Tips for Tuesday - Books: Mad Mabel, The Island Club, & Dark Is When the Devils Comes; Movie: Time Hoppers

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: Mad Mabel, The Island Club & Dark Is When the Devils Come

Today, we recommend Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth. Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick may seem like just an irascible elderly woman, but she has a dark secret. In the past, she was known as Mad Mabel,  Australia's youngest convicted murderer, and she is rumored to have killed more people as well. When one of her neighbors mysteriously dies, and the police start sniffing around, her true identity is revealed, but there's a lot more to Elsie's story than what people think they know. 

This book is surprisingly heartwarming for a mystery thriller. The more that is revealed about Mabel's story, the easier it is to care about her and root for her. Although she seems tough on the outside, she really has a marshmallow center. The more she warms up to those around her, and they warm up to her, the more touching the book becomes.

The central relationship that develops between her and young Penelope is particularly affecting. With Penelope a bit on the bratty side and Mabel's surface toughness, they can both be a bit difficult. However, they truly bring out the best in each other, and the surrogate grandparenting relationship that develops between them is not only a core element of the story but one of the most affecting. In fact, there are numerous stirring relationships within the story, including those that develop between Mabel and her neighbors, the one between Mabel and her aunt Cass, and more. There is one seemingly warm relationship in the story, however, that turns out to be not quite what it seems. To say more would be a spoiler, but the reality of the situation is an overused trope that has become much too common in fiction lately. 

Still, not all relationships in the story are good. Mabel's father belongs in the pantheon of truly evil characters. He is cruel, distant, and uncaring to an extreme degree that does not become clear until almost the end of the story. His character is actually somewhat refreshing, however. So often, the mother is portrayed as the villainous character. After all, there is no fairytale with an evil stepfather. It is nice to be reminded every once in a while that a father can also be a bad parent. It is not the exclusive domain of mothers.

Despite the heaviness of its subject matter, there is a lightness to the story. This comes partly from the relationships between the characters, but there is also a generous amount of humor within the story. It will make you laugh and cry. The latter both from happiness and sadness. The ending is a real gut punch. It will stick with you. 

The Island Club

Today, we recommend The Island Club by Nicolas Harrison. Three women are at a crossroads in their lives. Milly is trying to hang on to her rapidly disintegrating marriage. Sylvia is trying to hang on to her social status and community standing. Adele is trying to hang on to her anonymity and keep her dark secret from being revealed. These women form a bond through their shared love of tennis, which eventually becomes a source of salvation for them all.

The three main characters are admirably ahead of their time. They do not start out that way. In the beginning, they are meeker. They are more under the thumb of their husband's or, in Adele's case, her father (although her story is told more in flashbacks than in the present), which is not unusual for the book's 1950s setting. However, gradually they come into their own and become stronger, confident, and more self-sufficent. 

In the beginning, the men in the story are completely unlikable. They are controlling, and Milly and Sylvia's husbands are dismissive of them and keep to themselves, refusing to share or communicate with them about matters that crucially affect their entire families. However, refreshingly, their character's are allowed to grow and change as well throughout the story. Only Adele's father is not given a redemption arc, partially because he has passed away before the story opens. 

Only Milly's boarder, Wes, does not start out as unlikable. This may be because he is slightly younger and therefore more open-minded. One can't help rooting for the relationship that develops between him and Milly despite the circumstances. They are sweet together, and she deserves a man like him. 

Although the story isn't full of especially surprising twists and turns (although there may be one or two), it is not totally predictable either. If you are in it for the romance, you may be disappointed, although there is a little bit of that, that is not the main focus of the story. However, if you are in it for the female bonding and/or the female empowerment aspects of the story, you should find this book very satisfying. 

Today, we are discussing Dark is When the Devil Comes by Daisy Pearce. Ever since she had the tumor of her undeveloped twin removed, evil has seemed to follow Hazel. However, when she is kidnapped by a madman, it is up to her estranged sister and her childhood friend to save her. 

This book is part psychological thriller, part creepy horror story. However, the split focus makes it somewhat disappointing for fans of either genre. No matter which genre you favor, it leaves you somewhat unsatisfied and wanting to know more. 

Movie: Time Hoppers

Today, we are discussing Time Hoppers.  In this film, a group of children travels back in time to save their friend. On the whole, this film is disappointing. There are numerous implausibilities and unexplained plot holes that cannot even be accounted for by its futuristic setting. However, its fast pace and constant action should appeal to less discriminating viewers, including children, although not extremely young children. 

The film also contains some fascinating information about real historical figures, which makes it somewhat educational and, therefore, limitedly worthwhile. However, there is not enough to truly redeem it and make it an overall good film. The film also ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger that indicates a possible sequel, so if you don't want to get sucked into a series, you should probably avoid it. 

And that's our view. Mad Mabel was published last Tuesday, April 21. The Island Club and Dark is When the Devils Come were published today. Time Hoppers is now available on DVD or digitally for purchase or rental.

Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

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