The Silence of the White City (#1 Inspector Unai Lopez de Ayala) by Eva Garcia Saenz

"This is where your hunt ends and mine begins."

Although this book has been on my TBR list for some time, I have been burnt out by crime thrillers recently and had skipped past it until I found myself on Goodreads one evening. I was checking out reviews for the titles on my shelf when I came upon one for this novel that mentioned that there was a Netflix film of the same name. Now, I'm a sucker for movie adaptions based on books I've read, and I almost always insist on reading the book first. In this case, however, I went to the television and watched the film -- I really didn't want to tackle a book with about 500 pages if it didn't grab me. And what a sucker punch of a serial killer thriller that was. I started the book that same night and I've been savoring it over the last couple of days.

This is definitely one of my favorite reads of 2020. I'm not sure if it was the setting, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava, Spain, or if I was captivated by the complicated story line, but once I opened to the maps at the start and met the characters -- I was hooked. The premise: Inspector Unai Lopez de Ayala (Kraken) and his partner, Inspector Estibaliz Ruiz de Gauna (Esti), of the Criminal Investigation Unit are looking into a series of ritualistic murders that have just begun again after a hiatus of 20 years. The immediate problem for the partners is that the man who was found guilty of those previous kills is still in prison. NO SPOILERS.

There was so much to love and nothing was lost in translation as this takes off and keeps a fast pace that doesn't let up. Included with the beautiful descriptions of the country and culture are myths and legends of the Basque country. The characters were well-developed personalities that were easy to like and relate to as they case alters their lives in many ways. I cannot wait for the second book in this trilogy to be released in English early next year -- THE WATER RITUALS. The complex plot is surpassed only by the skillful way that the author dangles the breadcrumbs of clues as the inspectors chase the truth. I was thoroughly entertained and totally satisfied.

As to whether or not you should read the book first or see the movie, that's up to you, but I'm very happy with my atypical backward approach as having already "visited" the setting and "met" the characters gave me a much deeper appreciation for all the details one can't get from a film.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard) for this e-book ARC to read, review, and highly recommend to all mystery and thriller fans. 

This is the first in a series and could be a standalone but I can't wait for #2 and definitely read in order.

Genre - crime thriller, Spain, serial killer

Plague by Julie Anderson

"Plague. Ciuma. Pest. Plaga. In any language, a word of power and fear."

Alas, I selected this to read because when I skimmed the synopsis, I thought this was actually about a plague in London. The "plague" in this mystery thriller is about proximity to power and control of money markets, government, and media.

Cassandra Fortune, drummed out of her former job as investigator at GCHQ, has a chance at redemption when she's asked to work with the police after several bodies are found that appear to be linked and discovered in unusual places in the subterranean areas surrounding Westminster. While the press has a field day with reports of plague pits and corruption, Cassandra and DI Andrew Rowlands track down a shadowy organization that is connected to the highest levels of government. NO SPOILERS.

This turned out very different to what I was expecting and that has led to me being disappointed in the overall story. I was not anticipating the protagonist to be such a hot mess nor was I ready for the romantic entanglements that would ensue. I did find the descriptions of the underground and subterranean tunnels and river to be quite interesting and there was a lot of that. I understand that this is the first in a planned trilogy featuring this character and I may or may not be reading those. I was not particularly thrilled by the last third of the book or the conclusion. The writing style was interesting though it got annoying when Cassandra's thoughts would be interspersed with her interactions and printed in italics. The reader learns very little about the other characters and it was easy to guess the bad guy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Claret Press for this E-book ARC to read and review.

 

This is the first in a planned trilogy. 

Genre - mystery thriller, corruption, government, UK

Their Silent Graves (DI Gina Harte #7) by Carla Kovach

 "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour...but sometimes your enemy isn't all they seem."

Teenagers. Bodies buried alive in bespoke coffins. Cryptic notes. Unreliable witnesses. A serial killer on the loose? DI Gina Harte has her hands full as she and her team investigate the murders. They are having a hard time coming up with a motive but hope that they can solve this crime before the press goes crazy and before another body is discovered. NO SPOILERS.

There are two flashbacks that start this 7th in the series. The first is 24 years ago and the second is 12 years ago on a frosty Halloween night so it seems fitting that this murder spree starts right around that time in present day. This was a straight forward police procedural featuring Gina Harte as the lead and I must confess that I was pretty disappointed in the whole story once the reveals had been made. It all seemed pretty weak as a basis for the crimes and resultant criminal charges but I don't know UK law. I'm tired of Gina and her obsession with her past history and I don't think this should be read without having followed the series from the beginning. Why are so many of these female leads in detective series so damaged? I've come this far in the series having read them all to date, but just not sure if I want to continue as I've seen no evidence of personal growth and the rest of the team barely get a mention much less fleshed out to develop individual personalities. Also, how is it possible that many of these leads always end up being some sort of victim themselves? This was not a bad book, but it certainly didn't provide a lot of gripping suspense or twists that I didn't see coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this e-book ARC for me to read and review.

 

This is the 7th book in a series that should be read in order from the beginning.

Genre - Police procedure, women detectives, murder

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

 I usually start my review with a quote. I found, however, that nearly ALL of this narrative was worthy to highlight, so I'll just come out with this: you must read this book. It's profound. It's heartbreaking. It poses questions that will make you examine every decision you've ever made. and, strangely enough, this is a story that I loved despite feeling that the main character was superfluous in so many ways.

The synopsis provided by the publisher gives the overall premise (which actually isn't very accurate but NO SPOILERS) and introduces the concept of a woman who has a second chance to evaluate a choice she'd made 15  years ago. A do-over in a way. The story is told in an unusual narrative that mimics Dawn's obsession with her research on THE BOOK OF TWO WAYS, a coffin text found on the floor of the coffin holding a mummified body in the Middle Egyptian necropolis of Deir el Bersha. (Dawn gave up her doctoral candidacy in archaeology at Yale due to a family emergency and retrained to become a death doula.) In short, the "two ways" refers to the two paths that lead to the netherworld and eternal afterlife. One path is water and the other is land, and the chapters in the book are labeled that way.

But, I digress. What captivated me was the information. I was fascinated by all of the archeology details and the history. The descriptions also included line drawings that fully engaged my attention and, though the learning curve was steep, I love when I find a novel that makes me think. In addition, the topic of assisting someone in the dying process was extremely riveting. There was so much in this book to absorb and contemplate, the least of it being Dawn and her search for herself. Sorry, but I did not care for her selfishness and her behavior. This was a very complex novel that dealt with the real life questions about "what might have been" and paralleled the hurdles and tests in that guidebook for the Egyptians navigating the afterlife. Once I had a couple of hours to sit down and read, I could not put this book down until I reached the end.

Bravo to the author for the intense research she did in order to be able to expound on everything from quantum physics to ancient Egypt. If you're looking for mindless entertainment, this is not the book for you. Jodi Picoult was able to translate her passion for all the subjects within to the page with her incredible writing talents. I'm giving this one 4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I'm well aware that this review doesn't do this book justice but I can only say that I hope it moves you as it did me. What a great selection for a book club and I am hopeful that a film adaptation is forthcoming as well.

 

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

Genre - Adult fiction, women's fiction, (Ancient Egypt - archeology)

The Coast-to-Coast Murders by James Patterson and J.D. Barker

 "All actions have consequences, good and bad. We're each the architect of our own fate."

Action-packed, high body count thriller is a roller coaster ride from beginning to end. It just never lets up with twists, turns, questions, doubts, and confusion on every page. My mind is still reeling as I try to grasp and fully understand exactly what happened.

I'll not give any spoilers, but the premise involves a serial killer targeting specific people connected to Michael Kepler and Megan Fitzgerald -- the adoptive children of a famed psychiatrist and a psychologist. Raised in luxury by their wealthy power parents, the two were subjected to dubious therapy and several forms of torture. Why the murders are happening and who is doing it forms the complicated plot. A manhunt headed by Special Agent Jessica Gimble and LAPD Detective Garrett Dobbs follows the spree across the country racing against time hoping to save at least one intended victim and apprehend the killer known as "Birdman."

I don't know if this is meant to be the first in a new series by this author duo, but I am sure I'd like to read more featuring Gimble and Dobbs. What a head rush! Enjoy...

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this ebook ARC to read, review, and recommend to fans of grisly psychological suspense.

 

This is a standalone and is not (yet) part of any series.

Genre - Psychological suspense, grisly

The White Coat Diaries by Madi Sinha

 Norah Kapadia has finally graduated from medical school and is starting her intern year in Internal Medicine at Philadelphia General Hospital. In her naivete -- she "just wants to help people" -- Norah is unprepared for the physical, mental, and emotional toll that the year is going to take on her. Even though her father was a respected physician, the head of Pediatrics at UPenn, he died when Norah was ten and she wants to follow in his footsteps. And she fully intends to finish her residency and make her family proud if she can make it though the grueling years to come. So much happens during her intern year and Norah, a sheltered girl from a traditional Indian family, is completely unprepared. Between the demands of her family and the stress of her job, Norah can barely hold it all together. Things look up, at first, when she meets Ethan Cantor, her chief resident, and falls under his spell. As always, however, things are not what they seem to be. Norah needs to make some very serious decisions about who she is and what she wants to do. NO SPOILERS.

This is not nearly as trashy as GREY'S ANATOMY, but it's probably relatable to anyone with a hospital or medical background. The nightmare of internship and residency is real -- the long hours and the stress -- and the very strange bonding that occurs, sort of like a battlefield mentality. The author portrays Norah as being more patient-oriented than most of the other medical personnel in the book, and that's the point it seemed, that Norah was different and better than them. A few digs, some not subtle, at pharma, hospital administration, insurance companies, and legal to name a few. I felt that Norah was a bit one-dimensional in her straight arrow approach and yet I liked her much more in the first part of the book than I did after the "two year" mark. This is not meant to be non-fiction, nor is it a real diary, so I think there's a banal moral in all this, but I really didn't end up liking the ending of this novel at all.

I like books about medical things, no doubt because of my background and career, so I wanted to read it. It was an entertaining and easy read though I honestly don't know if all the detail and description is too much for a person who has no real experience or knowledge of medicine or nursing, etc. I'd describe it as a coming of age story more than anything. Norah grew up.

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

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - contemporary women's fiction, medical, coming of age

Murder at the Playhouse (Miss Underhay #3) by Helena Dixon

This third in the cozy mystery series featuring Kitty Underhay is another hit with me. I like these for so many reasons -- and if you agree, this is definitely one you should follow.

I love the time period. I'm addicted to the 1920s and 1930s. The clothes, the customs, the manners, and all things cultured and classy. Despite dealing with murder and mayhem, Kitty is always poised but very modern in her thoughts and actions. Another aspect I enjoy is that it is set in a small English town and that Kitty and her grandmother own and operate a hotel. The characters are fun and the author uses a lot of description and detail to make them come alive so that I can visualize them quite clearly. The only thing I can't quite wrap my head around is this obsession with tea -- I mean, really, it's a constant thing this tea drinking! I'm also certain that people of that time period ate food other than eggs, biscuits and fish -- don't they? Regardless, this is a fun whodunit and might be predictable but that thoroughly entertained me over the course of the couple of hours it took to read.

I feel that one should read the installments in order from the beginning so to get a feel for the relationships that have evolved over the past cases and events that have transpired. We're still following a couple of storylines that have yet to be resolved so I look forward to the next book.

If you're a fan of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries or Gran Hotel or Downton Abbey or any of the other similar television dramas, you'll like this too. As I said, for me it's mainly the time period and the setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutre for this E-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

This is the third book in a series and they should be read in order.
Genre - amateur sleuth, murder, cozy mystery

Don't Look For Me by Wendy Walker

The Clarke family has been under severe strain for the past 5 years so it's not terribly surprising when Molly doesn't come home after visiting their son, Evan, at college. Molly and John are estranged and can't seem to bridge the gap to repair their marriage. Their daughter, Nicole, has basically kicked off her own future after being expelled from high school and the only words that come out of her mouth lately are mean ones. Although there's a search effort when Molly's car is found abandoned near a gas station, police and others soon decide that she's done a walk away. But has she? NO SPOILERS.

I have mixed emotions regarding this book as it didn't go in the direction I'd anticipated and ended up being something much different than expected. Although I read it in a single sitting today, it wasn't particularly fast-paced and there was a lot of emotion and "thinking" going on. Told from the alternating perspectives of both Molly and her daughter, Nic, there was some repetition and overlap. All told, I enjoyed it well enough but it didn't strike me as a thriller, more a psychological or domestic drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this E-book ARC to read and review.

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

Blood World by Chris Mooney

Fast-paced and fun, this science fiction thriller is set in the near future and features an LAPD cop who goes undercover to expose the illegal business of treatment centers that provide special transfusions and the blood farms where the carriers are kept.

After a lost dog leads Ellie Batista and her partner, Danny, to a mansion in Brentwood that turns into a bloodbath, she is tapped to get on the inside as the Feds and police try to take down the main players in the blood world. Carriers are a very valuable commodity and usually very well protected, but lately many of them have been kidnapped and drained of their special blood -- which acts like a fountain of youth restoring muscle tone and vitality. As Faye Simpson, Ellie gets involved with some of the major characters involved in the lucrative practice. As those in the trade fight among themselves, Ellie/Faye has her own agenda -- to find someone she loved who disappeared a very long time ago. Will she stay alive long enough to get what she wants? NO SPOILERS.

I enjoyed this one though it was definitely full of lots of blood and gore, torture, and grisly detail. The "science" of the carrier blood and its effects was fascinating and quite believable. The characters were multi-dimensional, so much so that I found myself rooting for the bad guy a time or two. It was absorbing and kept me interested throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this E-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - sci-fi thriller

One by One by Ruth Ware

The exclusive French ski resort of St. Antoine is set to receive a corporate party -- a tech company called Snoop. Ten people will arrive for discussions about the future of the company in a lovely setting with amazing views and fabulous skiing. The only problem is that the area has been rocked by heavy snowfall and several recent avalanches. The two chalet hosts, Erin and Danny, are busy getting everything ready for the guests at Chalet Perce-Neige -- the rooms are spotless and the champagne is chilled. Just 3 days later, 4 people are dead, 2 others are hospitalized, and the other survivors are in shock. NO SPOILERS.

What a fun, fast-paced mystery told from two perspectives. Since the cast of characters is limited, it's a guessing game as the numbers fall. Although you'll probably figure out the who fairly quickly, it might take time for suss out the why of it all. It's a quick one, easy to read in a single sitting, and I devoured it over the course of a couple of hours. I liked the writing style and the flow of the narrative and had my favorite characters. The setting, along with the avalanche, gave the story a nice dark atmosphere and added to the increasing tension throughout. Enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - atmospheric mystery thriller

The Wife by Shalini Boland

A woman (Zoe) faints on her wedding day, has amnesia for over 10 years, eventually finds out the secrets being kept from her, and the truth finally comes out.

Mercifully, this was a very quick and short read that I finished in a single sitting over a couple of hours. It was easy to guess where this one was going and I really didn't find it suspenseful or twisty. Unfortunately, I find that I have no tolerance for this type of domestic drama and cared little for the main character so was unable to drum up any empathy for her plight or her angsty behavior.

Looking over the many glowing reviews, I see that I am definitely the odd one out so I'll just leave this here.

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

This is a domestic drama standalone.

The Annihilation Protocol (#2) by Michael Laurence

This follow-up to THE EXTINCTION AGENDA was another action-packed thrill ride that combined a complicated conspiracy, detailed science, and history going back generations in a story that is utterly engrossing. I found it extremely hard to put down and was happy to be able to read it immediately following the first in the series. My immediate reaction after shutting down the kindle after I finished was to lament the fact that the third volume is probably a year away! 

The synopsis provided by the publisher gives a great description of the premise and the author fulfilled all my expectations. I urge you to read the initial book before tackling this one in order to have the full background and understanding about the cabal behind these heinous plans to kill off a large part of the world's population. Money and power are often in the hands of really evil people and the motive of revenge can create the life mission of someone who has been wronged. Pure entertainment even if it hits a high on the "you've gotta be kidding" meter! I enjoyed the interaction between the 3 main characters continued from the first book and can't wait to see what is next for them. Lots of description and detail to satisfy anyone's curiosity and the writing is great. 

  Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I only wish this would be optioned for a Netflix series or a major motion picture! And, Mr. Laurence, please get busy on book #3. 

This is the second in a series featuring these characters and should be read in order. 

Genre - science, history, conspiracy, thriller

The Extinction Agenda (#1) by Michael Lawrence

This action-packed thriller grabbed me from the first few lines and held me completely entranced as it rocketed towards a conclusion that begs the question -- "What gives you the right to determine who lives and who dies?" I could not put this down and so read it from cover to cover in a single sitting. I'm lucky enough to have the second in the series, THE ANNIHILATION PROTOCOL, already queued up on my Kindle and can't wait to dive in!

The plot focuses on the hunt for an evil cadre who are apparently designing some type of biological agent that they can unleash on the undesirable populations around the globe. Ostensibly to create a new world order that they will control and thus save the more educated and productive while killing off those who they perceive are sucking up the natural resources and destroying the planet. Can FBI Special Agent James Mason and his friends save the day? What a wild ride to find out. NO SPOILERS.

I loved the detail and the meticulous descriptions of so many different situations going on within these pages. The way the author expressed the forward narrative kept me fully engaged and the occasional humorous interjections were much appreciated. So the guy is almost Superman, who cares, it might have stretched the believability index, but it was definitely pure entertainment. The themes are certainly timely given everything currently happening in the world with COVID-19 pandemic still wreaking devastation and death. The moral and ethical decisions that are presented every day still confound every person and especially the leaders. I certainly will recommend this book to anyone who wonders about what might be going on behind the scenes or those of us believe that evil will triumph if good people do nothing.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend. I'm sorry it took me so long to get around to reading it!

This is the first of two books in a series that definitely should be read in order.
Genre - thriller, suspense, medical, conspiracy, global

I Know Your Secret by Ruth Heald

This is a story about vulnerability, power in relationships, and explosive secrets. It's a very quick read that is easily consumed in a single sitting as it alternates between the points of view of Danielle and Beth.

Beth Evans has no idea that Danielle Brown has an agenda when Danielle starts therapy with her. Ostensibly to save a failing marriage, Danielle reveals her innermost thoughts and fears. But what if she is lying? Beth has no idea that Danielle is bent on revenge. NO SPOILERS.

Although a bit predictable once you've gotten into it a bit, the story held my interest and kept me guessing as I followed the twists, turns and revelations. I found the interactions between Beth and Danielle quite interesting as they form a counselor-client bond and sink into dysfunctional, mutual manipulation. I found myself feeling empathy for both women by the end. Enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. An addictive piece of psychological fiction.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - domestic, psychological fiction, secrets and lies, therapy

One Left Alive (Morgan Brookes #1) by Helen Phifer

This is the first in a new series featuring Morgan Brookes, a rookie who manages to impress the boss on her first day of independent patrol. Promoted to assist in a murder investigation because she's feisty, outspoken, and apparently more observant than her colleagues, Morgan rapidly dives in to help hunt for the killer.

I guess I've read enough police procedural and detective novels now that it is impossible to find something new and fresh. I had it all figured out fairly quickly and had a hard time buying into Morgan's rapid rise in the CID for the Cumbria Constabulary. The investigative work was really sloppy and her relationship with her supervisor, DS Ben Matthews, seemed quite inappropriate and unlikely given their age difference and his past.

Although it was a fast read, I doubt I'll continue on with the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the first book in a new series.
Genre - Police procedural, murder mystery, female detective, Lake District UK

The Hierarchies by Ros Anderson

"I am a humanoid pleasure doll. An intelligent embodied...please call me Sylv.ie. I have been designed to be an instrument for male pleasure."

I had only a vague idea from the synopsis of what this book would be about, and honestly, that description tells only a very small part of the story within the pages. In fact, the time that Sylv.ie spends with her "Husband" is the least interesting part and the tale became so much more than a female robot trope. Set in a vague futuristic society where women are either "Born" or "Created", the themes of possession and control loom large. As always, the subjugated class is female and they serve at the whim of men with only the most wealthy able to afford a personally crafted Doll. The Dolls are not meant to be independent nor do they have any freedom of choice about what happens to them, how they are treated, or when they might be sent to the Doll Hospital after a perceived malfunction. Resented by humans both male and female -- "It is an all-too-Human failing...to wish to improve the object of desire, then to shrink from the creature one creates." It's an unusual narrative told from the point of view of Sylvi.ie as she "becomes" over the course of her experiences with her Husband and with the world outside of that prison. NO SPOILERS.

I really enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. I worried that it would disappoint and fall into predictability but it surprised me. This is an excellent debut and definitely has a dystopian bent that should serve to remind us all of what it means to be human and the need to both respect and fear coming technological "advances" that could ultimately result in many negative changes. There was a lot of sex talk but it was not erotica in any way; beware in case that offends you. I can't wait to read more reviews and hear other reactions to this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Dutton for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - scifi, dystopian, futuristic, treatment of women

The Falling Woman by Richard Farrell

 

"Hiding is a way of holding ourselves until we are ready to come into the light." On a stormy night in May, a plane took off from Dulles bound for California. The Boeing 737 carrying 123 passengers and crew inexplicably exploded and everything rained down on the Kansas prairie outside of Wichita. The NTSB mobilized its investigators who headed to the site in an attempt to figure out what happened and why. "Investigating a crash is one part archeology, one part guesswork, and one part origami." But this wasn't a story about the methods of that agency. The most startling aspect of this terrible disaster was that there was rumor of a survivor. This wasn't really a story about her, either, after all. The narrative shifts between the viewpoints of Erin Geraghty (wife, mother, lawyer, cancer patient) and Charlie Radford (a member of the NTSB GO Team). The information about the procedures of the Pointer 795 crash investigation is very interesting. The plausibility and believability of a person defying the laws of physics to survive such an event even more so. But at the heart of this tale is the question -- what rights do people have to privacy and the choice about self-determination. This book begs to be chosen for book club discussion and I've enjoyed reading all the other reviews. Although I likely would not have made the same choices as either of the main characters, I respect their ability to do so. The reality is that we often don't have the ability to control our own narratives, especially if the public is clamoring for explanations, reasons, or answers. I could not put this down until I finished it in a single sitting. Very thought-provoking and I think I'll remember this one for a long time. Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.   This is a standalone and is not part of any series. Genre - drama, mystery, plane crash, profound story about self-determination and freedom to choose.

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

 "Every house has a story to tell and a secret to share. Twenty-five years ago, my family lived in a house named Baneberry Hall...We moved in on June 26. We fled in the dead of night on July 15."

Maggie Holt has just inherited a house after the death of her father. It's not just any house nor does it carry any treasured, happy memories for Maggie. In fact, she never intended to see it or step foot inside again after that fateful night.  She is, however, a designer and she intends to work on the place and sell it. The house has caused her nothing but pain as it ruined the relationship she had with her parents when her father decided to turn their short time living there into a bestselling book -- in fact, a ghost story -- that Maggie has come to believe was all a total lie. So, she seeks truth. What did happen in that house? NO SPOILERS.

Oh, how I love a book that features an old house -- possibly haunted -- or at least one with all the Gothic influences and menacing atmosphere. This well-written suspense thriller is my favorite of all the Sager books (so far) and I believe it's best read without reading too much about it ahead of time. It's a fun, quick read that you will find hard to put down. I enjoyed the details and the way the author interspersed the present events that Maggie was experiencing with past excerpts from her father's book.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. Enjoy!

 

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

Genre - mystery, thriller, uncanny, suspense