The book was read by Meredith Lewis, a Librarian at (mostly) the Orange County Campus Library. The library copy of this book is available downstairs in the Main Campus Library.

The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

Why did you choose to read this book?

I read another one of Lauren Beukes’ books, Zoo City and really liked it. When I realized we had The Shining Girls in our collection, I went ahead and checked it out because I’d enjoyed her weird mix of fantasy-in-the-real-world and crime. I’ve been having a hard time getting into a book lately, so I wanted to stick with someone whose writing I was enjoying.

Plus the description was about a time-travelling serial killer. What’s not intriguing about that?

Did it remind you of any other book, or a movie?

It kind of reminded me of a fantasy-tinged book-length episode of Criminal Minds.

What feeling did the book leave you with?

Satisfied (as a reader). I like it when the bad guys get got in crime novels, so that didn’t disappoint, but the resolution of the story was complex and interesesting. I also thought that, for a story that jumps around in time (though not space), it was pretty well-organized.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Anyone who likes a crime novel, but may want to shake things up a bit. It is gory in some places, so heads up on that. (I mean, it is about a serial killer.)