All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay

 Unique and wholly original mystery that seeks to answer the question -- what really happened to jane Larkin?

An 11-year-old, Miranda Larkin, comes home one November afternoon to discover that her mother is missing. Two brothers, Alex and Jeff, along with their father, Dan, report Jane's absence to the police. For decades, there's nothing but the waiting. To tell anymore about this story would ruin it, but it is definitely one you will want to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book but it sure took me through the wringer as far as reactions and emotions. I flip-flopped all over the place trying to speculate, but I had no more evidence than did the family and law enforcement. Reading the various viewpoints took me on a ride -- while common sense told me one thing, my intuition spoke otherwise. The whole narrative spans more than 40 years and then...what an ending! Such excellent writing and memorable characters. The structure sort of gives the book a true crime vibe. I highly recommend it.

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

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

Genre - mystery, suspense, domestic drama, murder, legal

The Surgeon by Leslie Wolfe

 Fast-paced and convoluted psychological thriller.

Cardiac surgeon Dr. Anne Wiley’s life falls apart the day a patient dies during surgery on her table. Her peaceful and orderly world is shattered as she is put through the wringer, accused of causing the death by ceasing resuscitation efforts. Targeted and harassed by the State’s Attorney, Dr. Wiley undergoes scrutiny and suspicion even though she’s cleared of wrongdoing by her peers. No one can find out her secret — the dead patient is someone she knew.

I enjoyed this well enough until the climax and the ending — it was just a twist too far. After awhile, I found it hard to like any of the main characters with all their lies and cover-ups and bad behavior. The wrap up and conclusion just ruined the story for me but to say exactly why would be a big spoiler. The whole vendetta campaign by the attorney was hard to believe when the reason (which is meant to be another shocker) is revealed. I didn’t buy it and that dampened my enthusiasm for this book.

I did, however, thoroughly enjoy all the medical details as always so I tried to ignore the domestic drama and focused mostly on that.

Thank you to the author for gifting an ARC for me to read and review. If the ending had been different, I would have definitely been able to recommend. 

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

Genre - medical, psychological thriller, domestic suspense

Sea Castle (Underwater Investigation Unit #4) by Andrew Mayne

 This 4th installment in the series is entertaining and thrilling.

The UIU is on hiatus due to some political and jurisdictional problems, so Sloan McPherson is currently working for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement until all those issues are sorted. When she's called to the scene on a Fort Lauderdale beach, she becomes involved in what may be a serial killer case. She's paired with Gwen Wylder, an unpopular homicide detective from Miami, and they investigate various cold cases involving missing women and murder. 

This was very good and I really enjoy the character of Sloan McPherson. I like this author's writing style and the complicated and interesting plots. This was quite different to the previous books in the series, and that made it even better to show more dimensions of the main character. The narrative takes some unexpected turns and the conclusion was quite surprising. I definitely recommend this series and suggest it be read in order. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this e-book ARC to read and review. I look forward to the next book when the Underwater Investigation Unit might be back in action.

This is the 4th in a series that is best read in order/

Genre - thriller, police procedural

A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell #8) by Deanna Raybourn

 How I love returning to a familiar series with much-loved characters!

This 8th installment in the Veronica Speedwell series was quite clever and entertaining as always. Veronica and Stoker accompany his brother, Tiberius, back to the family seat on the Devon coast to flush out a murderer. It seems that Lord Templeton-Vane has received death threats and a number of his friend group called the Seven Sinners have already met untimely ends. Tiberius has decided to invite the remaining survivors to the estate for a reunion and remembrance party. Not all of those invited are accepting with good intentions.

Although Veronica and Stoker have hit a bump in their relationship, they are able to work together as they investigate the members of the house party at Cherboys. Although a bit predictable, I enjoyed as always and look forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for this e-book ARC. I encourage you to read this series in order from the beginning in order to enjoy it fully. Definitely recommend to any historical mystery lovers. 

This is the 8th book in a great series that should be read from the beginning, in order.

Genre - historical mystery, Victorian, amateur detectives 

Lying Beside Me (Cyrus Haven #3) by Michael Robotham

 A very compelling third installment in the Cyrus Haven psychological thriller series.

As forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven deals with the upcoming homecoming of his brother, Elias, he’s also helping the police with an investigation into a missing woman. Elias has been held and treated at a secure psychiatric facility since he murdered their parents and twin sisters over 20 years ago. Both Cyrus and his lodger, Evie Cormac, are a bit worried and concerned about Elias coming to live with them. 

I love the characters that this author creates. Cyrus and Evie are so well-developed and complex, each having struggled with horrific pasts that add incredible depth and emotional resonance to this story. There is always so much going on within the pages of these books that keeps the reader glued to the pages. 

I could say more about the complicated plot, but would suggest that you don’t read this as a standalone. I really like this author’s writing style and can highly recommend the entire series. I look forward to reading more about these characters.

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

This is the third in a series that should be read in order from the beginning.

Genre: psychological thriller, forensic psychologist, child abuse, murder 

Death on Deck (Lady Eleanor Swift #13) by Verity Bright

 Another fun installment in this historical mystery series. 

Lady Eleanor Swift and her staff are enjoying a last minute luxury cruise to New York when she becomes involved with a murder investigation on board the Celestiana. 

You had me at “cruise” as I confess I love reading about ocean voyages aboard lavishly appointed ships during the Golden Age circa 1930s. I loved all the details and descriptions of everything from decor to food to dress. I enjoy the characters, especially Eleanor and her butler, Clifford, and their lively, humorous repartee. It was great to have Chief Inspector Hugh Sheldon along and to see their relationship finally progress. Lady Swift is definitely unconventional for the time and place, but she’s independent and tough and also incredibly kind. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC — I definitely recommend the entire series and encourage any curious readers to start at the beginning. I look forward to the next.

This is the 13th book in a series that should be read from beginning.

Genre -  history mystery, cozy, murder 1930s

When She Was Good (Cyrus Haven #2) by Michael Robotham

 This is the second installment in a very gripping psychological thriller series featuring forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven, and his unusual semi ward, Evie Cormac.

As Cyrus continues to delve into the events surrounding the discovery of Evie at the scene of a gruesome murder and the aftermath of her complicated history, Evie is still hiding and supposedly protected as she lives in the children's home. She is not safe anywhere, however, and the hunters will stop at nothing to find and kill her. She knows the secrets and the people they want to shield.

These characters are so complex and interesting, and you can't help but root for the totally damaged Evie. I love the author's writing style and the story was so engaging as some of the details about Evie are slowly revealed. As the pair continues to search for answers, Evie reluctantly divulges more about her past and the villains involved. Ancillary characters are also more fleshed out and the relationships that Cyrus has with them also show the scars he has from his own childhood trauma. These two messed up people, Cyrus and Evie, still have a long way to go but have forged an uneasy alliance that looks something like care and concern. I am looking forward to the third in the series.

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

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

Genre - psychological thriller -- trigger: child trafficking

Good Girl, Bad Girl (Cyrus Haven #1) by Michael Robotham

This is the first in a new crime thriller series by one of my favorite authors. 

Cyrus Haven, a criminal psychologist, tries to help a young girl with a horrifying past. The nearly feral child was found hiding in a secret room when authorities discovered her as they investigated a brutal murder. There are no clues as to her real identity, so she is taken in by social services. Now, Evie Cormac (a name she was given by the court) is petitioning to be released from a children's home and declared an adult. Cyrus Haven is meant to determine if she is ready to be on her own. He soon discovers that Evie has an unusual skill -- she's a human lie detector. As Cyrus becomes invested in Evie Cormac, he's also involved in a murder investigation of a local figure skater. 

This was quite entertaining and absorbing. The revelations about things that happened in the past for both Evie and Cyrus were interesting as were the secrets and lies exposed during the course of finding out what happened to Jodie Sheehan. I liked the alternating points of view as narrated by Evie and by Cyrus. Though I pieced together what and why and whodunit quite quickly, I still enjoyed reading the unraveling as the author peeled back the layers with such a clever plot.

Thank you to Scribner for the e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I'm off to start the second book in this series. 

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

Genre - suspense, crime thriller, psychologist, sexual abuse