Gripping, wonderfully written, well thought out, shocking, and hard to put down, Charlie Donlea delivered a thrilling and chilling read with Guess AgaGripping, wonderfully written, well thought out, shocking, and hard to put down, Charlie Donlea delivered a thrilling and chilling read with Guess Again! I was instantly drawn into the plot from the very first page and had a hard time putting this riveting and addictive book down! I loved the mystery and did my very best super sleuthing to figure out whodunit. I made a few very good guesses, but Donlea left me shocked and with my jaw hanging open with one startling revelation. Whew!
Ethan Hall, a former detective, and current doctor is approached by his partner, to help solve the cold case of 17-year-old Callie Jones (the governor's daughter) who disappeared ten years ago. This is only the beginning as Ethan must also come back into the orbit of Francis, an imprisoned serial killer, who seems to have a lot of knowledge about a case he was not involved with. Hmm........
Whew! This book kept me on my toes and then some. There are a lot of characters, and they all have a role to play in this addictive, shocking, gripping, and hard to put down mystery thriller. This book had me guessing again and again who could be behind the disappearance of Callie and the fate of another woman who has gone missing.
This book had tension, dread, and atmosphere dripping from the pages. I could feel the unease of many of the characters paired with the deviousness and menage of other characters. Guess Again proved to be a twist filled ride that kept the action coming and my pulse pounding. I loved how the past and the present collided in one scene that was a total shocker and left me and one character reeling! Plus, the ending has me crossing my finger and hoping that there will be another book featuring Ethan.
Gripping, shocking, fast paced, tense and wonderfully written.
A wonderful Witches Words read with Brenda, Norma, Mary Beth, and Carolyn. Be sure to read their reviews of Guess Again to get their thoughts on the book!!!
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
What a wonderful work of historical fiction! This is the second book that I have read by Patti Callahan Henry and she has dazzled me yet again with heWhat a wonderful work of historical fiction! This is the second book that I have read by Patti Callahan Henry and she has dazzled me yet again with her wonderful writing, well thought out plot, vivid descriptions, great characters, and intriguing mystery. The first book I read by her was The Story She Left Behind, and if you have not read that book, I recommend it as well as this one! This book touches on family, war, guilt, life choices, family, love, storytelling, and loss.
During the second world war, Hazel and her younger sister, Flora are sent to a rural village to live with Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry. It is there that Hazel crates stories involving magical lands (Whisperwood) where they can go to escape their troubles. One day, Flora vanishes on the banks of the Thames River, and Hazel will carry her loss and guilt with her wherever she goes. Twenty years later, Hazel will open a book which contains the magical stories she created for her sister years ago....
This book is told through two timelines which provides reader with glimpses into the past while telling the story in the present (1960's) setting of the book. I so felt for Hazel and her feelings of lost and the guilt that she felt over her sister's disappearance. Although she felt loss and guiIt, Hazel also never gave up on knowing the truth about her sister's disappearance. She never gave up and was determined to get answers. I thought the author did a fantastic job at showing how loss and guilt can shape and affect someone's life. Like Hazel, I also tried my best to figure out what might have happened to Flora but never guessed the truth.
I loved how the author brought everything together. This book had me feeling all kinds of emotions and I found it to be equal parts, heart wrenching and hopeful. I loved the emphasis on storytelling and how stories can help us escape and travel to magical places. I also loved the emphasis on bonds, family, love, never giving up, being hopeful, and connections. This book will break your heart but will also mend it along the way.
Gripping, evoking emotion, hard to put down, and a joy to read.
*This was a lovely witches words buddy read with Mary Beth, Carolyn, and Brenda. Please read their wonderful reviews as well!
**I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a wonderful job.
*CRACK* That is the sound of Lisa Regan hitting it out of the ballpark yet again with another thrilling, shocking, addictive and hard to put down book*CRACK* That is the sound of Lisa Regan hitting it out of the ballpark yet again with another thrilling, shocking, addictive and hard to put down book in her amazing Detective Josie Quinn series!!!! Seriously, this series keeps getting better and better!!!! Lisa Regan had my heart pounding, and my emotions stirred the entire book. I feel as if I were on an emotional roller coaster of mystery and thrills! Plus, that ending!!!!! Holy Crap! It left me with my jaw hanging open! I was literally speechless!
Whew! The book begins with Josie and Noah painting a room in their home, their thoughts on the future and their dreams of having a family. After Josie returns home after investigating a crime scene, she finds her home ransacked, blood on various surfaces and Noah is missing! I felt for her and was anxious and desperate for answers as well. The entire Denton police team jumped into action to not only find one of their own but to solve the mystery of the crime scene that Josie was initially investigating.
There were several times in this book where I wanted to high five several characters and time when I wanted to shake a couple of others. I have to say that Turner has begun to grow on me, and I am beside myself trying to figure out his connection with Josie's twin sister, Trinity.
This book is full of tension, dread, unease, and danger. It is also full of love, hope, and support from those in Josie's life. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and fully invested. Lisa Regan stunned and amazed me with this shocking, wonderfully written, and gripping page turner.
Wowza! This book was beyond fantastic! I loved every single page of it! Lisa Regan has outdone herself yet again. Each time I read a book in the series, I come away saying 'that one was the absolute best one yet'. Here I am again and will happily say, This is the absolute best book in the series thus far!!!!!! I love the characters, the character development in this series, the relationships between the characters, the mysteries, and the setting. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Highly Recommend!
*This was a wonderful Witches Words buddy read with Carolyn, Brenda, and DeAnn. Please read their reviews as well to get their thoughts on Husband Missing
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is not your usual witch tale - not by a long shot! Told in three timelines, The Bewitching is mesmerizing, intriguing, bizarre, mysterious, and tThis is not your usual witch tale - not by a long shot! Told in three timelines, The Bewitching is mesmerizing, intriguing, bizarre, mysterious, and thought provoking. Three women are told “Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches.” These are not Disney witches, nor are that what will be found when you follow the yellow brick road. These witches are way beyond that.
Alba, Minerva, and Beatrice are three women connected with interesting tales and fates. Each has an interesting backstory, and each has a distinct personality. Each has a connection to witchcraft and beyond.
The first half of the book was a slow burn for me, but I stuck with it as the premise was intriguing. The second half of the book picks up and I was fully invested and wanted answers. I never knew where this book was going or where Silvia Moreno-Garcia was going to take me. The aspect of witches and warlocks was intriguing and piqued my interest. There was one part of the book which was a bit cringe-worthy and other parts that were a bit graphic but otherwise, I found this to be an interesting albeit different book.
Intriguing, dark, well written, and mysterious.
3.5 stars
*This was a witches Words buddy read with Carolyn and Brenda. Please read their reviews as well to see if they were bewitched by The Bewitching.
Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Who knew collecting eggs was a thing? It was actually a Big thing! I'm a bit of an outlier because I found this book to be a bit odd. The writing feltWho knew collecting eggs was a thing? It was actually a Big thing! I'm a bit of an outlier because I found this book to be a bit odd. The writing felt very stream of consciousness and it took me quite some time to grasp the flow of it. The Impossible Thing focuses on the stealing and trafficking of eggs. Egg climbers would be lowered over cliffs to collect the eggs of the birds which lived there. Depending on the bird and the color of the egg, it could be a lucrative thing/hobby/collection etc. This book is told in two timelines and proved to be a slow burn as eventually the two timelines connect
In the past timeline (1920-1930), Celie Sheppard is tiny and petite. She proves to be the perfect size to lower over the side of a dangerous cliff that no one else dares to go over. She is successful in finding and obtaining a gorgeous red guillemot egg. She does this year after year as crowds gather to watch. My heart broke for the birds she stole from. They fought to save their egg to finally learn it is to no avail and to simply turn its head unable to watch.
Patrick and Weird Nick are in the present day and looking for a scarlet egg that was stolen during a robbery. They go looking and find and learn more than they expected. They are both interesting and great characters.
While I enjoyed the characters of Celie, Nick, and Patrick, this book failed to wow me as it did most readers. I found it too be too slow in spots and I struggled with the writing. What worked were the three main characters and a very unlikeable character that I found myself booing and hissing at.
There are some wonderful descriptions and characterizations in this book. The author did a great job with that. This just didn't wow me as it did other readers. Speaking of other readers and reviewers, please read their reviews as well.
*This was a witches words buddy read with Carolyn, Brenda, and Mary Beth. Please read their reviews to see if they enjoyed this book or if it was a hard egg for them to crack.
Thank you to Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Monthly Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
What a lovely book with a beautiful cover! I loved this book about a missing mother, a daughter looking for answers, a secret language/words/writing aWhat a lovely book with a beautiful cover! I loved this book about a missing mother, a daughter looking for answers, a secret language/words/writing and love. This wonderful book touched on a quest for answers, abandonment, love, loss, legacy, family, found family, longing, and forgiveness. I was intrigued by the secret language, the mystery, and the characters.
Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham was a world-renowned author who became a child prodigy when she wrote a bestselling book written in a secret language when she was 12 years old. When her daughter Clara was eight years old, she disappeared and left her husband and Clara behind.
Clara grew up to become a children's book illustrator with a young daughter named Wynnie. She is shocked when she receives a phone call from Charlie Jameson, in London informing her that a dictionary of her mother's secret language has been discovered. Clara and her daughter, Wynnie, set sail and arrive during the Great Smog of London. Clara hopes to find answers, obtain her mother's papers, and be able to move on.
What a wonderfully written and well thought out book. I was swept away along with Clara and Wynnie as they set out for answers and found more than they were looking for. I was fully invested in this book and the journey that each of the characters took as secrets and the truth merged between the pages.
This was my first book by Patti Callahan Henry, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Captivating, gripping, and a delight to read.
4.5 stars
*A witches words buddy read with Norma, Brenda DeAnn, and Mary Beth. Please read their reviews as well to see their thoughts on The Story She Left Behind.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Gripping, shocking and full of danger, Rage, grabbed my attention from the very first page and never let go! If there is a crime in Painters Mill, youGripping, shocking and full of danger, Rage, grabbed my attention from the very first page and never let go! If there is a crime in Painters Mill, you know that Chief of Police Kate Burkholder will be on the case! This is the 17th book in the Kate Burkholder series and Linda Castillo has delivered yet again! Plus, readers get to see Kate's husband, John Tomasetti, on the case as well.
A dismembered body of a local Amish man is found, Kate is called to the scene. When the body of the man's best friend is also found murdered, the community is rocked. Initially no one is willing to talk but when a woman finally comes forward, Kate learns that the Amish victims had dark dealings with some violent and dangerous individuals. Secrets, lies, manipulation, power, control, and diabolical characters, make for a timely and gripping read.
Kate Burkholder, who was once Amish herself, is one tough cookie who often takes dangerous chances in the pursuit of justice! She finds herself in more than one sticky situation with some vile and violent characters. I enjoy her grit, her determination, her drive, and her commitment to solving crimes.
I enjoyed the action, the plot, and the characters. This book, like the others in the series, gives readers glimpses into Kate's professional and personal life. She is a well-rounded character who I root for every single book. I enjoyed the tension, the mounting danger, and the relevant storyline. Wonderfully written, well thought out, gripping, and hard to put down!
*Witches Words buddy read with DeAnn and Dorie. Please read their reviews as well to see what they thought of Rage!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
"I'm going off the rails on a crazy train" - Ozzy Osbourne
Whistle is wonderfully written, well thought out, creepy, dark, chilling, gripping and dri"I'm going off the rails on a crazy train" - Ozzy Osbourne
Whistle is wonderfully written, well thought out, creepy, dark, chilling, gripping and dripping with dread! Just how I like them! Who knew a toy train set could be so unsettling and completely frightening? Not me! But in Linwood Barclay's hands, this toy for both young and old alike, becomes a toy that chug chug chugs on a trail of terror!
In the present Annie is looking for a fresh start after a year full of heartbreak, loss, trauma, and scandal. Her husband died in a horrible accident and her beloved children's book became the cause of a scandal. She just wanted a new quiet place in which to raise her son, Charlie. Little does she know things are about to get worse. When Charlie finds an old train set in a locked shed on their new property, he's happy. But Annie begins hearing weird things at night. I wanted to say "ummm, Annie. stop and think about why it was locked in the shed!" Maybe I have seen too many horror films, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that nothing good can come from this. But I digress....
In the past Chief Cook has one heck of a case on his hands. Animals have gone missing, and the body of a man has been found and well, it's bad to say the least. His body is only the first of many that Chief Cook will investigate. The chief can't help but notice that there is a train store in town that just seemed to appear and is owned by Mr. Choo Choo. His trains are unique and well, thing begin to happen when they find an owner....
This book was CREEPY and DARK. Linwood Barclay proved that he could give Stephen King a run for his money with Whistle. Barclay captured the small-town feel, the nostalgic vibe of having a train set, the eeriness of hearing strange noises, and the creepiness of having neighbors who seem to know more about your home than you do.
I loved the tension, the supernatural element, and the unsettling vibe in this book. I also loved the creepy and diabolical Mr. Choo Choo. I mean come on, from that name alone, you know you are dealing with a 'unique' individual. This book is told in two timelines and in two different places, yet they mingle beautifully at the end of the book. Speaking of the end of the book, hats off to Linwood Barclay for pulling off a brilliant ending.
Creepy, wonderfully written, well thought out, unique, and hard to put down!
*A wonderful Witches Words buddy read with Brenda and Norma.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
It kills me to write this, but Too Old for This was so bloody good! Seriously, Samantha Downing killed it with her tale of a retired serial killer whoIt kills me to write this, but Too Old for This was so bloody good! Seriously, Samantha Downing killed it with her tale of a retired serial killer who just wants to enjoy the later years of her life, going to church, playing bingo, and enjoying her quiet time. Sure, thoughts of killing annoying people in her life might creep into her mind, but she keeps them to herself....
Lottie thought her days of killing were behind her. She is a grandmother now and has Bingo to play. But when Plum Dixon, an investigative journalist, knocks on her door and begins to question her, Lottie knows that all those unsolved cases might come back to haunt her, and she can't have that!!!
Oh, how I enjoyed Lottie and her inner thoughts. She was a hoot, and I enjoyed reading about her moral compass on what is proper and what is not. She is not as young as she used to be and well, murder - let's just say it can be exhausting. But Lottie is not a quitter...
Samantha Downing has delivered another clever, gripping, shocking, fun, and thrilling page turner! I could not put this book down! I loved every second of it. Lottie is such a well-drawn character and Samantha Downing made me feel sorry for Lottie with her aches, pains, and struggles while doing what Lottie does best! Too Old for This reminded me of An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good which I also adored. Not in the storyline or plot, but with the aging female serial killer.
This book had a nice amount of tension, humor, wit, cat-and-mouse, and danger. Lottie is a bloody good killer, and some scenes may not be for everyone.
Addictive, clever, dark, and hard to put down!
*A bloody good witches words buddy read with Dorie, Norma, Carolyn. Please read their reviews as well to see their thoughts on Too Old for This!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Absolutely brilliant and beautiful. My friends, I encourage you all to grab a copy of My Friends and enjoy it in your favorite reading spot! I loved, Absolutely brilliant and beautiful. My friends, I encourage you all to grab a copy of My Friends and enjoy it in your favorite reading spot! I loved, loved, loved this book. All the stars and then some! I love books about found family, underdogs, and flawed individuals. I also love with books with beautiful writing and Fredrik Backman out did himself with My Friends! Every single page of this book was a gift. This book evoked emotion, had me rooting for the characters, feeling their pain and their joy. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and there is so much beauty in this book. Beauty in the friendships, beauty in the artwork, beauty in found family, and beauty in the kindness of strangers. There is also love. Love for friends, love for those who are not related to us but become our family, love for family (even if they are horrible) and love of art.
It is a piece of art but it also so much more. It is the embodiment of a bond, it was their life, it was their friendship, it was a found family, it was a summer day, and it was everything to the group of teens who were painted by their friend, the artist. Louisa, a young artist herself, sees what the artists intended while looking at the artwork at a museum while others only see the Sea.
A chance meeting with the artist in an alley will change Louisa's life. He sees in her what she can't see herself. He sees her beauty, her perceptive eye, her loss, her grief, and her love of art. He bequeaths her the painting and unknowing/knowingly gives her so much more. Ted, the artists childhood friend and one of the teens in the painting, gives Louisa the painting and along their journey together shares with her the story behind the artwork.
What a joy this was to read. It is brilliant, and beautifully written. I found myself highlighting section after section. My Friends is now my favorite book by Backman. This book gives all the feels while also giving some humor, some smiles, some tears, and some hope. I loved his flawed characters and how they came together and became each other's family. The friendships of our youth are special and life altering, and Fredrik Backman captured that beautifully. Plus, the ending - priceless.
Told in two timelines, My Friends is a masterpiece itself. Beautifully written, evoking emotion well thought out, and moving. Highly Recommend.
*A Wonderful Witches words buddy read with Brenda, Norma, and Dorie! Please read their reviews as well to see what they thought of My Friends!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tracy Crosswhite is back in this tale of memories, revenge, redemption, and high stakes! A Dead Draw was slow to start but built to the ultimate showdTracy Crosswhite is back in this tale of memories, revenge, redemption, and high stakes! A Dead Draw was slow to start but built to the ultimate showdown! This cat-and-mouse book has Tracy going back to basics, remembering the past, while planning for her family’s future.
Tracy is usually cool under pressure but after a tense interrogation with the evil and diabolical, Erik Schmidt, who has ties to the man who murdered her sister, she loses her cool and detached demeanor. She goes on to make a shocking mistake on the shooting range that sees her being asked to take time off to regroup. Along with Dan, her husband, their daughter and nanny, Tracy goes back to her hometown of Cedars Grove to regroup and relax at their weekend house. Tracy meets with her former shooting coach and meets his granddaughter, Lydia, who has her own unique way of approaching shooting which Tracy may find beneficial. Bur relaxing will not be in her future after Schmidt is freed......
Fans of the series know that Tracy and her sister participated in shooting competitions and that Tracy is an excellent shot. So, when she makes a mistake on the shooting range, I felt bad for her knowing how much prides herself on her shooting. This gives Dugoni an opportunity to show how stress, trauma, PTSD, and pressure affects Tracy. I appreciated him bringing attention to PTSD.
This book has a BIG emphasis on guns and shooting. As I mentioned this book was slow in the beginning and I do struggle with slowness in books. I started getting worried and thought "this is not the Tracy Crosswhite series that I am used to". Thankfully the last half of the book picked up and things become more tense, more dangerous, and more deadly. While this was not my favorite book in the series, I found it to be enjoyable, shocking, and left me wanting to know what comes next!
3.5 stars
*Be sure to read the Author's note at the end of the book.
**A wonderful Witches Words buddy read with Carolyn and Dorie. Please read their reviews as well to get their thoughts on the book!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Charming, wonderfully written, entertaining, brimming with relationships, and water, The Love Haters swept me away to Key West and introduced me to anCharming, wonderfully written, entertaining, brimming with relationships, and water, The Love Haters swept me away to Key West and introduced me to an engaging, gripping, and delightful cast of characters. I enjoyed the emphasis on the various relationships in this book, being of service, taking chances, and facing your fears.
Katie Vaughn has had a rough go of it lately. Her ex-boyfriend is a rock star whose fans have commented on her looks and body online which resulted in Katie having body image issues. With her job on the line due to the possibility of layoffs she takes her boss, Cole's request to go produce a piece on his brother, Hutch who is a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. There is just one teeny tiny little hitch - Katie can't swim! But to keep her job, she will dive into learning how to swim once she lands in Key West.
Once in Key West she meets Aunt Rue, her friends, Hutch and his rescue dog, George Bailey! She can't help but notice the oh-so-handsome- Hutch, his sad eyes, and his chiseled body. It's all about the journey for me and Katherine Center takes readers on a journey full of swim lessons, Congo dancing, friendships, attraction, family, swimming, a loveable dog, bravery, and secrets.
As with her other books, I found The Love Haters to be wonderfully written, well thought out, engaging, and gripping. I also enjoyed the sense of community between the characters, the various relationships i.e. friendship, love of family, love of your profession, love of a pet, self-love, and romantic love. It is also about being honest, being vulnerable, taking chances, and being brave.
Be sure to read the author's note at the end, it is a must read!
*A buddy read with Dorie, please read her review and get her thoughts on The Love Haters as well.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wowza! Fear for Her Life is an addictive, thrilling, shocking, pulse pounding page turner! Whew! Let me gather my breathe! D.K. Hood has outdone herseWowza! Fear for Her Life is an addictive, thrilling, shocking, pulse pounding page turner! Whew! Let me gather my breathe! D.K. Hood has outdone herself with this amazing book which features a hunt for dangerous and violent prisoners who are on the loose in the forests outside of Black Rock Falls! This book is oozing with tension, danger, dread, action, and shocking scenes! I could not put this down and found myself glued to my seat wanting more, more, more! There is a lot at stake in this book and D.K. Hood kept the action coming and never let up!
I also loved that all the usual characters in Jenna Alton and David Kane's life are in this one. Plus, Dax Styles and Beth Katz from her Special Agent Beth Katz series are on the scene as well!!!! Woohoo!!!I was so excited to see them rush in and hit the ground running with their unique crime fighting styles. With more bodies turning up, the sense of danger never lessens, and I found myself crossing my fingers for the team several times while reading.
I love all of the main characters. They are an interesting group with even more interesting talents. The character development has wonderful to read. If you have not read this series before, you are seriously missing out.
D.K. Hood never disappoints, and I can't wait to see what comes next!
Wonderfully written, well thought out, perfectly paced, and pulse pounding!
*A fabulous buddy read with Bec (becbingesbooks)! We love our D.K. Hood book reads. Please be sure to read her brilliant review as well to get her thoughts on Fear for Her Life!!!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
WOWZA!!! What a tangled web we weave! Whew! Lisa Jewell kept me on my toes the entire book and left me wanting more! This became the ultimate page turWOWZA!!! What a tangled web we weave! Whew! Lisa Jewell kept me on my toes the entire book and left me wanting more! This became the ultimate page turner for me! Readers need to be on their game and pay close attention because Lisa Jewell has spun such a tangled web that spins one way and then the other way in this twisted tale! Secrets, lies, manipulation, twists, and turns all come into play in this riveting, shocking, wonderfully written, and tense book!!!!
Nina and her daughter Ash are devastated when Nina's husband and Ash's father, Paddy Swann is pushed into the path of a train! Nina thought she would never recover from such a loss until she met Nick...
Martha is a florist living with her husband, Al and her children. Al's job takes him away constantly and while they both work, they always have money problems....
Holy Moly! This book is twisted, jaw dropping, shocking, and intense!!!! I had a lot of fun reading this book. There are a lot of characters and, as I mentioned, one needs to stay on their game while reading this book! There are also some creepy scenes as well that might have the hair standing up on the back of your neck.
I went through many emotions and had various thoughts while reading this book. I did my fair share of booing and hissing at one of the characters and my neck is sore from shaking my head at other characters. There were several times I wanted to pull some of the characters aside to tell them to wake up and smell the coffee!
Lisa Jewell did a fantastic job of creating tension in this book. The plot is well thought out and left me reeling. I had to get my barring a few times while reading and loved every second of it. Lisa Jewell has delivered once again and left me in awe!
Gripping, thrilling, jaw dropping, shocking, and twist filled!
4.5 stars
*A fabulous Witches Words buddy read with Norma, Brenda, Mary Beth, and DeAnn. Please read their reviews as well to get their thoughts on Don't Let Him In!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Addictive, captivating, tense, atmospheric and hard to put down! I loved so many things about Tears on Her Grave. I enjoyed how this mystery was told Addictive, captivating, tense, atmospheric and hard to put down! I loved so many things about Tears on Her Grave. I enjoyed how this mystery was told through dual timelines and seeing the events of the past and then jumping back to the present day. I am a big fan of books with friends sharing dark secrets and D.K. Hood delivered and then some! This book played out like a movie in my mind with the detailed descriptions, wonderfully drawn characters, the drama, and the hunt for a killer!!!!
A destructive storm has hit Black Rock Falls and the bodies of Abby Jaye and Cole Peters, two teens who have been missing for twelve years have been unearthed and found floating in the river. Their disappearance has been a mystery until now. In Abby's hand is a fraternity pin. Sheriff Jenna Alton and deputy David Kane are on the case. Woohoo!
I loved being back in Black Rock Falls with Alton and Kane. I love their relationship, their banter, and the family life they have creating. Jenna is pregnant which gave this book a little bit of a "Fargo" feel while reading. Plus, it was a joy seeing more of Alton and Kane's private life and plans for their family.
I enjoyed the mystery and how the investigation took place. The college friends of Abby and Cole are scrambling as Alton and Kane begin questioning them about what they remember from the night their two friends went missing. It was nice to see Johnny Raven and his K9 taking part in the investigation as well.
This book was brimming with atmosphere, tension, secrets, and danger. There is a killer out there who will stop at nothing to avoid being caught. This made for some gruesome and tense scenes which had my pulse pounding and my fingers turning the pages!
Wonderfully written, addictive, atmospheric and hard to put down! I cannot wait to read more books in this pulse pounding and thrilling series!
*A wonderful buddy Read with Bec (becbingesbooks)! Please read her review as well to get her thoughts on Tears on Her Grave .
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
After the glaciers have melted, Nonie, her family, and a group of researchers stayed behind living in a settlement on top of the American Museum of NaAfter the glaciers have melted, Nonie, her family, and a group of researchers stayed behind living in a settlement on top of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Survival is the name of the game for them. They learn to be self-reliant but when a superstorm hits, Nonie and her family flee, taking with them a book that holds their records. Along the way they encounter civilizations that have been created, they suffer, experience loss, experience community, and do their best to survive.
This book was very slow going and I struggled with that while reading. This book was also dark and dreary as one would expect the world to be after the effects of climate change changes the world. Nonie is an interesting character and has a connection to the water. It is all she has ever known. She can't recall a time when there wasn't water everywhere.
This book provided a lot of food for thought concerning climate change, survival, choices, moving on, and formed communities. I so wanted to love this book, but it was so slow moving that I put this book down and turned to other books. One positive is I listened to the audiobook, and I thought the narrator did a fantastic job. I also thought the author did a good job creating the dystopian world.
Much too slow for my tastes but others are enjoying this book, so please read their reviews as well.
2.75 for me rounded up to 3 stars.
*This was a buddy read with Mary Beth and Carolyn. Please read their reviews as well to see their thoughts on All the Water in the World.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
With Senseless, Ronald Malfi has crafted a creepy, captivating, supernatural, horrific and shocking tale. I had no idea where this book was going withWith Senseless, Ronald Malfi has crafted a creepy, captivating, supernatural, horrific and shocking tale. I had no idea where this book was going with the various subplots, but Malfi wove this book together expertly and brilliantly. This book touches on secrets, family, loss, relationships, the underbelly of Los Angeles, mental health, marriage, and horrific crimes.
Whew! The body of a young woman has been found horribly mutilated outside of L.A. and Detective Bill Renney, who recently lost his wife, can't help but see the similarities between the murder and horrific mutilation of a woman the year prior.
Maureen Park has recently become engaged to Hollywood producer, Greg Dawson and finds herself increasingly uncomfortable and feeling uneasy around his son, Landon. He seems to enjoy making people uncomfortable.
Toby Kampen, is a young man who refers to himself as a Human Fly. He lives a solitary existence but when he meets a unique woman a bar who piques his interest and has him wondering if she human or something else altogether.
As I mentioned, I had no clue where this book was going or how everything was going to come together. but Malfi pulled it off brilliantly. The characters are an interesting bunch with many of the characters being more unlikeable than the next. One or two were likeable, but ALL had secrets!
This book was oozing with unease, tension, dread, and chilling moments! Plus, the atmosphere was top notch and added to the eerie vibe of this book. Hats off to Malfi for such a horrific, wonderfully written, and well thought out book!
Fans of Malfi will not be disappointed. If you have not read a book by Malfi, you will want to sink your teeth into this one!
*A Witches Words buddy read with Brenda ~The Book Witch. Please read her review as well to get her thoughts on Senseless
Thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
A gripping and moving tale of family, motherhood, love, resiliency, identity, and class. The Girls of Good Fortune had a great opening scene with a woA gripping and moving tale of family, motherhood, love, resiliency, identity, and class. The Girls of Good Fortune had a great opening scene with a woman waking up, wearing clothes that are not hers, and not knowing her surroundings. From there readers learn the story of Celia, a half Chinese young woman who falls in love with her employer's son in Portland in the late 188o's.
Celia's life is not easy. She is living during a time of anti-Chinese sentiment. Kristina McMorris weaves the Hells Canyon massacre into the story as well as how many found themselves "shanghaied" to be shipped off for forced labor. Celia, who can pass as white, endures many hardships during the novel. Being a young woman, she is naive and often exhibits poor decisions making and judgement calls. She also is brave, determined, resourceful, and loving.
In the beginning of the book, I went from being gripped by the captivating opening scene to wondering if this was the book for me. That changed drastically in the second half of the book where I was hooked, hoping for the best, fearing the worst, and rooting for Celia the entire way. She goes through a lot in this book from falling in love and being kidnapped to name a few, I wondered just how much more can one person take?
I appreciated the amount of research that went into the writing of this book. I also enjoyed how the book picked up and slowly wrapped me around its finger. I felt for several of the characters and the injustice that they faced.
Wonderfully written, well thought out, moving, and captivating.
*A wonderful witches words buddy read with Carolyn and Mary Beth! Please read their reviews as well to get their thoughts on The Girls of Good Fortune!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
New Orleans is the home of secrets and We Don't Talk About Emma shows the dark, gritty, and ugly underbelly of the city. This book is full of dark secNew Orleans is the home of secrets and We Don't Talk About Emma shows the dark, gritty, and ugly underbelly of the city. This book is full of dark secrets, lies, danger, powerful players, and revenge. Is murder ever justified? This book was co-written with E.J. Findorff who is from New Orleans, and I am sure he provided his knowledge of the city, the food, the streets, and the vibe.
New Orleans Detective, Nikki Mayeaux is tasked with investigating the murder of a serial rapist. A man she intended to kill that very night! She believes that his killer is Emma, a runaway who was one of his victims. She will be investigating the case with Detective Keith Teague, a man she once had a relationship with. Together they will hit the streets of New Orleans and meet with the haves and the have nots while trying to get to the truth. What they uncover will be dark, dangerous, and deadly. Those in power want to protect their sick secrets while there are those who want justice. This book becomes a cat-and-mouse hunt from Bourbon Street to beyond. It's a dog-eat-dog world and I thought the authors did a great job depicting that in this book.
I struggled with the first half of this book. I am usually fully invested in J.D. Barker's books, but this one had me worried. The second half of the book picked up for me as more was revealed and things began to come together, and I had several 'aha' moments while reading. I can't fault the writing; I just found this one just didn't quite hit the mark for me. That won’t stop me from reading more of J.D. Barker's books and it did pique my interest in reading books by E.J. Findorff.
*A witches words buddy read.
Thank you to Hampton Creek Press, J.D. Barker and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I wanted to give Gail a great big giant hug after reading this book. This book may be short on pages but packs quite a powerful quiet punch. I found tI wanted to give Gail a great big giant hug after reading this book. This book may be short on pages but packs quite a powerful quiet punch. I found this book to be beautifully written, moving, gripping, and thought provoking. Relationships are the name of the game in this wonderful book!
Three Days in June provides readers with a look into the life of Gail Baines over the course of, you guessed it, three days. One the first day, we along with Gail, learns she is losing her job. Add that to the fact that she was not invited to the spa day prior to her daughter, Debbie's wedding. Then Max, her ex-husband, shows up with a cat and no place to stay. Whew!
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and see Gail's present life and relationships while getting glimpses into her past and past relationships. Gail may not be a people person, but she has a heart, feelings, and emotions. The characters are quirky, unique, interesting, and memorable.
I enjoyed reading along as Gail, Max, and Debbie interacted amongst themselves and others. In three days so much happened and changed for all for all of them in quiet but BIG ways
This is the first book Anne Tyler book that I have read, and I am looking forward to reading more of her books.
Beautifully written and a joy to read.
*A Witches Words buddy read.
Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
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