
Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye.
Hum by Helen Phillips
Why I have it: Have enjoyed her previous books.
Summary: In a city addled by climate change and populated by intelligent robots called ‘hums’, May loses her job to artificial intelligence. In a desperate bid to resolve her family’s debt and secure their future for another few months, she becomes a guinea pig in an experiment that alters her face so it cannot be recognized by surveillance.
I’m thinking: Yes.
Breakdown by Cathy Sweeney
Why I have it: Not sure.
Summary: One morning, in Dublin, a middle-class woman wakes up next to her husband in her suburban home, and without conscious purpose, walks out the front door to begin a journey that ultimately leads to profound transfiguration.
I’m thinking: Yes.
A Complete Fiction by R.L. Maizes
Why I have it: One that I came across researching last year’s List of Lists.
Summary: With little evidence, would-be author P.J. Larkin serves a ‘nibble’ on the social-media app Crave, accusing editor George Dunn of stealing the novel she submitted to him for publication. The nibble explodes and immediately George is embroiled in a scandal, his job in jeopardy. P.J.’s novel is snapped up amid the publicity, but has she revealed secrets belonging to her sister, Mia, in the book?
I’m thinking: Maybe. Yes (see comments below)
Can I convince you to change your maybe for Complete Fiction to a yes? It was very nicely done, and I gave it 4/5 stars! Here’s my review https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2025/11/05/similar-is-not-the-same/
You can convince me! I think my no was largely based on recently finishing another ‘literary thriller’ (The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke).
Smart piece of persuasion by Davida! I have a copy of Breakdown in the TBR pile. I’m pretty sure Cathy746 rated it highly.
Like Susan says, I thought Breakdown was impressive so would recommend.
I’m reading Hum now and finding it compelling.
I read one of Maizes’ previous novels and enjoyed it.