trauma

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin – Book Review

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Big Swiss by Jen Beagin – Book Cover

Big Swiss is a woman. She goes to a sex therapist. Namely, to Om—who seems spectacularly unqualified for the job. Greta is also a woman. She transcribes the therapy session recordings. Greta is completely fascinated by Big Swiss. (Can’t blame her—everyone is.) And once they run into each other while walking their dogs, it’s clear that things are about to get complicated.

Big Swiss is Irresistible

In 2023, Big Swiss was ranked the 11th best novel by Goodreads readers. Normally, that kind of thing doesn’t mean squat. But in this case, it actually kind of does.

Jen Beagin’s third novel was named Book of the Year by Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Elle, and The New Yorker. So basically, every girly mag out there. Which, let’s be honest, might immediately scare off a very specific chunk of the reading population. But if you’re bold enough to crack it open out of sheer curiosity, you may find yourself reading a lot further than you expected. Possibly all the way to the end.

Why? Because of the instantly likeable characters, the wry yet warm humor, and the unmistakably unique, sharp narration.

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No Mercy by Joanna Schaffhausen – Book Review

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No Mercy by Joanna Schaffhausen – Book Cover

Ellery Hathaway, a police officer, shot a ruthless criminal under controversial circumstances, which got her put on mandatory leave. Now, the protagonist of No Mercy is being required by her psychiatrist to join a group therapy program designed for victims of violent crimes. Ellery, who survived being abducted by a serial killer in her youth, still can’t seem to escape her past.

But once a cop, always a cop. Group therapy is an ideal place to stumble upon numerous unsolved or puzzling cases. A particularly brutal rapist? Smoldering tensions in an old arson case? Ellery dives into the investigation, sparing no one – least of all herself.

A Distinctive Detective

Joanna Schaffhausen begins No Mercy in a way that’s almost misleading. Recently, there’s been a trend of books featuring slightly sociopathic anti-heroines, who takes down her own family or colleagues in a lighthearted way, or gets mistaken for a dangerous assassin. Well, the opening line of No Mercy seems to channel this same genre.

But it only takes a few pages to realize you’re mistaken. Schaffhausen quickly builds a heavy atmosphere, and before you know it, you’re drawn in by Ellery Hathaway, a character who carries both physical and emotional scars – and your sympathy along with them.

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