A Tour To Die For (The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco Mysteries, #2) by Michelle Chouinard

Entertaining cozy mystery thriller, the second in a series featuring San Francisco tour guide Capri Sanzio.

While Capri, a true crime podcaster and self proclaimed investigative journalist, is taking her guests on a city tour, one of them claims to see a woman attacked inside a building. Although the police don't find anyone there, the woman (Leeya Styles) who lived in the apartment and had a successful art studio in the garage there, is later found dead. Of course, Capri and her colleagues Heather and Ryan, decide to investigate. There's no shortage of suspects between Leeya's boyfriend, her sister, mother, the mother's fiance, and Leeya's ex bestie. In addition, there's a connection with Capri's former husband, Todd, who always seems to be in a financial quagmire. Capri manages to connect with the police and get lots of inside information via her new love interest, SF Homicide Inspector Dan Petito.

This was quite the complicated mystery as information about the San Francisco setting, its Gold Rush history, landmarks and all past true crime lore is almost a character. In addition, a unique piece of art provides some clues. So there's lots going on in the narrative and it will keep readers guessing. It's fast paced and hard to put down. Capri is a fun main character, especially given her age ("sidling up to fifty") and she's got a colorful family story and past. I did read the previous one in the series, but am struck again by how well this author writes. She has an incredible way of stringing words together and her dialogue is amazing. Lots of twists and red herrings but it all comes together.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, did well by giving clear and distinct voices to the characters and also because of the emotional tones she adds to her performance. With the huge list of characters in the book, this would definitely benefit from a larger cast, but she did an excellent job. The production enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

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

Genre and tags - cozy mystery thriller, murder, San Francisco history, Gold Rush, crime 

The Hostess by Cat Oyster

 Dark, disturbing and absorbing science fiction novelette that left me wanting more.

I did not realize this wasn’t a full length novel before I requested both the e-book and the audio book ARC from the publishers. I typically don’t read novelettes, novellas, short stories or whatever way they’re presented because I often end up disappointed that there isn’t enough depth to the story. That is true in this case for sure.

The premise is so intriguing — a young woman (the Host) lends out her body to a Guest through a virtual program run by a company known as the Leisure Life Club. They advertise that they can give the buyer or member the entire world from a chair in minutes. Of course the program is very popular and the Host has absolutely no control over who buys her body and her time. Some of the Guests play fast and loose with their purchase and Michaela and her friend, Susan, end up with unexplained bruises and other trauma, including rape. Of course this can’t be proved even though the girls request their activity logs — obviously altered to protect the Guest and the company. They are trapped even as they live well above the rest of the inhabitants of New York City in a dystopian future world that is all too believable.  

There’s some great contemporary social commentary within the narrative and I just wanted a deeper dive. Yes, lots of questions about the ending. Quite enjoyable. It is very thought provoking and scary which make for a good discussion for a book club. Definitely probes themes of body autonomy and exploitation as well as what the world of life and work might look like in a future with AI and other technology replacing what things are like today. 

Page count: approximately 58 pages. Quick read/listen but it will stay with you.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by NetGalley and the publishers. The narrator, Susan Spano, did a fabulous job of voicing the main characters and providing appropriate dramatic flair. The production definitely provided an immersive experience that enhanced my enjoyment of this novelette.

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

Genre - tags science fiction, future, dystopia, mind altering, abuse, rape, trauma, technology 

Sharp Force (Kay Scarpetta #29) by Patrica Cornwell

 It’s Christmas time in Virginia, but this killer isn’t leaving any presents.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta investigates a serial killer known as the Phantom Slasher. The psychopath uses advanced technology and hologram ghost apparitions to stalk the victims before viciously murdering them at night in their homes. The targets are savagely attacked with a knife and also sustain deep bite wounds. There are no clues until the latest death is discovered on Christmas Day with a twist — there’s a survivor. This woman, however, is connected to Kay’s family and to a psychiatric facility on Mercy Island. 

I really enjoyed this with both Kay and Benton involved in the investigation and work side by side looking at scenes and examining evidence. Of course the rest of the gang is also involved, Lucy, Tron, and Marino doing their thing. Kay’s sister Dorothy gets on my last nerve every single time. I love the forensic and medial details and descriptions, but all of the technology and AI is almost as interesting. I was surprised, however, with how the huge build up and collection of evidence, etc. let to an abrupt denouement and quick conclusion. All of a sudden it was over. Case closed. The side plots all connected in a fell swoop. I did appreciate that most of the focus in the story was on the case but, as always, too much digression into the family relationships which I could do without. I’ve read every book in this series and always eager for the next one. Glad Kay is back working as a medical examiner and in Virginia. 

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, January LaVoy, is brilliant with voices. She does a good job for both male and female characters and each has a distinctive accent and expression that sets them apart. The tone and emotion matches the story and creates an enjoyable immersive experience. This production definitely enhanced my appreciation of the book and I recommend a listen.  

This is book 29 in a series that should be read in order from the beginning. 

Genre - forensic pathologist, medical examiner, crime thriller, suspense fiction, murder, technology

Rage (Kate Burkholder #17) by Linda Castillo

 This Amish mystery series is still going strong.

In the middle of a summer heat wave, Painters Mill Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates the brutal murders of two young Amish men. The case leads her into probing the dark secrets and dangers lurking beneath the surface in her normally quiet community. She is forced to confront a sinister operation that goes deeper than she imagined and, once again, puts her in the crosshairs of the criminals and her life in danger.

How Kate continues to survive all the accidents and assaults she endures never ceases to amaze me. She's definitely one tough cop, and sometimes it's a bit much, but I really like her so I just go with it. I also like her husband, Agent John Tomasetti, who works for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and who always manages to come to her rescue at the most opportune moment. The regular cohort of Painters Mill cops: Skid, Mona, and Pickles, are there to back her up and help catch the bad actors. 

This was entertaining and absorbing and I do love a well written crime thriller and police procedural. The plot was good and always enjoy the Amish aspect of these novels. I appreciate the relationships, the characters, and the setting. Definitely always look forward to the next installment.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Kathleen McInerney, did a good job with the female characters and the Amish words and phrases. I always wish that there would be a male voice to perform those roles to enhance the production. The audio provided a great immersive experience and increased my enjoyment of the book.

This is the 17th book in a series that should be read, in order, from the beginning.

Tags and Genre - police procedural, crime thriller, mystery, Amish, Trafficking, drugs, murder 

The Thursday Murder Club #1 by Richard Osman

 I read this because I’d heard a lot about it and also wanted to watch the adaptation on streaming. It was  murder light with a lot of unnecessary complexity and was a real strain on my credulity. 

This retirement home is seriously upscale and its residents really on the ball for being in their eighties. Not only that, but they have such interesting backgrounds and can acquire delicate and sensitive information from all sources. The four main members of the Club sure get around a lot and manage to outmaneuver the police team assigned to the murders the two owners of the property. 

There were way too many characters in this novel and many unneeded for the plot. It seemed to drag in places and the traveling seemed a bit much. I guess I wasn’t as taken with it as so many others, but glad I read it. Will I read future installments? I don’t know!

This is the first of a series to be read in order.

Tags and genre - mystery, murder, octogenarians, retirement community

A Very Bookish Murder (Ally McKinley Mystery #3) by Dee MacDonald

 

Blog Stop for Bookouture 9-21-2025

Come along to the small, Highland village of Locharran where a writers’ retreat turns deadly.

This is the third in the Ally McKinley cozy mystery series. Ally, owner of the Auld Malthouse B&B, is providing guest accommodations for some of the women attending, including the guest of honor, famous novelist Jodi Jones. Unfortunately, the author is found dead the first night. When Detective Inspector Rigby arrives at the scene, he suffers a heart attack and a replacement is sent to do the investigation. Of course Ally will assist in any way she can. The mystery deepens as she does some sleuthing and discovers accusations of infidelity and plagiarism leveled against the murdered Jodi Jones. One of the women attendees is indeed the killer, but which one. Then another woman is found dead.

This was generally as predictable as expected with the red herrings and the suspects being eliminated one by one. A few surprises might catch one off guard, but the conclusion is satisfying even if foreseeable. Ally is a decent character but maybe just a little too much sometimes with how she ends up everywhere doing everything around the whole town. I mean nobody is so all that all the time. Not a fan of the Ross relationship as it’s just, again, formulaic and a convenient trope. I like reading these cozy mysteries after a run of hard core thrillers just for a reset. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I’ve read both previous books in this series and recommend that anyone looking for a modern cozy set in the Scottish Highlands start at the beginning. 

This is the third book in the series.

Genre and tags - cozy mystery, contemporary, murder, amateur sleuth, Scottish Highlands

Her Many Faces by Nicci Cloke

 3.5 stars rounded up to 4

This was an interesting way to write a psychological mystery with a bit of courtroom drama and contemporary social commentary.

Four wealthy members of an exclusive London club are poisoned at a private party after drinking some brandy laced with a lethal dose of cyanide. Almost immediately, a waitress who served the group is arrested. Katherine Cole is charged and remanded for trial. The story is told from the perspectives of 5 men in her life. Her father, a childhood friend who has a crush on her, a man she is obsessed with and stalks, her lawyer, and a journalist. Each offers a different view of this girl.  Is she guilty? 

Without spoilers, it’s hard to define what kept me from rating this higher. In many ways, it was predictable. Because we do not hear from Katherine (who has many different names given to her by the men), it’s hard to know what to think of her other than I felt she was a messed up young woman. The parts about the conspiracy nuts was disturbing. I did not care at all for the character, Katherine, nor most of the men. There was a bit of a twist, but still ended up being predictable and somewhat of a let down after all.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The story was improved by the performance of the full cast with narrators including Sachin K. Sharma, Colin R. Campbell, Isaac Gryn, Maxim Ays, Louis Hill, Harvey Quinn and Florence Howard. Each did an excellent job of voicing the characters and providing appropriate dramatic flair. The production definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Genre and tags - mystery thriller, suspense, crime thriller, psychological thriller, courtroom drama, conspiracy nuts, Covid

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

 Satisfying domestic and psychological thriller.

Nina Swann is wooed by an old friend of her recently deceased husband. She's a bit vulnerable to his charms but her daughter, Ash, is immediately suspicious because Nick Radcliffe gives her the creeps. Some of the things he says don't add up, so she starts looking into to his background. 

In a nearby town, Martha, a florist with her own successful shop, becomes increasingly distressed when her husband, Alistair, keeps disappearing on sudden, extended, business trips.

If he's too good to be true, you can bet he's a manipulative and dangerous man. A very plausible tale about several women who find that their lives are intertwined through the same man who is exposed as a fraud, a sociopath and a murderer. 

This was so good that I could not put it down until I'd finished. The author is a master storyteller with the ability to construct fully fleshed out characters and a plot ripped from television serials and tabloid headlines. It rang true because this exact thing does happen to many women in all walks of life. And probably with increasing frequency because of the ability of the con artist to find and target those who are lonely or who want relationships. It's not just women, but is more often than not, that they are the ones deceived. Even though the reader knows the mind of this swindler, there is tension and concern as things start to fall apart for him. I loved how it all came together with a gratifying resolution and a fitting ending.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. Oh wow, what a fantastic full cast on this recording. The narrators, Richard Armitage, Joanne Froggatt, Tamaryn Payne, Gemma Whelan, Louise Brealey, and Patience Tomlinson did an amazing job of bringing the characters to life and giving them unique voices and personalitiees. The production created a fully immersive experience and I highly recommend you give it a listen. Definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Genre and tags: con man, multiple identities, swindler, liar, murder, secrets 

Other People's Houses (DC Ffion Morgan #3) by Clare Mackintosh

 Complex crime thriller - the third in the DC Morgan series.

This story follows two interconnected cases and a cold case. DC Ffion Morgan is investigating the death of a female estate agent found in the Awen River inside a kayak while on a work trip in Wales. DS Leo Brady, Ffion's boyfriend, is working on another series of crimes on The Hill. Residents living on The Hill have lots of secrets behind the doors of those opulent homes in the area’s most highly desired post code in Cheshire. They may be wealthy, but they definitely don’t have everything. Recently they’ve suffered a rash of home burglaries and an old, unsolved murder also happened there. 

This novel was quite cleverly plotted and, although there were a lot of characters, each seemed individual and well developed. There's more information about the relationship between Ffion and Leo. His ex wife, Allie, a wanna be member of the clique on The Hill, is also involved peripherally in the goings on. The author blends mystery and humor with a bit of social commentary as well. It all comes together with a satisfying conclusion.

I like crime thrillers and police procedurals because I like the details about the investigation process and the realistic pursuit of a criminal. The author does a great job describing the police work. The inclusion of the true crime podcast demonstrates the popularity of that media as well as how it affects the cold case inquiry. I enjoy the interaction between Ffion and Leo and their developing personal bonds. Although this could be read as a standalaone, I think it is more enjoyable having read the previous books and knowing the backstory. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this excellent series. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrators, Chloe Angharad Davies, Joe Eyre, and Penelope Rawlins, were amazing. Their accents and flawless Welsh made the story more authentic. I was quite glad to have the book text in front of me at times, however, as delivery is fast. The cast created a great immersive listening experience and enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Genre and tags - police procedural, mystery, cold case, podcast, murder, estate agents, social climbers, secrets, affairs, burglary 

The Girl with Ice in Her Veins (Millenium #8) by Karin Smirnoff

 A complicated and dark mystery thriller. 

This is the 8th book in the Millenium series and its third author as the books featuring Sweden’s Lisbeth Salander continue. Lisbeth is a trauma survivor and is more of an anti-heroine in most of the stories. She’s full of tattoos and piercings and definitely has her own moral code though she typically goes after any man who hurts a woman. With her fighting skills and photographic memory, she’s hard to forget or to come up against. 

In this novel, Lisbeth takes a back seat to her precocious niece, Svala, who at age 13, is already a talented writer and a confirmed environmental activist. Svala has gotten involved with a group of activists who are protesting development of new mines in Gasskas. It also happens that Lisbeth’s friend and best hacker, Plague, has been kidnapped and taken north. As luck would have it, Mikael Blomkvist, happens to get a new job revamping a local newspaper in Gasskas so those three are there together when it all goes down.

This was very slow moving at first and it wasn’t until the last part of the book that the action picked up. Not a lot of concentration on Lisbeth or her unique skills, as the shift to Svala as some kind of kid genius. Lots of deaths per usual and lots of icky people. Sometimes the writing is so ambiguous that the reader isn’t sure what is going on and so I was confused at times. Although there is as character list at the beginning, it’s hard to keep the relationships of some of the characters straight so I’d advise you to keep that handy. Also, this isn’t a book you can jump into if you haven’t read the other books in the series. I’d suggest you start from the beginning. Too much backstory.

Unfortunately, the plot just didn’t keep my interest and this is not my favorite of the series. I wanted more Lisbeth doing her thing and less about her romantic woes. Not ready for Svala to take the lead or for Lisbeth to train her up. Blomkvist is getting up there in age so we need a new guy pal to be Lisbeth’s wingman so he can get over Lisbeth and take a break. 

I tried to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided to me by the publisher. The narrator, Simon Vance, didn’t work for me. His voice drove me crazy and he sounded like an old man and mumbled. Everyone sounded the same and the accents for different people weren’t always that great. I had to stop listening. Usually an audio book enhances a book for me but not in this case.

This is book #8 in the series which should be read from the beginning in order.

Tags and genre, mystery thriller, crime fiction, vigilante, hacker, Nordic noir, Scandinavian, Sweden

Dead Line (Arliss Cutter #7) by Marc Cameron

 Pulse pounding crime and wilderness thriller.

In this 7th book of the series (and the first I have read), Deputy U.S. Marshals Arliss Cutter and Lola Teariki and their cohort are heading into the frigid Alaskan tundra on a manhunt for a contract killer as well as a dangerous group of assassins. The two cases are not connected, but they intersect in one of the coldest parts of the final frontier. 

One of the main “characters” in this book has to be the cold weather. Reading about temperatures going into double negatives below zero made me shiver. Everything was made more difficult because of this extreme cold as it affected not only all the people but also all of their equipment. I can’t even imagine the type of cold that the team was forced to endure in their quest to find the evil killers as well as their protected witness and his mother. All of the characters in this story were intriguing and I hate that this is the first of the stories I’ve read not knowing the backstory though the author definitely gives enough information to answer most questions. Since I want more detail, I plan to go back and pick up some of the previous titles while waiting for the next in a series that is bound to become one of my favorites.

I liked the action, the plot, and the suspense in this thriller. I was fully invested in the work done by this interagency group in this location. I have always been fascinated by Alaska and the type of people who live there. 

I love how the book has a cast of characters at the very beginning. I really appreciated being able to refer to this before I started as well as after I had finished. 

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, David Chandler, did a great job with his deep, smooth voice and ability to perform various accents necessary for distinguishing between the many characters. His work definitely enhanced my enjoyment of this book and created the perfect mood for a totally immersive experience.

This is the 7th book in a series that should be read from the beginning, in order. This, however, is the first one I have read and I will definitely go back and catch up.

Tags and genre - US Marshals, assassins, Polish mob, murder, weather, Alaska, manhunt

Burned Bridges (Irene Rivers #1) by John Gilstrap

 Exciting, suspenseful, action packed thriller is the first in a new series featuring former FBI Director, Irene Rivers. 

After she brought down the President and was ousted from her job at the FBI, Irene moves her family to West Virginia and settles in the house that her grandparents had owned. Kelly is a teenager and Wyatt, age 12, is the nephew she is raising. The small family is used to notoriety and looks forward to the quiet country life. That is not to be. Events escalate after Wyatt finds the body of a young male stuffed into a shallow cave opening on their large property. Soon Irene and the kids are caught up in local politics and find that a local and powerful family controls or is responsible for almost everything that goes on in town. As the corruption and coverup extends even to the state level, Irene needs to call for some favors from some skilled friends she’s managed to hold onto since leaving the FBI. 

The characters were well drawn and there was lots of action. Irene Rivers is no shrinking violet and has a calculating mind to match the physical skills. The suspense builds with great writing that actually created tension and a sense of menace. I mean these were some really evil people. I had a hard time putting it down and read it in a single sitting. There was a lot going on in this plot and I was guessing how this was all going to come together and hoping that the good guys prevailed. Definitely a high body count and some grisly details. All in all, exactly what I want in crime fiction. 

This was really good and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I haven’t read this author before, so I’m not familiar with other series or even the book where Irene exists in her FBI job. I’ll have to remedy that. 

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, Natalia Payne, has a deep and husky voice that lends itself to both male and female characters. She did a good job of bringing the right tone and drama to the story and this enhanced my enjoyment of the book. I always love an immersive experience that’s provided by reading while listening.

This is the first in a new series featuring Irene Rivers.

Tags and genre - suspense, action, mystery, corruption, small town, murder

Cold Island (Tommy Kelly #1) by Peter Colt

 Atmospheric, dark crime thriller.

Massachusetts State Police detective Tommy Kelly is sent to Nantucket Island to work with Nantucket police after discovery of remains at a construction site. The bones and detritus are thought to be about 35 years old, so Tommy and Detective Jo Harris try to sift through old missing persons reports to see if they can find a match to their victim — apparently a male child. Strangely enough, they can’t find anything that helps them to identify this boy. As they probe deeper, secrets that this small community have kept for years come to light.

This was written a bit differently than I’m used to reading. Lots of minute details about the island, the  food eaten, and other tidbits that immediately made me wonder if all of that is being used as misdirection. Turns out, it was. Seems that there is a huge secret just waiting for a big reveal during the last part of the book that took me by surprise. But it did kind of seem like a gotcha and I was afraid that the story was going to go off the rails for a minute until it got back on track. Still not quite sure how I felt about that. But, the basics of this plot were good though I was caught off guard. As far as the characters, well, I need to think about them. Some of what happened was predictable and I guess I’ll need to read the second book in the series to see what happens next. And I did like this well enough to want to do that. 

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, Chris Ciulla, is a Boston native so his accents were perfect in this book. He gave the appropriate dramatic flair to the personalities and characters. His performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story and provided an immersive experience.

This is the first in a series.

Tags and genre - child abduction and murder, crime thriller, mystery, Nantucket Island

The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz

 Somewhat predictable LGBT destination thriller.

When her fiancée, Eszter Farkus, dies while visiting a quiet island in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico on a 3 week trip, Abby decides to travel to Isla Colel herself to retrace Eszter’s steps and meet the people she had spent time with before her death from anaphylactic shock. The island, decimated by a hurricane, has no real tourism and only a few expats live there forming a transient community. Abby meets them, trying to understand what happened, and finds that things aren’t adding up. Everyone is hiding something and keeping secrets. Abby starts to believe that she hasn’t been told the truth of what Eszter was doing on the island and how she died.

This was quite slow and nothing happened as Abby shuffles around chatting up the people who knew her girlfriend. I didn’t really like any of the characters and there really was no tension or suspense as they were talking, talking, talking. Abby doesn’t speak Spanish which makes it hard for her to question the locals, and she’s not certain that Rita, Pedro, Amari, and Brady are being truthful. How did Eszter come to find this place and was she planning to come back home to Abby and get married? It really wasn’t very compelling and the plot was quite thin. No surprises.  The conclusion was disappointing. 

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 cast of narrators for this production including Dani Martineck, Imani Jade Powers and Natasha Soudek. But no male voice. I disliked whomever voiced the Eszter character but the others did alright considering the lack of real drama and uneven pacing. I usually enjoy the immersive experience of doing the formats simultaneously, but I did end up putting the audio aside and just read the last couple of chapters.

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

Tags and genre - destination thriller, expats, LGBT, island

The MYsterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jonasson

 Cliffhanger ending is unsettling and makes this Nordic noir mystery a bit unsatisfactory for me. 

A famous Icelandic author, Elin Jonsdottir, has gone missing. Detective Helgi Reykdal is assigned the case, probably due to his love of books but also because he has demonstrated some real ability with investigations. The novel is told in multiple timelines that bring in subplots about Helgi’s past relationship with a bad girlfriend, Elin’s personal history, and Helgi’s predecessor, Hulda, whose fate is unresolved since she has also vanished without a trace. 

The plot is complex and has a classic mystery style but the pacing was somewhat slow and there didn’t seem to be a lot of detecting or police work done to solve the case. So many different things going on and absolutely no progress made to answer several questions. And what about Anita? I hate cliffhanger endings and always feel cheated as it makes the novel seem incomplete. Definitely sets up for the next in this series (this is the 3rd book) but who likes waiting?

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrators, Cicely Whitehead, Jane Slavic, and Rufus Wright, did an excellent job of voicing the characters and bringing them to life. The special effects, ie the tape recorder, also enhanced the listening experience. I enjoyed the full cast performance that increased enjoyment of the book. 

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

Tags and genre - Nordic crime fiction, mystery, missing persons

The Surf House by Lucy Clarke

 Absorbing and suspenseful destination thriller.

Bea has had it with her structured role and work as a model. On a photo shoot in Marrakesh, Morocco, she rips off her couture dress, grabs her backpack and takes off for the souks and what she hopes will be an escape from her regimented life. After a crazy and dangerous encounter, she befriends a woman, Marnie, who takes Bea to a surfer's clifftop paradise guesthouse that she co-owns with her partner, Ped. It's a diverse community but all are there for the surf and for the nomadic lifestyle they call freedom. But some are hiding secrets and, in fact, wasn't there another girl there on her own a year ago who left one day and was never seen again? Savannah's brother, Seth, arrives at the house in search of her. 

Told in a past and present timeline and from multiple points of view, though primarily that of Bea and Savannah, the pace is fast and the tension builds as this perfect world starts to unravel. Although i didn't care for many of the characters, I did empathize with some. I liked the writing style and the way the author used the setting to create atmosphere that enhanced the suspense as well as the desperate nature of the situations. She captured the spirit of the young people yearning for something they can't really identify or name that makes them continue their wandering. 

There is a lot about surfing in this book, and I know nothing about that sport, so it was interesting and I could see how these young adults chase the waves for the sheer purpose of emptying their heads even as many have no ambition or other focus in mind. People and things can become an obsession. Bad decisions can have calamitous consequences. Hiding from the truth doesn't make you complete or turn things right. Betrayal is deadly. There are twists and turns, some predictable given the typical course of this genre, but I relished the process and the revelations. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Sarah Slimani, did an excellent job bringing the story to life and giving her characters individual accents and personalities. She gave a theatrical flourish to the production that really enhanced my appreciation and enjoyment of the setting and the story.

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

Tags and genre - travel, Morocco, surfing, young adult community, missing girl, mystery, atmosphere, thriller 

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman

 Entertaining cozy mystery.

Mrs. Blossom, in her late sixties and a widow, finds the winning lottery ticket in a parking lot. The money changes her life as she decides to take advantage of her new found wealth to find a reason to experience this period in a new way on her own. She books a river cruise in France and takes along her childhood friend. But, from the beginning of the trip, unusual things start happening and soon she’s involved in a mystery involving a stolen artifact and possibly murder. 

I loved this main character with her comfort in her body and in her own ability to change so that this period in her life will allow her to continue to be happy despite her losses. The way she interacts with people she meets, her generally positive attitude, and her self perception combine to make this introspective as well as poignant. There is some humor as well, and lots of cultural references as well as a nice description of her tour of France and its iconic sights.

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, Kimberly Farr, did an excellent job with the French word pronunciation and the accents. She brought a great deal of tenderness to the main character’s voice and appropriate dramatic flair when necessary. The production definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Tags and genre - cozy mystery, cruise, France, Murder, stolen artifact,

All This Could Be Yours by Hank Phillippi Ryan

 Fun, fast paced suspense thriller.

Tessa Calloway has written a sensational debut novel about a woman who follows her dreams and achieves happiness and fame. She's riding on her wave of success, making all the bestseller lists, and is on a whirlwind book tour, visiting a new city each night. Although sad at leaving her husband, Henry, and her two children at home in a new house she's really not lived in yet, she's holding it together despite the early wake-ups to catch planes and the late nights after bookstore appearances and book signings. It becomes clear, soon enough, that Tessa -- used to adoring fans -- has a stalker who is not one of those. Tessa has a secret and this person wants it outed.

This was a slow burn as the situation got more tense and I was unable to put the book down as I frantically turned pages wanting to find out who and why. I loved the author in an author story premise and the details about what a book tour is actually like. The main character was believable and her responses to the situation seemed realistic and appropriate. As the tormentor got closer, the more Tessa realized she was not in control of the story and decided to use her the voice of her own book's character to take it back. The writing was good and the conclusion satisfying.

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, Sarah Mollo-Christensen, did an excellent job of voicing all the characters. She provided a great sense of building tension and keeping me engaged. Her dramatic flair enhanced my enjoyment of the book. I loved the immersive experience of listening while reading. 

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

Tags and genre - suspense, mystery, author on tour, stalker, secrets in past 

The Billion Dollar Ransom by James Patterson

 Fast and suspenseful crime thriller.

Planned down to the second, simultaneous kidnappings occur in 3 different locations. A billionaire’s wife is taken outside a beauty salon. His two children are hauled off a private bus, and his oldest son and a starlet are surprised in their room at a luxury resort. The ransom demand is quick to follow. One billion dollars is demanded for their safe return. An ambitious FBI agent, Nicky Gordon, leads the hastily assembled task force that includes her sometime lover,  LAPD Detective Mike Hardy. As the police try to track down witnesses and mount a manhunt, the kidnappers stay a step ahead, leading the cops to believe that there’s a mole inside the investigation. 

This was action packed with lots of twists and turns. The kidnappers, known only by numbers, are committed to their jobs because they want their share of the money. There are lots of characters and with the short chapters and focus on the details of the kidnapping and hostages, they are not really fleshed out much and fall into somewhat of the cliche category. It was just a fun plot with plenty of bad guys and red herrings. It was an easy read that took me only a couple of hours and provided a nice escape.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Cynthia Farrell, did a great job voicing all the characters and providing appropriate dramatic flair. Her pacing was spot on and she did well with accents and both male and female voices. Her performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This was a standalone and not part of any series.

Tags and genre - police procedural, crime thriller, suspense, mystery, kidnapping, ransom, hostages, murder

The Oligarch’s Daughter

 Riveting action packed spy thriller.

Paul Brightman, a successful hedge fund trader on Wall Street, is flying high when he meets and marries the daughter of a Russian oligarch. He subsequently ends up working for Arkady Galkin, Tatyana’s father, in his investment firm. Despite his misgivings, he is successful but ends up stumbling upon some evidence that Galkin is breaking the law, is corrupt, and coming crimes. The FBI approaches Paul who agrees to spy. Things go awry and Paul has to go into hiding. He steals an identity and moves to a small town and works in obscurity as a boat builder. Unfortunately, his past comes calling 5 years later and he has to run. 

There is a lot going in in this novel and as Paul tries to escape his pursuers, he has no idea whom to trust. Many different characters that may or may not be helpful to Paul and his life is in danger. He has a few contacts from his past and ends up in an unlikely reunion with his father. Although quite a complex plot with twists and turns, it is full of great espionage spy and counterspy details. Very hard to put down, I was turning the pages trying to figure how all the loose ends tied together and hoping Paul was going to find some helpful good guys. I could not put this down so read it all today in a matter of hours.

Excellent writing and the type of expertise on a subject that can only be done by someone who knows what they’re talking about. Finder does a great job with political intrigue and especially the Russian conflict and involvement in geopolitical activities. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Mark Bramhall, did an excellent job of voicing all the characters and adjusting his tone and pace to match the different parts of the story. His accents added to the ability to differentiate between the many Russian and American characters and he brought a nice dramatic flair. His performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Tags, genre - Russian spies, FBI, CIA, Wall Street, Investment firms, oligarchs, off the grid, murder