Doreen Sheridan

Professional book critic, amateur cellist, full-time polymath. Occasional game designer, perpetual game enthusiast. Mom of 3. Arsenal till I die. I like a good story. My other mystery reviews can be found here: https://www.criminalelement.com/author/dvaleris/

Most commented posts

  1. Deathless (Leningrad Diptych #1) by Catherynne M. Valente — 12 comments
  2. A Memory Called Empire (Teixcalaan #1) by Arkady Martine — 10 comments
  3. Sweet Tea by Piper Huguley — 7 comments
  4. I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley — 6 comments
  5. Busting Vegas by Ben Mezrich — 5 comments

Author's posts

Oracles by Olivia Sullivan

I’m pretty sure that this is meant to be an illustrated poem, but that’s not the only thing that baffles me about this purported graphic novel. Leaving heartbreak behind, the protagonist pares down their physical existence and decides to go on a long hike in the woods. Things get weird very quickly, as the narrator …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/06/25/oracles-by-olivia-sullivan/

Cinder House by Freya Marske

Unlike Doug, I knew that this would be a variation on Cinderella from the very first page, steeped as I am in my love for all fairy tale and mythological retellings. But like him I was immediately hooked by the premise that Ella, our heroine, essentially shuffles off her mortal coil on that very same …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/06/24/cinder-house-by-freya-marske-2/

Tantalizing Tales — June 2026 — Part Three

Along with many others lucky enough to do so, I took Juneteenth off last week (and wound up having to accompany my best girl while she hit on men in kilts, lol, instead of having the restful day I’d otherwise anticipated.) This week’s Tantalizing Titles column is thus a double header for this week AND …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/06/22/tantalizing-tales-june-2026-part-three/

An Interview with Kevin Hincker, author of The Story Eaters Of Yamm

Hello, readers! We have a treat for you today with an interview from acclaimed sci-fi author Kevin Hincker. His latest novel riffs off of the Wag The Dog scenario familiar to consumers of both sci-fi classics (that we won’t name here because of potential spoilers) and political thrillers of page and screen. The Story Eaters …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/06/18/an-interview-with-kevin-hincker-author-of-the-story-eaters-of-yamm/

The Reel Life Of Zara Kregg by Brad Barkley (EXCERPT)

Hello, readers! We have a treat for you today with an excerpt from a sensitive coming-of-age tale, as a young girl must come out of the shadows in order to embrace a whole life. The closest that 16 year-old Zara Kegg has to friendships in her coastal North Carolina town is with the regulars she …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/06/16/the-reel-life-of-zara-kregg-by-brad-barkley-excerpt/

Gay Mormon Dad by Chad Anderson & Remy Burke

I have been super bad at properly commemorating celebration months this year so far, but better late than never I suppose, so Happy Pride! I tend to read a lot of books with queer characters and themes yet, oddly, feel like Chad Anderson and Remy Burke’s Gay Mormon Dad is the only one I’ve read …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/06/15/gay-mormon-dad-by-chad-anderson-remy-burke/

Tantalizing Tales — June 2026 — Part Two

Happy Men’s World Cup season, dear readers! I do not, alas, have any books related to the beautiful game in this week’s tantalizing pile but I do have several that could tempt me to look away from my TV screen for a second… or more likely fill the empty time between these already wonderful and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/06/12/tantalizing-tales-june-2026-part-two/

The Mystery Of The Stolen World Cup Trophy by Angela Cervantes

Men’s World Cup season has officially begun! Ever since 1998, this has been THE most exciting global sporting event for me, and even tho this year’s promises to be the worst run and most corrupt tournament of all time, not even that can dampen my love of the sport and the community who actually care …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/06/11/the-mystery-of-the-stolen-world-cup-trophy-by-angela-cervantes/

Hugo Awards 2026: Best Short Story Nominees

Getting a much earlier start with this year’s slate of Hugo nominees than I did last year’s, go me! And, as with last year’s short story slate, my favorite comes from Isabel J Kim, with her diabolical Wire Mother. Perhaps diabolical isn’t the best description, but after reading the bland obviousness of most of the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/06/09/hugo-awards-2026-best-short-story-nominees/

Mount Verity by Therese Bohman

translated from the original Swedish by Marlaine Delargy. I’m going to be so for real here and admit that the main reason I picked up this book off my TBR pile was because it’s Swedish like my beloved Viktor Gyokeres. When you’ve come out of Etsy Witch retirement to support a guy, it’s hard not …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/06/08/mount-verity-by-therese-bohman/