Gray After Dark by Noelle W. Ihli

 This was a tough read — the abduction, the violence, and the relentless descriptions of the days in captivity were hard to take. It was almost too much detail. I am glad to be done and take a deep, cleansing breath. I’m giving it 3.5 stars and rounding up. But be forewarned, it’s harrowing.

This is another book by the author that draws on a true story but is mostly fiction. In 1984, a 24-year old athlete, Kari Swenson, was abducted by two men in Montana. The story in this book is not that story.

Miley Petrowski is a biathlete who suffered injuries that kept her off the Olympic podium but she hasn’t given up. Even though she’s taken a summer job as a kitchen worker at the Hidden Springs Resort in the Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho, she still manages to find time to run and train for her comeback. Her best friend and fellow team member, Brent, stayed behind but will be getting in shape as well for their next attempt. Fortunately Miley has found a great trail for her workouts. Unfortunately, she’s abducted from an icy alpine lake where she swam. A father and son living off the grid in their mountain cabin have taken her captive as part of their plan for when SHTF. They need to tame her so she doesn’t escape. She thinks she’s found an unlikely ally, but no one can be trusted when these two brutal maniacs are in control. 

I know I would have lasted about 10 minutes tops in that cabin with those men. The level of trauma Miley experienced was tremendous and it was hard to keep reading about what she was subjected to in her prison. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book. The two narrators, Megan Tusing and Will Dameon, did a fantastic job of voicing the characters and making the book come alive even more so than plain text alone. Their dramatic flair definitely enhanced the story as it was an excellent production.

PS at the end of the book, there is the opportunity to download a very short chapter that tells more about Rayna. It’s called After the Dark. It’s free.

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

Genre tags - abduction, violence against women, athletes, captivity, prepper types

Such Quiet Girls by Noelle W. Ihli

 Suspenseful mystery thriller.

Based on a true story, the 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping, this fictional novel describes a similar event. Two creepy guys devise what they think will be a fool proof crime that will net them a big payoff. They stage a road construction barrier to stop the bus taking 10 kids to a local daycare center after school. They then abduct the kids and the bus driver and bury them 20 feet underground in a shipping container they’ve sunk in a quarry where they’re both employed. Against all odds and some very bad decisions, can the children and the bus driver survive these desperate circumstances?

This moved quickly with short chapters and alternating points of view. The four main voices are of the characters Sheena (mother to Sage and Bonnie), Sage (12 years old), Jessa (the bus driver) and Ted (one of the kidnappers). I will say that I was really turned off by so much of this novel being told from the points of view of the child. I do not like to hear the voice of children in an adult novel, but that’s a pet peeve so I’m interested to see if that bothers anyone else as it did me. I would have rated the book a full star higher had so much of the narrative not been in the voice of Sage. 

Often repeated, the following mantra expresses the feelings of Jessa (a convicted felon) while buried and trying to keep it together for the children: “I accept my past, understand my present, and look forward to my future.” The kids below ground are scared, hungry, thirsty, dirty, and running out of air. Can she keep them calm? I know some didn’t like this character, but I felt for her. She was grossly misunderstood and overcame her deficits to help the kids. The ending really didn’t say what happened to the kidnappers in any great detail. I was just disappointed that the focus seemed to be on the kids which, as I’ve said, I’m not into when reading this type of suspense thriller.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book. There were 4 different narrators, some of whose voices I liked more than others. The person who did the child voice got on my last nerves as they so often do. I do not appreciate it and I don’t know which performer of those 3 females did the voice of Sage. I do feel that having the larger cast production does add more enjoyment of the book in most cases. 

Story was 4 stars but too much of the book told from the child’s point of view knocked it down to 3 for me. 

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

Tags - kidnapping of children, Alzheimer’s, suspense, mystery thriller

Save Her Life (Sandra Vos #1) by Carolyn Arnold

 First installment in a new mystery thriller series.

Special Agent Sandra Vos is a hostage negotiator for the FBI. She’s divorced and has a teenaged daughter, Olivia, and an ex who works for the Hostage Rescue team against counterterrorism. The beginning of the week finds Sandra trying to talk down a man who has holed up with a bunch of customers in a pharmacy. Then she has to attend a parole hearing for a man who killed her twin brother 30 years ago. The week gets worse when 16-year-old Olivia is kidnapped. 

I had a hard time with this book. I feel like there’s no way Sandra would have been so involved in a case involving her own daughter. There were many parts of the book where I felt like I was reading a primer on negotiation and many parts of the story got bogged down by dialogue that didn’t advance the plot. I never got attached to any of the characters who were all very one dimensional. The action proceeded as expected and the ending was predictable. I don’t think I will read any further installments in this new series. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Kathryn Akin, did an OK job but most of the voices sounded way too much alike. This could have benefited with a larger cast or at least a male voice as there were many male characters.

This is the first in a new series. I doubt I will go on.

Genre - FBI hostage negotiator, kidnapping, murder

Witness 8 (Eddie Flynn #8) by Steve Cavanagh

 Fast paced thriller that works as a standalone.

Eddie Flynn and his colleagues are defending a doctor accused of murder while dodging a hit man or two. Eddie has an enemy in the mob boss who controls a corrupt police gang. This brings some nasty people into the mix while Eddie is trying to help acquit his client and figure out who made the anonymous call that got Dr. John Jackson arrested and charged. 

Lots of action and murders and hired killers running amok in this one. And then there’s the most evil of them all, Ruby Johnson. I despised her. And I was so unsettled by the conclusion and the inexplicable outcome of her crimes that it actually ruined the rest of the book for me. There were other situations within the narrative that required suspension of disbelief but that was the worst. No spoilers. This was definitely not one of my favorites in the Eddie Flynn series. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Adam Sims, did a great job voicing the characters.

This is the 8th book in the series. I’ve jumped and skipped around without any issues.

Genre - legal thriller, hired killers, murder, mystery

What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane

 A twisty domestic drama and thriller that kept me entertained.

This book brings dysfunctional family stories to a whole new level. The battle of the Doughertys has a cast of characters you will love and hate. Told from different points of view and in a shifting timeline, Addison Dougherty, the new wife, reflects on her short marriage to the recently deceased Dr. Richmond Dougherty. Ex Kathryn is livid at the loss of a substantial amount of money and she uses hers and Richard’s two children as pawns. There’s a great deal of expert manipulation and gaslighting going on and as the secrets and lies slowly leak out, the climax reveals a master of deception and a revenge plot that is heinous in every way. 

I can’t say too much about the characters as not to spoil the story but what a collection the author has assembled. There’s a lot more going on with several plot lines as I kept trying to guess who did what to whom and why. It was fun in a nasty sort of way with a couple of these ladies really going beyond he pale to show us who they really are. You know the quote about unhappy families being unique in the causes of their situation. Anyway, it was all good fun and I read it in a matter of hours.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators, Helen Laser and Andrew Eiden, did a fabulous job of voicing the characters and giving that great dramatic flair to the production. It really enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

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

Genre and tags - domestic drama, thriller, murder, revenge

A Most Parisian Murder (Opal Laplume #1) by Millicent Binks

 Historical cozy set in 1930s Paris.

The Honourable Opal Laplume and her mother operate a millinery shop in Marylebone, London. Opal loves designs and her mother sends her off to Paris to do costume headdresses alterations on the showgirls for a new production that actually will star and feature her cousin, Clementina Lalonde, at the fabulous Casino de Paris. Unfortunately, tragedy struck before her arrival when one of the dancers,  Valentine Beaumanoir, ended up dead on the street below her hotel balcony. No one knows how it happened and if it was suicide, accident, or murder. Amidst all the drama, Opal makes friends with the assorted characters involved with the show as she tries to parse the clues after yet another person dies. 

This was mostly a satisfactory debut but something was missing or it was just that the character of Opal didn’t really feel realistic given the time period and setting. I didn’t warm to her. I’m still trying to figure out how big that tube of red lipstick was that someone could use it for drawing and writing so often. Also, and here we go, I’m tired of the new cliche where all of these amateur lady sleuths have a pet and far too much of the narrative is focused on it. The mystery was OK and some of the story drug a bit, but it was solved as you’d expect it to be while also having the inevitable peril for the main character. I may or may not try another installment featuring this character.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publisher. The narrator, Antonia Beamish, tried her best to do all the different accents from plummy English, to Cockney, to French with varying degrees of success. She also had to do all the male characters, which was hit and miss. As always, this audio book would have benefited from having a male narrator as well. I enjoy how a good production enhances my enjoyment of a book.

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

Genre - cozy, historical, showgirls, Paris, famous 1930s personalities, art, design, fashion

Whistle by Linwood Barclay

 It’s so hard to keep order and balance in the world…

I’ve long been a fan of this author, and when I saw he had tried something new with this book, a supernatural chiller, I thought I’d give it a go. Even though I’m more a modern thriller and suspense fan, I decided to check it out with high hopes. I ended up disappointed. 

The narrative jumps back and forth in time and point of view so it took quite a while before the dual timelines merged. I confess to enjoying one part of the story and its main characters much more than the other. Hint: events in the town of Lucknow, Vermont, the police chief there, and the townspeople were much more interesting and believable. The premise of trains and malevolent forces was enticing because I really like model trains for one, and I was curious as to how these special trains worked.  

I didn’t like Annie right off the bat and Charlie, her 7-year-old son, totally pushed the outer limits of my credulity about what a 7 year old can do and understand even with a supernatural force at play. I was so bummed by the conclusion. This little mean person inside of me wanted a far different end for Annie. OK, I won’t spoil it for you. But a completely different conclusion would have really enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

Ultimately, I think Barclay should stick to the genre he’s best known for writing and I’ll continue to be a fan. It’s fine to try, but I’m not the audience for supernatural phenomena so this book might have just been a bad choice. It could have been a 4, however, had the right characters made it out alive. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Eva Kaminsky, did an OK job of voicing the characters but her most stellar contribution has to be when she makes the train sounds! It’s a shame that there wasn’t a male voice to do part of the narration as that would have boosted my listening pleasure.

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

Genre and tags - supernatural chiller, train sets, death and chaos

The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs

 Totally enjoyable with many twists and laugh out loud moments.

I was definitely needing something different and am so happy I picked this up. I enjoyed the story — three middle aged women sick of and disappointed in their husbands and their lives — decide to hire a hit man to get rid of the men so that they can head off on exciting adventures like their newly widowed friend Marlene. Things don’t go quite as expected. There’s drama, intrigue, and twists in the plot as the women discover exactly what they’ve set in motion. 

I enjoyed the characters and the anticipation of what was coming next in the story. The author kept me guessing and the dialogue made me chuckle. Who says late middle age has to be dull and that your marriage is as bad as you think. It was just a fun read.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publisher. The narrators, Kiiri Sandy and John Pirhalla, did a fantastic job voicing all the characters and bringing them to life. Their accents and dramatic flair really added to my enjoyment of the book as the production was very well done. 

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

Genre and tags - cozy, murder, hit man, theft, mystery, dark humor

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall

 Dystopian fiction that is extremely depressing.

I’m usually a big fan of post apocalyptic fiction and love to read about survivors and how they create a new world order from whatever disaster has fallen. The premise of this was interesting — oceans have melted due to climate change, bad weather has caused the water to rise and drown out all the coastal cities. The synopsis said that the survivors who stayed in New York City lived on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History, AMNH, that the residents called Amen. I thought the narrative would be about living in the museum and its artifacts and treasures, hunting in Central Park, carving out a living within a really cool building. But it wasn’t. Almost immediately the hypercane flooded them out and they had to leave. Then I had to endure a very long, repetitive, drawn out “on the run” scenario with one dreadful thing happening after another. The story is told from the point of view of a 13-year-old girl named Nonie. 

The book was very slow and I considered not finishing it but kept on going because I’m that person who has to know the ending. I’ll not ruin it for anyone who can’t predict what is likely. I guess the main problem with this book is that it was very depressing and not even the author’s attempt at creating sympathetic characters could make it better. So, basically this was typical end of the world as you know it stuff. And I’d definitely say that it had a lot of really boring filler. The author states that it took 11 years to write this book and it felt like about that long for me to finish it. 

I was able to listen to this audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Eunice Wong, did an OK job voicing the characters in the book, but it wasn’t compelling enough to change my opinion about the story itself.

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

Genre - dystopian, water rising flood, bad weather, survival

Murder at the English Manor (#20 Miss Underhay) by Helena Dixon

 

One of my favorite cozy historical mystery series!

I’m off to Markham Hall with Matt and Kitty! At the behest of her grandmother’s best friend, Mrs. Craven, they are looking into the disappearance of a maid. Agnes Jones worked for Lord and Lady Faversham near Dartmoor at Markham Hall but her sister, Dora who is Mrs. Craven’s maid and sister to Agnes, is concerned because she hasn’t heard from Agnes for almost a month. Where had the girl gone and why hadn’t she taken her things?  It’s almost inevitable that she’s come to no good end. Matt and Kitty need to find out the truth before one of the Faversham sons weds a wealthy American heiress to save the estate and Markham Hall. 

I really enjoy this series and love the main characters. Although I miss the original setting of the Dolphin Hotel now that Matt and Kitty have married and moved to manage their detective agency, they don’t spend a lot of time at home and so each book takes us to a new location and a new crime to solve, most often a murder or two. I love the period details and descriptions of 1930s South Devon. Looking forward to the next installment and the continuation of an unsolved mystery from Matt’s past. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publisher. The narrator, Karen Cass, did an excellent job of voicing all the characters and lending wonderful tone and appropriate dramatic flair to the novel. The production really enhanced my enjoyment of the book.  I highly recommend this entire series!

This is book #20 of the series. It’s best to read them from the beginning, in order.

Genre - historical, 1930s, South Devon, cozy mystery, murder, private investigator, amateur sleuth

Havoc by Christopher Bollen

 This is touted as a dark thriller reminiscent of books and movies about bad seeds and kids born evil. It was, however, a messy psycho drama that made me want to throw my kindle at the wall.

The premise, an 81 year old widow, Maggie Burkhardt, travels to Egypt during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. While staying at the Royal Karnak Palace Hotel in Luxor, Maggie can’t help herself. She likes to meddle in other peoples’ lives. Helping them, she thinks, to be free of their troublesome relationships and bad decisions. Unfortunately, a new guest at the hotel threatens what she has come to know as her home and family. She’s going to have to take care of him. The issue, however, is that Otto, her nemesis, is only 8 years old. 

As wild as that sounds, for a while I thought the author could pull this off. But that was before I figured Maggie out and knew I wasn’t going to be able to prevent the coming train wreck of a story. I’m very tired of unreliable narrators and unlikeable main characters.  If this had not been an ARC, I wouldn’t have finished it. I kept going and all my supposition proved right. The worst of it all, however, was the ending. Umm no. That was just terrible. I’ll not be recommending this one.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book. The narrator, Maggie Meg Reed, was OK but I really didn’t like the voice she used for the main character and especially it grated on my nerves to hear her do the voice of Otto.

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

Tags: mental illness, Covid, dark, thriller, murder, Egypt

25 Alive (Women's Murder Club #25) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

 Fast pace and return of familiar characters makes this a read-in-one-sitting  crime thriller

They're back for the 25th book in the Women's Murder Club series. The women include Sergeant Lindsay Boxer of the SFPD (married to federal agent Joe Molinari), medical examiner Claire Washburn, ADA Yuki Castellano (married to Jackson Brady), and crime reporter Cindy Thomas (married to Rich Conklin who is Lindsay's partner). The setting is San Francisco.

The story starts off with a murder that is devastating and personal: Warren Jacobi. He was Lindsay's mentor and partner but had retired. The only clue at the scene is a matchbook that has the words "I said. You dead." The club vows to avenge his death and find his killer.

Meanwhile, Yuki is prosecuting Dario Garza, a drug cartel member, in a high profile case that's leaving those involved in extreme danger. Joe Molinari is also involved in efforts to bring down this cartel. There seems to be a link between Jacobi's death and this cartel.  Cindy, ever the investigative journalist, finds another connection between the two. Claire really doesn't have a lot going on in this book.

It's rather convoluted with all the threads but it finally comes together in the end in a rather rushed dramatic climax and conclusion. As always, the short chapters, action, and mystery keep the reader entertained.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC. The narrator, January LaVoy, did a good job voicing all the characters and giving each their distinct personality. The only jarring and annoying note was when the child, Julie (age 5 or 6) spoke. Please stop!! I'd be fine without any of that dialogue in any future books. Regardless, the performance usually enhances my enjoyment of the book.

This is the 25th in a long running series that is best if read from the beginning and in order.

Tags - murder, crime, female friendship, legal, forensic, police, drug cartel, FBI

The Note by Alafair Burke

 Contemporary fiction, a novel about friends, dumb decisions and murder.

The three women have been friends since they were children: May, Lauren, and Kelsey. It’s been awhile, but they’ve arranged a get together in the Hamptons to catch up. All have some things they harbor as resentments for stuff that happened in the past. Secrets told, embarrassment, and acting out. As they reconnect, they are out and about in the town when they make a very bad choice involving placing a note on a car. 

What happens after this was kind of crazy to be honest. It didn’t track for so long until I figured out what was going on. It was quite a convoluted plot and predicable once the narrative revealed some important details that were dangled forever. I was OK with most of it until the end which was a real reach but the reasons were only obvious at the last minute. I didn’t care for any of the characters so honestly didn’t care what the outcome of this was going to be. Overall, it was rather a disappointment after getting through all the layers of secrets and lies. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the ebook ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Catherine Ho, did an OK job of voicing the characters given the lines she had to work with. Since most of the main characters were women, she did an admirable job of making sure each had an individual sound.

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Tags and genre - contemporary chick lit, lies and secrets, murder, female friendship

Isola by Allegra Goodman

 Absorbing historical fiction that is both inspiring and depressing.

A novel based upon Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval, an orphaned noblewoman, who is entrusted into the guardianship of her cousin, Jean-Francois de la Rocque de Roberval. These events are purported to have taken place in the 1500s.

Cousin Roberval is a terrible guardian and mistreats Marguerite, appropriating and selling her lands, and basically kidnapping her away from her home in Perigord. He drags her onto a ship bound for New France (Canada) where he has been commissioned to establish a colony. Although no one actually knows the truth of what happened aboard the ship, Marguerite and a man (identification depends on which version of the story is true) are left marooned on an island in the gulf of Saint Lawrence. She lived there for abut 2 years. This is one version of what may have happened while she was there.

The tale is compelling but sometimes it was overwhelmingly relentless in the saga of hardship and misery that Marguerite endured. Also very heavy on religion, prayers, psalms, faith, and devotions. It astounds me that she survived her trials. Heaven knows I would not have lasted a week. I liked the book, but I had to take a couple of breaks because of all the difficulties and tragedy.

The title, Isola, comes from the Italian and basically means island. This reflects the importance of the island and isolation experienced by Marguerite as a central theme of the book. The challenges and the heartbreak that were endured basically alone. It is definitely a survival against all odds type of novel.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Fiona Hardingham, does an excellent job of voicing the characters and especially bringing the main character to life on the pages with appropriate dramatic flair. Her performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Tags and genre - historical fiction based upon a real person, survival, tragedy, faith

No One Was Supposed to Die at this Wedding (Vacation Mysteries #2) by Catherine Mack

 Fast, fun, and funny — this second in the series is a must read for fans who love when an author breaks the fourth wall. I’m one of them!

This time, author Eleanor Dash and her sister, Harper, are involved on set during the filming of her previous blockbuster, When In Rome. Her best friend, Emma, has the lead role, and the two sisters couldn’t be more excited because Emma is going to marry her costar,Fred Winter, after the wrap. They’ll all go to Catalina Island for an intimate ceremony with some close friends, including Eleanor’s new main man, Oliver Forrest.  There are a couple of problems right off, however. First of all, Hurricane Isabella is going to make landfall in Southern California that weekend and secondly, on the hand pressed wedding schedule, the last line says, “A midnight murder will be served.” Now that’s some kind of invitation for amateur sleuth Eleanor who obviously has some skills since this kind of thing is her writing forte. Except the guests get a lot more than they bargained for.

At times hilarious and laugh out loud funny, this is also an expertly plotted murder mystery with lots of red herrings and a group of possible suspects along with the requisite storm locking them all on the island. I have really enjoyed both of these books and can’t wait for another. I love the writing style, the main characters, and especially Eleanor who is self-deprecatingly wry and clever as she tries to figure out the whodunit. This has the feel of an atmospheric cozy. Some irritating things but I just glossed over. 

I was lucky to receive both the audio book and the e-book ARC provided by the publisher so I could read along while listening. The narrator is Elizabeth Evans and she does an excellent job of voicing all the characters and giving them different accents and such to provide dramatic effect. It was a good production and it definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is the second in series and it does help you to have read the first one.

Tags - humor, murder, mystery, author, Hollywood stars, Catalina Island, wedding

The Really Dead Wives of New Jersey by Astrid Dahl

 Fans of reality television may enjoy this novel about a group of friends and family in the Garden State.

Showrunner Eden Bennett has her hands full with Huzzah's new prime time reality program. The show, Garden State Goddesses, highlights rivalry, friendship, secrets, love affairs, and ultimately murder. The drama centers on a New Jersey neighborhood family, the Fontanas, and Eden intends to get a lot of craziness on camera, especially since her cousin, Hope, is now married to one of the Fontana sons. Nobody expects things to go as far as they do, but the family and their friends cannot be managed and it all spins wildly out of control.

Less a murder mystery, this story is mostly about relationships (mainly gay), gossip, speculation, innuendo, and out right lying. It's all rather convoluted with a huge cast of characters that requires a printed list at the beginning to help keep everyone straight. Unfortunately, none of the characters resonated with me, and, in fact, I heartily disliked all of them. I didn't really care who died or why as petty grievances and mistaken ideas come to light. It's like this tries to be way too many things at once and ends up seeming like a disjointed mess with too many irritations. I wasn't really amused at any of it despite this being called funny and dark. I have no intention of reading a second installment as I don't care what happens to any of these characters. That being said, full disclosure that might explain my reaction, I don't watch any reality television as I don't like this type of drama.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. There is a large cast of narrators (5 of them) and I have no idea who was doing which character. Some of the voices grated on my last nerve -- especially whoever was doing Ruby and Bianca (the teenagers), and some of the others with their attempts at a Jersey accent or the one who did Birdie. So I have no idea whose voice(s) were tolerable and appropriate. Generally I enjoy audio while reading as it provides a more immersive experience. 

This is apparently the first in a new series. I won't be reading any further

Tags - murder, family, friends, gay relationships, reality television, secrets and lies, gossip.

Retreat by Krysten Ritter

 Twisty, if predictable, psychological thriller. 

Liz Dawson, an experienced con woman, needs to escape her current situation in Chicago and finds the perfect out when one of her marks actually helps Liz by giving her a job. Not just any work, but a fantastic opportunity out of the country in the super rich area of Punta Mita in Mexico. A wealthy homeowner, Isabelle Beresford, hires Liz to install a painting in her villa. Liz is quite excited to get out of town and definitely plans to enjoy her week in Mexico living it up in the beautiful home. Once there, however, not only does Liz settle in quickly, she meets other women who live there, and it is clear that they think she is actually Isabelle. Well, why not? She’s assumed other identities before and plans to live it up while she can. Soon, however, Liz finds that she might have gotten herself mixed up in something dangerous. Definitely not a simple con and it all goes spectacularly wrong. 

This started out well and I was fully engaged until about the half way mark when Liz’s deceptions start to fall apart and she is in constant fear of exposure. Events transpire that make Liz wonder about the Beresfords. But every time she knew she should get out before her duplicity was revealed, something kept her there. I guess she liked the wealthy lifestyle and all its trappings. All of that identity confusion and obsession got old quick and you just knew what was coming because of the big thing left unsaid. No spoilers. And, that ambiguous ending really irritated me. All in all, it was just a story with lies and secrets. Honestly, the whole look alike trope is getting old as well. 

Did not like any of the characters. They were hideous and very much stereotypes of this genre. Mostly a familiar story of the rich behaving badly and the typical assumption that many are not good people. I don’t believe it would be that easy to assume another person’s life. 

Listened to the audio book while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator was the author herself and she did an adequate job of voicing the characters, getting the nuances right, and giving the story a bit of dramatic flair. Unfortunately, the production wasn’t enough to save the actual story from mediocrity.

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

Tags - lookalike identity theft, murder, wealth, psychological thriller, lies, secrets

West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman

 “…for every writer is a murderer, and every reader is a sleuth.”

This is quite unique as it is not any sort of typical murder mystery. Nor is it suspenseful. It’s written more like a thesis that attempts to explain the art of writing this genre of fiction. The tropes, the various methods of murder, the possible motives, and even how a clever whodunit should be constructed. Much discussion of other authors and their canon. It’s described as metafiction. I found it disorienting. 

The shifting point of view is crazy — starts out in second person with the narrator, who seems to be the author, speaking directly to the reader with explanations, literary references (primary sources), and hints guiding our reactions to the situation and the characters. Then, to third person limited, to first person singular, and to first person plural. 

The plot: there is a detective, hired by someone, who is meant to report back on any suspicious or interesting observations that he makes while attending a 4th of July celebration at this wealthy enclave where the residents have known each other all their lives. Did I mention there are a ton of characters and I found them hard to keep straight. During the weekend there are deaths. Who is the killer?

And believe me, this moves along and I’m very interested in the detective’s process and the clues and red herrings. Totally invested. And then the big reveal at the end…doesn’t come. Now I’m the kind of person who feels cheated when faced with ambiguity. 

So, despite all the pretentiousness and thought provoking commentary, I was frustrated and confused by the way the narrator pulls a one up at the end. I come away thinking, what in the heck did I just read. I wanted to like it but the unconventional ending just ruined it. Sure I can guess all day but I wanted the author to do the work for me. Maybe this is brilliant work, but I’m just not clever enough to get it. 

I listened to the audio book while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I liked the voice of the narrator, Robert Petkoff, and he did an excellent job. I did, however, find the redundancy of the question and answer interviews hard to listen to so had to fast forward thru that. It definitely enhanced my appreciation of the book.

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

tags - metafiction, mystery, 1976, murder

Parents Weekend by Alec Finlay

 Fast paced mystery thriller.

The story centers on 5 students who go missing on Parents Weekend at Santa Clara University in California. Their parents wait for them at the restaurant but none of them show up. At first they aren’t too worried, but then tidbits and details start emerging. The parents of Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella have reason to be concerned.

This book marks the return of a character from previous books by this author: Special Agent Sarah Keller who has been transferred to the Bay Area while her husband, Bob, takes care of his ailing father. Sarah is immediately brought into the case by the local police. She takes point rather quickly and off goes the investigation.

Told from several different viewpoints, the reader learns about the issues in the families of the missing students. Eventually the pool of suspects dwindles. And this is where the book fell from a 4 + suspense thriller to a barely 3. I hated the ending and the explanation. How banal and predictable. All along I was hoping it wouldn’t go there but it did so I was very disappointed. No spoilers.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Brittany Pressley, did an OK job with the story but definitely struggled with the voices of so many characters trying to give them unique accents etc. This is definitely a book that would have benefitted from a much larger production cast, especially even at least one male voice. 

This is a standalone although has a character from previous books Sarah Keller FBI agent.

Genre - mystery, thriller, police investigation, missing kids

The Senator by Maya Golden Bethany

 2.5 stars rounded up.

I would say this was more of a romantic thriller than a political one despite the premise being that a US Senator and a New York Times reporter are trying to expose EPA violations, money laundering, corruption, and disregard for human life. 

My biggest issue was that Oliver and Alex were so stereotypical and I didn’t really care for either of them. They were painted as so heroic and the good guys despite the fact they were carrying on an affair while trying to make the bad guys pay. This white hat vs dark forces theme was carried throughout and each character was quickly put into one stereotype or the other. I found most of the reactions and behavior of the various characters to verge on the unbelievable. But, sounds like our sainted couple gets their happy ending as expected. The whole concept of a savior team taking down corrupt politicians and manufacturers will remind you of many other books and movies that handled the issue in better told stories. 

Listened to the audiobook narrated by Imani Jade Powers. She did a fine job trying to voice all the characters but this production would have benefited by using a larger cast, or at the very least, a male voice. There were a lot of different characters and sometimes hard to tell which was speaking. 

I don’t know if there will be a sequel as the ending leaves some hints that another might follow. I won’t read it. I had enough of this dude

This was a romance disguised as a political thriller wanna be. 

The Writer by James Patterson and JD Barker

 I need a few moments to come to grips with what I just read...

I love when a book leaves me gasping and wondering what the heck just happened here!!! No spoilers.

This is a crazy convoluted thriller that you have to read in one sitting because you can’t look away. I was glued to the pages flipping frantically, guessing wildly, and thinking I knew what was going on. I didn’t.

The writing is superb and a testament to two brilliant authors who really know how to write a thriller that keeps a reader thinking what in the world is going to happen next.

I won’t rehash the plot and I think it best if you go in blind without any preconceived notions. Know that you are in the hands of two masters and enjoy the ride!

I was able to listen to the audio book while also reading along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Peter Ganim, did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life and enhancing the book with is excellent dramatic flair and depiction of the characters. This production really made the novel so much more enjoyable. 

Highly recommend. One of my top 10 this year so far!

This is a standalone and oh so very good. Not part of any series.

Tags mystery, suspenseful, keeps you guessing, murder

Murder Island (Doc Savage #2) by James Patterson and Brian Sitts

 Action adventure as the grandson of Doc Savage traverses the globe to find his kidnapped girlfriend, Kira Sunlight. This is the second in an offshoot series, but it is not necessary to have read the first before enjoying this one on its own.

The former Brandt Savage, professor of anthropology and the University of Chicago, has now embraced his heritage and has teamed up with the woman who taught him all his new skills, helped him bulk up, and prepared him to meet and vanquish their enemies. 

Doc and Kira are enjoying some private time on an island they’ve made into a little utopia when their solitude is destroyed by evil mercenaries who set up Doc for murder and take Kira. Her captors have nothing less than world dominion in their plans and want her to help accomplish that. Meanwhile, Doc is doing everything he can to escape his captors, survive those who are intent on killing him, and to find Kira. 

Lots of battles, gunplay, death, etc. and it reads like a screenplay for a super hero or spy mission movie. It doesn’t take itself all that seriously and neither did I. It was just entertaining and a quick, easy read with trademark short chapters and lots going on. The characters are standard fare for this type of novel but they really want to have some depth despite being stereotypical. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators, Tim Lounibos and Suzanne Elise Freeman, did a fantastic job with all the voices, accents, and dramatic flair. Their performance enhanced my enjoyment of the book as it was an excellent production.

This is the second in series. I did not read the first. It works fine as a standalone.

Tags - murder, conspiracy, global, mercenaries 

The Seaside Murders (Secret Detective Agency #2) by Helena Dixon

 

Entertaining historical cozy.

In this second book in the Secret Detective Agency series, I’m off to Jane’s childhood home in the village of Ashbourne in Kent. Jane Treen and her reluctant associate, Arthur Cilento, have been directed there by Brigadier Remington-Blythe because the body of a naked man was found on a beach nearby. The dead man happened to be an Italian POW who was allowed some leeway in a work release program. Definitely the War Office didn’t want any repercussions from this incident. In addition, there have been reports of looting and black marketing in the same area. Off they go, along with Benson and Jane’s cat to the house left to Jane by her recently deceased father.

This story moved along nicely and I enjoyed it more than the first book as I liked Jane and Arthur a bit more this go round. The mystery was well plotted and not entirely predictable. The investigation proceeded quickly and the discoveries were made though they of course put themselves into the thick of it and imminent danger. Jane’s mother is a trip for sure and not any sort of pivotal character. I am not really into the idea of a romance between Jane and Arthur but I hope they can be great friends and even better investigative partners. I liked the wartime details, it’s 1941, and England is beset with air raids and strict rationing. 

I look forward to reading another in this series. Thank you to Bookouture for the e-book ARC to review and recommend.

This is the second book in the series and you should read the first one first.

Tags - historical cozy mystery, 1941, war time in England, black marketing, murder

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

 Slow and convoluted locked room type mystery.

A famous author, J.R. Alastor, who wants to remain anonymous, hires an event coordinator, Mila del Angel, to set up a special week of trope-themed activities for a special group of authors invited to Wolf Harbor Estate in Casco Bay. The mansion on the private island is well-appointed and luxurious. A chef and housekeeper are also in residence for the undertaking. Almost immediately things start to go wrong. It's soon obvious that perhaps none of them will make it back to the mainland.

I kept waiting for suspense and action that would make this move faster and be more exciting. There were a lot of characters to keep straight and they were not that well-developed. In fact, so little about them was revealed that I struggled to find any empathy or regard for any. The premise, a clue style game on a retreat with famous authors, was so intriguing but the book didn't live up to all its promise or my expectations. The writing seemed cumbersome and I found it difficult to keep track of who was who and doing what to whom and why. I didn't care much for the ending either. It was sort of a disappointment altogether.

I started listening to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. It should have been amazing with the large production cast, but some of the narrator's voices got on my last nerve and I had to skip those sections on audio until I finally had enough and just stopped listening altogether. Let's just say that this format did nothing to enhance my enjoyment of the book.

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

Tag - locked room style whodunit, lots of murder/deaths

The Perfect Divorce (Perfect #2) by Jeneva Rose

 This is a sequel and if you are expecting a great story, I think you will be a bit disappointed. In fact, I’m sorry I picked it up after all.

Here’s a quote: “Any lawyer worth their salt knows sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all, and the second-best thing to say is a lie.” 

Sums up the morals and ethics of most of those characters in the story.

It started out as a 4 when I thought things might go differently (and I assume anyone reading this will have read the first installment) but all the twists and craziness didn’t save it from the last part getting a solid 2 stars. I liked the short chapters. Didn’t like many of the characters. 

There were way too many points of view and what I felt were unnecessary side plots — two women missing and the Stevens situation. Just complicated the narrative without adding any real value since we all know what happened in the first book. Sarah is exactly the same person as before and hasn’t changed a bit despite the years and getting married again, this time to Bob Miller. All the games and the distrust and the cat and mouse didn’t really grab me this time and by the time the second half of the story came around, I had already guess what was going on, who was going to do what, and how it was all going to end. Bummer.  I won’t bother with a third in this series if there is one. Too predictable now.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. There was a full cast of voice actors for this book, in fact 6 different men and women. Everyone did a great job except I do not care for the sound of the voice of whomever performed the character of Stacy Howard. I had to fast forward thru those and read the book instead. In any event, the production did help elevate my experience though they couldn’t change the words or the plot!

This is the second in the series and definitely you need to read book one before starting this one.

Genre - murder, investigation, lawyers, spouses

Nobody's Fool (Sami Kierce #2) by Harlan Coben

 Mystery thriller kept me guessing.

It's been awhile, Harlan Coben -- I've not read him for awhile but I did read the first in the set featuring Sami Kierce so I thought I'd circle back and see about this because the premise sounded interesting. That being said, I didn't remember much about #1 and I think this works as a standalone as any significant backstory is included.

Sami Kierce, kicked off the police force due to egregious behavior, is now a private investigator reduced to doing odd jobs for a law firm that he owes. He's doing a side gig as a night class teacher on criminology. One night he's with his pay per class students when someone enters the room through a side door. When he looks over, he's stunned to recognize her. But, thing is, this is Anna, a woman he met in Spain over 20 years ago while he was backpacking Europe with friends. And the other big thing is that he thought he had killed her. Thus begins a crazy hunt to find her as she runs out the door and vanishes. He needs closure and answers.

This was fast paced and hard to put down. The answers that Sami finds aren't necessarily the ones he wants, or believes. There's another side plot about Sami's ex fiance who was murdered (he's remarried with a baby now) and the killer's release from prison but that wasn't nearly as compelling as the main story line. I liked this despite not really caring that much for Sami and I was afraid of how it was all going to end. Surprisingly, there were some twists and the conclusion seemed a bit rushed.
I'm assuming there might be another in this series as there were some unresolved issues.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publisher. The narrator, Vikas Adam, did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life. His tone, accents, and dramatic flair were excellent and his performance really enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is the second in the series but works as a standalone. I've read both.

Genre/tags - mystery, suspense, murder, investigation, disappearance

The Murder Show by Matt Goldman

 Fast paced mystery thriller.

When Ethan Harris returns to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to visit his parents for the High Holidays, he's also escaping New York while the show he runs is on hiatus due to the writer's strike. He's desperate to come up with a possible plot arc for the next season lest his show be canceled, but he never dreamed that inspiration would come in the form of a decades old tragedy. When he lived there while in high school, a local boy and friend of his, Ricky O'Shea, died in an apparent hit and run that was never solved. Now his old crush, Ro Greeman, who is now a cop and who has just returned to live in the house across the way, is trying to entice Ethan into investigating that death that she thinks was actually a murder. Can Ethan help her investigate and come up with a new show idea at the same time?

The story went in a direction that I hadn't really anticipated, but it was entertaining and had the elements of a going home reunion and a crime thriller. The characters were interesting but it was easy to see that there was something off about a couple of them. I liked the writing style and the bits of the backstory so the reader knows the history between the main players. Not sure how realistic it all was considering the level of involvement that Ethan gets in the law enforcement aspect, but it held my interest and I read it in a single sitting.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publishers. I enjoyed the narrator, Dan Bittner, who did a good job voicing all the characters. I had to laugh, however, at the replacement of a certain make of car with another brand in the audio version. Listening while reading always enhances my enjoyment of a book if it's done well. 

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

Genre tags - murder, drugs, cold case, investigation off the books

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson

 Crime thriller with a psychological aspect.

A popular podcaster, Poe Webb, has a unique hook. She gets people to willingly appear on her show and confess to the bad things they’ve done. No shortage of bad people who happily swear to tell the truth about their crimes to her and her audience. Everything is going well until a man appears on her program and claims that he is the person who murdered Poe’s mother 17 years ago. There’s a problem with that, however, and Poe knows he is lying. That’s because she killed that man herself. 

Now the tables are turned and this elusive villain threatens Poe and she manages to get herself into jeopardy. Now he wants HER to tell the world what she did. 

Ah. This could have been something but it really was mostly a predictable cliche. The author even uses the acronym TSTL in his narrative — too stupid to live. I felt that is what Poe was. I didn’t like her and I thought the whole story was a bit OTT since there is a lot of potential legal trouble for anyone who appears on her program. It was drawn out, repetitive, and somewhat boring. I really didn’t care if she lived and the conclusion was really anticlimactic. I was disappointed and felt let down after reading all the glowing reviews. I sure didn’t care about the endless interaction with the dog and cat. Sorry, pet lovers, it was too much. I guess the whole story just didn’t find me in the right place for it. 

In addition, I listened to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The male narrator was fine if unremarkable, but the female voice, Allyson Ryan, was totally miscast. The female MC is supposed to be 30 years old but her voice was deep, masculine, and sounded like that of a 50 year old smoker. It rang false and so irritated me that I had to stop listening. Most of the time an audio recoding enhances my enjoyment of a book, but it didn’t in this case.

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

Tags - murder, podcast, truth and lies, thriller, revenge

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead

 A chilling crime without much evidence confounds the police, FBI, and a group of armchair sleuths who delve into the case to the extent that they become part of the tragic story.

When three young college sorority girls are murdered at the University of Idaho in Delphine, the police at the scene can’t find anything that leads them to a suspect. The news reaches the internet world of the amateur detectives and the hive mind digs into this juicy crime. Gossip, salacious details, suspicions, and many questions beg for attention. A young Floridian, Janeway Sharp, is lured into that world while grieving her recently deceased father. Finding like minded friends that feel like family, Jane sinks into an obsession for finding out who killed them. She quits college, gets fired from her job, and immerses herself in research and her new found anchor group. Can this makeshift team solve a case that is stupefying law enforcement. 

This was quite fast paced and so absorbing that I could not put it down. The characters were quite well drawn and multidimensional lending a real “true” life aspect to the narrative. There were a lot of twists and turns leading to the ultimate reveal that some might see coming. I did find Jane’s processing and grieving to be a bit too much at times with the constant stuff about her father. I have a serious issue/question with something about DNA but it could be a spoiler so I’ll remind myself that this is fiction. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Leslie Howard, did a great job of voicing all the characters. She was able to make the characters come alive with her tone, timbre, and accents. The production definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Tags and genre - reads like true crime but is fiction, Idaho University murders, amateur sleuths, internet, pod casts, police investigation, grief over deceased parent

Ask for Andrea by Noelle Ihli

 Beware those dating apps!

Haunting mystery thriller with an unusual twist.

Three women who have something in common: Brecia Collier, Meghan Campbell, and Skye Rios — they all went out with the same handsome, charming man who found them on the app MatchStrike.

He killed them. Now dead, they will spend every effort to hunt him down and make him pay.

Told from the alternating points of view of the different women, the narrative hits a bit differently because the women are all dead. Normally I don’t go for this sort of paranormal beyond the grave business, but I did like the way this was written and I relished it. Very fast paced, I read it in one sitting as I turned the pages rapidly hoping for a satisfying conclusion. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC. The narrator, Allison Delaney, did an excellent job of voicing the characters and I thoroughly delighted in her dramatic flair. Definitely enhanced my appreciation and enjoyment of the book as the production was very well done.

I also found a link at the back of the book to a short story that explains what happens to April, the wife of James Carson, the MatchStrike Killer. It was free on Instagram. 

This may or may not be a standalone. 

Genre - mystery thriller, crime thriller, murder, dating apps, paranormal 

Remote: The Six (#1 Remote series) by Erik Rickstad

 Suspenseful crime thriller -- the first in a new series I plan to devour!

Always fun to find a new series that hooks immediately, and this one did. It has an original premise and I'm eager to see where it goes from here.

After FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark has been hunting the Tableau Killer for eighteen months, he's not managed to find or stop the unsub. His boss calls him in and assigns a partner to help with the case. Gilles Garnier is not any type of law enforcement, but he has a strange ability. And he thinks he knows who this killer is -- but not why they are killing entire families.

The writing is crisp and fast paced and doesn't get bogged down as the narrative drops hints about the mystery man known as "Q" and his relationship to Gilles Garnier. Lots of grisly details about the murder scenes and it takes Lukas quite some time before he can accept Garnier and believe him. Lots of action and the characters evolve as the investigation continues. I don't want to give spoilers so I'll not go into Gilles and his ability. It's rather unique and I always like when I come upon something different in my favorite genre.

I was fortunate to be able to listen to the audio-book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publisher. The narrator, Ari Fliakos, and he did an excellent job of voicing all the characters using different tones, accents, and timbre. The audio definitely further enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Definitely recommend and am looking forward to the next installment.

This is the first in a new series. I have #5 on my TBR. Will read in order.

Genre - crime thriller, murder, special abilities

A Recipe for Murder (#21 Lady Eleanor Swift) by Verity Bright

 Another entertaining installment in this fun cozy mystery series.

With their wedding just days away, and plans creating a frenzy of activity, Lady Eleanor Swift and Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon are anticipating the most wonderful time. Then, the people in Little Buckford are attacked by a villain with terrible intentions. Someone has used poison. Many in the village are ill and, worst of all, Eleanor's chosen caterer has died. Who is responsible for this nefarious deed and can Lady Swift and her handsome fiancé find the perpetrator in time to save their wedding and reception? 

Everyone at Henley Hall from the aprons to the gardener is involved in the hunt for the evildoer. Eleanor and Hugh are determined to find out why. So amidst their continued work to get all of their tasks completed in time for the ceremony, they join forces with local police to investigate on both sides of their town bridge. And then there’s another death.

Fast and fun mystery with lots of suspects and skullduggery. I like the characters in this long running series and enjoy their interactions. The relationship between Eleanor and her butler, Clifford, is always laced with good natured ribbing. I’m really curious to see where this series is going to go next and look forward to the next installment. I’ve read all the books in order from the beginning and suggest any new readers do the same. It’s one of the really good cozy historicals with lots of period details that make it even more interesting.

This is #21 in a series that should be read in order.

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

The Secret Detective Agency (#1) by Helena Dixon

 

Murder mystery set in 1941 England during the war.

Miss Jane Treen works at Whitehall overseeing a cadre of secret agents for Brigadier Remington-Blythe. Hard and driven, she’s a chain smoker with a serious coffee addiction. She has no desire to go chasing after missing agents out in the country out of her comfort zone, but needs must when another of her agents goes dark after being hidden away for her own protection at a safe house. She travels to Half Moon Manor to work with codebreaker and puzzle solver Arthur Cilento. He has returned from a work mission for the War Office to find a dead body in the river by his home. Could this woman be Jane’s missing agent? Thus begins a reluctant partnership as the two try to trace a complicated organization of what might be traitors to the British government. 

Let’s see — it took me quite a while to get invested in this time period and story. I didn’t immediately warm to the main characters of Jane (annoying) or Arthur (sickly) and the set up of them being forced to work together. The plot and the many different side characters seemed overly complicated and there were a lot of deaths as Jane and Arthur chased around with only the most flimsy of clues. I was definitely happy that the cat in this book had limited involvement and infrequent mention. 

The plot was convoluted and the denouement seemed rushed after all the suspects couldn’t really be interrogated. I’ll have to reserve my thoughts about where this series might be going and if I will follow it after I read the second book. Not sure this unlikely pair will hold my interest if there is more repetition about Jane’s smoking and coffee and Arthur’s asthma. I surely hope no romance between them as she seems a determined spinster and him a confirmed bachelor. Of course there is also the faithful man servant who seems to be essential to the detecting and is always behind the scenes greasing the wheels. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The performance of the narrator, Kristin Atherton, was excellent. She did a fantastic job with all the voices and the transitions were seamless. Her dramatic flair made the book so much more enjoyable. 

This is the first of a new series. I am going to read the second installment shortly.

Genre - WWII Britain, 1941, secret agents, double agents, traitors, murder

All the Way Gone (Annalisa Vega #4) by Joanna Schaffhausen

 Complex crime thriller, the 4th in a series. Be sure to read the previous installments before tackling this one.

Annalisa Vega, now remarried to Nick, has left the police and formed her own private investigation business. She has multiple investigations she’s working on in this book, the most challenging being asked to ascertain whether a particular person is a sociopath and if so, if he is a good one or a bad one. This person is suspected of having murdered a woman and Annalisa’s client has written a book about him saying he’s basically the good kind — and is in fact a super talented brain surgeon. So is he, or isn’t he.  In addition, there are other cases she’s also got going including one that involves Nick’s daughter. 

For some reason I didn’t like this book and its main plot as much as I have the other three. I thought Annalisa had some serious tunnel vision and also extraordinary access to help with her investigation that I doubt most PIs would have. She was so single minded in her pursuit and it just felt wrong to me how she seemed so self righteous. I didn’t like her character as much. I think it was a mistake for her to leave the police but I can see this is moving in a different direction. The twists and revelations seemed a bit too much after all. I will likely still check out the next installment in the series, but not quite as invested anymore. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the ebook provided by the publisher. The narrator did a good job voicing the characters and added an appropriate dramatic flair when necessary. I find that a good production really enhances my enjoyment of a book and that was true in this case.

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

Genre tags crime thriller, private investigator, murder, sociopaths

Dead and Gone (Annalisa Vega #3) by Joanna Schaffhausen

 This crime thriller has multiple investigations going at once and is the third book in a great series.

Chicago police detective Annalisa Vega has her hands full, not only on the professional front, but also in her personal life. She's asked to investigate Sam Tran's death by hanging. He's an ex-cop turned PI who was a good friend of her boss. She begins by looking into Sam's current and ongoing files in the event that someone killed him because of something he had discovered in the course of his work. Meanwhile, her niece, Quinn, is having a problem on campus. She's a freshman at a local college and Annalisa's brother, Vinny, reports that he had hired Sam because Quinn has a stalker and he wants them found and his daughter left alone. That's not the only problem at the college, however. And that's not the only case of Sam's that Annalisa is chasing. Along with all of her police activity, Annalisa also needs to decide what she plans to do about/with her ex-husband, Nick Carelli.

This was quite absorbing and full of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I found it hard to put down as things started to come together with lots of good red herrings. I like the character of Annalisa as she's a by the book cop who tries to make good decisions and who also cares a lot about the families and victims. She has a complicated backstory with her ex and with her family so it is best that this series be read from the beginning as it makes much more sense that way. The writing is good, lots of action and other well-developed characters and a good set of plots. Looking forward to the next installment.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provide by the publisher. The narrator did an excellent job of voicing all the characters and providing great dramatic flair. This production made the book all that more enjoyable.

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

Genre - crime fiction, police detectives, murder

Holmes is Missing (#2 Holmes, Marple, and Poe) by James Patterson

 Fast, fun, and totally entertaining crime fiction.

This second in a new series is as good as the first and definitely moves Holmes, Marple, and Poe into a higher rung of my favorites. The prose is direct, clear, and crisp with short chapters, lots of action, and great characters. In addition, the plot is tight and intriguing -- kidnapped infants make for a very intense subject in a gripping thriller. I am worried, however, that Holmes has lost his footing as he tries to take himself out of their partnership.

I enjoyed this one and could barely put it down though I had many other things I was meant to be doing today. I like the relationship between the main characters and the twists and turns the story took. From the USA to London, the investigation is urgent and they are running out of time. Can they find the children and expose the criminal network in time?

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator did a great job with voice and accents for all the characters increasing the drama and enhancing my appreciation of the story. Definitely recommend.

I hope we will see more of Holmes, Marple, and Poe as there are still many more possible directions for them to go in their unique partnership.

This is the second in the series that should be readin order.

Genre - crime thriller, partnerships, kidnapped infants and children

The Unlucky Ones (Black Harbor #4) by Hannah Morrissey

 Dark and complex crime thriller.

This is the 4th and probably last in the series set in Black Harbor, a small crime-ridden town on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Hazel Greenlee returns to Black Harbor after her ex husband, Tommy, is killed inside the Mineshaft, a club/bar full of big and small time criminals. Hazel used to work as a transcriber for the local police and that's how she met and fell in love with Sergeant Nikolai Kole of the Black Harbor Police Department. She escaped the town and all the bad memories, became a successful author and was living in New York. Her return changes everything. She's dropped right in during the investigation and insinuates herself back into Nik's life. Murder. Drugs. Gangs. Money. Things go on one way in this town and that is from bad to worse.

I don't know why, but I just didn't get all that involved with this book in the series. Maybe I was tired of Hazel who just seemed like such a wrong choice as a love interest for Nik. She does one stupid thing after another and I don't see her appeal as I didn't care for her character in previous books and even less in this one. Nik was interesting and had a lot of depth considering all that has happened to him. The plot was centered on stolen drugs and the kill or be killed attitude of all the bad actors. Some of the descriptions of torture and murder were quite gory. Some of the things that happened stretched credulity, especially with regard to Hades. The nasty people were very nasty indeed. It was all just quite dismal and depressing to me. I think it ended on the appropriate note so I can say goodbye and close the book on these characters and this place.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publishers. I enjoyed the voices of both narrators who brought the characters to life and gave the production a good dramatic flair to enhance my enjoyment of the book. 

This is the 4th book in the series. I've read them all from the beginning and suggest that  you do as well.

Genre - crime fiction, detectives, drugs, murder, gangs

Look in the Mirror by Catherine Steadman

 An intense, pulse-pounding suspense thriller that I found impossible to put down.

Go into this book without any preconceived notions and avoid reviews that might spoil this well crafted story. 

Nina Hepworth, a 34-year-old literary academic, is shocked to find that she has inherited a beachfront estate on Pond Bay, Gorda, in the British Virgin Islands. Her father recently died, and though he was financially secure and left her well off, she had no idea where and how he could have had this type of money, when he had gone to this house, and why he had built it. She does what anyone would do - she travels to the Caribbean to claim her new property. 

A young nanny arrives at her next assignment. Maria has been hired for 2 weeks to care for a couple of children while their regular caregiver takes some time off. The house is modern, massive, and extremely well appointed. As Maria settles in, she’s invited to enjoy all the amenities while she waits. And she does. But days pass and the client doesn’t arrive. She gets bored, reads all the instructions in the manual, has the run of the place. She is drawn, however, to the last directive telling her not to enter the locked room on the ground floor. She does what anyone would do - she gets herself into that room.

Without spoilers, let me tell you that I couldn’t even begin to guess what was going on for the longest time. It was so packed with information and action as the narrative flipped between Nina and Maria. I really l liked and became fully invested in both of the women and definitely second guessed every decision they made. No idea where this was headed as I tore through the pages trying to make sense of what was happening. I really enjoyed how everything played out because for awhile I was really afraid I was going to find it cheesy and disappointing. It was fast and fun and I recommend it.

I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator was the author and she, being a well-known actress, did a marvelous job of voicing the characters and enhancing all the dramatic aspects of the book. It was quite well-done.

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

Tags - suspense, thriller, cannot say more due to spoilers

The Library Game (#4 Secret Staircase) by Gigi Pandian

 A cute cozy mystery with a fun library theme.

First, I must confess this is the 4th book in the series but the first I have read. I think that might have put me at a disadvantage as I tried to keep all the characters and their relationships straight. In retrospect, I should have read the other three to start at the beginning. 

So this starts off with a dead body in a house that’s being converted into a niche library containing classic mystery books. The dead man was a member of the small cast that was rehearsing for a dinner theater performance that was to be given during the town’s summer stroll event and held at the house. The amateur sleuths set to solve the crime are associated with the company engaged to do the conversion. Tempest, Ivy, Sanjay, Gideon, and others (including the requisite pet — a rabbit) try to track down the killer. It’s mainly a locked room scenario with the killer having to be someone in their intimate circle of friends and acquaintances. 

This was a mix of Nancy Drew and Scooby-Doo with the hook being the concept of secret staircases, hidden rooms, and libraries. Bibliophiles will enjoy all the literary references. I’ll likely go back at some point to check out the first book in the series just for fun. 

I listened to the audio book while also following along in the ebook ARC, both provided by the publishers. I enjoyed the narrator as she used a variety of voices and accents to portray the characters. It always enhances a book when I can have this experience. 

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

Tags cozy mystery, amateur sleuths, secret staircases, hidden passageways, food, romance

In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callaghan

 Unique police procedural and crime thriller debut.

The first in a series, this book features DCS Kat Frank who has been asked to head up a pilot project at the Warwickshire Police that involves her and a select team pairing with an AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entities) unit to investigate cold cases. It will be an experiment to see the difference between human and machine approach to crime solving. Can they learn from each other? Kat and Lock (the name of this particular unit) begin with a series of missing person cases.

This was quite interesting and entertaining as it was different to most in this genre due to the fact that Kat's main partner is basically a "glorified Alexa" as she puts it. Although the machine can rapidly crunch all kinds of data in seconds, there is no feeling, intuition, or gut instinct involved in its decision making. As the duo and the other two team members, DI Hassan and DS Browne, as well as Professor Okonedo (the inventor) start looking into the disappearances of several young adults, it is quite rocky as they try to work out strengths and weaknesses in their approach.

I enjoyed the interplay between the characters and the evolution of the machine into becoming a part of the team. Acceptance of something new is challenging for them all, and there is also the fear of humans being replaced by AI always at the back of their minds. The particular plot and investigative part of this book was actually secondary to the whole artificial intelligence aspect but was satisfactory as far as a case. I understand there are already 2 more books in this series and I do intend to read them.

I was able to  listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I enjoyed both narrators but wish the male voice had been used for the voice of Lock just to enhance the production quality.

Seems like a series that could easily be adapted for television as well. Definitely a lot of interest in AI right now with all of the surrounding controversy.

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

Tags - crime fiction, AI, missing persons

First Wife's Shadow by Adele Parks

 A fabulously entertaining psychological thriller full of fun twists and turns.

Emma Westly has it going on. She’s 47 years old and at the top of her career as CEO of AirBright, Britain’s wind harvesting company. She’s attractive, driven, and wealthy. The only thing she lacks is companionship and love. Until she meets Matthew Charlton. Emma falls fast and hard for the handsome photographer 11 years her junior despite the warnings of her friends and some serious red flags. The biggest issue at first is that Matthew is widowed and still grieving for his dead wife, Becky. Emma can’t help but feel a bit jealous even as their relationship becomes more intense and Emma invites Matthew to move into her beautiful home in Hampshire. Woodview is absolute luxury living and they both revel in the new direction they are heading. When Matthew suggests they marry, Emma is over the moon. Has she finally found happiness. Of course not, this is domestic suspense after all. But I won’t spoil it with details as you will have to read it for yourself.

I really enjoyed this and had to read it in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down wondering what would happen next. Although a teeny bit predictable, I did enjoy the revelations and the surprises along the way. The narrative is told from several points of view and that definitely puts all the perspectives in place to change what the reader thinks is going on. I liked the writing style even as I wasn’t sure what I thought about the characters since my initial opinions were challenged by new discoveries. I think it best to go into this without any preconceived notions so don’t read too many reviews ahead of time.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator did a great job voicing all the characters with the appropriate dramatic flair and expression. This definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book as it was a quality production.

Enjoy!

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

Tags - schemes, relationships, drama

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger

 Fast paced and action packed suspense thriller was a fun read.

A celebrity influencer and owner of Extreme Games and Insane Challenges, Maverick Dillan, and his team are setting up another challenging game and looking for just the right contestants. This will be a hide and seek type of game with a million dollars as the prize. Those selected travel to the remote Falcao Island to a run down, old hotel crumbling into ruin at the edge of a cliff. But, aside from the game that will be live on WeWatch, there’s a hidden agenda for this stunt. 

Lots of interesting characters and points of view in the narrative with some time shifts. Some I liked, others were suspect, and a few I knew right off were bad news. I wasn’t quite sure how this was going to go and I’ve read a few of these that feature influencers going somewhere to compete in a contest. I wanted to like it, and I did. The writing was good and the atmospheric setting descriptions created the right mood for the story. Some of what happens was predictable but there were some pleasant surprises along the way to a satisfying conclusion. 

I listened to the audiobook while also reading the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. I enjoyed the narrator but she definitely lacked enough depth and range to do the many different characters. Most of the male characters all sounded the same and there were some sketchy accents, but in general, it was satisfactory. This is one of those that could really have benefited from a larger voice cast to enhance the production.

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

Tags - games, online games, social media, challenges, criminals, family

Crash Course: Accidents Don't Just Happen by Julie Whipple

 If you're about to take a flight, this is a book you might want to avoid. I admit to feeling some serious trepidation about my upcoming air travel.

In this day and age, airplane travel should be safe. Over the decades of improvement in quality and design of planes, intense training of pilots and crew, and a commitment to inspection and maintenance, we should be able to rely on a plane to take us from one place to another without incident. In light of recent events, yes there are things completely out of control of those in the air or on the ground, but most air accidents occur long before the airplane goes up. Pilots and crew are human, air traffic controllers make mistakes, and important fixes and directives don't get proper attention. The primary mission of the industry still needs to be focused on safety. Often it is not.

This book is mainly about a specific plane crash, the aftermath and effects on the survivors as the few litigants who weren't bought out line up to get justice. The tragedy ultimately is that not enough changes have been made by the airline companies to mitigate the potential for another air disaster.  

When United Flight 173 crash landed in a neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, in December of 1978, 10 people were killed. The airline immediately leapt to the conclusion that it was pilot error as Captain Malburn "Buddy" McBroom indeed allowed the plane to run out of fuel. Was it because of defective gauges or was the main reason due to him being distracted by landing gear that he could not determine was locked and down. In any event, the drama surrounding the crash and the resulting legal case for punitive damages brought by one of the survivors kept the crash in the news for years. In a travesty of justice, awarded damages were overturned, lessening the sting for United Airlines and allowing them to sidestep major responsibility for the crash.

If you don't get angry when you read this and if your heart doesn't ache for all of the people on the plane and on the ground that night, then you didn't pay attention. It's the age old case of a huge company putting profits and the easy way out ahead of passenger safety. And the scariest thing is that none of us know, because of lack of transparency, whether or not the airlines are taking safety and maintenance as seriously as they must.

This was an excellent book narrated by Heather Henderson. She did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life and delivered the story with just the right touch of indignation and empathy. I believe the author is the daughter of one of the lawyers in the case brought against United Airlines on behalf of one of the survivors. 

This is a standalone nonfiction title. Not part of a series.

Tags - airplane crash, pilot error, technical details, investigation, legal case

Murder at the Loch (Ally McKinley #2) by Dee MacDonald

 

Amateur sleuth and bed and breakfast owner Ally McKinley is back in this second book in a new cozy mystery series set in the Scottish Highlands.

Out on a walk with her dog, Ally is stunned to see a body in the loch. The young woman was on her way into the village to marry a local bartender. Was this an accident or murder? Meanwhile, the local Earl, Hamish Sinclair, is introducing his fiancée as he announces an impromptu wedding up at the castle. A few close friends are invited to the actual ceremony, but most of the villagers show up for the after party. Even though Hamish is in his 70s and his beloved, Elena, is half his age, people are more or less pleased for him. Except perhaps for Hamish’s cousin who is in line to be the next earl bar Hamish having children with Elena. When she is dead under suspicious circumstances the morning after the wedding, the whole of Locharran is stunned and the gossips are trying to pin the murder on just about anyone in town. Are these two deaths related?

Ally is busy snooping around and asking lots of questions of the possible suspects. She’s aided by her boyfriend, Ross, as they attempt to solve the crime. I was way ahead of Ally and had the bad actor identified fairly quickly so this was quite predictable. 

The story line is OK but nothing extra special and although I like that it is set in current day and Scotland, the most interesting part is that the amateur sleuth is 68 years old. Some will find this far more entertaining and engaging. 

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the e-book ARC and offering this opportunity for a blog tour.

This is the second in a cozy mystery series.

Tags - older amateur sleuth, Scotland, murder 

Murder in the Scottish Highlands (Ally McKinley #1) by Dee Macdonald

 Murder mystery set in the Scottish Highlands and featuring a 60ish widow who has moved to the village of Locharran from Edinburgh. 

Ally McKinley decided she wanted a change after retirement and fell in love with an old malthouse. She had it made over into a bed and breakfast and is just having her first guests when one of them is murdered and left outside in the courtyard. Wilbur Carrington, an American, was found dead with a skean dhu (a dagger) in his back. He’d been investigating old church records because he believed he was the rightful Earl of Locharran. The current earl, Hamish Sinclair, isn’t too worried about the claim but the villagers are quite concerned about the possibility of losing their jobs and tied homes. So, who killed Wilbur and why?  Just as Ally begins her own earnest investigation, Wilbur’s brother, Tyler, and his fiancée, Mamie Van Nuyen, arrive on site to do their own sleuthing since the local police aren’t working hard enough to find the killer. 

This was OK but nothing unusual or remarkable. The story was predictable and not suspenseful. Of course Ally gets a pet — seems to be the current trope for all female amateur detectives to have an animal — and there’s even a romance. It’s set in modern day and the setting is interesting but the characters were uninspiring. Lots of small village gossip and stereotypes. This is the first in a series. I’ll try one more. 

Thank you to Bookouture for this ebook ARC to read and review.

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

Tags - cozy, murder, amateur sleuth, sixties, romance, Scotland 

Message Deleted by K. L. Slater

 Psychological thriller and family drama.

Saffy Morris is waiting for an interview when she receives 3 messages from her old best friend, Leona. The messages sound like Leona is in trouble. But, then they all disappear and show as deleted. When Saffy rushes to the home of her friend, Leona says she doesn’t know what Saffy is talking about. She didn’t send any messages. Hmmm. But then later, Leona, her husband Ash, and their daughter disappear. The door is left open, the fire alarm is going off, and there’s blood on the floor.

This was a slow build with lots of back and forth narration between the 3 main female characters: Saffy, Leona, and Poppy (Saffy’s younger sister). They’ve all known each other since childhood and there’s a lot of past between them. Some of it connected to what is happening in the now. So multiple narrators and time shift make this a bit unevenly paced. The history is dangled without full reveal until the very end in a somewhat underwhelming conclusion. There are some twists along the way and the reader gets a feel for where this is all going. 

I never really felt too invested in the story as it was all so contrived. I didn’t like any of the characters really so there was that lack of empathy as well. The whole “why” and “who” just fell flat for me especially for the motivation. I’d say this was OK but definitely not gripping and it took me a couple of days to get through it because I just wasn’t that interested.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ebook ARC to read and review. 

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

Tags: revenge, drama, psychological thriller 

Kills Well with Others (Killers of a Certain Age #2) by Deanna Raybourn

 This is the second book featuring the four dynamic women of a certain age who “stand between good and decent people and chaos…necessary monsters.”  In other words, assassins. 

Called out of semi retirement, the four have a new mission. Back together again and reliving some of their past assignments, Billie, Helen, Natalie, and Mary Alice each bring certain skills and abilities to work. Their activities take them to many exciting places and often in dangerous situations with only each other and their wits for success and survival. 

I enjoy the characters and their relationships with each other. Not exactly friends but bound by camaraderie much stronger as they have faced many life and death situations. I like that they are older, basically 60ish, and have a unique attitude about their lives and their jobs with the Museum. 

In this particular main duty, the group’s focus is on chasing down a lost piece of art that was looted during WWII and hidden away until the bad guys decide to bring it out for sale on the black market. There are reminisces about the past and some of their other kills. 

I love the way the author writes and I’ve fallen in love with another historical mystery series but I am quite fond of these killers of a certain age as well. I’d definitely read another book about them and more missions. They are getting a little tired, however! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the e-book ARC to read, review and recommend. I do suggest you start with the first in the series. 

This is the second in a series and you should read the first one before this book.

Tags: mature older women assassins, humor, murder, stolen art

Shell Games by Bonnie Kistler

 Late love or elaborate con?

Thoroughly entertaining domestic thriller that proved nearly impossible to put down.

I love guessing in the books I read. I like to think that I can figure out the big twist or denouement before the author lets me in on the reveal. In this case, though I had suspicions, I was always thinking that the author had a trick or surprise or two up her sleeve. I wasn’t sure which way this was going to go, and if you’re like me, the ending has to be just right for me to really appreciate a book.

The characters in this story are so well drawn and believable. I paid really close attention to everthing each said or did trying to discern their motivations. Is this one guilty or is that one being honest? Who can be trusted and which of them seems like a schemer. In this intricately plotted web, it’s hard to discern their motivations truth. I was really letting my dubious nature reading between the lines. Skeptical about each of the players because there was a lot of money at stake.

Kate is a wealthy CEO with a daughter, Julie. After 50 years, Kate reconnects with her first love, Charlie Mull. They’d met in high school but were separated by circumstance and different choices. On the night after their huge society wedding, something goes terribly wrong. The next thing we know, Kate has accused Charlie of a terrible crime. She claims he confessed it to her. In a whirlwind of accusation and even an investigation, the suggestion is proffered that Kate may not be completely mentally competent. Is this a ploy — gaslighting and manipulation? 

Julie, the daughter, has been in her mother’s shadow for her entire life. Married to Eric, an orthopedic surgeon, she is somewhat controlled by him as well. When tragedy strikes, will Julie stand up and fight or not. Lots of interesting family dynamics. 

The big mystery involves a crime bigger than everyone wanting Kate’s money. I enjoyed the intrigue and was hoping that things would turn in a manner that provided the best conclusion to all the drama. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator did a fantastic job of imbuing the text with appropriate tone, voice, and dramatic flair that enhanced my appreciation of the novel. The production was well done and made the story and characters come to life.

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

Tags - murder, suicide, mental incompetence, wealth, family drama, hurricane, drugs