Horrorshow
John Grisham
Somehow this book reads like Stephen King as suspense builds. It could happen in any town, even yours. Neighbors hearing about Luther and Nora Krank's plans to skip out for Christmas and spend less money watch them closely and show their displeasure in many ways, including lawn signs, carolers, and news leaks. The day before their cruise departs their plans are forced to change, and Stephen King turns into Martha Stewart. If the film version gave the Kranks children at home instead of an only child away from home and Luther Krank the only one wanting to skip Christmas bills it'd be a good sales pitch for Christmas merchandise and charities if it ends before January when the bills arrive and the family is strapped to pay them. I recommended it to a friend of mine who likes horror stories. Christmas is rich in symbolism for all genres.
Call it Christmas
Donna Van Liere
A small-town upper middle class lawyer, bored with bankruptcy cases, plods on to buy his family the best, the most expensive. What his family really wants is him, and less housework and bills. Across the tracks the town's best car mechanic's wife is dying of cancer. His son Nathan and the lawyer randomly meet in the department store doing last minute shopping. The lawyer pays for the shoes the mechanic's son can't afford. This otherwise fine book on family relations at any time of year has one really disturbing flaw which stands out like yellow snow: after presents are opened Dad and Grandma send the kids to bed, then coach Mom to let go and die. You want them to shut up and go away but they won't because they want you dead and then you get your hugs.
What else is new?
Mary Higgins Clark
Suspect meets main character on Page 10. A quick peek confirms it.
Of Jews and Christians
Arthur Miller
Based on a true story. Upstate New York office worker loses his job in a restricted business firm despite his skill. Unable to find another job he goes to work for a Jewish firm and there faces up to his identity. His neighborhood, the street he lives on, is antisemitic and harasses the Jewish merchant who opens the corner store. Suspense builds when it's discovered he marries the daughter of the Jewish owner of the firm he works for. Most upstate vacation resorts in those days are "restricted" to Gentiles only. They drive miles before finding a place that accepted Jewish visitors. All this even in 1945, after Germany surrendered and the war in Europe ended.
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