The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

 Are you in the mood for a novel that will keep you guessing, glued to the pages, and make you fall in love with the characters all while telling a completely absorbing story that involves the San Francisco earthquake of 1906? You're in luck then with this extremely well-written piece of historical fiction by an author whose work I have not read before.

I could not put this down even for a minute today and read it in a single setting. I loved meeting Sophie Whalen Hocking who traveled from New York to San Francisco to meet and marry widower Martin Hocking and to raise his 5-year-old daughter, Kat. Even though they don't grow into a love match, Sophie is pleased with her new life and loves the little girl. There are hints, however, that Marin is not exactly the man he claims to be and also that there are some secrets in Sophie's past that she prefers to keep hidden. Right before the terrible events centered on the destruction of the city during the earthquake and resultant fires, Sophie meets a woman who completely shatters the newfound contentment she has experienced as wife and mother. There is more to come as shocking information brings further revelation about Martin Hocking -- none of it good. NO SPOILERS.

Don't you love a good story that brings on all the feels and concludes with satisfaction that everyone ended up where they were meant to be? Every once in awhile I take a break from the chiller, thriller, killer genre and seek out some happy story of resiliency and triumph and this is indeed that novel. There is mystery, there is love, there is loss and recovery. Something new from the ashes. I loved this and trust you will as well. The perfect story for me on just the right day means I'm giving this 4.5 stars that I'm going to round up because it really hit the spot today.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend to any fans of -- dare I say -- a happy tale of love and female friendship. 

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

Genre - historical fiction, mystery

If I Disappear by Eliza Jane Brazier

 "Murder, Missing, Conspiracy."

Sera Fleece is adrift after her recent divorce. Lying in bed day after day listening to true crime podcasts by her favorite host, Rachel Bard. Suddenly the podcasts stop and there are no updates. Rachel has gone dark on all of her social media accounts after saying on the last episode, "I'm destined to disappear."  The completely obsessed Sera has no choice but to take up a search for Rachel because she has decided that she's the only one who cares enough to try to find out what happened. Sera heads to the ranch where Rachel lived and broadcast from -- Happy Camp, California. NO SPOILERS.

This was a mind bending and crazy mystery thriller that is, at times, hard to follow. I had a difficult time with the character of Sera, who is definitely a bit wacky and also a somewhat unreliable narrator. I could not fathom why Sera stayed on the property with those very weird people in such a strange situation. Sera's obsession with Rachel, with murder, and with disappearances made her seem nearly psychotic but certainly the reader knew that something odd was going on though the ending might come as a surprise if you're not paying close attention. I was very disappointed in the way that the revelations at the end were almost rushed and the conclusion was a bit of a let down especially when it abruptly just stopped.

I'm not sure why, but this short book (304 pages) took me a couple of days to finish and I wasn't exactly rushing to pick it up at every opportunity. The structure of the narrative was unusual and added to my reading pleasure, but I just couldn't really connect with Sera and buy into the story. Can't wait to see what others think.

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.

Genre - mystery, thriller, crime,

Perfect Little Dolls (Di Elanor Raven #2) by Karen Long

 This second in the crime thriller series featuring DI Eleanor Raven and her colleagues at the Toronto Police Homicide Division is every bit as action-packed and suspenseful as the first. In this outing, the team is confronted by unusual burnt remains at a local landfill. When questioned, the somewhat handicapped worker and entry grade sanitation officer who lived on site claimed that he thought the body was actually a mannequin.

Eleanor is returning to active duty 6 months after being horrifically injured in a previous case and still undergoing psychiatric evaluation in order to determine her fitness for her job. As she and her partner, Detective Laurence Whitefoot, begin the investigation, they find that the victim was a transsexual who frequented a local bar when she disappeared over 2 years ago. When links are connected to another murdered woman and then a kidnapped boy, Eleanor and the team discover that this killer may actually be trying to preserve his victims with some sort of sick embalming methods. Can the team piece together this extraordinary story in time to stop this disturbed psychopath? NO SPOILERS.

It was great to read this one immediately after the first and I enjoyed it immensely. A very quick read and fast-paced narrative will keep you glued to the pages and you'll want to finish in a single session. I like Eleanor, even though she's as messed up as every other female detective in this genre lately, because she's tormented in a different way. Typical of the trope, she often goes off on her own and has trouble with relationships which ends up putting herself in peril. I hope that future books will see her settling down a bit and that she will find continuing therapy beneficial. I'd like to see more development in the partnership between Eleanor and Lightfoot, and hope to learn more about the other characters as well.

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

This is the second in a series that should be read in order.

Genre - crime thriller, murder, police procedural

Cry for Mercy (DI Eleanor Raven #1) by Karen Long

 From the opening scene until the dramatic, action-packed conclusion, this first book in a new series featuring DI Eleanor Raven is compelling and thrilling. The protagonist, although a detective, is unique to the women in many other current novels that are police procedurals and mysteries. In this book, Eleanor and her colleagues of Toronto, Canada, Police Department are on the hunt for a murderer who wants to display his victims as works of art. NO SPOILERS.

I really enjoyed this and am happy to find a new series to continue. I'll be starting the second, PERFECT LITTLE DOLLS, shortly and can't wait to find out more about Eleanor and the other detectives on her team. The narrative was well written and the details were quite interesting describing a world that I knew nothing about -- BDSM.  Although the reader knows the identity of the killer early on, the story of how the police come to figure it all out created some great tension and suspense. The climax was a little long and drawn out, but other than that, I was quite satisfied at the end.

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

 This is the first in a new series that I plan to read in order.

Genre - police procedural, female detective, murder thriller

The Other Mothers (Detective Jo Fournier #4) by M. M. Chouinard

 A series of shocking deaths at Briar Ridge Elementary School devastates the community. Detective Jo Fournier and her partner, Detective Bob Arnett, of the Oakhurst County State Police Detective Unit are called in and begin an intense investigation that involves the scrutiny of the teachers, staff, administration, and parents at the school. A close knit group of mothers, known as "The Witches of Briar Ridge", include Karen Phelps, Gia Marchand, and Molly Hayes. These women seem to be involved somehow in what is happening but there is so much going on that it's hard to tell what secrets they are hiding and why. NO SPOILERS.

Wow, this was very intense and I could not put it down (even though I had half an ear to the AFC Championship Football Game). It was definitely one of the better series reads I've devoured so far this year, and I can't wait for the next installment having read all the previous books as well. Suffice to say that, although I had some suspicions, this took a serious turn that was extremely chilling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. Be sure to read the series from the beginning.

 

This is the 4th book in a series that should be read, in order, from the beginning.  

Genre - Thriller, detectives, police procedural, murder

Shiver by Allie Reynolds

A chilling mystery set in the French Alps on a deserted ski resort brings old friends -- and fierce former competitors -- together for a very scary reunion.

It's been 10 years since events that once bonded them all together resulted in all these years without contact. Milla Anderson is a bit apprehensive about catching up, but heads off to Le Rocher with lots of memories. The first strange thing is that the resort is completely empty and nothing seems to be working including the cable cars that took her and the others to the Panorama building on Glacier du Diable. The invitation she received was a bit mysterious, but since it came from her secret crush, Curtis Sparks, she decided to come even though she wasn't sure this was a good idea. Too many bad things had happened the last time they were together during an elite snowboarding competition in this very place. The others, Brent Bakshi, Dale and Heather Hahn, make up the rest of the guests. Five former "friends" now essentially isolated in what soon becomes a deadly fight for survival as all of their secrets and lies are finally revealed. NO SPOILERS.

Wow -- since reading a spate of books set in the French Alps lately, I don't think I will keep it on my bucket list! Nothing good seems to happen there. The author does a great job in this debut thriller of building tension and suspense by alternating time shifts from 10 years ago and present day. I really enjoyed the story and had a very hard time putting it down so read it in a couple of hours. Even though I really didn't identify with any of the characters, and some are really not nice people or are a complete mess, the details about snowboarding and the menace of the setting were so appealing. It was a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

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

Genre - thriller, suspense

The Newlyweds By Arianne Richmonde

 Cliche and trope-ridden domestic drama full of nasty characters that did not deliver any unpredictable twists or suspense. I had this figured out early, hoped for a surprise, was disappointed, but did manage to finish in a couple of hours.

Vivien and Ashton marry and live in a lovely old mansion in South Carolina. Their marriage is not what it appears to be, however, as Vivien has plans for her husband. Best laid plans often go awry and that's what happens here. NO SPOILERS.

Hard to give a more detailed review without giving away what is meant to be a surprising and shocking reveal so I'll leave it. I can't tell you how much I detested all the characters in this book and couldn't relate to a single one of them. Suffice to say it's not one of those "abused wife" books as it is essentially cold revenge. But who wins? I felt let down that none of them really seemed to get what they deserved.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. Though it certainly wasn't the right book for me, I have no doubt it will have its fans.

 

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

Genre - domestic drama, revenge

In the Garden of Spite by Camilla Bruce

"We are all just creatures on this earth, fending for ourselves the best that we can. There is nothing unnatural about me. I walk the same pastures as any other. I am as natural as they come. There are just not many of my  kind."

Wow. what a story! This largely fictionalized account of the real serial killer, The Widow of La Porte, Belle Gunness, is very slow to start but when it takes off -- you will find it impossible to put down. Despite lengthy investigations, there is still no accurate tally of the number of men, women, and children she killed. Although remains were found on the farm she owned in Indiana, it is believed that there are many unaccounted for given anecdotal evidence and a great deal of suspicion. In fact, there is nothing found to indicate when and where she died. The narrative is told from the viewpoints of Belle (also known as Bella) and her sister, Nellie.

The main feeling that I had while reading was that of dread. I could hardly believe that someone this evil was able to get away with what she did for so long. She is definitely a psychopath, very manipulative, and incredibly heinous. Everything she did was to protect herself and for money though there is an attempt to give her behavior a motive based on something that happened to her in Norway before she came to the United States. The author explains in an endnote that much of this novel is creative license, but if even a part of this is factual, it's a gruesome tale. Much of the book was quite difficult to read yet I could not stop reading as I had to know the extent of her terrible crimes. The truly scary part is to know that those murders essentially went unpunished and the many victims never got justice.

Definitely you will need to find something light and sweet to calm your emotions once you've finished.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend to those who can stomach it!

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

Genre - novelization of true story of a female serial killer

Lie, Lie Again by Stacy Wise

The apartment building at 1054 Mockingbird Lane is home to three very different women who are, nevertheless, friends of a sort. With their landlord owner recently dead, they are all a bit worried about the plans that her son has for the complex. Mix in some uncertainty and romantic problems in each of their lives, and soon the secrets and lies begin. Sylvia Webb, Riki McFarlan and Embry Taylor have plans to secure what every woman wants -- love and happiness. Each puts her goals into action and things are happening - until the body ends up at the bottom of the staircase that just might ruin it all. NO SPOILERS.

Domestic drama and contemporary women's lit that has similar elements to other stories you've read or that miniseries you binged. Hidden desires, revenge, frustration, and love affect each of the women but can they do what is necessary. Of the women, I did like the one who was actually the nastiest -- and she certainly had some clever moves so you can't help but cheer for her. I was struck by the notion of how ludicrous it was that there were so many young, single, attractive males out there around every corner. But, it's fiction. This provided a couple of hours of entertainment and most of it moved fast though some of it did drag as each of the women narrate their lives in alternating chapters.

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

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

Genre - Domestic drama, contemporary women's fiction

Murder in the Belltower (Miss Underhay Mysteries #5) by Helena Dixon

t] Another exciting installment in this series featuring archeologist curator Nora Kelly and FBI Special Agent Corrie Swanson of the Albuquerque Field Office. There is talk of a hidden treasure high up in the mountains surrounding the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This folk tale is thought to be mostly myth, but there are those who are desperate to find the riches gleaned from the exodus of a group of friars leaving the area after the Apaches try to take back their land. There are many who have sought these riches for years and, as the bodies pile up, the key protagonists in this tale try to stop the looting. NO SPOILERS. This is the second book and I must confess, I liked it less than the first, but it was a page-turner nevertheless. Lots of action and interesting details about the release of nuclear weapons on the desert and the desire among those in the know to find a long hidden cache of gold and other gems. There's a lot going on in this story but it is very fast paced and extremely engrossing. the details that the authors are known for are ever present and it's a history lesson as well as a thriller. I must say that I really don't like the character of Corrie Swanson, but I do like Nora Kelly. I love this author duo and can't wait to read the next installment. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.   This is the 5th in a series that should be read in order.   Genre - cozy mystery, 1933, Christmas

 

The Scorpion's Tail (Nora Kelly #2) by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

 Another exciting installment in this series featuring archeologist curator Nora Kelly and FBI Special Agent Corrie Swanson of the Albuquerque Field Office.

There is talk of a hidden treasure high up in the mountains surrounding the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This folk tale is thought to be mostly myth, but there are those who are desperate to find the riches gleaned from the exodus of a group of friars leaving the area after the Apaches try to take back their land. There are many who have sought these riches for years and, as the bodies pile up, the key protagonists in this tale try to stop the looting. NO SPOILERS.

This is the second book and I must confess, I liked it less than the first, but it was a page-turner nevertheless. Lots of action and interesting details about the release of nuclear weapons on the desert and the desire among those in the know to find a long hidden cache of gold and other gems. There's a lot going on in this story but it is very fast paced and extremely engrossing. the details that the authors are known for are ever present and it's a history lesson as well as a thriller. I must say that I really don't like the character of Corrie Swanson, but I do like Nora Kelly. I love this author duo and can't wait to read the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend. 

This is the second book in a series but it could be read as a standalone. I prefer to read in order.

Genre - suspense thriller, mystery

Old Bones (Nora Kelly #1) by Douglas Presgon and Lincoln Child

Lock the doors, grab a snack, get a drink, and settle in for a most horrifying tale.

The Donner Party story is well-known as a sorry tale of a lost wagon train headed west, few survivors, and the taboo of cannibalism. When the few remaining members of the party come out of the California mountains in 1847, their stories repulse and captivate the imagination of historians. One member of that ill fated caravan, Tamzene Donner, kept a diary of events along the trail. When the diary is found by Clive Benton, he searches for an archaeological team to head up into the Sierra Nevada to search for the Lost Camp where he feels that 20 million dollars in gold coins might have been hidden by one of the party that got lost and cut off from the rest of the travelers and were stranded in a snowstorm. Dr. Nora Kelly, a respected curator for the Santa Fe Archeological Institute, is engaged to find the Lost Camp, excavate the area, and identify any of the artifacts found -- including the bones.

Meanwhile, rookie FBI Special Agent Corinne Swanson is working on a series of grave robberies. She comes to the shocking conclusion that all of the disturbances have something in common -- they are descendants of one particular man. As she tries to prove that these are all connected and that there is a purpose behind them, she ends up in the Sierra Nevada at Lost Camp pushing against Nora Kelly and her team who are having some real issues of their own. NO SPOILERS.

Just read this -- the writing is fantastic, the story completely absorbing and the details about the history of the Donner Party and their horrible demise are fascinating. Although I figured out the connection quite early on, I was riveted to find out when and how everything would be revealed. Suspense fiction does not get much better than this, and I highly recommend it. I loved the characters and always enjoy the way that this author duo brings a tale to life. I can't read to read the next in this new series, and have it queued up ready to go.

4.5 stars for a truly good book. This was indeed absolutely riveting and I could not put it down until I reached the end.

 

This is the first in a new series that should be read in order.

Genre - suspense fiction, mystery, Donner Party

Lethal Intent by Cara C. Putman

Caroline Bragg is hired as in-house counsel for a pharma company that is developing specialized stem cells for autologous transfusion into kids with blood cancers. It's not long before Caroline starts finding serious issues with this new CAR T-cell therapy trial and there are several "accidents" that result in the deaths of key researchers on the project. Many legal and ethical questions surround this new treatment. Someone is feeling very upset about the trial protocol/limitations and has an idea how to make it all more successful as well as wildly profitable.

Meanwhile, Caroline is falling in love with Brandon Lancaster, a former pro football player who has turned to setting up and running a temporary foster care situation called Almost Home and there are some concerns about its future due to recent regulatory changes. Unfortunately, in order to avoid the trap of an insider trading accusation since Brandon has invested heavily in the company she works for -- Praecursoria -- they can't discuss her work and that leads to some difficulty in their budding relationship. Can Caroline and Brandon figure out how to save the research as well as his group home? NO SPOILERS.

This novel was 8 parts romance, 1 part legal maneuvering, and 1 part medical drama with 100% heavy Christian overtones. The science of the CAR T-cell study is simply described and easily understood but is not a huge part of the novel anyway. Most of the narrative is spend describing how Brandon and Caroline feel about each other and their daily interactions with others in their lives. There's really not much action or suspense so I would not label this a thriller. It was a quick easy read, but not what I was expecting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this e-book ARC to read and review. 

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

Genre - Christian romance fiction

The Push by Ashley Audrain

Utterly explosive and heartbreaking, this is a very disturbing domestic drama about the other side of motherhood.

Blythe Connor and her husband, Fox, are very much in love and happy with their life and marriage. Until the baby comes. Violet is nothing like what Blythe thought her little baby girl would be, and since she didn't have any kind of relationship with her own mother, Blythe is at a loss. There is something not quite right about the way that Violet behaves and Fox just brushes off her concerns. In fact, Violet adores Fox and the feeling is mutual; soon Blythe is left on the sidelines always fearful and always concerned. Perhaps everyone is right and Blythe just doesn't have that mother instinct even though she tries so hard. And then their son, Sam, is born. Things are so wonderful and different this time around and Blythe is determined to do everything she can to protect her family unit and forge those important, loving bonds. Until the accident when everything blows up. NO SPOILERS.

I dare you to put this down once you start. The narrative is so compelling and the character of Blythe so complex that your emotions will be on a twisty roller coaster ride from beginning to end. So much to think about and analyze between the pages. I ended up having such mixed feelings about all the characters but definitely ended knowing where my ultimate pity and sympathy lay. This debut novel contains psychological content that begs to be discussed with others. There are so many triggers within that many may find too scary to examine. What makes a good mother? Is there really such a thing as a "bad seed" and what are the ramifications of growing up unloved or unwanted? Even at the very last sentence, I was wondering how it all could have been prevented, turned out differently. I'm giving this one 4.5 stars for the excellent writing, the chilling story, and the way in which it totally held my interest as I held my breath in fear of what was coming.

Thank you to the publisher, Pamela Dorman Books, for this e-book ARC to read, review, and highly recommend. I will be thinking about this for a very long time. 

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

Genre - psychological and domestic drama

 

Single Mother by Samantha Hayes

 Melanie Douglas and her 12-year-old daughter Kate are living a hardscrabble existence since Mel's abusive husband, Billy, went to prison. Things get even worse when she's fired from her job as a carer and their situation becomes really bleak; now they might not even be able to pay the rent on their dingy flat. A light at the end of the tunnel appears in the form of a letter offering an inheritance and, just like that, Melanie is the owner of Moreton Inn in Halebury and her bank account is flush. The odd part of this is that Melanie has no relatives having grown up in foster care, and the hotel and money come with some stipulations. Melanie and Kate move hastily as they want to get away and hide from Billy who is newly released from jail and will probably come looking for them. Melanie throws herself into renovations and is settling into this much better life when things are thrown into turmoil by Kate's shocking discovery of bones buried near the new construction. NO SPOILERS.

First, the description/synopsis of this book is misleading, so you might want to lower your expectations about this being a twisty psychological thriller. The characters and events were entirely predictable and I never really felt the tension or suspense that was promised by the blurb. There's a bit of mystery regarding Melanie's backstory, but I think readers will immediately guess most of what happened. This was actually more a family drama with Mel trusting the wrong people, making some bad decisions, and Kate behaving badly. It was a quick, easy read that kept me entertained for a couple of hours and I enjoyed it despite the lack of surprises or thrills.

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

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

Genre - family drama, marketed as psychological thriller

Their Frozen Graves (Detective Mackenzie Price #2) by Ruhi Choudhary

 "Truth didn't care about helping. Truth only cared about coming out."

This second installment in the Detective Mackenzie (Mack) Price series finds her and the Lakemore, Washington, Police Department searching for a very unique killer. The bodies of two women are found by a frozen river and the shocking twist is that the victims look very much alike. When one is identified as a local well-known community activist, Katy Becker, the police know they need to figure out the identity of the other dead woman. Oh wait -- there are other victims! With painstaking detail work, the investigation begins to take shape and there appears to be a sinister plot to find women and then cosmetically change their appearance to resemble someone else. Who is behind this heinous series of crimes and where are all the missing women? NO SPOILERS.

A very convoluted case with many different characters, it's hard sometimes to keep everyone straight but it all comes together in the expected conclusion. Mack is still a mess with all of her personal life issues taking a toll though she still comes off well professionally despite making some huge judgement errors. Her mental health really needs some attention and I just can't find a way to like her or empathize. The whole business with her father took ages to reveal backstory and get some answers though many questions remain. I guess that's why her colleagues call her "Mad Mack" and it's not a compliment. Will I continue this series? I really don't know. Regardless, this really doesn't work as a standalone so it would be important to read the first before starting this one.

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

This is the second in a series that really should be read in order.

Genre - crime thriller, police procedural

Hidden Lake (Detective Mackenzie Price #1) by Ruhi Choudhary

The tag line, "How many secrets can one town bury?" is certainly descriptive of the plot and events taking place in Lakeland, Washington, in this first installment of a new crime thriller series.

Told in a narrative style that goes back and forth in time from 20 years ago to present day, the protagonist, Detective Mackenzie Price, has a history in this town. The main focus of this story is on the Lakeland Police Department investigating the disappearance of a local teenager, 18-year-old Abigail Correia. Almost at once, it becomes apparent that there is a link to another girl's disappearance just one year earlier. Obviously, something bad is going on in Lakeland and perhaps those responsible are too big to bring down. NO SPOILERS.

A couple of things put me off in this book. Mack is really in need of psychological help with her guilt, flashbacks, and crazy dreams. I did not like her character at all, but she is so typical of those in this genre - a hot mess. Surely there must be some female detectives out there who are really good at their jobs and mentally healthy as well? There are a LOT of characters in this book and hard to keep track of them all. I was hoping to find an ability to relate to at least one of them but the jury is still out. And, then there was the ending. OH COME ON! I will have to go ahead and read the second book just to see what the author does with all these dangling ends in Mack's personal life. As far as the case in this book, well I was not surprised, and the pace was fast so it was easy to read in a single sitting.

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

This is the first in a new series that should be read in order.

Genre - crime thriller

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

 Domestic drama that invokes the Gothic classic, Jane Eyre, but set in modern day Birmingham, Alabama. This novel is full of totally unlikable characters and is fast-paced and hard to put down even as you know what is likely to happen with all the hints and similarities.

Jane Bell, a young woman with a secret past, now working as a dog walker in a fancy place. She wants to be part of the world in Thornfield Estates and finds her dream in Eddie Rochester. Eddie is a new widower whose wife is missing along with her best friend -- both presumed dead. He's rich on his dead wife's money and finds Jane easy to fall for and he overwhelms her with a whirlwind romance. But wait! As Jane tries to fit into the new neighborhood and cultivate all the southern charm necessary to succeed in those social circles, there are some nagging inconsistencies and many questions about what really happened to Bea and Blanche.

I was enjoying all this well enough but started worrying way too soon about what was going to happen at the climax and conclusion. I knew I would be disappointed and I totally felt cheated when I got there. I think that the resolution ruined it for me. I can't say more due to NO SPOILERS. I don't feel that anyone got what he/she deserved.

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 - domestic drama/suspense

The Diabolical Bones (Brontë Sisters #2) by Bella Ellis

The Brontë sisters and brother Branwell are involved in solving the mystery of a child's bones hidden within the fireplace of Top Withens Hall. An historical mystery featuring the siblings circa 1945.

Missing and dead children are always a lure in fiction, and I like a good detective novel. Of course, in real life, the Brontë family were much too busy writing to take a break into solving local crime. The period details are present and this very slow-paced whodunit is less a thriller and more of an imagining of what the Brontë sisters were doing in their free moments between writing amazing classical novels! That said, I had already figured out most of what was going on between the lines so the conclusion held no surprises and it never grabbed me with any suspense or tension.

The narrative unfolds from the points of view of the different Brontë sisters and, to be honest, their life is sort of depressing especially as most know how it all turns out for the real life Brontë siblings. What a time in history and what a huge loss to literature those young people gone far too soon.

Anyway, this was a departure from my usual fare and I enjoyed it having read the first in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this e-book ARC to read and review.  

This is the second in a series and it is best to read in order.

Genre - historical fiction with real life characters, mystery

Girl Under Water (Charlotte Winters #2) by L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain

When Randolph "Dutch" Carmichael, billionaire of Salem Island, is found dead at the bottom of his mansion's stairway, his six adult children decide to hire Private Investigator Charlotte Winters to find out who murdered him. The usual motive is, of course, money in these cases, but soon Charlie finds out that there is a lot more going on than greed. NO SPOILERS.

This is my first read of 2021 and I found it fast-paced and entertaining with a twist that surprised me despite my best guesses. I had read the first book in this series and was hoping this installment would  make me a bit more attached to Charlie, but I still find myself incredibly annoyed with the voice of her murdered twin sister Allie interjecting comments throughout the narrative. I did like the plot of this more than the previous installment, so I may give future books a go. The overly long dramatic climax on the water could have been edited down and what is it with these women getting so beat up on all the time? Seemed to me like Charlie should have required hospitalization! But, I did enjoy it.

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

This is the second in a series that should be read in order.

Genre - mystery thriller, private investigators, murder