PAPER TARGETS
by Patricia Watts
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Pages: 324 pages
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
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Everyone knew that Roanne never got angry—until the night she killed her ex-husband and herself.
Roanne, a nice, suburban lady in her sixties who works at a Hallmark shop and volunteers at the Food Bank in Round Rock, Texas, calls her lifelong friend, Connie, confesses to murder, then puts the gun to her own head. Connie, spurred by Roanne’s last words about a lifetime of unspoken rage, sets aside her work as a cozy mystery writer and cupcake shop owner to confront the men who have stolen her dignity while she remained silent, including a bully brother, a rapist, and an ex-spouse.
On a journey to reclaim her inner power and to make peace with the loss of her treasured friend, Connie’s mission is to avoid the same tragic path as Roanne, but she takes along a gun, just in case.
With pathos and humor, Paper Targets, by Patricia Watts, calls us to speak our own narratives, even when it is uncomfortable or risky, and shows us the magnificence of a friendship that transcends time.
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MY REVIEW
At first glance, I saw a colorful cover, the fact that the main character was close to my age, and a cozy mystery author who also was part owner in a cupcake shop, and I thought – a light beach read. Yuppers that lured me in, but what kept me reading was a much more profound read. Existing in the world at about the same time as this character, Connie, was working her way through life gave me a lot of places where I could connect with the character.
The first few chapters were intense with the murder/suicide of the best friend Roanne and her ex-husband. The latter happens while on the phone with Connie. I almost stopped reading at this point as I wasn’t sure I could handle it, but I am glad that I kept going.
Connie starts a mission to find and confront the men who have wronged her in her life. The purpose of this is left up to the reader to decide but during it, you see the healing happening for Connie.
The story is told in flashbacks between today (after Roanne’s death) and their past. As Connie works her way through her memories, there is a thread of a story involving Zoe, Roanne’s daughter and Zoe’s processing of her loss. Just like real life there is more going on here than just one issue. Each time Connie confronts her past, there is growth and not always what she was expecting. The one that got away leads to reflection but the one she never considered may just be where her future lies.
All in all this was a very good read and not what I was expecting – I do love a surprise!
Patricia Watts worked as a journalist for more than 20 years for newspapers in Texas, Hawaii, and Alaska. Following her news career, she tried her skill as a paralegal and then spent ten years investigating discrimination cases for the Alaska Human Rights Commission. Her novels include: Ghost Light and The Big Empty, crime mysteries co-written with Alaska author Stan Jones; The Frayer, suspense noir; and Watchdogs, a steamy thriller. Her home base is San Diego. She earned her B.A. in journalism at Humboldt State in California. She is the mother of a son and daughter and has eight grandchildren.
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
GIVEAWAY!
TWO WINNERS:
First Prize:
Autographed copies of Paper Targets, The Frayer, and The Big Empty
Second Prize: Copy of Paper Targets
(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 8/5/22.)
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7/26/22 |
Excerpt |
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7/26/22 |
BONUS Promo |
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7/27/22 |
Review |
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7/28/22 |
Character Interviews |
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7/28/22 |
BONUS Promo |
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7/29/22 |
Review |
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7/30/22 |
Playlist |
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7/30/22 |
Bonus Review |
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7/31/22 |
Author Video |
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8/1/22 |
Review |
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8/2/22 |
Notable Quotables |
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8/3/22 |
Review |
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8/4/22 |
Review |
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Jennie Reads 
It sounds like this book gives readers much to ponder, and that’s a good thing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Thanks for the review, Jennie!
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