Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight

 Mother and daughter conflict and drama with a mystery.

Cleo and her mother, Kat, do not exactly get along these days. They've become estranged. Cleo chafes under Kat's controlling manipulations and she tries to escape that influence while attending college nearby. Finally agreeing to come home for dinner to discuss their relationship, Cleo finds the food burnt, blood on the floor, and her mother gone. 

Although there were some interesting diversions, this is basically the usual trope where the amazing, well-meaning mother who has her daughter's safety and best interests at heart is misunderstood and treated badly by the ungrateful daughter -- who soon realizes her mother was right about everything. Along with Cleo finally realizing that mother knows best, there's some legal stuff going on as a side plot that was likely included to make the story a bit more interesting and, indeed, that whole aspect of the lawsuit and drug company coverup was far more compelling to me. The backstory about Kat's time at Haven House and the ridiculousness of the boyfriends really turned me off to the plausibility of that part of the book. In short, there was just so much going on all over the place.  And, the truth was, I didn't like any of the characters. The conclusion was anticlimactic. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The two female narrators did an adequate job of voicing the characters; they were certainly dramatic, when necessary, but the production would have benefited from having a male reader as well.

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

Genre - drama, domestic, mystery

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

 A poignant family drama and mystery.

Two siblings trying to figure out what happened to their father discover a secret he had kept from them for over 50 years. His death brings Nora and Sam closer to each other but the truth is heartbreaking even as it informs them about choices they each need to make in their own lives.

The narrative shifts in time and point of view but is easy to follow and gives the back story in such a way that makes all of the decisions and actions of Liam Noone more understandable. It’s all quite touching really. I’m not usually one for a sort of sappy and sentimental romance novel, but it was written with a light and deft touch that made it relatable. The revelations came at the right pace and the conclusion fit perfectly with the overall tone and mood. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along with the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator was superb as always and brought just the right voice for all of the characters. Her work definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Genre - family drama, mystery, romance

The Sequel (The Book #2) by Jean Hanff Korelitz

 An amazing follow-up to The Plot with a new voice telling her own story at last. 

I loved the totally deplorable bad girl protagonist that was Anna Williams-Bonner (to use one of her many names). I feel a little guilty rooting for a woman who has gone from one murder to another, all to possess and protect her very shocking life story. 

Although it would help if you have read the first book, the basics of that plot are used in this narrative as Anna comes into her own after writing her first novel as a sort of companion to her husband's bestseller. On tour, living on the proceeds of his success, and reveling in her well-earned new fame, Anna is suddenly beset with anonymous taunts and excerpts of a work in progress that she thought she had eradicated from existence. Does someone know? Well, that can't be allowed. 

I really enjoyed the author's writing style and her word choices. The way she describes Anna's thought processes and actions as well as the quirky descriptions fit the storyline and narrative so well. Defintiely told with wit and satire, the author also gives a nod to the cutthroat world of publishing. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC - both formats provided by the publisher. The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and her voice brought so much quality to the production. 

Definitely recommend. And I wonder, is this the end of the tale?

This is the second or a sequel to The Plot which I read first and would advise others to for the full enjoyment and understanding. I liked this second one much more than I did the first, however. 

Genre - mystery thriller

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

 The ultimate summer solstice party ends in flames.

Not going to rehash the plot but the setting on the cliff in Dorset, the big and beautiful new manor, the promise of a spectacular party drew me in. I really had high expectations for this mystery thriller, but ended up being disappointed. Why are endings so very predictable? And does it bother any other reader when the author deliberately leaves out important details such as — who is that body on the beach? 

There were so many time shifts and characters that it took awhile to realize that most of them were just basically nasty. Everyone had underlying motives for being there at The Manor and none of them were good. A basic revenge trope. Of course the worst of them got what was coming to them. It did irritate me that nobody seemed to recognize anyone else and there were way too many secrets and lies going on. I really didn’t like the wrap up ending with its alls well tone. I didn’t really like any of the characters and their outcomes all seemed so contrived. And it all seemed such a waste that the beautiful place came to that end. 

And I will not comment on the repetition and ridiculousness of the birds. Really. 

I read the e-book ARC provided by the publisher and also was able to simultaneously listen to the audiobook performed by a multitalented cast. The voices certainly leant a great deal of drama to the storytelling. Some of them really got into their characters.

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

Genre - mystery thriller, paganism, 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

 Compelling family drama and mystery.

What a story! I wasn't sure at first if all the jumps in timeline and different character points of view would keep me engaged, but I was drawn in immediately and could not put this book down until I finished it. I had to know.

Set in the Adirondacks, an affluent family suffers the loss of two children. With more than a decade between those disappearances, the Van Laar family has closed ranks but will do anything to maintain their reputation as they live and party during summers at the mansion they built there. On their vast tract of land, the family also operates a summer camp for the children of wealthy parents. Meanwhile, an escaped convict is making his way north. 

This book had so many layers, secrets, and characters from various social classes. The writing was excellent and even though I kept guessing, I was not able to guess as the climax and revelations surprised me. Definitely this is a great one for a book club.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book. The narrator gave such incredible depth to the story but, as always, I know it would have put it over the top with a male voice for some of the characters. The production was well done.

Definitely recommend this one.

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

Genre - literary fiction, suspense, mystery, family drama

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard

 Despite the title and the plot centering on the main character set on clearing her convicted serial killer grandfather's name, this is really more a quirky cozy mystery than a thriller. It was initially fast paced and drew me in quickly, but then got mired down in a long and complex explanation of fraud schemes and business failures that became boring. 

The narrative is in first person point of view, Capri Sanzio, who leads tours of famous murder sites and crimes in San Francisco. She is fixated on proving that her paternal grandfather, William (Overkill Bill) Sanzio, did not commit the 3 murders that landed him in prison where he eventually died. Apparently, though, her family can't escape their violent destiny, and new questions arise when her ex-husband's mother, Sylvia Clement, is murdered. And the MO of the killing is a copycat of her grandfather's. 

As I said, though occasionally light and humorous, there is way too much going on in the character's head and my interest waned as her whole amateur sleuthing became more convoluted. I also didn't appreciate the insta romance with the cop nor her business friends -- all stereotypical with, of course, the techy guy who can hack and crack. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator was OK with the lines she had to work with even though the character got on my nerves. She could certainly turn on the drama when necessary. This production could have benefitted from having a male voice cast as well. 

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

Genre - quirky cozy mystery

The Bitter Truth by Shanora Williams

 Solid contemporary thriller and domestic drama.

A North Carolina governor, Dominic Baker, and his wife, Jolene, are on the campaign trail for his reelection bid when he is beset by a stalker. From the notes they've left, he knows he's got to take care of a problem that he thought had been handled a long time ago. In a world where powerful men think they can get away with anything, some strong women take a stand. 

This was fast paced and, with short chapters and alternating points of view, a quick and fun read. The characters were a bit stereotypical -- the wronged wife, the victims, the side piece who is protective and good, the henchmen, the best friends, and the bad man. There are triggers of sexual assault, rape, and domestic violence. It was a good, if predictable, revenge story. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The two narrators, Sable Lyn and Roderick Ross, did an excellent job of giving voice to the characters with an appropriate amount of drama and expression. I always appreciate when the producer uses both male and female voices for the cast of characters as it lends much more of an authentic sound and creates more of a listening experience vs having the book just read aloud.

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

Genre - contemporary thriller, suspense, revenge, triggers (see above)

Murder on the Nile (Lady Eleanor Swift #19) by Verity Bright

 Another exciting installment in this cozy historical mystery series featuring the irrepressible Lady Eleanor Swift. Along with her enigmatic and brilliant butler, Clifford, Eleanor works to prevent a huge injustice while on a cruise down the Nile. 

Lady Swift, her butler, and her domestic help are on a holiday in Egypt in the summer of 1924. While the help goes on ahead to ready a townhouse she’s rented for them all in Bawaaba, Eleanor and Clifford will travel on the river via a decrepit SS Cleopatra instead of the luxurious ship she thought she had booked passage on. While underway, one of the passengers is found dead. Though others insist it was suicide, Eleanor and Clifford think it murder. An investigation ensues.

I love the characters and the historical detail in this series and always look forward to the next installment. Its success has to do with the mix of both of those elements combined with a compelling mystery for the due to analyze and solve. Eleanor is not the typical lady of the times, much to the chagrin and consternation of her butler, though he actually encourages her inquisitive nature and her courage. I enjoy reading about this era and relish the descriptions of life and times in that period.

If you do want an absorbing cozy series, I’d suggest you start from the beginning of this one and read them in order. Hope to see more of Eleanor’s beau, Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, in the next episode. 

This is #19 in a series that should be read from the beginning, in order.

Genre - cozy historical mystery series 

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

 Not at all what I expected. 

Well, finally, this is over. What a nightmare of a read. Despite being lured in by the synopsis that pretended to relate to reality television competitions, the book was basically a bad episode of a survivor show. With totally nasty, hideous characters and a very disjoined narrative. The writing was terrible and repetitive, and the book was way too long. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I tried, in vain, to understand why others liked it but I can't relate. There were so many missed opportunities for the author to use the setting and the show concept, but those were ignored and missed. The motive for the whole experience was so lame it strained the last bit of my credulity. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. Usually, this approach makes me enjoy a book more, but in this case, the narrator's voice and the way she expressed the characters put me over the edge. The mispronunciations (such as her saying inchulin for insulin) and the very bad French accent, not to mention the male character voices grated on every last nerve. Hard pass for future Ware novels. I've tried and now I'm totally done.

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - supposed to be mystery thriller but it wasn't. Abuse, murder, survival

Twisted (#1) by Maggie Giles

 I got this book from the library because I received an ARC of the second book in the duology and wanted to get the backstory before I read and reviewed the sequel. A mistake was made.

This plot centers around 3 women with 6 points of view and other characters involved with them. If I say more about these women, it will give the whole thing away. I could do that and save you the pain of reading this.... can you say psychiatric dysfunction, confabulation, and many other intentionally confusing situations. At the center of it all is sexual and physical abuse compounded by a drug prescribed by a doctor who was supposed to help them deal with their trauma. 

Other than being poorly written with horrible characters and a disjointed narrative, it went on far too long and then, worst of all, ends on a cliffhanger. 

My suggestion - skip it. 

This is the first in a duology.

Genre - psychological fiction, drama, DID, abuse, prostitution 

Her Last Walk Home (Detective Lottie Parker #14) by Patricia Gibney

 Complex plotting makes this a compelling crime thriller.

This is the 14th installment in a long running series that should be read, from the beginning, in order. Because of the intense nature of all of the personal relationships and the changes the cohort has gone through over the years, the reader will want to be on the same page. I don’t feel this works as a standalone or a starting point.

That said, this is a complicated story with the usual characters in the Rugmullin police led by Inspector Lottie Parker. Her boyfriend and partner, Mark Boyd, along with their other colleagues face a diabolical villain. The narrative is told from multiple points of view with some time shifts that make it sometimes hard to keep it all straight. When the body of a young woman is found in a field by the local cinema, Lottie and her team begin an investigation that keeps them questioning suspects and families all over the area. There’s the usual personal drama between the teammates as well as more criminal activity. They examine the little evidence they have and attempt to find the truth even as another body is found and yet another woman goes missing. Things get quite twisty at the end. 

This is one of the few series that I still follow and one of my favorites because of the characters. I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator did a great job of voicing the many different characters using different tones and varying accents to help relate their individual personalities. Listening while reading always enhances my enjoyment of the book. 

This is the 14th book in a long series that I have read in order. The only book I did not read was #13 because I was declined when I requested the ARC.

Genre - crime thriller, police procedural, murder, Ireland 

I Dreamed of Falling by Julia Dahl

 Slow moving and predictable small-town mystery.

Roman Grady, his partner Ashley, and his 4-year-old son live with his mom, Tara, and Tara's boyfriend, John in a small Hudson Valley town. Ashley is found dead on a cliff ledge close by a friend's home. Roman realizes that he knew next to nothing about what Ashley had been doing in the months leading up to her death. And now there are questions about whether or not this was a drug overdose or if Ashley was murdered.

This entire story and plot were anything but gripping or thrilling. I really disliked all of the characters in this sordid tale. The concepts of open relationships, having sex with anyone, rampant drug use, and all of this poor parenting just made the whole premise unappealing. I didn't enjoy any of it nor care what happened to Ashley. Besides, it was so predictable you could see that revelation coming a mile away. Honestly, just yucky people, and their lives were so cringe worthy. I can't recommend this to anyone.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC -- both provided by the publishers. The two narrators did an adequate job of voicing the characters, but I felt such antipathy to them all that I could not appreciate the quality of their performances. 

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

Genre - mystery, family drama, drug use

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

 Unforgettable saga set in the last American frontier.

In 1974, Ernt Albright, ex Vietnam War POW decides to move his wife and daughter to the outer reaches of northern Alaska where they will try to make a life in the wilds off the grid. None of them have a clue as to what awaits and how desperate and dire their circumstances once they arrive. Summer treats them well and Ernt, Cora, and Leni work through all the daylight hours preparing for the coming winter. They make friends with some of the neighbors and there is relative peace. Then the darkness comes, ushering in a time of peril for them all. And all the worst dangers are not outside in the treacherous climate and the wild animals are not their most terrible threat. The biggest problem is inside their small cabin. It’s Ernt. 

This novel gives you all the feels as the Allbright’s experience in Alaska runs the gamut from exciting to bloodshed. As they develop the resilience and skill to handle their daily existence, it’s obvious that Ernt is breaking down and that Cora and Leni are in fraught situations. He’s a loose cannon and Cora’s bad decisions don’t help. Leni loves her mother desperately, but she can’t get Cora to see the truth about Ernt. And then the moment comes when Leni and Cora have to respond.

I typically do not care for coming of age plots and teenage main characters so it surprised me how much I loved this book. I also found that Alaska itself was another main character and I could see the appeal of that wild place to a certain type of person. Me, on the other hand, lazy type princess who loves to have everything nice and fresh and clean, can’t wait to go to the grocery store and shop, could not have lasted a day there. I’m not cut out for that pioneer lifestyle, but I definitely admired those characters in the book for how they thrived and became part of their land. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Julia Whelan. Her voice and passion really gave the characters distinct personalities and brought them all to life. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story. 

Highly recommend this. I’m sure I will be thinking about it for a long time.

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

Genre - historical fiction, survivalist, Alaska, coming of age

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead by Jenny Hollander

 Overwrought psychological drama.

Charlotte (Charlie) Colbert was a witness and a survivor of an event at graduate school more than 9 years ago. The public knows it as "Scarlet Christmas" -- when 2 students died on the Carroll University School of Journalism campus. Now Charlie is an editor-in-chief at a prestigious magazine and engaged to a wealthy publishing magnate. She's come a long way since those terrible traumatic days in the aftermath of the tragedy. Unfortunately, she's really not OK, and when a former classmate decides to produce a movie about those long-ago deaths, Charlie decides she can't let the truth come out. Because Charlie lied. 

The narrative is told in a then and now format leaving so much out that the reader is easily annoyed by the lack of a real plot. The main character, Charlie, is written as a neurotic so it is hard to imagine her successful in her high-powered job. She can't remember what happened that night but is convinced that she's about to be outed. The author attempts a twist that falls flat as revelations occur that make the previous historical accounts moot. And it went on way too long. This could easily have been a short story. Not that interesting of one, but definitely most of the chronicle could have been cut and you'd still be left with the bare bones of banality. 

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator did an adequate job but found it hard to pick and stick with an accent for the characters.

This isn't one I'd recommend.

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

Genre - psychological drama

Break Every Rule by Brian Freeman

 Fast paced and highly entertaining thriller.

When his wife and baby daughter are kidnapped from their home in Florida, Tommy Miller must come out of hiding and use all of his deadly skills to track them and get them back. His biggest initial problem is that his wife was keeping secrets, and he hasn't the first idea of who would have grabbed her or why. And, indeed, Tommy has some pretty big secrets of his own. Are the abductors trying to get to him or is Teresa their real target. 

I'm not going to unpack this great plot as there is so much going on, but it was quite well-constructed with lively action scenes and different locales for them to play out in. I liked the main character and several others in the book and had a hard time putting it down. The ruthless billionaire and his wife on their private island are definitely evil and up to no good. The Florida police detective who can't let the case go and follows the trail to the Bahamas. The trustworthy partner -- yeah there are some tropes -- but it's all great storytelling. 

I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The fantastic narrator, Scott Brick (already one of my favorites), brings so much dramatic flair when he voices the characters which definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the whole book. His intonation, accents, pacing, and cadence are always spot on. Enjoy!

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

Genre  - action packed thriller, triggers of trafficking and sexual assault, rape

Suicide Med by Freida McFadden

 Highly entertaining suspense thriller.

If you’ve read any previous books by this author, you already know you are in for a wild and unpredictable reading experience. McFadden can take a plot in directions that are completely unanticipated and sometimes over the top. Despite yourself, you just keep going and don’t want to step away until the conclusion. Most of the time, the characters are quite unlikeable and that was definitely so in this novel.

It’s a tough time for these students taking Anatomy in their first year of medical school. Between long periods in the lab doing dissection, interminable study sessions, very little sleep, impossibly close and intense relationships with each other, and add on the pressure of trying to get top grades — well, it’s not surprising that eventually something, or someone, breaks. In the previous 6 years, at least one student has committed suicide. But there are even worse things going on at this school. 

The narrative is divided into different points of view and their individual stories provide quite the drama. Yeah it was a bit much sometimes, but I did have a lot of fun with it.

Listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a fabulous job voicing the characters and giving an excellent performance that enhanced my enjoyment. Have fun! 

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

Genre - suspense thriller

Death by Misadventure (Lady Emily #18) by Tasha Alexander

 Richly detailed historical mystery thriller.

In the winter of 1906, Lady Emily and her handsome husband Colin are invited to the recently renovated home of Baroness Ursula von Duchtel in the Bavarian alps. Her art collection is amazing. Outside is a panorama of the Alps and a winter wonderland with a view of Mad King Ludwig's fairy tale castle. The eclectic group of guests are enjoying a winter house party except that there are several incidents where Ursula’s son-in-law, Kaspar Allerspach, finds himself hurt or nearly killed. Though there’s no love lost between Ursula and Kaspar, everyone is shocked when a death occurs and it’s not Kaspar. In a dual timeline, the narrative unfolds to reveal hidden desires, tumultuous passions, and unfortunate liaisons that destroyed lives. 

I loved this multilayered story with its historical details and complicated plot. The writing is excellent and this series is definitely so well researched and interesting. I like the characters of Lady Emily and Colin, and they always find the most interesting cases on their travels.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Bianca Armato, was absolutely amazing with her voice, accents, and dramatic flair. Her performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book as it was an excellent production. 

I look forward to the next book in this fabulous series. 

This is the 18th book in a series. I’ve missed some and I’ve been OK reading out of order.

Genre - historical mystery series 

Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson

 Absorbing mystery thriller set in Iceland.

The author definitely channels Agatha Christie in this well-plotted novel best described as a whodunit. If you like Icelandic Noir, this is one book that begs to be read. 

Helgi Reykdal is meant to be working on his dissertation in criminology when he looks into an old, unsolved murder case that occurred at a sanatorium in the north of Iceland in 1983. It's now 2012, almost 30 years later, but some of the former employees, all one-time suspects, present during the old murder investigation are still alive and Helgi is tracking them down to interview them. He's about to join the Reykjavik Police Department and take over a job held by Detective Hulda Hermansdottir who is about to retire. She was one of the original investigators on the 1983 case involving the deaths of a nurse and doctor at the sanatorium. Helgi, involved in a dangerous relationship with a live-in girlfriend, is finding the former suspects difficult to talk with. He grapples with indecision about his future but is desperate to solve the old mystery. 

I've read a couple of other books by this author and always enjoy them. I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Sam Woolf, did a great job of voicing all the characters. His pacing, intonation, accents, and dramatic flair really enhanced the production and my appreciation of the book. 

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

Genre - Iclandic Noir, mystery thriller

Murder in the Countryside (#17 Miss Underhay) by Helena Dixon

 Another cute cozy in one of my favorite historical mystery series.

In #17, Kitty Bryant (formerly Underhay) comes upon a dead body with its head crushed in a cider press while she's out in the countryside looking for cider refills for her husband, Matt. Yes, it's local farmer Titus Blake, miserly misanthrope, widower, and drunkard who has indeed been murdered. The wife of Titus's estranged brother engages Kitty and Matt to find out who killed him. Then, their main suspect is also found dead out in the woods nearby. Is this about a murky inheritance or something much deeper. 

I enjoy reuniting with all the characters in this series and this installment features more of Alice and Robert. I do, however, miss those stories set at the Dolphin Hotel where Kitty's grandmother resides. Since Kitty and Matt have married and live on their own, there is a lot less about the hotel in Dartmouth and the goings on there. This plot features bad blood between family members and some secrets. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I've enjoyed the entire set which is best read, in order, from the beginning. 

This is #17 in a series.

Genre - cozy mystery, England, 1936, historical