The Annihilation Protocol (#2) by Michael Laurence

This follow-up to THE EXTINCTION AGENDA was another action-packed thrill ride that combined a complicated conspiracy, detailed science, and history going back generations in a story that is utterly engrossing. I found it extremely hard to put down and was happy to be able to read it immediately following the first in the series. My immediate reaction after shutting down the kindle after I finished was to lament the fact that the third volume is probably a year away! 

The synopsis provided by the publisher gives a great description of the premise and the author fulfilled all my expectations. I urge you to read the initial book before tackling this one in order to have the full background and understanding about the cabal behind these heinous plans to kill off a large part of the world's population. Money and power are often in the hands of really evil people and the motive of revenge can create the life mission of someone who has been wronged. Pure entertainment even if it hits a high on the "you've gotta be kidding" meter! I enjoyed the interaction between the 3 main characters continued from the first book and can't wait to see what is next for them. Lots of description and detail to satisfy anyone's curiosity and the writing is great. 

  Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I only wish this would be optioned for a Netflix series or a major motion picture! And, Mr. Laurence, please get busy on book #3. 

This is the second in a series featuring these characters and should be read in order. 

Genre - science, history, conspiracy, thriller

The Extinction Agenda (#1) by Michael Lawrence

This action-packed thriller grabbed me from the first few lines and held me completely entranced as it rocketed towards a conclusion that begs the question -- "What gives you the right to determine who lives and who dies?" I could not put this down and so read it from cover to cover in a single sitting. I'm lucky enough to have the second in the series, THE ANNIHILATION PROTOCOL, already queued up on my Kindle and can't wait to dive in!

The plot focuses on the hunt for an evil cadre who are apparently designing some type of biological agent that they can unleash on the undesirable populations around the globe. Ostensibly to create a new world order that they will control and thus save the more educated and productive while killing off those who they perceive are sucking up the natural resources and destroying the planet. Can FBI Special Agent James Mason and his friends save the day? What a wild ride to find out. NO SPOILERS.

I loved the detail and the meticulous descriptions of so many different situations going on within these pages. The way the author expressed the forward narrative kept me fully engaged and the occasional humorous interjections were much appreciated. So the guy is almost Superman, who cares, it might have stretched the believability index, but it was definitely pure entertainment. The themes are certainly timely given everything currently happening in the world with COVID-19 pandemic still wreaking devastation and death. The moral and ethical decisions that are presented every day still confound every person and especially the leaders. I certainly will recommend this book to anyone who wonders about what might be going on behind the scenes or those of us believe that evil will triumph if good people do nothing.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend. I'm sorry it took me so long to get around to reading it!

This is the first of two books in a series that definitely should be read in order.
Genre - thriller, suspense, medical, conspiracy, global

I Know Your Secret by Ruth Heald

This is a story about vulnerability, power in relationships, and explosive secrets. It's a very quick read that is easily consumed in a single sitting as it alternates between the points of view of Danielle and Beth.

Beth Evans has no idea that Danielle Brown has an agenda when Danielle starts therapy with her. Ostensibly to save a failing marriage, Danielle reveals her innermost thoughts and fears. But what if she is lying? Beth has no idea that Danielle is bent on revenge. NO SPOILERS.

Although a bit predictable once you've gotten into it a bit, the story held my interest and kept me guessing as I followed the twists, turns and revelations. I found the interactions between Beth and Danielle quite interesting as they form a counselor-client bond and sink into dysfunctional, mutual manipulation. I found myself feeling empathy for both women by the end. Enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. An addictive piece of psychological fiction.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - domestic, psychological fiction, secrets and lies, therapy

One Left Alive (Morgan Brookes #1) by Helen Phifer

This is the first in a new series featuring Morgan Brookes, a rookie who manages to impress the boss on her first day of independent patrol. Promoted to assist in a murder investigation because she's feisty, outspoken, and apparently more observant than her colleagues, Morgan rapidly dives in to help hunt for the killer.

I guess I've read enough police procedural and detective novels now that it is impossible to find something new and fresh. I had it all figured out fairly quickly and had a hard time buying into Morgan's rapid rise in the CID for the Cumbria Constabulary. The investigative work was really sloppy and her relationship with her supervisor, DS Ben Matthews, seemed quite inappropriate and unlikely given their age difference and his past.

Although it was a fast read, I doubt I'll continue on with the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the first book in a new series.
Genre - Police procedural, murder mystery, female detective, Lake District UK

The Hierarchies by Ros Anderson

"I am a humanoid pleasure doll. An intelligent embodied...please call me Sylv.ie. I have been designed to be an instrument for male pleasure."

I had only a vague idea from the synopsis of what this book would be about, and honestly, that description tells only a very small part of the story within the pages. In fact, the time that Sylv.ie spends with her "Husband" is the least interesting part and the tale became so much more than a female robot trope. Set in a vague futuristic society where women are either "Born" or "Created", the themes of possession and control loom large. As always, the subjugated class is female and they serve at the whim of men with only the most wealthy able to afford a personally crafted Doll. The Dolls are not meant to be independent nor do they have any freedom of choice about what happens to them, how they are treated, or when they might be sent to the Doll Hospital after a perceived malfunction. Resented by humans both male and female -- "It is an all-too-Human failing...to wish to improve the object of desire, then to shrink from the creature one creates." It's an unusual narrative told from the point of view of Sylvi.ie as she "becomes" over the course of her experiences with her Husband and with the world outside of that prison. NO SPOILERS.

I really enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. I worried that it would disappoint and fall into predictability but it surprised me. This is an excellent debut and definitely has a dystopian bent that should serve to remind us all of what it means to be human and the need to both respect and fear coming technological "advances" that could ultimately result in many negative changes. There was a lot of sex talk but it was not erotica in any way; beware in case that offends you. I can't wait to read more reviews and hear other reactions to this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Dutton for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - scifi, dystopian, futuristic, treatment of women

The Falling Woman by Richard Farrell

 

"Hiding is a way of holding ourselves until we are ready to come into the light." On a stormy night in May, a plane took off from Dulles bound for California. The Boeing 737 carrying 123 passengers and crew inexplicably exploded and everything rained down on the Kansas prairie outside of Wichita. The NTSB mobilized its investigators who headed to the site in an attempt to figure out what happened and why. "Investigating a crash is one part archeology, one part guesswork, and one part origami." But this wasn't a story about the methods of that agency. The most startling aspect of this terrible disaster was that there was rumor of a survivor. This wasn't really a story about her, either, after all. The narrative shifts between the viewpoints of Erin Geraghty (wife, mother, lawyer, cancer patient) and Charlie Radford (a member of the NTSB GO Team). The information about the procedures of the Pointer 795 crash investigation is very interesting. The plausibility and believability of a person defying the laws of physics to survive such an event even more so. But at the heart of this tale is the question -- what rights do people have to privacy and the choice about self-determination. This book begs to be chosen for book club discussion and I've enjoyed reading all the other reviews. Although I likely would not have made the same choices as either of the main characters, I respect their ability to do so. The reality is that we often don't have the ability to control our own narratives, especially if the public is clamoring for explanations, reasons, or answers. I could not put this down until I finished it in a single sitting. Very thought-provoking and I think I'll remember this one for a long time. Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.   This is a standalone and is not part of any series. Genre - drama, mystery, plane crash, profound story about self-determination and freedom to choose.

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

 "Every house has a story to tell and a secret to share. Twenty-five years ago, my family lived in a house named Baneberry Hall...We moved in on June 26. We fled in the dead of night on July 15."

Maggie Holt has just inherited a house after the death of her father. It's not just any house nor does it carry any treasured, happy memories for Maggie. In fact, she never intended to see it or step foot inside again after that fateful night.  She is, however, a designer and she intends to work on the place and sell it. The house has caused her nothing but pain as it ruined the relationship she had with her parents when her father decided to turn their short time living there into a bestselling book -- in fact, a ghost story -- that Maggie has come to believe was all a total lie. So, she seeks truth. What did happen in that house? NO SPOILERS.

Oh, how I love a book that features an old house -- possibly haunted -- or at least one with all the Gothic influences and menacing atmosphere. This well-written suspense thriller is my favorite of all the Sager books (so far) and I believe it's best read without reading too much about it ahead of time. It's a fun, quick read that you will find hard to put down. I enjoyed the details and the way the author interspersed the present events that Maggie was experiencing with past excerpts from her father's book.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. Enjoy!

 

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

Genre - mystery, thriller, uncanny, suspense

The Bone Hunger (Benjamin Oris #2) by Carrie Rubin

 What a fast, fun thrill ride from beginning to end -- this begs to be read in a single sitting so I did just that. No fears if you haven't read the first book in the series as I had not either and the author gives enough backstory so you will get the gist of what happened to Benjamin almost 4 years prior to the current time and place.

Everything is going good for Dr. Benjamin Oris, 2nd year orthopedic resident at Montgomery Hospital in downtown Philadelphia, PA. His baby mama and he are co-parenting an adorable son and his friends, family, and colleagues are all ready to help him meet his goals. Of course since things are really looking up for Ben, something bad has to happen -- and it does. The first severed limb of one of Ben's joint replacement patients turns up in a park and causes quite a stir. Then a second. The surgical team that Ben is lucky enough to be on is on alert and their worries intensify as their patients are threatened and their operations seem more risky. Does this freakish spate of limbs and murders have anything to do with the recent trauma experienced by some of the team who were on a humanitarian mission to Alaska when their plane crashed in the wilderness? Is there something "otherworldly" afoot? NO SPOILERS.

I loved the medical information and the great writing; it's obvious that the author knows her topic. I also enjoyed the bit of "otherworldly" that came into play. It's just detailed and grisly enough to cause some suspense and it kept me guessing with the misdirection and red herrings. I surely hope to follow this up with book #3 in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo Dot Press for this e=book ARC to read, review and recommend.

 This is the second book in a series and I was not able to get a copy of the first, THE BONE CURSE, but it can be read as a standalone.

Genre - medical mystery thriller, suspense, otherworldly

Save Her Soul (Detective Josie Quinn #9) by Lisa Regan

In this 9th installment of a long-running series featuring Detective Josie Quinn, the very foundations of her life are questioned as she investigates a murder that has relevance to her teenage years.

Major flooding in Denton, Pennsylvania, has Josie and her colleague, Det. Gretchen Palmer,  out on the water in an inflatable boat doing water rescues when they spot a blue, plastic tarp wrapped around a floating body in the rushing currents. The victim is identified as Beverly Urban, a girl that Josie had gone to high school with and who had been presumed moved away decades ago. The autopsy shows a gunshot to the back of the head and the manner of death is homicide. Somehow the preserved body is remarkably intact and Beverly is wearing a letter jacket that belonged to Josie's former boyfriend and husband, Ray. It's a small town with lots of secrets. NO SPOILERS.

This was OK but far too much contrived coincidence with Josie's past. Also feel like the excessive descriptions of the flooding and details of all Josie's crazy misadventures in the water went overboard. She has the most messed up family situation and relationships and that, along with her convoluted past history, has just gotten to be almost too much. I had figured out most of the big twists and didn't find the thrills or suspense I was hoping for with this one. Might just be ready to be done with Josie and this series.

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

 

This is the 9th in a series that should be read in order.

Genre - detective, police procedural, floods, mystery, murder

We are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin

 "Tender, resilient, strong, resourceful, kind, empathetic..."

I don't think I've ever read a book similar to this one. Told from 3 different perspectives, it's an atmospheric mystery thriller with such unique characters that I am still trying to fully appreciate the whole scope of the story with admiration for the author.

It's best to go into this book without reading too many reviews as you want to allow the narrative to pull you in before revealing any of its secrets. The main plot involves a girl, Trumanell Branson, who went missing along with her father, Frank, one hot Texas night a decade ago. Neither she nor her father were ever found but foul play is suspected. Flash forward years later as Odette Tucker, now a cop in her hometown, ex-girlfriend of Trumanell's brother, Wyatt, still hasn't given up finding them or their killer. Some townspeople believe that Wyatt killed both his sister and his father, he definitely isn't completely normal, and yet Odette can't make the pieces fit. She suffered her own huge loss the night that Trumanell disappeared. And then Wyatt finds a one-eyed girl alongside the highway near his farm. Separated into three main parts each narrated by a different character, the story comes to life as the truth finally comes out. NO SPOILERS.

Very well-written, this incredible tale will linger long after you've turned the last page. Those 6 words quoted earlier describe the two female characters perfectly. This is the third book I've read by this author and will keep an eye out for more titles. Enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

 

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre - mystery, psychological,  atmospheric thriller

Containment (Jake Parker #1) by Nick Thacker

 Life changed for Jacob (Jake) Parker three years ago and he's been searching for peace and solitude but even that has evaded him. He's torn from his self-imposed isolation when he gets a call from Derek Briggs, the Director of ICE, about an unusual job. Even though Jake has left his former position as a detective with the Boston PD and military service behind, Briggs wants him to solve a case outside of the normal channels. The situation involves the deaths of a married couple who apparently entered the US illegally from Canada but were detained at a facility in Vermont where they got sick and quickly expired. Briggs is concerned because whatever killed them might be a the start of a new pandemic. He engages Jake as a third-party investigator outside of the bureaucracy of the US Government to avoid speculation and panic if this is indeed something to be concerned about. Jake knows he can't handle this on his own and makes a call to an old friend, Beau Shaw, his ex-partner and asks him to help and also requests him to find another person with infectious disease expertise. Enter Dr. Eliza Mendoza, a teacher of microbiology and parasitology at Syracuse. The goal is for the team to make sure the infection that killed the couple wasn't introduced on purpose and that it is contained. Jake thinks outside the box, and they hit the ground running. But what if there is more to this than the emergence of a new killer disease? NO SPOILERS.

I love thrillers but especially those that are medical in nature. I'm a sucker for a good pandemic novel and I tried to hold off reading this until closer to publication date, but couldn't resist. Although this is a very quick read, easy to finish in a couple of hours, I was a bit disappointed. The premise was so interesting but the narrative got bogged down and focused more on politics and the debate about immigration than about an epidemic. Very predictable bad guys and with the requisite romance angle, I was left feeling let down and don't think I got what I came for after all. I'm not sure if I'll read another in this series.

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

 

This is the first in a new series featuring Jake Parker.

Genre -- Mystery/Thriller - vaguely medical

His & Hers by Alice Feeney

 "People rarely see themselves the way others do; we all carry broken mirrors."

This is a mystery thriller told in alternating points of view. The plot revolves around a series of murders in Blackdown where Anna Andrews grew up and where Jack Harper works and lives. Anna, a BBC correspondent and former TV anchor, has been assigned to cover the investigation and DCI Jack Harper is put in charge of it. Both of them know the victims and are quite well-acquainted with each other. Who can be believed when there are so many secrets and lies? NO SPOILERS.

You may enjoy this more if you're able to suspend disbelief and just assume that everything you read is only one version of the truth. I didn't find these characters very likable and they just seemed to do some fairly dumb things in response to events. I didn't care about any of them and rooted for no one. I had the hardest time staying focused and found it easy to get distracted by other things which prevented me from finishing this quicker. Some of the dark stuff brought up within the narrative involves sexual abuse, potential animal mutilation, alcoholism, rape, bullying -- lots of manipulative behavior and just nasty people. Although some might be surprised by the ending, I found it anticlimactic. I think the writing is actually good and this style can be a useful tool, it's just too bad that the whole premise and conclusion didn't work that well for my taste.

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

 

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

Genre - mystery thriller

Her Final Words by Brianna Labuskes

"Just because someone isn't lying...doesn't mean they're telling the truth."

At 3:00 AM, Eliza Cook walks into the Seattle FBI office and asks for Agent Lucy Thorne. The 17-year-old girl then confesses to a murder, tells Lucy where the body is, and also gives the location of the murder weapon. Despite further interrogation, Eliza refuses to give any other information or answer the main question of motive. Eliza does, however, repeat several times the fact that she carved a psalm into the victim's skin. Agent Thorne is not willing to put this case to rest as she can't wrap her head around the fact that Eliza has murdered this boy, 12-year-old Noah Dawson. Lucy wants answers and begs the chance to travel to Knox Hollow, a small Idaho town that happens to be populated by a group known as the True Believers of Christ Church. This community is close-knit and secretive and Lucy is obsessed with finding the truth. NO SPOILERS.

What a delicious slow-burning mystery that grabbed me and kept me hooked so that I had to read it in a single sitting. The setting adds another layer to this complex story as do the characters. We don't learn that much about Lucy Thorne, but her determination to figure out what happened and why is evident with everything she says and does. She finds it very hard to trust even the local law enforcement in Knox Hollow, and the church members are even more difficult to fathom. The writing was excellent and the alternating points of view and flashbacks added another dimension to the investigation as the details and revelations were exposed. It's not so much a thriller per se, but the questions I had while reading kept mounting as did the tension as I wanted the answers.

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

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

Genre - mystery, cults, murder

The Golden Cage by Camilla Lackberg

They say nothing blinds us like love...[but] nothing blinds as much as the dream of love. Hope is a powerful drug."

An incredibly fast read that I found impossible to put down so read today in one sitting. Domestic drama fueled by revenge, this novel reminds most women that there is more than one way to get over being betrayed by a man. Not that any of us would go to the extremes that Faye Adelheim manages as she extracts vengeance on the husband who nearly destroyed her.

Faye and Jack have a lovely life in Ostermalm with their young daughter, Julienne. Though wealthy and socially popular, Faye feels that her husband is growing distant and may even be having an affair. It's even more upsetting when Jack dumps her and leaves her with nothing, despite the fact that Faye is the one who helped Jack get his successful business going in the first place. She gets mad and then she decides to get even. NO SPOILERS.

Lots of secrets, lies and way too much sex, but it was entertaining and a nice diversion from more serious literature and grisly thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for this e-book ARC to read and review.

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

Genre - domestic drama, psychological fiction, revenge

The Hollow Ones (Blackwood Tapes #1) by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

"Sometimes we are not the ones doing the summoning. Sometimes we are the ones being summoned."

Odessa Hardwicke is a rookie FBI agent who ends up killing her partner when they attend a crime scene. She can't forget what she saw at the moment of Walt Leppo's death: "a mist, looking like a ripple of heat mirage, rose from Leppo's twisted form" leaving behind an odor of solder. Odessa can't bring herself to tell anyone about that when she's taken off duty and put on leave. Confined to desk duty while being investigated, she's tasked with busywork and assigned to clear out the office of a retired FBI agent in New York. As she clears out Earl Solomon's meager belongings, she finds some odd things that cause her to track down the agent who's recently had a stroke and is hospitalized. Their meeting leads Odessa to an enigma, John Blackwood, who is an occult detective. Centuries old, he is on a mission to save the world from evil spirits known as the "Hollow Ones." In an epic that covers a man's quest to bridge the schism between science and magic in 1582 London, to 1962 in the Mississippi Delta, to present day New York and New Jersey, the mission is simple -- to stop the foul entities from wreaking mass destruction and havoc. NO SPOILERS

What a thrill ride from start to finish! I was a bit nervous after reading some of the reviews that suggest the book is somehow similar to another classic author's or a different popular series (that I have also read), but I disagree. I found it quite absorbing and I couldn't stop until I finished it over a couple of hours. The whole time I was reading, I could see the movie version and I can't wait to read the next installment in what looks like a new series by this talented duo. I've read other books by Del Toro and Hogan, and enjoyed them as well. I think your reaction to this will depend on several factors, including your mood and your desire to read this genre. I found it a welcome change of pace and a definitely outside of my usual fare.

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

This is the first in a new series that I plan to read in order.

Genre - supernatural, occult, magic, evil spirits

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

This mystery/crime fiction novel was fast-paced, absorbing and very timely. Even though the topic of rape will always be divisive because of its "he said, she said" nature, and despite it being a common subject of many recent books, this had a different feel to it right from the beginning. I was hooked immediately.

Rachel Krall is a well-known journalist who has made it big hosting true crime podcasts. She's even had a bit of success helping to find justice in a couple of previous episodes. This time she's traveled to Neapolis, NC, to cover a rape trial. A star athlete, a possible future Olympic-level swimmer named Scott Blair, has been accused by Kelly Moore, a 16-year-old local high-school girl. During season three of  Rachel's "Guilty or Not Guilty" podcast, she plans to attend each day of the trial, interview and investigate, and record her observations nightly for her vast audience. Upon arrival, however, Rachel is confronted with a very strange request in the form of a note left on her car windshield. The message is from Hannah, the younger sister of Jenny Stills, who died over 25 years ago in this small town. Hannah believes that her sister did not drown accidentally in the ocean but was murdered. Rachel is trying to concentrate on all of the hoopla surrounding the rape trial, but is drawn into Hannah's story and becomes convinced that there are some big questions about what really happened to Jenny. As the testimony in the trial comes to a close and the verdict is reached, will Rachel also be able to help Hannah find the answers she needs? NO SPOILERS.

Dare I wish that there will be a follow-up to this book with perhaps future podcast seasons featuring Rachel Krall? I really enjoyed how the author relayed the courtroom aspect and how the character of Rachel tried to remain objective in her reporting despite strong feelings about what she was hearing. Even though at times I found it hard to believe how Rachel insinuated herself into many of the situations and got people to give her pertinent information, I just went with it and tried not to over-analyze and nitpick. I want to know more Rachel personally, and I do hope to "hear" more of her podcast!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend. I did read THE ESCAPE ROOM by this author and plan to look for future titles.

This is a standalone and not part of any series -- yet?

Genre - mystery, crime, rape, murder, trial

Down a Dark Road (Kate Burkholder #9) by Linda Castillo

It was a pleasure to return to this series in this 9th installment as I have read and enjoyed the previous titles that feature Chief Kate Burkholder of the Painters Mill Police. Formerly Amish, Kate is in a unique position to deal with crimes in her Ohio town as it is populated by Amish.

Joseph King, convicted of murdering his wife a year earlier, escapes from the custody of the Mansfield Correctional Institution, a maximum security state prison about 100 miles from Painters Mill. When she's notified of Joseph's breach of security, Kate doesn't really believe that he will come to Painters Mill even though his children still live there with relatives. The news about Joseph brings back a lot of Kate's childhood memories as they were close as children and she just can't believe how he had changed into a drug abusing, alcoholic, abusive criminal. Turns out she may be the only one who still has any faith left in him as he tells Kate that he did not kill his wife. She can't leave it alone and this novel deals with Kate's personal mission to find out the truth.

Not really a good choice to read as a standalone, this book furthers our knowledge of Kate's personal history as a young girl growing up Amish. This peek into that community and the details are part of what makes this series unique and what keeps me hooked. I recommend this popular series for that reason even though the outcome of this plot line was easy to predict -- I'd say it's really more about characterization than any kind of suspense crime thriller.

Thank you to Minotaur/St. Martin's Press for this book ARC to read and review.

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

Genre - police procedural, Amish

He Started It by Samantha Downing

"Because I could. Because no one stopped me. Because it was easy. All the same answer, and it really means 'because I wanted to.'"

This is a story about family. Siblings. A long road trip with a promised huge inheritance at the end of the trek. They love each other, right -- but feelings can be like a seesaw because they each have their own agendas and they don't all have the same end goal.

The Morgan siblings Eddie, Beth and Portia are about to recreate a trip they made with their grandfather 20 years ago. Eddie's wife, Krista, and Beth's husband, Felix, have also come along for the ride. Their grandfather's will is specific: "Go on the road trip. Scatter my ashes at the end. Once I'm in my final resting place, my estate will be equally divided between you." They all knew exactly where they had to go but there were a couple of stipulations -- "anyone who ends up in jail, who does not complete the trip, or who deviates from the original trip in any way, will get nothing." After a bit of research, they piled into the rental car and headed off. But this was never going to be a simple,  fun family road trip and each one is in for some shock and surprise. NO SPOILERS.

What a fast, fun read that I finished in one sitting as it was very hard to put down. Lots of twists and turns and a cast of characters that you will love to hate. The writing was great and I just had to find out what happened. This family kept some huge secrets and were very adept at lying and scheming. Just when you think you have it all figured out, this clever tale will make you extremely glad that your own family isn't like this one! Enjoy.

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

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

Genre - domestic drama, thriller, family, revenge

The Next Widow (Jericho and Wright #1) by C.J. Lyons

This first in a new series introduces Detective Sergeant Luka Jericho of the Cambria City Police Department and Dr. Leah Wright, a physician who works at Good Samaritan Medical Center in the Emergency Department. One night, while she was on duty, Leah's husband, Ian, is murdered at their home leaving behind their very frightened 6-year-old daughter, Emily, who had survived the massacre by hiding under her bed. With plenty of red herrings and only a tenuous guess at a motive for this terribly personal attack, the police start an investigation but are still looking very closely at Leah even as she only wants to protect her traumatized daughter. NO SPOILERS.

This was typical crime thriller genre fare that basically sets the stage for future installments. There are hints of backstory to the main characters, Luka and Leah, and though the author tries, I really didn't develop any attachment to either of them at this point. I am not a fan of a lot of angst and tell in a novel, and there's a lot of repetition of thoughts and feelings. I surely hope there will NOT be a romance here between the pair. I was able to guess immediately what was going on so it seemed like a long wait for the action in the story to catch up. I'm not convinced that I will continue on with this series as there was really nothing fresh and new within. It was a quick read.

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

This is the first in a new series.

Genre - crime thriller, revenge, murder

The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell

A little sordid tale of infidelity, money, and murder.

It's been 13 years since Tabitha Girard had met the gorgeous Connor Ford at the country club where she worked as a pool girl and he was one of the rich kids who happened to be there visiting his grandmother for the summer. A romance grew until it was discovered and forbidden. She'd never forgotten him and now, suddenly, there he was -- sitting at a table on the terrace at the second-rate sports bar where she now waited tables. It was meant to be, them coming back together and all those feelings reignited. One problem, however -- Connor happens to be married to Nina Levitt, a woman who is 20 years older than him but incredibly wealthy. But, they can't help themselves. He's going to get a divorce, he says, and seems to be taking a really long time about it. But then Nina ends up dead and finally Tabitha's fairy tale dream is about to come true. Unfortunately, everything is not quite as wonderful as expected and suddenly Tabitha is under suspicion. NO SPOILERS.

2 stars = it was OK but honestly, this is the kind of story that I really try to avoid and somehow end up reading due to being duped by the synopsis or by other reviews. I need to stop requesting domestic dramas masquerading as suspense thrillers with unlikable characters and thoroughly predictable outcomes. I anticipated the twists from the start and can I say, again, that I really detested all of the characters in this book, especially Tabitha. I mean, honestly, how did anyone believe that this was all going to turn out OK given their decisions, behavior, and the situation. The ending left me scoffing and shaking my head. I was totally disappointed because I had liked this author's previous book. I see that this fit the bill for others and I just have to be more careful in the future.

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

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

Genre:  Domestic drama

The Suicide House (Rory Moore/Lane Phillips #2) by Charlie Donlea

"Veniam solum, relinquatis et (Arrive alone, leave together)."

Rory Moore, a forensic reconstructionist, and her partner/lover Dr. Lane Phillips, a forensic psychologist and criminal profiler, get involved in an investigation into a series of bizarre murders and apparent suicides at Westmont Preparatory High School in Peppermill, Indiana. This exclusive boarding school was the site of a summer secret society game gone wrong last year on the solstice. Although the police felt that they'd closed the case when their main suspect committed suicide, there are still many unanswered questions about that night. Why did 3 other surviving students return later to kill themselves at the abandoned boarding house that featured in the game -- The Man in the Mirror? As they study the cold case and review the files, interview the witnesses, and visit the site of the carnage, they realize that the mystery is theirs to solve. NO SPOILERS.

Wow, this was a fun and fast read that I found nearly impossible to put down. I typically avoid stories that feature teenagers, secret societies, and boarding schools, but I'm glad I made an exception -- but did so only because I've read and enjoyed every book by this author so I knew he would not disappoint me. I like all the characters and their idiosyncrasies; definitely Rory is unique as a protagonist since she uses her afflictions or "differences" to enhance her cold case investigations. I wasn't bothered by meeting the many different characters or the sidebars about Rory's obsession with antique doll restoration. I found the changes in POV and the time jumps appropriate to enhance the narrative. I confess, however, that I had figured it all out way before the reveals, but that just made it more interesting to see how the characters ran it down. I am looking forward to Donlea's next book.

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

Although this is labeled as book #2 and I did read the first one, it can be read easily as a standalone.

Genre - Suspense thriller

The Deadly Houses (DS Maddie Ives #6) by Charlie Gallagher

Abusive men do not like it when they are kept from the families they think they own and control. Some of them are so angry about it, they decide to take matters into their own hands.

Detective Sergeant Maddie Ives and her former partner, Harry Blaker, of Canterbury Major Crimes, have their hands full with a suspect who claims to have murdered a social worker found suffocated in an isolated warehouse. They don't believe his confession and soon find an even larger problem -- it seems that a protection program devised by the police and CPS has been breached. Families that have been hidden away from brutal partners may have been exposed by people who've been kidnapped and blackmailed into revealing their locations. Can they unravel this heinous plan and save those they've vowed to protect? NO SPOILERS.

Although this is the 6th in a series, I've only read one previous book -- the first -- but I didn't feel that I'd missed much coming in at this point. The plot of this reminded me a bit of THE CHAIN by Adrian McKinty. It was fast-paced and full of action with the characters being similar to all of those in the detective/police procedural genre. The author is a police detective so has first hand experience with the methods and tactics in how Maddie and Harry approach this investigation. I enjoyed it and may be looking for the next installment.

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

This is the 6th book in a series that I've not read all of previously. Works as a standalone.

Genre - police procedural, crime thriller, UK

Her Shallow Grave (Detectives Kane and Alton #9) by D.K. Hood

I've been through a lot with Deputy Dave Kane and Sheriff Jenna Alton. This is the 9th in a long-running crime thriller series.

Black Rock Falls in the winter is a particularly cruel, cold place and this season the pair has their hands full as they track a serial killer who likes to display his frozen victims in a sort of tableau. The villain, known as either The Sculptor or The Preacher, is a nasty psycho as evidenced by the way he dismembers the female bodies with a chainsaw. There's clues that indicate that he has been a very busy man across several states and that he may even keep the unfortunate souls for extremely long periods of time. Along with the other long-time members of their team, and with the help of FBI consultants, Kane and Alton have their work cut out for them. And, as always, Jenna is in peril and Kane usually saves the day. NO SPOILERS.

Typical of the genre, the story arc hits all the right notes with plenty of grisly detail. After awhile, I suppose it's difficult to come up with new, heinous killers and different methods. I guess I'm surprised at how many psychopaths a small town like Black Rock Falls can possibly hold or host. Effort is made to create an atmosphere with the snow and low temps. I must say that I'm getting tired of the sexual tension (low level as it is) and the lack of consummation of the romance. Always surprised by the fact that Jenna's the boss though she can't do anything but put herself in danger and need rescuing from Kane in every book. Onward. The thrill is starting to fade a bit so the series needs a bit of a recharge if it is meant to continue.

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

This is the 9th book in a series that should be read in order from the beginning.
Genre - crime thriller, police procedural, Black Rock Falls USA

A Murderous Relation (Veronica Speedwell #5) by Deanna Raybourn

It's always a pleasure to return to beloved characters in a great historical fiction series that I've enjoyed from the very beginning. If you're interested in the daring adventures of this unique duo, don't skip any of the titles and dive right in at the start.

The pair, Veronica Speedwell (a lepidopterist of some renown) and her romantic interest and partner, Revelstoke (Stoker) Templeton-Vane (a man of many skills) are lured to London by Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk who wants them to meddle in a situation fraught with scandal -- it seems that the eldest son of the Prince of Wales, Prince Albert Victor (Eddy) has got himself into a bit of trouble as he apparently just purchased a very expensive diamond star from the most fashionable jewelers in London. Since Eddy intends to marry his cousin, a princess, he can't be giving such a trinket to a woman who is mistress and owner of Club de l'Etoile, a luxurious house where privacy and discretion allow the very rich to engage in all sorts of debauchery. Veronica and Stoker are meant to get back the star and save the reputation of Prince Albert Victor. Things don't exactly go according to plan when Veronica and Stoker find themselves in the middle of anarchy and a plot that involves her murderous relative. Meanwhile, it's October, 1888, in London during the reign of terror caused by Jack the Ripper and Scotland Yard is under great pressure to find this killer. NO SPOILERS.

What a crazy action-packed bit of detective work and danger in this one. More information about Veronica's secret parentage comes to light and they don't know whom to trust. The romance that has been simmering finally bursts into full flame between Veronica and Stoker but before they can consummate, they must save the future King of England from his own stupidity without getting themselves killed. I like the characters even though they are just a little bit too attractive and a big bit too clever. I love the description and detail that the author provides to recreate the world that was London at that time in history. Of course I can't wait to see what's next for them and look forward to reading book #6.

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

This is the 5th book in a series that should be read from the beginning.
Genre - historical fiction, London 1888

The Vacation by T.M. Logan

Four female best friends from university decide to take a family vacation to a lovely villa in France to celebrate their 40th birthdays. The 12 of them should have a lovely time in a beautiful place. This was a mistake.

Primarily a domestic drama rather than any sort of suspense or psychological thriller, this book was marred by uneven pacing, unlikable characters, mostly hideous children, and a cliche plot of secrets and lies. The ending, when it finally arrived with a head-banging climax, was almost ludicrous. I found myself increasingly frustrated as critical conversations and confrontations were avoided with missed opportunities and interruptions.

Although not a book I particularly enjoyed, I'm sure there are many out there who like the author and who devour this sort of family dysfunction and the slow reveal of what is actually going on with lots of teasers and red herrings. I prefer a different sort of narrative that is more straight forward and less annoying. I've read both LIES and also 29 SECONDS and I will probably give this writer another go depending on the synopsis of the next work.

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

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - domestic drama, secrets and lies

Cut to the Bone (Agent Sayer Altair #3) by Ellison Cooper

"Life and death. Sorrow and joy. Loneliness and love. Those are the endless cycles..."

While SSA Sayer Altair, a neuroscientist, is working on her research into the brains of psychopaths and rebuilding her life, she's called back to field duty for the FBI when a bus carrying 24 high school students, the driver, and a chaperone, disappears on the way to a STEM competition. In addition, police have discovered what looks like the ritual murder of a young girl at the foot of the Einstein statue by the National Academy of Sciences. This looks like the work of a serial killer but seems to have some very unusual elements including a connection to the Egyptian underworld and a specific ancient monograph, the "Amduat." Nonstop action, a compelling plot and fascinating characters bring this third book in the series to another heart-stopping conclusion that has me already crying for the next installment. NO SPOILERS.

I am crazy about this series. Just when you think you know where it's going -- FULL STOP shock. There are so many twists and turns along the way that it will make your head spin. I find these impossible to put down, evidenced by me reading the first three books in a matter of as many days. It certainly doesn't help that this one also ends in a cliffhanger! Now, I have to wait a long time before book #4 in what I hope will be a long-running series. I like so many things about the setting, the relationships between the characters, and the intricate narrative. The details the author gives about ancient civilizations are appropriate to the story and quite interesting. Definitely for any fan of the crime thriller. More, please. Now.

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

This is the third in a series that definitely needs to be read in order. Not a standalone.
Genre - crime thriller, FBI

Buried (Sayer Altair #2) by Ellison Cooper

This second in the series featuring SSA Sayer Altair continues with nonstop action, incredible description, and fascinating characters.

After 6 months of desk duty while recovering from a gunshot wound, Agent Altair is called to a situation in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park.. An FBI agent and his cadaver dog discovered a sinkhole filled with old human bones and 2 fresh bodies. What does this have to do with an historical missing person report and a kidnapping in the area? Without a task force, Sayer has to recruit locally but she is lucky enough to obtain the services of the recent amputee, Ezra, her old tech genius from Quantico. As they probe the connections between the cold cases, some alarming details come to light and they all need to stay ahead of the killer who seems to be everywhere and who means them harm.

I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to finish this after starting late in the evening because I simply could not put it down or go to bed until I turned the very last page. The writing kept me fully engaged and I devoured the Greek lore and mythology. This is definitely a set of books that you want to read from the beginning, in order, and all at once if you can. I loved the setting and the way the author created a word picture of the many caves and mine shafts in the area. There's so much going on and the investigation is very complicated but so very interesting. I can't wait to start number 3 next!

Thank you to Minotaur Books courtesy of Edelweiss for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

This is the second in the series and I think they should be read in order.
Genre - serial killer thriller

Caged (Sayer Altair #1) by Ellison Cooper

'The real monsters are just human beings cut loose from the thin moral bonds that hold us."

It's always so exciting to start a new series, and even more thrilling when the book grabs and doesn't let go! This first installment featuring FBI Special Agent Sayer Altair is nonstop action as she and her team in the Critical Incident Response Group race to find and apprehend the most cunning and devious serial killer they've faced.

Sayer is a neuroscientist working on research involving the evaluation of brain scans of known killers. She's called away from the project to head up an investigation when the long-missing daughter of a senator is found dead locked inside a cage in a booby-trapped underground bunker. In that subterranean room, along with the body, they find traces of hallucinogenic smoke (DMT) and a video of the girl's death featuring projection of strange Mayan glyphs on the wall. As the scene is processed, the agents also discover that there is another missing girl who may still be alive! An arrest is quickly made based on evidence found, but Sayer isn't convinced they have the right person. The hunt for the other missing girl continues and this case takes a lot of twists and turns with surprises along the way. NO SPOILERS.

I loved the protagonist -- Sayer Altair is a unique character and I can't wait to find out more about her personal life as well as her professional side with the FBI. I enjoyed learning about the Mayan, Egyptian, and Greek symbolism and mythology and how it related to the killer's objective. In all, the entire story was fascinating and the plot very well executed. I liked the writing style and can't wait to read more -- a good thing I have it ready to go, since the ending left something important hanging.

Thank you to Minotaur Books courtesy of Edelweiss for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the first in a new series and I plan to read them in order.
Genre - serial killer thriller, FBI agents

Blue Ticket by Sophie Mackintosh

If, for some reason during these terrible days -- of quarantine/social isolation, COVID-19, an economy in free-fall, violent protests, political unrest, murder and mayhem -- you want to read a novel that is seriously disturbing, depressing and hopeless, this is the book for you.

Set in a vague dystopian future in some unnamed country, here is another tale that involves the subjugation of women centered around control of their reproductive systems. At menarche, the young teens are taken to a center where they are required to take a ticket that will inform the rest of their lives. Blue = career and freedom while White = love, home, children/family. Calla, age 14, "felt no great fidelity to the concept of free will." She gets the Blue Ticket, puts it in the locket that had belonged to her dead mother, and is discharged from the center with only "a bottle of water, a compass and a sandwich." They are meant to make their own way alone to the place of their choice, a city, where they will figure out a career and do whatever else they want. They are not, however, allowed to get pregnant. Ever. The path cannot be changed and the decision was made.

As expected, Calla lives life large for about 10 years and then she decides that she wants -- must have -- the thing that has been denied to her. Motherhood. NO SPOILERS.

Let me just say that there is nothing uplifting within these pages filled with first person narrative and no dialogue. It's hard to discover any real emotion even though riddled with angst. Calla rebels, yes, but at what cost? It just made me angry to keep reading a book where, once again, it's only the women whose lives are proscribed while men are allowed freedom of choice. That world sounds like hell on earth but there's no mention of how things got this way. I had so many questions but got no answers. I wish I could say that I finished, shut the book, and will never think about this story again. I'd be lying. I'm sure this will haunt me and I can't say I liked it, but I think there's definitely a niche readership for this type of novel and I look forward to reading more reviews.

Thank you to Doubleday Books for this e-book ARC via Edelweiss for me to read and review. I am sure this would be a fantastic book club selection as there would be lots of lively discussion and debate.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - Dystopian, futuristic, reproductive control

Somebody's Daughter (DCI Natalie Ward #7) by Carol Wyer

The bodies are stacking up in Samford. DCI Natalie Ward -- recently promoted to head a new special crime unit at Holborn House with DI Lucy Carmichael now leading the old team -- has quite the series of murders on hand. Two dead teenage girls thought to be working the streets and 3 older adult victims seem like unconnected cases at first. It will take all of them countless hours to figure out this one. NO SPOILERS.

This is the 7th in a series and I've read all the previous books in order to date. Although a detailed police procedural and crime thriller, it seemed a bit long and quite convoluted; I didn't race through it as fast as I've done before. There are some references to previous cases and events, but I don't think this is good to read as a standalone. Again, we hear quite a bit about the team members and their personal lives (which are all a bit messed up as always.) I liked it well enough to continue reading the series.

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

This is the 7th in a series that should be read in order.
Genre - police procedural and crime thriller

The Patient by Jasper Dewitt

"Whatever you do, don't tell your child that the monsters they see are only things they created with their imagination."

This debut thriller is suspenseful and held me glued to the pages so I read it over a couple of hours today. There are elements of the practice of psychiatry and mental illness along with the supernatural. The narrative, in the format of dated installments posted to a defunct web page, MDconfessions.com, was written under a pseudonym and the names and places of all those referenced in the story have been changed. The synopsis gives an idea of the plot.

Patient Joe has been housed in a private room at the Connecticut State Asylum since he was 6 years old. He's considered to be dangerous and incurable. Dr. Parker H- finagled a way to get permission to treat him despite the previous long list of failures by other psychiatrists there. Therapy does not go as anticipated. NO SPOILERS.

Personally I'm not that much into horror anymore, but I have lately read a few titles in the genre and I enjoyed how succinct and compact this short novel was. I'm just glad I read it during the daylight hours because I don't want any nightmares! I thought the hubris of Parker was perfect as a foil for Joe and everything just came out with each successive "posts" providing more revelations -- some were quite surprising and all very interesting. I am fascinated by psychiatry but always a bit dubious about how effective it may or may not be. This "case" proved that not everyone can be fixed. One of my favorite supernatural/horror authors is Dean Koontz and this reminded me of his focus on battles between good and evil. I liked the menacing and foreboding tones in the prose of this book and the overall nightmare-like setting of the asylum. Fun read!

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

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - part thriller, horror, supernatural, psychiatry

Find Me (Inland Empire #1) by Anne Frasier

"There was no starting over for most people. That was a misconception. Unless a person's memory could be erased, there were no fresh starts, only progression."

Reni Fisher knows how difficult it is to go forward and live anything resembling a normal life. When she was a child, her father, Benjamin Fisher, was arrested as the Inland Empire Killer. With evidence suggesting that he was responsible for over 20 murders, Ben Fisher now resides on death-row at San Quentin. After 30 years, Ben has reached out to the former investigator who handled his case but finds that he has retired. Instead, Daniel Ellis, homicide detective, comes to the meeting. Ben Fisher has decided to reveal the locations of his victims - in exchange, however, he insists that his daughter, Reni, be allowed to accompany him on the expedition.

Now 38 years old, Reni has not visited Ben since his arrest. She had joined the FBI as a profiler, but events soon led to her resignation and escape to the isolated house in the Mojave Desert. She is running from her own demons because she had been used as bait and had indeed lured many of the victims to their deaths at the hands of her father. Sure, she was a child and should be held blameless, but she can't escape the guilt. She reluctantly agrees to accompany Daniel and Her father on the recovery effort. There are still many secrets and lies about what happened 30 years ago and Reni and Daniel are about to find out just what the truth will cost them. NO SPOILERS.

This was excellent. It became obvious immediately that this was not the typical serial killer thriller. The narrative draws the reader in quickly and the great writing keeps you absorbed and focused. I really liked the character of Reni Fisher and grew to care about her and Daniel as events unfolded. My biggest disappointment is that I can't read the next in the series immediately as it won't be out until 2021. I loved the desert setting and the details enhanced the mood and the plot. Well done!

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

This is the first in a new seris and I plan to read the second as soon as available.
Genre - crime thriller, serial killer's daughter

The Babysitter by Nancy Bush

Twenty years ago, a teenager is attacked in the house where she is babysitting 7-year-old twins. With the resultant diminished mental capacity, Emma doesn't recall anything about that night so she's unable to help the police find the person who did it. Emma was the most popular senior at River Glen High School and for a long time it was thought that the vicious deed was committed by one or more of the boys from school. No arrests. Unable to go to college as planned, Emma lives with her mother in town and works at a thrift shop.

When mom dies, her younger sister, Jamie, returns with her 15-year-old daughter, Harley, to live there with Emma and help care for her. Not too long later, Harley's new friend, Marissa, is babysitting in the same house when she is also attacked. In addition, there are other things going on in the town. A couple deaths. And it's quite convenient that the boy that Jamie had a crush on in high school happens to be a police detective there now. NO SPOILERS

I struggled throughout this book because I don't feel that it was quite what was advertised from the synopsis etc. It was not suspenseful, it was not a thriller, and it seemed super long -- so much so that I read it in starts and stops. There were way too many characters and so much going on that made the narrative so convoluted as to be underwhelming -- but it might have been saved had all that detail been really interesting. I didn't really like any of the characters and the whole story seemed very contrived with the coincidences and really hideous people. It's like nobody ever left the town and never grew up. And, it was easy to see where this was all going despite all the effort made to disguise the reveals with lots of description. I was quite disappointed and feel misled by so many positive reviews. I thought it was just OK.

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

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.\
Genre - contemporary drama, romance, mystery

Murder at Enderley Hall (Kitty Underhay #2) by Helena Dixon

This second book in the Miss Kitty Underhay cozy mystery series continues the summer of 1933. Kitty has been invited to visit her paternal aunt and uncle at Enderley Hall where she will spend some time getting to know her father's sister and her cousin, Lucy. She hopes to find out more about what happened to her mother who seems to have visited there before vanishing many years ago. What Kitty does not plan for is murder. The first untoward event is the disappearance of some important papers, a chemical formula, from her uncle's safe. Then, beloved Nanny Thoms is found dead at the bottom of a staircase. The household is in an uproar, but fortunately, Kitty has the attentions of Captain Matthew Bryant - -a new "friend" who had helped Kitty and her grandmother at the Dolphin in the previous episode. Of course Kitty wants to be involved in the investigation as Matt and the police try to find the thief and the killer. NO SPOILERS.

This is pretty tame fare and faithful to period details. I found it a very fast read and enjoyed the chance of pace to my usual grisly thrillers. I look forward to reading more in the series though I could have done without Muffy and without the frustrated romance.

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

This is the second in a series featuring Kitty Underhay. Read in order.
Genre - cozy mystery 1933

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

Although considered historical fiction, this is the first book I've read that brings Elizabeth (Eliza) Schuyler Hamilton to life. Between the lines and on the pages is a truly absorbing and fascinating account of an incredible woman who indeed probably spoke of her husband, Alexander, this way: "My husband. My hero. My betrayer."

Perhaps, like me, you've seen the musical, "Hamilton" at the theater, memorized the original cast recording of the show, watched the 2016 production featuring its author Lin Manuel-Miranda on Disney+ several times already (#5 for me), and read the biography by Ron Chernow. Maybe you also wanted more facts, more story, and more about WHAT WAS ELIZA THINKING? I can never let anything be without getting several sides to a narrative. But finding the truth about a person is always fraught with issues because there is no way anyone can ever truly know another -- no matter how much interviewing, research, reading, and speculation involved. We even edit our own lives for others. I think these two authors did a masterful job of filling in the blanks for me.

There are so many fabulous quotes I could share, but I suggest that you just read it if you're a fan of American History or of any of the many formats that feature Alexander Hamilton and his amazing wife, Eliza. I think this would make a great book club read and it has so many discussion questions for you to analyze and debate. Hamilton would love a good argument!

A friend of mine gifted this to me and I'm very grateful to be able to have read, reviewed and recommended.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - Historical Fiction subject: Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton

You Can't Catch Me by Catherine McKenzie

"...anger. It has a way of focusing you that forgiveness can't."

Jessica Williams is angry. While running off to Mexico to escape ridicule and harassment over a plagiarized story she submitted to FeedNews as an investigative reporter, Jessica meets a woman in the airport bar. The funniest thing -- you can't make this up -- the woman's name is also Jessica Williams AND she happens to have the same birth date. What a coincidence? Their happy little exchange of 20 questions is almost forgotten by the time Jessica returns to New York. That's when she finds that her identity has been stolen and her bank account drained. Unable to get satisfaction from reporting the theft to the police and the bank, Jessica decides that she needs to find this other Jessica and get back what she took. Along the way, she discovers that she's not the only Jessica Williams who has been fleeced. A cat and mouse game, a clever set-up, and a spectacular plan go awry. NO SPOILERS.

This was a fun book that I read over the course of a couple of hours. Hard to put down, the characters jumped off the page and I was quite engaged in the story -- especially about Jessica having escaped from a cult when she was nearly 18. I liked the writing style and particularly the way the plot unfolded. Just when you think you have it all figured out, making guesses along the way as to what is going to happen, BAM! I'll definitely look for more books by this author.

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

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - psychological thriller, identity theft, cults

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris

I found this latest book by B.A.Paris to be frustrating and annoying. It is a domestic drama with several dysfunctional human beings who miss every opportunity to communicate honestly about their relationships, their friends, their family, and their lives.

Livia has planned her 40th birthday party for 20 years. The build-up to it has everyone all thrilled for the big event she has meticulously arranged for herself. Yes, everyone she knows is meant to be in attendance -- except for her daughter, Marnie, who's away studying in Hong Kong. That's OK, though, because Livia doesn't really want to see her daughter and needs to tell her husband, Adam, all about it. She'll discuss the situation with him after the party is over.

Adam is quite excited about the special surprise he has planned for Livia's party and is having a tough time keeping the secret. While getting everything arranged for the evening, he hears some terrible news. Telling himself that it's better that Livia just enjoy her special day, Adam decides to keep it to himself. He decides that he will share all when the party is over.

NO SPOILERS. But, I just wanted to smash some dishes throughout most of this book. The narrative is told from the points of view of both Livia and Adam as they struggle to keep in the extremely life-changing information that each holds separately. Neither knows the thing the other knows. Have they ever heard the phrase, "Sharing is caring." Well, eventually it all comes out and is just as bad as you'd expect when people withhold stuff from their partners. I was sick of both of them by then and so irritated by the missed opportunities that I was just glad to get to the end. 

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read and review. I've read all the previous books by this author and now I don't know if I care to try another.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - domestic drama

The Lion's Den by Katherine St. John

A fast-paced summer beach read (if you can get to some water -- even better) featuring money and murder.

Isabella (Belle) Carter isn't exactly living the dream when she's invited to accompany her BFF, Summer Sanderson, on a luxury cruise on Summer's billionaire boyfriend's yacht to the Mediterranean. Accompanied by Summer's younger sister, Brittani and her mother, Rhonda, they join friends Wendy, Claire, and Amythest on John Lyons's private jet and fly into Genoa, Italy, to meet The Lion's Den. Several odd things cause Belle to become a bit wary about this trip: they are all asked to sign non-disclosure agreements, there's no Wi-Fi available on the yacht, and they are required to hand over their passports. It becomes obvious that John Lyons likes to be in control and every aspect of their time is managed. Meanwhile, things aren't going so well among the lovely ladies on board. Summer has jealousy issues and John seems to be involved with some shady business dealings. Will this dream vacation become a nightmare? NO SPOILERS.

Told from Belle's point of view, the narrative flips back and forth in time where the reader learns the history of Belle and Summer's friendship. With a few surprises that pop up late in the book, the plot takes a turn that may be unexpected. I enjoyed it as a nice change of pace from more serious topics and grisly crime.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this e-book ARC to read and review.


This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - romance, chick-lit, murder, friendship, luxury cruise gone wrong

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

"Et Verbum car0 factum est" (and the Word was made flesh -- translated).

Noemí Taboada is a 22-year-old debutante whose life is filled with social delights and parties in Mexico City in the 1950s. Things change for her quite suddenly when her father decides to send her off to El Triunfo to see about her cousin, Catalina. Apparently he'd received a very disturbing letter that indicated a decline in Catalina's mental health. Using a bit of bribery -- Noemí wants to study anthropology at at National University -- her father persuades her to go to High Place and make sure that Catalina is OK. Noemí heads off on the train as planned, expecting to be gone for a short time. She's picked up at the station and driven up into the mountains to a very English Victorian style home that is nearly derelict, has little electricity or modern conveniences, and is possibly haunted. High Place has been in the Doyle family for hundreds of years but is nearly empty of life and servants. What Noemí discovers is so much worse than she could have imagined. NO SPOILERS.

I haven't read horror like this for ages since a Clive Barker obsession many years ago. And the novel is definitely horror with a very high creep factor. Since Gothic fiction refers to writing that has elements of fear, death, horror and darkness -- lots of emotions and maybe romance, I would say that this qualifies. Definitely there's the icky, moldy house, a supernatural phenomenon, a curse, damsels in distress, and lots of doom and gloom. I liked the writing style, the slow build-up of menace and Noemí's descent into the nightmare. It was just the far out factor that limited my full appreciation of the story. It was just too much! But if you're a fan of this type of novel then you're in for a treat. It delivers every necessary piece to satisfy as Gothic literature.

I read this with a friend, though she finished much quicker and enjoyed it more than I did. It intrigued me from the description and I'm glad I had the opportunity to revisit this genre. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Del Rey for this e-book ARC to read and review.

3.5 stars

This is a standalone and is not  part of any series.
Genre - Gothic Horror

The Body in the Village Hall (Kate Palmer #1) by Dee MacDonald

The first in a new cozy mystery series featuring nurse and amateur sleuth Kate Palmer.

Kate Palmer, divorced for 25 years, and her widowed sister, Angie, have moved to Cornwall and bought Lavender Cottage in the little village of Lower Tinworthy. While attending a lecture at the Women's Institute, the talk is interrupted by a murder. Kate finds Fenella Barker-Jones, wife of one of the richest men in town, with a kitchen knife in her chest. Attending the scene is Detective Inspector Woody Forrest, and soon he and Kate are sharing more than a mutual interest in the investigation. When one of the suspects for the killing also turns up dead, Kate decides that she has a pressing need to figure out what happened. NO SPOILERS

There are plenty of red herrings and Kate is quite busy nosing around in the way of the amateur as she tries to identify the killer. This was a fast read with lots of detail about Cornwall and the countryside along with many interesting characters. As Kate is 57 years old, this series might have a large appeal to persons of a certain age. I was drawn to select it to review because Kate was a nurse and indeed, there are some details about her job, but it isn't at all related to the murder mystery. I may have the inclination to read the next in the series.

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

This is the first in a new series that I would read in order.
Genre - cozy murder mystery

The Perfect Father by John Glatt

I recently watched a series of videos on the Facebook page, Law & Crime -- the "Watts Family Murders." This book provides much of the detail not included in the docudrama but it's still true that no one will ever know what really happened that night and why this man did what he did. I do think it's apt, however, to describe Chris Watts as a monster. Family annihilation is the ultimate betrayal.

True crime fascinates me, and I've recently rediscovered my love for this genre. It was heartbreaking to read the story of how all of this unfolded while also noting that the Facebook page for Shan'ann Watts is still active and can be viewed. The background information included made me feel as if I actually knew the couple and their families and could sense that trouble was brewing. The main catalyst, however, was definitely the illicit romance between Chris and Nikki Kessinger and I don't believe that she was completely innocent of culpability -- she knew he was still married and living with his wife and daughters when they started dating. She had even searched both Chris and Shan'ann on Google long before their own relationship began. I hope she doesn't profit or gain any positive notoriety because of this. She's a liar and manipulated the situation to try to make herself look better with her actions after the fact.

The book was well-written and I read it in a single sitting as I was unable to tear myself away. It's just a tragedy all around and no one who knew them personally will ever recover -- all those lives destroyed because of the actions of two selfish people (Chris and Nikki). Yes, Chris is the one who killed Shan.ann, Bella and Celeste (and Nico), but it was because he wanted a new life with Nikki. What made him snap at that precise period in time? Maybe one day, Chris will be more forthcoming and be able to tell the whole truth after reflecting during these very long years as he lives out his life in prison. I'm glad he spared everyone the circus that would have been the trial. I hope he remembers and suffers.

Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend. If you enjoy true crime, don't miss this one.

PS It bothers me greatly that the author does not use the apostrophe in writing Shan'ann's name throughout the book. It is not Shanann according to everything else I've seen and read.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series though there are other books written about this murder and Chris Watts.
Genre - true crime "The true story of Chris Watts, his all-American family, and a shocking murder."

Lies to Tell (DI Clare Mackay #3) by Marion Todd

This is the third book in the DI Clare Mackay series. She and her team work out of St. Andrews under the direction of her boss, DCI Alastair Gibson. This police procedural is quite complicated with 3 separate situations that Clare is juggling. The first has Clare hauled off to a super secret bunker where she's informed that an ethical hacker has been engaged to identify leaks coming from her station. The second involves Clare monitoring the safety of a critical witness in a trial concerning a gangster connected to gun running. The third is the investigation into the murder of a student and the disappearance of his friend. She's extremely busy but not so much that she hasn't time to be concerned about her love life. NO SPOILERS.

This was a quick read that follows the typical crime thriller detective formula. Although not particularly suspenseful or grisly, I have followed this series from the beginning and didn't want to miss this one. I didn't find this to be as compelling as the 2 previous installments, but certainly the descriptions of the Scottish setting are interesting. There's the requisite scene where Clare's life is in danger and soon enough the conclusion comes with Clare having a dilemma, not in her professional life, but in her personal one. Im sure I'll want to continue the series but hope for a more exciting set of cases next time.

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

This is the third in the series and I suggest reading in order.
Genre - police procedural/crime thriller

The Fallen Girls (Clara Jefferies #1) by Kathryn Casey

Detective Clara Jefferies has worked for the Dallas PD for 3 years and is assigned to the Crimes Against Persons division. She's 34 and a total workaholic with no social life. After a particularly grueling day, she gets an unexpected call from her past. Chief Deputy Max Anderson in Smith County, Utah -- where Clara grew up -- is calling her home to Alber. It seems that a 12-year-old girl has gone missing and it happens to be Delilah, Clara's younger half-sister. Estranged from her family after leaving behind the polygamous religious sect in which she grew up, Clara is not welcome there; she's an outsider. Max is calling because Delilah's family won't talk to the police and he hopes that Clara might have more luck. She heads off immediately. NO SPOILERS.

It must be difficult to write a new series featuring a unique female detective with the glut of them on the market. I must admit that the sister wives thing and learning about Clara's childhood appealed to me when I read a few blurbs about the book. Unfortunately, we really don't learn too much about Clara's tortured past as she gets quite busy hunting a serial killer as soon as she gets to Alber. Of course the local constabulary is not very helpful and they're not thrilled she's there. The characters were quite stereotypical and the outcome of the case was predictable. The last part of the story seemed to take forever, but overall it was a quick read. I'm hoping for more development in Clara's character in future books and I'd read the second one.

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

This is the first in a new series.
Genre - crime thriller, polygamy, religious sect, Utah, Detectives

Troubles in Paradise (Paradise #3) by Elin Hilderbrand

"The island...[has] taught Irene some things about resilience, about patience, and, most of all, about hope."

The conclusion of a much-loved trilogy is always bittersweet. It's hard to say goodbye to characters you've grown to "know" and care about after all they've been through. After experiencing their tragedies, joys, and dreams, it always comes to the moment when you have to let go and can close the book with the confidence that everything will be alright in that world. I really had fun reading these 3 books set in a place that I definitely found to be a little bit of paradise. St. John is a unique island and i really enjoyed reading the references to familiar spots that I've visited there. Although sometimes the novel reads like a tourist travel guide advertisement, it was fun to be able to identify with so many of them. Just keep in mind that you really need to start at the beginning as this one is definitely not a standalone despite the author giving some of the relevant details from the previous two books as needed -- especially if you're like me and need specific reminders having waited for this release.

I won't rehash the plot so as not to give any spoilers. I liked the writing style and also the way that Hilderbrand gave us the point of view of so many different characters. It contains a lot of drama but it is, after all, a love story. You can tell that she loves St. John and that she's spent a lot of time on the island.

I've not previously read any books by this author and I hope that she chooses St. John for future work as that was the main reason I wanted to check these out. I was not disappointed though this is not the genre I usually prefer! If you have ever visited the USVI, or want to, this is a great way to highlight the memories or give a preview of its beauty. Enjoy!

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

This is the 3rd in a trilogy and should be read after completing the first two in the series.
Genre - drama, family, romance

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

Claire Cook, married to Rory, is an abused wife. Controlled in the extreme, things are about to get worse when her husband announces his Senate campaign. She's making secret plans to get away from him and the marriage but it all goes awry with a schedule change. Instead of flying to Detroit (and a new life) as previously arranged, her new assignment is to head to Puerto Rico. As fate would have it, Claire meets an unlikely savior at JFK Airport on the morning of the flight. Eva James has her own reasons for agreeing to switch tickets with Claire. The solution seems ideal for both women until the flight that Eva was on to Puerto Rico crashes into the ocean killing everyone on board. NO SPOILERS.

Although fast-paced and easy to read in a couple of hours, I ended up being disappointed in this novel. The alternating chapters from each woman's point of view made the narrative clunky and disrupted the flow of the story. After awhile, I found myself completely uninterested in their issues, problems and backgrounds. I never really related to either Claire or Eva and so much of it seemed far-fetched and stretched credulity. One connection extremely so. I've seen many other glowing reviews, but I just couldn't really buy into it after all. It was definitely not any kind of thriller and the conclusion was rather anticlimactic. Oh well, better luck next time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks/Landmark for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - domestic drama

Death Wears a Mask (Amory mes #2) by Ashley Weaver

It's been two months since the events at the Brightwell Hotel and Amory and Milo are settling back into their social obligations after their sojourn in the country at Thornecrest. Against her better judgment, Amory has agreed to help a friend, Serena Barrington, catch a jewel thief but ends up involved with yet another murder while she and Milo are in London.

This second installment continues in the same vein and is just as delightful as the first book. Stolen jewelry, secret dalliances, scandalous dealings, and an unexpected death at a masked ball keep Amory and Milo busy with their amateur sleuthing activity -- this time with the full support of Detective Inspector Jones. Of course there are many possible suspects and motives for the murder and some outrageous schemes to try to elicit information and find the killer. It's all just in good fun, and quite entertaining. I enjoy the time period, the details and descriptions of the clothing and setting, and I like the main characters of Amory and Milo -- though I am getting a little bit weary of Milo's shenanigans and untoward behavior. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

If you enjoy a cozy mystery set in the early 1930s in London, then this is one for you!

This is the second in a series that should be read in order.
Genre - cozy historical mystery

Murder at the Brightwell (Amory Ames #1) by Ashley Weaver

Sometimes all you need is to discover a new cozy historical mystery series! This really hit the spot during these current dreadful times. I fell in love with the time period, the setting, and with the protagonist, Amory Ames. Shhh, I also really liked her playboy rogue of a husband, Milo, and can't wait to read more of the installments -- which I intend to do directly.

The synopsis provided here on the book page describes the premise and plot quite succinctly and I'll give no spoilers. This was entertaining and well-written even as it was fairly predictable. I enjoyed all of the period detail and description and had fun guessing which of the many suspects would prove to be the killer. I'll probably begin the second book later today as this was a very quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley and At. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this e-book ARC to read and review. I also have the 8th book in this series from NetGalley and will work my way there.

This is the first in a series that I plan to read forward in order.
Genre - cozy historical mystery

The Accusation by Victoria Jenkins

On her way home after an evening out with friends, Jenna Morgan takes a shortcut through the park. She hears a scream and sees a struggle between a man and woman. The woman calls out for help and Jenna rushes over to find the woman wounded and bleeding. As she comforts the woman while waiting for the ambulance, Jenna finds out that her name is Charlotte. After hanging around long enough to see Charlotte off to hospital, Jenna heads home to her husband, Damien, and her two children, Lily and Amelia. She's a bit undone by the events, but decides to check up on Charlotte at the hospital the next day. Jenna is stunned when Charlotte accuses her of being the one to have stabbed her. NO SPOILERS.

This was OK but I had a hard time mustering up the ability to care about Jenna or her situation. The whole scenario was so implausible and the characters mostly annoying. I have decided that I don't really care much anymore about domestic drama. The relationships between the characters are usually so full of secrets and lies, they never talk honestly with each other, they hide all sorts of things about their past, and I just don't like them. There were no surprises here if you, like me, read a lot of books in this genre. Most of the book is centered on the angst in Jenna's head and it takes forever to get to the point. It was a very quick read over a couple of hours but I had to stop myself from skipping large sections of inane details and Jenna's ruminations.

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

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - domestic drama

Final Flight by Eric C. Anderson

"Death becomes the ignorant and insolent."

This thriller is quite different from most of my usual fare. The unique characters and the writing style combine to make this one nearly impossible to put down. Events occur at a rapid-fire pace and, although it's hard to keep everyone straight at first, the narrative builds to a climax that is quite shocking with an ending that really wasn't where I wanted to see this go! From America, to Asia, to Russia, the different tools in the game of high level intellectual property theft focus on electronics that are meant to be retrofitted into aging airframes owned by China Air. This appropriate of hardware and software is reverse engineered and has deadly consequences for the passengers on two of the Boeing 777s and for many of those involved in the complex scheme. NO SPOILERS.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the technical detail and the incredible minutiae that the author relates through the actions and thoughts of his characters. Although we get to know them only superficially, some of these are really some awful people! The Russian Mafia, the Yakusa, executives from supply companies and the management of the airlines are definitely forces to be reckoned with as they single-mindedly pursue profit at the expense of everything else. Not only does the book scare you enough to worry about boarding your next flight, it also describes the worst lack of care for human endeavor and life. It's both depressing and unsurprising that this story does not have a happy ending.

I believe this will find a niche readership who will like it as much as I did. The author information demonstrates that he definitely had the credentials and experience to write this cautionary tale. Thank you to NetGalley and Dunn Books for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - thriller, espionage, intellectual property, airplanes

The Golden Girl (Jessie Tucker #2) by Dana Perry

It's a hot night during summer in New York City. Maura Walsh, a young policewoman visits a strip club, accepts cash from the bartender and leaves. Then she heads off to a house of prostitution where she meets the woman who runs that business and collects additional money. After that, she goes to a trendy restaurant, sits at a table and is visited by the manager who talks with her a moment before giving her money. "An hour after that, Maura Walk was found shot to death...news accounts described her as a hero cop..but there was no mention of any of those payoffs she took. That would all come later."

Jessie Tucker is a crime reporter for the NEW YORK TRIBUNE and is well known as the survivor of a vicious attack in Central Park 12 years ago. As a popular media superstar, Jessie wants the biggest story around and insists that she work on the Maura Walsh murder. The police are investigating, but no one could figure out who killed her or why. Jessie wants to dive deep and get personal by talking to other cops, friends and family. She definitely wants to chat with Maura's father, the NYPD Deputy Commissioner -- a true New York legend on the police force. Of course the editors are down with her idea as they envision the headlines for the exclusive report. So she's off to get her answers but never imagined what she would discover. NO SPOILERS.

This is the second in the series featuring Jessie Tucker and it's best if you read THE SILENT VICTIM, otherwise you'll have no idea about her whole ordeal in Central Park and the story she breaks that answers questions about her personal experience. There are hints in this book, but not enough background detail so you will be at a disadvantage not knowing her motivation for this story. She's a survivor and an interesting character, but I admit to having to suspend a bit of disbelief about her involvement in basically doing detective work. Although some have said there were twists and turns and surprises, you might be able to anticipate them if you read a lot of novels in this genre. The narrative is fast-paced and this was a quick read that held my interest. I'd be interested in seeing what happens in the next book as there are some dangling ends in her personal life.

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

This is the second in the series and I'd suggest you read the first one.

Genre - crime thriller, female reporter

The Choice by Gillian McAllister

How could a fun Friday night out with a best friend turn out so wrong?

"What do you do, [Joanna] finds herself thinking, when you think somebody is following you down a deserted strip of canal? When you could become a statistic, a news piece, a tragedy?" Joanna is not known for doing the right thing; she often ends up in messes and is a terrible procrastinator. Unfortunately, in only moments a decision has to be made. And she makes it.

In this novel, however, the narrative is unusual in that it is a parallel story line. In one of them, Joanna chooses to REVEAL (to call 999) and in the alternate reality, she decides to CONCEAL (to run away like nothing happened). Of course there are consequences in both and her life changes in that very instant in ways she could never have predicted. NO SPOILERS.

The less you know about this going in, the better. It reminded me of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books that were popular with kids when I was a grade school librarian. In this novel, however, the author has chosen both paths for Joanna and the reader follows along as Joanna deals with the aftermath of each choice. I would have probably liked this more if I had liked Joanna. I simply could not stand her from even the beginning. She's the antithesis of me and nothing she did made any sense nor could I wrap my head around her life. I don't know if it's my age or what, but Joanna, her husband, her friends, etc. all seemed so immature and utterly ridiculous. Vapid. Banal. I was quite disappointed the further into it I got and found it very disconcerting to be flipping back and forth between the two pathways as I feel the whole story would have flowed better in a linear manner with a Part I and and Part II. But that's me, and others whose opinions I respect have rated this much higher, so the style must have worked for them. It was really annoying to get to the end and not actually find out which decision or choice she made on the steps.

I've read other books by this author and will definitely be up for her next outing despite my feelings about this one. Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - psychological fiction

Deadly Science (Shane Hadley #1) by Ken Brigham

"Rules are arbitrary. They are not boundaries, but just the place where you begin negotiations."

This is the first in a new series featuring Shane Hadley, "the Sherlock Shane of departmental myth reincarnated as a wheelchair-bound ex-detective holed up in his Printers Alley flat" in Nashville. Shane has an unusual partnership with  Detective Hardy Seltzer of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department as they work together to solve the murder of Bonz Bagley. The old man and his dog were gunned down in front of his club in the disintegrating area that used to be a popular country music nightspot. The death of Bonz is complicated by the fact that he happened to be a patient in a drug study that Shane's wife, Dr. Katya Karpov, was working on in her role as a neurologist with a new drug that is meant to treat Alzheimer's Disease. Is there a connection between the clinical trial and the hit on Bonz or is his death the result of a decades old feud between has-been Nashville music personalities? "The game is afoot." NO SPOILERS.

This was entertaining even though it seemed quite repetitive and was full of stereotypical characters. The descriptions of the city of Nashville were interesting along with the tidbits of history. The relationship between Shane and Hardy is a developing one and they seem an unlikely duo but I feel that I might warm to them with future installments. Unfortunately, I was too late to grab a copy of the second book in the series that seems to have been published at the same time. I would have liked to see if I grew to appreciate their interaction and partnership because I don't feel that I really learned too much about them as individuals in this introduction. I found the depiction of Katya to be a little over-the-top with her seeming brilliance and perfection, but hopefully she has some flaws! There was a little surprise toward the end that some may see coming, but overall it was a straight forward mystery that combined police work with science and medicine.

Thank you to NetGalley and Secant Publishing for this e-book ARC to read and review. Perhaps I'll be lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of Deadly Arts.

This is the first in a new series.

Genre - Mystery, medical and police thriller

Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat by Leighann Dobbs

Looking for a pleasant interlude with a cozy mystery -- this is it!

The "Miss Delta Belle" is making its way down the Mississippi on its inaugural voyage in 1926. The steamship is appointed with all the luxury necessary to provide its 195 guests with fabulous accommodations, food, musical entertainment and dancing. Aboard are Nora Marsh and her great-aunt Julia. Aunt Julia is a famous murder mystery novelist writing under the male pseudonym Ridley Howes and Nora has a doctorate degree in psychology. The pair fancy themselves a team of amateur detectives and are always looking for a murder case to solve. As they enjoy meeting the other guests and settling in, they finding exactly that -- a woman is found dangling in the huge red paddle of the boat. This was no accident! With plenty of suspects to watch and interview, the duo is on the hunt for a killer. NO SPOILERS.

This was a fast, fun read with interesting characters and a unique setting. I enjoyed the historical aspects related to the time period and the pace of the narrative. Easy to read in a single sitting, this was a nice change to my usual more serious crime thrillers. I'd definitely like to read another installment featuring these two unlikely detectives. I love the 1920s era historical fiction novels and this just hit the spot.

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

This is a standalone or first in a series.
Genre - cozy mystery, historical