And Then She Was Gone by Chistopher Greyson

Wow -- what great writing and obviously the start of a new, exciting series featuring our protagonist, Jack Stratton.

In this introduction, he's only 18, still in high school, and wanting to enter the US Army in order to pay for his future at the police academy.   Jack is a tightly strung young man with horrors in his past. He wants to do good -- to be a hero. When a young woman, Stacy Shaw, goes missing and is later found murdered, Jack gets involved because a kid from the neighborhood has been accused of the crime. Jack is adopted but spent part of his life with foster parents and this tie is very strong. He's still in contact with Aunt Haddie, and his best friend (and foster brother), Chandler. Jack is intent on investigating this crime and Chandler goes along with him. The pair have a great dynamic, and they have foster siblings who also become involved in Jack's pursuit of truth. He won't back down even though the police have warned him off. He talks to witnesses and presents a theory of the murder to the police.  

What I liked about this novel was the interaction between the characters, the dialog, the suggestion of a horrible past to overcome, and the sheer grit that Jack emanates as part of his personality. He's a great character and I only wish I could read the rest of this series, in order, to see how he evolves.   Yes, the case is solved and Jack's snooping in an ongoing investigation is vindicated -- but the ride is so well worth the read. I really enjoyed it! Hard to put the book down as I was eager to see how it all played out.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-book ARC to read and review. I definitely will seek out more books by this author! I want to continue the series as well.

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks

"I wonder now if my memory is playing tricks on me. If it is giving me the gift of an illusion. We all layer them over our rembrances; the filters through which we want to see our lives,"

Assumptions. We all make them about ourselves, about others. We think we know the story of other peoples' lives -- their marriages, their children. We don't know a thing. Inside every home lies a story that sometimes cannot be told. A hidden truth, a secret, an embarassment, a shame. The reality is simple -- we know nothing and often we cannot believe what we are told as it goes against what we believe about others who actually live behind closed doors.

This book is great domestic drama. A scorned wife, Vanessa, telling a tale of her marriage to Richard and her feelings as she is about be replaced with a new wife, Emma. Her story is familiair -- a rich man tiring of his life looking for new love, his resultant affair and a hasty divorce. Vanessa seems a bit unstable, but is she telling the truth about her relationship with Richard? And will Emma listen?

Told in alternating points of view, this is a compelling story of marriage and betrayal. Lies and secrets can destroy any relationship but "there was Richard's truth. There was my truth. And there was the actual truth, which is always the most elusive to recognize." Great characters and a fast paced writing style made this a read in one sitting book for me. I really enjoyed it.

"I'm not afrraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship."

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-book ARC to read and review. 

The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz (#2)

"Oh what may man within him hide, though angel on the outward side."

This second book in the Jane Hawk series was amazing as was the first. I think I may die, or inject myself with nanobots, if I don't get to read #3 soon. The blend of thriller and science fiction is so highly addicting that I could barely put the book down and though I didn't want to finish knowing that I was going to have to wait for the final in the trilogy, I couldn't help myself.

You must read these in order, and his followup to THE SILENT CORNER is every bit as absorbing as the first. Nonstop action, interesting characters, and a plot that freezes your soul. In this outing, Jane continues her quest to find and destroy the man she thinks is funding the technology that is reducing ordinary humans into automatons. Her quest takes her across the country and tests every fiber of her being. Her allies are few, her enemies are legion, but somehow she survives and is committed to ending this annhilation of mankind's humanity. I loved the pace and the narrative though I have the same complaint about Koontz's verbosity, I didn't seem to mind it so much this time. This is a story that resonates with the times and all of the unrest and rebellion in the world. Is the science and the theme believable -- you bet. We don't even know what forces come into play to tap into the minds of innocents and turn them into sycophants.

The first book by this author that I ever read was WHISPER. It was Dean Koontz who turned me into the thriller reader I am today and for years I have waited for him to return to form and write another series that engaged me as much as those early works. I think I've read most of his books, but this one has stood out for me and returned me to the fold of fandom. I cannot wait for more of Jane Hawk and her exploits. I highly recommend this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Group - Ballentine for the e-book ARC to read and review. Please make him write faster. 

Her Best Friend by Sarah Wray

Sylvie Armstrong (and her baby) returns to Conley - a medium-sized town in Yorkshire, close to Leeds -- after having left shortly after her best friend, Victoria Bland, was murdered when they were 15 years old. Sylvie's mother has recently died and Sylvie needs to get the house for sale. Her return brings back a lot of feelings about her best friend. No one has ever been charged in Victoria's murder.
Twenty years is a long time...hence the interest of Karen Price on "Someone Must Know" for TrueCrime.com. It's hoped that the podcast episodes will jar memories and new details will come to light -- and find out what really happened the night that Victoria Bland ended up in the lake.

This is an interesting mystery told in first person POV thru Sylvie both in 1995, when the murder happened, and present day. The podcasts are also scripted to give yet another layer to the narrative. As Sylvie cares for her daughter and starts the clean up at her mother's house, she also comes back into contact with other people she knew when growing up in Conley. The ancillary characters are a mixed bag and include an old high school friend who Victoria and Sylvie weren't very nice to, and some nosy neighbors. Victoria's parents even come around. It seems that most everyone is listening to the podcasts. Will the truth come out?

The thing is, something seems a little "off" about Sylvie. She's easily spooked and there are only vague hints about why she has left her husband and brought her baby to Conley. I'm a longtime reader of this genre, naturally very curious/suspicious --  and can usually catch on fairly quickly to where a story is going, but NO SPOILERS. There are some tense scenes and some big questions with a nice wrap-up at the end. I enjoyed it.

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

A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn

"I have seen evil, and it wears a smiling face."

This third installment of the Veronica Speedwell and Stoker (Revelstoke Templeton-Vane) series is set in London, 1888, and has the pair investigating the untimely disappearance of Stoker's former best friend (who incidentally married his ex wife). Sure, there's bad blood between the two men, but Veronica and Stoker can't resist becoming involved with the circumstances surrounding John de Morgan and the former Caroline Templeton-Vane. He vanished during an excavation of the Egyption tomb of Princess Ankheset, along with a valuable diadem. Has he absconded with the treasure and betrayed his archelogical partner, Sir Leicester Tiverton? And there's this small matter of a curse -- inscribed on the sarcophagus of the entombed princess. The sensation has got the attention of the neewspapers and tabloids are bringing up Stoker's  unsavory past history. Veronica and Stoker want to get to the bottom of this mystery but it does bring up some very awkward moments as they contront and interview all the parties involved.

I really like this series. The interaction between Veronica and Stoker is barbed and often hilarious. Veronica is an independent woman in a time when her sort is not appreciated. She's fiercely independent and a free spirit and is much a match to the hard-boiled Stoker. Yes, we know they are wild about each other, but their romance never quite gets going, and that was a disappointment to me even though I usually hate that part of a good story! Enough already -- let them get on with it! They sort of already live together and it's obvious that they are going to end up a pair. Anyway, despite my frustration over their lack of communication on the subject, they do complement each other perfectly and the witty repartee is one of the best aspects of the narrative.

Suffice to say they bring the case to its conclusion in their usual dogged fashion and the bad guys get their comeuppance. NO SPOILERS. Very entertaining!

I am looking forward to the next book in what I hope is a long running series that I think needs to be read in order so as to be fully appreciated. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for granting me access to this e-book ARC to read and review. I have read many other books by this author and have enjoyed them all!

Don't Tell A Soul (#1) by DK Hood

''Small town. Big crimes. Dark secrets."

In this first of a new series, Sherif Jenna Alton and her new hire, Deputy David Kane, try to solve what looks like 3 separate cases in the Montana town of Black Rock Falls. Missing persons, a body in a molasses barrel in the dump, and a hit-and-run attempt on Jenna herself. Part police procedural, part chilling thriller, and part suspenseful mystery combine to make this a single-sit read!

When I first started the book, I was immediately concerned about two things: an obvious set up for a romance angle AND the need to suspend disbelief at the notion that two people, formerly government agents who are now supposedly in hiding, could possibly end up in the same town. I managed to put those issues aside as the action started and the working investigations began. The short-staffed department is hard-pressed to take care of all the things that need to be done as other events pile up. The author is very adept at throwing out red herrings, so I honestly didn't know how this was going to end up as far as the identity of those responsible for the crimes. NO SPOILERS!

I liked the narrative told from the points of view of both Jenna and David. They both have backstories that I imagine will be further revealed in subsequent books in the series. I did have a bit of a problem with how quickly Jenna's "tough girl" turned into someone who all of a sudden needed a man to protect her and she makes some incredibly stupid decisions that ultimately result in her having to be rescued. WHY do this to the character? Keep her strong and independent so that the inevitable partnership with Kane is more on equal footing. Sure, we are told often that she is the "boss", but she abdicates her power position routinely and lets Kane take over. SHE is the Sheriff after all.

Regardless, I ended up racing through the book and ended up enjoying it. I'm looking forward to see where this story is going and want to know more about the characters. Obviously that small town will see an uptick in serious crime in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review!

The Copenhagen Affair by Amulya Malladi

A breakdown or a breakthrough?

Sanya and Harry move to Copenhagen as he negotiates the acquisition of a company there. Sanya is a bit at loose ends following a spectacular breakdown at her own job after she is finally offered a partner position there. Still trying to come to grips with her own feelings and work her way out of the pit of depression, she meets all kinds of people in Copenhagen and enjoys the beauty of the city. Lots of name dropping and references to specific places, designer brands, etc. show Sanya in a fairly elitist position enjoying the things that money can buy as she figures herself out. She's too long been acting the part of perfect wife and mother, subjugating her own desires until she no longer knows exactly who she is or what she wants from life, her marriage, herself. She references herself as Old Sanya and New Sanya, and everyone she connects with represents a chance for her to try it all on. Especially one particular man -- the owner of the company that Harry is investigating for purchase -- Anders Ravn. He's the mysterious man with a scar who takes a romantic interest in Sanya and makes her feel that she can love again.

The author refers to this book as a romantic comedy about depression, and I think it is also somewhat autobiographical for her. It's a poignant story, a bit of a farce, and definitely shows the uniqueness of the city of Copenhagen and it's obvious that Amulya loves it. The cast of characters is quite colorful the interaction between them is laugh out loud at times and quite brutally honest at others. I wasn't quite sure how it was going to end up for the marriage of Sanya and Harry. And I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted for either of them! Since I usually only read suspense thrilers and mysteries, this was a departure for me and I thoroughly enjoyed the diversion. I've read all of this author's books over the years and she always touches on subjects that have deeper themes about relationships, family, work, marriage and life. Bravo!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the e-book ARC to read and review. I'm looking forward, as always, to Amulya Malladi's next book!

Origin by Dan Brown

This was an AMAZING book on so many levels. I love Dan Brown. I realize that haters are gonna hate, but no matter, he has an ability to take a complex topic and reduce it to an exciting story that few authors can match. His books do scream "movie adaptation" but I look forward to seeing those on the big screen. I loved it and can't wait for the next one!

Origin: A Novel Offered by Random House LLC Price: $14.99
"Two mysteries lie at the heart of human experience.", October 10, 2017 This review is from: Origin: A Novel (Kindle Edition) 4.5 stars! Get this one now! "Where do we come from? Where are we going? Human creation and human destiny. They are the universal mysteries." OK, I absolutely loved this book -- stand down you Dan Brown naysayers. This was a superb blend of art, architecture, locations, science, religion, philosophy and HUMANTIES. It begs the question and the action-packed narrative attempts to answer it with a fast-paced plot and generates introspection that will make you rethink all you have held as fact. The author has a way of blending these different ideologies that make you think and imagine, what IF? The exposition was tense enough to make me impatient and frustrated at times with the "secret" being dangled just out of reach. The characters, symbologist Robert Langdon and the future Queen of Spain, Ambra Vidal, were a great team in their mission to bring Edmond Kirsch's radical theory to light. Their visits to the historical and important sites in Spain were instructive and interesting (especially to someone like me who has never been there.) The "prophecy" was quite revealing and, I believe, not unrealistic given the times. I loved the detail and the information provided -- it's always a plus to me to learn things that I did not know. I usually keep my iPad handy so that I can look up the various places and items mentioned in the text. That's why I love the illustrated versions of Dan Brown's books! So, I say to you -- read this! It is a book that will make you question all that is currently happening in the world. Advancements made in technology that almost defy belief -- and sort of scare you. I love a story that delves into the big questions and opens dialog. It doesn't matter if you agree with the theories presented in the book, what matters is that you give them some consideration. Could it be? Will it happen? This book isn't really about the characters -- and, if you have read other books featuring Robert Langdon -- you already know him. It's about science and religion. How open is your mind? It doesn't matter that the book seems formulaic or that Dan Brown mentions the Mickey Mouse watch twice. It's an opportunity for you to examine your own value and belief system. The book is about ideas and perhaps even a warning about where we are headed -- and how we can make sure we get "there" with our humanity intact. Please, if you read this and give it some thought, let me know what your reactions were! I recommend it.

A Kiss Before Killing

Here's the thing -- I hate giving stars. Most of the books I read are amazing, but a 5 star to me means that it changed my life -- I might need to give that idea more consideration. What do you think? How do you decide? My rating system is pretty simple.
"Coincidences happen all the time, Chief Inspector. It's because we live in a random universe.", October 20, 2017 This review is from: A Kiss Before Killing: Nothing can keep the doctor away... (Kindle Edition) Well -- imagine my surprise to find that this book is #11 in a long-running series! And I have not read ANY of the previous books. I hate it when this happens! I would have liked to approach this medical thriller with all the background on the characters of Dr. John Eisenmenger and DCI Beverley Wharton. Perhaps I would have understood their relationship better based on their history together. Regardless, without the benefit of all the backstory, I did enjoy this very fast paced and quite grisly suspense novel. There's plenty of description for anyone not too squeamish, but I suspect readers of this genre are familiar with themes of bloody murder and torture. That the "victims" are only torsos when found is a bit off-putting, and that there are so many! There's another series of deaths that are occuring at a statistically higher than usual rate at the Royal Infirmary. Are these all connected somehow? The medical details dovetail nicely with the police procedural. I like that it was told in the alternate points of view of the two main characters. The setting is the UK and it's spring time when Dr. Eisenmenger and DCI Wharton get involved in the cases. It's obvious that the author is himself a medical doctor with personal knowledge about pathologists and hospitals. Lots of dialog and action move the narrative along quickly so I was able to finish this in one sitting. There are loose ends at the conclusion so I imagine those answers will be addressed in the next book of the series. Perhaps one day I'll go back and try at least the first book! Thank you to NetGalley and Endeavor Press for the e-book ARC to read and review. Medical thrillers are my favorite!

The Lost Child

This was a new author for me, and I have not read the first two in the series but I want to go back and see the beginning. I love series, but sometimes it is hard to keep up! Anyone else have that problem?

I am always looking for new books to read so welcome any and all suggestions!

..."Human life just as fragile, is at the mercy of human greed and shame.", October 27, 2017

This review is from: The Lost Child: A gripping detective thriller with a heart-stopping twist (Detective Lottie Parker Book 3) (Kindle Edition)

Ragmullin in October -- rain and murder. The first to die is Tessa Ball, mother to Marian and grandmother to Emma. When the bodies continue to pile up, Detective inspector Lottie Parker and Detective Sergeant Mark Boyd know that this is a series of killings such as they have never dealt with before. An intense police investigation involves the old psychiatric instutition, St. Declan's Asylum. A history of a mentally disturbed young woman, a fire, some children and an immense cover-up. Is this a drug-related vendetta? Or is it something much more sinister and evil?

This third in the series has all the elements of a great thriller. I love the characters, especially Lottie, as she is trying to do her job and take care of her children and grandson while also delving into her own family history. Pulse-pounding suspense with a complicated and convoluted plot that will keep readers guessing until the very last pages! I could not put this down. I hope the 4th comes out soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review. Highly recommended. You can't go wrong if you love strong female protagonists, action, and suspense with compelling plots.

The Mistake

Because Bookouture is definitely one of my favorite publishers -- they have the type of books that I want to read -- I wanted to share my review of another of my favorite series.

 "Truth never disappears or deserts us...", October 28, 2017

Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Mistake: An unputdownable psychological thriller with a brilliant twist (Kindle Edition)

"...it's there forever, shining strong. It can be covered and disguised but it's still there. You just have to know where to find it."

Sixteen years ago, Rose experienced a horrible trauma, suffered the loss of her best friend, Cassie, and also her brother, Billy, disappeared and was later found murdered. All seemingly at the hands of one man -- the psychopath who was her boyfriend at the time -- Gareth Farnham. Now she's fearful, anorexic, bulimic and lives alone in the house where she grew up. Working at the library in town, she has not moved on from that period of time. When Rose makes a startling discovery at her neighbor's house, she knows it is up to her to finally ask the questions and get the answers she needs in order to regain her life.

Told in back and forth narrative between present day and the past, Rose describes the events and her reactions to all that took place. She's quite a mess now and the reader hopes she can find the backbone and strength to see this through. This is not particularly suspenseful, but it is a nicely woven mystery with psychological overtones. The theme is one that is quite prevalent and I will only say that it has to do with men who isolate and control those victims they seek out and attempt to capture. It takes some twists and turns on the way to a surprising conclusion and I enjoyed it. I'll continue to read others by this author.

Bought this one on pub day from Amazon.

The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye

I have decided to restart my blog with one of my favorite books this month. I love this series and the setting, characters and writing. I know the series was taken over by a new author after the death of Larsson. I'm not such a purist that I can't enjoy the continuation of a character who both fascinates and scares me.

 "What can be forgiven, and what can not?", October 28, 2017

This review is from: The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye: A Lisbeth Salander novel, continuing Stieg Larsson's Millennium Series (Millennium Series Book 5) (Kindle Edition)

This fifth book in the Millennium series (continued from #3 by Langercrantz) is, at heart, a revenge story. I loved it! Haters gonna hate and that's too bad that people are still carrying on about whether or not this is holding up the standard set by the original author, Stieg Larsson -- but I think it does.

Here's why: Lisbeth Salander is quite honestly one of the most amazing female characters to ever hit the page. She's such an enigma that we can't help but want to probe her depths and find out what makes her who she is. Bitter and fierce, if she's on YOUR side, you have a formidable ally. She's not perfect as a human being by any standard, but she does have her own brand of morals and ethics. Suffice to say that if you get on her bad side, you're going to regret it. The backstory of her life has been revealed slowly through these five books in the series and there's more to learn in this one. The subject of twins raised apart is central to the plot line and provides a fascinating glimpse into psychology gone wrong as far as the nature vs nuture debate.

The story is quite complex with many interesting characters and multiple diversions into issues that are making headlines and discussed daily on social media. Set in Sweden, it seems that current events affect all humans much the same. As always, the narrative moves forward as it discloses more about Lisbeth Salander and also deals with financial markets, Islamophobia, honor killings, twins and murder. Although the book opens with Lisbeth in prison (see book #4), it moves on rapidly into other areas with shifts in point of view and the various parallel story lines. The author handles all these elements deftly and I love the way he integrates the locale and other details.

So, what are you waiting for -- don't hesitate to grab this one. It screams "movie adaptation" as well as just being a great read. I could barely stand to put it down so read it over the course of a day. Now all I have to do is wait patiently for #6. Who knows what Lisbeth Salander and the other much-loved characters will get up to next!

Please let me know what you think about this review and the book!

Hello again!

I have decided to return to my blog. Posting reviews on Goodreads, Twitter and Amazon is fine, but somehow the focus seems to be on how many stars a review gets rather than the merits of the book. I read so many reviews and want to make my blog a little different eschewing stars and focusing more on the merits and qualities of the writing and the story. There are SO MANY new books out there!
Alas, my favorite genre is the mystery thriller, suspense psycho killer chiller and police procedural -- I mainly read those and prefer ones with female protagonists.

In my advanced age and stage of life I have decided to read what I want, not what everyone tells me I should! I'm picky and somewhat critical and read over 100 books a year. If you have any suggestions about how I can make this blog pertinent and meaningful to readers everywhere, please comment and let me know!

Please follow me on Goodreads and Twitter @AOHSDenise and I will respond to all! Communication and interaction is essential to my life -- please comment!

Bye Bye Blog!

Please follow my reviews on Goodreads or Twitter!  I would love to hear from you.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2657711?shelf=read

Twitter: AOHSDenise

Thank you and happy reading.

The Book Nurse

Vigilante (DS Jessica Daniel #2) by Kerry Wilkinson

Someone is tracking and killing men -- but these dead weren't exactly angels. Although the serial killer vigilante story line is not new, this second book in the DS Jessica Daniel series was interesting and more complex as, for Jessica, the need to get this killer becomes intensely personal.

I am enjoying the further development of the secondary characters and find myself understanding Jessica more though she is still a bit of a hothead and is, as per usual, one who doesn't like following the orders of her superiors. Not much romance going on which suits me just fine.

Solving the murder cases is tedious as the one lead they have -- the perpetrator's DNA -- is sketchy since it belongs to a man already in prison for life. Since I read a lot of this genre I immediately knew where it was going, but the process was engaging and I like science!

Already have #3 ready to go!  Bought this one as well with Amazon promotional credit.

The Killer Inside (DS Jessica Daniel #1) by Kerry Wilkinson

A "locked room" (house) mystery with DS Jessica Daniel and her team trying to find the killer of four -- the victims don't seem to have anything in common and Jessica is stymied and frustrated by the lack of clues or motive. This is a fast-paced police procedural set in Manchester, England, and is not too gory or grisly.

I love finding a new series! And my favorite ones are those featuring female lead detectives who are investigating interesting murder cases. Jessica Daniel is a great character with a lot of potential for growth and dimension as she matures and grows more confident in her abilities on the job. She is a little reckless, outspoken, and driven -- but she, thank heavens, doesn't seem to be a psychological mess like many other women in other novels in this niche genre. She seems somewhat normal! I was especially glad that she did not fall immediately into a hot romance, but I can see one coming. I don't read this type of book for the romance so I would be happy if that stays a very small part of the development of her character as the series continues. I have the next 3 books queued up ready to read -- and that is my favorite way to read a series -- all in a row. I have already started #2.

Kindle book purchased with promotion credits from Amazon.

Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen

Another wild and crazy tale that only Carl Hiaasen can write -- another to add to my long list of entertaining books I've read by this author. The stories he tells are so ridiculous that one wonders how close to reality they can be as truth is sometimes more improbable than fiction!  The characters in this one are straight from central casting -- oh yeah -- it's about a reality TV star who ends up kidnapped by a lunatic lookalike fan named Blister who wants to star alongside his idol, Buck, in a show that sounds an awful lot like DUCK DYNASTY. In addition, there's the scam artist Merry Mansfield who is an expert at the fake collision business, an ex detective, Yancy, who is working as a restaurant inspector while trying to get his badge back, and a host of other idiots ranging from entertainment agents to mafioso -- all true to stereotype.

The action is nonstop and much of it will leave the reader shaking her head or laughing out loud at the ludicrous situations and interaction between the characters. Fans won't want to miss reading about this band of misfits and their antics in the Florida Keys.

Thank you to Edelweiss for an e-book ARC for review.

The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer

Interested to see how Stephenie Meyer can transition away from vampires, werewolves and parasites!

Answer -- meh

I decided to read this hoping that, since it wasn't YA, that it would measure up to other thriller suspense novels that are my true pleasure. I was somewhat disappointed to be honest -- I had expected a bit more than the contrived juvenile romance between the female character and Daniel. The whole plot is implausible and the book is overly long and could use a serious editing.

She (let's call her Alex cause she has a lot of different names) is an ex government agent of the super secret kind -- an expert in chemical torture (nice girl right?) and is on the run from her employers who are trying to kill her. They entice her with a last job -- and she agrees to kidnap a man (Daniel) who is supposed to be making a biologic weapon -- BUT he doesn't look like the picture when she meets him in person. She does it anyway. They "fall in love" in the most ridiculous fashion imaginable (reeks of sparkly vampires and Twilight style) and go on the run together when she finds out that she's been lied to.

Lots of violent fight scenes, death, mayhem -- oh and a twin brother (sorry if this is a spoiler but the "tell" for that was early on in the book) who is the opposite in personality of Daniel and of course there is tension between him and Alex. Anyway, this narrative gets to the obvious conclusion that ties up everything and give that HEA ending typical of YA.  It would have been better without a romance, without the dogs, no twin brother, more about the chemistry and less about the guns -- anyway, managed to finish it just shaking my head that it didn't live up to the promise of the premise.

Everything You Want Me to Be by Mindy Mejia

"Just another small town girl..."  with big dreams and a talent for being the person everyone else expects to see. Hattie Hoffman is a senior at Pine High School but she has plans to leave the place behind and move to New York. She's bright and wants to be an actress -- she gives the performance of her life as Lady Macbeth, but hours later she is dead in an isolated barn. Who'd want to murder this popular girl who had so much promise?

Told from 3 different viewpoints and with shifts back and form in time, the reader follows the narratives of Hattie, Del Goodman (the Sheriff) who is investigating this murder of his good friends' daughter, and Peter Lund (the new high school English teacher, married). Parts of the plot are anticipated as affairs between students and teachers are not uncommon themes, but the author surprised me with a few twists that I didn't see coming. I thought I had the whole thing figured out. I liked the way the backstory evolved and that details were dangled inviting the reader to keep flipping the pages -- so a good one to read in one sitting.

An enjoyable mystery that has elements of the standard police procedural, psychological drama, and the lure of the forbidden. Temptation is one thing, giving into it is yet another.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the e-book ARC to review.

Blood Lines (DI Kim Stone #5) by Angela Marsons

Another thrilling episode in the DI Kim Stone series.

#5 continues the compelling storyline of Kim Stone, giving us further glimpses into her character and her relationships. Alexandra Thorne is back, this time spinning her evil plans from a prison cell -- and her reach is long. Though Kim is nearly undone by the manipulations of sociopathic psychiatrist Dr. Thorne, she and her team investigate a series of murders that leads to a surprising conclusion. In a related subplot, Kim sees her mother again after over 20 years.

Although I sometimes feel that Kim is meant to be superwoman, I do find her flawed psyche interesting and I'm curious about what case she will confront next. Love the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to review -- can't wait for #6.

Got this approved from NetGalley after I bought the e-book (had some promotional credit to use). Now I wait.

The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan

Zoe and Maria, mother and daughter, finally have a second chance at a happy family life when Maria marries Chris Kennedy. Chris has a son, Lucas, from his former wife (deceased) and now Chris and Maria have a new baby girl they've named Grace. The "Second Chance Family" is calm, reserved, and behaves perfectly -- though Maria and Zoe have a secret they've kept from Chris and Lucas. When Zoe was 14 she was driving a car full of school friends who died and she has completed her sentence and they have put their past behind them -- but they lie by omission. When Zoe is outed during a piano concert (she's a music prodigy), their carefully created facade starts crumbling. The family returns home, Zoe was so upset that she couldn't finish, so Lucas played on alone (yes, he's a prodigy too). Everything falls apart that night and Maria ends up dead. In this domestic drama, the reader waits to find out who killed her.

Sometimes having alternate points of view is illuminating and essential to the story and at other times, like in this novel, it just hampers the progression of the narrative with lots of extraneous detail that is probably meant to give the reader insight into the characters and paint a more dastardly picture of the killer. The pace was rather slow, and I am sorry but I really despised the conclusion.  There was such limited honestly by all the characters that I had no empathy for any pain they might have experienced because I do not feel that the lies and secrets met any criteria for ends justifying means. I can't say I liked Zoe and definitely am not a fan of how it all resolved -- too unbelievable and pat.

I got this book from the library because I had enjoyed Macmillan's debut.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

"Most of us think the word racism is synonymous with the word prejudice. But racism is more than just discrimination based on skin color. It's also about who has institutional power."

It is difficult for me, a white woman, to fully accept that I have been given advantages that made my success easier to achieve. This book challenges all of us to look deep within ourselves -- is it possible to truly admit that -- just because of skin color -- the American dream is not really accessible to all who live here. I will be thinking about many of the issues and points raised in this fictional account of an African American nurse who was charged with murder of a baby who goes into cardiac arrest when she had been told not to touch this white newborn by the parents and her supervisor.

Definitely would be a great book club read or even required reading for anyone interested in having a very difficult conversation about racism. Does this mean there will be a sequel:  (Ruth Jefferson #1)???

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the e-book ARC to review.

While You Were Sleeping by Kathryn Croft

Preposterous. I despised every single character in this book and the ridiculous plot was completely unbelievable from both a police procedural standpoint and a mystery. The notion that someone could wake up naked in a neighbor's bed with said neighbor bloody and dead beside her compounded by amnesia and what must be completely inept police with no DNA or forensics capabilities...I'll stop here. Don't recommend.

This is the first by this author I've read. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC.

Evil Games (#2) by Angela Marsons

Second in the series that I seem to have read backwards! Enjoyed this one as well as the other 3 I have read. DI Kim Stone is a complicated woman -- a bit of a psychological mess -- but she is determined to close her cases despite some unorthodox methods. She's the typical cop in genre fiction who doesn't follow the rules, obey superiors, or work very well with others. This means she is always in some sort of personal physical danger -- and of course, she always escapes to chase down the bad guys another day. Despite these flaws and stereotype, the plots are interesting and cover a wide range of crimes from murder, abuse, psychological manipulation, etc.

I am looking forward to #5 and intend to read them in order from now on -- definitely would have helped to have the backstory on DI Stone because I read #3 first. I hope that one day she will be somewhat normal and actually have some relationships in her life. Wouldn't it be nice if, for once, some of these tough female characters could have a good woman friend? I'm not meaning romance as I think Kim Stone is nowhere ready for that! She does need a bit of a "life" however. It gets boring reading about her lonely life with her motorcycles!

Bought this one too!

Silent Scream (#1 DI Kim Stone) by Angela Marsons

Suspenseful debut of new series kept me glued to the book from start to finish. Two and a half hours later, whew -- what a character!  I'm a fan of female detectives, so this introduction to DI Kim Stone hooked me from the prologue through to the surprising conclusion.

Five people gather around a shallow grave outside of a children's social services care home burying their secret. Years later, the land is set to be dug by a team of archeologists. Suddenly, the members of that clandestine group start dying. There is a lot going on in this case and it centers mostly on how children in the care system continue to be misused and abused by those paid to care for them -- "out of the frying pan into the fire". The most horrifying thing about this novel is that probably many of the bad things that happened to the kids in care might still continue in these social systems and justice centers today.

Glancing back through my "books read", however, I noticed that I had read #4 and #3 (in that order) back at the beginning of the year. In those reviews, I remark that I can't stand Kim Stone -- perhaps that was because I didn't have any idea of her background to explain why she is so brash, cocky, obsessed, and haunted. She does that have annoying characteristic of always being right (to show up everyone she works for or with), but she has a loyal team despite all. I like the interaction between Kim and her usual partner, Bryant. Her snarky comments are sometimes funny.

Since I started at the wrong point, I'd suggest if you're interested in gritty police thrillers that you begin with the first and progress up. I just queued up #2 and catching up!

Actually bought this e-book I needed to catch up the series.

Bitter Moon (#4) by Alexandra Sokoloff

"Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing." (John Stuart Mill)

Wow -- another great book in this amazing series! This takes the reader back to where it all began with Cara and why she does what she does. These must be read in order to fully appreciate the development of the character of Cara. Roarke is retracing the period of time Cara spent in Las Piedras 14 years before the current events and manhunt featured in books one through three. Cara had her choice -- to be afraid of the wolf or to become the wolf. She became the wolf.

Totally absorbing and fast paced as the narrative shifts between Cara in the past and Roarke in the present. Basically Roarke is channeling Cara as he investigates the deaths of two young girls in the town all those years ago. Although the repetition of the evil of "It" gets a little tiresome, I found it only a minor annoyance.  Even though I knew "who" because I read so many books in this genre, I found the process quite a thrill ride.

I love this series and I will be waiting eagerly for book #5. The author is writing fiction, yes, but she is quite passionate about the need to stop abuse and neglect of children in the social services programs. She's an advocate of those organizations that work with children and teens and her plea for all to open their eyes and help them.

PsychoAnalysis by V.R.Stone

"The mind...contains memories too painful to remember, elicits emotions we don't want to feel, and makes us do things we don't understand."

Three characters on very different paths, but all have personal issues from the past that will collide in the present. One is a Freudian psychiatrist and author -- Dr. Karl Gross who specializes in serial killers and celebrity sex addicts. Another is DI Martin White whose work days are usually spent looking at cold cases -- until he is assigned a partner for this investigation. And lastly, Sarah Smith (AKA Sarah Silver) -- a rarity -- female serial killer who has traveled the world for her prey. Just who is the hunter?

Lots of action and great messed up characters that remind us all of how complex humans can be. The detectives want to find and stop the killer. The psychiatrist wants to get inside her head and save her (and maybe write a book about her). Sarah wants to ...quit? Maybe. Told in alternating points of view, this psychological crime thriller takes the reader on quite the ride and begs the question -- what shapes human behavior?

This was an excellent debut and I'm definitely going to be eagerly waiting for this author's next book. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the e-book ARC to review.

Daisy in Chains by Sharon Bolton

Hamish Wolfe is a convicted murderer -- three young women met their fate at his hands -- or did they? He begs celebrated defense barrister and true-crime author, Maggie Rose, to take his appeal forward. Between Wolfe's mother and his fan club, Maggie is beseeched until she agrees to see him in Parkhurst Prison. He is indeed a very handsome man; she can see why he receives hundreds of letters a month from female admirers. Women drawn to the alpha man. Though initially refusing to take his case, and deterred as well by Detective Constable Peter Weston who arrested him, Maggie finds herself wondering-- not about his guilt as she doesn't care about that -- but whether or not she can get the conviction overturned.

Maggie Rose is a bit of an odd duck, reclusive yet flamboyant with her turquoise blue hair and slight stature. She finds it telling that all of the dead women were quite heavy and not especially attractive. Are those rumors about Hamish during his university days true? Hamish insists he was framed but Maggie cannot fathom who would do that to the good doctor. Regardless, she agrees to help and begins an investigation hoping to find evidence that will create doubt.

Setting: Somerset in the UK, present day. Sharon Bolton is an amazing writer with an eye for description and detail. You can feel the cold and the menace of the caves. Her characters are complex and interesting. Maggie is an enigma and there is a sense that she has a past that is only hinted at. A loner. The pace is fast as the narrative ratchets up the tension to a twisty conclusion that some might anticipate but that will be relished nevertheless. I loved it!

This is the second book I've read by this author and can't wait to see what's next. The setting is so vivid it is almost another character and allows for splendid visualization of the action as it happens. I'd recommend it!

See How They Run by Tom Bale

Ordinary couple caught up in extraordinary circumstances.

When Alice and Harry French are awakened in the middle of the night by intruders who threaten them and their baby daughter, Evie, they think at first that these men have gotten the wrong house. Neither Alice nor Harry know a man named Renshaw. Shaken, they don't call the police, but then events spiral out of their control and they are on the run pursued by the ruthless criminals. But -- they aren't together.

Great fast-paced action and suspense as Alice and Harry try to evade the criminals intent on recovering something that was stolen from them. Who can they trust? Forced into suspicious partnerships and separated from each other, Alice and Harry find themselves in life or death situations.

Enjoyed the characters and the drama -- average family in peril. A good thriller with some nice twists make it a compelling read that was hard to put down.

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

Dark Water (Erika Foster #3) by Robert Bryndza

The bones of a child are drug from the quarry water and she is soon identified as Jessica Collins -- an 8-year-old who went missing on her way to a birthday party 26 years ago. As DCI Foster tries to find some clues about who may have abducted her and why, the discovery of the bones has ignited a series of events that result in the deaths of people connected to the investigation. The Collins family is a mess and Erika's team is desperate to get this case closed. A clever twist at the end! This hooked me from the start and kept me engrossed throughout. A London setting, vivid descriptions and great characters make this one I'll be recommending.

I love this series and have read all 3! The character of Erika Foster is so well-developed and she makes such a believable protagonist. Although you could read this as a standalone, I think that it is better if you do start from the beginning to see Erika's history leading up to this, book #3.  I can't wait for the next book.

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

Away from the Dark by Aleatha Romig

No one gets out of "The Light"...

This is a very suspenseful and worthy sequel to INTO THE LIGHT -- which had ended on a cliffhanger that left me desperately waiting for this followup. I can't help but wonder, however, if there is more to come though I understand that the author has indicated that the story arc featuring Jacoby and Stella is concluded?!  I definitely would read another featuring the characters from this duology.

Many of the questions asked in the first novel were answered in this one but I do not want to say more to avoid giving spoilers. Jacob (Jacoby) and Sara (Stella) are involved in very dangerous activities as they seek to expose the horrors of The Light and save those that are captive in the religious cult. This is definitely a duet that requires that you read it in order, so don't start this one unless you have read the first.

I liked the characters of Jacob and Sara and some of the minor ones as well. Though I typically dislike a lot of romance (lots of LOVE in this set), I wasn't as bothered by it as usual as their relationship was important to the plot. The evil in The Light's leadership was palpable and the subjugation of women was a bitter pill to swallow.  I had a hard time putting the book down as it raced to the conclusion even as I expected the outcome -- but not some of the twists. Definitely enjoyed both books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-book ARC to review.

The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian

Absorbing story of a family reacting to the sudden disappearance and presumed death of the wife and mother. The twist is that she suffered from sleepwalking (parasomnia) -- so the reader learns a lot about this topic throughout the course of the narrative. 

What happened? Beautiful Annalee Ahlberg vanished after apparently walking out of her home in the middle of the night. The story is basically a family drama with a mystery that is told from the point of view of the oldest daughter, 21-year-old Lianna, who is trying to take care of her younger sister Paige and her father, Warren.

I found the information about parasomnia quite fascinating as it is not something I knew much about beforehand. However, I didn't care much for any of the characters in the book, I didn't relate to Lianna, and was quite disappointed in the ending when the mystery is solved. I did not find it suspenseful or "spine tingling" and would not say it is a thriller. I would say this is not my favorite Bohjalian novel and I have read all the previous ones so just making that comparison. Others may certainly find it more "mesmerizing" than I did.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Doubleday Books for the e-book ARC to review.

I See You by Clare Mackintosh

"You know exactly where you're going. You're not alone."

A secret website full of the personal details of your life and schedule available to anyone with a membership. Someone could meet you easily if he wanted. Or worse...

Zoe Walker is stunned to find her face on an advert in the classified section of the LONDON GAZETTE. When she talks to her family about it, they seem fairly unconcerned -- until Zoe discovers that another woman whose face had been pictured ended up murdered. Coincidence? And soon there are more linked cases. Then MIT gets involved and the hunt is on -- who is behind this game of cat and mouse?

This suspense thriller is filled with a large cast of characters and many red herrings as the police use all of their resources to find the mastermind behind the website. Zoe becomes a bit more unglued as each day she feels that she is being watched, stalked. The Metropolitan detectives are tracking the money, the CCTV, and the internet as the cunning owner tries to stay a step ahead with a last, desperate gamble to keep the game alive.

This was entertaining though I found Zoe more annoying than actually endangered. The climax was a bit over the top, but overall an enjoyable read. I'm wondering if this will be the first in a new series featuring the police team of Kelly Swift and DI Nick Rampello as the duo seemed to be the most fleshed-out and interesting characters. This is the second book by this author I have read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the e-book ARC to review.

Good as Gone by Amy Gentry

What would you do if the worst thing that had ever happened was suddenly undone?

That's the dilemma facing the Whitaker family when their kidnapped older daughter, Julie, appears on their doorstep one evening -- 8 years after she had vanished! They all want to believe -- but is this girl who is so different really Julie? Her stories about what happened during those 8 years reveal horrible abuse and degradation. Is that why she seems changed?  Anna, the mother, has some doubts that she can't seem to face. Denial. Hope. In equal measures.

Although this is a mystery in some ways, it is more a story of relationships between mothers and daughters. Of things spoken and those words left unsaid. A chasm of needs not met due to a lack of communication. And a tragedy that results from that kind of neglect.

I thought I would like this more than I did, but mostly I was just annoyed because a simple DNA test at the outset would have answered all the questions. No, I'm not giving it away here. I don't understand denial as a self defense mechanism, so that's probably why I have some issues. Found the whole story a bit hard to believe, really, and the ending where it was all neatly tied up fell short of meeting my expectations for a climax. I never connected with any of the characters, especially not Anna, and the sister and husband of Anna were completely undeveloped.

It was fast paced and I read it in an evening but would not really consider it suspenseful or any type of thriller -- more domestic drama. Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the e-book ARC to review.

The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich

OK -- book wins. I have no idea what the heck I just read. I don't understand really what happened or why or anything. Perhaps that was the point. A totally crazy (forgive the pun) rollercoaster ride that ends in a spectacular crash. What was real, what was true -- no clue.

I can't say I enjoyed reading this, but definitely it will be interesting to discuss at book club this week. Mental illness of this nature can be a very scary thing and whether or not one believes in the controversial state of DID, it totally freaked me out seeing that probably there was no way that Kaitlyn/Carly would ever be well.

Definitely a book I would not have read had it not been a book club selection by the teens and I am not into horror, supernatural, magic, demons, possession, etc., but I did like the way the author used different approaches to advancing the narrative. From the transcription of video, interviews, diary entries, etc. to the police reports and summaries, the reader is caught up in a maelstrom from the beginning and it's hard to take a complete breath until it's over.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the e-book ARC to review.

The Girl Before by JP Delaney

Psychological suspense that keeps you guessing -- and of course, with the expected twist as that is the nature of most books of this genre right now!

Just who is the psychopathic narcissist?

Emma and Jane both live in the same house -- One Folgate Street -- Emma a couple of years prior and Jane now. They both become involved with the architect who designed the unique dwelling and who insists upon the "rules" for those who live there. The idea, he claims, is that people can be changed by this state-of-the art dwelling and minimalist living style.

The narration alternates between Emma (THEN) and Jane (NOW). Each has her own personality and both have recently experienced an event that has left them vulnerable and weakened. Now they become obsessed by the house, the architect, and those that lived there before -- especially when it seems that death has visited. The characters have a lot of depth and the chapters are short so the book moves very fast. Manipulation, deception, and suspicion lead to only one end.

Ignore the fact that these books of psycho drama featuring women are now always compared to those titles I will not name, but you know what I mean. There is a lot of hype about this novel, and it is definitely one all fans of this genre should read.  The author is writing under a pseudonym and you can tell it's not a debut work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the e-book ARC to review.

Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen

Excellent suspense -- kept me guessing.

What would you do if you came home to a house that had been stripped of every single piece of your live-in boyfriend's presence and he went missing as well?

Hannah goes completely off the rails and becomes obsessed with tracking down Matt and begging him to return to her and their life together. She tries everything she can think of, and her work and job start to suffer, but she cannot find a trace of him and starts to doubt herself and their relationship. Though focusing on their good times, and claiming that nothing had changed in the weeks and days leading up to Matt's disappearance, her friends can't help but wonder what really had been going on between the pair. Hannah is about to lose everything in pursuit of Matt.

I really did not like Hannah at all, and was very unsympathetic to her desire to track Matt down and get him back (ladies, we all know that never works, they leave for a reason), I was suspicious of her and the story line looking for the big twist. It was a very fast read and I enjoyed it very much because of the writing style and the characters -- who were all a bit unsavory!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC to review. This would make a great choice for a book club discussion.

Ragdoll by Daniel Cole

Happened upon this title and was hooked by synopsis -- sounds like a debut I don't want to miss.
Lots of hype by big names for this one --

"There is a God. There is a Devil. Demons walk among us."

Debut and first in series featuring Detective William Oliver Layton-Fawkes (nickname: Wolf) and set in London. 

Though I saw the hype when I requested this one, I reserved judgment and went ahead. I didn't find it nearly as compelling and brilliant as blurbed, but it was definitely an interesting thriller with characters that I absolutely detested. Almost all of them were hideous people.  And of course they don't follow any normal rules of police investigative procedure but they rarely get in trouble over it though Wolf spent time in a psych ward for going crazy on a prisoner. Now he's back to work. That said, it was still a good read.

Containing lots of nice grisly and gory details for fans of that nature, the story focuses on Wolf's hunt for the "Ragdoll killer."  A body is found, but wait, it is SEVERAL different people all stitched together. As each is identified, Wolf finds that there is a personal connection. He's even more certain of that when a list of the next to die has his name on it.

It is fast paced and has a lot of potential in series development as the reader will learn more about the characters and why they have so many rough edges.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Ecco Harper Collins for the e-book ARC to review.

Blood Wedding by Pierre Lemaitre

Well -- WOW! Starting out slowly, building with a relentlessness that keeps the reader glued to the pages, and finishing with a bang makes this a suspense thriller that I won't soon forget.

Sophie Duguet goes from zero to full on crazy over a matter of months. When she awakens to find that the boy she nannies is dead, she runs. Though she changes her appearance and secures a new identity, she can't seem to escape this particular madness. No matter what she does, or where she goes, she is losing hope and her last grasp on sanity. Someone knows exactly what has happened to Sophie, and why.

This is fantastic writing by an author whose books I anticipate and devour.  It was painful waiting for the release so I could get my hands on it having been turned down for an ARC. My heart was pounding as I turned the pages reading as fast as I could. I loved it! 

City of Strangers by Louise Millar

When Grace and Mac Scott return from honeymooning in Thailand to find an unidentified dead man in their new apartment's kitchen, she feels compelled to find out who he was and to contact his family. Still reeling from her father's death, Grace -- a photographer -- decides that she will investigate this man after she finds a note next to an unopened wedding present. The note has a name and she embarks (half-cocked) on an international hunt to the consternation of her new husband. Fortunately, Grace has a friend who works for a newspaper and he is quite helpful in guiding her search. Hopscotching across Europe seeking out information, Grace finds that the man has many identities and comes from a family with a very bad reputation. Who was he and what was he doing in her kitchen?

I found this a bit slow to be honest. I also did not like the character of Grace and the premise of her fixation on finding out the identity of the man (who was likely a criminal who broke into her apartment) seemed a bit far fetched. I found her annoying and obsessive about the whole situation. It had a predictable ending that any reader of this genre could see coming, including the romantic interest. I doubt I'd read another book featuring Grace Scott but I have read most of this author's past work and will again as long as it is not this character. I duly note that others have really loved this novel and Grace.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an e-book ARC to review

Moral Defense by Marcia Clark (#2)

The second in the Samantha Brinkman series. She's a defense attorney -- and, for her, it's not about whether the client is innocent or guilty. She wants to make sure they walk.

As usual, snarky and sneaky DA Samantha Brinkman is up to her old tricks. She has her own peculiar brand of justice even as she does everything she can to get even the most heinous criminals acquitted or pled out. In this second book of the series, Sam is counsel for a 15-year-old girl, Cassie Sonnenberg, who is accused of committing the brutal murders of her foster family: brother, father and mother. As Cassie reveals the despicable activities that were going on in that home, Sam can't help but get personally involved as the revelations bring back terrible memories for her.

Meanwhile, Sam and her two associates are dealing with several other creepy clients and things are getting pretty dicey. Sam has to figure out how to keep the bad guys from coming after her because of some of things she "influenced" in questionable ways. Always on the edge of crossing over to the same side as her defendants, Sam is a very unusual defense attorney.

I enjoy this series though I worry that Sam's ways and means make her just as bad as those she defends. She definitely wants to win at any cost, though she does care about the truth no matter what she presents to the court.  Sam is a complex character and the writing is crisp and clear. There is a lot of action and it's easy to keep turning the pages because the reader just can't wait to see how all the cases turn out. Just when you think you have it all figured...surprise! You can tell this book is written by someone who does have an inside track - as does this author, a lawyer.

Looking forward to the next in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-book ARC to review. I also want to read her other books. 

Little Girl Gone by Gerry Schmitt

The first Afton Tangler suspense thriller -- a cold Minnesota night, a kidnapped baby...

The debut in a new series introduces Afton Tangler, a single mom of two girls, who works as a family liaison officer with the Minneapolis Police Department.  Afton is out ice climbing in the frigid Minnesota winter when she gets a call about a kidnapped 3 month old baby girl.  Little Elizabeth Ann Darden was taken from her crib at home while she was being watched by a sitter. The wealthy parents, Susan and Richard, are frantic as the local police, the FBI and other jurisdictions are called in on the case.

Afton becomes extremely involved in the actual investigation of the case, far beyond the scope of her liaison job. Although the reader knows who took the baby and has an idea of why, the crime investigators are without much to go on as they attempt to track down the abductor and rescue the baby. Yes, it's a bit farfetched -- the degree of civilian Afton's involvement partnering with a detective -- but it is a quick and entertaining read that has a lot of drama. The "bad guys" are nasty enough and Afton is clever and strong enough to provide a solid start to what will likely be a popular series.  I enjoyed the details about the Twin Cities geography and the winter weather features strongly in the story.

I was turned down when I requested an ARC but the synopsis interested me enough that I obtained it elsewhere on my own. 

Don't Tell Anyone by Eleanor Gray

"When your child dies, hope and reason for living dies too."

Grace Neville's daughter, Tara, was stabbed to death in a seedy hotel and the man responsible is behind bars. It's over, time to move on -- except that convicted Jordan Dukes' father, Allan, appears at Grace's door claiming that his son -- Tara's boyfriend -- is not the one who murdered Tara. It appears that both Grace and Allan are "victims of their children's bad choices" and soon they are both caught up in trying to figure out who really killed Tara, and why.

This was a very convoluted mystery involving many red herrings as "Tara's dirty secret" is finally discovered and outed. There are many characters, some more believable and complicated than others, and the revelations were a bit of a let down and somewhat "out there" as the narrative winds down at the conclusion. Definitely a domestic drama more than a suspense thriller, it held my interest well enough and I think it would be hard for anyone to make a good guess about the whodunit.  Grace is, of course, completely undone by the death of her daughter and Grace's ex, Archie, who left her for another woman, is sorta creepy and doesn't follow along with Grace's conviction that the wrong man is in prison. The police are not portrayed very well.

In all, this was not pulse pounding but kept me guessing. It always comes back to the truth, we do not really know ANYONE - despite our firmly held idea that we should know our own children inside and out. I did like some of the quotes in the book well enough to cite another: "There are so many countless ways that Fate can snap its fingers...all those desperately sad yet banal and everyday packages of pain that life has in store for the unwary."

Thank you to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for this e-book ARC to review.

Beautiful Maids All in a Row by Jennifer Harlow

"Best wishes on a bright here and now."

Bam! I now have a new series to look forward to after finishing this suspenseful thriller featuring ex FBI agent and forensic psychologist, Iris Ballard. Though quite a hot mess after the death of her husband, Iris comes out of retirement to assist the FBI in its hunt for the Woodsman -- notorious murderer of several women. There are no witnesses, no clues, and no suspects. This is one scary psychopath who may have met his match in Iris. I'd call her relentless.

Grisly and tense, the narrative takes off like a rocket and that makes it hard to put this book down. I liked the dialogue, the writing and the characters -- I even forgive Ms Harlow the insertion of a stereotypical romance angle. Iris is an interesting contradiction as she leaves the vodka behind and puts herself back in the game. The bad guy was as menacing as expected and the scene where he comes after Iris was of course anticipated because that always happens in this genre!

I enjoyed this and can't wait for #2. Recommending to all who like a gory thriller with a strong female protagonist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alibi Random House for the e-book ARC to review

Fatal by John Lescroart

How can one ever imagine the consequences that might result from a single bad decision? There's no way that Kate could have known what she would set in motion when she decided to sleep with Peter Ash. Just once. After all -- no one else knew but the two of them. Right?

Great characters and storytelling made this one that I could hardly put down. I loved that it was a standalone though I'm a fan of Lescroart's series as well. He has a great vocabulary and I really enjoyed the writing style. I was kept guessing by the twists; the narrative kept surprising me as events unfolded. And there were several interesting side stories as well! In short, a very entertaining read that I would recommend. I'm not sure I'd classify it as a mystery, a suspense thriller, or even a police procedural -- more domestic fiction with a crime angle.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-book ARC to review.

Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson

When you're already plagued with panic attacks and a bit of OCD always imagining that the worst will happen -- what happens when it actually does?

Kate Priddy agrees to switch apartments with a second cousin who has an apartment in Boston while he goes to her flat in London for 6 months. Little does she know that Corbin Dell has terrible secrets and that she will be drawn into the web of a psychopath who is out for a very twisted revenge.

I do love the suspense thrillers by this author and have read all he's written to date. This one won't disappoint. Interesting characters who take turns narrating, great description and detail, and a really good story make this book hard to put down.

Thank you to Edelweiss and William Morrow for the e-book ARC to review.