DCS Kat Frank is ready to go back to work. She has been on leave after the passing of her husband. She A refreshing view of a police procedural novel.
DCS Kat Frank is ready to go back to work. She has been on leave after the passing of her husband. She has taken time off to be with her high school-aged son. She is grieving but knows she has to start work to keep her mind entertained, or she will go crazy.
Her boss assigns her to a pilot program. She is going to have the first AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detective Entity) working with her. His name is Lock. After completing her team, they go to work on solving a couple of cold cases. Then, when they discover the two cases are connected and become a live case, Kat and Lock will have to work together against the clock to hopefully save a kidnapped victim.
I can't believe this was a debut novel by Jo Callaghan. 'In the Blink of An Eye' was engaging, entertaining, and unputdownable. The characters are all fleshed out, and I want to know more about all of them. I love Lock and Kat together. They make an amazing team. It's so interesting how Lock is learning and becoming more. Too bad he isn't human.
Theodora Scott meets Connor Dalton, sparking a belief in love at first sight. The couple quickly becomes inseparable.A good atmospheric thriller ride!
Theodora Scott meets Connor Dalton, sparking a belief in love at first sight. The couple quickly becomes inseparable. After six months together, Connor invites her to his wealthy family’s retreat, Idlewood. Theo is nervous about meeting his family, and she’s right to feel uneasy. Upon arriving, she finds no one making an effort to include or welcome her. To make matters worse, she receives cryptic messages warning her to stay away from Connor. Strangely, she also feels an inexplicable sense of familiarity with the place and finds herself drawn to an empty cabin called Dragonfly. Her dragonfly tattoo only deepens the mystery—what’s the connection?
I listened to the audio version of A Killing Cold, which helped me keep track of the characters across present-day scenes and flashbacks. The novel delivered several twists—some I anticipated, others caught me off guard. I also appreciated the denouement; it felt satisfying without being overly perfect.
This is my second book by Kate Alice Marshall, having enjoyed What Lies in the Woods as well. I’m eager to read more of her work.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Macmillan Audio via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve heard you either love Don’t Tell Me How to Die or don’t care for it. Fortunately, I’m in the former group.
From the first chapter, tA FIVE for me!
I’ve heard you either love Don’t Tell Me How to Die or don’t care for it. Fortunately, I’m in the former group.
From the first chapter, this book gripped my mind and held on for days. I couldn’t stop thinking about it long after I finished. Maggie, Lizzie, their parents, and Maggie’s friend are characters who will stay with me. It’s a story I won’t forget!
I know I should tell you more, but you’ll enjoy it most if you go in blind.
So here’s the bare minimum: Maggie’s mother dies of an aggressive blood cancer at forty-three. When Maggie reaches the same age, she learns she has the same disease and only months to live. Like her mother, she doesn’t want her husband, Alex, to end up with an unsuitable woman. Determined to find a worthy partner for Alex and a loving presence for her children, Kevin and Katie, Maggie sets out to choose someone she approves of to complete her family after she’s gone.
It sounds straightforward, right? Nope, so many formidable twists that made this book a fantastic novel!
Cliffhanger: No
5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Blackstone Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back together in Leave No Trace.
After solving a cold case, Detective Kat feels lonelWhy can't AIDE Lock be real?
Detective Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back together in Leave No Trace.
After solving a cold case, Detective Kat feels lonely. She recently became a widow, and with her beloved son now away at university, she’s alone in their house so close to the Christmas holiday. She knows work can keep her busy and help manage her blues. Needing something to pull her from her dark thoughts, she finds no better way than immersing herself in a new case. Her boss agrees and assigns her their first live case. Kat and Lock must work hard and fast to find the person who crucified a young man in the British Midlands before someone else becomes the next victim.
The first book in this series was unique, introducing the concept of AI assisting in case-solving. In this installment, we see Lock evolving through human interaction. He’s learning human behaviors and developing his own version of them. Kat, for her part, is beginning to appreciate areas where Lock is indispensable to investigations. For instance, the vast amount of data he can process in mere seconds helps prevent delays in a live case
The author does pose an interesting question: Is an experienced human better than a free-of-bias machine, or are they complementary?
I can't wait to see where Jo Callaghan takes this team next.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Random House Trade Paperbacks via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well, this one was a mix of hating it and liking it.
Maddie is in her twenties, a workaholic who hates nothing more than feeling abandoned. It seems thWell, this one was a mix of hating it and liking it.
Maddie is in her twenties, a workaholic who hates nothing more than feeling abandoned. It seems this keeps happening to her. The latest person to leave her is her brother, who died of cancer when the book begins.
Maddie tries to avoid everyone and hides in a closet. She doesn't recognize anyone at the funeral. Also, she doesn’t have a good relationship with her mother or grandmother; both seem to despise her.
Josh, her brother, was the one person she could count on. What she wasn’t prepared for was him asking a favor from beyond the grave. He wants her and his best friend, Dominic Perry, to spread his ashes across eight different states he never got to visit. Maddie wishes she could say no because Dominic is the man who broke her heart, and she still harbors a lot of anger toward him.
What could go wrong?
Things I didn’t like: Maddie was so immature at times (or most of the time), and it drove me insane! She was extremely rude and obnoxious for half the book—or more. I didn’t like the way she treated her friends. I hated how she behaved in state number seven. The reason behind Dominic’s behavior when they were younger.
Things I liked: The twins. The descriptions of the views at the places they traveled to. Maddie’s best friends.
In the end, I won’t say I loved the resolution of their troubles, but I liked it well enough.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
That’s the question facing Olivia Dumont, a professional ghostwriter.
Olivia is the daughter of Vincent Taylor, a reCan ghostwriting bring you closure?
That’s the question facing Olivia Dumont, a professional ghostwriter.
Olivia is the daughter of Vincent Taylor, a renowned horror novelist who is equally infamous for his dark past. When Vincent was eighteen, he became the prime suspect in the deaths of his two siblings, Danny and Poppy—a mystery that has haunted their family for decades.
Olivia once enjoyed a successful career, but a costly mistake has left her reputation in tatters. With no new projects on the horizon, her finances are spiraling. If she doesn’t find work soon, she may be forced to sell her home to pay her legal fees and the damages owed to the man who sued her.
Then, a surprising job offer lands in her lap. At first, Olivia is thrilled—until she learns who her client is. Her father, Vincent, wants her help writing his memoir, and he’s asking for her specifically.
As they work together, the question looms: Is Vincent finally ready to reveal the truth about what really happened that night fifty years ago?
From the very beginning, this story had me hooked. The flashbacks to the 1970s were richly atmospheric, immersing me in the lives of Lydia, Danny, Poppy, and Vincent. The more I learned about them, the more desperate I became to uncover the truth of that fateful night.
I can’t wait for Julie Clark’s next book—I’m officially a fan!
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Sourcebooks Landmark via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Grady Green experiences the best day of his life, followed by the worst!
Grady was waiting for his publishing team in the US to inform him about the3.5
Grady Green experiences the best day of his life, followed by the worst!
Grady was waiting for his publishing team in the US to inform him about the performance of his new book. After receiving the best news, his wife, Abby, who is running late, calls him on the phone. She is ecstatic about his success and can't wait to get home to celebrate. Then, while on the phone, Grady hears Abby say she's going to stop the car because a woman is lying in the middle of the road. He tells her not to do it, but she doesn't listen. Abby never returns to the call, and by the time Grady arrives, his wife is gone.
A year later, Grady is a mess. His grief is overwhelming; he hasn't been able to write, his money is gone, and he's drinking too much. He dreads his meeting with his agent, sure that she's going to drop him as a client. To his surprise, she offers him a lifeline: she has a place on a remote island in Scotland and offers it to Grady. A change of scenery could be good for him, and hopefully, he'll be able to write again.
Not long after arriving at the Isle of Amberley, Grady starts seeing his wife, but there's no way it could be Abby. Something feels wrong, and he begins to question whether he's hallucinating, unsure of what's real and what's not.
I must say that the narrators, Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton, did a phenomenal job with this atmospheric story. I was transported to the island with these characters, feeling a sense of dread and lurking darkness.
Although I enjoyed the first two-thirds of the book, I found the last part lacking. Nonetheless, overall, it was quite good.
Cliffhanger: No
Rating: 3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Macmillan Audio via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited to be back in the tumultuous life of Finlay Donovan and her sidekick nanny/friend, Vero.
Trouble finds them—this time, with a knock at thI was excited to be back in the tumultuous life of Finlay Donovan and her sidekick nanny/friend, Vero.
Trouble finds them—this time, with a knock at the door. Finlay’s neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, has nowhere to go now that her house is a crime scene. A man’s body was found murdered and buried beneath her roses. Who was he, and who killed him?
The clues keep pointing to Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, but Finlay refuses to let her children’s father go to jail. Convinced of his innocence, she sets out to uncover the truth. With help from Vero, Cam, and Javi, Finlay has a better shot at unearthing the real killer than she would alone, all while juggling her two kids and her neighbor living with her.
I firmly believe this series shines brightest in audio form. Angela Dawe does an incredible job with the characters’ voices, capturing the perfect essence for each one.
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is another triumph in this series. I love the characters, the humor, and how I’m always entertained by the messes Finlay stumbles into without ever seeking them out..
Cliffhanger: Kinda
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a fan of Maxine, I couldn't pass up Like It Never Was.
The story revolves around Jolene, a high school senior who makes a fateful decision to prank As a fan of Maxine, I couldn't pass up Like It Never Was.
The story revolves around Jolene, a high school senior who makes a fateful decision to prank her friend Elizabeth. What starts as a joke spirals into a chain of events with devastating consequences for both young women.
For ten years, Jolene has been haunted by guilt over what happened that night. She knows she’s responsible for the events that led to Elizabeth’s tragic accident. Unable to find peace, she drifts from country to country and job to job, her criminal attorney father frequently stepping in to bail her out.
Now, Jolene has decided to move back to Berkeley. She hopes to rebuild her life and find some stability. Her father helps her secure a new job, and she finds an apartment within walking distance of her workplace.
Then she sees Elizabeth again. To Jolene’s surprise, Elizabeth wants to reconnect and rekindle their friendship. But what is Jolene supposed to do? Could Elizabeth know the truth about that night—and is she seeking revenge?
The plot is intriguing, centered around an unstable protagonist. Jolene is a mental breakdown waiting to happen. Her paranoia leaves you questioning whether the danger is real or all in her mind.
My only complaint is that the book sometimes felt too YA for my taste. That said, the twist at the end made it a worthwhile read.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Mirror House Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Isabella Shay is starting to get worried. She’s at Starbucks, waiting for her pumpkin spice latte, but no one is calling her name. Cute-meet for sure!
Isabella Shay is starting to get worried. She’s at Starbucks, waiting for her pumpkin spice latte, but no one is calling her name. The barista keeps calling for Amy, who just so happens to have ordered the exact same drink. In a split-second decision, Isabella decides to take Amy’s order.
As she turns to leave, she bumps into a very attractive man, spilling her PSL all over him. They start talking, and a connection sparks. But then, Isabella realizes she’s now super late for her first day at work. She hurriedly says goodbye, and the stranger calls after her, “See you tomorrow, Amy.” Oh well—she’ll have to fix the mix-up later.
At work, she’s getting acquainted with her immediate boss when she’s led to the VP’s office. There, she’s introduced to Blake Phillips—none other than the guy from Starbucks. And he’s not too happy to find out her name isn’t actually Amy… or that she took someone else’s drink!
"Accidentally Amy" was such a fun read—exactly what I needed at the time. I ended up really liking both characters and rooting for them to make it work. Plus, the cover was absolutely beautiful!
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In a dystopian world (which hopefully never happens), everyone is blind. Seven years ago, the world went from full vision to comple Interesting sci-fi!
In a dystopian world (which hopefully never happens), everyone is blind. Seven years ago, the world went from full vision to complete darkness.
Thankfully, technology stepped in to save the day. Scientists developed an implantable device called the vidder, which is placed in the right temple. This device provides the perception of sight by downloading images directly into the user’s brain. Most people who can afford it rely on it, but criminals are finding ways to exploit it, and some individuals refuse to have anything to do with it.
The story centers on Mark Owens, a detective still grappling with grief after losing his wife, an artist. He was part of the force both before and after The Blinding. He remembers the dark times (no pun intended) when maintaining order often had deadly consequences.
Now, Mark and his partner, Jimmy, are called to investigate a murder. The sole witness, a scientist, claims the killer somehow blacked himself out from her vidder completely. At first, Mark doesn’t believe her—but when he sees it happen for himself, he can no longer deny the terrifying truth.
Who is behind this—and why?
A great (and horrifying) premise for a novel. For someone who loves to read, this scenario is truly chilling. Blind Spots grabbed my attention from the very first page—I couldn’t wait for Mark to piece it all together and uncover who was corrupting the vidder.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
At least, this is what Molly, the maid, is doing with her boyfriend, Juan Manuel. She used to do the same with her grannBring the advent calendar out!
At least, this is what Molly, the maid, is doing with her boyfriend, Juan Manuel. She used to do the same with her granny. Molly’s life has come a long way. She’s happy in the present—a stark contrast to a few years ago when she lost her grandmother. She still remembers a Christmas at work when people made fun of her.
However, lately, something peculiar has been happening. Her boyfriend is acting strangely. He looks exhausted all the time, and it seems like he’s keeping secrets from her.
Does Molly have a new mystery to unravel?
For fans of the Molly the Maid series, this novella is a sweet treat. The mystery wraps up nicely, and Juan Manuel steals the show.
A cute little novella—perfect for the Christmas season!
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ballantine Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After my book friends—Jayme, Kaceey, and Michelle—raved about this book, I knew I had to give it a try.
The novel centers around former president John After my book friends—Jayme, Kaceey, and Michelle—raved about this book, I knew I had to give it a try.
The novel centers around former president John "Jack" Cutler, who is accused of murdering his mistress, Amanda Harper, a junior lawyer who worked for him in the White House Counsel’s Office. Her body was found at Rock Creek Park.
Jack asks his childhood friend and brilliant lawyer, Rob Jacobson, to defend him. At first, Rob isn’t sure he should take the case. He’s too close to it: he worked with Amanda and even had an affair with her. But Jack is his best friend, and the publicity could only help elevate his career.
This was an outstanding novel. The plot and narrative were both highly engaging. I particularly enjoyed all the courtroom scenes, and there was still the lingering question of who killed Amanda. Was Jack guilty?
Did I guess the ending? Partly. I figured out the identity of the murderer fairly early on.
The President's Lawyer is an incredible courtroom thriller. It was the debut novel of Lawrence S. Robbins, who sadly passed away on November 2nd.
I enjoyed prior Kerry Wilkinson's books and I was excited to start a new series by this author.
Millie Westlake volunteers at the nursing home where heI enjoyed prior Kerry Wilkinson's books and I was excited to start a new series by this author.
Millie Westlake volunteers at the nursing home where her friend Jack works. Millie lives in Whitecliff where everyone knows each other and gossip spreads faster than you can say hi. Millie is well known but not with affection but with recrimination. She has committed two crimes in the minds of the inhabitants. First, she cheated with a politician, broke her marriage, and lost the custody of her son when the affair was found out, The second crime is that they believed she killed her parents and she got away with it plus inherited their home after they passed. The only job Millie can have is being a dog groomer although the reviews left on the net are not as nice as she would like.
One day, after spending time with Ingrid, a nursing home patient, she is told by Ingrid that the night before she saw a woman being pushed off the roof of a home close by through her window. Millie can't let it go and decides to investigate. This decision will put a target on her back but she can't stop digging with the help of Guy, an ex-reporter now blogger.
I liked Millie, her story was intriguing and I wanted to know more about her affair, her parent's death, and of course, if a woman was truly pushed and why. The story grabbed me from the very beginning and I was happy with the way the novel unfolded. The narrator Helen Keeley did a great job of bringing the character to life.
I will read the next one in the series and hope to see more of the characters. Hopefully, she can get her son back.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Bookouture via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed prior Kerry Wilkinson's books and I was excited to start a new series by this author.
Millie Westlake volunteers at the nursing home where her friend Jack works. Millie lives in Whitecliff where everyone knows each other and gossip spreads faster than you can say hi. Millie is well known but not with affection but with recrimination. She has committed two crimes in the minds of the inhabitants. First, she cheated with a politician, broke her marriage, and lost the custody of her son when the affair was found out, The second crime is that they believed she killed her parents and she got away with it plus inherited their home after they passed. The only job Millie can have is being a dog groomer although the reviews left on the net are not as nice as she would like.
One day, after spending time with Ingrid, a nursing home patient, she is told by Ingrid that the night before she saw a woman being pushed off the roof of a home close by through her window. Millie can't let it go and decides to investigate. This decision will put a target on her back but she can't stop digging with the help of Guy, an ex-reporter now blogger.
I liked Millie, her story was intriguing and I wanted to know more about her affair, her parent's death, and of course, if a woman was truly pushed and why. The story grabbed me from the very beginning and I was happy with the way the novel unfolded. The narrator Helen Keeley did a great job of bringing the character to life.
I will read the next one in the series and hope to see more of the characters. Hopefully, she can get her son back.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Bookouture via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a fan of the Jolvix series, I couldn’t pass up another book by Faith Gardner.
This one was different; I would describe it more as a YA thriller,As a fan of the Jolvix series, I couldn’t pass up another book by Faith Gardner.
This one was different; I would describe it more as a YA thriller, but it was nonetheless quite interesting.
The book would have been a 5 for me, except for the ending, which I found disappointing—but that’s just my opinion.
The premise revolves around the Hunter family: Angela and Carson are the parents, and Eliza and Ezra are their teenage children. On the surface, they seem perfect, but once you take a closer look, you begin to notice the cracks in their facade. They harbor secrets no one should discover. Unfortunately, Olivia, a sixteen-year-old girl who befriends Eliza and comes from a difficult home life, infiltrates their world, triggering a downward spiral for all of them.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Mirror House Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As the second in command of the Paranormal Investigators Unit, Shiloh Harrison follows orders. She's good at her job and has a good relatio
[image]
As the second in command of the Paranormal Investigators Unit, Shiloh Harrison follows orders. She's good at her job and has a good relationship with her team. Her team includes a human boss (Julius Almeida), an incubus (Novak), a skinwalker (Jaxon) and a dhampir (Kathleen). Shiloh herself is a half djinn. She can grant three wishes. She also has to deal with her Quarrel, an ability to affect the combative nature of humans. If she doesn't exert control, she can be responsible for unleashing a fight where none should be.
She just finished a case and is about to spend some time with her current lover Vincent Ortiz, when she's called back to work. A trailer park has been taken hostage by a group of vampires. Her team needs to show up as soon as possible before things get out of hand. Her boss is nowhere to be found, making Shiloh the lead US Marshall.
At the scene, Shiloh meets Woodrow Tennyson, a master vampire who has moved all his line into the trailer park. Tennyson is worried. Some of his vampires have disappeared and before any more are taken he needs the team's help to discover who's behind it and why.
Shiloh knows this mission is important when Tennyson admits he's not the only master vampire or werewolf pack who has members gone missing. Forty-six vampires and twenty-eight werewolves have disappeared.
This will take the team into a never-before-seen danger where black magic is at the center of it all. Shiloh won't know who's an ally and who's a foe.
__
I love Urban Fantasy novels. I was excited about starting a new series. I was hoping to find a new favorite. I can't say that I did. However, I was entertained by the characters and the action.
I couldn't connect with Shiloh at the beginning but I liked her by the end. She made some rushed decisions. They felt too impulsive. She also has some issues with her relationships. She was with Vincent but was thinking about her ex-lover and then she throws Tennyson in the mix. She's supposed to hate vampires but she could barely keep two feet away from Tennyson.
There was a good twist at the end and a few unanswered questions. I'm hoping we get some answers in the next installment.
Stray Magic delivers a good plot and interesting characters. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
Thank you HarperCollins Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of Stray Magic in exchange for an honest review.
As the second in command of the Paranormal Investigators Unit, Shiloh Harrison follows orders. She's good at her job and has a good relationship with her team. Her team includes a human boss (Julius Almeida), an incubus (Novak), a skinwalker (Jaxon) and a dhampir (Kathleen). Shiloh herself is a half djinn. She can grant three wishes. She also has to deal with her Quarrel, an ability to affect the combative nature of humans. If she doesn't exert control, she can be responsible for unleashing a fight where none should be.
She just finished a case and is about to spend some time with her current lover Vincent Ortiz, when she's called back to work. A trailer park has been taken hostage by a group of vampires. Her team needs to show up as soon as possible before things get out of hand. Her boss is nowhere to be found, making Shiloh the lead US Marshall.
At the scene, Shiloh meets Woodrow Tennyson, a master vampire who has moved all his line into the trailer park. Tennyson is worried. Some of his vampires have disappeared and before any more are taken he needs the team's help to discover who's behind it and why.
Shiloh knows this mission is important when Tennyson admits he's not the only master vampire or werewolf pack who has members gone missing. Forty-six vampires and twenty-eight werewolves have disappeared.
This will take the team into a never-before-seen danger where black magic is at the center of it all. Shiloh won't know who's an ally and who's a foe.
__
I love Urban Fantasy novels. I was excited about starting a new series. I was hoping to find a new favorite. I can't say that I did. However, I was entertained by the characters and the action.
I couldn't connect with Shiloh at the beginning but I liked her by the end. She made some rushed decisions. They felt too impulsive. She also has some issues with her relationships. She was with Vincent but was thinking about her ex-lover and then she throws Tennyson in the mix. She's supposed to hate vampires but she could barely keep two feet away from Tennyson.
There was a good twist at the end and a few unanswered questions. I'm hoping we get some answers in the next installment.
Stray Magic delivers a good plot and interesting characters. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
Thank you HarperCollins Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of Stray Magic in exchange for an honest review.
A man steals an ancient Stela from a dig in Israel and smuggles it into the United States. This man is ready to sell it to the higheThis one was nuts!
A man steals an ancient Stela from a dig in Israel and smuggles it into the United States. This man is ready to sell it to the highest bidder as long as he gets the cash he needs. He doesn't care if it goes to the Israelis, Palestinians, Turks, Americans or Australians.
Lucas calls Virgil to pick up an Israeli agent. Her job is to recuperate the Stela and take it back. At first, Virgie believes this task won't be difficult but soon he realizes the opposite. No one is what they seem and enough people are either ready to pay or to steal the Stela.
Virgil is very different than Lucas in so many ways. He approaches his investigations differently too. The one thing both have in common is that they would do anything to catch the bad guys without leaving loose ends behind.
This book also marks the addition of a formidable character, Ma Nobles. A woman with several kids, a high IQ, and someone who will be perfect for Virgil as a partner.