are dangerous to dig up.

I don’t usually read Romantic Suspense, but I picked up Miranda Warning by Heather Day Gilbert because it’s set in West Virginia. I’m doing the 50 States Challenge in my book journal, and this one let me cross West Virginia off the list.

The story centers around Tess and Thomas, a young married couple newly expecting and living with his parents while paying down student loans. That setup felt completely believable to me. Heaven knows student loans can be an albatross. Tess made a great narrator, and I really enjoyed how the book alternated between her present-day sleuthing and Rose’s haunting, slightly disturbing voice from the past. The two threads tied together in a way that gave the story more depth than I expected.

One thing I especially appreciated was the portrayal of marriage. The author nailed the little ups and downs that come with being married, which made Tess and Thomas feel like a real couple. I also liked that the romance never overshadowed the mystery. There’s affection and connection, but no unnecessary “sweaty details”.

As for the suspense, it built up slowly but steadily. At first, Tess was just curious about the mystery, but the deeper she dug, the more dangerous things became. Nothing was as it seemed, and by the end Tess was in real danger. That shift kept me engaged, though I will say the book dragged in a few places. Not enough for me to give up on it, but enough to cost it a star.

Overall, I’d call this a solid four-star read. Miranda Warning delivered a nice balance of romance and mystery, with a strong sense of place and a narrator I rooted for. It’s not my usual genre, but I’m glad I read it.

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

 

When I pick up a book that calls itself a thriller, I expect things to move - fast. Unfortunately, The Last Mrs. Parrish crawled along at a snail’s pace. The first twelve chapters seemed to do little more than repeat how obsessed Amber is with Daphne, with money, with Jackson…yada, yada. Instead of suspense, I got monotony. By the time I realized the story wasn’t picking up speed, I had already given up. For me, this one was a dud in the thriller department.

I'm Finally Done With It!

If you are interested in my recent train travel to Washington State and back, I finally finished my travel entries. 

My blog is in reverse chronological order, with the latest entry on top. So from this page, on the right you will notice a navigation bar. Click on July and scroll down. My first entry is called, "My Big Adventure: Train Travel to Seattle Day 1". It is dated July 15th. 

I've posted pictures, stories, recipes, and basically had a great time doing this. I hope you enjoy reading about it as much as I enjoyed writing about it.

Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark

Zapped never sparked enough to keep me engaged. 

I picked up Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark for my Alphabet Challenge—because really, how many “Z” titles are floating around out there? Since I’ve read plenty of Mary Higgins Clark novels, I thought it would be fun to see how her daughter’s writing compared. Spoiler: it’s not the same.

I had a tough time getting into this one. The pacing was fine, but I never felt like I really got to know the characters, and they didn’t grow on me as the book went along. The whole story takes place over the course of one night during a blackout, which could have been tense and atmospheric, but instead it felt oddly flat. There was a lot of overreaction and drama where there didn’t need to be any—and no drama where it would have made sense.

The result is a novel that, for me, was ultimately forgettable. I probably won’t be picking up another Carol Higgins Clark book. Zapped wasn’t awful, but it felt more like a chore to finish than a story I wanted to sink into.

Whirlwind by Hilary Normal

Blinded by snow, trapped by fear ... this is a storm you’ll never outrun.

I picked up Whirlwind because I needed a Rhode Island book for my 50 States Challenge. Honestly, I thought it might just be a “check the box” kind of read. It turned out to be one of those edge-of-your-seat thrillers that made me so glad I added it to my list.

The setting was perfect. A blizzard traps everyone in place, and most of the story unfolds in a church that feels increasingly claustrophobic as the storm rages outside. That isolation made every twist hit even harder, because escape wasn’t an option.

The character who stood out most to me was Liza, a woman with big dreams of becoming a newscaster but not much success in making it happen. Enter the Reaper, a clever, creepy psychopath who decides to give her the break she’s been waiting for… by forcing her to witness his confession to horrific crimes. He was way too smart for his own good (as most psychopaths tend to be), and the way he manipulated the situation and the people he roped in was chilling.

I had absolutely no clue who the Reaper really was until the big reveal. Completely blindsided. And that’s the best kind of thriller payoff.

The pacing felt like a rollercoaster: a slow, steady climb as the snow starts falling, and then a freefall of twists, turns, and “hold on to your seat” moments once the storm and the murders collide. I actually caught myself talking to the book more than once—saying things like, “No way!” and “Wooooowww…”

If you want a thriller that will keep your adrenaline pumping and your fingers flipping pages faster than you can feel them, Whirlwind is it. It's isolated, relentless, and chilling. 

Deepfake Dilemma: Truth in the Age of AI Video

Not long ago, creating a convincing fake video required Hollywood-level resources. Today, all you need is a decent computer, the right software, and a bit of patience. The result is “deepfakes”, AI-generated videos that can make anyone appear to say or do things they never did.

The technology behind deepfakes isn’t inherently bad. In fact, it has legitimate uses in film, education, and accessibility such as re-creating historical figures for documentaries or helping people who have lost their voices speak again. But in the wrong hands, it’s a different story. Political misinformation, celebrity hoaxes, and personal reputation attacks are just a few of the troubling possibilities.

Detection tools are improving, but they’re always playing catch-up. By the time a fake is exposed, the damage may already be done. The viral nature of social media means misinformation can spread faster than any correction.

So, what can we do? First, sharpen our digital literacy skills. Be skeptical of sensational content. Always verify through trusted sources. Second, support ethical guidelines and transparency in AI development. And finally, remember: Just because you see it doesn’t mean it’s real.

Deepfakes are a reminder that in the digital age, our senses alone aren’t enough to judge truth. Critical thinking is no longer optional. It’s our best defense.

Back to School

Even though it sounds impossibly cruel, teachers in my school returned yesterday, two and a half weeks before the students do. We're not sure why. I'm pretty sure our principal feels our pain. She greeted us with these wonderful gifts! 

The next two weeks will be filled with meetings, getting our classrooms ready, more meetings, lesson planning, more meetings, setting up gradebooks, more meetings... 

Honestly, the only one I'm absolutely not looking forward to is the mental health meeting. We had one of those the year before last, and I had to leave. There are just some things that have happened in my life that I don't care to revisit. 

The Secret by Lee Child (Reacher #28)

I finally got around to reading The Secret by Lee (and Andrew) Child, one that had been sitting in my ever-growing stack of TBRs for longer than I’d like to admit. While I’ve really enjoyed the Reacher novels in the past, this one didn’t grab me quite the same way.

The pacing felt slower than the usual breakneck stride I’ve come to expect from Reacher. Instead of following him as he bulldozes through obstacles, the story leaned more into procedure, which sometimes made it feel like it was moving at half speed. That said, the murdering sisters did their part to keep things lively whenever they showed up, and the plot itself was solid.

Reacher himself felt a little different here, but I think that’s intentional. This book is set earlier in his career, before he fully became the Reacher we know. It was interesting to see a slightly less polished version of the character, even if it didn’t completely hit the same adrenaline high as others in the series.

Overall, The Secret was a good read, just not as fast-moving or edge-of-your-seat as some of the other Reacher novels I’ve enjoyed. I give it a 4 out of 5. 

You Love Me by Caroline Kepnes

 

I picked up You Love Me for the “Y” in my Alphabet Challenge, and honestly, I regret it. Joe’s endless stream of consciousness was more grating than gripping, and I couldn’t make it to the end. I get that this series has a big following, but being trapped in his creepy, obsessive head was more annoying than entertaining. Creepy I can handle—annoying, not so much.

The Names of Dead Girls by Eric Rickstad

When justice takes the scenic route through Vermont fog… 

it’s worth the trip.

I went into The Names of Dead Girls expecting a solid thriller, but I didn’t expect it to get its hooks in me the way it did. The pacing started as a steady simmer, a few pages here, a few there, until suddenly I realized I wasn’t putting it down until the last page.

I connected right away with Rath. After rescuing Rachel from the murder scene of his sister and brother-in-law, she became the center of his universe. His fear of losing her again was palpable, and it made me root for him even harder. Preacher, on the other hand… manipulative, gaslighting, sociopath a**hole. Every scene with him had me on edge. I was thrown when Rath and Test started eyeing Sheldon as a possible serial killer. Sure, he’d done time with Preacher, but he seemed so sincere in his remorse that I found myself doubting the suspicion right along with them.

The Vermont setting, especially in the dense fog, gave the whole story a creepy, almost claustrophobic feel. It added urgency and a sense that something evil was always just out of sight. And oh, that ending. I was ready for Preacher to be arrested, maybe even to work the system and get out again. What I wasn’t ready for was the perfect slice of vigilante justice from someone he’d underestimated. Ta ta, Preach. See ya in hell.

If you like your thrillers with atmosphere, mind games, and endings that make you mutter “Oh yes” out loud, this one’s for you.

Death in the Underworld by Betsy Longenbaugh

 

Death in the Underworld by Betsy Longenbaugh is a historical mystery loosely based on a true crime in Alaska. The premise intrigued me: Murders, scandal, and history all rolled into one. The setting was atmospheric and the bones of the story were solid, but the pacing dragged. Apparently I like my murder and mayhem served with the energy of a triple espresso; this one felt more like a cup of herbal tea. It wasn’t bad, just not my speed. 

The President's Daughter by James Patterson and Bill Clinton

It took me a minute (or three) to get into The President’s Daughter. That’s unusual for a Patterson novel. I’m usually hooked before the coffee gets cold. Politics aren’t exactly my favorite playground, but I needed a New Hampshire setting for my 50 States challenge, so I pressed on.

When the Seal's mission failed and innocents were killed, I could see where this was headed: chaos, murder, revenge, all while blaming the guy in office. The political backdrop kept me guessing who was lying because in my mind, all politicians are dishonest, just some more than others. The international settings were a surprise; I chalk that up to Clinton’s influence. After all, he’s been there, done that, probably has the classified briefings and well-worn t-shirt to prove it.

Matthew Keating won me over in all his roles. As president, he wasn’t afraid to apologize, even knowing it would tank his reelection. As a former president, he wasn’t afraid to call in favors. And as a father, he did what it took to get his daughter back. Admirable qualities all around.

The terrorist, on the other hand, I hated. His religious rhetoric and mind games were nothing but excuses to justify violence in the name of his god. The psychological manipulation—making Keating think his daughter was dead—hit harder than the violence itself. That was diabolical. 

David Stahl, the Secret Service advisor, was my favorite supporting character. He knew joining Keating’s rescue mission would end his career, but he did it anyway. His death actually brought tears to my eyes. He was a good man who did his job: Take a bullet for the presidential family if necessary. His lessons to Mel helped her survive, and that made him unforgettable.

The Patterson-Clinton collaboration added an interesting twist. I’ve never noticed such an international element in Patterson’s work before, but Clinton’s insider knowledge of politics and government gave the story more depth.

By the end, I’d stopped noticing the slow start and was just along for the ride, dodging bullets, crossing borders, and muttering at certain characters like they could hear me. Politics may not be my thing, but apparently, presidents on a personal rescue mission are.

Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz

 

I needed a title containing the letter X for my alphabet challenge in my book journal, so I picked up Orphan X. 

Orphan X is what you’d get if The Equalizer and Jason Bourne had a baby and then raised him in a top-secret government assassin program. Evan Smoak, aka the Nowhere Man, is lethal and completely off the grid, helping people who have nowhere else to turn. 

It wasn't an original idea, and I didn't have any surprises, but it was fast-moving and fun. If you like crime thrillers and don't mind a recycled theme, you'll enjoy this one. 

Badlands by CJ Box (Highway Quartet #3)

 

The North Dakota setting drew me in immediately, partly because I needed it for my 50 States reading challenge, and partly because I’d just passed through the state a couple weeks ago and found it quietly beautiful. Box takes that understated beauty and drapes it in winter, creating an isolated, snowbound backdrop perfect for evil to lurk just beneath the surface.

Cassie Dewell was a solid lead, but the real standout for me was Kyle, a boy everyone underestimates. He struck me as thoughtful, capable, and far less “handicapped” than people assumed, just small for his age and with some speech difficulties. The danger felt sharp and immediate, especially with corrupt cops woven into the crime. Who could you trust when the people sworn to protect you were part of the problem?

The gang members were frightening as hell. Cutting up a rival and scattering the pieces of the body around town was downright diabolical. The biggest surprise was realizing that the two dirty cops were working separately, each unaware of the other’s involvement in the town’s drug trade.

If you like your crime fiction cold, tense, and layered with both human flaws and moral dilemmas, Badlands is a trip worth taking. Preferably from the warmth of your couch.

Our Last Resort by Clemence Michallon

 

I originally picked up Our Last Resort to check Utah off my 50 States reading challenge. It sounded like a good story, and I’ll choose murder and mayhem over romance and flowers any day of the week. I’d never read anything by Clémence Michallon before, so I went in with an open mind.

The story begins in a luxury resort. Gabriel and Frida were raised in a cult and chose each other as brother and sister, not knowing who their biological parents were. (To the uninitiated, this happens in cults. Children are often separated from their parents because they have a different purpose in the eyes of the cult leader.) Michallon takes her time setting the scene and building the characters before anyone dies, but she doesn’t drag her feet either.

Soon enough, we learn these two have been connected to three deaths:

• Edwina, a young woman from the cult, who died in the fire Gabriel and Frida set to cover their escape.

• Annie, Gabriel’s wife, whose murder he was suspected of but never convicted for.

• Sabrina, the much-younger wife of a wealthy older man tied to the tabloids.

The multiple timelines worked perfectly for me. As the past unfolded, the present did too, making the reveals feel layered and deliberate. Gabriel and Frida are definitely memorable. Not necessarily likable, but they are survivors through and through. I respect that. Also, Michallon deserves a storytelling gold star to have them live in a storage unit after their escape from the cult.

The cult-trauma backstory felt very authentic. You’ve got the leader convinced he’s God complete with the entitlement to sex with anyone he chooses anytime he chooses, the isolation, the communal living,  and punishments that are wildly disproportionate to the "crime". Gabriel and Frida first bonded while being punished for giggling in church; hardly a jailable offense, but the shared misery forged an unshakable loyalty.

The most memorable quote in the book in my opinion was, hands down:

"Here’s the truth about committing murder: There are no perfect crimes. Only lucky ones. Only a hundred cursed stars aligning just so."

My only gripe is the ending. It just…hung there…like wet clothes on a clothesline forgotten in the rain. I wanted the ending, not a fade-out. With a stronger finish, this would have been a five-star read. As it is, I’m giving it four out of five.

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

 

I picked up Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell for my “new release” challenge in my book journal, and it hooked me from page one. A few chapters in, I realized the charming man in these women’s lives was the same guy using different names. From that point on, I just waited for his carefully stacked lies to topple. It was a house of cards waiting to do what houses of cards do.

Simon, or Nick, or Justin, or whoever he was pretending to be, was smooth, confident, and completely untrustworthy. I knew he was trouble from the start. Amanda, though, surprised me the most. I can understand wanting to please someone you care about, but helping dismember a body? That’s where I draw the line. At least she eventually came to her senses, even though it cost her everything.

The most disturbing part of the book was Simon’s hold over Amanda, the kind of influence that makes someone do the unthinkable. The letters to Ash were another twist that landed hard. They mirrored the ones from “Nick,” and it made perfect sense once I remembered his obsession with Ash’s father. If he’d orchestrate a murder, of course he’d toy with Ash, too.

I wasn’t unsettled by the story. Psychological thrillers are supposed to mess with your head. But I did learn what a “street stalker” is. Always nice when you pick up new trivia between chapters of murder and manipulation.

The setting in England didn’t add much to the menace; this story could have played out anywhere. What mattered was the tension, the lies, and the way it all unraveled. The ending was pitch-perfect. Simon finally got the reckoning he deserved.

I haven’t read Lisa Jewell before, but I will now. If you enjoy psychological thrillers where everyone’s hiding something and everything feels ready to collapse, this one’s worth your time.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

Books have always been my way of both learning about the world and escaping from it. When I was young, they were a lifeline from an unbearable reality; now they’re my stress relief, the way others might turn to movies or TV. This made me connect immediately with Opaline, whose love of books guided every choice she made.

The story surprised me more than once. I half‑expected Armand to be behind the worst of it, so I was shocked to see just how cruel Lyndon turned out to be. Having Opaline committed, and then lying about her baby, was unconscionable. The asylum scenes were the hardest to read, not because they were unrealistic, but because they rang so true to how women have been treated throughout history.

The book blends magical realism with a strong feminist undercurrent. The enchanted bookshop felt like a quiet promise that anything was possible, that these women could overcome abuse, control, and societal expectations to find their own way. Opaline’s trousers may seem like a small act of rebellion, but in her time it was a bold statement of agency.

The male characters are a mixed bag. Armand dripping with contempt, Lyndon a tyrant, Henry casually undermining Martha (though I’m certain she’d set him straight). It underscores how little has truly changed: women now have legal rights our grandmothers could only dream of, but we still fight for equal pay, equal power, and simple respect.

Some lines lingered long after I closed the book:

• “What is something you create, even if you do nothing? The answer was a choice.”

• “Being a woman was akin to a performance… I knew how I was supposed to act and what I was supposed to say, but I wasn’t exactly sure if I wanted to.”

The author handled heavy topics like domestic violence, war, addiction with honesty, and I admit I was perfectly fine watching Shane take a tumble down the stairs. (Women have been coached forever to say, “I fell,” right?)

Even the cracks spreading across the basement walls of 12 Ha’Penny Lane felt purposeful, like Martha herself, growing, branching out, refusing to be contained.

This is a book about belief, resilience, and refusing to be silenced. The magical bookshop doesn’t appear to everyone, only to those open to change and willing to grow. I loved that.

This book left me hoping that someday our society will move further toward true equality, that women will finally have the full autonomy we deserve as thoughtful, intelligent human beings. The Lost Bookshop may be fiction, but its themes are painfully real, and its magic is a reminder that change begins with believing it’s possible.

My Big Adventure Comes to an End...I'm Home

Steven picked me up at the station, and I was so happy to see him. He asked if I needed to stop anywhere. I told him I’d gladly commit murder for a decent cup of coffee. “No need to kill anyone, Bunny,” he said. “Tim Horton’s is right around the corner.” I told him all about my adventure, barely pausing for air, while he drove.

It’s a strange feeling, this conflict within. I’m so sad to leave Michael and Camille and wish they lived closer. But I’m also so glad to see Steven and the kids and to sleep in my own bed.

I let Michael know I got home safely. He congratulated me on my journey and quoted John Howard Payne: “Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.” So true. I can’t find a roll of paper towels and my indoor plants are half-dead, but the kids kept Ernie the Kitty alive, and that was most important.

I’m going to save my pennies and hope to take this train trip again in three years. It was restful, peaceful, and gave me the quiet I needed. I spent real quality time with my big brother, who I cherish more than he knows, and would gladly help clean his garage again.

In the meantime, I’m going to practice the new dishes Camille taught me and start the new school year rested and clear-headed. Or at least rested.

Home Sweet Home

My Big Adventure: Returning to Buffalo Day 3 con't

It’s time to board the train in Chicago, heading east to Depew, NY and home. Most of this leg is overnight, so I board with high hopes of getting some rest. It was not to be.

Although riding in coach wasn’t bad heading west, the return trip told a different story. I was seated near the rear of the car, close to the restroom, which was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it was a short walk when I needed it. A curse because of the occasional scented waft that told me next time, I should sit elsewhere.

It was also considerably noisier heading east. People played games on their devices, watched movies without earbuds, talked on the phone, and snored. I got off the train in Depew the next morning no more rested than when I got on.

Since the ride was entirely at night, I wasn’t able to take any pictures. I watched the scenery pass in the dark and truly missed the solitude and comfort of my roomette. Next time I do this, I hope to have enough money saved to have a roomette for the entire trip.

My Big Adventure: Returning to Buffalo - Union Station, Chicago, IL

 We pulled into Chicago Union Station around 5:30, and I dropped my luggage in the baggage storage area and went in search of something to eat. I didn’t wander too far. I still had sea legs from being in motion so long, and I didn’t want to topple over on the streets of Chicago with no one around who knew me to help me up. I’m not exactly known for my tremendous grace and coordination, so I didn’t take chances.

 

The restaurant in the station was closed, so I ended up with another pretzel from Auntie Anne’s and an iced chai latte from Starbucks. I went back to the Metropolitan Lounge to sit still for a little while and eat. The Game Show Network was on the lounge TV, and I quietly challenged myself to get a few right answers.

Around 7:45, I wandered into the main station and struck up a conversation with a couple of Amtrak police officers. Amtrak has its own police department, and they’re a visible presence in Union Station. I asked if the flowers on the ceiling, which looked like delicate rosettes, were painted on with shadowing or if they were actual pieces attached separately. One of the officers told me they were separate pieces. That fact alone made me wonder how they managed to keep the place so clean. Not a cobweb or dust mote in sight. That is not a job I’d want, even if I made a fortune in tips.

Union Station’s grand architectural centerpiece is the Great Hall, with soaring ceilings and textured Roman columns. It’s truly a space built to impress. The station has a unique double stub-end layout, with 10 tracks entering from the north and 14 from the south. Unlike most of Amtrak’s major stations, every train at Union Station either begins or ends there. You can’t just roll on through. If you’re passing through Chicago, you’re changing trains.

And if you're me, you’re also eating a pretzel, counting ceiling flowers, and yelling Jeopardy! answers in your head while trying not to fall over.

My Big Adventure: Returning to Buffalo Day 3 con't

 

As my train rolled through Wyocena, Wisconsin, I finally saw some crops growing near the tracks—friendly green rows after miles of prairie stretches. For a brief moment, the land looked as though it might actually produce something besides train stops and dust.

Wyocena is home to just 756 people, according to the 2020 census, and it feels every bit like a small-town secret. In April 2008, it was struck by a tornado (an EF-1) that destroyed several homes.

Local legend has it that the village was named by Major Elbert Dickason, who said he dreamed about a bustling metropolis named “Wyocena,” woke up, and declared that would be its name. Sometimes, you just know what works, even if it comes from dream logic. Or maybe it was his medication.

The crops you glimpse from the window feel like a quiet contrast to the tornado’s damage and the intangible roots of a dreamer. It’s a place about patience and quiet harvest, both in soil and in community history.

Wyocena: tiny, steady, and nearly the end of the line for this train traveler.

The Chase by Candice Fox

Let me just start with this: if I worked in a prison and someone was holding my family hostage? I’d open every last cell door too. Good luck, world. My loyalty doesn’t extend past my own people, and Candice Fox clearly gets that.

The Chase kicks off with one of the most intense prison breaks I’ve ever read, and the story doesn’t slow down from there. With over 500 inmates running wild through the Nevada desert, the chaos could’ve been overwhelming, but Fox manages to keep it sharp, twisty, and surprisingly character-driven. I even found myself rooting for one of the escaped prisoners. Really.

That prisoner is John Kradle. Wrongfully convicted of killing his own family, understandably bitter, and stuck with a terrifying serial killer as his breakout buddy. He’s not exactly Mr. Personality, but once I saw his situation unfold, I was 100% in his corner. The guy just wanted to clear his name without dying horribly in the process. Reasonable.

Now let’s talk about Trinity and Celine. I didn’t like either of them at first. Trinity felt like a wannabe playground bully who happened to get a badge. Who punches someone in the gut just to assert dominance? Are we twelve? She never won me over. Celine, on the other hand, started off cold and rigid, treating the inmates like they were less than human. But her backstory (surviving the massacre of her family by her grandfather) gave her layers. By the end, I could see her thawing, even recognizing the possibility that not all of her inmates were actually guilty. 

Fox’s writing style worked well for me: fast-paced, gritty, and unafraid to let her characters be deeply flawed. These people felt real. Not likable, necessarily, but real, and I appreciate an author who doesn’t feel the need to soften every edge.

I thought The Chase was tense, twisty, and unexpectedly thoughtful. I’d absolutely read another book by Candice Fox. Just… maybe not one where Trinity gets a spin-off.

My Big Adventure: Returning to Buffalo Day 3 con't

 

Lake Pepin, WI

Next on the rails was Pepin, Wisconsin. Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. Nestled in a valley carved by glacial melt at the end of the last Ice Age, this little town owes its dramatic landscape to a prehistoric plumbing situation. After a tributary delta partially dammed the Mississippi River, the water backed up and formed what is now Lake Pepin.

The lake got its name from Jean Pepin, a French explorer who settled along its shores in the late 1600s after adventuring around the Great Lakes. In the 1800s, Pepin became part of the lumber industry’s log-floating highway. Freshly cut trees were floated across the lake, though let’s be honest, trees are not natural swimmers, so steamboats were often needed to help them along. Pepin is also the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House on the Prairie series.

But not all lake tales are so lighthearted. In 1890, the Sea Wing ferry capsized during a violent storm on Lake Pepin, claiming 98 lives. It remains one of the worst maritime disasters on the Mississippi River.

Still, today’s Pepin is peaceful and lovely, with a wide, shining lake that reflects both the sky and a surprising amount of history. You wouldn’t guess it just by passing through, but this sleepy valley has seen ice ages, French explorers, logging empires, and tragedy. Not bad for a town you can blink and miss if you’re not looking.

Homer, WI

West Salem, WI

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We next rolled through Lake City, Minnesota, which sits right on the edge of Lake Pepin. The views were Absolutely Stunning. The lake stretched out like a painting, and for a minute I forgot all about prairies.

Back in 1680, French explorer Father Louis Hennepin camped on the shores of this very lake. He named it Lac de Pleurs (Lake of Tears) after witnessing Sioux captors grieving the death of a chief’s son. That heartbreak echoed across the water, leaving a name as poetic as it is haunting.

But don’t worry, not all of Lake Pepin’s history is tragic. Fast-forward to 1922, when a local kid named Ralph Samuelson decided snow skis were too limiting and became the first person to water ski right here on Lake Pepin. Lake City proudly claims the title “Birthplace of Water Skiing,” and they throw a big annual party called Water Ski Days to celebrate that fact. As they should. If you invent a new way to be dragged behind a boat for fun, you deserve a parade.

Lake City was one of those rare places that made me wish we had more time. Gorgeous scenery, deep history, and just enough quirk to make it memorable.

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After long stretches of prairie and farmland, the Mississippi River appeared…on my map, anyway. I never actually saw it, but I did see trees. Actual trees! More than I’d seen in quite a while. The view was gorgeous, and it felt like the landscape finally remembered how to breathe. Red Wing carries layers of history in its name.

Named after a 19th-century Dakota Sioux chief, Red Wing grew up near the Mdewakanton Sioux reservation. The reservation was established by the federal government in 1936, and the city developed around it. Early settlers quickly realized the land was perfect for growing wheat. In fact, before the railroads even reached the county, this little region outproduced every other county in the nation.

With the crops came industry. Immigrants from Germany, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden brought their skills and set up shop. There were mills and tanneries, boat-makers and brewers, brickworks and button factories. The town buzzed with craftsmanship and commerce. The historic St. James Hotel, still in operation today, stands as a charming reminder of that industrious past.

Red Wing is one of those places where the past still whispers—if you take the time to listen. And I was glad I did.

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Tucked into the hardwood hills at the meeting point of the Mississippi and Elk Rivers, Elk River, Minnesota feels like it was shaped by both nature and imagination. The hills here are a gift from the last glacier that passed through the state, leaving behind coarse materials better suited for gravel mining than farming. As a result, the land doesn’t boast endless waves of grain.

Elk River pulses with artistic energy. The town celebrates its local talent with festivals, performances, and art shows, but it’s the murals that truly catch the eye. All around town, blank walls have been transformed into colorful tributes to Elk River’s past and present. One mural might show a steamboat churning along the Mississippi; another, a portrait of the Native peoples who first called this land home. The murals tell stories.

Elk River is nicknamed “Energy City” for its early adoption of renewable energy initiatives back in the 1990s.

Winding trails, wooded parks, and two rivers give Elk River a natural calm, while its artists add depth and color. It’s the kind of place where you can breathe deep, soak in the view, and then get drawn into a conversation about how the old water tower became a canvas.

Heat Lightning by John Sandford (Virgil Flowers #2)

Let me start with this: I appreciate a book that doesn't mess around. Heat Lightning opens with a dead guy propped up against a veteran's memorial with a lemon in his mouth. We’re not easing into the action. We're diving headfirst. Bless you, John Sandford, for skipping the fluff.

This is the second book in the Virgil Flowers series, and I liked it even more than the first. Virgil is still rocking the rock band T-shirts and doing his laid-back, sharp-as-a-tack investigator thing. The case this time is a series of killings tied to something awful that went down during the Vietnam War. And let me tell you, this one was twisty. Almost everyone involved was shady in one way or another, and half of them weren’t even who they said they were. Just when I thought I had it figured out, someone else got shot in the head and I had to start all over. I love that.

The plot does a great job unraveling layers of secrets from the past, all while juggling political strings, former spies, and a whole lot of deception. Sandford kept the pace moving, and there were moments where I found myself saying, “Wait ... what?” in the best possible way.

Now, about those steamy scenes. Look, I get that Virgil is supposed to be the charming, easygoing type who’s never too far from some romantic entanglement. But in this case, I could’ve done without it. The sex scenes didn’t add anything to the story, didn’t deepen any character connections, and frankly, felt like filler. Not every thriller needs the HBO treatment.

Overall, Heat Lightning was a solid 4 out of 5 stars for me. Gritty crimes, a historical thread that gave the whole thing more weight, and a lead character I continue to like more with each book. Just maybe next time, less bedroom and more boardroom… or crime scene.

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Dodson, Montana might be the smallest place I’ve passed through so far with just 126 people as of 2024. It still manages to make an impression though. Set along Montana’s Hi-Line region, it’s surrounded by wide-open prairies, golden fields, and an endless stretch of sky that somehow feels even bigger out here. There’s something peaceful about a place where you can see for miles and still hear yourself think.

The town was named after a merchant who once ran a trading post and saloon here, back before the Great Northern Railway came rumbling through. I imagine him watching the horizon from his front porch, waiting for the train to arrive.

Each July, Dodson hosts the Phillips County Fair, billed as Montana’s longest-running county fair. Not bad for a town with fewer residents than my high school homeroom.

Today, Dodson feels like it exists just slightly out of time. No rush, no noise, just the hum of the wind across farmland. It’s a place that holds on quietly while the world moves around it.

Glasgow, MT

My Big Adventure: Returning to Buffalo Day 2 con't

West Glacier, MT

Shelby, MT

Havre, MT (still no harbor in sight)

Chinook, MT