Little Girls Sleeping (Katie Scott #1) by Jennifer Chase

"Capture. Protect. Sleep..."

Katie Scott returns home to Pine Valley, California, after serving as part of a K9 team with the US Army in Afghanistan. She was a former police officer with the Sacramento PD, but wasn't sure she wanted to return there. Fortunately, her uncle Wayne Scott, is the Sheriff and he is more than willing to have Katie do some admin duty at the station until she sorts herself out and makes some decisions. Almost immediately, Katie is drawn into a cold case involving a missing eight-year-old named Chelsea Compton. Though her disappearance was 4 years ago, no body had ever been found. Katie sneaks the files and as she looks through the notes she finds that not a lot of effort had been made to investigate. Katie figures she would look into this further and discovers that there are other missing girls in the area. Through painstaking search tactics, she discovers "the sleeping girls." When she's suddenly elevated to the temporary position as a Detective in Pine Valley working with a special task force, there are those on the team who aren't very happy with this development. Can they find the "Toymaker" before he collects the next girl? NO SPOILERS

OK, if you're going to start this one, prepare to sit glued to the pages until the end! This one grabbed me and never lost momentum as I raced to see if I could solve the case before Katie figured it all out. I enjoyed the setting, the writing and the characters. Katie is a very interesting young woman and her backstory provides a special history that is a bit different to most of the books in this genre with female detective protagonists. I can't wait to read more about her and will be waiting impatiently for the next book in this new series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the first in a new series. Will read in order.
Genre - detective mystery

Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." (Oscar Wilde)

Stephanie Maddox heads the FBI's Internal Investigations division and is uniquely placed because of her inherent beliefs about right and wrong. She's all about love of country and the greater good. How to shake up a strong-willed person like that? Get to her son. Steph's a single mother to teenaged Zachary. Lately the two haven't gotten along so well and she is suddenly faced with some discoveries that make her realize that she doesn't know Zachary at all. When Steph finds out that Zachary is implicated in a domestic terrorist plot, when she finds a gun hidden in his room, and when she's told that he's in real trouble -- what does she do? DENIAL.  Stephanie believes that her son is being framed because of some deep secrets that she discovered as part of her own previous cases and investigations. All she is asked to do in order to protect her son from prison is to "let it go."  NO SPOILERS.

Make no mistake, this is a fast-paced and very complicated thriller involving the FBI, CIA and the upper levels of government. It's quite difficult to guess at what is going on, and even after I finished, I had to go back and read the last couple of chapters several times. Even now I'm not quite sure I completely understand all the nuances and the cross-double cross espionage pieces of the plot and definitely unsure of which are the bad guys. As far as the character of Stephanie Maddox -- that's tough. She's definitely dedicated to her job and never makes the choices I'd make as a mom but I guess all she's ever known is how to keep her cards and information close to her chest and she exists in a state of distrust. And she is full of questions and secrets without anyone to turn to with her dilemma.

I was quite surprised to find that this novel is somewhat related to NEED TO KNOW though it's not a series per se. I'll be interested to see what the author does next and if any of these characters reappear in her next book. Although I enjoyed this, I didn't like it nearly as much as I liked the first one. It was a little hard to keep all the players straight as they didn't go into neat little boxes! Probably my fault!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.
3.5 stars

This is a standalone but does have some connection to previous book by this author.
Genre -- spy thriller, FBI agent

Dead Inside (DC Maggie Jamieson #1) by Noelle Holten

DC Maggie Jamieson has been seconded to the newly formed Domestic Abuse and Homicide Unit (DAHU) after successfully closing a serial murder case with the murder team out of Staffordshire. She finds that the police team of her new unit is fully integrated with different agencies, including probation and domestic violence advocates. Almost immediately, the colleagues become involved in the search for a killer -- one who is murdering men who are domestic abusers.

Lucy Sherwood from Markston Probation has her hands full as she oversees the supervision of several different men who've been released after serving prison time for some sort of domestic violence offense. Lucy enjoys her job even though interacting with these abusers reminds her of her own personal situation and the issues with her husband, Patrick. When some of her probationers end up dead in particularly gruesome ways, everyone wonders if this is some sort of revenge or act of vigilantism.

As Maggie and Lucy, as well as the rest of the interdisciplinary team, look into the lives of the victims, survivors and perpetrators, they become convinced that the killer has an agenda. NO SPOILERS

This was a fast-paced debut that highlighted a department that I don't know much about -- probation officers. I would definitely have liked to learn more about different aspects of the job and more about Lucy in that role. But, as she's a secondary character in this crime novel, most of the book focused on her personal dilemma as a woman subjected to domestic assault. It seems that Maggie's stint with the DAHU is over and she's going back to her previous job in homicide. Not sure what will happen with the many different characters that were introduced in this story but they had not really been fully developed or become relatable yet anyway. For awhile it seemed that Lucy was the main character and the reader learns more about her than about Maggie Jamieson! I would be interested in reading the second book in this series to see the direction it goes and who goes along!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for the e-book ARC to read and review. Domestic violence/abuse is everywhere and much too little help is given to those affected by it. Those who are subjected to it can't be safeguarded to any degree and those who perpetrate it can't seem to be cured of their anger and controlling tendencies. And those who witness it need help as well. This is a particularly difficult subject as there is such an inclination for people to judge and blame, excuse or condemn. I think most people don't believe it could happen to them and I surely hope it doesn't.

This is the first book in a new series.

Genre - Crime thriller - domestic violence

The Body in the Mist (DCI Craig Gillard #3) by Nick Louth

"...very few people are all good or all bad. That combination is what makes us human."

DCI Craig Gillard is about to find out just how messed up his family really is when he and his wife, Sam, visit his two aunts and uncle in Devon. The body of an unidentifiable male is discovered on a road south of Exmoor National Park. He appears to have been the victim of a hit and run -- and the suspect vehicle belongs to Gillard's Aunt Barbara. Gillard's aunts deny driving the vehicle that day as they claim to have been playing Monopoly with his Uncle Philip who lives in a care home and seems to have his own secrets. It's a complicated case outside of Gillard's remit, but he offers to help DI Jan Talantire of the Barnstaple police with the investigation since he wants to help his relatives. There's a lot going on in this police procedural and murder mystery -- NO SPOILERS.

This is the third book in the series and I didn't like it quite as much as the first two. It seemed to take me a huge effort to really get into the story and to keep all the different threads straight. I do like the main characters of Craig and Sam and will be interested in reading the next book which I hope is set back in their home turf, Surrey. DCI Gillard definitely has a dysfunctional family and Sam is about to find out more about her husband.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo Digital Publishing for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This book is part of a series, #3, and although I suppose they could be read as standalones, I prefer to read in order.
Genre - mystery and police procedural

Death at Beacon Cottage (Sukey Reynolds #3) by Betty Rowlands

Sukey Reynolds wanted to be a detective but then she married and spent some years raising her son. Now she works as a Scene of Crimes Officer for the local police and keeps her hand in the force, especially since she's dating DI Jim Castle. When she's called to the scene of a recent burglary, she gets caught up in the investigation of a series of art thefts that have also led to murder. The complicated case gets personal when one of the suspects thinks he knows who she is and calls her by the name, Pepita. NO SPOILERS.

I really enjoy this cozy mystery series and have read all 3 so far. I like the character of Sukey Reynolds -- she's a great mom and a smart woman who has the luxury of getting involved in criminal investigations through her job and via her love interest. Sometimes she's in danger but not usually because she does something stupid like many other female detectives who go off half-cocked. She cooks, takes great care of her 16-year-old son as a single mom, and is a very understanding girlfriend. I'm eager to see what she does next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the third in a series. I suggest you read them in order.
Genre - cozy mystery, amateur sleuth

Death at Dearley Manor (Sukey Reynolds #2) by Betty Rowlands

Located in a wooded valley in the Cotswolds is a beautiful old home dating from the early 18th century. Dearley Manor and surrounding estate land is the home of Myrna Maxford and her husband, Paul Reynolds. Yes, the very same Paul who abandoned civilian Scene of Crimes Officer Sukey Reynolds and their son, Fergus, 5 years ago. Though some bitterness remains between them, Sukey has moved on to a new romantic relationship and is enjoying the resumption of her job with the Country Police Force. When she's assigned to work a barn fire at Dearley Farm, Sukey soon gets drawn into a much larger drama and a murder. It seems that someone has killed Myrna Maxford, and there's no shortage of suspects. Despite her personal connection to Paul and the police finding him a person of interest, Sukey discovers that many believed Myrna to be "a ruthless, power-hungry monster." Of course she's dismissed from any investigation so as not to taint the case, but that doesn't stop Sukey from trying to help her ex-husband and perhaps figure out who else had motive, means and opportunity. NO SPOILERS

This is the second in this cozy mystery series and I'm hooked. The story was fast, fun and kept me guessing. This is not a bloody thriller with lots of suspense, but it is a case that has a lot of red herrings, multiple possible suspects and more than one suspicious death. I enjoy the characters though, for heaven's sake, this penchant writers have for referring to a woman who is 60 years of age as an "old lady" sort of gets my back up! Seriously? I don't know anyone that age who is a doddering, gnarled pathetic wretch! Despite some stereotypical characters that have become cliche, the reader is beginning to see some real personality in Sukey though others need development. It will be interesting to see what new direction Sukey is going to take in subsequent books in the series given the hint at the end. Since I've got the third already queued up on my Kindle, I'll be finding out shortly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I'm looking forward to Sukey's next case.

This is #2 in a series. Read in order.
Genre - cozy mystery, police procedural

Death at Hazel House (Sukey Reynolds #1) by Betty Rowlands

Once upon a time, Sukey Reynolds had a promising career in the police. She had to abandon that dream when her husband left her for another woman on her son's 10th birthday. Fergus is now 16 and Sukey has recently returned to work as a civilian Scene of Crime Officer. She still has friends in the police, most notably a romantic interest, DI Jim Castle, and she receives assignments to take photographs and obtain other crime data or information as needed. This cozy murder mystery opens with Sukey attending at Hazel House in Marsdean to gather information at the scene where the body of Lorraine Chant is found in the master bedroom.

This is a well-plotted mystery with plenty of red herrings and a complex set of related crimes involving a group of people connected to a past bank robbery. Although Sukey is the main character, and a woman I'd like to get to know better, there are other points of view within the narration as the investigation into the murder leads to evidence of other nefarious activities. Since this is the first of a long-running series originally published in the 90s, the technology and investigative methods are a bit dated but that doesn't negatively affect the outcome of the case. This isn't the grisly chiller thriller type of book, nor is it really suspenseful, but demonstrates overtones of a police procedural where dogged detectives and serendipitous findings lead to the solve.

I enjoyed this change of pace and I look forward to reading the next few in the series that I happen to have on my TBR. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the first in a series -- I intend to read them in order.
Genre - cozy mystery, police procedural

The Dancing Girls (Lt. Jo Fournier #1) by M.M. Chouinard

Recently promoted Lieutenant Josette (Jo) Fournier of the Oakhurst Country State Police Detective Unit in Massachusetts is keen to get back to what she does best, investigating crimes. But directing a team is her assignment and she longs to sink her teeth into a crime that looks to her as the work of a serial killer.

Janine Hammond was found in a hotel room. She'd been strangled. No signs of any type of assault. Since she was visiting from out of town, the detectives have few clues. The only thing that seems to be missing is her wedding ring. Jo senses that something is off about the whole set-up with the victim in the room. Little does she know that this case is going to become an obsession for her and her team. NO SPOILERS.

What a fun police procedural and crime thriller! I enjoyed the writing even though I couldn't care less about online gaming or WoW. The dialog and character development made me quite interested in learning more about Jo Fournier and I can't wait to see what happens in the follow-up book as this one has a cliffhanger of an ending. And, believe it or not, this actually has a twist that came as a complete surprise. It's not often that happens, so I definitely have to hand it to this author for her deft sleight of hand. The narrative shifts in time and point of view between the characters and the reader gets some insight into the mind and motives of the killer along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review. I will be looking for #2 in the series.

This is book #1 in a new series.
Genre - police procedural/crime thriller

American Princess by Stephanie Marie Thornton

"...never envy anyone who has led an easy life...nothing in the world is worth having if it doesn't mean effort, pain, or difficulty."

I took a break from my usual suspense and thriller reading addiction for this foray into the world of historical fiction and specifically the life and times of Alice Roosevelt Longworth. The eldest daughter of our nation's 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, was a force to be reckoned with through her youthful antics, her middle-aged stunts, and her many civic passions until her death in 1980. She was 96 years old when she died in 1980. She had lived through decades of White House intrigue, countless years of political upheaval, and far too many years of personal struggle and heartbreak -- much of it her own making --but she soldiered on emulating the many strengths of her adored father. She was a fascinating woman, far ahead of her time. She wasn't afraid to voice her opinions and to be true to herself even as the press both admired and denigrated her. She lived much of her life in the public eye and met most of the important leaders of her time. I laughed, I rolled my eyes, and I cried as Alice Roosevelt Longworth navigated her stormy and well-lived days as "America's Princess."

This was an excellent book about a fascinating woman. It was extremely well-written and extensively researched. I've read all of this author's previous books and was thrilled to read this in a more contemporary setting. I understand Stephanie Thornton's next project will be a book about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. I can't wait to read it. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is one you won't want to miss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Author's other books written as Stephanie Thornton
Genre -- historical fiction

What She Saw by Wendy Clarke

Domestic drama set in the picturesque Lake District of Cumbria. A mother, Leona Travis, has gone to great lengths to create a normal, happy home for her teenaged daughter, Beth. They live with Leona's boyfriend, Scott Newman, and have a quiet, private little family. Their life, however, is a bit of a sham and held together by secrets and lies that Beth has told in an attempt to keep them safe. It's unfortunate that everything starts to unravel and the truth comes out. NO SPOILERS

The scenic views and vistas are described in loving detail and it is definitely a landscape that calls to many. The setting is quite an important part of the story given its isolation and magesty. Beauty is a central theme as both mother and daughter are talented in the arts. The characters are stereotypical and were a bit hard for me to relate to. There is quite a bit of repetition of feelings and angst with the main points of the plot dribbled out slowly across the chapters that are told in alternating points of view. The revelations did not come as any surprise and there was only minor suspense and thrill, but it kept me entertained for a couple of hours even though I'd figured out everything shortly into my reading.

This is a debut in the psychological category and I think the writing shows promise so I'd read another book by this author in the future. It may be that this genre is getting old as so many books like this have already been published. I don't think the synopsis as given on this page is very accurate.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - domestic drama, psychological

The Paris Diversion by Chris Pavone (Kate Moore #2)

"...kids know this better than anyone, that you have to do it all right now, everything, because this can always happen without any warning whatsoever: you're out of time."

First of all, if you haven't read the first book in the Kate Moore duet, THE EXPATS -- STOP. This book won't make as much sense to you without doing so. Second, the synopsis provided by the publisher is clear in describing the topic and plot. I don't want to give any spoilers so won't go into anymore detail about it.

This thriller was a great follow up novel and every bit as good as the first. Ex CIA agent Kate Moore is quite an interesting character and I enjoy her personal reflections almost as much as I admire her calculating mind. She's a quick study and her ambivalence about being a stay-at-home mom vs pursuing her former career makes what she actually does with her time even more absorbing. Kate and her family are living an expat life in Paris when the events of this particular day jar her from what has become a nearly happy and satisfying semblance of domesticity. There are many characters, red herrings, cross and double cross, and a lot of action. Great tension. Remarkable writing. I really enjoyed it. You definitely won't want to miss this sequel and, dare I hope, there will be more?

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a sequel and should not be read unless you've read #1.
Genre - espionage thriller

The Expats by Chrisopher Pavone (#1 Kate Moore)

"She will reboot herself. Relaunch. She will become, at last, a woman who is not constantly lying to her husband about what she really does, and who she really is."

The synopsis provided gives an excellent overview of the plot of this well-written novel of domestic and international suspense. I could barely put it down once I got used to the flips in time period and locations! I read it because I have the second in the series, THE PARIS DIVERSION, to review and had to get the backstory before I did so.

Kate Moore and her family -- husband, Dexter, and her sons Jake and Ben, relocate to Luxembourg when Dexter gets a great job offer to provide electronic systems security to banks in a city where there is lots of money and many who want to avoid paying taxes. Being an expat in a foreign country is quite the experience for Kate and she has a lot to get used to there. But some new friends seem to have a questionable agenda and Kate becomes suspicious of her husband. There have been so many lies throughout their marriage -- is it time to come clean before it's too late? NO SPOILERS

The story takes the reader from Washington, D.C., to Luxembourg and to Paris and the 3 time settings can be a bit overwhelming as pieces of what appears to be a very complicated story are revealed out of sequence. It all comes together in a great conclusion, however, and provides a very satisfying reading experience. I loved all the details about Luxembourg and Paris as well as those descriptions in places that the family went on holiday. I only wish my French was a bit better as everything isn't translated though you can figure out the gist in context. I'm definitely looking forward to starting the second book this evening.

This is the first in a series featuring Kate Moore
Genre-labels - spy thriller, international, domestic drama

Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay

"Actions have consequences. Maybe not overnight. Maybe not in a week, or a month or even a decade...Eventually, things have a way of balancing out."

Things become anything but normal in New York when there are 3 separate incidents involving elevators located inside Manhattan skyscrapers that result in deaths. The city's residents are mildly interested and guess there's some sort of connection between these events but total panic really ensues when Mayor Richard Wilson Headley orders that all of them be put out of service until they can be checked. In a vertical city, this can lead to disaster. But that's not the only concern of Detectives Jerry Bourque and Lois Delgado -- they're wondering if these engineered elevator episodes are targeted murders or if they're related to a domestic extremist group known as the "Flyovers." Homeland security is investigating as a possible act of terrorism. But no one claims responsibility. And might the elevator tampering be related to the death of a man found bludgeoned and without fingertips on the High Line? Or how about that taxi bombing?

It's a very complicated scenario affecting many jurisdictions and the situational response is being followed very closely by journalist and reporter, Barbara Matheson. She has her own personal reasons for examining all the players and especially those in the Mayor's office. Who is doing this, and why? NO SPOILERS.

What a wild ride of suspense! I could barely stop reading once I opened the book. The narrative is told in alternating points of view, but the motives are only slowly revealed with red herrings that caused my guessing talent to flounder several times. The characters are well-developed and engaging with enough historical detail to make them relatable -- even the ones you won't like so much. The writing is excellent and I've long been a Barclay fan. There are plenty of grisly descriptions and enough deaths to make this a thriller while also serving as a bit of a morals directive. There are twists and surprises. I enjoyed it immensely and fans will be clamoring to get their hands on this one.

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers for the e-book ARC to read and review. This jumped to the top of my extensive TBR list as soon as I received it.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Themes - suspense, thrills, murder, revenge, terrorism

A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson *translated

"We were a perfectly ordinary family, and then everything changed."

The Sandalls are a nice, fairly well-off family. Dad is a pastor for the Church of Sweden and mom is an attorney. Stella is almost 18 and experiencing that lull of boredom between adolescence and adulthood. Longing for her life to begin. Her best friend, Amina, seems to have her life planned out but Stella only yearns for a trip on her own to Asia. That's when the girls meet 32-year-old Christopher Olsen, a wealthy and handsome playboy, while they are out dancing and partying one night. Though both girls are actually initially enthralled by his interest, it's Stella who starts spending time and having sex with him. And then he's dead. Murdered. And the police arrest Stella. NO SPOILERS.

How far will a parent go to save their child? This legal thriller is told from the point of view of each member of the Sandall family. Adam, whose morals are above reproach, goes first. His shock is palpable but as he dissects their family life together, he can see where Stella could indeed be responsible. How can he help his daughter now when he's failed her before? Stella's voice describes how she met Christopher and their relationship. She's remanded with severe restrictions that require her to be held in isolation so she can't even see or talk with anyone other than her attorney. The walls are closing in and she's extremely confused even as she attempts to figure things out and plan a strategy with her lawyer. But she may be hiding some truths. Lastly, Ulrika Sandall, the mom who knows exactly how little justice is actually served in the courtroom describes how "people are prepared to put aside everything in the way of ethics and morals to protect their families." The conclusion may surprise you.

It's interesting because I can't help but compare this book to another I recently read - QUICKSAND --as it also is set in Sweden and features the trial of a teenager. I found it quite absorbing to read about the courtroom process which is quite different to that with which I am more familiar in the USA. I enjoyed it for the most part, but I had a very hard time relating to the characters within the pages. I understand parental responsibility and the lengths that a parent goes through to ensure a successful and happy future for a child. I'm not sure why the disconnect and I can't say more without giving spoilers. I'll be eager to read more reviews as I analyze the novel in my mind over the next several hours.

Thank you to the publisher, Celadon Books, for the ARC to read and review. I think it's one that most fans of legal drama won't want to miss.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre-themes: legal and courtroom drama, murder, teenager, Sweden, parental role

Some Choose Darkness by Charlie Donlea

Sometimes you don't want to see the truth, even if it is right in front of you.

Rory Moore followed in her father's footsteps and became an attorney. She doesn't, however, practice law as she has some personal issues that led her instead to a career as a forensic reconstructionist and she works exclusively for the Murder Accountability Project (yes, that's a real thing) and the Chicago Police Department. Her job is to figure out details about a murder that others involved might have missed to bring a killer to justice. As she beings to investigate the death of 22-year-old Camille Byrd, Rory is pulled away to take care of her father's legal practice after he dies suddenly of a heart attack. Rory used to do some limited work for the Moore Law Group as it was a one-man firm and sometimes her father needed help with research or trial prep. Now she has to clear his cases - the pending, the retired and the open ones. Unfortunately, one of the cases relates to "The Thief", a man convicted of murdering his wife and sentences to 60 years in prison. After decades, he's finally coming up for parole and the judge is that Rory work with the convict to manage his release from the prison where he's been for 40 years.

A new voice -- that of Angela Mitchell from the past. She's a young housewife with autism, OCD and anxiety. She becomes fixated on a series of murders that occurred locally in 1979 and pursues the details, draws up charts and makes connections that make her suspect that it is the work of a serial killer. There were 5 victims, disappearances of women, and the bodies were never found though all are considered dead. No one was convicted. Angela can't let it go and becomes totally obsessed. With her issues and essentially without anyone to believe her, she figures out what she must do. She believes she has the answers. Then she, too, disappears. Is she another victim of "The Thief"? NO SPOILERS.

This was an extremely fast-paced and suspenseful story that gripped me from the beginning and FORCED me to read in one sitting. I loved the flip back and forth between 1979 and present day, and the different points of view throughout the narrative. I had guesses and more guesses and couldn't wait to get to the revelations with the conclusion quite satsifactory. The characters were very interesting and I really got into the fact that they both were on the spectrum but were able to function despite their limitations. I love Donlea's writing style and I've read all his previous books as well -- I urge you to pick one up and see if you don't enjoy them too!

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for this e-book ARC to read and review. I'll definitely be recommending it to anyone who enjoys this genre and likes a great mystery with a deftly crafted plot.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre - forensic reconstruction, serial killer, mystery, autism